Students of the University of Benin are currently protesting at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital over the untimely death of one of their colleagues, who just graduated in the last academic session.
The aggrieved students are agitating in their numbers at the UBTH premises located along the ever-busy Uselu-Lagos expressway, over the death of Mr. Perez, a Director of Sports at the UNIBEN Faculty of Education.
One of the protesters, who spoke to CAMPUS GIST on the condition of anonymity, attributed the death of their colleague to alleged negligence on the part of the doctors.
She accused the doctors of abandoning the ex-student and allowing him to die after they had admitted him on emergency ground.
A clip obtained by CAMPUS GIST also saw one of the students accuse the Hospital of admitting the patient to an empty oxygen while he battled for his dear life.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Hospital's Management proved abortive. As at press time, the phone line of the UBTH spokesperson was busy.
Meanwhile, CAMPUS GIST gathered that the deceased had complained of stomach pain and was rushed to the hospital where he died.
“Yesterday, Mr. Perez was screaming of stomach pain. We met the doctor, he said he was attending to another patient. He just came and gave him(Perez) an injection and left.
“They malhandled an emergency case and were turning us up and down for x-ray, scan etc. The last thing one of the doctors said was that his intestine was struggling with the scar from his previous [appendices] surgery.
“They connected pipe through his nostrils and privates that they were flushing his system, plus drip... he didn't eat anything throughout yesterday...”, one of the students lamented.
As at the time of filing this report, officers from the BDPA police station, Ugbowo, have taken over the hospital premises where the protest is currently taking place.
Governors from the South South region on Tuesday, November 24 held a presidential meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Amb. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Rivers Government House, in Port Harcourt, Igbere TV reports.
At the meeting, where some decisions were reached, were Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).
In attendance were: Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta; Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum; Goddy Jedy Agba, Minister of State, Power; Festus Keyamo, Minister of State, for Niger Delta; Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammad.
Others include: The Director General of Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, among other dignitaries. Transportation minister, Rotimi Amaechi, was noticeably absent.
A photo from the meeting, which has since gone viral, however stood out and has got people talking. It captures moment Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, was almost kneeling to greet the President's Chief of Staff.
Igbere TV recalls that Obaseki, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defeated Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of Gambari’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 Edo Governorship election to win re-election.
The election was not without any drama as the processes leading to the poll were characterized with both dramas and intrigues which eventually saw Obaseki leaving his former APC party for the PDP where he won re-election.
But despite leaving the APC, rumours were rife that the Presidency worked for Obaseki’s victory. The rumour was further heightened following the congratulatory message from the President to Obaseki even while his Party's candidate was yet to concede defeat.
Despite public comment from the ruling party accepting the outcome, and asking its candidate Ize-Iyamu to do same, Obaseki and the APC candidate are currently in court, with other political parties seeking nullification of the poll and disqualification of Obaseki over alleged certificate forgery.
The Godwin Obaseki-led Edo State Government has kicked against the indefinite postponement of the National Sports Festival (NSF) holding in the state capital.
Igbere TV had reported the suspension of the Sports Festival before it was rescheduled for December 2020, following the easing of COVID19-imposed lockdown.
The National Sports Festival tagged ‘Edo 2020’ was initially scheduled to hold in March but was postponed to December for the first time due to emergence of COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, however, rejected the December 3 new date for commencement of the Festival which was billed to hold in Benin City.
The PTF said it has written to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and host, the Edo State Government to postpone the much anticipated Festival, for the second time.
Reacting, Chairman, Organising Committee who doubles as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Phillip Shuaibu, frowned at the turning down of the kick-off date of the Festival which supposed to start on December 5th.
Addressing newsmen in Benin City, the Edo state capital, Phillip said; “How can PTF who approved that we can now start contact sports, the same PTF approves opening of NYSC camps across the country. The same PTF approves that we can all go to churches and mosques. All the market places are opened and you say we can not hold National Sports Festival.
