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Tag: Osagie Ize-Iyamu

  • Why I slept in INEC office for two days, by Ize-Iyamu

    Edo State Director General of the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has explained why he slept at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during announcement of results.

    Ize-Iyamu said he wanted to ensure that the results were not tampered with.

    Speaking to newsmen in Bénin City after official declaration of the presidential results, he alleged that All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders made serious efforts to tamper with the results.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu said the people resisted attempts by some APC leaders disrupt collation of results.

    Ize-Iyamu said PDP leaders in the state worked very hard to secure victory despite set back occasioned by the postponement of the general elections.

    Read Also: Tinubu hails INEC, security agencies for peaceful poll

    His words: “I am personally here to make the results are not changed. I could have sent one of my boys but they would easily intimidate them.

    “There were serious efforts to change the results. There were pressure INEC to cancel results in areas where we won but the people’s will prevail.”

  • Obaseki commiserates with Pastor Ize-Iyamu over brother’s death

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has condoled with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his family, over the death of his brother, Osato Ize-Iyamu.

    In a condolence message, the governor said the passing of Osato, who he described as a “man of peace,” came as a rude shock, noting that he will be missed.

    Read Also: FG hails Obaseki’s basic education reform

    According to him, “I received with rude shock, news of the passing of your brother, Osato Ize-Iyamu. Osato was a man of ideas, a liberal democrat and a man of peace. Those who have known him for decades attest to these rare and sterling qualities of his.”

    He said his passing is a huge loss to all of us, noting “He will be sorely missed and I urge you to find comfort in the reassuring promise of God that we will all meet in the morning of resurrection day. Please be strong and do accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences. I commiserate with you and the entire members of the Ize-Iyamu family in these trying times.”

  • I will retain my international title, says Nigeria’s draught champion

    Nigeria’s draught champion, Doubra Otuku, says he will do everything to retain his title and win the coveted N1 million prize money in the second edition of the international draught competition beginning in Benin on Friday.

    The draught is played by two people each with 12 round pieces on a board of 64 squares.

    Otuku, who waded off stiff Ghanaian opposition to emerge champion at the maiden edition in 2017, said on Wednesday that “I am here to retain my title.’’

    “The tournament will become more competitive with the entrance of players from Cameroon, but I am not ready to just give up my title.

    “I have heard that some of the Cameroonian players are very good; I have also worked on my weaknesses and I will do everything possible to win the coveted N1 million prize money,’’ he said.

    Top seeded players from Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon had arrived Benin ahead of the three-nation competition.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: NFF to review Eagles’ performance

    Competitors are expected to play in two categories- premier and first division– while winners are expected to cart away cash prizes, including the first prize of N1million.

    The maiden edition, which held in Benin, featured players from Nigeria and Ghana as 43 players battled for the N500,000 star prize.

    Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the Chairman of the Organising Committee, told the tournament was put in place to erase the erroneous belief that the game was for “ lazy or jobless people in the society.’’

    “Rather, this is one of the most intelligent, strategic and physically engaging sports in the world,” he said.

    Mr Mika Amonokhai, the Commissioner for Sports and Special Duties in Edo, at the maiden edition had expressed optimism that the game could become a national sport.

    “ That is why as a government, we are ready to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to see to the registration and promotion of this sport to the highest level.

    “I am also assuring the organisers of this tournament that Edo State Ministry of Sports under my watch is ready to partner the organisers to make the best use of the event, ‘’ he had said.

    NAN

  • EFCC may re-arrest Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said it may re-arrest Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu since he was not in court to be arraigned along others over alleged money laundering charges.

    It said it would get in touch with Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s surety on the administrative bail and make effort to re-arrest him.

    Counsel to the EFCC, L.P Aso spoke on Wednesday in Benin City where Pastor Ize-Iyamu and four others were to be arraigned before a Federal High Court for allegedly laundering the sum of N700m.

    Others to be arraigned were former Deputy Governor, Mr, Lucky Imasuen,  former member of the House of Representatives, Tony Azegbemi and Efe Anthony.

    Former Chairman, Board of Trustee of the PDP, Chief Tony was listed in the charges but was said to be at large.

    The absence of Pastor Ize-Iyamu and Chief Orbih stalled the arraignment as the EFCC Counsel told the court that it was the duty of the Commission to produce the accused persons and not for the accused persons to bring themselves to court.

    Aso informed the court that all the accused persons have filed application for bail and asked for the court to adjourn to enable the EFCC produce all the defendants in court.

