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Tag: Obaseki

  • Edo 2020: We will bury dictatorship — Obaseki

    Edo 2020: We will bury dictatorship — Obaseki

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo says come Sept. 19 Edo people will bury dictatorship politically.

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki, candidate of the party said this on Friday during the ward-to-ward campaign rally at Ward eight, Ward 10, and Uselu market in Egor Local Government Area of Edo.

    He noted that the “dictator” to be buried politically had already been retired politically.

    He also said that the same “dictator” had before now sold the Uselu market adding that it was why the shop rental at the market was N1 million until the present administration, manned by him, came on board and reversed the sale.

    According to him, what is bad is bad, adding that such people who do not have the well being of the people of the state at heart should not be allowed back to government.

    The candidate emphasised that his administration was building institutions, noting that institutions would outlive individuals.

    “Democracy will continue beyond us, institutions will outlive us, that is why this election is about building institutions,” he said.

    Earlier, Mr Philip Shaibu, the deputy governorship candidate said that it was time for the youth to take their destiny in their hands.

    Shaibu said that the nation and Edo in particular must return to the era of building institutions and not individuals for the benefit of all.

    “Obaseki is a man of mission and vision for the state,” he declared.

    He also charged the people not to be intimidated and ensure that their votes count on Sept. 19.

    “Our future is in our hands, and we must provide leadership,” he said.

  • Edo election: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu embrace, hold peace talks [+Photos]

    Edo election: Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu embrace, hold peace talks [+Photos]

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his major challenger, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, yesterday, embraced each other for the first time in many months.

    Before the meeting of the key political actors at the Oba of Benin palace on Wednesday, there have been weeks of heated tension in the state as a result of the activities of the two leading political parties in Edo, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, took a bold step to end the trend of violence in the State, with the series of attacks and counter-attacks during campaign rallies.

    The peace meeting had the presence of various leaders of the PDP and the APC in Edo at his palace.

    The immediate past Governor of the State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, his predecessor, John Oyegun, the PDP candidate, Obaseki, the APC flagbearer, Ize-Iyamu, and the State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, among other political actors, were the notable faces at the meeting.

    Obaseki and his main challenger, Ize-Iyamu went before the monarch to pay homage shortly after all the attendees were seated.

    The revered monarch urged all political actors in the State to sheath their swords and demanded words of assurance that peace would be maintained before, during, and after the election.

    The monarch asked the political office seekers to emulate former President Goodluck Jonathan who conceded defeat to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 general elections even before the results were announced.

    “To me, they (the political actors in Edo) are all one family, and what cannot be resolved when you are all family?

    “Family can quarrel but there must be a resolution. Today, that is what I want us to achieve; there must be a resolution,” the monarch stated.

    In their various responses, the Governor and his main challenger promised His Royal Majesty that they would make peace their watchword going forward.

    “I want to assure you, Your Majesty, that in my role as the Chief Security Officer of the state, I am doing all I can, all within my possible best to maintain peace and safety in Edo State,” Obaseki told the Oba of Benin.

    Ize-Iyamu, on his part, said, “Every campaign we do henceforth, we are going to spend some time to also talk to all of them (party supporters) about the need to keep to the peace, no matter what provocation they might talk about.”

    At this point, the PDP and APC candidates, Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu came together and embraced each other, in a bid to send out a message to their supporters and make good the assurances given to the traditional ruler.

  • Edo 2020: Why federal lawmakers snub Obaseki, pitch tent with Ize-Iyamu

    Edo 2020: Why federal lawmakers snub Obaseki, pitch tent with Ize-Iyamu

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    More facts emerged on Wednesday as to why Edo Federal Lawmakers in the upper legislative Chambers shunned Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and pitched tent with the All Progressives Congress, APC Guber candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reliably gathered that Obaseki deliberately kept the lawmakers in the dark about his defection plans from APC to PDP.

    A source privy to this development told TNG that”he (Obaseki) didn’t deem it necessary to inform the lawmakers and this apparently irked the members.

    “If he sees them as not worthy enough to be part of his defection plans from APC to PDP at the appropriate time then it’s absolutely impossible for the lawmakers in APC to defect with him.

