TheNewsGuru

Tag: Edo State

  • Edo: PDP Campaign Council reacts over judgement affirming Ighodalo’s candidacy

    Edo: PDP Campaign Council reacts over judgement affirming Ighodalo’s candidacy

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council for the Sept. 21 governorship election in Edo, on Wednesday hailed the judgment affirming the candidacy of Dr Asue Ighodalo.

    It would be recalled that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday affirmed Ighodalo as the duly nominated and authentic Governorship Candidate of the PDP for the election.

    In a statement, Rev. Olu Martins, then deputy director general, Media and Publicity of the council, said those looking for the back door into Osadebey Avenue (seat of government) had further been weakened by the judgment.

    “The campaign council rejoices with our teaming supporters and party members and leaders, who continued to brace the odds against the forces of lies and falsehood, which constantly oozes from the stable of the opposition.

    “Long live the People’s Democratic Party, Long live Edo State and Long live Dr Asue Ighodalo and Barrister Osarodion Ogie. Like Dim Ojukwu says, on aburi we stand, on Dr Asue Ighodalo we stand,” he said.

  • Egor LG chairman fired over N1.7bn budget padding, gross misconduct

    Egor LG chairman fired over N1.7bn budget padding, gross misconduct

    The Legislative arm of Egor Local Government Area in Edo State has impeached the council’s chairman, Hon. Eghe Ogbemudia, over alleged padding of the council’s supplementary budget and other allegations of corruption.

    The impeachment was consequent upon a vote of no confidence against the chairman during a session of the legislative arm of the council.

    The impeachment sitting was presided over by the Leader of the House and Councillor representing Ward 3, Godwin Uwadiae Edigin.

    Shortly after a roll call of the legislative house, the Councillor representing Ward 2, Rt. Hon. Stella Osagioduwa Ogida, moved a motion for a no confidence vote against the chairman over allegations of gross misconduct.

    According to her, “This is the 10th month since our inauguration and we, the Councillors of Egor Legislative Arm do not have our offices. We have also uncovered the padding of the council’s supplementary budget to the tune of N1.7 billion. The Chairman did not involve the councilors in the preparation and approval of the council’s supplementary budget. After reviewing these actions and many other acts of gross misconduct, I want to pass a vote of no confidence on the chairman.”

    Seconding the motion, Hon. Ambassador Elliot Inneh, Councillor representing Ward 9, said: “We have tried to reach out to the Honourable Chairman to no avail. Before us today, we have a budget proposal amounting to N6.054bn that was passed through this hallowed chambers. To our greatest surprise, we found out that the Chairman in connivance with the erstwhile Leader of the House, went behind our back and padded the budget to the tune of N7.896bn.”

    The Leader of the House, Edigin, called for a voice vote, with the majority of Councillors conceding to the motion. A motion for impeachment was thereafter moved and passed.

  • BREAKING! FHC reinstates Phillip Shaibu as Deputy Governor

    BREAKING! FHC reinstates Phillip Shaibu as Deputy Governor

    Impeached deputy governor of Edo State Phillip Shaibu has been reinstated by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    In its judgement, Justice Omotosho ruled that his removal was politically motivated.

    Details shortly…

  • BREAKING: Gov Obaseki fires Health Commissioner

    BREAKING: Gov Obaseki fires Health Commissioner

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo on Monday in Benin approved the disengagement of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli, with immediate effect.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Benin on Thursday.

    Ogie also announced the appointment of Dr. Roland Igbinoba as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects.

    “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the disengagement of the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Alli, with immediate effect.

    “He is to hand over all government documents and resources in his possession to the most senior civil servant within the Ministry of Health.

    “The government thanks him for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”

    “The governor is resolute on his finishing strong objective and will remove any obstacles that may hinder optimal service delivery to the people in the remaining four months of his administration, ” Ogie said.

    According to him, Dr. Roland Igbinoba will support the government in fast-tracking the conclusion of developmental projects across the State.

