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Tag: Obaseki

  • Court stops Obaseki’s impeachment moves against deputy, Shuaib

    Court stops Obaseki’s impeachment moves against deputy, Shuaib

    The Federal High Court, Abuja has issued a temporary order stopping  Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo from impeaching his Deputy, Mr Phillip Shuaib over what he described as irreconcilable differences.

    Justice Ahmed Mohammed made the temporary order while ruling on a motion on notice filed by Shuaib praying the court to stop plans by Obaseki to remove him from office.

    In the motion which was argued by Mr Moses Ebute, SAN, Justice Mohammed directed the parties in the suit to maintain “status quo ante bellum”.

    By the order, parties are to remain in the positions they were before Shuaib’s suit was instituted against Obaseki.

    The order for status quo to be maintained was released on Friday in Abuja and it is to be in force until the defendants show cause as directed in another ruling of the court made on July 27.

    Listed as defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/1027/2023 are the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Department of State Services  (DSS) and  Obaseki

    Others are the Speaker, Edo House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge of, Edo as 1st to 5th defendants.

    Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter until Aug. 10 and ordered that the IG, DSS and Obaseki who were not represented in court be served with hearing notices.

    Shaibu, in his originating simmons had prayed the court to determine whether in view of the provisions of Sections 186 and 193 of the 1999 Constitution, Obaseki had power to intimidate and prevent him from accessing his office.

    He also asked the court to ascertain whether the governor had powers to instigate the speaker and the chief judge to commence impeachment proceedings against him.

    This he said was with a view to remove him from office on any other ground other than allegations of misconduct as contained in Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution.

    The deputy governor further asked the court to decide whether in view of the provisions of Section 193 of the 1999 Constitution, Obaseki could deliberately refuse to carry him along or inform him of the State Executive Council (SEC) Meeting.

    ” Or any other meetings or functions within and outside Edo without violating the express provision of the law.”

    Shuaib said that if the issues were resolved in his favour, the court should declare that the IG, DSS, and Obaseki lacked power to intimidate, harass, embarrass or molest him.

    He prayed the court for an order of injunction restraining the IG, DSS, Obaseki and their agents and privies from harassing, embarrassing, intimidating, and preventing him from carrying out his legitimate functions.

    According to reports, at  Friday’s proceedings, the speaker was represented by Mr. Okotie Eboh while the chief judge was represented by Mr Francis Ogbe.

    They both opposed the granting of Shuaib’s request.

    NAN

  • Things fall apart in Edo as deputy gov sues Obaseki for alleged plot to oust him out of office

    Things fall apart in Edo as deputy gov sues Obaseki for alleged plot to oust him out of office

    Things fall apart in Edo as Comrade Philip Shaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, has submitted an affidavit to the Federal High Court of Nigeria in the Abuja judicial division, levelling serious accusations against the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

    In the sworn document, Shaibu alleged that Governor Obaseki had deliberately obstructed him from fulfilling his official duties as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, thereby impeding the smooth functioning of the state’s administration.

    Furthermore, in a shocking disclosure, Shaibu accused Governor Obaseki of utilizing the Police and State Security Service to engage in a campaign of harassment, intimidation, and embarrassment directed at him.
    He said that this misconduct by the state’s highest office holder was deeply concerning and raised serious questions about the governance and rule of law in Edo State.

    Not stopping there, Shaibu made another startling claim, asserting that the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of Edo State were allegedly acting in concert with Governor Obaseki to orchestrate his impeachment.

    Such a claim, if substantiated, could have profound implications for the political landscape in the state, potentially leading to a major constitutional crisis.

    In light of these grave allegations, Shaibu urgently sought the court’s intervention to restrain Governor Obaseki and any other individuals allegedly involved from taking any further actions against him.

    The request for an immediate intervention underscores the severity of the situation and highlights the potential threat to the Deputy Governor’s position and political career.

    To emphasize the sincerity and seriousness of his claims, the Deputy Governor made it clear that he was providing these statements in good faith and with a firm belief in their truthfulness.

    By invoking the Oaths Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, Shaibu is seeking to underscore the solemnity and legal significance of his affidavit before the court.

    As this legal battle unfolds, it will undoubtedly attract considerable attention from the public, media, and the legal community alike.

    The outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences for the political climate in Edo State and may set precedents for the handling of similar cases in the future.