“Now, this is sports where we can control the crowd that comes to the stadium”, he concluded.
Igbere TV recalls that the PTF on COVID-19 lifted ban on contact sports in October, 2020 and that paved the way for the Ministry of Sports and Edo State Government to come up with December 3rd to 18th date for the ‘Edo 2020’ Festival.
With this new development, the much awaited National Sports Festival will no longer hold this year. This will bring up many issues as many States in Nigeria had commenced close camping of their athletes before the announcement on Tuesday.
Governors from the South South region on Tuesday organized a surprise birthday party in honour of the Chief of Staff to the President, Amb. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Rivers Government House, in Port Harcourt.
This was as the Governors hosted a presidential meeting of the South South zone with the Chief of Staff and other high profile dignitaries in attendance, in Rivers State, as earlier reported by Igbere TV.
The meeting with the South-South governors and stakeholders of the Niger Delta region is coming after the initial meeting was called-off last week due to the absence of the federal government’s representatives.
At the Presidential meeting on Tuesday where some decisions were reached, were Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).
In attendance were: Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta; Timipre Sylva, Minister of State for Petroleum; Goddy Jedy Agba, Minister of State, Power; Festus Keyamo, Minister of State, for Niger Delta; Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammad.
Others include: The Director General of Department of State Services, DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, among other dignitaries.
Chief Whip of the Senate and former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu, on Tuesday, paid a visit to a former Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.), Igbere TV reports.
Senator Kalu, fondly called OUK, is a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and highest ranking elected officer of the Party in the South East region.
The senator today visited Ihejirika in his Ovim country home, Abia State. Kalu’s visit to the former army staff, Igbere TV learnt, is connected with his continuous persuasion of the retired general to join the APC.
The Abia North Senator was reported to have arrived Enugu Monday evening and headed to celebrate birthday of his long time ally and friend, Chief Clement Nwankwu.
Kalu who departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at exactly 3:30PM in his Gulfstream G650 private jet, landed the Enugu International Airport at 4PM and proceeded to Dr Tony Okam’s residence.
The birthday which was celebrated with great funfare and hosted by Dr Okam, had in attendance Ambassador-designate, Major General Chris Ugwu; former Chief of Staff to Abia State Government, Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu; former Deputy Chief of Staff to Abia state government, Dr Madukwe Ukaegbu; former Chairman, Arochukwu Local Government Area, Hon. Chibuike Jonas; Director General, Orji Uzor Kalu Movement, Rev. (Mrs) Jemima Ola Kalu, amongst others.
Sources close to Kalu Tuesday night revealed that the former governor is on a four-day visit to Abia where he is expected to convince more prominent politicians in the state to join the party.
Our source also said that many former and present members of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s cabinet have indicated interest of joining the APC, and Kalu is leaving no gap in consolidating the moves.
Governors from the South-South region on Tuesday met with Chief of Staff to the President, Amb. Ibrahim Gambari, at the Rivers Government House, in Port Harcourt.
Igbere TV had earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari's Chief of Staff and other high profile dignitaries were expected in Port Harcourt later today.
The meeting with the South-South governors and stakeholders of the Niger Delta region is coming after the initial meeting was called-off last week due to the absence of the federal government’s representatives.
At the Presidential meeting on Tuesday were Governors Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).
Igbere TV reports that the Chief of Staff to the President, Ambassador Ibrahim Gambari, led the federal government delegation to the meeting in Port Harcourt.
During the course of the meeting, the six Governors and leaders in the zone in a common position presented by Chairman of South South Governor's Forum, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, made the following demands:
1. Immediate relocation of headquarters of oil multinational to their operational bases in the South South region.
2. Immediate relocation of government-owned oil subsidiaries from Lagos and Abuja to the South South region.
3. Immediate completion of East-West road under construction.
4. Immediate privatisation of the two refineries in Port Harcourt and the one in Warri for effectiveness.
5. Call for release of all funds due NDDC and that henceforth, all NDDC projects MUST be done in consultation with State Governors.
