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Tag: Oshiomhole

  • I can’t be intimidated over 2015 election – Oshiomhole

    I can’t be intimidated over 2015 election – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Tuesday maintained that he cannot be intimidated with an allegation that he was destabilizing his state in order to vie for Vice Presidency next year.

    Speaking with State House correspondents, the governor said that he has the right to contest for the position if he decides to do so and that he will not be intimidated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    According to him, he does not need to destabilize the state in order to vie for office of the Vice President.

    He said: “And as you read one Metuhsella or Olisa Metuh or by whatever name he is called, he was reported as saying that I am destabilizing Edo state because I want to contest for Vice Presidency. Now that is standing logic upside down.”

    “If I want to contest the vice presidency do I need to destabilize the government that I currently head?”

    “So they have let out the cat meaning that they are afraid for their own rumoured ambition that I want to contest for vice presidency. So the point I want to make is that, if I even decide to contest for the presidency, PDP cannot intimidate me, I have a right to do so if it is my conviction.”

    “It is unfortunate that some people want to put their individual interest above national interest and I cannot be intimidated. I’m firmly on ground and there is nothing to worry about.”

    He also blamed the PDP and the police for the crisis in Edo State House of Assembly.

  • Nyako, Oshiomhole attend Council of State meeting

    Nyako, Oshiomhole attend Council of State meeting

    Despite the crisis rocking Adamawa State, the state governor, Murtala Nyako, on Tuesday surprisingly appeared at the National Council of State (NCS) meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, Abuja.

    Some members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly are threatening to impeach the governor based on alleged corruption charges.

    Nyako was the centre of attention when he entered the council chamber at 10:55am before the commencement of the meeting.

    Even when he took his seat in the chamber, his colleagues clustered around him to get the first-hand gist about happenings in the state.

    The Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, also attended the meeting. The Edo State House of Assembly is also undergoing crisis.

    Past presidents and heads of state at the meeting are – Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Ibrahim Babangida, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Ernest Shonekan.

    Former head of state, Muhammadu Buhari was absent at the meeting.

    Oshiomhole and Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, led the opening Christian and Moslem prayer when the meeting started at 11:38am.

    Also at the meeting are the Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammad Uwais.

    Other governors at the meeting are that of Kaduna, Delta, Niger, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Kebbi, Gombe, Enugu and the acting governor of Taraba.

     

  • Competency test: Monarch hails Oshiomhole

    Competency test: Monarch hails Oshiomhole

    The Otaru of Auchi, Aliru Momoh, has praised the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, for cancelling the competency test proposed for public school teachers.

    Speaking at the formal presentation of the winner of a Koranic recitation competition in Jigawa State, the monarch said the move would douse teachers’ tension and fears on what they erroneously thought was a ploy by the government to retrench them.

    Momoh said: “I was happy to hear that the competency test has been cancelled. The teachers are now back. Those who were sacked have been asked to resume work.

    “I thank you for this gesture and God bless you. So I must say that not only Edo State but Nigeria as a whole must be happy about this development.”

    The monrach said the extension of other entitlements to the teachers would increase their productivity.

    “I hope the governor’s gesture would be adequately rewarded by the teachers and their union.”

     

  • PDP accuses Oshiomhole of instigating violence in Edo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole are causing crisis to stop its rising popularity in the state.

    The party accused Oshiomhole of stirring up the political crisis in Edo State to prevent an official investigation into findings that he has been squandering the state’s resources “to finance his vice presidency campaign”, instead of settling down to develop the state.

    A statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the governor was also embittered by the admittance of his aides, legislators and influential APC leaders into the “popular PDP train”.

    The statement said: “Having lost the confidence and support of the people, Oshiomhole has resorted to violence and blackmail to intimidate and subdue them in line with the APC agenda.

    “The macabre dance playing out in Edo Assembly is an expression of defeatism or rather a terminal symptom of a decadent regime.

    “What else would have prompted the relocation of the state legislature to the governor’s office on the stage managed renovation of the assembly complex if not a calculated plot to intimidate and compromise the lawmakers?

    “We however wish to inform the governor and the APC that their machinations will lead them to nowhere.”

    The government, in a statement, said: “We are not surprised at Olisah Metuh’s fabricated tales and his allegations against the comrade governor.

    “Nigerians know Olisah Metuh as a publicist who thrives on falsehood and propaganda.

    “The crisis in Edo Assembly is a product of PDP’s desperation for power in its attempt to capture anything in sight. It is the same theatre of desperation that is pervading the entire political landscape as a consequence of PDP’s show of raw power.

