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Tag: Godwin Obaseki

  • Ogbaka-Edo warns Obaseki not to cause crisis over move to create 18 traditional councils

    Ogbaka-Edo warns Obaseki not to cause crisis over move to create 18 traditional councils

    …advises state govt to reverse itself on decision

    The Ogbakha-Edo in Benin has sent a strong warning to the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki not to go ahead to create 18 traditional councils across the state as Benin people have only one Oba.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement issued and signed by Professor Sam Guobadia, Chairman and Nosa Omorodion clearly stated that:

    “We wish to express our position on the needless and avoidable crisis generated by the recently announced decision of the Edo State Government to establish traditional councils in each of the eighteen (18) local government areas of the state.

    “We are particularly concerned that the seven (7) local government areas which comprise the Edo South Senatorial District are included in the decision. The local government areas are Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon.

    “As announced by the State Government in its release dated August 11th 2023 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, the intention of the state government is to create a “new regime” pursuant to “a 1979 law”, by which each local government area including those in Edo South Senatorial District will have a traditional council; and that this is to ensure that “… all traditional rulers in the 18 local government areas of the state will receive monthly allowances to administer their domains”.

    “A perfunctory reading of the publication may suggest that the state government’s intention is altruistic and intended to strengthen the traditional institution in the state. However, before such sensitive resolutions are arrived at, it is expected that due consultation and dialogue with our revered monarch, the Oba of Benin and other relevant stakeholders of Benin ethnic extraction would be carried out.

    ” The strategic role of consultation is to consider valid interests, seek qualified opinions, gather insights from various sources and look at the situation from different perspectives of all in a concerted effort to reach a harmonious agreement.

    ” Unfortunately, from our findings, no form of deliberation or dialogue was initiated with the aforementioned parties before the government zeroed on this infamous verdict.

    ” Stemming from this, Ogbakha-Edo has reached the informed conclusion that if the state government presses ahead with its plan without initially executing this vital step, it has the consequence of completely eroding the traditional structure and cohesion of Edo South as epitomized and symbolized by the Benin Monarchy and the Chieftaincy institution among others.

    “No Benin person worthy of being called a Benin can standby and allow such monumental desecration of our revered traditional institution. This is our heritage and it is priceless to us!

    “In view of the foregoing, Ogbakha-Edo wishes to put on record thus:
    1. The Benin Kingdom is of very ancient origin dating back to the millennia, with the Oba of Benin as its ONLY traditional ruler, cultural pride and relevance in the larger contemporary society of Nigeria.

    2. Due to the incidence of colonialism and subsequent creation of local government areas, the Benin Kingdom now comprises the seven local government areas constituting Edo South Senatorial District, which local government areas are listed above.

    3. Despite the creation of the said seven local government areas, the Oba of Benin remains the ONLY traditional ruler in all the seven local government areas comprising Edo South Senatorial District.

    4. The Oba of Benin exercises his traditional ruler-ship across all the seven local government areas by himself and through chiefs appointed by him.

    5. There are different categories of chiefs appointed by the Oba of Benin, with the Enigie being one of the categories.

    6. The Enigie are appointed by the Oba of Benin as his representatives in the various towns and communities where they function across each of the seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District.

    7. The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) is the competent traditional body through which the Oba of Benin exercises his power and authority throughout the Benin Kingdom.
    8. The chiefs of Benin Kingdom (including the Enigie) are all under the power and authority of the Oba, and the competence of the BTC. The chiefs cannot be constituted into any separate traditional council in the seven local government areas of Edo South, by whatever name called.

    9. The decision of the Edo State Government to create traditional councils in each local government area in Edo South amounts to constituting parallel traditional councils to compete with and function side by side with the existing Benin Traditional Council when the Oba of Benin is the ONLY traditional ruler in the whole Edo South Senatorial District, and therefore the ONLY traditional ruler in Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Ovia South West, Ovia North East, Uhunmwonde and Orhionmwon local government areas.

    10. Even from the publication of the state government, there is an obvious admission, albeit unintended, that a traditional council can only be established in a local government with a traditional ruler. Since the Oba of Benin is the ONLY traditional ruler in the each of the local government areas of Edo South, it is incongruous for the Edo State Government to insist on its plan to establish new traditional councils in Edo South to co-exist with the existing Benin Traditional Council.

