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Tag: Omosede Igbinedion

  • By-election: PDP will not rise again in Edo, says Igbinedion 

    By-election: PDP will not rise again in Edo, says Igbinedion 

    Candidate of the All Progressives  Congress (APC) for Ovia Federal Constituency, Omosede Igbinedion, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party would never rise again in the state after the August 16th by-election.

    The by-election will hold in Ovia Federal constituency and Edo Central senatorial district.

    Igbinedion, who defected to APC before last year’s governorship election, spoke at the flagging-off of campaign in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area.

    She called for tenure elongation for federal legislators of Edo state origin to allow for optimal networking, facilitation, and attraction of projects to the state.

    Igbinedion said Edo Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa played a key role in her political journey.

    Referring to the PDP as a “sinking ship,” Omosede said, “Today, it is very clear that the ship has sunk. It has sunk even more than the Titanic and will never rise again.”

    On his party, the Edo Deputy Governor assured supporters that the APC would win the by-election with a wide margin.

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    He said Omosede remained the best candidate to occupy the seat.

    He said, “We have looked around for the person that has the competence, the capacity, that is consistent, reliable.

    “During the search, the wife of the President of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu said there is no female representative from Edo state at the National Assembly. 

    “This singular reason informed the party’s decision to have Omosede Igbinedion as our flag bearer.

    On road projects in Ovia, Idahosa said, “Starting from Okhun road in Oluku Ward, from the express to Siluko road, over a stretch of 7Km. As we speak, the road is under construction by Setraco. 

    “In Oghede to Aduna, the place was a deathtrap, but the governor, as we speak, is tarring the road up to Ekenhuan village, and from there, he will take it to Gele-gele. 

    “He has also planned to do something about the old Siluko road that is in a bad shape, that will make Ovia people happy.”

  • Edo by-election: Igbinedion, Ikpea win APC primaries

    Edo by-election: Igbinedion, Ikpea win APC primaries

    •Deputy governor hails members for peaceful primary

    Barr. Omosede Igbinedion and Hon Joseph Ikpea emerged candidates of the All Progressives Congress for next month’s by-election to fill vacant seats for the National Assembly.

    The primary was conducted in Ovia Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives and Edo Central senatorial district.

    Igbinedion was the sole candidate of the party for Ovia Federal constituency as other aspirants stepped down for her but Hon Ikpea defeated Mr. Glory Momodu with a wide margin for the Edo Central senatorial seat.

    Members of the APC queued behind their preferred aspirants as the party opted for the direct mode of primary and was affirmed by elected delegates of the party.

    Chairman of the primary election committee for Ovia Federal Constituency, Barr. Lucky Ajokperiniovo, said Omosede won the election after results were collated in 23 wards.

    He said Omosede polled a total vote of 5819.

    He said, “It was a free and successful election. The party worked hard for aspirants to step down. The turnout was impressive and they conducted themselves in orderly manner.

    Chairman for Edo Central, Stanley Uzoamaka, said the exercise was conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner.

    He affirmed that Ikpea won the election.

    State Chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarret Tenebe, thanked the committee for ensuring a peaceful primary.

    He assured that the party would mobilise the masses for maximum.

    Earlier, the Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, has commended members of the APC in Ovia federal constituency for coming out en-masse to vote for candidate of their choice in the party primary conducted on Saturday.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed August 16th to conduct by-election into vacant seats in the National Assembly.

    Besides Ovia Constituency in the House of Representatives, primary was also conducted for Esan Central Senatorial seat.

    Idahosa , who joined other party faithful to queue at Iguobazuwa, Ovia South West local government area, said the internal workings and decisions of party leaders were guided by its constitution and rules.

    He said the primary was peaceful and well-coordinated at all the wards.

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    According to him, “This is my ward, Iguobazuwa West Ward 2. Voting here was impressive as a mammoth crowd endorsed Omosede Igbinedion.

    “We await results of the 23 Wards that make up Ovia Federal Constituency, which consists of the two Ovia local governments.