    “The governor’s record of performance has become a reference point in the history of performance and good governance in Nigeria.

    “His tremendous achievements across the state could only have been possible through prudent and transparent management of resources, especially in a state that was run aground by the PDP for 10 years.

    “We are not aware that the governor ever sought to contest for vice president. In fact we would have loved a situation where he would run for president to take us away from this regime of tactlessness.

    “But so far, the comrade governor has not indicated interest in any elective office for now. When he does indicate interest, we will inform Olisah Metuh.

    “The four lawmakers who tried to usurp the powers of the House only got a teaser of what they bargained for. To play around with a governor who was popularly elected by the people meant that they will incur the wrath of the people.”

  • Edo lawmakers got N50m each to join PDP – Oshiomhole

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State on Monday said some members of the state House of Assembly who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got N50 million each to join the ruling party.

    Oshiomhole, who disclosed when he addressed different youths on peaceful protest to the Government House, however said government was undisturbed with “the shenanigans of the defected lawmakers.”

    He said, “I thank you for recognizing that we all went round to campaign for these people who have decided to sell their mandate for naira and kobo. What is sickening is that they are young men who should be anxious to break from the past.

    “However, because they believed they do not have any chance of being re-elected in February next year, because they have either done two terms or because of their poor performance, they know their constituency will not re-nominate them. They now decided to benefit from the desperation in different parts of the country to sell their mandate for N50 million each, collect advance payment of N35 million.

    “When I read this in the newspapers, initially, I didn’t believe. But going round, people tell me they are buying new vehicles, others are rebuilding their hotels. Suddenly money is flowing.

    “Obviously, I think it is important that if democracy is going to survive, each promise must be kept because in the last election, I had to go and do a television advert when the PDP people said this election is not Oshiomhole’s election, therefore vote for individual candidates, I went on television to say that a vote for these House of Assembly members is a vote for Adams Oshiomhole.

    “I had to do that because Edo people were not going to accept some of these people and I had to remind them that if they do not vote for them they would create problems for me. Now the vultures have come and they are offering money and people are collecting money and making all kind of excuses.”

    The governor declared “as far as I am concerned, there is no cause for alarm. A lot of these people cannot win election on their own merit in their own booth.

    “They were voted for as ACN with the broom. If you were voted for as ACN, with the broom, how can you now go and replace it with an umbrella that is torn and abandoned?”

  • PDP plotting to impeach me – Oshiomhole

    PDP plotting to impeach me – Oshiomhole

    Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Wednesday confirmed plans by the Peoples Democratic Party to induce members of the state House of Assembly to impeach him.

    Oshiomhole specifically mentioned former lawmakers of the All Progressive Congress who recently defected to the PDP as those they (PDP) want to use to create confusion and chaos in the state.

    The governor spoke when he received youths under the aegis of Initiative for Youth Awareness, Migration, Immigration, Development and Integration.

    Oshiomhole said Edo people would soon understand the real issues behind the defection of some APC members.

    He noted that the lawmakers rode on his back to the assembly, saying they were not known in their neighbourhood.

    He lamented that the bane of Nigerian politics was such that those who never struggled for democracy took over the political structure of the country.

    The governor said, “They brought a lot of money from Abuja, paying assembly members whom we campaigned for. We marketed some of these people who are not known in their neighbourhood. They rode on my back to get to the House of Assembly.

    “Some of them cannot walk on their streets. They collected, as I read in the papers, huge sums of money for them to decamp, to mortgage, to put on sale the mandate that you all, in your respective areas, gave them on the basis of their promise that they will work with me to deliver the state.

    “They have become merchants of mandates. And I hear they want to bring more money to buy more people. Let them bring, but the day the devil rises to say that he will dare what God has willed, they will increase the fire power in hell.”

  • Oshiomhole promised me Edo governorship ticket – Ize-Iyamu

    Former Secretary to the Edo State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Monday said Governor Adams Oshiomhole promised to support his (Ize-Iyamu) candidacy as the next governor of the state.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu recently led some leaders of the All Progressive Congress to defect to the Peoples Domocratic Party over the conduct of the party ward congresses.

    The former SSG, who disclosed this in a local television interview, said the APC has become an “animal farm” in the state.

    Ize-Iyamu said he joined the PDP because of his belief that the party was the best vehicle through which he would reach his destination.

    He said there was a desperate move to dismantle his structures by the governor, adding that his problem with Oshiomhole was because he was the only person that dares to say the truth.

    “The governor himself publicly and privately has come to me to say Pastor I appreciate the support you have given to me. I know how competent you are. When the time comes I will support you to become the governor. If he denies it, it completely shows he is not a man of his words.

