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  • Edo FA hails Okpebholo for restoring football glory

    Edo FA hails Okpebholo for restoring football glory

    The Edo State Football Association has hailed Governor Monday Okpebholo for restoring football glory in the state.

    It said Bendel Insurance Football Club was struggling at the 19th position on the league table when Okpebholo assumed office but rose to the 5th position at the end of the season.

    Chairman of the Edo FA, Mr. Fred Newton Erhumwunse, who spoke in a letter of appreciation, said Governor Okpebholo has shown that great strides could be achieved through clear vision, transparent leadership, and genuine passion.

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    According to the letter: “When you assumed this esteemed role, Bendel Insurance Football Club, the pride of Edo State, was struggling in 19th position on the league table. Through your visionary guidance, hands-on management, and the creation of a renewed sense of purpose within the team, Bendel Insurance made an extraordinary climb to finish the season in 5th position.

    “This remarkable turnaround, achieved in such a short time, reflects not only your understanding of the game but also your deep commitment to restoring Edo’s football glory.

    “Football in Edo State has witnessed unprecedented growth and renewed energy under the governor’s watch. From grassroots development to elite competition, the game is thriving in ways not seen in years. Stakeholders at all levels, he added, are now inspired by a new spirit of optimism, collaboration, and ambition.”

  • Okpebholo nominates four more commissioner-designates in Edo

    Okpebholo nominates four more commissioner-designates in Edo

    Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has nominated four additional individuals as Commissioner-Designates in the state.

    The new nominees are Ohimai Ehijimetor, Eugenia Abdallah, Hon. Godwin Afekokhe Eshieshi, and Prince Kassim Afegbua.

    This follows last week’s nomination of Hon. Nosa Adams, Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, Dr. Felix Ehiguese Akhabue, and Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponmwosa.

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    Since assuming office last year, Governor Okpebholo has appointed only six commissioners, with the latest nominations aimed at expanding his cabinet.

    A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Musa Ikhilor noted that the names have been forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

    Additionally, the governor approved the appointment of Aigbogun Collins as Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation and Osobase Oboaguina as Senior Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation for Edo Central.

  • Okpebholo begins reforms of power sector in Edo

    Okpebholo begins reforms of power sector in Edo

    Edo State government said it has taken the lead to reform the power sector by establishing the Electricity Law 2024.

    It said establishment of the Electricity Law 2024 was to enable it achieve major reforms in the power sector.

    Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Dr. Washington Osa Osifo, disclosed this at a one day workshop for the development of policy framework for electricity market in Edo state. 

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources And Energy, Mr. Joseph Nyamali, Osifo said Governor Monday Okpebholo has established an inclusive, forward looking and regulatory framework which led to the formation of the Edo State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

    He called for collaboration with other critical stakeholders in the power sector to enhance workable policies as well as commitment to achieving positive results in energy delivery to consumers.

    Representative of the Edo Electricity Commission, Mr. Odion Omofoma explained that body was to bring sanity and ensure compliance to energy laws.

    Read Also: Okpebholo bans NURTW, RTEAN, others

    Mr. Omofoma further revealed that the commission is also saddled with the responsibility of licensing, tariff regulation, market promotion and regulating standard setting.

    Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Dr. Festus Alenkhe, advocated prosecution of those involved in electricity theft.

    Dr. Alenkhe who decried delay in supply of meters by Discos said such delays led to energy theft. 

    Representatives of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Mr. Michael Ogunleye, thanked Governor Okpebholo for taking steps to addressing challenges bedeviling the power sector in the state.

  • Okpebholo bans NURTW, RTEAN, others

    Okpebholo bans NURTW, RTEAN, others

    Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo has banned activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel in the state.

    Okpebholo banned the unions from collecting any form of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders, or any member of the public in the State.

    The Edo Governor also banned the Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd, a private firm owned by the All Progressives Congress State Youth Chairman, Tony Kabaka, engaged to enforce compliance of payment of taxes and levies.

    A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, said Governor Okpebholo banned the unions and consultant receiving reports of  resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organizations under various guises across the state.