    “From day one he had plans to defect and he refused to tell them and this were members who stood with him all through and he turned his back on them.

    “This is one major reason why the who is who in Edo State is solidly behind Ize-Iyamu who has the best grassroots network in the state.

    “Look at the calibre of politicians campaigning for POI and you can easily decipher that Obaseki’s days are numbered in government house.

    “Do you expect the lawmakers in APC to go and ask him why he failed to inform them that he was defecting, of course the answer is a capital NO!

  • How President Buhari assured me – Gov Obaseki

    How President Buhari assured me – Gov Obaseki

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has assured him of a peaceful election come September 19.

    Obaseki, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said this while calling on voters to come out en masse to cast their votes.

    The Governor made this known when he addressed members of the PDP during a campaign rally in Ovia South West Local Government Area of the State.

    He called on the party faithful to come out without fear of harassment or intimidation by the opposition.

    Obaseki said, “President Buhari has assured me that the Edo election will be peaceful.”

    He insisted that there will be peace in the State before, during and after the election.

    “They are not more than us in number; vote and make sure your vote counts. Stay back in your polling units to ensure they count your vote in your presence,” he revealed

  • Edo Poll: Oba of Benin invites Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu for peace pact

    Edo Poll: Oba of Benin invites Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu for peace pact

    The Oba of Benin, who is worried of the violent dimension that campaigns are going, said he would invite all the governorship candidates participating in the coming governorship election in the state to his palace to sign a peace pact.

    This, he said especially between the two major political parties; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Oba Ewuare II said this while receiving, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), Prof. Mahmud Yakubu and his entourage in the palace.

    According to the monarch, the peace pact would enable them to talk to their followers to eschew violence before, during and after the September 19 governorship election.

    He advised that politicians must learn to emulate the immediate past President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan who for the interest of peace and the unity of the country accepted the outcome of the presidential election which eventually saw Muhammadu Buhari as the nation’s president as at today.

    He maintained that the palace has always remained neutral in the state’s politics but has regards and concerns for the candidate who has respect for the traditional institution, create jobs for the people so that can put foods on their families’ tables and respect the masses.

    The monarch further said to douse the political tensions in the nation’s politics, a single term system should be encouraged noting that such will not only cut costs but also reduce the undue tensions that are associated with it.

  • [Photos] Gunmen attack Obaseki’s ally during son’s birthday, fired bullets on car, house

    [Photos] Gunmen attack Obaseki’s ally during son’s birthday, fired bullets on car, house

    A key loyalist of Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party for Owan East Council, Edo State, Andrew Osigwe, has escaped death as gunmen stormed his residence.

    Osigwe said the gunmen attacked when members of his family were celebrating the birthday party of one of his sons.

    He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being responsible for the attack as he said he had got wind of the incident and had petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police.

    The Divisional Police Officer, Afuze Division Oladikupo Olawale confirmed the incident and said he was in the area to ensure peace and no reprisal attacks.

    Osigwe speaking with journalists said, “I was told of plans to assassinate me before the election but not when and how it will happen, I didn’t know. I had written a petition to the IGP and the state Commissioner of Police when I learnt of this but nothing was done about it until his very moment this happened. “I am not scared of anybody and I know nothing will happen to me and my family. The question however is, is this how to play politics?

    “You can imagine what would have happened; my son’s birthday is today and my family and few friends were in the compound celebrating when the people came to shoot at everything on sight.

  • Iriase accuses Obaseki, Shaibu, PDP of unleashing violence in Edo, seeks help from FG

    Iriase accuses Obaseki, Shaibu, PDP of unleashing violence in Edo, seeks help from FG

    Former Deputy Majority Whip of the House of Representatives, Pally Iriase on Tuesday said Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are unleashing violence in Edo State and desecrating democratic values ahead of the governorship election in the state.

    Iriase said Obaseki and his agents took to violence and other acts of intimidation because he (Obaseki) knows that his lies and press propaganda have failed and the people have rejected him for non-performance.