    “The issue is somebody has consistently promised me to become the governor but with the way Comrade has been going, by 2016, I don’t think there will be any APC for somebody to say he wants to run the ticket on.”

    “APC today has become an animal farm. Everything we condemned is now in place. The governor wanted the conduct the congress in an undemocratic way by asking me to take five wards and the deputy takes five wards. He was so petrified about Pastor Ize-Iyamu being in control that he wanted me to become a minority.”

    Oshiomhole in a veiled response to the allegation said it was the former SSG that insisted he should be unilaterally decreed as next governor of the state.

     

  • Safe journey, Oshiomhole tells defectors

    Safe journey, Oshiomhole tells defectors

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said he will not surrender state resources to service individuals, who do not have the interest of the people at heart.

    He said the administration would work for the masses and not for godfathers.

    Speaking at the inspection of the Storm Water Masterplan Project in Benin yesterday, the governor said he wished those who have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) “safe journey” to their new destination.

    His words: “I am aware that some people have left our party. We wish them safe journey. When I came, I was clear and I said we will work for the people. I did not say I was going to work for individuals.

    “So if individuals feel angry that I have not helped them in what they call ‘individual personal empowerment’. I have the choice to make and I choose to work for the people.”

    Oshiomhole went on: “Day or night, come rain or shine, I know that the voice of the people is the voice of God and when God stands by us, who can we be afraid of?

    “I know that with time, water will find its level. Those who cannot cope will leave and many have left. Those who are happy with progress will stay and the overwhelming majority of the people have stayed.

    “I know that many people were deceived and they are returning because they were told come for a meeting only to hear people say they are leaving the party. We will not defect. We will continue to do what God asked us to do.”

  • Oshiomhole warns council chairmen

    Oshiomhole warns council chairmen

     Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has asked local government chairmen to stop the collection of illegal taxes.

    The governor warned against double taxation, saying it amounts to extortion of  taxpayers.

    Speaking during a meeting with the chairmen of the 18 local governments yesterday, Oshiomhole said: “Our local governments must be careful on the issue of revenue collection.

    “I recognise the legitimacy of tax collection. Everywhere in the world, taxes are paid. Government needs it to run and provide services for the people.

    “I know as local governments you have obligation to pay salaries, obligation to provide and maintain markets and there are a couple of areas where you are supposed to be active.

    “You also have a number of health centres and several other purposes that you need tax to operate.

    “If someone who is not authorised by the law to collect tax goes about extorting money from the public, the police and the SSS would arrest and prosecute him, if found guilty, he will be sent to prison.

    “Local governments must desist from illegal tax collection. Where the state is supposed to collect taxes, local governments should not interfere, where local government collects, the state should not collect because the law is clear.“

    Oshiomhole reminded them that they have a responsibility to maintain law and order in their councils.

    “As chairmen, it is true you have responsibilities for the security of your area but you can only discharge that responsibility when you liaise with stakeholders in your local government.

    “So I want to encourage you as you go back to your local governments,  try and work with the police, security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders so that they can share information.”

    Responding on behalf of her colleagues, Mrs Itohan Ogbeide said: “The local governments are not against collection of legal levies and taxes.

    “What we are concerned about is the illegal collections at road blocks where spurious demands are made.

    “We condemn illegal radio levies, advertisements and all kinds of tickets.

    “We support the state government in all its developmental efforts,” she said.

  • Oshiomhole ready for Okpekpe

    Oshiomhole ready for Okpekpe

    Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole is ready to race all-comers tomorrow at the second Okpekpe 10km race race in Okpekpe near Auchi, Edo state.

    This much was disclosed yesterday by Yusuf Ali, the manager of the eargerly anticipated race who also doubles as the governor’s trainer.

    “His Excellency is ready. He concluded his training programme on Wednesday and will be one of the over 3000 athletes that will run the race Saturday,” assures Ali, a former Nigeria and Africa’s long jump champion and record holder.

    Ali is confident the governor will run the full 10km course like he did last year.

    “His training programme took into cognisance this fact and that is why at some point during training he was running under five minutes per minute.This is a good sign for somebody who is not a professional runner,” Ali explained.

    Governor Oshiomhole is expected to race alongside some other distinguished Nigerians including the governors of Delta state, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Rivers’ Rotimi Amaechi and the Osun state number one man, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.

    “I was reliably informed by Tunde Popoola, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Olympic Committee that Ogbeni Aregbesola has been undergoing intensive training for the race but I can assure that he (Aregbesola) will meet more than his match in governor Oshiomhole,” added Ali.