    11. The often cited section 45 of the Local Government and Chiefs Edict, 1979 which appears to be the sole provision upon which the Edo State Government purports to act, does not envisage establishment of traditional councils in the local government areas comprising Edo South Senatorial District. Instead, the section relates only to other senatorial districts of the state where there are more than one traditional rulers in the local government areas within those senatorial districts.

    “In view of the above, Oghakha-Edo hereby calls on the Edo State Government to reverse its decision as it affects Edo South Senatorial District, since there is only ONE traditional ruler in all the seven local government areas within the District, and that is the Oba of Benin. Instead, the government should make deliberate attempt to engage in wide spread consultation that will produce far reaching and generally acceptable outcomes for the betterment of the great kingdom of Benin and her people.

    “The state government does not need to await the outcome of any judicial process to reverse itself. As a government manned by human beings who can be given to error, there is nothing shameful for the Edo State Government to concede that in this particular instance, an innocent mistake has been made to include the local government areas in Edo South within the purview of the decision.

    “Ogbakha-Edo is convinced that it is only by reversing itself that the Edo State Government can demonstrate candour and manifest its desire for the sustenance of peace and tranquility in Edo South Senatorial District and across the state, while maintaining respect for our revered traditional institution.

    Long live the Benin Monarchy!
    Long Live the Benin Kingdom!
    Long Live Edo State!

    Professor Sam Guobadia, Ph.D, FICA, FIPMD
    Chairman
    Ogbakha-Edo

    Nosa Omorodion
    Publicity Secretary
    Ogbakha-Edo

  • Impeachment: Edo Deputy Gov withdraws suit against Obaseki

    Impeachment: Edo Deputy Gov withdraws suit against Obaseki

    The Deputy Governor of Edo, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has withdrawn the suit he slammed on Gov. Godwin Obaseki, seeking protection against his planned impeachment.

    Shaibu, in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday in Benin, said the withdrawal was as result of the intervention by well-meaning individuals in the state.

    The deputy governor had sought a restraining order against the governor, the Inspector General of Police, the State Security Service, Chief Judge of the state and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, against his removal from office.

    But in the statement, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Shaibu said he took the action as a result of the intervention of prominent indigenes of Edo.

    “Arising from the series of meetings held with me and also with Mr. Governor by well-meaning Edo indigenes, Nigerians and party leaders, traditional rulers, and my Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr Augustine Akubeze, the Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, on the issues that led to my going to Court, I have instructed my solicitors to withdraw the suit forthwith.

    “I, Comrade Philip Shaibu, have authorized and instructed my solicitors to withdraw the suit forthwith,” he said.

    He commended well-meaning Nigerians, party leaders, traditional rulers and the Archbishop for their kind words, advice and encouragement in ensuring peace and unity in our State.

    Shaibu, however, appreciated Gov. Obaseki, whom he described as his boss, mentor and brother “for this path of peace”.

    Recall that Obaseki and his deputy have been engulfed in crisis over the successor battle in the forthcoming 2024 governorship election in the state.

    The fight culminated in stripping Shaibu of his supervisory roles at the revenue generation agencies, local government and sports.

  • Private schools threaten to boycott Sept. 11 resumption in Edo

    Private schools threaten to boycott Sept. 11 resumption in Edo

    Private school owners in Edo under the Coalition of Private Schools on Monday, threatened to boycott the Sept. 11 resumption date, over alleged state government’s harsh policies.

    The coalition at a news conference in Benin, said the step became necessary as all efforts to reach Gov. Godwin Obaseki over their plights proved abortive.

    The body comprised the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Association of Private Schools Owners of Nigeria, (APSON) and the National Association of Proprietors Of Private Schools (NAPPS).

    The State Chairman of NAPPS, Dr Lemmy Russel, who spoke on behalf of the group, said its members were being overburdened with Corporate Tax by the Federal Inland Revenue as well as Personal Income Tax and annual renewal by the state government.

    He said that besides these, the private school owners faced different challenges as different officials would come around to collect one fee or the other in the name of being government agents.

    He said the recent facility check survey by the Directorate of Quality Assurance in the state for instance, was impromptu and hasty.

    He said that the association leaders,  could have been carried along as agreed in the previous stakeholders’ meeting in order to mobilise members.

    Russel described the decision of the government to seal off default schools in the current economic realities as tantamount to increasing the number of out-of-school children and unemployment in the country already plagued with poverty.

