The Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has suspended Senator Babafemi Ojudu, special adviser on political matters to the president, from the party, Igbere TV reports.
Also suspended are, Oyetunde Ojo, son-in-law to APC national leader Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; a former governorship aspirant, Dr Wole Oluyede; Ayo Ajibade; and Femi Adeleye.
Others suspended from the Ekiti APC were Chief Akin Akomolafe; Bamigboye Adegoroye; Olusoga Owoeye; Dele Afolabi; Toyin Oluwasola and Bunmi Ogunleye.
Their suspension notice was contained in a statement made available to Igbere TV, on Thursday, in Ado-Ekiti, signed by the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Ade Ajayi.
According to him, “The suspension is based on the recommendation of the investigative/disciplinary committee inaugurated by the SEC to investigate the disobedience of certain party members to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of 25th of June 2020, which directed members of the party not to institute any court action and to withdraw existing cases in court.”
Igbere TV reports that some of the APC chieftains suspended from the Ekiti state chapter of the party are critical of the Governor Kayode Fayemi-led Ekiti state government.
They had recently accused the governor of working against the APC in Edo by supporting Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Sept. 19 gubernatorial election.
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has denied being under pressure from party leaders to accept defeat.
Ize-Iyamu stated this in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV, Thursday, while reacting to a report in the newspapers, urging the various media agencies to desist from speculative reporting.
In the statement signed by his Director of Communication and Media, Mr. John Mayaki, he said, "I was shocked this morning when I saw reports saying I begged Obaseki to return to APC after the election. While immediately responding to it, another one emerged. I will restate that I never begged him to return after the election. I deliberately did not reply when I saw all that rumour on the social media with people tagging me in them.
"Now I saw another report in the media stating that APC leaders are mounting pressure on me to accept defeat. In all fairness to the National leadership of my party, they never mounted any pressure on me. So I wonder where their source got information from. The public reposes a lot of trust in the media for authentic information. What happens when this trust is betrayed?"
Meanwhile, Pastor Ize-Iyamu in the statement made available to Igbere TV, reiterated his earlier position that he had not yet made up his mind on the next step to take.
"I already tweeted that I am studying the result and consulting widely on my next line of action. Speculative reporting must be condemned. When I make up my mind, I will let my supporters know. For now, patience is what I implore. Not violence, not anger will help us now. Dignity will manifest in how we bounce back from this minor setback," he said.
The APC candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu lost to incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded election.
Igbere TV reports that Governor Obaseki secured 307,955 votes to defeat Ize-Iyamu, his closest rival, who got 223,619 votes in the Sept. 19 gubernatorial election.
Although President Muhammadu Buhari and the Mai Mala Buni-led APC national caretaker committee had since congratulated Obaseki on his re-election, Ize-Iyamu is yet to concede defeat.
Rumours are rife that the APC faction in Edo loyal to its former National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, would challenge the victory of Obaseki in court up to the Supreme Court.
Already, the Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has been set up in Sapele Road, Benin, and a panel constituted by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Menem.
A former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has finally broken silence following his party's defeat at the September 19 Edo Governorship election.
Igbere TV had reported how the APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu lost to incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the keenly contested election.
Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, had thrown his weight behind Ize-Iyamu, a former Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Edo State Government, in the guber polls.
On Wednesday, Oshiomhole, while at the gym at his private residence, in Benin City, said he did not break down as being alleged in some quarters, following the loss suffered by his party.
While thanking the good people of Edo State for their support towards his party, the APC former national chairman said, "in life you win some, and lose some ... but life goes on".
He said no matter the outcome of any election, the people must have faith in the country, and strengthen her democracy, adding that he has no plans of leaving Nigeria as he has only the Nigerian passport.
Sanwo-Olu Donates Vehicles To Lagos State Judges (Photos)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, handed over official vehicles to judges of the State Judiciary.
Igbere TV reports that the formal handing over ceremony took place at the Lagos State High Court premises, in Ikeja.
According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, the gesture was in government’s quest to improve the welfare of the State's judicial officers.
“It is my belief that our judicial officers will continue to make the Lagos State Judiciary a beacon of service and excellence for other states and a true hope of the common man,” he added.
Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) today handed over official vehicles and eight houses to judges of the State High Court of the Lagos State Judiciary at the High Court Ikeja, Lagos.
