Tag: Okpebholo

…insists that their defeat is imminent 

All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo has taken a swipe at Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, over alleged sponsorship of a smear campaign against him. 

Okpebholo said the PDP, Obaseki and Ighodalo have suddenly become desperate, over fears that they will suffer a humiliating defeat in the upcoming governorship polls.

Recall that a group, Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, recently held a press conference and also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over claims that Okpebholo sprayed the naira at a public function 

A statement by the media office of the APC governorship candidate made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday wondered why “desperate Obaseki and his political godson, Ighodalo”, will resort to character assassination in order to score cheap political points. 

The governorship hopeful said that as a private and public person, he has never sprayed or mutilated the naira, insisting that the video agents of the governor and PDP members are sharing on social media does not belong to him

Okpebholo revealed that in his over 50 years on earth, he has never been arrested by the police for any civil or criminal offences, and wondered why the PDP and its agents will fabricate fake news to tarnish his image ahead of the election where he is favoured to win in the polls.

Read Also: Akpata berates Obaseki for inaugurating five of eight High Court judges

The APC flag bearer warned those behind the rumoured petition and State agents to apologise for misleading Edo people. He also called on the IGP to investigate the faces behind the petition and prosecute them accordingly. 

Okpebholo said: “Emperor Godwin Obaseki, the crisis-ridden PDP and their novice candidate, Ighodalo, have decided to resort to cheap blackmail. They know that they will lose the election, and they are jittery. 

“They are scouting for fake news and non-existent things to blackmail me and lie to Edo people. Unfortunately for them, we know what they are up to. They are smelling the defeat already. Edo people have already decided, and no amount of State-sponsored intimidation will work.

“In Edo state, President Ahmed Tinubu-led APC administration is working. The federal government is reconstructing federal roads in Edo Central, Edo North, and Edo South. The APC-led federal government is planning to implement other social welfare programmes in Edo State. 

“That is why it is imperative for Edo people to take sides with the APC and vote for me as the next governor of Edo State. We will bring the federal government closer to Edo people. We have been isolated for too long, and it is time to end that alienation. 

“There is no going back. We must liberate Edo State from the grip of mini tyrants and economic scavengers who want to use our commonwealth to enrich themselves. Edo State deserves a home-grown solution to the many problems created by Obaseki’s clueless administration.

“In the coming days, our Campaign Organisation will unveil our plans for Edo people. We will focus on key areas that will uplift the lives of the people. Education, healthcare, agriculture, security, tourism, food security, and economic development, among others, will take the centre stage when we take over in November. 

“I call on Edo people to ignore the new distraction the PDP and their agents are  trying to promote. ‘Edo no dey carry last’. We are smart, and no one can deceive us, including Obaseki, who has failed the people.”

The  governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has kicked against yesterday’s inauguration by Governor Godwin Obaseki of five of the eight Edo High Court judges, eleven months after their June 2023 recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The newly-inaugurated judges are Justices Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Ovenseri Otamere, Bright Eraze Oniha, and Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu.

Another displeased stakeholder was the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which condemned Obaseki’s delay in inaugurating the judges, describing it as an abuse of power and disregard for constitutional provisions.

Read Also:APC’s Okpebholo kicks as Obaseki inaugurates five out of eight Judges

NBA’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) specifically highlighted the constitutional obligation of the governor to promptly inaugurate the recommended judicial officers.

SPIDEL declared that the unnecessary and ridiculous delay in inaugurating the recommended judges hindered the functioning of the justice delivery system, and greatly affected the hardworking and committed judicial officers.

Obaseki, while inaugurating the judges at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin, urged them to do right to all cases brought before them.

The Edo governor said: “It is with delight that today (yesterday), I am swearing-in five additional judges to the bench of the Edo State High Court. When I came into office in 2016, one of the commitments we made was to strengthen the judiciary. This is because of its role in the democratic process. As a government, we are going to ensure that we support the judiciary.

“Let me start with the latest reforms which is, for me, assenting to the law providing for the autonomy of the judiciary. I believe that we are one of the few states in Nigeria today that have signed the bill of the autonomy of the judiciary into law.

“In line with the other reforms, which we are undertaking in the state, we are encouraging the judicial arm of government to take advantage of the digital infrastructure that the state is currently investing in, as we have built over 2,000-km fibre optic connection across the state. We now have digital infrastructure in every area where we have a high court. Please, take advantage of the investments made.

Speaking on behalf of the new judges, Osayende Ikwuemosi Awawu, said: “We are going to do our jobs and perform our duties to the best of our ability.”

Okpebholo, in a press statement by his campaign organisation, signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Prince John Mayaki, declared that inaugurating five of the eight judges was similar to Obaseki’s polarisation of Edo House of Assembly between 2019 and 2023, where the state’s governor debarred 14 APC members in the 24-member Assembly from being inaugurated or sitting for four years, until the expiration of their tenure.

Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flag bearer in the September 21, governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo has warned the people of the state to be wary of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s N70,000 minimum wage. 

He said the new wage Obaseki announced is a Greek gift to blackmail civil servants to vote for his party and a deliberate plot to distract Edo people from real issues.

The APC standard bearer also challenged the governor to explain the whereabouts of the N5 billion approved by the Federal Government as palliatives to cushion the hardship of civil servants in the State.

A statement by Okpebholo media office released to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday hinted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2023, approved N5 billion for each state and the FCT to enable them procure food items for distribution to the poor in their respective States and pay civil servants certain amount for six months. 

Okpebholo alleged that rather than spend the N5 billion on what it was earmarked for, the governor has kept it aside to prosecute the governorship election in September. 

He said: “Governor Obaseki is actually owing Edo civil servants arrears of six months. Like other states, Edo got N5 billion from the federal government to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. In FCT, civil servants were paid additional N35,000 for six months. 

“Other States did the same thing and distributed palliatives to them. In Edo State, Governor Obaseki has been mute. No civil servant got any extra money like their counterparts in other States. Let us begin the conversation from there.

“Obaseki should explain to Edo civil servants and Edo people what he did with the N5 billion. Nobody in Edo State has gotten any palliatives or cash transfers from the Edo State Government. What has Obaseki spent the money on?

“We know that the State Government is keeping billions of naira to buy votes and prosecute the governorship election, where he intends to impose his political stooge on Edo people. Unfortunately for him, the people are wiser, especially civil servants in the state. 

“Civil servants deserve a better deal from the State Government and not a Greek gift to blackmail them to vote for a party that has failed the people of Edo State. There are no good schools, hospitals, roads, or housing for civil servants. These are the real issues.

Read Also: APC’s gov candidate, Okpebholo, kicks-off road construction in Edo

“Obaseki has failed by every standard, and I am sure Edo people, especially the civil, know this. As governor, my administration will behave differently. Beyond the minimum wage, we will look at other priority areas for civil servants like quality healthcare, housing, and proper transportation. 

“I call on Edo people not to be disturbed. Help is on the way. Our administration will right the many wrongs of the PDP administration and ensure that Edo State is governed with a human face. We deserve more, and my administration will provide that.”

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, election in Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has kicked off the construction of six-kilometre Onewa-Uwessan Road in his Edo Central Senatorial District.

The strategic road, which connects Esan Northeast and Esan Central Local Government Areas in Edo Central senatorial district, links the six communities: Idumoza, Udomi, Ibhiolulu, Ujabhole, Audra, and Unogbo, and it is expected to open them up for economic activities, upon completion.

Okphebholo, while addressing the excited residents on Tuesday, April 30, stated that the road was of significance to him, as it was one of the major routes he used to hawk and make ends meet when he was much younger.

He expressed disappointment over the neglect of the road by previous governments, and noted that on completion, the road would open up the communities, thereby making it much easier for the residents to transport their farm produce to the markets, while curbing the activities of kidnappers and other criminals in the axis.

The standard bearer of APC in Edo also assured residents of the benefitting communities of completing the road in record time.

He said: “We want to assure you that this road will be completed within four months. Before the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, we would have tarred the road. 

“With the construction of the road, kidnapping and other criminal acrivities on the route will drastically reduce. Our people will be able to harvest their farm produce, and take them to the markets to sell and make profit. No more wastage.”

An elder of one of the communities, Mr. Solomon Okunbor, while expressing gratitude to the representative of Edo Central senatorial district for his thoughtfulness, stated that the road was impassable, thereby making it almost impossible to relate with people from neighbouring communities.

Read Also: PDP’s Orbih hails APC’s Okpebholo on road construction 

Okunbor said: “I want to thank you (Okpebholo) so much for coming to our aid. When you visited us, and you said you would tar our road, we did not take you seriously, because we had been hearing similar promises since 1999, with nothing to show for them, but now, we can see that truly to your words, work has commenced on the construction of the important road. Thank you very much. We have never had it this good.”

Another member of one of the benefitting communities, Mr. Benson Idiagbonya, while also speaking, stated that the residents would forever be grateful to Okphebholo, for bringing government’s presence to the suffering and neglected people, for the first time since the return of democracy in 1999. 

Idiagbonya urged the governorship candidate of APC in Edo to ensure that the road was completed before the forthcoming election, as he promised.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Party (APC) in Edo State for the September 21, governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has promised to reduce the tuition fees of the state government-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, if elected governor.

He gave the assurance on Sunday, April 28, at Uromi, the headquarters of Esan Northeast Local Government Area in Edo Central Senatorial District, at a campaign rally, where he welcomed numerous Labour Party (LP) members, who defected to the APC.

The defectors were led by a former Minority Whip in the Edo House of Assembly, Desmond Igbas Ezehi.

Okpebholo, while addressing the rally, expressed dismay at the deterioration of AAU, Ekpoma, under Godwin Obaseki’s administration.

