Tag: Godwin Obaseki

Edo PDP guber primary: Supreme Court declares Obaseki’s faction authentic candidates

The Supreme Court on Wednesday declared the candidates who emerged from the primaries conducted by the Gov Godwin Obaseki-led faction of the PDP in Edo as the authentic representatives of the party.

This judgment delivered by Justice Centus Nweze brings to an end the long-drawn legal battle to decide which of the two factions is in control of the state chapter of the party.

Delivering the judgment in the appeal filed by Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and others against Mr Mathew Iduoriyekemwen and others, the apex court held that the case of the appellant was faulty as it did not emanate from the judgment of the appellate court.

The court in its judgment dismissed the appeal on the grounds that it was incompetent.

The judgment set aside the judgment of the Appeal Court which was in favour of candidates belonging to the Legacy Group of the PDP in Edo State led by the National Vice Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih.

The judge held that an appeal must be based on issues contended at the lower court to qualify for review.

“Any ground of appeal that does not challenge issues raised at the lower court is incompetent. I enter judgment in favour of the respondents “, the apex court held.

The judgment which arose from a consolidation of all cases relating to the leadership tussle has put to rest anxiety as to the right persons to represent the party in the elections.

The battle for control of the PDP apparatus in Edo state between Obaseki and Orbih took a different dimension when the two groups presented two different lists of aspirants to INEC following parallel primaries conducted by the two factions.

The crux of the matter is who has the power the primary election for the selection of party flag bearers for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections slated for February 25 and March 11, this year.

Wednesday’s unanimous decision by the supreme court, therefore, means the candidates who emerged from the ward up to the national primaries conducted by the Obaseki faction of the Edo PDP will be fielded for elective positions.

Both Obaseki and a National Vice Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orhbi have been locked in a leadership battle for the soul of the party in Edo State.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had in May last year recognized orbih’s faction as the authentic candidates, another in Benin City, gave recognition to Obaseki’s faction.

Both also appealed the judgment of the trial court entered against them at the Court of Appeal.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the judgment was delivered, Philip Shaibu, the deputy governor of the state who was in court to witness the proceedings expressed joy that the matter has been finally put to rest.

He called on all PDP members to close ranks to deliver for the party in all the elections, stating that there was no winner or loser as the victory was for the PDP.

Shuaibu urged aggrieved parties to embrace peace said that the umbrella is now widen to accommodate all.

A Federal High Court in Benin-city, Edo had ordered INEC to recognise and publish the names of candidates produced by Obaseki’s faction as PDP’s candidates in the 2023 elections.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a related suit ordered INEC to recognise the candidates of Chief Dan Orbih faction as authentic candidates of the PDP for the forthcoming elections.

The parties in their various suits had asked the court for an order compelling INEC, to publish their names as the validly elected candidates of the Edo State PDP for the 2023 general election.

In his judgment, Justice S. M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Benin relying on past decisions by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, held that only the National Working Committee (NWC) of a political party has the power to conduct party primaries.

“There is nothing before the court to show that the primaries in which the fourth to 39th defendants participated was conducted by the National Working Committee of the PDP. Rather, their primaries were conducted by the Edo State chapter of the PDP,” the judge held.

The Judge further held: “In my view, the power of INEC under Section 84 of the Electoral Act is limited to monitoring of party primary elections and does not extend to preparing or declaring the results of that election. This remains the law.

“In light of the foregoing, the fourth defendant, INEC, cannot rely on results prepared by the first defendant, Edo State PDP.”

Dissatisfied, the Orbih’s faction appealed the judgment up to the Supreme Court, where judgment was today entered against them.

February 2, 2023
Gov Wike apologizes to Oshiomhole for supporting Obaseki

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Wednesday apologized to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for supporting Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki in the last governorship election held in Edo.

Governor Wike also tendered an apology to Oshiomhole over some political comments he made against him in the past.

Wike tendered the apology at the inauguration of the Rumuepirikom Flyover bridge inaugurated by Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo, in Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the crisis in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Wike said the PDP G-5 governors will only be disposed to reconciliation based on equity, fairness and justice.

He said politics is about interest and Rivers people must be sure of what they stand to benefit for any support they will have to give ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Governor drew attention to the place of integrity in leadership across strata and why leaders must be bonded by what they say and do.

