Dr. Samson Osagie

Dr. Samson Osagie-The Quintessence Of A Legal Luminary, An Adroit Politician, And A Consummate Administrator.

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.. An inimitable asset that the Progressive Government of Senator Monday Okpebholo shouldn’t do without.

In the rich tapestry of our political evolution as a Nation, certain personalities, through dint of hard work and providence, have attained a place of prominence with a track record of achievements through their exceptional performance in the service of our Motherland. One of such pristine personalities that has been exceptional in every one of his endeavors is the legislative icon, Rt. Hon. Samson Raphael Osagie. PhD

Blessed with innate intelligence, brilliance, and uncommon intellect, Dr. Osagie, fired by his desire to succeed, broke the barriers of his extremely humble background, surmounted the inhibiting challenges it brought his way, and plunged himself into the limelight. A look into his very impressive, intimidating, and rich resumé is not only awe-inspiring but reveals a man with an insatiable appetite for knowledge acquisition, an erudite legal luminary, an accomplished and iconic legislator, a refined bureaucrat, a corporate executive with vast knowledge in corporate governance and an impactful politician.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B), a Master Degree in Law (LL.M), a Master in Public Administration (MPA), and a Master Degree in International Relations (M.SC), Dr. Osagie consolidated his quest for diverse knowledge and intellectualism with a Doctor of Philosophy Degree(PhD) in Political Economy and Development Studies. Dr. Osagie is a phenomenon in the practice and teaching of Law and jurisprudence with robust experience in arbitration, civil, criminal, corporate, and Energy Law.

He is a developmental political economist, progressivist, and a fellow of several specialized international and chartered institutes that cut across the fields of Arbutration, Mediation,Concilliation, Corporate Strategy, Ethics, Compliance and regulations. His fellowship and membership also cut across the fields of administration and financial investment. Indeed, Dr. Osagie is a complete package, an inimitable asset to the polity, and Senator Monday Okpebholo’s government has made an avowed commitment to prioritize competence in the drive of the much-needed growth and development as envisioned in his five Points agenda.

Politically, Dr. Samson Osagie cut his political teeth early and has garnered enormous intra-party and inter-party political experience, having contested and won elections several times; hence, he understands the intricacies of politics and governance. Its complexities, distinction, and interrelatedness. He was very successful in handling his affairs as an elected leader while also delivering the dividends of democracy for his constituents.

He left the 7th House of Representatives, National Assembly where he represented the good people of Orhionmwon and Orhionmwon federal constituency in 2015 as a principal office holder with the position of Minority Whip. He had earlier served two terms as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Uhunnwode Constituency. Dr. Osagie’s record of stewardship, legislative vibrancy, and purposeful representation in his unbroken 16 years as a legislator has become a point of reference in the political landscape of Edo State.

Dr. Osagie’s greatest strength as an emotionally intelligent Leader and political actor is captured in Mahatma Gandhi’s sagacious quote where he opined, “I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles, but today it means getting along with people.” His interpersonal skills are top-notch. His ability to build and sustain meaningful relationships with Leaders and alk persons from all cadres and strata of society is a testament to his humility, exposure, and humane nature.

A veritable and passionate team player who gives one hundred percent of his time, commitment, and energy to any course he believes in, as demonstrated in the just concluded Edo Gubernatorial Campaigns and electios. He threw himself completely into the campaigns; the result cumulated in the victory we are celebrating today.

In conclusion, as we look forward to the inauguration and the take of the new government in Edo State, led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Osagie’s experience in the law, politics, governance, administration and vocal ability will be useful in helping the administration meet all his campaign promises and birth the new Edo that will be a reference point in the community of State in Nigeria.