6. Reactivation of sea ports in Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri. Then, the Lagos to Calabar rail line.
7. True federalism, resource control, fair revenue sharing and State Police, the best ingredients to achieving a better Nigeria.
The Edo State Government has announced full reopening of all primary and secondary schools across the state for the 2020/2021 academic session, days after the State governorship election.
In a statement made available to CAMPUS GIST, on Tuesday, Commissioner for Education, Hon. (Barr.) Jimoh Ijegbai, said all classes are to resume on Monday, September 28, 2020.
He said the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, gave the approval for the resumption of academic activities in Edo State.
Ijegbai said in order to observe the social/physical distancing safety protocol in the classrooms, secondary schools: JSS 1-3 are to operate between 8am-11am, while SSS 1-3 will be between 12pm-3pm.
The Commissioner said parents and guardians are expected to provide face masks for their children and wards in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“School Heads and Proprietors are to ensure strict adherence to COVID-19 safety protocol guidelines and collect copies of the 2020/21 academic calendar from the office of the Chief Inspectors of Education in the 18 Local Government Areas.”
The statement added that sale of forms for examination into the six model schools is still on, while the entrance examination has been moved from September 26th to October 3rd 2020.
Guber Poll: Edo Assembly Speaker’s Special Assistant Resigns, Joins APC
Hon. Martins Oniha, Special Assistant on Legislative Matters to Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye, has resigned his appointment.
Igbere TV reports that Hon. Oniha from Ward 4, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo state, tendered his resignation on Monday.
In a letter made available to Igbere TV, on Monday, in Benin City, Oniha said, he was resigning “due to conflicting political interest” with his boss, the speaker.
He said being a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he has chosen to remain with the Party and deliver its candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the Edo Governorship election.
The resignation of Okiye's legislative aide is coming days after the Speaker decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP alongside the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
A close ally of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Hon. Osamwonyi Atu has resigned his appointment in the Obaseki-led administration, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that Hon. Atu resigned his appointment as member representing Orhionmwon in the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) board.
Even though Atu claimed to have resigned to focus on “family issues” that needed his immediate attention, Igbere TV reliably gathered that the move was politically-motivated.
An aide to the EDSOGPADEC member, who craved anonymity, told Igbere TV that his boss was resigning to join forces with the All Progressives Congress, APC in Edo State.
He said his principal had been threatened to decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP alongside the Governor and deliver him in the gubernatorial poll or be sacked.
“Yes, it's true that my boss has resigned. He is resigning to realign interest and join forces to deliver APC and Ize-Iyamu in the Edo Governorship election,” he said.
Others who resigned their appointment on Monday are Prince Emmanuel Odigie, member representing Edo Central in EDSOGPADEC and Alhaji Railwanu Oshiomhole, member representing Edo North in the EDSOGPADEC board.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has apologised to traditional rulers in Edo state for endorsing incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki in the Edo 2016 governorship election.
Igbere TV reports that Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo state, tendered the apology on Sunday at a meeting of Enigies (traditional rulers) in Benin Kingdom with the APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
He criticised Governor Obaseki, his estranged predecessor and benefactor, for allegedly abandoning the projects his administration initiated and for “frittering away the trust and resources of the state on ineffectual consultancies and MOUs.”
The event took place at the Palace of President of the Enigies, His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, the Enigie of Egbaen town, in Edo state, Igbere TV reports.
Earlier, the APC candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu said he was in the palace to receive royal blessings of the Enigies in Benin Kingdom to emerge victorious in the September 19 Governorship election.
Ize-Iyamu also used the opportunity to present the core policies and plans of his campaign manifesto, the SIMPLE agenda, while faulting the policies of the incumbent Governor Obaseki.