“When once you have lost integrity, there is nothing you can offer again, and that is the problem we are having in this country where politicians will stand up and make a statement.

“And then, people are watching you to fulfil that statement, the promise you have made and when you don’t, Nigerians will now say that is how politicians behave. I don’t agree to that,” Wike said.

He called on leaders across strata and divide to promote unity among Nigerians.

According to him, the expected unity should be devoid of ethnicity, religion and party considerations but based on the fact that one is a Nigerian.

Wike urged Julius Berger Nigeria PLC to return to the Rumuepirikom community and make sure all roads are reconstructed in the area.

Meanwhile, responding, Oshiomhole noted that in a democracy, though political parties are needed to win elections, promises made to the people must be kept and projects delivered as proof of governance.

“I think, Rivers people should be proud because, our people often say that prophets are not appreciated at home, Wike has truly transformed this city,” he said.

Oshiomhole, who was also a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), commended Wike for using his time in office as governor of Rivers State to make a difference.

“Facts are very stubborn. So, I agree that even your worse critics will admit that Wike has made a difference.

“You made a difference not only in terms of projects but even your statement this afternoon, I join you in saying, because I had course to say that in Benin, when I was governor of Edo State, ‘how can a country be governed by people who cannot be trusted’.

“When politicians make statements, make promises or even make agreements or even enact laws and the laws are not to be obeyed by themselves but to be obeyed by others and when they default in their promise or standing, they say that is politics for you,” Oshiomhole said.

The State commissioner for Works, Dr. George-Kelly Alabo, describing the project, said the Rumuepirikom flyover is 820 meters long, has a width of 26.8 meters, two approach rams of 110 meters each, and 600- millimetre walkway on either side and 600 millimetres median.

He stated that the flyover is designed to last, and also reduce time spent in traffic, improve the socio-economics dynamics within the benefitting communities, in addition it will enhance value of property in the area.

November 17, 2022
2023: Why I didn’t approve Samuel Ogbemudia stadium for LP rally – Godwin Obaseki

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Friday stated reasons why the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium wasn’t approved to Labour Party to have their rally in the state.

The Edo-born politician made it known that the 24 hours’ notice they got was too short to approve the use of the venue for the rally.

He disclosed this while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Friday, saying that he thought the party was serious and expected so much from them.

Obaseki said, “Well, there are several venues in Benin for rallies, I heard that they [Labour Party] applied on Wednesday night to hold a rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Friday morning, giving us one day’s notice.

“The tracks in that stadium are still under warranty. The pitch has to be maintained in a certain mode. So it is not just another facility you just can go in and use without preparing. If they knew they had a rally on Friday morning, why could not they give more time and notice so we could give them the conditions under which they could use the pitch.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obaseki’s party, had used the stadium for a rally on October 22.

“The same thing we did to the PDP when they wanted to use the pitch. And the only reason why we allowed the PDP rally was because it was used as an opportunity to commission that facility. Otherwise, most other rallies are held in other large grounds around the city,” Obaseki added.

“I expected more from the Labour Party. I thought they were more serious, you cannot be planning for a rally on a Friday and be giving less than two days.

“I spoke to my friend Peter Obi the night before he told me he was coming to the state, and we offered him all the courtesy, including security and some logistics, but I did not know they were coming for rallies.

“For me, the issues did not even come to me. The people at the sports commission knew what to do, and they did it professionally.”

November 12, 2022
Nigeria will break if Tinubu succeeds Buhari – Edo governor, Obaseki

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has posited that the All Progressives Congress (APC should not be voted into power in 2023 stressing that voting them in might spell doom for the country.

Obaseki warned Nigerians against the move saying the country might break if Bola Tinubu succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

This was made known at the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign council in Edo state.

The governor said the Nigeria’s debt would soon hit N60trillion, a situation that would affect generations.

“Our heads should be examined as citizens if we contemplate voting for a government like APC.

“Like I said, God forbid APC comes into power. This country will break up…his country will fail.”

Obaseki stressed that “nobody has done the kind of damage the APC government has done”.

The governor told party members and supporters that he does not know how the nation will recover.

Obaseki said his heart was “beating”, and that by the time PDP’s Atiku Abubakar wins, “we will not be able to sleep day and night”

“The debt of Nigeria is going to N60trillion. When are we going to get out of it?