©
Mr. Ukato Thomas

A developmental strategist writes from Uhunnwode local government area, Edo State.

samson 23

2023 Presidential Election And The Supreme Court Final Verdict by Samson R. Osagie, PhD

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Let me congratulate Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the overwhelming verdict of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming his election as the duly elected President of Nigeria in the February 25,2023 elections.
I also want to congratulate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi both Presidential candidates of the PDP and LP respectively for exercising their full constitutional rights under our laws to challenge the outcome of the said election. They have in no small measure contributed greatly to the development of our electoral jurisprudence and expanded the frontiers of legal knowledge.
Mr. President deserves a number of accolades considering his tortuous journey to the Presidency of Nigeria. He is perhaps the only President against whom unprecedented landmines were laid on his way to assuming the leadership of this great country.
It is no longer news how his party leadership( particularly the National Chairman) purportedly endorsed a Northern Presidential aspirant as a presumptive consensus candidate of the party ahead of the party’s presidential primaries for May 30th and 31st 2023. It took God and Asiwaju’s political dexterity and brinkmanship to surmount this huddle and emerge victorious as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 Presidential Election.
No sooner had the bruises from the primaries simmer down, the Central Bank of Nigeria with the approval of President Mohammadu Buhari introduced the Naira redesign policy which brought untold economic hardship on the people coupled with an emergency scarcity of petroleum products.
Nigerians have been suffering SHA!
All these were intended to turn the people against the ruling party in order to dissuade them from voting for the party and its Presidential candidate.
As we eventually saw in the outcome of the election, the impact of those anti people’s actions and policies of government was evident. However, in a three horse race that reckons as the fiercest presidential election every conducted in the history of our country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu secured the highest number of votes and met the constitutional threshold to be declared the winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) on March 1st, 2023. The rest they say is history!
Now with the Supreme Court of the land validating his victory, the end to all contestations about the 2023 Presidential election has come to a close. For as stated in a number of cases, it is an established legal principle that there must be an end to litigation. See A-G., Nasarawa State vs. A-G., Plataeu State (2012) LPELR – 9730 (SC); Dakolo & Ors Vs. Rewane-Dakolo & Ors (2011) LPELR – 915 (SC).” PER T. ABUBAKAR, J.C.A.among others.
Once again Congratulations to Mr. President.

PRESIDENT TINUBU AND THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY
Beyond the euphoria of the victory of the validation of the election of Mr President lies ahead the arduous task of recovering our nation from sliding dangerously into the precipice. No doubt, Mr President has never lost the opportunity to restate his determination to turn the economy around for the betterment of the people of Nigeria. Yes, his speeches are laced with inspiration and hope for a greater Nigeria which he anchored on his social contract encapsulated in his RENEWED HOPE AGENDA.
I have no doubt that Nigerians believe in his ability and capacity to turn things around but their patience cannot remains eternally elastic. The cost of living is skyrocketing, but the President says he is aware. The foreign exchange regime is souring to an unbearable height, yet Mr President knows. Petroleum products remains unbearably expensive, the President is not ignorant of same.
In his Independence Day address, Mr President highlighted measures to tackle the myriad of problems besetting our country and he expects the sub-national governments to join in resolving them. The impact of the Federal Government contribution to supplying palliatives to the people vary from State to State. That will be another subject of discussion some other time.
Truth be told, the nature of our economy does not provide the enabling basis for growth and development particularly as our productive base remains abysmally low. Mr. President will need to prioritize manufacturing, agriculture and other non oil sector products to boost our exports. Nigerians are not only resilient but a determined people who would not hesitate to grab the opportunity when provided. In doing this, the incidence of middle men intervention in the production value chain must be eliminated. Indeed, middlemen, official or unofficial have been largely responsible for the non actualization of pristine policies of government
The skyrocketing rate of foreign exchange needs to be halted as a matter of National emergency. It is now doubtful whether the so call market forces are still responsible for this uneconomical surge in the Naira decline. The current free fall of the Naira must be the result of the activities of speculators who are daily trading in Forex to make excessive gains without producing anything or Creating any job. This is an unpatriotic and unacceptable economic activity that holds no meaningful dividends for the economy.
Mr President must halt this madness and get those charge with our monetary policies to rein in the traders in Forex and their masters in and outside of government in order to stop the drift. As things stands today, trading in Forex is the most lucrative business in Nigeria and it holds no benefit for the country and the vast majority of the citizens. It is purely an elite business hegemony.
Mr. President, God has a reason for bestowing on you the leadership of the world’s largest black nation and you must increase the speed of your intervention in our national crisis. Nigerians awaits some short term reliefs from the crushing impact of high cost of living.
A stitch in time, they say, saves nine.
Once again, Congratulations Mr President.