    In the charges preferred against Pastor Ize-Iyamu and others, the EFCC accused them of taking possession and control of the sum of N700m without any contract award which they ought to know the money from part of an unlawful act.

    They were alleged to have make cash payment of N60,650,000 to one Henry Tenebe of Estako West local government and N61,647,000 to one Momoh Andrew Ojo of Akoko-Edo without going through a financial institution.

    In count five, six and seven, they were alleged to have make cash payment of N83,473,000, N125,993,000 and N105,000,000 to Deacon Ezekiel Egharevba, Thomas Aroko and Scott Osagiede respectively without going through a financial institution.

    Counsel to Pastor Ize-Iyamu and Chief Orbih, Ikide Chiehelua and Chief Ferdinand Orbih told the court their clients travelled outside the country.

    They promised that their clients were prepared to face trials and would be back by Tuesday next week.

    Chief Orbih said, “I have his instruction that he will be back to answer to the charges. He is ready and willing to defend himself. His absence is not bourne out of disrespect of the court. He was not served about the arraignment. He lone heard about it and he instructed me to appear for him.”

    It would be recalled that the EFCC had first quizzed them in 2016 for collecting N700m out the $115m Allison Maduekwe bribe money.

    Imasuen had told newsmen then that he was only invited to a branch of Fidelity Bank to witness collection of the money and that the money was taken to the House of a PDP leader where it was shared.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu explained that he did not touch a kobo out of the money and that he gave the EFCC list of those that signed as the money was being shared.

    Read Also: EFCC arrests 12 ‘fraudsters’ in Lagos

    Chief Orbih said told newsmen then that he told EFCC interrogators that there was no way he could have questioned the source of the money or know whether the money was stolen.

    He said the N700m was judiciously expended to the satisfaction of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    According to him, “It is a standard practice all over the world for political parties to raise money for election.”

    “The money we received was sent to us from Abuja and we believe it was was from the money realized from the fund raising dinner.”

    “Edo State PDP was not in a position to know where the came from.”

    The case was adjourned to June 11, 2018 for arraignment.

  • Ballot recount shows I won governorship poll, says Ize-Iyamu

    Ballot recount shows I won governorship poll, says Ize-Iyamu

    Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has told party supporters that the recounting of ballot papers ordered by the tribunal showed that he defeated  Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu who assured party supporters that the PDP would bounce back to power in 2019 urged the party leaders to get more youths and women involved in party politics.

    Ize-Iyamu who spoke at a town hall meeting with PDP leaders in Ovia South West local government said there were huge differences in the figures written in the INEC result sheet and the votes from the ballot papers.

    Read Also: Supporters urge Fayemi to join governorship race

    He said he was satisfied that the ballot recount exposed the rigging of the governorship polls.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu urged the PDP supporters to mobilize more members saying next year’s Presidential election would change the political dynamics in Edo.

    Ize-Iyamu said several members of the APC have contacted him that they want to defect to the PDP.

    His words, “The ballot recount showed that we won despite their having all the agencies to support them.

    “We must all be prepared. The next election is too important for us. If you give APC 50 years, they will still be talking about the PDP. Since they don’t have solution to the problems, let us bring back PDP.”

  • 2019 is PDP ‘s time, says Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    2019 is PDP ‘s time, says Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    Former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has assured supporters and members of the part that the 2019 general election is the time for the party to return to power.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu told the party supporters Edo will come under a PDP government after the February 2019 general elections.

    He spoke on Monday when the state party leadership began a ‘Meet the people tour’ to the 18 local government areas of the state.

    Read Also: Bakare: Nigeria must restructure

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu said the ruling All Progressive Congress ( APC ) has failed to fulfill all it promised before the 2015 general elections.

    Ize-Iyamu however noted that for the PDP to secure victory in 2019, its members must reconcile and forgive one another, reorganize and rededicate themselves to the values of the party.

    He said, “Let us forgive ourselves. We made mistakes but we must reconcile. If we continue to quarrel, the unity we need to achieve victory in 2019 will not be there.

    “We need to rededicate ourselves to the values and principles of the PDP. The moment you hear PDP has won in February, just know that Edo will become a PDP state.“

  • KOWA urges Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory

    KOWA urges Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory

    KOWA, a political party, has urged Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo to be magnanimous in his political victory by working with all stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliations.

    Mr Thompson Osadolor, KOWA’s candidate in the 2016 Edo Governorship election, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Tuesday.

    Osadolor, who was reacting to Obaseki’s victory at the Supreme Court, described the victory as a call to unite all stakeholders for the purpose of moving the state forward.