  • Edo: Amid heavy rainfall, fallen trees kill 4, injure many others in Auchi

    Edo: Amid heavy rainfall, fallen trees kill 4, injure many others in Auchi

    Edo Government on Monday visited Jattu Market, near Auchi, where four trees fell, following a storm and rainfall, that killed four and injured many persons.

    Many, including traders, had taken refuge under the trees, when wind and the accompanying rain, uprooted four of the trees, that fell on the people about 9a:m on Monday.

    Deputy Gov of Edo, Marvellous Omabayo, who visited the scene, said the state government was at the market to commiserate with the families of those who lost their loved ones and access the extent of damage.

    Omabayo said the state government would set up State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in Auchi due to high pollution of the area to mitigate future occurrence.

    The Deputy Governor commiserated with those who lost their love ones at the market and promised government intervention.

    “As a government, we are here to assess the damage by the downpour and the tragedy in the market.

    ”I have directed the local government to make a report on the incident for us to provide palliative to cushion the effect of the incident.

    “Before the next 24 hours, we will come out with a report on how we can approach the situation.

    “The trees are a century old so we would ensure that trees above 50 years are cut down while new ones are planted,’” he said.

  • Edo Govt issues strong warning to Black Axe, other cults ahead of Neo-Black movement founder’s day celebration

    Edo Govt issues strong warning to Black Axe, other cults ahead of Neo-Black movement founder’s day celebration

    The Edo State Government has issued a stern warning to cult groups across the State against unlawful gathering by members in the guise of celebrating anniversary on July 7.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the warning was made in a statement  by the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare on Saturday.

    Nehikhare said that the Godwin Obaseki-led government has put the Police and other security agencies on the alert to arrest and prosecute any group who disregard the State anti-cultism Law.

    “As part of the renewed effort to tackle cultism in the State, the State Government has asked youths in the State to avoid any unlawful gathering on July 7, 2024 in the guise of celebrating the anniversary of any cult group.

    “The State Government has been reliably informed by the relevant security agencies that Aiye (Black Axe) is celebrating its anniversary on the 7th July 2024, with a possibility of rivalry and attack on other cult groups before, during and after the celebration,” he said.

    The commissioner added that “State Government want to use this opportunity to remind cult groups and their members of the State Anti-Cultism Law which prohibits their activities. Parents and guardians should also warn their wards to avoid any gathering of cult groups as Government has placed the Police and other security agencies in the State to be on the watch out to arrest and prosecute any group that violates the State’s anti-cultism Law.”

    Nehikhare urged members of the public to go about their lawful activities as the security agencies are on alert to secure lives and properties across the State.

  • Edo 2024: PDP kicks, insists Ighodalo is party’s flagbearer

    Edo 2024: PDP kicks, insists Ighodalo is party’s flagbearer

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has reacted to the nullification of the party’s governorship election, insisting that Asue Ighodalo is its flagbearer.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja voided the February 2024 election that produced Ighodalo on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP.

    However,  the party is  insisting  that the Lagos-based lawyer remains its flagbearer ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

    “Let it be on record that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo as the flag bearer of the party for the 2024 elections remains intact and that the judgement of the Federal High court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo,” Edo PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, said in a statement shortly after the court ruling.

    The Edo PDP noted that some elements within the state were spreading rumours about its candidate, claiming they were scared of Ighodalo’s rising popularity.

    Although it did not reveal the identities of the elements, the PDP called on its members to remain calm, assuring that there is no cause to be worried by the development.

    “The PDP is aware that certain elements who are scared of the soaring popularity of our candidate Dr Asue Ighodalo are going about peddling rumours that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo has been nullified.

    “We urge our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm.”

  • Two arrested as NDLEA bursts snake-guarded shrine used to store illicit drugs

    Two arrested as NDLEA bursts snake-guarded shrine used to store illicit drugs

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) has busted a snake-guarded shrine used for the storage of illicit drugs in Egor community near Benin, Edo.

