Obaseki-Edo

Obaseki Stokes The Rise In Political Violence In Edo State

by with No Comment Edo State NewsFeatured NewsGeneral NewsPolitics

-Samson Osagie

”           …it is that èm you know we can’t feel safe in the house of the our National Chairman, I am not sure that èm if I visit, go to the house of the National Chairman of PDP they will attack me the way they did in the house of the National Chairman of APC, its really unfortunate that things have degenerated to this extent, we will continue to pursue peace, we cannot afford to lose the gains of the last three years, we continue to pursue peace”

Above were the exact words of Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State on 2nd November 2019 following the unfortunate incident of his denial of entrance to the country home of the National Chairman of the APC National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole after the Convoction of the Edo University, Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Let me state unequivocally that I condemn in strong terms any form of politically motivated violence or any violence for the matter as a means of settling scores and this recent one is not an exception. But my concern about what has become a harvest of political violence that have pervaded Edo State in recent times is that the Governor himself stoke the fire which has almost engulfed the entire polity.

Consequently, I will attempt to Chronicle them seriatim. First, on the 18th of June, 2019 members elect of the Edo State House of Assembly were attacked at Golden Tulip Hotel Etete , GRA, by hired thugs with full official cover by the state Security outfit codenamed “Wabaizigan” with the former CSO to the Governor Chris Nwankwo actively involved.

Some of the Lawmakers (including the younger brother of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole National Chairman of APC) were mercilessly beaten to stupor and subsequently detained.This incident led to the redeployment of the former CSO but the police never arrested the other participants in that despicable conduct up until now. Thereafter , the Governor organized a rally at Museum ground to issue out threats to all those who would dare to challenge his reign of tyranny and disregard for the rule of law. All in a bid to promote his second term ambition.

In Ovia North East, sometimes in October members of APC who were holding meeting in a hotel at Oluku were rudely disrupted by agents of state and two former House of Assembly members and a representatives member from the area sustained minor injuries. Reason was that the meeting was not sanctioned by the Governor

 

It has been a battle between Progressive forces in Ikpoba/Okha Local Government Area and agents of the Secretary to the State Government over the decision of the former to liberate the Local government area from the shackles of inept and bad leadership. The combined team of police and state empowered touts have severally attacked the peraons and homes of leaders of Ikpoba/Okha Liberation Movement in a bid to cow them into submitting to the second term ambition of the Governor and the continous rulershhip of the SSG. No regard for the fundamental human rights to Association and movement of those aggrieved.

On October 12th, 2019 , thugs and state empowered touts invaded the house of the National Chairman of APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and even though they didn’t meet him in the house they would have wrecked havoc on lives and properties but for the timely intervention of some APC members led by former Chairman of Oredo Local government area and the Chief Executive of Akugbe Ventures. This attack was validated by the Crackteam social media group of the Governor in a live video that subsequently went viral.

Only recently, at Ivbiaro Owan East Local Government Area, a polytechnic lecturer and some others were attacked at a meeting of the party members and seriously wounded with vehicles smashed by agents of the state of no less than a Commissioner for Education and a Local government Chairman. This incidence was bloody and was masterminded by agents of the Governor on his party members.

All the above cases are matters of public knowledge but the Governor never cared or express any sentiments about them, yet they involved Edo people whether or not they are in his support for second term.

Then came the what is now known as the Iyamho incidence which state sponsored reporters have spinned beyond recognition to give the impression that the National Chairman of the APC organized an attack on the Governor and some dignitaries who had attended the 1st Convocation of the Edo University,Iyamho on the 2nd of November 2019.

Regrettably as the event may seem its precursors in form of massive mobilization by agents of the state precipitated the reactions to led to the denial of the Governor’s access to the National Chairman residence by irrate youths who have become provoked by the invasion of the small community of Iyamho by youths from all over the state.

The questions which Edo State actors need to answer are : Why was it necessary for the Governor himself to come to Iyamho to attend a Convocation ceremony Of the University with 4+4 caps bearing supporters and even those fingered as the brains behind the attack on the National Chairman’s residence?. Why was it necessary for the Deputy Governor to ride on a Motor Cycle with several bike riders carrying state functionaries and thugs to Iyamho to attend a convocation ceremony? Was it a political rally or campaign or election related event that was taking place in Iyamho that required mobilization of people?

From what we now know a top state functionary was teargassed along with a retinue of bike riders and thugs when he wanted to forced them into the convocation arena. It is also on record that the guest lecturer at this year’s convocation of the University, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Central Bank took a swipe at the conversion of the Convocation to a political rally given the unruly behaviour and chanting of campaign slogans by those hired by the Governor to cheer him up as the best Governor the world has ever produced. The guest lecturer had

to threaten that unless and until those miscreants led by some state functionaries as high as Special Advisers and Commisioners were asked to maintain peace he will not deliver his lectures. The Governor himself had to call his hirelings to order before Mr. Emiefele could deliver his lecture.

What a way to show popularity to the world!

These events in the days leading to the unfortunate incident at the gate to the National Chairman residence may have triggered the kind of reactions that regrettably greeted the encounter at the gate of the National Chairman. It couldn’t have been a premeditated action as some state sponsored medium are tirelessly struggling to paint it.

The last time I checked the Governor is still the Chief Security Officer of Edo State. If all these attacks to several citizens and party members did not bother him all along, it therefore means that he condoned them because they were executed to advance his second term ambition.

I wasn’t surprised to hear him say he didn’t know things have degenerated to the extent he witnessed that day. Reason been that he probably didn’t feel the pulse of insecurity that has pervaded the polity on account of his intolerance of voices of dissent.

One can therefore safely submit that the fire of insecurity he stoke by directing his agents to attack all those holding meetings against his second term bid and which directive has been gradually gaining momentum were now spreading like a wide fire. What therefore is incompetence in taking charge of the security of the lives and property of Edo people? If a Governor choses who to protect and who to attack no further evidence is required to establish a gross misconduct against the provision of the Constitution which stipulates that the primary purpose of government is the protection of lives and property.

After the Iyamho incidence, the Governor amongst other things said he will continue to pursue peace. That he is just realising that peace is needed for him to govern well three years into his government is laughable. This is more so as he has refused peace moves brokered by some Governors months back after the shameful act of inauguration of the Edo State House of

Assembly at night with a minority of the elected members.

