TheNewsGuru

Tag: Edo State

  • APC primary election: 6 aspirants for Edo Governorship screening

    …Aspirant credentials to be displayed for claims and objections

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced six Governorship aspirants to be screened for the party’s June 22, 2020 primary election to elect the party’s Edo State Governorship candidate.

    The six aspirants who have bought, completed and submitted the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms are Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, H.E. Godwin Obaseki, Rt. Hon. Dr. Pius Odubu, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Hon. Osaro Obazee and Hon. Matthew Aigbuhuenze Iduoriyekemwen.

    “In our bid to ensure due diligence and transparency in the screening exercise and learning from our recent shocking experiences, we are determined to avoid any lapses in the process. Therefore, we are making the submitted information and documents of the governorship aspirants available to our party members and the public for verification of claims and to support the screening panel with information or any objection to the claims contained in the submission by the aspirants.

    “Consequently, the various submissions will be displayed at the Party’s National Secretariat in Abuja and in Benin City, the Edo State capital from Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th June, 2020 for claims and objections.

    “We are inviting party members and indeed members of the public to assist the screening committee by scrutinizing the information, credentials and documents provided by the governorship aspirants and availing the Screening Committee of counter and correct information, if applicable.

    “Recall that in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, APC had earlier released its time table and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2020 Governorship Primary Elections in Edo States.

    “Accordingly, sales of nomination and expression of interest forms began at the APC National Secretariat from Wednesday 20th May to Tuesday 2nd June, 2020.

    “The last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents was
    Wednesday 3rd June, 2020.

    “As earlier stated, publication of claims and objections will be from Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th June, 2020.

    “Screening of aspirants has been slated for Wednesday 10th to Thursday 11th June, 2020.

    “This will be followed by Screening Appeal which will hold on Friday 12th June, 2020.

    “The Primary Election will hold on Monday 22nd June, 2020, while Election Appeal has been slated for Wednesday 24th June, 2020,” a statement signed by Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, National Publicity Secretary of the party read.

  • Obaseki names Lalong, Sanwo-Olu, Uzamere to reconcile Edo Assembly

    Obaseki names Lalong, Sanwo-Olu, Uzamere to reconcile Edo Assembly

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has named the Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Senator Ehigie Uzamere, to reconcile members-elect in the Edo State House of Assembly.

    In a statement, the governor said the constitution of the reconciliation committee is part of moves to restore harmony and peace in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state at large.

    The governor insisted that he is committed to peace and that a united front would make the party stronger, more cohesive and help to foster more development in the state.

    He added that the committee, which commences work with immediate effect, would reach out to all parties in the dispute and ensure that all grey areas are addressed to make for peaceful resolution of the matter.

  • Edo APC Chairman clarifies decision to adopt indirect primaries

    Edo APC Chairman clarifies decision to adopt indirect primaries

    The Chairman of the APC in Edo, Chief Anselem Ojezua, affirmed on Thursday that the State Executive Council (SEC) of the party has the responsibility to determine the option to follow in the primaries to choose a governorship candidate.

    Ojezua gave the clarification in an interview in Benin, amid the raging tussle between the two factions of the APC in Edo.

    The two factions have been at odds on the type of process to be adopted on the Edo governorship primaries, coming up later this month.

    Ojezua said it was up to various state chapters of the party to decide which option was acceptable to them, based on peculiarities in their states.

    According to him, the Constitution of the APC, however, recognizes both the direct and indirect form of primaries.

    He explained that it was based on this that the National Working Committee of the party came out with a time-table that made SEC to meet with critical stakeholders to take a decision to adopt indirect primaries, based on peculiarities in Edo.

    Ojezua noted that this was so because of the measures, protocols and rules put in place by both the federal and state governments, regarding crowding, social distancing and other measures to deal with COVID-19.

    “The need to protect the health and safety of our members as well as those who would be exposed as they travel back and forth the 192 wards and later converging in the state capital would make all the gains and restraints in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 a wasted effort if direct primaries was adopted.

    “So we felt it would be better to go to one location that is large enough to accommodate the total number of delegates while preserving the requirements for social distancing.

    “Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was suggested because it has a sitting capacity of 15,000, whereas the total delegates are not more than 3,600. So social distancing is assured and transparency too,” he told NAN.

    Ojezua recalled that that the last governorship primaries was held at the same venue, using the same indirect method.