Dr Samson R. Osagie was a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives
He is a Legal Practitioner and Chairman of the African Bar Association(Nigerian Forum)

Chief John Osamede Adun

FCT Minister Confirmed Chief John Osamede Adun as Shetiman of Bwari Emirate

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… As Turbaning Holds Friday 22nd. October

By:Ben Ogbemudia

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello has given approval to the Etsu Bwari to confirm on Chief John Osamede Adun, the Aiyobahan of Benin kingdom the Shetiman title.

The title which mean “Good Person” will officially be turban on Friday 22nd October, 2021 at the Palace of the Etsu Bwari in the Bwari location Authority area of FCT.

The event will witness the Minister himself presenting the staff of office and certificate to chief John Osamede Adun who is also the Serkin Pawa of Ketampa in Abuja.

The National President Butchers Union of Nigeria event will also be witnessed by the the Bwari local government area council Chairman, FCT traditional council rulers, top government officials and Butchers across the country.

The new Shetimam will officially perform the horse riding as a senior cabinet of the Emirate.

With this title, Chief John Osamede Adun will be attending all meetings, functions as so assigned by the Etsu Bwari and the council of chiefs meetings in Abuja.

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Nigeria And The United Arab Emirates

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NIGERIA AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES : WHAT IS THE DIPLOMATIC ROW ABOUT – DR SAMSON OSAGIE

The outbreak of the Corona Virus Pandemic is not only affecting the health of citizens across the globe, its impact on the relationships among some nations is beginning to tell on the fate of some nationals in order spheres.
Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates(UAE) have had a positive diplomatic relations particularly from 2009 when UAE established its embassy in Nigeria – Abuja followed by a visit to UAE by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016 as a first country of visit in Asia and Middle East upon his assumption of office as President and Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

By December 2020 a Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was executed to provide a platform for both countries to engage each other bilaterally in many areas – legal, commercial, etc.
The country UAE cebrated the growing cooperation with Nigeria at its 49th anniversary in Abuja. The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria did say on that occasion that he was excited about the growing bilateral relations between the two countries across all sectors. According to him “Today marks the importance of unity and coming together to celebrate our achievements in 2020 even though it has proved to be challenging for many reasons… This relationship is nurtured, developed and reinforced by the wise leadership of both friendly nations who have continued to forged strategic partnerships for prosperity of both countries. As at 2019, the total volume of nin oil bilateral trade between Nigeria and UAE stood at $1.4 billion, but as at December 1, alongside with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, on behalf of our respective governments signed an MoU for the establishment of a Joint Commission for Cooperation”. This was the testimony of the UAE highest official in Nigeria.

Understandably, it’s been a mutually beneficial relationship amongst the two countries in both trade and tourism relations with no major setbacks for over a decade.

However, recent events are beginning to cast some doubt on the continuity of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. As at March 2021, the UAE had declared Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa as it commenced a series of trade and investment promotion activities aimed at bolstering the bilateral trade and investment volume between Nigeria and UAE.