Read Also: APC’s Okpebholo: my opponents are baby politicians

He was also not pleased that Obaseki turned AAU, Ekpoma into a mere shadow of its former self while causing undue hardship for parents, who aspire to educate their children at the higher institution.

In a bid to alleviate the burden on AAU’s students and their parents or guardians, Okpebholo pledged to slash the tuition fee from N400,000 to between N50,000 and N80,000, depending on the field of study.

He assured that upon assuming office, he would liaise with his team, to address the underlying issues at AAU and ensure the reinstatement of the unlawfully-dismissed lecturers.

The governorship candidate of APC also assured that he would restore AAU, Ekpoma to its former glory, and provide accessible education for all.

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state for the September 21 election, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has described his contenders in other parties as baby politicians.

The baby politicians, who believe in speaking fine English, according to Okpebholo, the representative of Edo Central Senatorial District, included Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Dr. Asue Ighodalo, a Lagos-based lawyer, and Labour Party’s (LP’s) Olumide Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The governorship candidate of APC in a press statement on Wednesday, April 24, pledged a departure from Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration, promising heightened Federal Government involvement in strategic initiatives within Edo state if elected.

He said: “My running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, a two-time representative of Ovia constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, and I, along with other party faithful, will be speaking with the people directly during the campaigns. We will address their concerns and leave no stone unturned.

“We will not lie to the Edo electorate or deceive them. Our word will be our bond. We will address their concerns and ensure that everyone is carried along. We will speak with our people directly, and give them reasons they should give us a chance to serve them. We have done it before. We will do it again.

“The good thing is that my running mate and I have contested and won elections before. We are currently members of the National Assembly. Those trying to challenge us are baby politicians who believe that speaking fine English will translate to victory. On election day, we will teach them a political lesson that they will not forget.”

Read Also: Ighodalo to PDP leaders: let’s strategise to defeat APC’s Okpebholo

Okpebholo also declared that no amount of intimidation or blackmail by his political opponents would stop him from campaigning and winning the crucial poll.

He said: “When we unveil our manifesto and our winning campaign team soon, we will hit the ground running.

“For us, this is a marathon, and we will win the race in the end. We are in this contest to win, and we will take over Edo State, by the grace of God.”

The standard bearer of APC in Edo also gave an assurance that he would succeed Obaseki on November 12 this year.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer for September 2 Edo state governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured the people of issue-based campaigns, as campaigns officially kick-off in the state.

In a statement signed by his media office and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, April 24, the leading governorship candidate promised not to disappoint or deceive the Edo people, assuring that his administration will be a complete departure from the current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Okpebholo said key issues affecting Edo people will form the thrust of his administration when elected as governor of the Heart Beat state.

He listed quality and affordable healthcare, affordable and quality education, road infrastructure, security, food security, social welfare programmes, housing, ICT, and agriculture, among others as key areas that will be addressed during the campaigns.

The leading candidate assured that, unlike other candidates who have no visible track records of providing services to the people, he will rely on his vast experience to make Edo State the new economic powerhouse in Nigeria.

Okpebholo revealed that following his intervention and that of the leader of APC in Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, contractors have returned to federal roads to complete projects abandoned by previous federal administrations in the country.

Read Also: Ighodalo to PDP leaders: let’s strategise to defeat APC’s Okpebholo

He said with the massive ongoing federal government interventions across the state, more will be brought in when the APC is elected to take over the affairs of the State and collaborate with the government at the centre.

The APC candidate, while urging his supporters across the State to focus on issue-based campaigns, promised to carry everyone along and ensure that no segment of the State is marginalised, especially traditional institutions that have been repeatedly disdained by the Obaseki-led government.

Okpebholo noted: “As the campaigns kick-off, I urge our supporters to remain calm and focused. They should not allow anyone to provoke them. I am assuring them we will win this election and take over the State on the 12th of November this year when the current anti-people regime would have left office.

“My running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa and I, alongside other party faithful, will be speaking with the people directly during the campaigns. We will address their concerns and leave no stone unturned.

“We will not lie to the people or deceive them. Our word will be our bond. We will address their concerns and ensure that everyone is carried along. We will talk to our people directly and give them reasons why they should give us a chance to serve them. We have done it before. We will do it again.

“The good thing is that my running mate and I have contested and won elections before. We are currently members of the National Assembly. Those trying to challenge us are baby politicians who believe that speaking fine English will translate to victory. We will teach them a lesson they will not forget on Election Day.

“Our traditional institutions have been messed up by Obaseki. The Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II and other Royal Fathers will be held in high esteem, unlike the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) disrespectful arrogance towards our traditional institutions.

“When we unveil our manifesto soon and our winning campaign team, we will hit the ground running. For us, this is a marathon, and will win the race in the end. No amount of intimidation or blackmail will derail us. We are in this contest to win and we will take over Edo State by the grace of God.”