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Tag: Idahosa

  • Why I defected from PDP to APC – Idahosa

    Why I defected from PDP to APC – Idahosa

    Mr Charles Idahosa, a former commissioner for Information in Edo on Tuesday,  said  Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s disregard for leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led to his exit from the PDP to APC.

    Idahosa also resigned as a member of the PDP Board of Trustees.

    Speaking with NAN in Benin, the former commissioner said he played a critical role for Obaseki to secure his second term ticket and his subsequent victory at the 2020 governorship election.

    Recall that Idahosa had defected to APC from PDP in 2020, saying he could not stand and watch Obaseki being oppressed and badly treated by APC leaders by denying him a return ticket.

    “I stood up against former governor Adams Oshomhole, who was then,  the APC national chairman, whom I had worked with in various capacities before the 2016 governorship election.

    “So, because I saw that Obaseki was being victimised, my supporters and I decided to move with him to the PDP where he eventually secured the ticket and returned as the governor for the second time.

    “unfortunately when he came, he wasn’t fair to the people and party leaders that helped him to power.

    “He keeps saying that people are angry with him because they wanted him to share state money with them and I have challenged him to mention  names of the people so that the whole world will know them.

    “So I just got frustrated and left the party because he has not been fair to party leaders and the people that stood for him in 2020 when he had problems in APC, ” Idahosa said.

    The former PDP chieftain also added that  besides the ill-treatment, the state had not experienced development in the last seven years.

    He explained that the projects being counted as achievements were projects executed decades ago which he renovated.

    “This government has not done well in all ramifications. The state Secretariat, Ogbe Stadium, which he counts as achievements were built by Dr Samuel Ogbemudia of blessed memory. The structures were only renovated.

    “All the promises he made in 2016, he has not fulfilled any. He promised Edo Galegale seaport, he promised to build 18 mini stadiums, Edo North international Airport and Benin-Auchi railway line and may more.

    “All these promises have not been fulfilled. Only the civil servants have benefited from this government and I ask, what is the population of the civil servants in the state, very small,” he added.

    According to him, the much talked about EdoBEST is for selected schools.

    “We contribute money to pay teachers in my local government, Uhunwode.”

    According to him, I totally disagree with the policies and programmes of this government so I just left.

    “But I have heard people complaining about my leaving the party and I wondered when it became an offense to leave a party.

    “There is no law saying you should not move if you are not comfortable where you are. Defection also happens in advanced countries because there is freedom of movement and association.

    “My movement will not affect anything because I am a founding member of the APC and the PDP, we just had to leave the party on various occasions we felt mistreated.

    “I can tell you that this time, I am not leaving the APC for any other party again. I just feel that after 70 years of age, I need to retire.”

    He said he would not contest for elective position because he had held many positions in and outside the state.

    “So I have no reason to be afraid to tell the truth ,” Idahosa said.

  • Guber Primary: Guinness World Record awaits Edo politicians as LP faction produces Idahosa as another flag bearer

    Guber Primary: Guinness World Record awaits Edo politicians as LP faction produces Idahosa as another flag bearer

    Idahosa emerges LP governorship candidate in parallel primary

    … Apapa faction sends Asemota’s name to INEC

    …Idahosa kicks against Apapa’s action

    Definitely, Edo politicians must bag Guinness World Record for conducting the worst kind of Guber primary in the entire universe as Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa LP faction is embroiled in a crisis as two candidates have emerged as its governorship candidate for the Edo State Governorship election scheduled to hold on September 21, 2024.

    This is as the Abure-led faction of the party on Friday, February 23, 2024, declared Olumide Apata as it governorship candidate following the primary election conducted by it in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

    In a parallel election held in Benin City yesterday, Saturday, February 24, Dr Hilton Idahosa, emerged as the winner, with 917 votes. His closet rival scored 17 votes while the third contender garnered 12 votes.