What then can one say of the burgeoning regime of political violence that has now engulfed the state on account of the second term ambition of the Governor. I once posited that if the Governor kills everyone, there will no one left to vote for him

He must take responsibility for the ugly incidences of violence been perpetrated by his agents across the State and cannot pretend that he is just knowing that it has assumed a frightening dimension.

Feb27_2020_CDC_Coronavirus

My Dear Uhunmwode People

by with No Comment Featured NewsGeneral News

This is an usual times which calls for serious caution and therefore i wish to appeal to all of you to take the Coronavirus very seriously. It is a deadly virus.

It has humbled nations. It is destroying powerful businesses.

Italy did not take it seriously. Today it has killed more Italians than Chinese.

Follow the health and safety instructions already issued. Wash hands very regularly. Distance yourself from others as much as possible, seek help if you are sick, use your sanitizer often, avoid all gatherings and please take good care of yourself and loved ones.

Coronavirus has no respect for your age, money, size, beauty, village, nationality, religion or political party. It is already in Nigeria. Before government will close all schools, close major airports to foreign flights, ban all officials from foreign travel, ban flights from many countries including the USA, cancel religious and other gatherings and close major airports, you should know that it is a very serious matter.

Again, this is an appeal. I am begging you all, my dear people, take the coronavirus very seriously.

May God continue to protect and bless us all.

Your Truly,

 

Hon Samson Osagie

Former Minority Whip House of Representatives.

Inauguration Of Edo State House Of Assembly

Inauguration Of Edo State House Of Assembly: Interrogating The Press Release By Committee Of Benin Elders

by with No Comment Edo State NewsFeatured NewsGeneral NewsPolitics

A press release by a Committee of Benin Elders, published in the Vanguard Newspaper of August 13,2019, page 24 and the legal opinion of Hon. Justice S O Uwaifo, a retired Supreme Court Justice published in the Punch newspaper of August 13,2019,page 34,justifying the controversial inauguration of the 7th Edo State House of Assembly require the interrogation of the fundamental issues raised therein as they affect democracy in Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general.

There is no doubt that the names listed as the authors of the press release in support of the questionable inauguration of Edo State House of Assembly-Chief( Prof) E.U. Emovon, Hon(Justice) S. O. Uwaifo, Princess(Prof) Mrs.A. Emovon,Hon(Justice) I. O.Aluyi, Hon(Justice) J.O.Olubor, Prof.D.E. Agbonlahor, Emeritus Prof.R.O.Elaho, Emeritus Prof.A.A.E.Orhue, Prof.U.Edebiri, Brig-Gen(Dr) D.O.Ikponmwen,  Maj-Gen S.E.Asemota and Maj-Gen C.O. Omoregie are eminently qualified Benin Elders.

What is curious however, and the reason for the interrogation of their support for the controversial inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly is the complete absence of any moral and legal foundation for their arguments and conclusions whatsoever.

In the press release under reference they stated as follows-

(1) The inauguration of Edo State House of Assembly was a Constitutional issue that should not be politicized.

(2)That the Governor of Edo State made a Proclamation by a letter to the Clerk of Edo State House of Assembly on the 17th of “July”(sic),2019, and that was what the Governor was expected to do.

(3)The Clerk of the House who has responsibility to inaugurate the house did so that same day with the members elect present.

(4) From what is known, the State Party Caucus had in mind those to hold certain official positions in order to have a political balancing among the Senatorial Districts in the State.

(5) Those who disagreed with the party’s stand decided to stay away from the inauguration despite the telephone calls by the Clerk of the House to the members-elect.

(6) There is no Constitutional requirement that there should be a full House for inauguration to take effect, what is required is a quorum and in the case of Edo State House of Assembly ,1/3, that is 8 out of 24 was required for inauguration.

(7) That the business of Edo State House had fully commenced in the interest of Edo State.

The claim by the Elders that the inauguration of Edo State House Assembly is a Constitutional issue that should not be politicised is absolutely correct. Sadly, in a desperate search for reasons to support what is wrong , the Elders contradicted themselves by saying that the Party Caucus had in mind those to hold certain official positions in the House, and those who disagreed decided to stay away from the inauguration. The question to ask is – is the inauguration of the House of Assembly a business of the Constitution or an activity of a political party? Are these official positions of the House appointees of the political party or elective offices to be carried out by only the elected members of the House? If they are appointees of the political party, why should members stay away from the inauguration of the House after the appointments have been made by the political party? If the official positions of the House are elective, why should the majority,(15) members-elect stay away from inauguration and allow (9) to elect the presiding Officers of the house? Their reasoning in this regard is ludicrous to say the least. It will be interesting for these Elders to tell Nigerians whether the inauguration of the House of Assembly is only about certain officers of the House or a Constitutional requirement for the enthronement of the Legislative Arm of Government.

It is highly embarrassing for some eminent Benin Elders to be presenting to the public the position of the Political Party Caucus on the inauguration of the House when at the same time they claim not to be members of All Progressives Congress, (APC). Are they the Publicity Committee of the Edo APC set up by Anselm Ojezua?The attempt to defend the position of the Clerk of the House on the invitation of the Members-Elect through telephone calls for inauguration and decision for majority of the members-elect to stay away because of the decision of the party caucus on the official positions of the House is most ridiculous because no rational person in Edo State was aware of the Proclamation of Edo State House of Assembly before the late night inauguration on the 17th of June,2019. Shockingly, these Elders cannot claim not to know that that event was conducted at night. And they cannot swear by whatever deity they believe in. What kind of society are we where elders turns truth on its head?

Surprisingly, there is no space in the press release where the elders mentioned that they ever invited the majority elected members excluded from the inauguration for any interview or discussions. How can a retired Supreme Court Justice and other eminent Jurists among the Committee of Elders condescend so low to rush into a judgement in a conflict involving two parties without hearing from the other side? Where is the place of the doctrine of audi alteram partem( hear the other side) which is a fundamental pillar of justice and the rule of law they dispensed in their years at the bench of superior courts of records in this country?