He said the policies have failed to address the problems of the people, especially at the grassroots while citing worsening conditions of security in Edo state.
Ize-Iyamu alleged that Obaseki has failed to tackle the problem of insecurity “due to his poor investment in the security architecture of the state and refusal to work with traditional rulers and community heads closer to the people and in possession of vital intelligence reports.”
He also criticised the government’s alleged failure to address the shortage of teachers in rural communities across the state. According to him, most of the schools in the communities have only one teacher, a situation which he said has resulted in poor performances during national exams and low enrollment.
He promised to reverse the said failures and run an inclusive government that will bring needed developments to the grassroots “through a respectful partnership with the traditional rulers who are well-versed on local infrastructural needs.”
His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, who spoke on behalf of the Enigies expressed their non-partisanship and gave him their blessings for his governorship bid.
The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo state has called for the arrest and prosecution of Haruna Yusuf Abiona, a special adviser on security to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Igbere TV reports.
In a statement made available to Igbere TV, the APC accused Abiona as “the mastermind behind the mayhem and terror unleashed at the front of the Palace of the Oba of Benin yesterday.”
The statement which was endorsed by Emperor Jarret Tenebe, deputy chairman of the APC in Edo state, reads;
“The APC was deeply saddened at the turn out of events yesterday at the palace of our respected Oba Of Benin, His Royal Majesty Omo ‘N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare 11.
“Yesterday armed thugs recruited by one Haruna Yusuf Abiona opened gunfire on helpless civilians in front of the Oba’s Palace, this gory and horrific incident left no fewer than 12 people hospitalized with four of the victims admitted in the intensive care unit.
“Just yesterday morning we made a press statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to call this untamed security aide to Governor Godwin Obaseki to order only for such despicable and condemnable act to be carried out a few hours later.
“This is a clear indicator that Haruna Yusuf is the mastermind behind the dastardly act of sacrilege and abomination carried out at the Palace of the Oba Of Benin.
“In any organisation or community, the people to be afraid of are the people that have nothing to lose, they can afford to stroke the embers of discord to the detriment of the larger society or organization.
“Haruna Yusuf Abiona is not from Edo state and hails from Kogi State, so it is evidently clear that Haruna Yusuf cares less if any harm or misfortune befalls Edo citizens.
“It is normal for political clashes to occur but degenerating into a sordid situation where live ammunitions are used on fellow citizens becomes a bad omen and should be condemned by all and sundry.
“Haruna Yusuf is setting a bad precedent in the annals of our political history in Edo State with his bloodthirsty introduction of banditry into our State politics.
“Information reaching us attest to the fact that this is just a rehearsal of mayhem to be unleashed by Haruna Yusuf in coming days.
“This man is already on record for threatening All Progressives Congress members with “destruction” if they dared to resist his planned rigging machine on election day.
“This man must be stopped.This man must leave Edo State.
“There are documentary pieces of evidence in the form of videos that have been circulating on the internet stating clearly the perpetrators of the dastardly act that was carried out yesterday.
“Our party the All Progressive Congress, therefore, calls upon the Inspector General of Police and the State Commissioner of police which has the primary mandate and obligation of respecting and promoting human rights and freedoms, to seriously redress the growing and systematic violation of the Right to Equal Protection of the Law.
“Haruna Yusuf Abiona should be arrested, prosecuted and bundled out of Edo State.
“Lastly, we urge all our teeming supporters to be undaunted and focus on delivering the candidacy of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for Governor and Mallam Gani Audu for Deputy Governor.
“We should remain calm while we believe our security agencies would do the needful in nipping the planned mayhem and terror of Haruna Yusuf Abiona in the bud.”
...Oshiomhole apologies to Enigies for endorsing Obaseki in 2016
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has received the blessings of the Enigies in the Benin Kingdom to emerge victorious in the Sept. 19 Governorship election.