    In a statement issued to newsmen, he said, “The Governor and his agents led by the Council Chairman of Owan East LGA has since yesterday 24/8/20 embarked on violent acts of brigandage and intimidation to scuttle the scheduled ward to ward rallies in Owan East LGA today 25/8/20.

    At Ihievbe the Chairman led hooligans to destroy the podium, the chairs and canopies at the premises. APC Leaders in the area had avoided public school fields and paid for the foreground of the Catholic Church as venue, yet Obaseki’s agents went on the orgy of destruction in that church premises.

    At Otuo APC sought to use the same primary school field that Gov Obaseki and the PDP used for their rally over a week ago but the Governor’s hooligans led by the Council Chairman came to disrupt preparations, chanting war songs.

    At Arokho, the same gang of hoodlums chased away the workers preparing the podium in the same school field used by Obaseki and the PDP barely a week ago.

    These acts of violence, intimidation and provocation are being perpetrated by Gov Obaseki because he knows that his lies and press propaganda have failed and the people have rejected him for non-performance.

    We are hereby making a clarion call to the security agencies to help Edo State and indeed Nigeria to maintain democratic values during this election.

  • Edo Monarch assures PDP, Obaseki of community support

    Edo Monarch assures PDP, Obaseki of community support

    The Onojie of Ugbegun in Edo, Samuel Obade II, has assured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the community would vote massively for it in the Sept. 19 gubernatorial election in the state.

    The royal father gave the assurance when the PDP campaign train and its candidate, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace during the party’s campaign rally in the area.

    He said that the community would vote to re-elect the governor for him to continue his good works in the state, adding that Obaseki had started well and deserved a second term in office.

    The monarch expressed optimism that the forth coming election would be the most peaceful in the history of the state.

    The royal father said that the governor had taken development to every nook and cranny of the state.

    He commended him for the development in the community, adding that he had solved most of the problems bedevilling it.

    Earlier, the PDP candidate told the monarch and his Council of Chiefs that the campaign train was in the community to solicit his blessings for his re-election.

    He noted that he was conversant with the demands of the community and further assured them that given another four years, they would be met.

    He noted that the demands of the community were legitimate and the state government was presently looking into them with a view to meeting them.

  • Your ambition not worth blood of Edo people, Ize-Iyamu’s campaign tells Obaseki

    Your ambition not worth blood of Edo people, Ize-Iyamu’s campaign tells Obaseki

    The Campaign Council of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship flagbearer, has told the state governor and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Godwin Obaseki that his second term ambition is not worth the blood and life of citizens of the state.

    Accusing the governor of been desperate of winning the September 19, governorship election, the APC governorship candidate campaign council, alleged that Obaseki has embarked on executing plans to prevent the people of the State from delivering a verdict on the four-year misrule of Obaseki at the polls with violence and other criminal acts of intimidation.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, the deputy head of the media and publicity committee of the APC National Campaign Council, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon said the governor and the PDP candidate have resorted to coercing the people of the state in desperation to get re-elected despite his rejection by the people.

    He alleged that the governor and his party have engaged in illegal importation of dangerous arms and ammunition for thugs and criminals from neighboring PDP States, particularly Delta, with the sole aim of causing mayhem and disrupting the peaceful conduct of the election in most parts of Edo State.

    According to Obahiagbon, “Less than one month to the Edo Governorship election, and with defeat staring Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his party of tax-collectors, the PDP, in the face, they have both abandoned their pretense at democracy and guided participation in the election, and brazenly embarked on the execution of their plans to prevent the people of Edo State from delivering a verdict on the four-year misrule of Obaseki at the polls on the 19th of September with violence and other criminal acts of intimidation.

    “Let it be known by the whole world that the Governor of Edo State and his government, in continuation of their disregard for the rule of law, democratic ethics and constitutionalism, has intensified their illegal importation of dangerous arms and ammunition, as well as the daily recruitment and importation of notorious thugs and criminals from neighboring PDP States, particularly Delta, for the purpose of causing mayhem and disrupting the peaceful conduct of the election in most parts of Edo State.