    “Why change it now? The event was peaceful and transparent that time. There was no issue. Now, there is hostility and suspicion,’’ he asserted.

    Ojezua said that what was important was that the decision on what form of primary to adopt was best for the states to make and that what the SEC in Edo had done was in compliance with that decision.

    The APC chief expressed his optimism on the chances of incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki clinching the ticket of the party in the primaries, slated for June 22.

    He said that the governor had performed well to be rewarded with another term in office.

    “Obaseki has brought civility, decency and development to the state in his administration.

    “In 2016, we had 14 aspirants and 11 took forms and he defeated them. The result of this one won’t be different,” said Ojezua.

    Five aspirants have so far obtained the party’s expression of interest form, to contest the primaries, a check correspondent showed.

  • BREAKING: Stewart replaces Ohonbamu as Edo Commissioner

    The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation.

    In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the appointment takes “immediate effect.”

    “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as Commissioner for Communication and Orientation. His appointment takes immediate effect,” he said.

    Mr. Efe, until his appointment was the Public Relations Officer, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City.

    He hails from Ward 9, Egor Local Government Area (LGA) in Edo State.

    He was a top contender as Chairman, Egor LGA, in the last local council elections, but stepped down for party interest.

  • Edo 2020: Why Obaseki wants Court to stop Pastor Ize-Iyamu

    More facts have emerged why embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki went to court to stop Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from participating in the scheduled June 22 Edo All Progressives Congress APC primaries.

    See it below:

    The Suit #HAB/05/1/2, is between Pastor Kenneth Asekhomhe(suing for himself and on behalf of members the Executive Committee of the Edo state chapter of the APC, save those who may expressly dissociate themselves), Mr Benjamin Oghumu, (suing for himself and on behalf of members the Executive Committee of the Orhionmwon LGA chapter of the APC, save those who may expressly dissociate themselves); Mr Matthew Ogbebor and Mr Unweni, (suing for himself and on behalf of members the Executive Committee of the the Edo state chapter of the Ugboko ward 5 of the Orhionmwon LGA chapter of the APC, save those who may expressly dissociate themselves), as claimants and the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (sued for himself and on behalf of members of the National Working Committee of the APC), and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as respondents.

    In the originating summons the claimants through Mr Ken Mozia,SAN, who is their attorney, are asking the court to determine the following questions:

    1. Whether article 31(2) of the APC Constitution is not in conflict with Section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution as amended as it relates to the qualification for elected to the office of a Governor of a state.

    2. Whether having regards to the provisions of section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, the APC can validly grant a waiver to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to make him eligible to contest in the party primaries.

    3. Whether having regard to the provisions of Articles 31(2) and Articles 31(3)(ii) of the APC Constitution, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (and the NWC) can grant a waiver to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu without the approval of the NEC of the APC and without Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu formally applying for such a waiver through his ward, LGA, State and Zonal Committee of the APC.

    4. Whether a waiver purportedly granted by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (and the NWC) to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu on or about 21-5-20 or any other date in gross violations of Section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 31(2) and Article 31(3) of the extant 2014 amended Constitution of the APC is not null, void and of no effect.

    And if questions 1-4 are answered in the negative and resolved in favor of the claimants, the claimants seek the following reliefs from the court:

    1. A declaration that Article 31(2) of the APC Constitution as amended is in conflict with section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution as it relates to the qualification for election to the office of a Governor of a state and is therefore null and void.

    2. A declaration that having regards to section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution the APC cannot validly grant a waiver to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to make him eligible to contest the APC primary elections with a view to nominating him as it’s candidate to contest the 2020 governorship elections of Edo state.

    Alternatively,
    3. A declaration that the NWC of the APC cannot grant any waiver to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to make him eligible to contest the primary elections to select the APC candidate without approval of the APC NEC.

    4. A declaration that having regards to the provisions of Articles 31(2) and 31(3)(ii) of thee APC Constitution Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (and the APC NWC) cannot validly grant a waiver to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu without the approval of the APC NEC and without Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu formally applying for such waiver through his claimed ward, LGA, state and zonal committees of the APC.

    5. A declaration that any waiver purportedly granted by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (and the APC NWC) on 21-5-20 or any other date in gross violation of section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution and Articles 31(2) and Articles 31(3)(ii) of the extant amended 2014 APC Constitution is null, void and of no effect.