Earlier in 2020 at the outset of the global lock down due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the UAE national carrier Emirates airline had shut down flights to and from Nigeria owing to disagreement between the airline and the Nigerian aviation authorities on the propriety of subjecting passengers traveling from Nigeria to certain Covid-19 protocols upon arrival in Dubai. While the Federal government through the Ministry of Aviation stipulated a negative PCR test, the UAE authorities introduced additional rapid antigen test for passengers, a development that Nigeria government frowned at and resisted, thus resulting in suspension of the airline from flying to and from Nigeria. This has resulted in huge losses for the airline and travel agencies’ business for both countries.
Nigerians, very adventurous people, who desire to visit Dubai for their usual holidays, shopping and medical tourism had to use alternative airlines like Kenyan Airways or go through Cotonou, Accra or other West Africa countries. Even when they take such a detour they would have to be quarantined in Dubai for a minimum of 14 days upon arrival in Dubai. It is such a grueling experience for our nationals on the Dubai route and this has created a lot of discomfort for many travellers, with aviation practitioners proposing a diplomatic resolution between the two countries.
Speaking on the state of affairs about the suspension of the Emirates airline flight Comrade Olayinka Abioye, former Secretary General of the National Union of Air Transport Employees(NUATE) said both countries must come to use diplomacy to resolve the impasse. I cannot agree less with him.

In the midst of all of these, I stumbled recently on a news item which I understand has been running for some time now about how Nigerians in different parts of the UAE are losing their jobs in their hundreds on account of the refusal of the authorities to renew their work permits. I was jolted and seriously alarmed considering the fact that at the moment returning home for these Nigerians cannot be an option at all.
I decided to put a call through to a friend who is a railway staff in Dubai to ascertain the true situation of things and his response was as shocking as he sounded.

From the confirmed news report no fewer than 500 Nigerians have lost their jobs in UAE with many more whose working permits or visas are approaching different times for expiration. I also understand that the Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa had taken steps to address the problem with the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria. As it is the usual case, the diplomat appears to feign ignorance of the treatment of Nigerian nationals in his country. According to him ” we are yet to get the report of Nigerians losing jobs in our country but certainly if it is the case, steps will be taken to address the problem”
Now here is my worry. The coincidence of the refusal of the authorities of the United Arab Emirates to renew working permits for legally resident Nigerians and the suspension of flights of the national carrier of the country is suspect. It appears to be a calculated strategem of the UAE authorities to pressure the Nigerian government into accepting their conditions of service for their national airline that may have lost humongous revenue from the Nigeria route since the beginning of the impasse. It cannot be less than a reprisal of some sort.

It is therefore important for the Nigerian government to swiftly engage the Arabian country in the interest of thousands of Nigerians living and working in the country to save their jobs and means of livelihood.
Refusing to renew the working permits of the nationals of a given country is the highest level of discrimination and such act offends International Conventions and the spirit of the bilateral /multilateral agreements which both nations are signatories to. In the absence of any malfeasance or criminal conduct, it is submitted that if a resident has fulfilled all the necessary conditions to live and work in a country other than his country of origin its is within his or her right in the eye of International human rights law to have his permit renewed. If there are specific cases of criminal conduct of any Nigerian citizens, such should be dealt with on its own merit or otherwise rather than subjecting every Nigerian to hardships.
What is more intriguing and saddening about the conditions Nigerians are currently facing in the United Arab Emirates now is that, that country is perhaps one of the destinations of looted funds from Nigeria owing to the tremendous investment in real estate and other businesses some unpatriotic Nigerians have done in that economy. It is indeed an eye opener. Such investments would probably have generated more jobs for Nigerians back home if they were made here and the environment conducive enough to guarantee adequate return on investment.
By and large, we owe our citizens the abiding responsibility anywhere they are in the world to intervene for them particularly in circumstances where they are being discriminated against or treated poorly on account of their country of origin.

In the final analysis, talks between the two nations need to resume in earnest in order to resuscitate what might result in a full blown diplomatic row.

Dr Samson Osagie is a Lawyer based in Abuja.