    Nr Femi Babafemi, the Director of Media and Advocacy of the NDLEA, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

    Babafemi said that the NDLEA operatives had raided the shrine after detecting a specially constructed large hole storage in a wall covered with wallpapers and fetish objects.

    He said that different quantities of illicit substances such as methamphetamine, Loud, Colorado and Arizona, all strong strains of cannabis were seen.

    He disclosed that the total weight of 8.743 kilograms, were pulled out from the deep hole dug in the wall of the shrine within the building.

    “At least, two ladies: Sonia Ezumezu and Risikatu Tijani were arrested during the intelligence-led operation on Tuesday, June 18.

    “This was after the big black snake guarding the shrine was demobilised, “he said.

    In the same vein, Babafemi said two suspects: Obi Ferguson,45, and Ernest Abanum, 46, were arrested on Saturday June 22 for alleged drug possession.

    Babafemi said that NDLEA operatives raided the Usen forest in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo where 209kg cannabis and a motorcycle were recovered.

    Meanwhile, NDLEA officers in Lagos state have intercepted a carefully packaged consignment of 8.2 kilograms of methamphetamine at a motor park in Mazamaza, Ojo area of the state.

    Babafemi said that the highly addictive illicit substance, also called ice or crystal meth was packed in an imported Dunkin’ turtle love chocolate wraps.

    “It was concealed in the casing of three loud speakers.

    “A 39-year-old suspect, who was sending the consignment to Owerri, Imo was promptly arrested on Wednesday June 19 at the park, “he said.

    In a related development, NDLEA operatives in Abuja on June 18, intercepted a white Nissan Frontier pick up vehicle with amber lights and fake registration number of a security agency at Kiyi village in Kuje area of the FCT.

    Babafemi said that the vehicle was loaded with 454 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing 340.8kg procured at Uzeba, Edo.

    “A 76-year-old grandfather,, linked to the consignment was arrested.

    “He claimed to have been in the illicit drug business for 10 years, “he said.

  • UNIBEN fresh graduate raped, murdered; Edo govt reacts

    UNIBEN fresh graduate raped, murdered; Edo govt reacts

    The Edo Government on Wednesday condemned the alleged rape and gruesome murder of one Glory Adekolure, a fresh graduate of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    The victim was reportedly raped and killed at Iyowa Community, Benin City, on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

    A source said that Glory, 22, was on her way home after processing her clearance forms, when she was tortured and raped to death by yet-to-be-identified persons.

    Her corpse was later dropped close to her mother’s house.

    In a statement by the state government in Benin, communications and orientation commissioner Chris Nehikhare expressed shock and sadness over the incident.

    “Gov. Godwin Obaseki has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Funso Adegboye, to fish out the perpetrators of the evil act within the next seven days,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Philip Shaibu, others expelled from PDP in Edo

    BREAKING: Philip Shaibu, others expelled from PDP in Edo

    Leadership of Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday announced the expulsion of former deputy governor, Mr Philip Shaibu, from the party.

    Also expelled was the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the party, Chief Dan Orbih. Shaibu and Orbih were expelled for anti-party activities, according to PDP.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Benin by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr Ogie Vasco.

    Vasco said also expelled for the same reason was Mr Omorgie  Ihama, a former House of Representatives member, who represented Oredo Federal Constituency.

    Vasco said the decision was taken on Wednesday at a meeting attended by nine members of the State Working committee at the party secretariat.

    “The SWC has extensively deliberated on the issue and resolved to expel, with immediate effect, Chief Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South South.

    “It also decided to expel Phillip Shaibu and upheld the expulsion of Ogbeide-Ihama from Ward 2, Oredo Local Government Area “, he said.

    Reacting, Orbih told newsmen said the body had no powers to suspend a member of the National Working Committee or expel anybody without following the provision of the party’s constitution.

    “When a group of persons sits down to make pronouncement that are unconstitutional it only showed that they are ignorant of the constitution of the party.

    “That is all I have to say about that and nothing more,” Orbih told newsmen.