    “This brought up the need for gender inclusiveness, as there are presently no female candidates representing Edo state at the National Assembly.”

    Omosede was the sole aspirant for the primary after the party’s leadership adopted consensus arrangement.

    Similarly, a member of the party’s national electoral committee, Jafaru Leko, declared that the process was “smooth, organised and credible.”

    Meanwhile, chairman of the primary in the federal constituency, Lucky Ajokperiniovo, announced Omosede winner after results were collated in 23 wards.

    He said Omosede polled a total vote of 5819.

    “With this aggregate score in the two council areas, Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion is hereby announced as the winner of the primary and the party’s candidate for the bye-election,” he stated.

  • Edo governorship poll: Defection of Igbinedion’s daughter rattles PDP

    Edo governorship poll: Defection of Igbinedion’s daughter rattles PDP

    Less than 48 hours after the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed confidence that the party’s governorship campaign in Edo State was gathering momentum, the exit of former federal lawmaker, Omosede Igbinedion, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, has rattled PDP.

    On Sunday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, said the party’s candidate for the September 21 governorship election ‘’is coasting home to victory and that his APC opponent is nowhere to be found in the electoral contest.’’

    However, according to sources close to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, there is now major cause for concern because the unexpected exit of Omosede, daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Gbriel Igbinedion, who once represented Ovia Federal Constituency, also implies a shift by the influential Igbinedion family, which once produced a governor for Edo State, to support Monday Okpebholo, APC’s governorship candidate.

    “Many of our (PDP) people felt very surprised and displeased to see Omosede at APC’s launch of its Edo South Senatorial Zone governorship campaign rally at Ekehuan campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Tuesday. The lingering issues the governor has with the palace (of Oba of Benin), losing the support of the Igbinedion family, add to PDP’s challenges, but we still hope our governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo’s capacity can win over voters in Edo State,” the sources said.

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    A copy of Igbinedion’s letter of resignation from the PDP dated August 11, 2024 was forwarded to the party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb.  Ilyas Damagum and the PDP National Working Committee in Abuja.

    She addressed the letter to Mr. Lucky Edosomwan, PDP chairman in Okada West Ward 1 in Ovia North East Local Government, whom some party members considered as a staunch supporter of Omosede, whose father, Chief Igbinedion, commands great influence in the area and beyond.

    Omosede’s letter was also copied to the PDP Chairman in Ovia North-East Local Government, Chairman of PDP in Edo State and PDP Working Committee in Edo State.

    Along with embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, Omosede, who represented her constituency as a member of the House of Representatives between 2015 and 2019, was one of the disappointed PDP governorship aspirants, who protested the allegedly skewed conduct of the ward and local government delegates’ elections that preceded the party’s governorship primary.

    In her resignation letter, she attributed her exit from PDP to lack of equity, fairness, justice, and the marginalisation of long-standing party members, saying it was curious that founding members, who Governor Obaseki met in the party, were fenced off from the governorship ticket and deputy governorship positions.

    She said: “It was a pleasure to have been elected to the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019 on the platform of the PDP, to represent the good people of Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West federal constituencies.

    “Based on the principles of equity, fairness and justice, which I hold dearly and which no longer prevail within our party in the state, coupled with the marginalisation of the aboriginal PDP members, who have worked assiduously to sustain this party before its infiltration, despite complaints to the state and national levels, I no longer have the drive, conviction, sentiment and commitment towards a party that I once called my own.

    “There is no indigenous PDP member on the Edo governorship ballot today, either as the standard-bearer or running mate, which raises the question: ‘Who exactly are we working for?’

    “My overriding interest and commitment to the people of Ovia, whom I hold so dearly and who have always stood by me, supersede my personal interest, as well as any other interest.

    “It is on this note that I have decided to tender my resignation from the PDP, effective from today, August 11, 2024.”

  • I’m proud to be youngest woman in 8th Assembly, says Omosede

    The lawmaker representing Ovia in the House of Representatives, Barrister Omosede Igbinedion, has said she is proud to be the youngest woman in the 8th Assembly about to terminate.