Hon. Samson Osagie

CJN Administer Oath on Hon. Samson Osagie, 64 Others as Notary Public

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………Reiterated his Commitments to the law Profession

By: Ben Ogbemudia

The Chief Judge of the Federation, Justice Tanko Muhammad on Wednesday administered an oath of Notary Public on Rt. Hon Samson Osagie and Sixty Four others Legal Practitioners of varied years of experience.

The oath taking Ceremony was conducted by the Acting Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Hon Justice Salisu Garba who was appointed by the CJN to preside over the event.

Rt Hon Samson Raphael Osagie,
former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives and foremost Legal Practitioner in the Federal Capital Territory, takes Oath of office as Notary Public sequel to his appointment by the Chief Justice of Nigeria Hon Dr Justice I. T. MUHAMMAD on the 28th of September 2020.

Speaking at event which took place at the FCT High Court Ceremony Hall, Maitama, Abuja, Hon Samson Osagie reiterates his commitment to Legal profession as a Lawyer of 26 years standing and promise to uphold the oath of office and the highest standards of the Profession.
He promised to abide by the NOTARY PUBLIC ACT CAP N141, Laws of the Federation 2004 and all other laws that will enable him in that behalf.

Addressing the newly appointed Notaries Public, the Presiding Acting Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court admonished them to refrain from perpetuating any irregularity in the conduct of the business of Notary Public. He also informed them that the Chief Justice of Nigeria will not hesitate to sanction anyone of the inductees for any misconduct in accordance with the law.


The Notary Public Act CAP N141 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria makes provisions for the appointment of Legal Practitioners who have demonstrated competence and uphold professional standards in the legal profession. Such applicants must have paid their professional practicing fees for a consecutive period of seven years prior to the year of such appointment.
The former Lawmaker is the Managing Partner in the Law firm of Samson Ima-Osagie & Associates with offices in Lagos, Benin City and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Buhari Appoints new EFCC Chairman

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President Muhammadu Buhari [PHOTO CREDIT: @NigeriaGov]

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a letter to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, the President said he was acting in accordance with Paragraph 2(3) of Part1, CAP E1 of EFCC Act 2004.

Mr Bawa, 40, is a trained EFCC investigator with vast experience in the investigation and prosecution of Advance Fee Fraud cases, official corruption, bank fraud, money laundering, and other economic crimes.

He has undergone several specialized trainings in different parts of the world, and was one of the pioneer EFCC Cadet Officers in 2005.

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Group urges President Buhari to save Nddc from illegality

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A socio-cultural group, Niger Delta Development Initiative (NDDI) has mounted pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a legally recognized Board and Management ― 16-months after members of the Board were appointed by him and cleared by the Nigeria Senate.

President and Secretary of the group, Chief Ebikalome Tonye Anselm and Comrade Johnson Oghenekevbe in a petition title: “The need to stop the manipulation of the Management of NDDC against the Law” on Friday, also demanded for the sack of Sen. Godswill Akpabio, minister of Niger Delta Affairs, accusing him of hijacking the functions of Commission in violation of the spirit and letters of the enabling Law that set up NDDC ACT 2007.

The Niger Delta Stakeholders who described the development as sickening, accused the Minister of manipulating the Commission from been led by an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to a Sole Administratorship with his political protégé as beneficiary in contravention of Section 2 of the NDDC (Establishment etc) Act of 2007, which defines the functions and composition of membership of the Governing Board of the Commission among the nine oil producing States and the representatives of relevant Ministries.

The group, expressed worry over the setback the absence of NDDC Board has cost Nigeria people who have not enjoyed stability in its operations after a short stay of Ibim Seminatari to Egba/Obong Nsuma Ekere-led Board of NDDC till the ascension of Senator Akpabio as a result of the manipulation of the Commission was meant to serve without a Governing Board.

“Mr. President, we agree that there is a fundamental basis for probing into activities of the Commission, but we are worried that such exercise cannot obliterate the legal foundation upon which the Commission is founded.