“Every day, every month they are printing (money). When I spoke more than a year ago, I did not know it was as bad as this.

“What will happen to the naira, only God will help us. They have destroyed the bases of this country”, he declared.

October 25, 2022
BTC Secretary Arrest: Is Obaseki trying to resurrect the Ghost of The Past Again?

By Abel Igbineweka

The recent arraignment and subsequent remanding to the Correctional Center of the Benin Traditional Council’s Secretary, Frank Irabor, is yet another validation of the belief held in many quarters about a game-plan by the political authority in Edo State to weaken and humiliate the traditional institution, the symbol of the cultural identity of the Edo people.

On Thursday, Justice Mary Itsueli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City ordered that Frank Irabor and six others be remanded at the correctional facility pending the receipt of legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

By the police charge sheet, it would, on the surface, appear the accused were being prosecuted based on a petition by a community over alleged destruction of their property.

Arguably, in a sane society, nobody would celebrate a demolition of a lifetime investment, irrespective of whose ox is gored. However, it is impossible to track the sequent of events and the obvious intransigence of a party in the dispute and not come away with the impression that there is more to the arrest, trial and remand of the palace spokesman and chiefs, than meets the eye.

Facts already in the public domain clearly establishes a case of trespass on a traditional ground in Bini custom. The alleged trespassers were said to have repeatedly rebuff entreaties to come for dialogue with a view to arriving at a mutually acceptable resolution. The question then: were they been goaded by the powerful figures not to enter into a negotiation to settle the matter?

With the dramatic turn of events in Benin City this week, it became clear that the petition written by the community provided a perfect alibi for mischief by those who have continued to nurse grudges against the Oba for his frank views to political actors in the state during the 2020 governorship contest.

Matters appear to have been worsened by the insistence by the Palace that the repatriated artefacts looted from the Benin Kingdom in 1897 be returned to the custody of the Palace and not an emergency body set up by Governor Godwin Obaseki. Irabor and the chiefs are certainly the agents of the Palace and, by inference, Oba Ewuare II.

Like the adage in local Benin parlance would say, “Okpodoghon mie eke na giasen yoguega”. (A drooling soothsayer whose saliva overflows regularly outside of his mouth unintentionally needs no support when performing some incantation during an interdiction with his divinity objects).

The unnecessary disputation over the who should take custody of the returned artefacts and the latest veiled assault on the Palace in form of arrest of the Oba’s agent and chiefs are undoubtedly a sad a reminder of the memory of betrayer against the Benin throne. The saddest thing about betrayals is that it never comes from suspected enemies.

Many people know the story of the British punitive action of 1897 that razed the powerful and prosperous Benin Kingdom to the ground, looted its palace, killed an untold number, and sent Oba Ovonramwen into exile to Calabar, where he finally died.

A certain Agho Obaseki who was a palace Chief to Oba Ovoramwen N’ Gbasi was reported to have orchestrated the ills and stood against the Palace of the Benin Monarch.

What many don’t know is the role Agho Ogbeide (later Obaseki) played by helping the British administer Benin in the Oba’s absence. Yet, Agho was a friend and business associate to Oba Ovonramwen from when he was crown prince.

When he ascended the throne, Ovonramwen created an influential chieftaincy title for his friend: the Obaseki of Benin.

It was learned that Ovonramwen also married his daughter to Obaseki and gifted him 100 slaves.
But when the British struck and exiled Ovonramwen, Obaseki turned his back on his friend, teamed up with the invaders, and acted as Oba of Benin between 1897 and 1914 as the paramount chief in Benin.
Fast forward to 100+ years later. Lo, history is repeating itself!

Expectedly, observers and Benin interest groups have launched fierce attacks against Godwin Obaseki, pointedly accusing of being the mastermind of the BTC secretary.

Said one of them: “I would have been the first to openly commend Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki for ordering the arrest of the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council and other palace chiefs over the alleged demolition of a completed building purportedly built on the land of our great Oba in a Gestapo police style without recourse to the legal process, but for the fact that the same government has kept quiet since Edo People have been crying and protesting against the same act of land grabbing and demolition of already built houses being committed by the When of Okhoromi and others.