    Barrister Igbinedion, who lost her return bid to candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Dennis Idahosa, said it was a thing of pride for her to be the first woman from Edo State to ever go to the House of Representatives.

    Igbinedion, in a statement, said the electoral fraud and intimidation that led to her mandate being stolen was worrisome and threat to women limited place in a deteriorated democracy.

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    She stated that women only had 6.4 percent representation in the present administration, a regression from the President Goodluck Johnathan’s 33 percent in accordance with the global affirmative action quota of 35 percent.

    According to her: “Women deserve to have their needs represented by someone who truly understands them, women deserve the opportunity to participate in the political space and occupy a seat at the decision-making table.

    “To the young women in Ovia, whether in an official capacity or not, I shall continue to fight for us and champion our issues. Women let’s ask for more, we deserve more.”

  • Soldiers intercept bus load of thugs

    Soldiers of 4 Brigade have reportedly intercepted for buses loaded with thugs heading for Okada, headquarters of Ovia North East local government area.

    Sources said the buses were in the convoy of Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency.

    It was gathered the soldiers stopped the convoy and the occupants said they were on their way to Okada to perform their civic responsibility but they couldn’t provide their PVCs.

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    Witnesses said the boys were asked to lie on the floor.

    Chairman of Ovia South West local government, Destiny Enabulele, confirmed the arrest of the suspected thugs.

    He praised the soldiers for being vigilant saying what they want in Ovia is peaceful elections.

    Igbinedon could not be reached for comments as calls to her phone went unanswered.

  • Igbinedion to sponsor footballers to Europe

    The lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Omosede Igbinedion, has organised a football competition to scout for best players to be sponsored abroad.

    Omosede said the football talent hunt was in collaboration with a licensed FIFA agent, Mr. Andrew Uyi, who is based in the United Kingdom.

    She said it has been difficult to secure jobs for youths under the ruling All Progressives Congress and as such she had to look for other ways to create opportunities for them

    Omosede said the situation would change if Nigerians elect Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in next month’s general election adding that the football competition she organised to scout for skillful youths in her constituency was to enable her sponsor them abroad for lucrative deals.

    The lawmaker, who is seeking to return to the House of Representatives under the PDP, said: “We hope that Atiku will win the election because that would mean jobs for the youths. It is difficult to get jobs for them under Buhari.

    “Sometimes it is not education that drives a man. It might be other things like extra curricular activities and sports. Whatever your passion is you should follow it through.

    “I believe footballers are not only able to affect their immediate families when they are given the opportunity to go abroad but they also affect their communities and their country. It has a great effect on everybody and the society at large gets the benefits. I remember when Mikel Obi started here.”

    Uyi, the UK based FIFA licensed football agent, promised to ensure that the players get juicy deals abroad.

  • APC receives 2500 PDP, ADP members in Ovia

    Over 2500 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP), have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), at Udo and Evbonogbon, in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

    The defectors announced their decision to leave the PDP during the unit by unit campaign tour of the APC candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Mr Dennis Idahosa.

    They said their reasons for leaving the PDP was based on lack of cohesion within the opposition PDP and poor performance of the incumbent lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency,  Barr. Omosede Igbinedion.

    The defectors said Omosede did not impact on the lives of the people of the constituency.

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    Anthony Osarobor, a councillorship candidate of the ADP in the last Local Government elections in Edo, who defected with 1000 of his supporters said they joined the APC because of performance of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    “I am coming into the APC to join forces with the those already on ground, to win elections and develop Ovia,” he stated.

    At Evbonogun village, Seun Adeola, who led his PDP supporters to defect promised to work for the emergence of Idahosa as member of House of Representatives, representing Ovia Federal Constituency.

    According to him, “The Umbrella which the symbol of the PDP logo, is now in pieces and can no longer act as protective shield to us.

    “We are not just coming to join the APC to help Dennis Idahosa win, we want to assist in building the party here.”

  • My husband knows Edo problem is health care, security – Atiku’s wife

    Wife of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Dr. Jennifer Atiku Abubakar, has said that her husband has identified problems of Edo State to be health care, security and food economy.