    He, however, appealed that no private school be closed; rather there should be a regulatory control with regard to school site, landmass and classroom population.

    “We, therefore, appeal for a stakeholders’ meeting of the three association leaders to have a dialogue in order to address the many plights of private schools in Edo State.

    “Scrap the huge annual renewal fee or have one consolidated fee/Tax payable by private schools as against the numerous bills charged.

    “Fund/Loan be made available to private schools at a very low interest rate with a period of at least five years to pay back.

    “This will help drive the implementation of disarticulation policies of schools and improve the learning environment in schools.

    “A committee composed of association leaders, ministry of education representatives and other critical stakeholders in education be set up to meet and review the policy checklist and deliberate on its implementations,” he said.

    In case the appeals had no result, he said members would stage peaceful protests to ensure necessary actions are taken.

    He, however, commended the education reform of the state including the establishment of directorate of quality assurance, disassociating itself from the viral video maligning some officials of the state.

  • Gov Obaseki rates LG polls as Labour Party calls for cancellation

    Gov Obaseki rates LG polls as Labour Party calls for cancellation

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Saturday, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of Local Government elections in the State.

    Obaseki gave the remark shortly after he voted at Ward 10, Unit 19 polling station at about 1.50 p.m.

    According to him, “in spite of the rain, the turn out has been considerably interesting.

    “That means political parties did all what they were supposed to do to sensitise the people.

    “Secondly, we can see that the process has been very peaceful. I am very happy with this.

    “That people were here some minutes before the close of polls. We have not had any incidence of violence from anywhere,” he said.

    On his expectation of the outcome, the Edo governor said he believed the popular candidates would win.

    “I believe the popular candidates will win the elections, but don’t forget the PDP went all out to campaign for this election.

    “I don’t know how much the other parties mobilised, but I know that the PDP was fully in most parts of the state,” he said.

    Oredo LP candidate seeks cancellation of Edo LG poll

    Meanwhile, Mr Daniel-Ero Onaghise, Labour Party Chairmanship candidate for Oredo, has called for the cancellation of Saturday’s Local Government elections in Edo.

    Onaghise made the call during a news conference in Benin.

    The candidate, who expressed dissatisfaction with the entire process, said the election was characterised by irregularities that should not be allowed to stand.

    “During the stakeholders’ meeting, they said BVAS and card readers would be used while movement will be restricted.

    “I have gone to some wards in Edo and it took six to seven hours before materials arrived at various polling units.

    “I went to Oredo office of EDSIEC to know why eldction materials were not still on ground, but we were chased out.

    “I have not been able to cast my vote at Oredo Ward 6 because as at 2 p.m., materials had not arrived for an election tha stops at 3 p.m.

    “It is so painful that even me, as a contestant, has not been able to cast a vote.

    “Even if I am going to lose the election, at least I should vote for myself; many people have not been able to vote.

    “So, I want to beg that the election be cancelled and a proper arrangement  made for the exercise,” he said.

    Onaghise urged the people of Edo to lend their voices against the electoral infractions because many people, who came out to vote, were disenfranchised.

    Meanwhile, members of the party in the state on Saturday trooped out to protest the conduct of the poll.

    The members, who stormed the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benin, said the poll was marred with late arrival of materials and insufficient materials even as voters were disenfranchised.

    Jeffrey Scott-Emuakpor, party chairman for Ikpoba Okha local government area, said the exercise was hijacked by political thugs, who went around unleashing violence on voters.

    The irregularities, Scott-Emuakpor alleged, were perpetrated in connivance with local security vigilantes at the polling units.

    Similarly, Maccido Eghaghe, LP chairmanship candidate for Ikpoba Okha, said he was shot at his polling unit.

    “I have been receiving calls and I took a trip to Idogbo, the administrative headquarters of the LGA which also serves as collation centre where electoral materials are distributed to various wards in the locality.

    “The vigilantes shot at me and others at very close range, so I escaped and that is why I am here for the press to let the whole world and the people know that there was no elections in Ikpoba Okha

    “Wards 7 and 10 just reported that they forgot their ballot materials, but they are only given 100 ballot papers per unit which does not match the number of registered voters, and this is unacceptable.

    “Again, election did not hold in Ikpoba Okha, there were gunshots. I witnessed it because I was shot at.

    “I want to appeal to all LP members and supporters to remain calm as we are going to use all constitutional and legal means to ensure that justice prevails,” he saod.