    6. A declaration that the waiver purportedly

  • Obaseki’s ploy to stop Ize-Iyamu fails again as High Court adjourns sitting

    Obaseki’s ploy to stop Ize-Iyamu fails again as High Court adjourns sitting

    Embattled Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State ploy to stop his top contender, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu on Thursday kissed the dust again following the adjournment of sitting on his frivolous motion requesting the restraining of the APC from conducting its primary and screening Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu by the High Court in Benin City.

    The embattled governor caused tension in the state today with the blockage mounted by his thugs and other security officials meant to bar journalists from gaining entrance into the court premises, an action said to be meant to intimidate the members of the judiciary into granting him a favorable order.

    This however failed like his previous attempts when the High Court adjourned sitting until June 17. Godwin Obaseki is challenging the membership of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu in the All Progressives Congress, a concern that has been dismissed by the leadership of the party at the state and national level.

    The governor, aware of his unpopularity and likely defeat to Pastor Ize-Iyamu at the party’s internal primary set for June 22, is desperate to use the courts, and other organs of state, to rig the process in his favor.

    This particular case was moved to the High Court in Benin City after it was discovered that Justice Vestie Eboriem of the Abudu High Court where it was initially lodged had allegedly met and obtained inducement from Barrister Osarodion Ogie, the SSG, to try the case secretly and grant an ex-parte order that would have prevented the primary from holding.

  • Rumble in Edo as Obaseki orders security operatives to bar journalists from court sitting

    ….as Governor seeks injunction against Pastor Ize-Iyamu
    ….Channels TV, AIT others barred
    ….EBS gets pass for coverage

    Rumble in Benin City, the Edo State Capital as Governor Godwin Obaseki bar journalists from covering court proceedings.

    This is sequel to blockage of Sapale road and other axis leading to the High Court by thugs suspected to be loyal to Governor Obaseki over the hearing of a case bordering on the membership of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the All Progressives Congress.

    The thugs, working in collaboration with security officials including the Police, NSCDC, and Mobile Policemen, are also mounting a barricade at the entrance of the court, denying entrance to members of the press.

    The court case was initially lodged at the Abudu High Court where Justice Vestie Eboreime, suspected to be induced by members of the Obaseki-administration, attempted to secretly issue an ex-parte order restraining the All Progressives Congress from screening Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu and conducting its primary election.

    However, a loud outcry over her complicit relationship with members of Obaseki-administration, particularly Barrister Osarodion Ogie, the Secretary to the State Government, and a petition to the Chief Judge of the state, caused a re-assignment of the case reportedly to the High Court in Benin where a suspicious secret hearing is being planned for this morning.

    Journalists around the court vicinity are protesting their exclusion, noting that even court cases involving the presidential election were made open to the press for transparency and fair reporting of proceedings.

    Except for the state owned electronic media, Edo Broadcasting Television, others including Channels television, Africa Independent Television were denied access for coverage.

  • SAD! UNIBEN student raped, killed inside Church in Edo

    SAD! UNIBEN student raped, killed inside Church in Edo

    A 100 level student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) from the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa has reportedly been raped and killed inside a church in Edo State.

    The 22-year-old victim was said to have been raped on Friday 29th May near Ikpoba Hill in Benin City, at her church, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

    According to reports, the deceased had gone to the church to read as she prepared for the possible school resumption after months of staying at home as a result of the lockdown.

    The perpetrators were said to have attacked her at the Ohovbe road branch of the RCCG, raped and smashed her head with a fire extinguisher, leaving her for dead.

    Miss Vera was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where she battled for her dear life at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

    She, however, gave up the ghost Saturday midnight, May 30, following excess loss of blood and deep cuts sustained from the attack.

    A family source, who confirmed the development, described the deceased as “an easy-going somebody (sic).” Her remains had been deposited at the morgue.

    Nigerians have since taken to Twitter, using #JusticeForUwa, to demand for justice for the fallen student and one of the numerous victims of rape in the country.

  • BREAKING: Edo, Ondo get new Police Commissioners as elections near

    BREAKING: Edo, Ondo get new Police Commissioners as elections near

    As the Edo and Ondo States wait to conduct elections in September, new Commissioners of Police have been deployed to the States with immediate effect.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Inspector General of Police (IGP) M. A. Adamu ordered the deployment of CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo to Edo and CP Bolaji Amidu Salami to Ondo.