    “We have it on good authority that that the Edo State Government and members of its kitchen cabinet have drawn up a list of prominent APC leaders across Edo State that they gave targeted for maiming, physical assault, assassination, kidnapping and sponsored robbery attacks whilst also tinkering with the idea of using heavy duty trailers to orchestrate road accidents of APC leader, before or on the day of the September 19th Governorship elections.”

    The campaign council said it was alarmed at the rapid multiplication of firearms in the state and the wanton violence and shooting that characterised the PDP campaign, causing residents to flee their homes upon hearing news of the outgoing Governor’s visit.

    “We are alarmed at the rapid multiplication of these firearms and the now-too-common presence of violent groups with prolific ammunition who are on the march with the Edo state Governor as he campaigns from place to place and in the process terrorizing the people and leaving behind an unfortunate trail of sorrow, blood, and tears everywhere he goes for campaigns.

    “Rather than excite, Mr. Governor’s campaign trail has now become a bad omen, a harbinger of evil, and a stage of wanton violence and shootings, causing residents to flee their homes upon hearing news of the outgoing Governor’s visit.”

    The APC cited the violent incident on Wednesday, August 19th, in Igueben LGA where thugs allegedly hired and armed by the Edo State government, turned their guns on each other and shot an innocent citizen in the fracas that ensued.

    “We are disappointed, disheartened, and extremely repulsed by the fact that a government that failed the youths and derided them at every turn has now gone ahead to place guns purchased with state resources that could have gone into empowerment schemes in the hands of some, urging them to wreak havoc and risk their lives, and those of others, in the process.

    “We are equally aghast at the fact that a Governor that spent four years chasing away investors from Edo State with his tyranny, bad faith and targeted policies, and destruction of people’s legitimate properties on the account of their political views, has now committed state resources to the mobilization of thugs, cult groups, assassins, and other criminals into the state to carry out his murderous plans all in a bid to avoid a fate he sealed for himself with his incompetence and aloof disposition.”

    The APC Campaign Council further alleged that “the outgoing Edo state Governor has become desperate and now willing to muzzle his way back to Government House but must Edo State become a carnage field of blood, tears, sorrows and deaths for the realization of his second term aspirations?

    “We are not only condemning, in the strongest of terms, this daily distribution of illegal arms to mobilized thugs, we demand an investigation and arrests that will be followed by swift prosecution as a mark of seriousness on the part of the security agencies to protect the integrity of the September 19 election.

    “Arms proliferation has fueled insecurity in Nigeria for years and we are convinced that by clamping down on Governor Godwin Obaseki and his agents of terror, who on a daily basis are funneling state funds to the illegal acquisition and distribution of weapons, the security agencies would be laying a marker in the sand and sending a strong signal to other perpetrators of this crime that it would no longer be business as usual.

    “Nothing warrants nor justify this undemocratic inclination to violence where the exchange of ideas should reign supreme. The protection of the integrity of the Edo Governorship election from the brooding and sprawling violence of Mr. Godwin Obaseki is a collective obligation that must be shared by all well-meaning citizens and groups interested in the survival of democracy and the constitutional right and freedom of the people to determine the leadership of their state and their representatives in government.”

  • Edo poll: We’ve added over 120,000 new members since Obaseki joined – PDP

    Edo poll: We’ve added over 120,000 new members since Obaseki joined – PDP

    Dr Tony Aziegbemi, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, said the party has issued more than 120,000 party cards to people defecting to the party since Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s return to PDP.

    Aziegbemi said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the party’s campaign tour of the wards in Igueben Local Government Area.

    Obaseki defected to the party in June after APC denied him a ticket for the second term in office.

    He said that the defectors included those who joined PDP with the governor and others, who chose to be part of the development of the party.

    He said that Obaseki had done remarkably well in his first tenure, adding that his performance would speak for him.

    According to Aziegbemi, the turnout of supporters, trooping out to receive our campaign team in all the wards so far visited, is an indication of the people’s support for the governor.

    Meanwhile, he said that residents of the state should expect more developmental stride from Obaseki in the next four years.

    “That is why we are asking the people to vote massively for our candidate on September 19 for continuity and consolidation.

    Another chieftain of PDP, Mr John Inegbedion, said that the governor had delivered on almost all his 2016 campaign promises.