    The statement said the unions were given limited authorisation to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) under clearly defined terms but ‘have grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.’

    According to the statement: “Credible reports reaching the people-loving Governor, indicate that the firm and its workers have become complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate, thereby betraying the trust reposed in them by the State.

    “The Government considers these actions as acts of economic sabotage, social oppression, and a direct affront to law and order. The era of using unions as fronts to harass, intimidate, or extort drivers and road users in the name of revenue collection is over.

    “All activities of the aforementioned unions are suspended indefinitely.

    “No individual or group under any of these unions is permitted to collect any form of payment from motorists or road users.

    “All motorists, drivers, and road users are strongly advised not to pay any cash or comply with any form of illegal levy imposed by these banned entities.

    “Reports of any such illegal activity should be forwarded immediately to the Edo State Special Taskforce, coordinated by SP Michael Anetor via 08038157126.

    “The Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies have been duly notified and directed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found violating this directive.

    “Edo State Government, under the leadership of the people-loving Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, remains committed to sanitizing the revenue system and protecting its citizens from unlawful exploitation. Let this serve as a final warning to all parties engaged in or considering such illegal activities: the full weight of the law will be brought upon you.”

  • Okpebholo predicts fall of opposition before 2027

    Okpebholo predicts fall of opposition before 2027

    Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has said his developmental strides would lead to a total collapse of opposition political parties in the state ahead of the 2027 general election.

    He wooed candidates of the opposition parties to defect to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and join him to develop the state.

    He spoke in Uromi during the launch of campaign for next week’s by-election in Edo Central Senatorial District.

    Governor Okpebholo said the by-election would be a proof that the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 was a done deal in Edo State.

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    He said: “This is a test for 2027. I can tell you that 2027 is sure. Before 2027, there will be no opposition in Edo State anymore as all will join the APC because of the developmental achievements in the state.

    “Joseph Ikpea will take over from me in the Senate. In this election, we will win five local governments out of five. We must win the entire 51 wards in the five local governments that make up the senatorial district.

    “I understand that it is only the candidates in the other parties that have not defected to our party, the APC. I advise them not to waste their money but to join our party. If they give you money, take it and vote for the APC. The money is our money.

    “We have promised to give the President 2.5 million votes, and we are ready to deliver on our promises. We will not talk much because the election is a done deal. This is the first test for us as we do not have any opposition in the state anymore,” he said.

    Governor Okpebholo received defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They included Alhaji Esiwele Musa, Abraham Osazuwa, Sunny Ejie and Robert Okoneme, among other PDP leaders across the 51 wards.

    Edo Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa urged the people to support Governor Okpebholo.

  • By-election as litmus test for Okpebholo

    By-election as litmus test for Okpebholo

    On August 16 residents of Ovia Federal Constituency and Edo Central Senatoria District will come out to vote in a by-election for their choice candidates to fill vacant positions in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

    Both seats became vacant following election of Governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Hon Dennis Idahosa. Idahosa previously occupied the Ovia Federal Constituency seat while Okpebholo represented Edo Central in the seat.

    Three political parties are expected to slug it out at the polls. They are the African Democratic Congress, the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party. The Labour Party appeared to have been weakened in the state. In the 2023 general election, it sprung surprises by winning the presidential election, Edo South senatorial seats, three House of Representatives seats and two seats in the House of Assembly. Its electoral fortunes has since dwindled as almost all the elected representatives have defected to the APC.

    OVIA Federal Constituency

    Candidates for the poll in Ovia are Barr. Omosede Igbinedion of the APC, the ADC picked Dr. Osayuki Asemota as its candidate while the PDP picked Mr. Johnny Ikponmwosa Aikpitanyi. Mr. Aikpitanyi is the only male in the race in Ovia.