“For the avoidance of doubt, your Excellency, we are of the firm view that over the NDDC are nothing short of an assault not only on established legal framework Governing the Management of the Commission, but an assault on the sensibility of the people of Niger Delta and nine member States of the Commission. This has continued despite the cacophony of voices that have risen against the decapitation of the Commission by the Ministry”, the group lamented.

While urging President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow himself to be goaded into sustaining illegalities in one the interventionist agencies in which huge appropriations are been made annually, urged him to shun distractions and “institute a legally recognized Board and Management which he had appointed in August 2019.

It further expressed sadness over the manner in which the Management of NDDC is being “manipulated to the extent that even court orders are now been manufactured to pave way for the lackey of the Minister to assume the sole leadership of the Commission” ― despite the litany of allegations of corrupt practices which have been made by several persons and groups across a broad spectrum against the spirit and letters of the enabling Law that set up the Commission”.

The petition further accuse the Minister of wrongly advising President Muhammadu Buhari against the inauguration whose main objective is to join other compatriots to advance the cause of development of the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria in general.

It recalled how a Federal High court sitting in Abuja on the 20th day of January 2021, in suit No. FHC/ABJ/617/2020 Between the Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Governance made a very startling revelation that it never granted any interim injunction to the Pondei-led Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC”, which had been dissolved by the President before its supposed lifespan in December 2020 and thereafter directed the most Senior Director should assume in capacity of a Sole Administrator based on the vacuum that was created in the development as it was widely reported on December 12, 2020, amidst protests and litigations by the various interest groups and Stakeholders in the polity on account of gross and further violation of the NDDC Act.

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Obaseki And PDP’s Wicked Plot To Procure A Court Order To Stop APC And It’s Candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu From Participating In The September 19, 2020, Governorship Election In Edo State : A Call For Judicial Caution.

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~Samson R. Osagie, Esq

Ahead of the September 19, governorship election in Edo State, the PDP and its emergency candidate Godwin Obaseki have ran out of ideas, as their campaigns loses traction with thousands of their members abandoning their sinking ship.
Perturbed by the reality of imminent and unavoidable defeat, they have gone on their kneels groveling before one of the South South Governors and a PDP godfather who describe the National leadership of their party as tax collectors to assist them procure a frivolous court order that will prevent the APC and its formidable candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from participating in the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State.
As a matter of fact  two Senior Lawyers in Benin one in Edo State public service and the other in private practice have been given matching orders to  liaise with another prominent Senior lawyer in Lagos to urgently seek for  injunctive orders against the APC candidate by all means possible. This step is been backed  by the payment of several millions of dollars and billions of naira by Governor Obaseki to the Lawyers and the PDP godfather in the south south.
As part of measures to achieve this unholy and devilish mission Obaseki having obtain assurance from the PDP’s godfather in Port Harcourt has been junketing from one judicial division to  the other seeking for pliable judges to assist him with an  order based on frivolous and unmeritorious application against the  APC and its candidate. This is why he is not campaigning or funding the PDP campaign, a situation which is alleged to have created a rift between him and his Deputy.
No wonder their media hirelings have been posting what looks like messages intended to prepare the mind of the public as to what they intend to achieve. In one of the Post a certain Jack Obiyan, Special Assistant to Governor Obaseki twitted that the suspended former  State Chairman Anselm  Ojezua as saying ” APC has no candidate”. The PDP godfather during their ill-fated flag off campaign in one of the changing rooms at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium re – echoed same.
Unfortunately, for the embattled party that sold  its governorship and Deputy governorship tickets to Obaseki and his Deputy  for several billions of Edo taxpayers money, many heads of courts across the country have issued stern warnings to judicial officers to refrain from entertaining frivolous politically motivated litigations aimed at derailing the democratic process which has characterized the Obaseki misadventure in Edo State governance since 2016.
Let it be known that Anselm Ojezua and Godwin Obaseki are living in fool’s paradise for assuming that they could put spanner in the works of the Edo APC from regaining its control of government in Edo State come November 12, 2020.
The APC gubernatorial primaries which Anselm Ojezua claims did not produce a candidate was ratified by the National Executive Committee which held in the Presidential Villa and which he virtually attended, albeit erroneously. How he now claim that after the  ratification of the primaries which produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the party still has no candidate is a matter Mr President and the National Caretaker Committee of the APC must invoke serious disciplinary measures against by expelling Anselm Ojezua from the party.
It is no longer news that Anselm Ojezua and a few party chairmen at the LGA levels in Edo State are refusing to decamp with Obaseki to PDP with the intention of sabotaging the APC in the next election.
They will fail!!!
It is therefore important to state that Nigerian courts must be wary of the suits which are been filed with the aim of derailing the democratic processes in Edo State so as not to create a constitutional crisis as the tenure of the incumbent governor expires midnight of November 11(my birthday) and Edo people are not prepared to renew the mandate.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the APC has undoubtedly fulfilled all legal requirements including incontrovertible academic qualifications and compliance with every statutory provisions spelt out in the Nigerian Constitution, the APC constitution and the electoral Act under which INEC has issued its guidelines.