It is highly doubtful whether these Elders are aware of the date and time of the inauguration of the 7th session of Edo State House of Assembly . Their press release stated that the Governor made a Proclamation letter on the 17th of July,2019 to the Clerk and the inauguration was done that same day by the Clerk of the House. The controversial inauguration of Edo State House of Assembly was held in the late night of 17th June, 2019, and not the 17th July,2019 as claimed in their hurried attempt to defend a patently wrong act. And how can these elders defend the moral and legal propriety of inauguration of the House by the Clerk on the same day the Proclamation was issued by the Governor?Is the element of the Proclamation of a State House of Assembly a secret correspondence between the Governor and the Clerk of the House or a public announcement for the information of the Members-Elect and the general public as defined by Law, Public Policy and pristine parliamentary practice and traditions?

The Elders deliberately closed their eyes to the provisions of Section 91 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which states that no membership of House of Assembly of any State in Nigeria shall be less than 24 or more than 40 to mislead the public when they claimed that there is no Constitutional requirement for all Members-Elect to be present before inauguration. The existence of the above section queries the integrity and impartiality of the Elders. It is therefore surprising how these Elders came to the conclusion that the inauguration of the House can take place without the invitation or notice to all Members -Elect. Those to be inaugurated are legally title holders that must be compulsorily invited to the inauguration. The issue of quorum can only be relevant if there is evidence of Proclamation and invitation of all Members-Elect for the inauguration. Any Member-Elect can be absent on his personal volition, but not to be criminally schemed out in order for an individual or a group of persons to achieve an unlawful objective. These Elders deliberately stabbed morality without any concern that those excluded from the inauguration are equally Edo sons.

For some strange reasons they have become blinded by some ethnic considerations to take side with a minority of the Edo State House of Assembly against the majority simply because a Governor who dispenses favour and patronage out of our collective patrimony have prodded them to do so. Posterity will judge!

It is totally untrue for the Elders to say that the Business of Edo State House of Assembly had fully commenced and already functioning in the interest of Edo State. In the contemplation section 105(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) NO House Assembly can be inaugurated without a Proclamation and by practice an invitation must be officially extended to all stakeholders particularly all the members-elect to the inauguration. There are two legal elements of Proclamation of the House. The notice of the Public and the invitation of all Members-Elect to the inauguration. Until the Governor of Edo State uses the machinery of his office to give these two elements to his letter of Proclamation to the Clerk of the House or the Clerk enforcing these two elements on the strength of the letter of Proclamation from the Governor, what you have is a gang of violators of the Constitution and the Laws of Edo State usurping the rights and Sovereignties of the Constituencies and Members-Elect that have been deprive of lawful inauguration. The implication of this is that Edo State House of Assembly is a candidate of section ,11(4) of the Constitution . It cannot legally be called a state Legislature in view of Section 91 of the Constitution of the FRN 1999(as amended). In that circumstance, the National Assembly can intervene until the normalcy, respect for law and constitutionalism are replaced because there is no legal House of Assembly in Edo State and those masquerading or pretending to be officials of the House are impostors that should be dismissed.

The threat of declaring the seats of the Members-Elect that have not been inaugurated vacant because of the Constitutional requirement 180 legislative days is equally laughable. A tenant cannot be default of a rent when the landlord has not given access into the apartment. It is sickening and a corrupt counsel that the Members-Elect that have not be inaugurated should make themselves available to an illegal Speaker for swearing-in. All the Elected Members of the House of Assembly are equal by rights and privileges . The first among equals or the Speaker can only exercise such right by voluntary consent and the election by majority members of the House. The man pretending to be speaker was never elected by majority of the members of Edo State House of Assembly .Can the Benin elders deny this fact? He is presently presiding over 9 members and 14 out of the 24 members of the House are challenging his authority and the illegal inauguration of the House.

Consequently, it suffice to say that the said press release of the Benin Elders is not self serving and but unhelpful to the roles expected of Elders in any decent society. Edo State is supposed to he decent society, and the opinion of these Elders do not reflect the position of all men and women of good will in Edo State. The content of the press release should be ignored and the authors are at best seeking the attention of the Governor for their parochial, narrow and immediate personal interest. Their role is supposed to be conciliatory instead of becoming advocates of immorality and illegality. They are not helpful to the desperate political ambition of the Governor for reasons that the Members-Elect that were excluded from inauguration are members of APC and delegates to the gubernatorial primaries of All Progressives Congress. These Elders are not. What nature of help is the press release by these Elders for APC, Governor Godwin Obaseki and Democracy in Edo State other than to exacerbate the already tended political atmosphere in the State?.

It is most unfortunate that Hon. Justice S.O. Uwaifo, a retired Supreme Court Judge on page 34 of Punch newspaper dated 13 August,2019 will take his views on a matter concerning the inauguration of Edo a State House of Assembly pending in in several courts to the public via a newspaper advertorial. A retired Justice of the Supreme court, how did he pay for it and for what purpose? For a man of his standing , it is legally sacrilegious and repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience, offensive, embarrassing and a total disrespect to the ethics of the legal profession to descend into an arena an offer a governor induced legal opinion aimed at intimidating the presiding Judges in the cases to rely on such Pedestrian and watery legal polemics . His legal opinion on the House of Assembly inauguration crisis is NOT a Judgement of a Higher Court or a Ruling of a Higher Court for the implementation of a lower Court. It should therefore be disregarded by the Judicial Officials sitting on Edo State House of Assembly crisis and the Nigeria public should note this novel attempt by retired judicial officers to subvert the course of justice.

We unequivocally commend and encourage the National Assembly and the Judiciary to speedily resolve the crisis of Edo State House of Assembly in line with the Laws and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Edo people and the general public should ignore the press release of the Elders that lead to no peace, but a justification of repulsive conduct.

Signed by:

Committee of Benin Progressives.

Adams-Oshiomhole-1

I Did Not Teach Obaseki, Shaibu How To Lose Elections

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*I did not teach Obaseki, Shaibu how to lose elections ― Oshiomhole*

*_…Says Gov Obaseki lost his ward, senatorial district in the Presidential election_*

*#News@ChrisOsaMediaGroup*

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has reacted to comments by governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his deputy Philip Shaibu, that he (Oshiomhole) taught them all they are executing today in the state including the fight against godfatherism.

Oshiomhole who reacted in a television programme weekend said he never thought them violence being exhibited today in the state and losing elections because “I have always been a winner”.