  • Obaseki sacks deputy governor’s media aides

    Obaseki sacks deputy governor’s media aides

    The Edo State Government yesterday disbanded the media crew attached to the office of the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu.

    It was gathered that Governor Godwin Obaseki directed Shaibu to henceforth request for media coverage of his activities from the Ministry of Communication and Orientation.

    Obaseki stated this in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Chris Osa Nehikhare on Monday.

    “This directive followed the unfortunate incident that happened during the colloquium held to mark the 60th anniversary of Midwest Referendum, where some journalists, who claimed to be the media crew of the Deputy Governor, attempted to force their way into the hall where the Governor and other dignitaries were already seated.

    “This act was against the accreditation protocol that had been established for the event coverage.

    “The orchestrated and stage-managed walkout and disruption is highly regrettable,” he said.

  • Drama as DSS denies Shaibu access to Gov Obaseki in public

    Drama as DSS denies Shaibu access to Gov Obaseki in public

    There was a mild drama on Sunday at the venue of the Interdenominational Thanksgiving Church Service to mark the 32nd year anniversary of Edo State, held at the Festival Hall, Government House.

    Security details attached to Governor Godwin Obaseki restrained his Deputy, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu from getting close to the Governor at the public function.

    But the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sylvester Okungbowa, who defended his principal, said:

    “Whatever happened at the Church service was not at the behest of the Governor, neither was he aware what the security aides were doing; in fact the security aides were doing their job. Besides, the governor was not aware that the deputy was coming to greet him.

    “The Church is a public event, so the security aides had a duty to safeguard their principal.”

    The drama played out after Shaibu who recently fell out with his boss over his rumoured 2024 governorship ambition tried to access the Governor following his (Shaibu’s) return from vacation in the United States.

    However, all attempts by the Deputy Governor to get close to the Governor failed, as Shaibu was rebuffed by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS) attached to the Governor’s office who blocked his way.

    It was, however, observed that the Deputy Governor would later from afar bow to the Governor in the form of respect and return back to his seating position.

    It was also gathered that no seat was reserved for the Deputy Governor on the Governor’s sitting row at the event, as Shaibu had to get a chair in front of the other aisle of the hall.

    However, addressing journalists shortly after the ceremony, the Deputy Governor reaffirmed his unalloyed loyalty to his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki, whom he described as his elder brother.

    Shaibu said whatever disagreement he may have with his boss was strictly a family affair and he (Shaibu) would never address the governor in the media, while maintaining that ambition does not affect loyalty as his loyalty to Obaseki remain absolute.

    According to him, ”Issues that concern my governor are not what I discuss on camera. He (Obaseki) is my elder brother and boss, if I have any issues with him, I think it is better settled at home not in the media. Family problem are better resolved in a family way.

    “I am well brought up and from my Christian background, when you take a vow (with God), you must fulfil it. And the vow I have taken with God is that I will continue to support Godwin Obaseki as the Governor of Edo State from the beginning to the end.

    “But that doesn’t stop any other thing that has to do with ambition. Ambition is personal. Ambition does not affect loyalty. My loyalty to the governor remains absolute. I am also in solidarity with the governor and declaring my unalloyed loyalty to the Governor and nothing more.”

    Amid the feud between the two Edo political leaders, Shaibu approached the Federal High Court in Abuja for protection to restrain Governor Godwin Obaseki, Edo State House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Edo State and others from impeaching him.

    In reaction, Governor Obaseki had accused Shaibu of being desperate to succeed him, saying the deputy governor may contemplate coup against him (Obaseki).

    Shaibu had however denied the allegations, saying he remained loyal to the Governor as there was no any ill attempt against Obaseki.

  • Edo impeachment saga: PDP passes vote of confidence on Obaseki

    Edo impeachment saga: PDP passes vote of confidence on Obaseki

    Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo have berated the Deputy Governor of the State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, for approaching the court over an allegation of impeachment.

    Rising from a meeting on Sunday in Igueben, Igueben Local Government Area of the state, the party leaders who are from Edo Central Senatorial District faulted Shaibu for failure to explore internal dispute resolution mechanisms of the party.

    The deputy governor had approached the Federal High Court, Abuja seeking a restraining order against his principal, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, whom he alleged was planning his impeachment.

    The meeting had in attendance the state chairman of the party , Mr Tony Aziegbemi; former Chairman, PDP Board of Trustee (BOT), Chief Tom Ikimi, former Edo Central Senator, Clifford Odia; two former House of Representatives’ members, Sergius Ogun and Joe Edionwele, among others.