    In a statement by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters in Abuja, the newly posted officers were charged to ensure they consolidate and advance the gains of their predecessors.

    Osun, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Gombe, Oyo also got new Commissioners of Police.

    Read statement below:

    The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered the immediate posting/redeployment of the following Commissioners of Police to Commands/Formations as follows:

    Osun State – CP Undie J. Adie

    Edo State – CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, mni

    Bauchi State – CP Lawal Jimeta Tanko

    Ebonyi State – CP Philip Sule Maku, fdc

    Gombe State – CP Ahmed Maikudi Shehu

    Ondo State – CP Bolaji Amidu Salami

    Oyo State – CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu

    Eastern Port – CP Evelyn T. Peterside

    EOD – CP Okon Etim Ene, fdc

    Airport Command – CP Bello Maikwashi

    Anti-Fraud Unit (FCID Annex Lagos) – CP Olukolu Tairu Shina

    The Inspector General of Police charges the newly posted officers to ensure they consolidate and advance the gains of their predecessors particularly in the implementation of community-policing, crime prevention, public security, public safety and general crime fighting.

    The IGP also enjoins the citizens of the affected states to cooperate with the Commissioners of Police to enable them succeed in their new areas of responsibilities.

  • Edo guber: APC faction boasts of producing consensus flag-bearer

    Edo guber: APC faction boasts of producing consensus flag-bearer

    A governorship aspirant in the upcoming Edo gubernatorial elections announced on Tuesday that his faction of the APC had rolled out ground rules and processes to produce a consensus candidate to fly the party’s flag.

    Retired Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, who made this known in Benin, said transparency would be the hallmark of the selection process of a candidate to be fielded by the APC in the governorship elections, slated for Sept. 19.

    The APC is currently having two factions in Edo with the Airhiavbere faction, which calls itself the “progressive faction’’, having a crowded field of eight aspirants, one of whom dropped out of the race on May 25.

    The other aspirants, including Airhiavbere are Dr Pius Odubu, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo, Mr Chris Ogiemwonyi, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Mr Saturday Uwelekhue.

    Also in the race are Prof. Frederick Amadasu, Mr Ehiozuwa Agbonayima and Mr Solomon Edebiri, who has withdrawn.

    Airhiavbere said that adopting transparency model would produce a consensus candidate that would be acceptable to everyone.

    According to him, all the `progressive’ aspirants have agreed on a common ground to produce a consensus candidate and that a process for the candidate to emerge has been put in place.

    The stalwart said that the acceptable candidate would be someone, who would have the endorsement of everyone across the length and breadth of the state.

    He said that the process agreed to by the aspirants include, proper screening of aspirants, to avoid rancor as well as ensuring transparency to forestall litigations after the emergence of the candidate.

    The APC chieftain said that the process would be articulated so well to ensure that the candidate became a winning material in the election.

    According to him, weather the person joined yesterday or today is no issue as long as the person can agree to cooperate and join the progressives movement of the party.

    “The leaders will decide,” he told NAN, stressing the need for every member of the APC to be patient until a consensus candidate emerges among the aspirants.

    Airhiavbere, who contested the 2015 governorship primaries against incumbent Gov. Godwin Obaseki said, however, that any aspirant who would follow the footsteps of Obaseki would not be elected as a governorship candidate of the progressives.

    He debunk media reports that the faction already had a consensus candidate, saying that only one aspirant had dropped out.

    “I contested against Obaseki in 2016, so whoever is in our team today and wants others to step down for him should be able to convince others why and give them assurances that he will carry them along.

    “This is because there already is a sitting governor, who we want to replace because we have seen that we cannot allow him to carry on for another four years.

    “What we are doing is that we are contributing money to pay for a ticket for one person and so far so good we are carrying it out.

    “One person cannot just assume to have the upper hand. For now, we are preparing for the screening process. We have not been screened. So who then will step down?”

    Airhiavbere said that other progressives and himself were working on a process that would work for the Edo people.

    “We are not just sitting down or sleeping because we know Obaseki is not sleeping and PDP too is not sleeping.

    “So we just must have a win-win situation by presenting a candidate that everybody will queue behind and respect.”

    Analysts believe that the upcoming Edo governorship election would be characterized by rancour, bad blood and betrayals.