    However, it has emerged that Apapa, who was not present during the primary election held yesterday had written a secret letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dated Thursday February 22, 2024, in which he submitted the names of Barrister Anderson Uwadiae Asemote and Barrister Monday Ojore Mawah as governorship and deputy governorship candidates respectively of the party.

    The letter signed by Apapa, as Acting National Chairman, and Alhaji Saleh Lawan, as Acting National Secretary, reads in part; ‘‘We write to submit the names of our candidates that emerged from our governorship primary election conducted today (February 22, 2024) in Benin, Edo State.

    ‘‘You will recalled that we had earlier notified the Commission about the conduct of our party governorship primary today and we hereby forward the names of our party flag bearer for the September 21, 2024 governorship election.’’

    Reacting to this development, Idahosa, who is a United Kingdom-based lawyer, described the purported letter from Apapa as fake. He explained that the primary election which was earlier slated for Thursday, February 21, 2024, was shifted to Saturday February 24, to allow for exigencies.

    According to him, there was no primary election conducted on Friday February 22, as purported in the said letter from Apapa to INEC. He said that the election in which he emerged as a candidate was conducted by the Labour Party state officials at the secretariat of the party on First East Circular Road, Benin City.

    Idahosa noted that the said letter is the handiwork of mischief makers who are bent on causing disaffection within the ranks of the party.

    Idahosa further noted that he has the backings of the state leaders and the party members, as well as that of Apapa and his team, disclosing that the true position will be made known in the coming days as his team is in dialogue with both the Apapa team and leaders of the party in the state.

  • Finally, Edo APC primary election delivers ‘Siamese’ twins in Okpebholo and Idahosa

    Finally, Edo APC primary election delivers ‘Siamese’ twins in Okpebholo and Idahosa

    … journalists beaten in one of the centers by hoodlums

    The much awaited Edo APC direct primary conducted on Saturday has finally delivered a ‘Siamese’ twins in Senator Monday Okpebholo and Hon Denis Idahosa.

    Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, at Protea Hotel announced the delivery of Hon Idahosa while Senator Monday Okpepholo was declared winner by the Returning Officer for the election, Dr. Stanley Ugboaje at the residence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    Idahosa scored 40,453 votes in one of the Primaries to emerge winner while in the other primary, Sen. Monday Okpebholo polled 12,145 votes to defeat other contestants.

    Governor Uzodimma while announcing the results said the election was peaceful across the 18 local government and 192 wards and that Idahosa polled 40,453 votes to emerge winner while Engr. Gideon Ikhine came second with 700 votes

    “Therefore, Denis Idahosa having scored the higest votes cast, is hereby declared winner of the primary and returned as the candidate of the party for the Edo Governorship election”

    Similarly, the Returning Officer for the election in the second primaries, Dr. Stanley Ugboaje, in announcing the results, said Monday Okpepholo emerged winner with 12,145 votes while Idahosa scored 5,536 votes to emerge second.

    “I hereby certified that Monday Okpepholo, having scored the highest votes, is declared winner and duly returned as APC candidate for the election” Ugboaje said

    Earlier, hoodlums suspected to be thugs stormed the result collation Lushville Hotel and Suite venue of the primaries and disrupted the process.

    Several journalists, including NTA camera man, FRCN and Arise reporters were manhandled while their equipment destroyed.

    Before journalists could gather their things together, the thugs swooped on the venue after overpowering the police operatives at the gate.

  • BREAKING : Idahosa emerges as Edo APC guber candidate

    BREAKING : Idahosa emerges as Edo APC guber candidate

    Rep. Dennis Idahosa (APC-Edo) has emerged as the All Progressives candidate for the Sept.21 Edo governorship election.

    Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo, the Chairman of the APC Edo governorship primary election committee, said this at the end of the election on Saturday in Benin.

    Uzodimma said that Idahosa scored 40,483 votes to defeat eight others aspirants in the race.