According to him, “I have read them several saying that I thought them all they are doing today. This is laughable because I never thought them how to lose elections. As we speak today, the governor (Obaseki) lost his ward, Local Government and senatorial district in the last Presidential election. As we speak, the governor is being represented by the PDP in his Federal constituency and senatorial district. These in my view were early morning signals about need to change tactics., stop threatening people, saying you will crush, who are you crushing?

“But I won my entire senatorial district for Mr President and I am being represented by an APC senator and House of Representatives. Then his Deputy Philip, in Jattu where he comes from, in his polling booth where he and his family voted, Philip Shaibu lost. He lost his booth during his own governorship election in which he was standing as Deputy governorship candidate. So if he learnt from me, he should have learnt well because I never lost election in my village.

“There is nobody in my village who can work against me because when I go home I relate with them, I am an ordinary man. You see when you have power and you don’t use it you are even more powerful. And you must know when to talk tough and when to talk soft. When I am in my village I am just like an ordinary man. I argue and play with my people. The only man that was doing PDP in my village, the youths said how can he be doing PDP but I said no, you have to persuade him to join us.

“And today that young man is one of my PAs. So he (Philip) is one of my very poor students, Kakhi is not a lesson and fighters must be tactful and strategic. No sensible man will fight people who vote for them. Those they are fighting now, some of them delivered 95 per cent of the votes in their units while they lost their own areas” he said.

Regretting that Governor Obaseki and his deputy have unleashed mayhem on APC members in Edo state, Oshiomhole narrated that “Even a professional fighter you choose your fight. The other day when Shaibu led thugs to my village with Okada riders and he said during my court case Okada people were following us. It shows how poorly he can interpret situations. Did we ever use Okada riders to intimidate ACN elements then, never.

“And those Okada riders were not hired by me, they bought into my vision. They have heard of me as President of NLC and on that basis they all voted for me, so when I was rigged out they took the fight to the PDP. The problem is that Philip does not know the difference between

family disagreement that can be settled through conversation and political opponents that need to be fought and defeated. But even my language is defeat my opponent and not crush my party members.

“It is only Philip and his boss that talks about crushing APC members. If you become a crushing machine and God enable you to crush your people who will you govern assuming you win. When elections start between us and PDP unleash that energy, you cannot possibly be making electoral sense by using your office or position to attack, brutalize and intimidate and even lie against your party members. And all I have tried to do is to tell him (Obaseki) that you will never have a political party that looks like a golf course.

“A political party is like a forest, in that forest you have many animals. The politician is the guy who goes into this forest, knowing fully well that all the dangerous animals are there but he is going for the antelope or the grass cutter which he wants to use to feed his family. He goes there get his antelope or grass cutter home and feast without being crashed.

“So the minimum requirement of political leadership is to be able to deal with all kinds of characters, use them to get what you want. And I said to him, you have to manage these people because for me as long as they deliver their units on the day of election you have to manage them. In my first term election when I don’t know the politicians too well, I won Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba Okhai, we were only rigged out in Ovia and Orhiomwon in 2007.

“It is those Benin votes and the small we got from Edo North that we used to defend my mandate in court. Look at the way they humiliated Ogbemudia’s daughter for refusing to abuse me, the woman only said I cannot abuse Comrade rather as a mother I will join hands to settle the dispute between you people. But they said they don’t want settlement they want to crush. Three days later they crushed the woman by suspending her as chairman of Egor Local Government.

“So it is a pity that they don’t know the difference between internal contestation and internal mechanism for resolving them and fighting the opposition. Killing is out of the kind of politics we practice, maiming is out of it. Now I told him Mr governor, with all the reservation people, were raising, talking about history, we convinced them to support you and it worked for you and you got elected, even if the margin of defeat was not as much as my own, but they worked for you.

“Then why do you now want to distort the system by creating so-called new political structure, is there a structural defect? He said he will retire all the politicians but I said to him will you retire somebody you did not hire. Most of these politicians I met them in the business. I have to go to their houses to convince them I want their support and when they give me that support I work hard to appreciate them. So if this is being foolish I want to remain foolish. As long as they work for me and Edo remain the only state in the South South that we have APC.

“The only thing I invested in defeating PDP in Edo state is my integrity and my capacity to persuade and mobilize. Politics is a leveler, people who are detained by their ego can’t make it in politics. And I do not know any political party where you don’t have disagreement but as leaders, all you need to do is to call them and explain yourself. If it happens they are right and you are wrong, you apologize. For me this remains the way to go calling everybody together. Not the clapping society where you selected those who praise you to high heaven” he stated.

Gov. Godwin Obaseki

Gov. Godwin Obaseki Missed It From The Beginning By Launching A War Of Attrition On The Political Class And Members of His Own Party

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Gov. Godwin Obaseki missed it from the beginning by launching a war of attrition on the political class and members 9f his own party.

He assumed power and became a demi god. In performance we can’t see any major thing in three years. At the end of three years he was holding seminars and Summits . Major projects to differentiate his government compared to his predecessors’ were nowhere to be found yet we know the capital receipts and how they are developing wings and flying out of Edo state.

His government is certainly not the APC brand and We cannot keep quiet in the face of these realities

~ Hon Samson Osagie

Pius-Odubu-696x437

Getting Edo Ready For A Great Deal Of Endless Possibilities With Dr. Pius Odubu

by with No Comment Edo State NewsFeatured NewsGeneral News

By AB Raham.

 

We are in unprecedented times where we are virtually reduced to the most basic primordial needs, in a bid to survive the Covid-19 pandemic, that is ravaging the world.

 

However, it remains important that at this time of perpetual suspense, one where the next day is shrouded in uncertainty. We must not fail to hold unto hope as our only boarding ticket onto the train ride of survival from this current phase of life into the future.

 

It is as this point, that I will again crave our indulgence and jolt us back to reality away from the current situation that soon after this era of social distancing, face masks, hand sanitizing and other rituals associated with measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 fade away, we have a governorship election lying in wait for us.

 

For the state currently, what would be desired would be nothing short of an appreciable healing process to the injuries sustained as a result of egregious, insensitive and uncharitable governance that has greeted the state in recent time, which must be fairly addressed if we are to move forward as a people and state. This is why Dr. Pius Odubu becomes the only viable option right now for us.