    Mrs. Atiku said her husband is the right man Nigeria needs for the moment.

    She spoke while addressing women at a town hall meeting in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    Atiku urged Edo Women to focus on reaching out to youths and women in their locality because they have the highest voting population, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    She noted that the segments with the lowest voting population which are old people are the ones throwing out abuses.

    While urging them to engage civil servants whom she said do not go out to vote on Election Day, Mrs. Atiku told them not to be deceived by name calling and mudslinging against her husband.

    According to her, “There is a lot of name calling and mudslinging to snatch your vote. It is the women and youths that vote the most. That is why Alhaji Atiku has provided certain percentage for youths and women in his cabinet.

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    “We will waste our rights if we do not go out to vote. You need to vote for the right candidate. We need to mobilize and come out in full force. Do not waste your time on frivolous leaders.”

    The lawmaker representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, said the forth coming election was about survival of the country.

    Omosede urged the women to mobilise their neighbours and friends to go out and vote as well as encourage others to collect their PVCs.

    State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, urged the women not to accept loan in exchange of their PVCs.

    He said the party is prepared to defend the votes.

  • Ijaw group drums support for APC in Edo

    An Ijaw social cultural group in Edo State, the Izon Ibe Global Network, (IIGN) has called on all Ijaws in riverine areas of the state not to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next month’s general elections.

    It said candidate of the PDP for Ovia federal Constituency, Barr. Omosede Igbinedion, should be rejected

    A statement issued at the end of the group’s meeting and signed by its President, Comrade Godstime Ogidigba, said their reason for supporting the All Progressives Congress was because Omosede abandoned them.

    Comrade Ogidigba said Omosede did not attract developmental to Ijaw communities.

    Ogidigba described candidate of the APC, Hon Dennis Idahosa, as a detribalised, selfless and a reliable politician that could impact on the lives of the people.

    According to the him, “Since we voted for Omosede in 2015, she has not stepped her foot to any Ijaw communities or show her appreciation to the Ijaw people of Ovia Federal Constituency, whom she massively relied on then.

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    “We want to advice all Ijaws and leaders of the ex-agitators who are collecting money from her to desist from such activities as the deities of Ijaw nation will never forgive such persons.

    “We called on all the Ijaw sons and daughter, both at home and in  diaspora, to support Dennis Idahosa for the House of Representatives.

    “Idahosa is a detribalize man that is committed to the service of the people. When he was commissioner, his monthly salary was shared among widows and youths of Ovia South west of which Ijaw youths benefitted.”

  • 2019: Elders of Okada community in Edo endorse APC

    Elders of Okada community, headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo, have urged people to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the call followed the resolution reached at a town hall meeting held in Okada, near Benin on Wednesday.

    Speaking on the occasion, the Odionwere (Village Head) of Okada, Mr Napoleon Imude, pointed out that they have resolved to endorse the APC candidate for the Ovia Federal Constituency, Mr Dennis Idahosa.

    According to him, the endorsement of Idahosa’s candidacy was because they needed a “strong voice” in the National Assembly.

    Imude prayed for Idahosa to succeed at the polls, while warning the people against any act of betrayal in their resolve to support the APC.

    According to him, “we have heard about you, Idahosa, for a long time. You are bringing something good. All Okada men and women should hear and we pray God will make you to win.”

    Responding, Idahosa assured the Okada elders that the community would be developed if the APC emerged victorious at the polls.

    Omosede Igbinedion, who is the serving lawmaker representing Ovia in the National Assembly, is an indigene of Okada.

    Meanwhile, the APC candidate has told newsmen that the reasons for his endorsement were obviously for him to fulfill three things.

    “One of them is for me to be active in the House to be able to attract a lot of development to the Constituency.

    “The second is to concentrate on human capital development and to be accessible to the electorate.

    “My opponents failed woefully in all these issues. She is not accessible. She is not around when important issues are being discussed during plenary.

    “I could sense that Okada people are fed up and made up their mind to vote her out of office. They found the messiah they needed in me.”

    NAN