Igbere TV reports that the event took place on Sunday when Ize-Iyamu, alongside other leaders of the APC including Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, visited the Enigies at the palace of its President, His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, the Enigie of Egbaen town, to present the core policies and plans of his campaign manifesto, the SIMPLE agenda.
He lamented the “elitist, detached” style of administration of the incumbent which, according to him, has resulted in the implementation of wrong policies that fail to address the problems of the people, especially at the grassroots.
Ize-Iyamu cited the “worsening conditions” of security in Edo State, alleging that the Governor has failed to tackle the problem due to his poor investment in the security architecture of the state and refusal to work with traditional rulers and community heads closer to the people and in possession of vital intelligence reports.
He also criticised the government’s failure to address the acute shortage of teachers in rural communities across the state. According to him, most of the schools in the communities have only one teacher, a situation which has resulted in poor performances during national exams and low enrollment.
He promised to reverse “these failures” and run an inclusive government that will bring needed developments to the grassroots through a respectful partnership with the traditional rulers who are well-versed on local infrastructural needs.
His Royal Highness, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbean, who spoke on behalf of the Enigies expressed their non-partisanship and gave him their blessings for his governorship bid.
On his part, the former Governor of the State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who received a warm reception at the event, assured the Enigies that Ize-Iyamu will continue his tradition of regular meetings with the traditional rulers to give an account of his stewardship and seek their inputs in policy formation and implementation.
He apologised for endorsing Governor Obaseki who he criticized for abandoning the projects his administration initiated and for frittering away the trust and resources of the state on ineffectual consultancies and MOUs.
All the Enigies of the Benin Kingdom were at the event, including HRH Edugie. O. Oguigo, the Enigie of Ugo- Niyekorhiomwon, HRH Anthony Osagie, the Enigie of Uruegbe, and HRH Dr. Aiweroghene Iduriase, the Enigie of Eyaen.
APC leaders at the event included Chief Lucky Imasuen, former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Vice-Chairman of Media and Publicity Committee of APC National Campaign Council, Hon. Washington Osifo, member-elect of the Edo Assembly, Hon. Osaretin Edosomwan, former Special Adviser, Rt. Hon. Festus Ebea, former Speaker of the Edo Assembly, Hon. Razaq Bello Osagie, former member of House of Reps, Hon. Samson Osagie, Edo South Coordinator, and Hon. Chris Okaeben, member of the Edo Assembly.
Other dignitaries present are Lawrence Okah, APC state secretary, Engr. Isaac Isahon, former member House of Reps, Prince Ekpen Eweka, Chief Francis Inegbeniki, Mr Gallant Ogbomo, Mr. Tony Uwaifo, Mr. Osadolor Omoregie among others.
The Edo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress has accused the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Edo State Government of “hatching a plot to illegally detain” Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the party who has joined the campaign for its candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, over “trumped-up charges and a politically-motivated probe” on the eve of the Sept. 19 Governorship election.
Igbere TV reports that the APC also alleged that the Governor, acting through conscripted thugs and cultists, is finalizing plans to set fire on the farm and businesses of billionaire businessmen, Captain Hosa Okunbo, in the State in a bid to coerce him into backing the PDP.
Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, the Vice-Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the APC National Campaign Council, made these allegations in a Sunday press conference in Benin City, monitored by Igbere TV.
He said: “Mr. Godwin Obaseki is also planning to continue his persecution of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole with trumped-up and inconsequential charges at the eleventh hour of electoral politics. Obaseki’s simple plan is to arraign Oshiomhole for a probe that has been revealed as nothing but a targeted political witch-hunt and then deny him bail on eve of election to paralyze the APC.”
“We have also been reliably apprised of the fact that a top security aid of the governor has been frenziedly coordinating different meetings with thugs, cultists, and other agents of state like the discredited politically Wabazigan, a pseudo state police which he has weaponized as a tool of oppression, to devise various demonic plans to ransack the homes of our party members and leaders with the view of destroying their properties and planting incriminating items that would serve as a basis for unjust harassment and illegal detainment.”