 

Dr. Pius Odubu is no stranger to the people of Edo state, nor the political landscape. Neither is he immune to the needs of the people being the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state and a two time Federal lawmaker. One  who is still committed to improving the welfare of citizens and making meaningful impact in the state with focus in the areas of infrastructure, social welfare, economy, security and inclusive leadership.

It is on this premise that Dr. Pius Odubu – who is the front line aspirant of the APC, in the forthcoming Edo 2020 guber elections – seeks to become the next governor of Edo state.

 

What this portends is clear; being very sagacious in leadership experience, coupled with an impressive academic background, complemented with a good heart for humanity. Dr. Pius Odubu has positioned himself and is set to bring all these qualities together into the leadership system of Edo state which is what can be described as the fundamental qualities to attain excellence in leadership.

 

It is on record that Dr. Pius Odubu was deputy to a governor whose administration shone light upon the many dark areas in the state before the ascension to power, of the Oshiomhole/Odubu administration in 2008.

If records are anything to go by, then it is safe to project that Dr. Pius Odubu will run a government of effective and essential continuity  as well as restore normalcy where certain unhealthy practices are rife. Some of these practices appear to have turned the people of Edo state against each other. This would be achieved by running an all inclusive governance aimed at judiciously harnessing the vested potentials in Edo state for the betterment for the people.

 

The aspirations of Dr. Pius Odubu are anchored  on hope for the future and a better tomorrow for the state and its people. To achieve this, we all have our part to play in ensuring that we maximize the opportunity of the forthcoming elections by entrusting Edo into the safe and competent hands of Dr. Pius Odubu.

 

….EDO NEXT LEVEL IS HERE.

 

AB Raham, is a member of Dr. Pius Odubu media team.

Philantropist, Dr Iyayi Efianayi

Ex-Lawmaker Commends Governor Obaseki For Honouring Late Philantropist, Dr Iyayi Efianayi, PHF, MFR

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A former member of the Edo State House of Assembly and House of Representatives, now Executive Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd, Hon Samson

Osagie has commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for honouring the late Dr Iyayi Efianayi by renaming Egba Grammar School, as Iyayi Efianayi Grammar School, Egba Heights, Egba in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State. The Lawmaker thanked the Governor for recognizing the immeasurable contributions the late Dr Iyayi Efianayi to mankind in all facets of human endeavors. He however, urge the Governor to ensure the upliftment of the standard of learning of the institution as recent inquiries shows that the school no longer have quality teachers and its infrastructures have depleted considerably, noting that the late Philanthropist and leaders of the community together with some indigenes who have had the privilege of holding public offices have been largely responsible for the maintenance of the school’s personnel and infrastructures. The Lawmaker also commended former Governor Adams Oshiomhole for extending its School Transformation programme to part of the newly renamed school.

According to him” its important to appreciate Governor Obaseki for this singular honour of a man who devoted his life and hard earned resources to provide schools, hospital, security, electricity, bank,employment and welfare for his people without discrimination. Dr Iyayi Efianayi loved God and humanity and never shown bias, hatred and preference for anyone, tribe and religion. His life is worthy emulation particularly by those who holds the reigns of power. I thank the Governor for this gesture ”

He also congratulated the Dr Caesar Osaheni Iyayi, eldest son of the late Philanthropist and all Egba family for this recognition by the Edo State Government.

The Lawmaker assured that work will soon resume on the ongoing construction of Benin/ Adumagbae – Egba- Akure Road recently renamed Dr Iyayi Efianayi Road by the Uhunmwode Local Government Council, as funding from the appropriate federal government ministry has been slow in the past few months. He noted that , Egba has been put on the global map of developing communities largely by the efforts of its individuals led by the late Philanthropist and call on Government to compliment these efforts towards sustaining the social and economic progress of Egba community and its environs.

10202027-a-person-thinks-of-the-word-opinion-in-a-thought-bubble-representing-the-formation-of-a-viewpoint-re

Edo State Governance (2016-2019)- A Lesson In Ingratitude, Betrayal, Bitterness And Anger

by with No Comment Edo State NewsFeatured News

“The question then is who your brother is? The one who sent you to prison or the one who gave you freedom? .The one that support you to excell or the one that seeks to bring you down?”

As 2019 draws to a close, it has become imperative to present an overview of the governance of Our State- Edo- particularly in the light of the ongoing internecine war between the government and a vast majority of the members of the ruling party- APC.

We all recall that, in 2016, the Governor was elected to take over from the National Chairman of the party whose tenure as Executive Governor of Edo State ended on November 12 , same year. The events leading to that election including the bitter struggle for the party tickets among the contenders were characterised by prophesies from eminent Edo men and women including members of the Obaseki family worldwide.

But the then Governor convinced of his choice of a successor was not swayed by the avalanche of counsels against his support for the incumbent Governor. Indeed , Comrade Adams Oshiomhole literarily converted the day to night and man to woman to push through his candidate- then Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki. The campaign slogan was continuity!!

However, some of us were not swayed by his insistence on account of principles and convictions about the soon to be Governor after serious due diligence. Personally, for the period I interacted with the government of Edo State under Governor Adams Oshiomhole, my encounter with him (Governor Obaseki, who was then Adviser on Economic Matters) revealed only one thing- his disdain for the political class and his near state of unhappiness anytime one is with him. Although, he passes as a man with some hands on knowledge on financial matters for obvious reasons- having been in the banking and stock market sectors almost all his life-his disposition towards people didn’t quite endear him to a good number of persons within and around government circles including his current Deputy Governor and Secretary to Government.

Upon becoming Governor against all odds, he showed his first sign of intolerance and unforgiveness when he used his lackey in my local government area to cause a suspension notice to be sent to erstwhile Chairman of the party Anslem Ojezua for the suspension of over

30 members of the APC including myself in Uhunmwode Local Government Area. Why? because we dare to ask to be included in the discussions(not appointment per se as some of us were not interested in state appointments) leading to the appointment of Commissioners, Special Advisers and Assistants in the new Government. The only reason we were suspended was that, we supported the former Deputy Governor- Dr Pius Odubu – in the Governorship primaries.