    The court’s decision will be eagerly awaited, as it will ultimately determine the course of action taken against Governor Obaseki and the potential impact on the deputy governor’s position and political standing.

  • Obaseki rejigs his media unit, appoints Okungbowa as CPS

    Obaseki rejigs his media unit, appoints Okungbowa as CPS

    Governor Godwin Obaseki has appointed a veteran journalist, Mr Andrew Okungbowa, as his Chief Press Secretary, CPS.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, conveyed Governor Obaseki’s approval of Okungbowa’s appointment in a statement issued on Tuesday.

    Mr Okungbowa, until his appointment, had worked as a media consultant and Editor with Daily Telegraph.

    Okungbowa is an alumnus of the University of Benin and UNILAG, where he obtained first degree in Theatre Arts and master degree in English, respectively.

    Okungbowa was President of Association of Nigeria Writers and Journalists of Tourism. As believed, he will be bringing his vast experience in the field of journalism in his new task of revamping the public image of the Obaseki-led government.

  • Obaseki offers Yusuf Aminat automatic employment

    Obaseki offers Yusuf Aminat automatic employment

    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has offered recording-setting First Class Law graduate, at the Lagos State University (LASU), Miss. Yusuf Aminat, who hails from Edo State, automatic employment into the State’s public service.

    Yusuf emerged as the best ever graduate at LASU with a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) in the institution’s Law Degree Programme.

    The governor’s offer was conveyed by the Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa Esq. where he said “Beyond merely congratulating her, we have offered automatic employment to her. Indeed, we have reached out to her parents and spoken with them. They have accepted our offer of employment.”

    The Deputy Governor of the state, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu had earlier hosted Aminat and her parents in his office where he said she is a role model to young Nigerians who have demonstrated their desire to take back Nigeria into their hands.

    Shaibu said “You have given hope to that child that thinks all is lost. Nigeria is in dire need of role models, role models are lacking in our system and the last elections showed that the young people are ready to take their destiny in their hands, people like you will have to play a role to motivate them.”

    The Dean of the Law Faculty in LASU, Professor Kareem Olatoye who was represented by Obadan Abudu who is a lecturer in the University said she is very hard working and always in the library.

    To her father, Ibrahim Yusuf, Aminat has always shown the tendencies to be bright and while appreciating the state government for the offer advocated the return of bursary for students. “In the past, there used to be a policy of bursary for Edo Students studying anywhere in the country, I think this is the time for the government to give that a thought again because I know what we passed through for her to study Law.

    Responding, Amina said she is a proud Edo person and was always ready to give back to her homeland.

    She said “I have always been very passionate about reading law and the fact that women of today now have more opportunities than our mothers had I wanted to also show that to a full extent when given the opportunity we will excel and with God’s support and my parent’s support, I have been able to do that and the goal is excel beyond my imagination and I intend to go as far as my imagination can take me and I am passionate about my state.”

  • Edo: Fresh crisis looms as Obaseki conducts kangaroo LG primaries

    Edo: Fresh crisis looms as Obaseki conducts kangaroo LG primaries

    Crisis hits Edo PDP again as the Governor Godwin Obaseki led faction has been accused of conducting a kangaroo local government primaries.

    The party has declared the primary illegal and claimed to have no prior knowledge of the event as it was simply a selection process conducted in Government House Benin city.

    In a press statement issued by the PDP Publicity Secretary in Edo State, Ogie Vasco, the party declared that only authorized and supervised primaries are valid and that the participants in today’s primary have acted against the party’s rules and regulations.

    In the statement the party said” our attention has been drawn to an illegal statement purportedly issued by an Assistant Publicity Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ojebuoboh, on the conduct of Local Government Chairmanship Election Primaries.

    “Please note that this said statement should be ignored and disregarded as the constitution of our Party does not permit such illegal statements by an Assistant Publicity Secretary. I advise those behind the illegal statement to consult the relevant sections of the PDP’s constitution for proper guidance. It is also important to note that the relevant and statutory organs of the Party have not met or resolved to fix any dates for Local Government Council elections or Primaries.

    “It offends our democratic culture to issue such an illegal statement urging members to participate in an illegal exercise and giving less than 24hrs notice.

    “All Party members are hereby advised to ignore and disregard the said statement credited to Dr. Patrick Ojebuoboh”, the statement concluded.