    Barr. Igbinedion was elected to the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015 under the PDP after she defeated Engr. Isaac Osahon who was elected on the defunct ACN. In 2015, the APC defeated Igbinedion and repeated the feat in 2019. Igbinedion joined the APC after she lost her bid to be the governorship candidate of the PDP ahead of last year’s governorship election. Barr. Igbinedion is favoured to win the by-election. She hails from an influential political family in Ovia and has the backing of all stakeholders of the APC in the Constituency. However, her brother and former Governor of the state, Lucky Igbinedion, is the leader of the PDP in Edo State. He was recently upgraded to the Board of Trustee of the party. He showed his worth in the governorship polls as the PDP defeated the APC in both local government areas that made up the federal constituency. However, it is quite unlikely the Igbinedions worked against their daughter in the by-election. Moreover, Barr. Igbinedion performance on her first outing will sway votes for her. During her first outing, she installed street lights, provided support to women, farmers and youth.

    Candidateof the ADC, Dr. Asemota, is regarded as the underdog of the by-election in Ovia. She lost her bid for the House of Representatives in 2023 when she contested on the platform of the LP. She hoped to get majority votes from Ijaw communities due to her relationship to them.

    Aikpitanyi’s chances at the polls is dependent on the stand of the Igbinedions and other PDP chieftains who are still loyal to Barr. Igbinedion. Besides, many PDP chieftains have defected to the APC.

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    Edo Central

    Edo Central senatorial is the base of Governor Monday Okpebholo. It was the bastion of the PDP until 2023 when Governor Okpebholo made history to emerge the Senator elected on the platform of the APC. Since 1999, the PDP has always emerged victorious in Edo Central.

    Observers believed that the August 16th by-election will be keenly contested among candidates of the ADC, the PDP and the APC. The candidate is are Hon Sergius Ogun of the ADC, Prince Joe Okojie of the PDP and Hon Joseph Ikpea of the APC.

    Hon Sergius Ogun is a two-term member of the House of Representatives. He is a household name in Esan North East and Esan South. In the elections he contested, he won with wide margins. He has given out scholarships to many secondary school students. But political observers said the ADC would be a hard sell to electorates in Edo Central. They argued that the party lacked the political outreach wherewithal to compete against the APC nor the PDP.

    Prince Joe Okojie was a former Commissioner for Agriculture and a household name in Edo Central politics. He has previously contested but lost at the party primary. He was a former chieftain of the APC but followed Obaseki to the PDP in 2020. Some APC leaders said Okojie would be able to mobilise the financial base to prosecute the election. His supporters said he has provided supported for thousands of women, youths and artisans in the past.

    Hon Joseph Okojie is a former Chairman of Esan South local government area. He is a grassroots politician. Chances of his winning the elections are high. He has the support of Governor Okpebholo and APC stakeholders.

    This by-election will be the first election to be conducted under the watch of Okpebholo as Governor of Edo State and leader of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State. Governor Okpebholo has flagged off some projects in Edo Central and other parts of the state. It is a Litmus test for him to prove his ability to lead the party to electoral victory in the state.

  • Okpebholo predicts fall of opposition before 2027

    Okpebholo predicts fall of opposition before 2027

    Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has declared that his administration’s developmental strides will lead to the total collapse of opposition political parties in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    Speaking in Uromi during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign for the upcoming by-election in Edo Central Senatorial District, Okpebholo urged candidates from opposition parties to defect to the ruling APC and join him in advancing the state’s development.

    The governor also described the senatorial by-election as a litmus test, affirming that the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 is already assured in Edo State.

    His words, “This is a test for 2027. I can tell you that 2027 is sure. Before 2027, there will be no opposition in Edo State anymore as all will join the APC because of the developmental achievements in the State.

    “Hon. Joseph Ikpea will take over from me in the Senate. In this election, we will win five local governments out of five. We must win the entire 51 wards in the five local governments that make up the Senatorial District.

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    “I understand that it is only the candidates in the other parties that have not decamped to our party, the APC. I advise them not to waste their money but to join our party. If they give you money, take it and vote for the APC. The money is our money.

    “We promised to give the President 2.5 million votes, and we are ready to deliver on our promises. We will not talk much because the election is a done deal. This is the first test for us as we do not have any opposition in the State anymore,” he said.

    Governor Okpebholo also received defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party and they included Alhaji Esiwele Musa, Abraham Osazuwa, Sunny Ejie, and Robert Okoneme, amongst other PDP leaders across the 51 wards.