It is clear Obaseki has suddenly woken up and wants to use this incident to attack and humiliate the Oba. The governor by this has acted in bad faith, he has displayed seething hatred and bitterness toward the palace.

This is the same governor who demolished the hotel of Tony Kabaka, the house of Dr. Pius Odubu, and others even when the cases were already in Court.”

Said another Benin elder: “Truly, this is executive hypocrisy and rascality and a demonstration of the selective justice style of the governor. This in my view is an attempt to intimidate and punish the Benin Palace over the issue of the Benin Artefacts. The governor must be called to order immediately before he ridicules the well-dreaded palace. It is unfortunate.”

Another indigene of Benin City based in Abuja narrated a rather instructive experience: “I was with a top ranking politician on Sunday here in Abuja. He made it clear that Obaseki has to use every opportunity to humiliate and ‘deal with the Oba’ for not supporting him for the second term and for opposing his takeover of the repatriated Benin Royal Artefacts. This politician is not a Benin man. When he was telling me, I felt sad”.

Judging by the recent remarks, one would expect that action against land grabbers would have been preferred particularly the one against the Ohen of Okhoromi who demolished buildings unauthorized.

Several petitions had been written against him without proportional response on the part of the Governor. What double standard! Today, the Ohen walks freely without restraint even as he has rendered others homeless. Rather, the Governor and his fawning sycophants around the corridor of power look the other way.

Well, some have suggested the need to revisit history and draw consolation from the revelation of how a former military administrator ended after similarly attempting to humiliate the Benin throne. Time will indeed tell.

Igbineweka wrote from Benin City

September 4, 2022
Obaseki sacks Security Network boss

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has sacked the Director of Operations of the Edo Security Network, Mr Emmanuel Oboh.

A statement signed by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Osarodion Ogie, said the sack was with immediate effect.

With no reason given for his disengagement, Ogie stated that already the Governor had approved the appointment of Mr David Olukoga as the new Director of Operations of the Network.

“Oboh has been directed to hand over all government property in his possession to the new Director,” Ogie said.

August 31, 2022
“I don’t have anything personal against Oshiomhole, I may not like his politics”- Obaseki

Barely two years after the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, clashed with Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, the latter has disclosed that he may not like the former’s politics but their relationship still remain stronger than mere friendship.

Recall that Oshiomhole clashed with the Obaseki during the electioneering campaign for his second term ticket.

The feud consequently compelled Obaseki to defect from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party, despite efforts put up by some stakeholders to resolve their differences.

The governor would later seek re-election on the platform of the PDP where he defeated Oshiomhole’s anointed candidate and the APC governorship flagbearer, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Despite the media war waged by camps of Obaseki and Oshiomhole, both politicians were always in their best behaviour every time they ran into each at public functions.

This was also evident at the birthday thanksgiving of Nigeria’s oldest Catholic priest, Most Rev. Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Auchi, last year.

Addressing journalists after the event, Obaseki disclosed that he held no grudge against his predecessor, but only disagreed with his style of politics.

“I don’t have anything personal against Oshiomhole. I may not like his politics, but he has not done anything personal against me. We all are interacting with the interest of the country and the development of our community at heart,” he said.

In an interview, Oshiomhole asserted that Obaseki remained his close brother and friend despite their reported frosty relationship.

The two-term governor of Edo State also affirmed that he still had fond memories of their time together.

He said, “For me, I have moved on. Obaseki remains my brother and friend. I have had the honour of working with him and God in his infinite power used me to ensure that he became the governor of Edo State.

“Sometimes, God wants us to know that He is the only one that is all-knowing. He is the only one who knows the beginning and the end. When, as human beings, everything seems to add up, we celebrate our intellect. But sometimes, God intervenes just for us to know that we don’t know it all and it is meant to remind us of our limited knowledge of life. He remains my brother and friend.

“When I was governor and he worked under me, my relationship with him was not that of boss and subordinate. He was one of the very few who called me by my nickname. When we travelled together on foreign trips, we didn’t book different suites in a hotel. Instead we shared the same suite in a hotel but slept in separate rooms. That’s how close we were.”