  • Dangote Refinery ‘ll save Nigeria $3b annually from importation – Obaseki

    Dangote Refinery ‘ll save Nigeria $3b annually from importation – Obaseki

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Tuesday, said that the newly-inaugurated 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company will save Nigeria over $3 billion annually from importation of petroleum products.

    Obaseki, in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin, said that the refinery was a game changer for Nigeria, adding that it had opened a new vista of opportunity for the nation’s economy.

    He commended the ingenuity, dexterity, and inimitable entrepreneurial spirit of the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    “The petroleum refinery, with capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) is sitting on 2,635 hectares of land, located in the Dangote Industries Free Zone in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, and will provide employment for more than 100,000 people.

    “Beyond the commissioning, the fact that we have finally got to the position where we can begin to refine products, particularly petrol and diesel locally, is a breakthrough.

    “What this means is that we will be saving up to three billion dollars in a year for not importing petroleum products.

    “That’s more than the amount we spend today on all our infrastructure, education and health. That sort of money is coming back to the government for growth.

    “But beyond this, there is the certainty of supply and capacity to not only produce for your market but to be able to export to the rest of the continent.

    “And, not just importing the kind of products you used to import, you are now processing and refining better quality products of international standard,” he said.

    The governor said that before now, the bulk of what used to be brought to the country was low grade, thus affecting the vehicles using the petroleum products.

    “Today, we are producing something that is of international grade and you can now sell the end-product,” he said.

  • Obaseki approves 13th-month salary for Edo workers

    Obaseki approves 13th-month salary for Edo workers

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, on Monday, approved the payment of the 13th-month salary to Edo civil and public servants.

    Obaseki gave the approval during an interactive session with civil and public servants between Grade Levels 8 and 17 at the Sir Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City.

    He commended the workers for their support to his administration over the past six years

    He called for greater government-workers synergy to ensure the sustainability of the ongoing reforms designed to guarantee improved wellbeing for the people and economic prosperity for the state.

    Obaseki assured the people of his administration’s commitment to develop the Benin Port and other projects meant to place the state on the path of sustainable economic growth and development.

    He said: “You have asked for a 13th-month salary to be paid to you in December.

    “We will do it but between now and December, how will you pay the state government back?

    “I am here today to say thank you for your support.

    “When I look back, I know I have people.

    “You have supported me for the past six-and-a-half years.

    “I thank you for coming out to vote during the last election to sustain our developmental strides in Edo.

    “Our focus should be on how to sustain our developmental strides.

    The governor further said that everything he had done since he assumed office “is to put you where you really should belong because you are the heart and the engine of Edo”.

    “Our focus is on how to ensure the sustainability of the reforms we have embarked on and you need to play an active part in this journey.

    “We want Edo to be a model for the nation and give the nation hope.

    “I appreciate the efforts you have put in to ensure the state develops.

    “You must participate in the reforms and must be trained and retrained.

    “We should ensure that the next leader of the state will not take us back,” Obaseki said.

    Giving an update on the development of the Benin River Port, he said: “The State and Federal Governments, Nigeria Port Authority and Ministry of Transportation are considering all the applications.

    “And very soon, we will zero in on one partner, and start the development of the port.

    “It is my hope that within the next nine to twelve months, work will have started in terms of building the port on the Benin River and that will be a game changer.

    “We already have partners who are setting up an LNG plant near the River Port in anticipation of the port.”

    The Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Edionwe Joel, thanked the governor for his developmental strides and commitment to the welfare of workers in Edo.

    He assured the governor of the continued support of the workers.

  • 2023: INEC recognises Orbih’s list as Obaseki records zero candidates

    2023: INEC recognises Orbih’s list as Obaseki records zero candidates

    There was celebration in the Legacy Group of Chief Dan Orbih, the National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, confirmed the list of candidates who are aligned to his faction of the party as candidates in the National Assembly election.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki’s camp recorded zero candidates as captured in the released list for Edo state in the 2023 general elections.

    It was a joyful noise in the Orbih camp as the candidates aligned to Governor Godwin Obaseki were not anywhere near the INEC validated list.

    Both camps have been flexing muscles in a supremacy battle through the courts over over the candidates’ list.

    Those whose names are on the INEC released would represent the Edo PDP in the National and State assembly elections.