“These people, emboldened and funded by our state resources, are also plotting to set fire on the farm of Captain Hosa Okunbo because the Governor believes he is entitled to his support and will see to the destruction of his businesses and reputation if we won’t offer this support.”
Hon. Obahiagbon said the Governor was responsible for the violent attacks in Benin City on Saturday, alleging that he set the thugs on protesters who expressed their rejection of him and his party, the PDP.
He condemned the acts as a show of “desperadoism” and a direct affront on the constitution and rule of law, while appealing to the Police, INEC, and other stakeholders to prevail on the Governor to allow for peaceful conduct of the election.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that South-South Zone completely belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Igbere TV reports.
According to him, the people of the region will not allow any other political Party to have a foothold in the area any more.
Wike stated this today during the flag-off of the PDP campaign for the September 19 Edo Governorship election held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.
Igbere TV reports that Wike who is Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election also declared that “godfatherism is over in Edo.”
“The people of Edo State must reject godfatherism because nobody can rig the September 19 governorship election in the state,” he said.
“Former national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole is making a u-turn to lick his vomit by presenting a candidate he earlier rejected and castigated.
“Today, we are here to tell the people of Edo State that they should not be afraid because nobody can rig the forthcoming election.
“Today is the end of godfatherism in Edo State. I want to thank Governor Godwin Obaseki for refusing to dance to the tune of godfatherism.”
“Four years ago, Adams Oshiomhole said he cannot trust the APC governorship candidate that he was rusticated from school.
“Today, Oshiomhole is coming back to present the same person to Edo people. He thinks Edo people are fools. I challenge Edo people not to vote any person presented to them by Oshiomhole,” he stated.
Governor Wike assured that as the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for Edo Governorship election, he would be in Edo State during the election to ensure that the state is returned to PDP.
He noted the “outstanding performance of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the last four years in the development of Edo State.”
Governor Wike urged the people of Edo State to come out en masse and vote for the PDP candidate during the election.
“As the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, I will be in Edo State. We will make sure that everything needed will be done to return the state to PDP.
“You should all come out and vote on September 19, and as you vote, you wait and defend your votes.
“Governor Obaseki has done well in the last four years. You should not allow anybody to deceive you again. APC has no candidate. The only person who thinks that the party is running an election is Oshiomhole,” he said.
Also speaking, the Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described Edo State as strategic to the nation and called on Edo people to always remain steadfast and resolute.
Governor Tambuwal who took a swipe at former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole for condemning godfatherism and turning back to practice it, however urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to hold onto God and the people of Edo State to defeat the enemies of the state as he did in Sokoto State.
He also called on the INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmoud to build on the legacies of his predecessor, Professor Attahiru Jega who ensured that free and fair election was conducted in Edo State which enabled Adams Oshiomhole to govern for eight years.
Governor Tambuwal also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that his anti-corruption crusade also affects the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election in order to ensure peace and stability in the state.
Presenting the PDP flag to the party's Governorship candidate and Governor of Edo State, the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus described him as an “accomplished gentleman and performer.”
Prince Secondus who noted that the party is proud of PDP Governors in view of their high standing performance in governance, said they are the reason democracy is thriving in the country.
He stated that “the nation is at a cross road” and appealed to President Buhari to ensure that “free and fair elections hold in the country.”
Responding, the PDP Governorship candidate and Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki said the mandate given to him marked the transformation of the state and Nigeria.
He promised to “sustain the tempo of his developmental strides in his second tenure.”
The flag off was also attended by the Governors of Bayelsa, Douye Diri, Oyo, Seyi Makinde, Bauchi, Senator Bala Mohammed, Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa as well as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi.