    He said just like his previous victory at the Tribunal and Appeal Court, the Supreme Court victory had again reaffirmed that the people truly voted for Obaseki to be the Governor.

    Osadolor said: “Now that the legal battle of the governorship election has been put to rest, it is time for all, irrespective of political affiliations, to put the state at work.

    We must all now come together to work for the common good of the people and the state. We must now put our individual interest or ambition on hold for the common good of all – Osadolor.

    “As for the Governor, I urge him to see his victory as a call to unite all, whether they worked for him or not.

    “He should be magnanimous and humble enough to tap knowledge from his political opponents. What matters most is the overall development of the state,’’ he said.

    Osadolor said many candidates that contested the election with Obaseki did so with the desire to uplift the standard of living of the people and for the overall growth of the state.

    “In going into the contest, however, we were also conscious of the fact that only one will emerge as governor at the end of the day.

    “My point here is that since Obaseki defeated us to the seat, he needs our support; let us avail ourselves to assist him when he requests for it.

    “Obaseki is the governor today; his time has come and it will definitely end one day for another person to take the battle of leadership, but the state remains while leaders come and go.”

    Obaseki, who contested the election the election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), September 2016, defeated his closest rival and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Ize-Iyamu, who was not satisfied with the results of the poll, challenged the victory of Obaseki at the Election Petitions Tribunal alleging irregularity.

    However, the Three-Member Edo Election Petition Tribunal in April dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, for lack of merit.

    Similarly, in June, the Appeal Court again upheld Obaseki’s victory at the poll while Ize-Iyamu proceeded to the apex court to challenge the Appeal Court’s judgment.

    In the seven-man panel at the Supreme Court on Monday, the judges, in a unanimous decision, dismissed Ize-Iyamu’s case for lack of merit.

  • Oshiomhole hails tribunal judgment

    Oshiomhole hails tribunal judgment

    Former governor of Edo, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday commended the judgment delivered by the Election Petitions Tribunal on the Edo 2016 Governorship Election, affirming the election of Gov. Godwin Obaseki.

    Speaking to newsmen in Benin, Oshiomhole said the judiciary still remained the hope for common man.

    “The judgment is sound and a testimony that the people of Edo never voted for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    ‘‘The petition was a busy body one to distract the electorate; this was just like ‘Mama Akara’ judgment going to see over non-issue.’’

    Oshiomhole further said that the judgment has shown that there were still men and women of good character in the judiciary.

    ‘‘This will serve as a deterrent to some people who can say whatever they like about the judiciary.

    ‘‘But it has shown it (judiciary) has men & women of good charter of courage and knowledge,’’ he said. (NAN)

    In a relayed development, the counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Victor Ohiosunua, has appealed to PDP chieftains to support Obaseki to develop the state.

    Ohiosunua made the call in in Benin after the Election Petitions Tribunal in Benin dismissed the petition filed by PDP candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, challenging Obaseki’s election.

    “I want to appeal to the petitioners to joining hands with the governor to develop and carry the state to the next level.

    ‘‘The business of the governor is tedious and the few five months the present governor has spent in the office, shows his capability and focus to take Edo to the next level.

    ‘‘The logical order the tribunal made today is the right one for them to make.

    ‘‘We are happy that the votes and wishes of the Edo people who voted on Sept. 28, 2016 has been restored,” Ohiosunua said.

    NAN reports that the Justice Ahmed Badamasi-led three-member Tribunal had dismissed the petitioners’ claims based on no credible evidence to prove their case.

    The tribunal, therefore, upheld Obaseki’s victory in the governorship election of Sept. 28, 2016, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    On his part, Ken Muzia (SAN), counsel to Obaseki who also commended the tribunal’s judgment, said the tribunal did a proper review of the evidence.

    “The tribunal has done a fantastic job, what we should be thinking of is the development of the state,” Muzia added.

     

  • Edo polls: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu know fate soon

    Edo polls: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu know fate soon

     

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate in the September 28 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, may soon know their fate as the election tribunal on Monday reserved a date to deliver judgment.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu had filed a petition before the tribunal asking the tribunal to declare him winner of the elections based on alleged non-accreditation, over voting and non-compliance with the electoral act.

    INEC had declared Obaseki winner of the election with 319, 483 votes while Ize-Iyamu scored 253, 173 votes.

    The three man panel tribunal headed by Justice Ahmed Badamasi said a date to deliver judgement would be communicated to parties involved in the suit after the parties adopted their written addresses.

    Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Onyechi Ikpeazu, ‎told the tribunal to dismiss Ize-Iyamu’s petition as the petitioners failed to establish instances of over-voting by not tendering the voter register, ballot papers, the recounted ballot papers and the outcome of the recounting exercise as evidence.

    Ikpeazu ‎said the proof of over-voting must be done polling unit by polling, rather than covering only 29 out of all the polling units in the state.

    The INEC counsel said the petitioners relied on invented figures not before the court and failed to provide competent evidence before the tribunal when they called witnesses who merely flipped through documents.

    Ikpeazu stated that Section ‎138(2) of the Electoral Act, as amended, said that ticking to the left or right for accreditation and voting emphasised by the petitioners, could not be grounds for non-conformity with the electoral process.

    Lead counsel to Obaseki, Chief Wole Olanipekun, urged the tribunal to dismiss the Petition on grounds that the identity of the first petitioner and who was sponsored by the PDP were different.

    Olanipekun stated that the petitioners abandoned their claims in the petition and are holding onto any straw.

    His words, “They could not prove anything. They are holding onto any straw. They don’t know what they want. They didn’t tender anything. What is remaining is carcasses.”

    “The straw of corrupt practices and non-compliance raised by the petitioners was weak as they could not prove anything. The first petitioner’s claim that he got majority votes and won the election was undoable”.

    Olanipekun opined that the name of Pastor Osagie Andrew Ize-Iyamu used in the petition was different from Osagie Andrew  Izs-Iyamu used for the election.

    He said there was no pastor in his name in the document used for the conduct of the election but it was only added in the petition.

    He said that with the conflict in identity of the first petitioner the petition was deemed as incompetent and doom to fail.

    Counsel to the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, told the tribunal that the petitioners failed to substantiate their claim of electoral irregularities in their pleadings, evidence and address.

    Fagbemi argued that the petitioners failed to establish fact before calling witnesses.

    “I urged your lordship to hold that the petitioners have failed. There is no leg on which the deposition stand. They did not establish over-voting. If there was deduction in the recount of results declared by INEC, APC will still win by 58, 696 votes.

    Lead counsel to the petitioners, Yusuf Alli, said the most logical thing for the tribunal to do was to dismiss the submission of the respondents as there was merit in all the complaints of the petitioners.

    Ali stated that allegation of non-compliance with the electoral law was made against INEC but the electoral body failed to present any witness ‎to answer to the allegation.

    He said the petition was mainly based on documentary evidences and argued that it was only PDP that can question the identity of the candidate and not any other party.

    He said no member of PDP was challenging the candidacy of the petitioner.

    He however urged the court to uphold the petition and declared the petitioners as the winners  of the election.

     

     

    “I urge the court to hold that there is merit in all  the complaints of the petitioners and as result of the merit the petitioners should be declared as the duly elected candidate of the election”, he stated.

    “All said my lords, I pray you, sir, that there is merit in all the complaints of the petitioners. And that as a result of the merit of the complaints, the petitioners are entitled to be declared as the duly elected governor of Edo State from the election of September 28, 2016.‎”

  • Edo polls: Obaseki calls 65 witnesses, closes defence Monday

    Edo polls: Obaseki calls 65 witnesses, closes defence Monday

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, will on Monday closed his defence at the ongoing hearing of the petition filed by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the Peoples Democratic Party at the Election Petition Tribunal.

    Governor Obaseki who is the second respondent in the suit has so far called 65 witnesses to testify and make counter claims of non-accreditation and over voting as postulated by the petitioners.

    Obaseki has three days left to call witnesses.

    The first respondent, INEC, did not call any witnesses. It only tendered documents claiming that its witnesses may help the petitioners proved its case.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the PDP called 92 witnesses and tendered several documents to back claims of  alleged non-accreditation and over voting. 

    At the resumed sitting on Thursday, lawyers to Obaseki informed the tribunal that they want an adjournment to enable them re-strategise their defence.

    Lead counsel to Obaseki, Mr Adetunji Oyiyepo, said the adjournment was to enable the defence team re-appraise their case before proceeding to calling any more witness.

    “My Lords, we are asking for an adjournment for this petition. We have so far called 65 witnesses across the wards from the 18 local government areas of the state.

    “We need Friday and Saturday to reappraise our defence strategy. We need more time to re-appraise our case.

    “We need to re-strategise to make maximum use of the available time on Monday. We don’t want to dump all manner of witnesses at the tribunal,’’ he said.

    Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Ahmed Badamasi granted the order and told Counsel to the third respondent, Mr Rotimi Ogunesho, to be ready to open his defence on Tuesday.