    Both factions had conducted primaries but the INEC had endorsed the primary conducted by the Orbih faction having monitored it.

    Attempts to reverse the recognition had been a ding-dong in the courts with the Orbih traction predicating its claim of of authenticity on the INEC recognition.

    Sources in Edo State disclosed that politicians aligned to Governor Obaseki are now left in the cold and confused as to how to relate with their acclaimed candidatures which they have been projecting in recent electioneering.

    A source in the Orbih camp was full of joy, saying: ” this is victory at last for us. We thank God.”

    The source was particularly glad for Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, the outgoing member of the House of Representatives, Oredo Federal Constituency who surrendered his governorship aspiration to accommodate Governor Obaseki when he joined the party from the APC in June 2020.

    Ogbeide-Ihama was listed as the PDP candidate for Edo South.

    Following his gesture and the crisis that followed, Ogbeide-Ihama became a target for the Obaseki camp who sought to remove him from the party and also upend his Senate ambition.

    Reports said that several leaders in the Obaseki camp had been reaching out to Orbih for them to be accommodated in the future political arrangements that are fastly crystallising on account of the INEC recognition and court validation.

  • 2023: Obaseki, Diri ask G5 govs to join hands to rebuild Nigeria

    2023: Obaseki, Diri ask G5 govs to join hands to rebuild Nigeria

    Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri and his Edo counterpart, Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, called on the G5 Governors of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join hands with the party in its rescue mission to rebuild the country.

    The governors made the call in an interview with journalists shortly after a courtesy visit to the PDP Vice-Presidential Candidate and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, at his home in Owa-Alero, Ika North-East Area of the state.

    According to them, the PDP has not foreclosed speaking with the G5 governors because we want a strong and united party that will rekindle the hope of Nigerians.

    They said that their brother governors in the G5 should be part of their party and work with every other person in the party to ensure a landslide victory for the PDP in the general elections.

    “We want a united PDP and at all times, when we meet, we are always focused on the unity of the party and we are not foreclosing speaking to our brothers. Even today, we talked about that.

    “We are still calling on our brothers to be part of their own party and work in unity with every other person. So, we are not foreclosing anything.

    “We still want our brother governors so that we can visit them the way we have visited our colleague here in Delta, who by God’s grace, will be the next Vice President of this country,” they said.

    The disclosed that they were at the country home of the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate to felicitate with him and wish him good tidings in the new year.

    “We are here to visit our brother and by the grace of God, the incoming Vice President of the country to wish him good tidings, wish him well for the new year and pray that God Almighty will make our dreams come through this new year,” they said.

    Earlier in an interview with journalists, the Delta North Senatorial candidate of the PDP, Prince Ned Nwoko, enjoined the G5 governors to sheath their swords and join hands in enhancing the electoral fortunes of the party in this year’s general election, even as he expressed optimism that the PDP will emerge victorious at the polls.

  • Edo Palaver: PDP alleges Obaseki plots to subvert Appeal Court judgement

    Edo Palaver: PDP alleges Obaseki plots to subvert Appeal Court judgement

    The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised an alarm over a grand plot to change an Appeal Court judgement in favour of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s candidates in the state.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a press statement issued on Monday and signed by Hon Harrison Omagbon, the Edo PDP warned “all who are involved in this clandestine act, to desist forthwith, as such despicable act is capable of bringing down the Judiciary.”.

    The full statement read ” This statement is for Edo State indigenes and the general public to take note. Information reaching us from reliable sources clearly indicates that:

    “Certain elements and enemies of democracy have been putting pressure on the Federal Court of Appeal officials sitting in Benin City, to change its already delivered judgment of 22nd of November 2022, in favour of the ‘Gov. Obaseki candidates’.

    “Several comments and messages on social media have also exposed the boasts and threats of many of their supporters, that certain sums of money have been set aside and will be deployed this week to reverse the legal position.

    “It is pertinent to note that all parties to the suit have been given certified true copies of the judgment, which cannot be altered.

    Adeleke suspends OSIEC chair, members
    “We must remember that the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man in Nigeria.

    “We advise all affected by the judgment to take necessary legal steps to seek redress in areas of their disagreement. Asking same court to reverse itself on a judgment given, will amount to the court sitting as an appellate court over its own judgment.

    “We therefore call on all lovers of democracy as well as party faithful, to take note of this ugly development.”