Edo Poll: APC Accuses Obaseki Of Appointing Cultists As Aides, ‘To Mar Election With Violence With Violence’
The All Progressives Congress, Edo State Chapter, has accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of appointing cultists and thugs as aides in an alleged plot to mar the September 19 Governorship election in the State with violence.
The party raised the alarm on Monday at a press conference by the State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Azebamwan, monitored by Igbere TV.
He accused Obaseki, of embarking on alleged massive recruitment of thugs and criminals officially into government in the guise of Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to provide cover and funding in an elaborate plot to unleash violence in the state and rig the outcome of the election.
He said: “Abusing state powers, and behaving in a manner already seen since his unfortunate emergence in 2016, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has begun massive recruitment of thugs and criminals, but this time, officially into government. He disguises these appointments as legitimate, in the guise of Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.”
“The people raised the first alarm months ago when the outgoing Governor, nearing the termination of his infamous tenure, began to dole out SA and SSA appointments in numbers never seen before. Independent verifications and revelations from the divided party that the Governor joined where the majority of members are still smarting from his illegal imposition have revealed that the most recent appointments which were furtively handed out, were given to cultists of notorious history and origin.”
“To achieve maximum results, Governor Godwin Obaseki has ensured there is a spirit of competition ignited in these confraternity groups. Obaseki draws from this deep well of violence and brutality in these groups, hoping to employ their brutish and bestial tendencies and unleash it on his opponents and dissenters in the coming days before, during, and after an election he is certain to lose because the people have rejected him.”
“Edo state already has cause for worry, a valid reason to be afraid now, and not even tomorrow. This is because the violence and chaos have already begun. These cult groups, in a bid to show superiority and prove their mettle, have gone into the unrestrained acquisition of weapons and initiation of new members. As it is, we are not sure that in the next two weeks, there will be an Edo youth who is not coerced into this evil association. No thanks to Obaseki, who in his desperation, has incentivized violence, brutality, providing funds and backing for crime, thievery, and thuggery with public funds.”
“In their initiation grounds, energized by the rare and unusual motivation provided by state funds, there are now reports of shootings and killings either out of unresolved feuds or in the bid to test the potency of their local bulletproof charms. This is the madhouse and anarchy Godwin Obaseki has unleashed on our State. Shall we fold our hands and continue to watch these things go unchallenged.”
Criticizing the governor for failing to provide his promised 200,000 jobs but allegedly doling out appointments in the ‘twilight of his infamous tenure’ to cultists, the APC called for the intervention of the security agencies and INEC to “protect the election against the criminality and desperation of Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his immoral party of tax-collectors.”
The demand for an Igbo president ahead of the 2023 presidential election has continued to gain prominence with the latest support coming from Nigeria’s nationalist and foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark.
This is coming just as the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), last week, declared its full support for Igbo Presidency while also endorsing Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Senate Chief and former Governor of Abia State, for the position.
In an interview monitored closely by Igbere TV on Monday Chief Clark, a former unofficial adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, said power should shift to Southeast in 2023 after President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, “Nigeria’s unity demands that North and South should rotate the office of president and after President Buhari serves his eight years, presidency should return to the South and specifically go to the South-East zone in 2023.
“Some people argue that they want people who are intelligent, who have integrity and worthy personality, I dare say that such people are not scarce in Nigeria, whether in North-East, North-West, North-Central, South-West, South-South and South-East.
“So also the Presidency should not remain in the North-West, it should also go to North-Central and North-East, similarly in the South, it should not be South-West, South-South and South-East
“Therefore, anybody who believes in the unity of this country knows its sustenance depends on quality leadership and ability of all sections of the country to aspire to any position in the country.”
Earlier on Sunday, Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari, immediate past governor of Zamfara state and chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), said the All Progressives Congress (APC) would support a power shift to the South in 2023.
In an interview monitored closely by Igbere TV, Yari said it was expected that power would shift to the South after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s final tenure, insisting, “that is how things are supposed to be.”
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