August 20, 2022
Obaseki mourns passing of Prof Oshodin, ex-UNIBEN VC

Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has expressed sadness over the death of the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof Osayuki Godwin Oshodin.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Obaseki in a statement released on Saturday described Oshodin as a consummate academic and scholar who lived a remarkable life of impact and service to humanity.

Obaseki state that Prof Oshodin would be remembered for his impactful life of service and as a man with a large heart.

The statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the passing of former Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Osayuki Oshodin, a consummate academic and scholar who lived a remarkable life of impact and service to humanity.

“Prof. Oshodin was an academician par excellence. He was exceptional in the classroom and as an administrator, pushing the boundaries of intellect and managing resources for the advancement of mankind.

“When he served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Oshodin was an enigma, enacting policies and programmes that lifted the celebrated ivory tower to new heights and engendering a culture of merit, hard work and diligence.

“He was a good family man, who passed noble values to his offsprings. He also greatly impacted his immediate community, providing opportunities for young people to express themselves and excel in their chosen career.

“Prof. Oshodin will be remembered for his impactful life of service and as a man with a large heart.

“I commiserate with the Oshodin family and pray that God will grant all the fortitude to bear this painful loss”.

May 30, 2022
Obaseki promises to obey national PDP decisions on 2023

Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has said the state’s chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will obey any decision reached by the party at the national level ahead of the presidential primary election as long as the decision is fair and just.

The Governor stated this when he received the PDP presidential aspirant and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, who visited him at the Government House, Benin City, to seek his support, and that of the party delegates ahead of the primary elections.

Obaseki noted, “I believe that you know what the issues are in Nigeria today, and have practically touched all of them. You are sensitive; and you have that displayed sensitivity always, even when we go through contentious issues in our meetings.”

ALSO READ:PDP Primaries: Obaseki urges leaders, aspirants to be united

The Governor expressed belief in Mr Mohammed whom he described as a patriot and a democrat; “I like your spirit, which is why democracy is about contestation. There is nothing wrong when you throw your hat in the ring, and you’ve been quite clear. There may be other aspirants who may possess such attributes.

“You feel that you have what it takes to run this country and deal with all the critical issues affecting us today. What I want to assure you is that for us in Edo, we’re PDP and we want our party to produce the next president.

“Whatever tour party agrees to do, as long as it’s fair and just, we, in Edo, will support it. You’ve come to seek the support of our delegates. They also have the privilege to hear from you and know the decision to take when the time comes,” Obaseki noted.

Earlier, Mohammed said his wealth of experience and track record over the years would enable him to deliver good governance to Nigerians if elected president,’ the Newsguru.com can report.

He said, “I have a track record of being a nationalist, a federalist, a civil servant, and a reporter like these young people. I know the country very well and the people of the country know me. I have been tested as a civil servant, a legislator in Abuja and Bauchi, using small resources to do more as you are doing a similar thing here in Edo.”

The presidential hopeful, thenewsguru.ng reports, noted that his reign as the president would foster oneness among Nigerians and further deepen leadership

May 7, 2022
Obaseki urge NSCDC to avoid unhealthy inter-agency rivalry

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo has called on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to avoid unhealthy inter-agency rivalry and collaborate with local communities across the state to provide measures against threats and any form of criminality.

The governor made the call when the new Edo NSCDC Commandant, Mr Samuel Dan, paid him a visit at the Edo Government House in Benin on Wednesday.

He emphasised the need for synergy among all security agencies.

”We know that your men on the ground are limited in number and one of the things that lead to success is collaboration and being able to work with locals.

”These locals are people who understand the terrain, you have to lean on them and rely on them for quality intelligence.

“There must be mutual respect for the people you have come to meet and sister security agencies.

“That trust must be quickly built. Any sense of interagency rivalry will not help. We enjoy good working relationships with the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and your organisation and we will like that to continue,’” Obaseki said.

The governor reminded the NSCDC boss that his first responsibility was to the Edo people.

Earlier, Dan, said the NSCDC would cooperate and relate with other security agencies and stakeholders in the state to achieve the desired result.

“Without such collaboration, we may not succeed, knowing fully well that cooperation begins with meaningful partnership with the government and other stakeholders.

“We shall continue to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure effective protection of lives and properties in the state.

” We shall make efforts to protect individuals, organizations, businesses, groups and communities against any form of threat”, he said.

April 28, 2022