     

    Details later

     

  • Edo guber: PDP aspirant collapses campaign structure, endorse Senator Osunbor

    Edo guber: PDP aspirant collapses campaign structure, endorse Senator Osunbor

    A PDP guber aspirant in the forthcoming Edo election, Godday Idahosa had stepped down for APC topmost contestant, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor.

    This was contained in a statement he personally signed on Thursday giving reasons why pulled out of the race.

    Read him below:

    “I wish to announce to the general public, that I’ve decided to withdraw from the race of becoming the number one citizen of Edo State, after careful observations, considering, the circumstances and irregularities that has marred our rule of law. It is in my own best interest at this point in my career, to make the well calculated choice.

    ” I regret the dissatisfaction this may have caused my team and well wishers, around the world.

    “I’m collapsing my structure for Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, the former governor of Edo State, Nigeria, who’s running for the same office; but under the canopy of APC. He’s a well reputed politician, with excellent track record, and as such I’ve decided to give him my full support and encouragement. I humbly ask, that my team and well wishers around the world, joins him, with their supports, as well.

    “I want to thank all of you who found me worthy to serve and had assisted in one way or the other, in the last couple of months. I look forward to engaging the innovative community whose interest is to make Edo State a better home. Thank You!

    CHIEF, (HON.) GODDAY IDAHOSA

  • Why I joined 2024 Edo governorship race – Idahosa

    A member of House of Representatives, Mr Dennis Idahosa, says his decision to join the race for the 2024 Edo governorship election is to redirect the state on the path of prosperity and enthrone good governance.

    Idahosa, representing Ovia Federal Constituency, stated this on Tuesday in Benin while fielding questions from newsmen, following his formal declaration on Friday at the secretariat of the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said that he would be counting on the support of the people to take the state to greater heights.

    The governorship aspirant, who bemoaned the state of things in the state, said he was well-equipped to navigate the state for growth and development.

    The potentials of the state, he said, would be harnessed to steer the state and its citizens to prosperity.

    “We are not just coming to increase the number of aspirants, we have a well thought-out blueprint that will positively impact on the economy, infrastructure, social, sports and agricultural sectors of our dear state.

    “We are also not losing our sights on the health sector, as we will work assiduously to improve on all the critical areas that will make the sector accessible and affordable to our people.

    “In essence, our administration will signpost positive change in all ramifications and ultimately improve the living conditions of our people,” he said.

    Idahosa also pledged to work with all stakeholders, including security agencies and the traditional institution to arrest the menace of armed robbery and kidnapping in the state

  • I present you this 57-year-old man of God – Kwankwaso unveils Idahosa

    I present you this 57-year-old man of God – Kwankwaso unveils Idahosa

    Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on Monday unveiled Bishop Isaac Idahosa, as his running mate for the 2023 poll.

    Speaking at the ceremony in Abuja, Kwankwaso said that Idahosa was chosen based on his credentials.

    “Our party, the NNPP, in choosing our candidates for the 2023 general elections-from the State House of Assembly candidates to governorship to National Assembly up to the president was guided, among other things.

    “Guided by competence, courage, acceptability, credibility and the all important desire to heal the country of the severe wounds that are threatening its very existence,” he said.

    The presidential candidate said that Idahosa was considered as his running mate after scrutinising over 20 prospective candidates considering critical factors.

    “After painstakingly vetting and scrutinising over 20 prospective candidates all of whom were eminently qualified to be the vice-president of Nigeria,” he said.

    Kwankwaso added: “Considering the severity of the wounds that are inflicted on the country in recent years and the necessity of healing them.

    “Given the necessary desire to carefully balance all sensibilities, sensitivities, and differences in order to have an all inclusive government that will be fair and just to all Nigerians.

    “Also bearing in mind that the country requires competent, credible, empathetic, courageous, and God-fearing leaders, I came to the conclusion and therefore present to you a rare Nigerian that very fit these requirements.

    “Fellow compatriots, I present to you this 57-year-old man-of God who hails from Oredo Local Government Area of Edo; a trained automobile engineer, a highly educated Nigerian with Bachelor and Masters degrees in theology.”