Consequently, any order seeking to stop the APC candidate from participating in the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo State can only be a product of judicial compromise and we are confident that the Nigerian judiciary will not lend itself to such an ignoble mission.

Let us warn the PDP godfather in the south south oil rich state that the APC is fully aware of his boasts to use the judiciary to achieve this unholy mission as he did to APC in Rivers State in 2019.  By God grace and under God no weapon fashioned by him and his God son  Godwin Obaseki shall succeed and Obaseki shall lose shamelessly to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Needless to emphasize that the people of Edo State have accepted the SIMPLE AGENDA of the APC and its candidate and they are very prepared to run with it to guarantee security, quality infrastructure, Manpower development, public private partnership, leadership by example and employment cum empowerment. This SMART program is Specific, Measurable, Achievable , Realistic and Time bound so much so that Edo people can hold the APC government of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu accountable to it. On the contrary, the Obaseki government has no discernable agenda except bogus and incomprehensible litany of failed promises. Edo People cannot continue with his deceitful and hypocritical administration.
The task to reclaim Edo from the PDP tenant on September 19 is already a forgone conclusion and the Courts must exercise utmost circumspection not to yield to  any unpatriotic, undemocratic, frivolous and vexatious applications relating to Edo elections particularly applications for injunctive reliefs against the APC and its candidate.
Finally, the Chief Justice of Nigeria should prevail on all superior courts of record to excercise utmost discretion and restraints in matters relating to Edo State governorship election before, during and after the  election without prejudice to their powers to entertain post elections petitions.
Edo State is APC, and it’s people have decided to elect Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Mallam Gani Audu as the next Governor and Deputy Governor.
No more, No less.

~~Hon Samson Osagie is a former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives and the Coordinator, APC Campaign Council in charge of Edo South Senatorial District.