    In a communique issued after the meeting and which was signed by the attendees, they said a vote of confidence was passed on the governor over the matter.

    “An Extraordinary Meeting of leaders of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central Senatorial District held today, the 13th of August 2023, at Igueben and topical issues affecting the Party in the State were reviewed.

    “During the meeting, a vote of implicit confidence in the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, was moved by Chief Francis Ulinfun and seconded by Elder Johnny Abhulimen.

    “The motion was unanimously passed by all the leaders in attendance on behalf of the party in Esanland.

    “The meeting noted with satisfaction the speedy and effective progress being made on the peace and reconciliation efforts to unite the contending forces within the party, particularly in Esanland.

    “However, the deteriorating relationship between our Governor, His Excellency Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, was noted with utmost dismay,” the communique read

    The leaders observed that the controversy was unnecessary, considering that the central issue bordered on the governorship succession in 2024.

    “The reason for this is our strong belief that the strongest consideration for making the choice is equity in addition to other factors related to competence and individual acceptability.

    “From our interactions with our brothers from Edo South and Edo North, there is already a consensus that the next Governor will emanate from Edo Central Senatorial District principally because it is on record that Edo Central has not legally produced a governor for our dear state since the inception of this democratic dispensation in 1999.

    “Besides, we believe that the process of making such a choice can be achieved by the leadership of the party in a cordial and reasonable atmosphere rather than resorting to intimidation and blackmail.

    “Moreover, we condemn in very strong terms, the act of resorting to court without exhausting the options provided in our party constitution for dispute settlement.

    “In any case, the governor has confirmed that he has made no move to impeach his deputy and we believe him.

    “We, therefore, urge the deputy governor to withdraw his suit forthwith and seek a political solution to the problem with his principal,” the PDP leaders submitted.

    They expressed confidence in the ability of the leadership of the party in the state to resolve whatever may be the issues between the two party leaders in government.

    “Finally, His Excellency Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his firm resolve and determination to finish well and strong; we hereby identify with him in that resolution because we believe that nothing short of that will augur well for us, the party and our dear state,”.

    They therefore urged all men and women of goodwill to join hands with his Excellency to ensure success to make Edo great again.

  • Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu denies planning to defect to APC

    Edo Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu denies planning to defect to APC

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu has reacted to reports that he is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) to actualize his governorship ambition.

    Shuaibu’s Chief Press Secretary,  Musa Ebomhiana, in a statement on Thursday, described the claim as the handiwork of mischief makers trying to widen the rift between the deputy governor and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki.

    There were speculations flying around that the Edo state Assembly tried to impeach the deputy governor.

    Shaibu also headed to court to seek an order to stop an alleged plot by Obaseki to use the state House of Assembly to impeach him.

    On Monday, while addressing the crisis between him and his deputy, Obaseki described Shuaibu’s suit against him as baseless, saying there was no plot to impeach him.

    Obaseki also categorically stated that Shuaibu had perfected plans to defect from the PDP to the APC to pursue his governorship ambition.

    However,  in a statement on Thursday, Shuaibu’s CPS said there was no truth in the defection claim, blaming it on those he described as “hack writers and mischief makers bent on destabilising our dear Edo State.”

    The statement reads partly “They will stop at nothing to widen the gulf between Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy,  Comrade Philip Shaibu.

    “They have generated more lies from the pit of hell, saying that Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has perfected plans to rejoin the All Progressives Congress next week. There is no iota of truth in this.

    “To further put a lie to this, the spin doctors claimed that the APC National Working Committee is set to receive him in Abuja. The question here for the discerning minds is: is it the NWC of a party that receives a defector into the party?

    “Shaibu has never minced words, vowing to sink and swim with his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki. This, he has said severally at public fora.

    “In view of this, I plead with these characters bent on driving a wedge between Shaibu and his boss, to put the Edo project and the people far above their own selfish interest,” Ebomhiana said.

    Recall that  the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, made an order restraining Obaseki from initiating any alleged impeachment process against Shaibu.

    Justice Ahmed  Mohammed ordered parties in the suit to maintain“status quo ante bellum.”

    Apart from Obaseki, also listed as defendants in the suit filed by Shaibu were the Inspector General of Police; the Department of State  Services; the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly; and the Chief Judge, Edo State.