In 2017, as Chairman and leader of the party former Governor Adams Oshiomhole had to intervene through the Senator Domingo Obende Committee to resolve the matter. We thought that was the end. But the rest is now history!

What was thought to be a joke manifested in greater proportion when he personally sent a text message to the then Oredo party Chairman Mr. OKORO to resign as Chairman of the party in the locality and subsequently all the ward Chairmen and Woman Leaders of the Local government area were dethroned without a Congress? The reason, they were loyal to Osakpanmwan Eriyo who was his staunch supporter, but at that time was cooling off his heels at the Oko prison over a quarrel he had in government house with a certain Chief who is serving as Special Adviser to the Governor.

In a space of six months his disdain for party members and leaders across the State grew in leaps and bounds. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole thought it was a joke , he kept intervening and settling matters with assurances that things were going to be alright.

Now, on the side of governance; Governor Obaseki appears to have commenced very well by

his emergency repairs of feeder roads which earned the sobriquet “wake and see ” , his policy statements and meetings with supposed investors, holding of seminars, summits, conferences and so on which tended to give a new direction to governance in the State. He has renovated the entire Secretariat buildings which is commendable. He constructed the Iyekogba road up to Sapele road which is good and carried out road works in a few places across the State. He has revived the Benin Technical College for Technical Education but shut down College of Agriculture Iguorhiakhi and College of Education Ekiadolor.

The continuity ‘Toga’ he wore not only before his benefactor, the APC and the good people of Edo State was jettisoned in place of countless MOUs that has earned him another street name ‘the MOU governor”.

Moreso, the quality and legacy projects of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole were to also hit the rocks in place of quackery low quality works that saw roads being washed away few months after completion in the last raining season. More MOUs were to be celebrated on Modular refinery, Industrial park ,Sobe Agricultural rice farm of over N2bn, Gelegele sea port and many more, alas! all failed promises. Opening the Central Hospital became a glittering symmetrical dream to our people as it became a private estate of his Lagos cronies. No boards constituted and inaugurated for over three years and he effectively renewed and reinstituted thuggery through the POWA. More retreats and buzz word and no action. He unpatriotically stopped the Edo Storm Water Project and our drains never saw cleaning for all the years he took office. A man who pretended to be frugal with public funds expended huge sums on few days or weeks seminars in place of caterpillars that were dancing ‘Ajasco’ which abound in Edo land during the eight years reign of the now National Chairman of our great party. He has embarked on forceful removal of elected Council Chairman for refusing to attack those who holds alternative views.

He has treated with levity human capital development except for his empowerment of his friends from outside Edo State and failed to deploy emotional intelligence to carry along the people. The human element is key to successful leadership.

By the end of 2017, the restiveneness within the party has started gaining traction but patience was needed not to distract the Governor from Governance. However, the plan to decimate political heavyweights across the state was silently going on and it was just a matter of time those beaten will have to cry out.

Then came Oshiomhole Chairmanship of the party ahead of the Presidential and National Elections. I recall vividly , a certain leader from Edo South refusing to exchange pleasantries with the Governor at the Edo State stand in the Eagle square on the convention day that Oshiomhole and the new National Executive was elected. It was a mild drama. On becoming chairman the National Chairman resolved amicably the issues between them in Benin. Today, it is honeymoon for them. Ofcourse, that was what Oshiomhole wanted.

As the war of attrition continued to ravaged the APC with the Governor personally telling people that he doesn’t want them to be part of the politics of their areas and indeed the State( including yours truly), it dawned on many that his threat to retire the entire political class which he didn’t appoint anyway was real rather than imagined. Coincidentally, those who stood by him through tick and thin, rain and sun, were more on the list of the political retirees the Governor have penciled down. To them, why it seemed like a dream, the ingratitude was unacceptable and so found a platform to express themselves within the party. That gave birth to the Edo Peoples Movement which later became the nightmare of Obaseki and his government. Today he cries about EPM, a mere support group which gave way as soon as his man Friday Anslem Ojezua who supported the alienation of party leaders and members across the State from party

meetings and activities, carry out indiscriminate suspension and expulsion of party members without regard to laid down procedures, submitting the party to the whims and caprices of government officials, creating factions in various local government areas in the state without efforts to reconcile aggrieved members, was removed by majority of the members of the State working Committee and appointed an Acting Chairman David Imuse. The removal was promptly ratified by the National Working Committee.

Fast forward, the Governor has gone ahead to make pronouncements on party matters as if he is the administrator of the party. So laughable is his recent over two days announcement on a major National television that he has suspended the National Chairman from the party.

Does he or the State has such powers? People are asking! Unknown to him, his underbelly in the avoidable crisis has been exposed to very many people in and outside Edo State as a man rivelling in ingratitude to a man who threw you up to leadership. It is like what John 15:13 said ” Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friend “.

Although, Oshiomhole didn’t have to lay down his life for the Governor, his love and actions towards achieving the Governorship of Edo State for him was enough sacrifice worthy of respect.

In all of this, Governor Obaseki on June 17th , 2019 clandestinely issued a proclamation for the inauguration of the State House of Assembly at 9:30 pm with a minority of the elected members under the erroneous belief that a vast majority of them would not do his bidding and may impeach him. That anomaly has made Edo State to be the only state in the Federation having less than the constitutionally required number of members as at today.

Other than saying that he and his cronies have suspended the National Chairman, you often hear him say that Oshiomhole cancelled the primaries that was already conducted by the state. When has it become the responsibility of the State Chapter of the party to conduct primaries under the party’s constitution. Perhaps as Hon Chris Okaeben said ” none if them has seen the party Constitution” to understand what it says about many of the issues they complain about. Perhaps again, that is why at the last NEC meeting the President admonished party leaders and members to adhere to the party Constitution in all that they do.

If the Governor had not assumed a larger than life posture, he could have done things differently and avoid the crisis which has further deepened his bitterness, angst and desperation against majority of those who stood by him in 2016 including his benefactor- Adams Oshiomhole. That is not leadership!