Failed Nddc Job, Odubu Demands Money From Senate President

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My attention has been drawn to an online publication thenewspanorama of 2nd June, 2020 wherein I was said to have demanded money from His Excellency, The Senate President and criticized the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over my appointment as NDDC Board Chairman Designate
I want to state categorically that the said online news is a figment of the imagination of the writers and not scintilla of truth is contained therein. Rather it is and will remain a malicious publication orchestrated by political foes who are bent on painting me in bad light before these eminent National Leaders of our party and government.
For the avoidance of doubt, when I was appointed Chairman designate of the NDDC board along with other members of the board in August 2019 up until we were Screened and confirmed by the Senate and even until now I never met the Senate President nor gave any money to anyone to facilitate our Screening and confirmation.
I have the greatest respect for the Senate President who I have been privilege to serve with in the House of Representatives and cannot do anything that will bring his person and office into disrepute.
In the same vein , I wish to State unequivocally that the National Chairman of APC and my boss Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has my greatest loyalty and regards. I have never and will not have any reason whatsoever to give him any money to facilitate appointment or my confirmation in the Senate. I was his Deputy from 2008 to 2016 and I thank God for the privilege I had to work with him. I will therefore have no reason to disparage him or his person. His role in my appointment as Chairman Designate NDDC was purely based on his belief in my person and his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta.
I must place on record the invaluable position and role of the Deputy Senate President Senate Ovie Omo Agege in the process of appointment, screening and confirmation of the NDDC Board in 2019. At no time did I or any member of the board offered or gave any money to him to facilitate our screening and confirmation.
Let me state that those who are seeking to get appointed into NDDC board should embark on the process with the fear of God and refrain from attempting to pull others down in furtherance of their inordinate ambitions.
All through my years of service I have been driven by the strong desire to contribute maximally to the development of my country and by extension the Niger Delta region. This has been more reinforced by Mr President’s commitment to the change in the narratives of the Niger Delta.
I therefore wish to thank Mr President in whose Presidential Campaign Council in 2019, I was Director of Logistics for considering myself and other members that was appointed by him into NDDC Board in 2019.
I remain a committed and loyal member of the All Progressives Congress and I wish to extend my sincere apologies to the Distinguished Senate President, Distinguished Deputy Senate President and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress for the embarrassment this false publication may have caused them.
In the meantime I have instructed my Solicitors to write to the Publishers of thenewspanorama to retract the said publication and tender unreserved apologies to these leaders and myself for this offensive publication or face Legal consequences.

H. E, Dr Pius E.Odubu, MHR
Former Deputy Governor
Edo State.

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You Lack Democratic Credentials, Ex-Rep Tells Obaseki

by with No Comment General NewsPolitics

Former Minority Whip of the House of Representatives and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress Hon Samson Osagie has taken a swipe at Governor Obaseki over his comments on the ongoing crisis rocking the Edo State House of Assembly, describing the Governor as lacking democratic credentials.

This condemnation came on the heels of the threat by the Governor against the step taken by aggrieved legislators elect of Edo State House of Assembly which has led National Assembly to empanel two committees to investigate the circumstances under which the house of Assembly was purportedly inaugurated.

Hon Samson Osagie, also a former member of the Edo State house of Assembly posited that many people are scandalized by the brazen affront to the constitution and tyrannical disposition of a man( Godwin Obaseki)who is not know to have fought any any battle before he became Governor.

The Governor at a solidarity rally in Benin had threatened fire and brimstone against the National Assembly and dare the federal parliament to take over Edo State House of Assembly. Hon Samson Osagie noted that Governor Obaseki continued display of tyrannical tendencies and perpetuation of illegality is a threat to democracy. He warned that unless Stakeholders in Nigeria’s democracy come together to tame what appears to be a lose canon, Edo State known for its peace and tranquillity may slide into anarchy as hoodlums are now been recruited and empowered to attack those who hold opposing views to the government and administration of the Governor .

He further notified security agencies to note the unabating threats to all voices of dissent in the Edo political hemisphere with a view protecting those exercising their constitutional rights to Association and speech. Hon Samson Osagie reiterated that Governor Godwin Obaseki was only out to intimidate Edo people into submitting to his failed government and thereby hoodwink them a second time. The Governor also think the National Assembly is an extension of his Osadebay Avenue that he can threaten to abandon its constitutional mandate as guaranteed by section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him “unless urgent and responsible steps are taken by stakeholders of the Nigeria democracy, and this includes the Presidency, the National Assembly, political parties and Security agencies, the tyrannical disposition of Governor Obaseki towards voices of dissent including the social media portends grave danger to our body polity. This must not be allowed to continue “