    He also described Idahosa as a united a self-made achiever whose lifetime work was improving the lots of Nigerians.

    “A Doctor of Divinity and a Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Education; a man of unimpeachable integrity and credibility; a unique Nigerian with outstanding record; a patriot with clear understanding of the country’s contemporary challenges,” he said.

    Kwankwaso said that Idahosa also believed that a new and better Nigeria was possible if Nigerians could work together with sincerity to heal the wounds inflicted on the country and its citizens.

    “I present to you this Nigerian man-of-God; this Archbishop-designate and Senior Pastor of the God First Ministry; the man together with whom we shall pursue the agenda of saving Nigeria from the current drift and healing it of the wounds inflicted on her.

    “I present to you the man with whom we shall, with the help of God, and with the support of all of you, build a New Nigeria where justice, equity, fairness, unity, security and development are assured.

    “Fellow Compatriots, I present to you the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bishop Isaac Idahosa,” he said.

    Kwankwaso said that healing wounds inflicted on Nigeria was the first step toward putting the country on the path of security, sustainable development and global respect.

    He said that Nigeria was bleeding from severe and several wounds inflicted as a result of incompetence and insincerity of leadership.

    This according to him is also causing insecurity, inflation, rise in unemployment amongst the youth, affecting the tertiary education system, and social services.

    “We in the NNPP believe that healing these wounds is the first step towards putting Nigeria on the path of security, prosperity, enduring unity, sustainable development, and global respect,” he said.

    In his acceptance speech, Idahosa, said that Nigeria deserved a fresh start and fresh deal that would take it out of its challenges.

    “At this critical juncture of our nation’s history, our country deserves a fresh start and Nigerians deserve a fresh new deal, a fresh deal that will steer away the country from division and hate; a fresh deal that will steer away the country from incompetence and cluelessness.

    “A fresh deal that will steer away the country from insecurity and economic woes; a fresh new deal that will create jobs and widen opportunities.

    “A fresh new deal that will allow every family to live a decent and affordable life; and fresh new deal that will empower Nigerian youth and women to be in the front line in leadership and governance.

    “ And it is we, in the NNPP that are fully prepared and capable to offer this fresh new deal,” Idahosa said.

    He called on all Nigerians to come together and take back their destiny in their hands, be united and save the country from collapse.

    Idahosa said that Nigerians must endeavor to face the challenges of the moment and rise together, heal together and work together to rebuild the country of their dream.
    “A Nigeria where hard work strives, where education is important, where the economy will grow, where productivity is inspiring. We shall build a Nation that invest in its youth.

    “We must pay good attention to new technologies; we will create the enabling environment for real industrialisation in Nigeria,” he said.

    The National Chairman of the party, Prof. Rufai Alkali, expressed confidence that Idahosa would work with Kwankwaso to turn around things for the better.

    Alkali commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its renewed commitment to ensure that the 2023 general election was credible.

    He however, condemned vote-buying in Nigeria’s election, urging voters not to mortgage the future of the country.

    Highlights of the event was a book presentation titled “Kwankwaso-a political allegory”.(

  • Court grants orders restraining Edo Govt, officers from defaming Capt. Hosa Okunbo

    Court grants orders restraining Edo Govt, officers from defaming Capt. Hosa Okunbo

    An Abuja High Court, presided over by Justice Suleiman Belgore, has granted orders of injunction restraining the Edo State Government and its officers from making further defamatory publications about business mogul, Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo.

    The defendants to the suit are the Honourable Attorney General of Edo State sued as the 1st defendant, and Crusoe Osagie joined as the 2nd defendant.

    Crusoe Osagie, as the Special Adviser, Media and Communication Strategy, Edo State Government, signed the defamatory publications in question.

    A statement issued by Media Adviser to the business mogul, Samuel Ajayi, said the orders were given on Monday, August 10, 2020 in Abuja.