    On his part, Edo Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa urged the people to support Governor Okpebholo.

  • Okpebholo is setting pace for development, says APC chieftain

    Okpebholo is setting pace for development, says APC chieftain

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State, Kelvin Omoruyi, has said Governor Monday Okpebholo has begun setting the state on the path of progress after years of bad and retrogressive governance.

    Omoruyi said Edo people got the right leadership by voting for Okpebholo.

    Speaking to journalists in Benin City, Omoruyi said Okpebholo needs good quality representation at the local government for the grassroot to feel impact of his administration.

    Omoruyi, who declared his intention to contest for chairman of Ovia South West Local Government, said he was driven by his commitment to fast-track grass roots development.

    He said Ovia South West required the right leadership to harness for its agricultural potentials for the benefit of the people and the state.

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    He lauded the developmental trajectory of Governor Monday Okpeholo and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa in setting the state on the path of progress after many years of bad and retrogressive governance.

    Omoruyi promised to focus on rehabilitation and grading of rural roads, installation of solar powered street light, education and youth empowerment, renovation of dilapidated primary and secondary schools.

    He said, ” Basically, my mission will focus on improving the overall well-being of our people through purposeful and value driven and peoples oriented programs and project.

    “Since I understand the yearning of our people I deem it fit to come out and offer my self for service of my people and contribute my quota.

    “My blue Print is to bring governance closer to the people because politics is about the grassroot and to make the people understand that governance is about them. I understand that politics is very local and that has been my driving force for vie for the position of the Executive chairman”.

  • I inherited failed road projects from Obaseki, says Okpebholo 

    I inherited failed road projects from Obaseki, says Okpebholo 

    Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo has said that his administration inherited failed road projects and poor infrastructure from his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

    Okpebholo, who promised to fix the failed roads in Edo Central and other parts of the state, spoke when he inspected several failed portions of roads across Edo Central Senatorial District.

    Okpebholo stated that he would fix all the failed portions to boost economic activities and make life easy for people in the area.

    The Edo Governor inspected Onewa-Udomi-Ibhiolulu-Afada-Idumoza-Eko-Uwaya-Ewora roads and failed portions at the New Agbor Road, Illushin Road, in Esan North East Local Government Area.

    He said: “Bad roads across Edo State are one of the things I inherited from former Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for eight years they were in power.

    “I was with the President about a week ago, and he told us as governors to look into our bad roads and fix them. So, I am going round to implement what Mr. President requested from the Governors.

    “This Illushin road is a major road linking various parts of the country. We are here to match our words with action regarding these roads. We will start work on the road soon.”

    The Governor said the New Agbor Road was important to the economy of Edo State, saying it linked the state to the Eastern part of country.

    “This road is very important as it is a link and the gateway between the North and the Eastern part of Nigeria.The road can take us to Agbor, Asaba, Onitsha, and other Eastern parts of Nigeria.

    “The road is too bad. Look at the way it is. It is not motorable. A few days ago, during a heavy down pour, flooding killed a little girl here. It is painful to us as a government.This is a critical road, and we need to fix it.

    “We are here with contractors to look at the road, get first hand information to initiate a solution to the road as we need quick intervention to make the it motorable.

    “This is Uromi axis, and the road needs to be fixed to avert any kind of disaster that will cause pains to families,” he said.

  • JUST IN: Okpebholo nominates four new commissioner-designates in Edo

    JUST IN: Okpebholo nominates four new commissioner-designates in Edo

    Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has nominated four individuals as Commissioner-designates, bringing the total number of nominees to 10 since he assumed office in November last year.

    The new nominees, if confirmed by the Edo State House of Assembly, will edge the governor closer to constituting a full cabinet, as the constitution mandates the inclusion of at least one commissioner from each local government area. 

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    Governor Okpebholo still has eight more appointments to make to meet this requirement.

    In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, the nominees were listed as Hon. Nosa T. Adams, Hon. Yakubu Oshiorenua Musa, Dr. Felix Ehiguese Akhabue, and Prof. Omorodion Ignatius Ikponmwosa.