I have often maintained and I want to repeat it here, that the privilege of been in public office is not to be converted to an absolute right for which no one will be able to question your actions or challenge your authority. Freedom is what democracy is all about. Betrayal, bitterness, anger, intransigence, abuse of power and authority are not attributes of Leadership. Leadership can be defined as one’s ability to get others to follow and some of the leadership qualities generally identified includes integrity, magnanimity, creativity, openness, honesty, inclusiveness, a sense of humour, fairness and the like. A leader with the combination of these qualities cannot

be autocratic. Yes, the leadership style we are having at the moment in Edo State is simply AUTOCRATIC, which is an extreme form of transactional leadership where leaders excercises absolute powers over workers or the team. That is it in a nutshell!

Many of the qualities identified above are lacking in the leadership Edo people have at the moment hence it is possible for bitterness, anger, intolerance and all negative vices are flowing from the very head( Governor) to the bottom. How can a leader succeed under this condition?

In the midst of this imbroglio, some ethnic irredentists, have attempted to introduce ethnic dimensions into the fray as if , our challenges are ethnic based. Evidence abound that in recent history, Adams Oshiomhole in and out of office has done so much for the Benin people than many who have had similar privileges including the incumbent . Yet , Governor Obaseki has sponsored protests and litigation against Dr Pius Odubu’ s nomination as NDDC Chairman. Is

Odubu not a Benin man? The question then is who is your brother? The one who sent you to prison or the one who gave you freedom? The one that gave you food or the one that starved you to death? The one that destroyed your property or the one that help you acquire property? The one that support you to excell or the one that seeks to bring you down ? Ironically, many of those ethnic jingoists took refuge under Oshiomhole when it matters most to them.

As we march towards another election year, it is my humble view that never in the history of our state have we been so divided and traumatised by an internecine war within the ruling party. And I agree that the common people are those that suffer most under an unstable and tensed political environment. We must begin , am sorry to say, to look for that leader that can unite us again without been bitter even in victory, having a human face towards governance, be ready to accommodate other people’s views and ideas, having a sense of humour to lessen tension rather than being angry at almost all times, understand the challenges of the state with a commitment to fixing them rather than seeking for solutions that will never come, marching actions with promises, respect the young and old, men and women, boys and girls, acknowledge the contributions of others before him, exhibit utmost humility for there lies greatness and above all have the fear of God.

As Edo people, we cannot afford to get it wrong. In the midst of the cacophony of voices, we must unite to remove that which aches us at the moment.

I wish Edolites A Happy New Year.

~ Samson Osagie is the former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives.

Edo Political Conundrum (4) 2

Edo Political Conundrum (4)

by with No Comment Edo State NewsFeatured NewsGeneral NewsLaw & JusticePolitics

By Prince Kassim Afegbua.

Yes, democracy is a demonstration of craze, betrayal, contradiction and sinfulness, yet you hardly get punished for it. Just ask yourself, in the gale of suspension and counter -suspension of officers of the All Progressives’ Congress in Edo state, including the purported suspension of the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, just two days later, those who played the antagonists role were seen scrambling to get into the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting presided over by the National Chairman, who was presumed suspended. Does that not tell you that there is some madness oozing out from the cocoon of Osadebey Avenue? What do we call this; illogical, contradiction, ostentatious foolishness or a piece of political idiocy? You declared the National Chairman suspended, passed a vote of no confidence, then 48 hours later, you started scrambling for space to gain entry to attend the NEC being chaired by the same person you presumably suspended. This is a graphic representation of the political maladies and obtuse reasonings that have become the permanent feature of Edo political narrative.

In the last one week, I have received calls from concerned Edo citizens who have expressed willingness to intervene in this political imbroglio between the APC main actors, but like I told them, Governor Godwin Obaseki is not willing to end the onslaught until there are enough casualties. Following the outcome of the APC Executive Committee meeting which recorded some mild dramas, it is obvious tempers are simmering on the part of the Edo oppressors, who have now devised the use of thugs to beat up anyone who does not sing the Obaseki anthem. Some of these bootlickers won’t stop at nothing to drum it loud into our ears that Godwin Obaseki has delivered on promise. They told me his nickname is “wake and see”, whatever that means. But from interrogation, I was made to understand that Governor Obaseki works at night when the people are asleep, and once they wake, they would be saluted with a new project to their consternation. That exactly is the problem of the Obaseki administration. Any project that takes 10 hours of the night to get completed, gives credence to its poor quality. It is obvious the Edo Government is delivering on quantity, little wonder the roads that were hitherto fixed, have been swept off by agents of denudation and erosion within three months.

In 2017, I had written a prognosis of what to expect from Governor Obaseki having listened to him explain the rubrics of his policy agenda. He told me that a 10-lane road will connect Gelegele seaport to Okpella industrial hub, as part of targeted measures to open up the Edo economy. He mentioned huge investment in the area of education, teachers’ capacity building, healthcare delivery and huge investment in rural roads and agricultural renewal. His policy framework and direction was quite irresistible. On paper, Edo was already wearing the architectural derring-do of London or another Dubai. Imagine the huge investment a 10-lane road network cutting across the state from the seaport to Okpella industrial zone, would bring to a state that depends largely on monthly allocation from Federal Government. Two years gone, Godwin Obaseki appears to be at sea trying to translate what is captured in his imagination to practical benefit for the people. Federal roads in Edo state under the APC-led Federal Government are the worst in the country. State government roads in some communities are also in terrible state. Okpella township roads, are reeking in outright neglect. Despite promises by the state government to continue the construction from where Adams Oshiomhole left them, it has been a matter of empty promises.

Someone had asked me barely a week ago if I was not convinced that Governor Obaseki has surpassed the expectations in terms of performance. I told the fellow that it all depended on what aspect of his intervention one is dissecting. I am aware he is trying to rehabilitate the old, abandoned secretariat buildings on Sapele road. I am aware he has almost completed a new building for the courts, as well as another building for offices just beside the government house. I also saw the empowerment village along Sapele road which formerly housed the State Government Press. I saw the Technical College nearing completion, and also Ekpoma township roads, which was started by the Oshiomhole administration, also nearing the asphalt stage. I saw the industrial court and the refurbished Ogbe Stadium, Benin City. Beyond all these, Governor Obaseki has not really touched the heart of the needs of Edo people in terms of improving their living standard. Education, security, human capacity development, healthcare delivery system, investment drive and a vibrant civil populace that easily buys into governmental initiatives. Investment in education is still crawling. The desire to promote an agro-allied business initiative to diversify the Edo economy remains a pipe dream. The Sobe Maize Farm which guzzled billions of naira is a poor investment initiative that was programmed to fail from the outset.