    Justice Mohammed, in a ruling on Thursday, restrained the security agencies from arresting, detaining, or harassing Shaibu, pending the determination of his suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023.

    The judge, while adjourning the matter till August 22, directed the defendants to show cause why the prayers being sought by Shaibu in his suit should not be granted.

    However, the Senator representing Edo North in the country’s upper chamber, Adams Oshiomhole had told Shauibu to stay put in PDP, saying APC is not a rehabilitation ground for rejected politicians.

  • APC warns Obaseki to stop inciting people against Tinubu’s govt

    APC warns Obaseki to stop inciting people against Tinubu’s govt

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South has warned  Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state to stop inciting the people of the state against President Bola Tinubu led administration.

    Obaseki recently in a statement released through his Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, had accused the Federal Government of being responsible for the deplorable state of federal roads in the state.

    According to Obaseki, the FG was responsible for the massive suffering faced by the people as a result of the removal of petrol subsidy, which led to the skyrocketing of the price of the essential commodity.

    But reacting to Obaseki’s comment in a press statement,  the APC publicity secretary South-South Zonal Organising Secretary Blessing Agbomhere, said the governor has “found a convenient way of putting the blame of his total failure on the less than three months old administration of President Tinubu which came into office with the road map of removing the burdensome fuel subsidy which has become a huge drain on the meagre revenue of the Federal Government.”

    The APC insisted that Obaseki, who took over power from a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, had nothing “to show in terms of achievement in his over seven years in office but is rather flaunting the landmark developmental strides of his predecessor.”

    The statement reads, “Despite taking over office in 2008 when the state’s monthly revenue dropped to N1.6 billion due to the world economic crisis while IGR was N30 million bringing the total to N1.9 billion.

    “We therefore challenge the incumbent Governor Obaseki to show to the world what impact he has been able to make rather than the usual promises of Memorandum of Understanding which his government has been notorious for signing with fictitious entities with nothing to show for it.

    “We call on Governor Obaseki to desist from inciting the people of Edo State against the administration of President Bola Tinubu. We urge Nigerians to be patient as the process of transformation will soon kick off with the screening and swearing in of cabinet ministers which is expected in the days ahead.”

  • Federal highways: Obaseki accuses APC of having  deep hatred for Edo people

    Federal highways: Obaseki accuses APC of having  deep hatred for Edo people

    Following  the terrible state of federal highways in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) led federal government of having a deep hatred for Edo people.

    Fielding questions from journalists Wednesday in Benin during an interactive session at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat, a visibly angry Governor Obaseki said that all his determined efforts to make the federal government construct and rehabilitate federal roads in the state have been fruitless.

    Making specific reference to Ovia River bridge on the Benin-Lagos, Benin-Auchi, Benin-Sapele and Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo Roads, he remarked that he was deeply troubled by the agonies and pains of Edo people and commuters who travel through the state because of the terrible state of federal roads in the state.

    The governor said that very soon, if urgent rehabilitation and construction works are not carried out, vehicular movement will soon come to a halt as a result of broken down trailers and articulated vehicles just like it did last year.

    He added that as the gateway to the North, East, West and the resource rich but impoverished Niger Delta region of the country, there is a lot of pressure on federal roads in the state because of the high volume of traffic criss crossing them daily.

    He declared: “It is like no body care in Abuja. Because we come from Edo, they don’t care about us, they don’t like us. If they do we will know. It is like you have no one to talk to on these bad roads. When you call the federal road controller, he will say he is in Abuja.”

    He further lamented: “We are in a very difficult situation in Edo. Our hands and legs are tied and they say we should run. because the only government people know is their state government.

    He said that the confusing policies and procedures put in place by the Federal Government as regards the repair of federal roads has made it extremely difficult for state governments to embark on repair of federal roads in their domains.

    While trying to figure out the reason for the total neglect of roads, the governor made a subtle reference to Edo political difference as the state is controlled by the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He however quickly added that his intentions were not to criticize the federal government but to lay the facts bare to the world as Edo people are after all Nigerians no matter their political stance

    He said: “I am not here to criticize the Federal Government. I am here to say that we are all Nigerians. So, it is only fair and proper that the Federal Government treats Nigerians like human being. Treating us the way we are being treated in Edo State, as if we do not belong to this country, is really really unfair. You don’t have to vote for a government for the government to care about you. We are all Nigerians.”