    Quoting from the court ruling, Ajayi said the court granted, among others, orders “restraining the Edo State Government, whether acting through the first defendant and or 2nd defendant, its agents, representatives, officers, servants, proxies, assigns, trustees or any other person howsoever described, acting directly or indirectly for the Edo State Government, from publishing, causing to be published, circulating, further publishing, reporting or publicising the publication captioned ‘Okunbo, Oshiomhole making plans to disrupt Edo Governorship Elections,’ and or any other related defamatory publication by any means whatsoever, including publications by/on print, electronic and social media platforms.”

    In a suit filed by counsel to Captain Hosa, Dr Adedapo Olanipekun, the business mogul and elder citizen of Edo State, had sought an order restraining the defendants, by themselves, agents, representatives, officers, servants, proxies, assigns, trustees or any other person, howsoever described, acting directly or indirectly for them from publishing, causing to be published, circulating, further publishing, reporting or publicising the publication captioned ‘Okunbo, Oshiomhole making plans to disrupt Edo Governorship Elections,’ and or any other related defamatory publication by any means whatsoever, including publications by/on print, electronic and social media platforms including publications in The PUNCH and THISDAY newspapers.

    The senior advocate had also sought a declaration that the defendants’ publications of 20 July, 2020, captioned “Okunbo, Oshiomhole making plans to disrupt Edo Governorship Elections,” which appeared on pages 26 and 53 respectively of The PUNCH and THISDAY newspapers, were false, fabricated, misleading, malicious, unfair and defamatory.

    He also sought an order compelling the defendants to wholly retract or withdraw the false, fabricated, misleading, malicious, unfair and defamatory publications of 20 July, 2020, captioned “Okunbo, Oshiomhole making plans to disrupt Edo Governorship Elections,” which appeared on pages 26 and 53 respectively of The PUNCH and THISDAY newspapers, from The PUNCH, THISDAY and any other platform/newspaper same was published.

    Captain Hosa, through his counsel, is also seeking the sum of N4,000,000,000 (Four Billion Naira), “being aggravated and exemplary damages for the embarrassment, inconvenience, losses and damages done to the claimant’s person, character and interests, as a result of the defendants’ libellous publications of 20 July, 2020; (with) cost of legal representation/action assessed at N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira).”

  • Oshiomhole’s arrest: I served EFCC with court proceedings, West Idahosa insists

    Counsel to Osadolor Ochei, an Edo-based activist, West Idahosa on Friday insisted he served the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with court processes of the suit seeking the arrest of the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
     
    Recall that Ochei had filed an application at the federal high court in Abuja seeking the arrest and prosecution of Oshiomole for alleged diversion of state funds to personal use while he was the governor of Edo state between 2008 and 2016.
     

     
    The suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/628/, filed by Idahosa on behalf of the plaintiff, has Oshiomole and the EFCC as first and second respondents respectively.
    However, in his ruling on October 9, Anwuli Chikere, presiding judge of the federal high court in Abuja, ordered Oshiomhole and the EFCC be served with court processes within five days.

    When the suit was heard on October 23, Oshiomhole’s lawyers were represented in court but the anti-graft agency’s counsels were not there.
     
    Wilson Uwajaren, EFCC spokesman, later said the commission failed to show up because the plaintiff did not serve the commission with processes.
     
    “The Commission frowns at the attempt by counsel to the plaintiff, West Idahosa, to mislead the court with claims that the Commission had been served,” the statement read in part.

    “Had the Commission been served, it would have been in court. Ours is an agency that holds the judiciary in high esteem and we will never disregard summons by courts of competent jurisdiction. The truth is that the Commission did not receive any summons.”
     
    Meanwhile, Idahosa in an exclusive interview with TNG on Friday said he duly served the anti-graft agency with court proceedings on Friday. He presented an affidavit which was sighted by TNG and stamped with the official stamp of the Federal High Court Abuja.
     
    Idahosa said there is an attempt to rubbish his image though there is evidence that he served the commission with the notice.