I visited the location on my way from Okpella through Ifon in Ondo state last week and what I saw there confounded my imagination. I also visited the abandoned Benin Industrial Park along Sapele-Warri interchange, given the zeal for the foundation laying ceremony by Vice President Osibanjo, one would have thought that by now, business would have commenced. Also, the Gelegele Seaport which almost became a legacy project of the Obaseki administration, has been abandoned for reasons best known to the government. College of Education, Ekiadolor, which was renamed Tayo Akpata University of Education has been jettisoned by this administration. Since the Pro-Chancellor, Rt. Hon. Thomas Okosun resigned his appointment, another Pro -Chancellor has not been appointed and the gradual phase of transforming the college to a University of Education has been stalled. The College of Agriculture Iguoriakhi that should be a training ground for skilled manpower to drive agro-allied business has been shut down. The Edo University, Iyamho has not enjoyed any investment in the last three years from the state government, ditto for Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. Only recently the state government promised to complete the dam in the school for ease of water supply.

Barely a week ago, the Honourable Minister of state for Budget and Planning, Mr. Clem Agba, visited the Oba of Benin and used the opportunity to draw the state government’s attention to the deplorable flooding situation in Benin City and its environs. The Honourable Minister had appealed to the state government to commence further works on the Benin City Storm Water Masterplan to mitigate the perrenial flooding and erosion across the City. The state government, rather than swallow the phlegm of such an advice, which would help address this very salient issue, decided to raise dust over nothing, cautioning the Honourable Minister that he would soon be invited to answer questions bordering on the project. The Edo government has suddenly become paranoid to issues that stare it in the face. It is hypersensitive to criticism no matter how constructive, and ready to unleash its army of mobile thugs on anyone who raises queries about its lacklustre performance. For the past three years, I am yet to see any legacy project that can outlive this government. This is not to say the government has not done anything, as that would be uncharitable, but the fear of the unknown pricks its conscience on a daily basis, such that attention is now shifted away from governance to the politics of 2020, 4+0 or 4+4 depending on who is singing the chorus.

Insecurity in Edo state has assumed an all-time high, no thanks to the near-zero investment in that sector. The number of check-points on Edo roads is better imagined than real. Call them exploitation points with POS in some cases used to extort money from hapless transporters, the inner sanctuary of the security architecture in the state has finally crumbled. The narration by the recently released Court of Appeal Judge, Mrs Ihime-Nwosu who was kidnapped in broad day light in the heart of Benin City is a lesson for us all in a state with porous security network. Her description of the manner of her kidnapp coupled with the fact that the kidnappers had a field day without confrontation by the Police, was enough testimonial for a failed security system that is poorly funded by the State and Federal governments. Often times, the operational vehicles which the Obaseki administration handed over to the Police are refurbished Hiluxes that serve mere cosmetic purposes. Before long, they park up helplessly at the point of operation where they had been deployed. These are regular sites when you travel on major roads in Edo state.

I thought when the government talks about EdoBest in the area of education, I was looking forward to seeing some sort of eldorado in the education sector. At best, Edo schools, both primary and secondary schools are still at the level that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole left them. Before tenure expiration of Oshiomhole, about 2,520 teachers were interviewed and screened by the Professor Agbonlahor-led committee which comprised seven other Professors of education from the University of Benin, ready to be absorbed into the state teaching service. This figure was to cater for the shortfall in terms of teachers population in the state’s secondary and primary schools. Three years after, most Edo schools are without sufficient teachers. The four Secondary Schools in my community suffer similar fate. None of the four schools can boast of 6 teachers. At best, what you find are four, three and two teachers in that order, and further augmented by communal effort to make up for the discrepancies. The schools in the other villages in the Local Government are also victims of this insufficient teachers. This is why I find it curious when I heard the claim that 157,000 jobs have been created in the last three years. How can government claim to have created 157,000 jobs without recruiting at least 4,000 additional teachers to make up for the shortfall, especially in an enlightened state like Edo.

But when you realise that Edo now export thugs to other states, you will understand why government has deliberately neglected the educational sector. Only last week Friday, 22nd November, 2019 did we witness another demonstration by exported thugs at the Abuja National Headquarters of the APC, where they were sweating profusely under the scorching sun, asking for Oshiomhole to take a bow. I did not know governance has collapsed in Edo state until I saw hitherto able-bodied young men, chorusing the intemperate verbiage of a nun dimitis for Adams Oshiomhole. Typical of a man who is both vertically and horizontally challenged, he glided away with effortless awe, as those thugs occupied the space on Blantyre street. Those who purportedly suspended him were under the mango tree making phone calls to reach out to their godfathers-in-training, some borrowed entry tag to put up a comic show, all in a bid to assure their followers that all was well. How does one feel sitting in a meeting presided over by a man you reportedly suspended. What figure of speech is that? ………

 

To be continued….

President Buhari, Adams Oshiomhole

Edo Peoples Movement Congratulate President Buhari, Adams Oshiomhole

by with No Comment Edo State NewsFeatured News

The Edo Peoples Movement, has congratulated President Mohammadu Buhari and National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, Adams Oshiomhole on the party’s victory at the Presidential Elections Petition Tribunal

The movement in a statement jointly signed by its coveners Hon Samson Osagie and Hon Henry Idahagbon, the group noted that the victory reinforces the general acceptability of the President and the APC as exemplified in the mandate given by Nigerians during the last Presidential Elections.

According to the statement ” The Edo Peoples Movement is elated at the unanimous judgement affirming the election of President Buhari and the APC. By this judgement all doubting Thomases will have to wait till 2023 for another contest, as the judgement is a sustainable one even on appeal.

The group appeal to President Buhari to decisively deal with the security challenges facing the nation and improve on the implementation of the economic reforms Agenda of the administration to make life more meaningful for Nigerians.

The statement further commend the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress for his leadership role which has endeared Nigerians to the party and urge him to continue to pilot the affairs of the party to engender national unity and development.

The group further urged all its members across Edo State to be patient with the All Progressive Congress in the State as better days awaits them when they will be more appreciated and respected.