Posts in category: General News

By Aiyevbekpen John Osakue

WHEN a man emerges from the dark valleys of his humble birth and near state of hopelessness to build for himself an ecosystem of superlative achievements, he would have eminently earned an exalted place of honour in the hearts of men and women who understand the true purpose of life! And when a man embraces spartan discipline of dedication, doggedness, resilience and persistence to his life goals, falling and rising, banging his head against walls in the process and finally emerging with garlands of super achievements on the other side, you cannot help but celebrate him. The man in question is Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who recently emerged stronger than ever before from one of the thickest political conspiracies in the history of Nigeria.

In 2006 Comrade Oshiomhole took the political stage in Edo State by storm as he went about galvanising support for his gubernatorial ambition after an unprecedented labour activism as President of the Nigeria Labor Congress, NLC, that saw him confront both military and civilian dictators over anti-people policies mostly at the risk of his life. Everywhere he addressed an audience, the grounds quaked and the people were held spellbound by the power of his wisdom and thoughts and the vision he espoused. Oshiomhole was a stunning new revelation as candidate of the then Action Congress, AC, that was little known. His message resonated and made him shine with the lustre of a messiah!

To be honest, only few uncharitable folks would argue the fact that Comrade Oshiomhole has, in and out of office, proven to be a master tactician of the game of politics and has remained the issue in Edo political space. You are either railed on the side of his fanatic supporters and admirers who glowingly idolise him or on the side of those who are opposed to him, who criticise and demonise him. The people who idolise him point to his fearless engagement of authorities as a labour leader, his doggedness in fighting for his mandate when it was imperiled, his compassionate and transformational leadership as governor and the courage with which he executed Benin City renewal programme that opened up the ancient capital of the state to the fresh breath air of modernity, such that it could now compete side by side with modern state capitals in terms of city beautification and road infrastructure!

On the other hand, those who demonise him accuse his government of lack of transparency in contract awards and argue that he was awfully disrespectful of elders. Whether openly or discreetly expressed, most citizens belong to one side of the coin or the other. His massive and overwhelming second term re-election victory at the polls during which he scored the unprecedented but now famous 18 over 18, is a clear rebuttal of those allegations. Its dismissal is buoyed by unconcealed twist in context. However, given the experience of Edo people before and after his administration, his admirers have remained overwhelmingly preponderant and rock solid!

Comrade Oshomhole is passionate about his convictions. Thus, on assumption of office as National Chairman of APC, he resolved to give practical expression to the shared vision of the party as encapsulated in her ‘Change Agenda’. He is too athletically and energetically motivated by a sense of purpose to be content with mere appellation of the office. As a leader, he has inspired the majority of the National Working Committee, NWC, members to be dedicated to the promise of change. And together, they have made great progress in putting in place a transparent system that commands faith, trust and confidence of party members and not the whimsical dictates of party patrons!

He has continued to implement a plan to transform the mechanics and operations of the party with a view to eliminating all extraneous forces and interest groups opposed to party constitutionalism. His personal approach, attitude and idiosyncrasies might not be agreeable to all members but no one can conscientiously fault the purity of his intentions. We are all different in character and attitude, and owe each other no apology for our inherent traits so long as we play our parts as powerful moral agents of the society!

Apart from mercilessly crushing the boastful political behemoths, otherwise known as ‘new nPDP’, which had perfected a coup de grace, thereby holding the presidency and the party to ransom, Comrade Oshiomhole has had the temerity to confront other internal political and economic contradictions, namely the negative role of cultural diversity and heterogeneity, political merchandise, democratic impunity, regional power irredentists and the dilettantism of greedy political patrons. He is winning the battle in all fronts. These are humongous obstacles that have continued to undermine genuine efforts towards growth and development of the democratic process. If these hydra-headed negatives are tackled with patriotism, thereby projecting the collectivity of the Nigerian project, they could be converted to positive strengths, resulting to a free and unfettered political system.

With a mindset of success, Oshiomhole is an exemplar of being the ‘salt and the light’ of his world. He has remained an aggressive firebrand whose activism has been moderated only by national responsibility! He exited office of governor on a superlative high note with legacy projects that have continued to interrogate mere merchants of hope of today and put them on edge. In order words, he successfully provided the spur for steady progress at a ferocious pace yet unmatched in the state. As National Chairman of APC, Oshiomhole has demonstrated that party leadership must be driven by vision and a capacity for aggressive campaign activism.

He is, therefore, not only the issue in the politics of Edo State but also, the ubiquitous and irrepressible force at the national level. The more we rise to celebrate an impactful life like this, the more we create more impactful lives to be celebrated!

Osakue, a political strategist / public affairs commentator, wrote from Benin City, Edo State

-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.

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.