"We are delighted to welcome you to Bayelsa State with your Deputy Governor and others in your entourage. Welcome to your new family in the PDP. The South South region is now completely PDP. We celebrate you for your courage, calmness and as a man of strategy. People should know that power comes from God".
Gov. Douye Diri, speaking at the State Banquet in honour of visiting re-elected Gov. Godwin Obaseki, of Edo State.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday visited his Bayelsa State counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, at the Bayelsa Government House, in Yenogoa.
The visit is coming days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Obaseki as the winner of the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election.
Igbere TV correspondent in Yenogoa reports that the Edo governor was in Bayelsa to express gratitude to Diri and the people of the state for their support which made his re-election possible.
Governor Obaseki, who said he remains grateful to Senator Diri, described his victory in the election as a unifying factor for the South-South region of Nigeria.
On his part, Governor Diri described Obaseki's re-election as triumph for democracy in Nigeria, saying it was a litmus test that the country passed creditably.
He noted that the Edo governor's victory was significant to people of the state as it proved that power comes only from God and not man.
Governor Diri lauded Obaseki for his tenacity just as he praised the people of Edo for standing by their governor.
Igbere TV reports that Obaseki was accompanied by his wife, his deputy, Philip Shuaibu, his wife, PDP National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Dan Orbih, Senators and Rep members from the state, top government functionaries and party chieftains among others.
Governor Obaseki defeated Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 12 other contestants to win the just concluded September 19 Governorship election in Edo state.
The Enugu State Government has announced the phased re-opening of all primary and secondary schools in the state, for 3rd term academic activities, on Monday, September 28, 2020.
In a statement made available to Igbere Tv by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, the decision was reached “following the Enugu State Education sector stakeholders’ consensus and gracious approval of His Excellency the Governor”.
Prof. Eze pointed out that “it is important to note that necessary measures have been put in place in our schools for safe re-opening”.
He added that “teachers/students/pupils are therefore requested to ensure that they abide by the approved guidelines on COVID-19”, stressing that “no person will be allowed into any school without appropriate facemask/shield”.
According to the commissioner, “strong monitoring teams at state and Local Government Areas have been constituted to monitor compliance with the approved guidelines for the safety of all that operate in our schools”.
He therefore noted that “Primary six and Junior Secondary three students have completed their examinations and are not expected to be back to school”.
President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presiding over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, the nation's capital.
Igbere TV reports that the meeting is taking place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, State House, Abuja.
Those in attendance physically include President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha.
The Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari; Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folashade Mejabi Yemi-Esan, Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed were also sighted.
Other ministers and members of the FEC are attending virtually from their respective offices, due to existing COVID-19 protocols.
Factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, has blamed a former National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, for the APC loss in Edo state.
Igbere TV had reported how Governor Godwin Obaseki defeated Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate in the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, to win a second term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obaseki was a governor under the APC platform before dumping the party to contest the election on the PDP platform, following a prolonged battle with Oshiomhole, his former benefactor.
Following the party loss on Saturday, Ojezua said Oshiomhole abused his office as APC national chairman, pushed Obaseki out of the party, "and you can now see that the beneficiary is now PDP".
“Oshiomhole factionalised the party, created a faction in the name of EPM(Edo People Movement), brought a candidate(Ize-Iyamu) from outside the party and forced him down the throat of the party. They campaigned without the party behind them and they expected to win. This is the result,” Ojezua said.
Insisting that the APC lost the Edo governorship seat to PDP in the State as a result of Oshiomhole’s “illegal actions”, the factional chair said he doesn't see how the party would recover from the loss.
“I think the position of Edo APC, prior to the disqualification of Governor Godwin Obaseki has been vindicated. Before that, the Edo APC had already reached a consensus with Obaseki as the candidate but Oshiomhole thought otherwise.
“That was why I said I will not speak until after the election and now I have been vindicated. If I spoke before the election, they will say it is anti-party. Now we know who has done anti-party.
Ojezua, who is chairman of the APC faction loyal to Obaseki before his eventual decamping to the PDP, threatened to expel Oshiomhole from the APC in Edo if the national party refuse to sanction him.
“Honestly, if the party does not do anything to sanction Oshiomhole, then we in Edo APC will have to review our membership of that party, because we gave notice, we warned the party, we petitioned the leadership; there is nothing we did not do to salvage the situation within the last 15 to 18 months.
“The party only took steps after Obaseki had left which is an irredeemable loss. Everyone can see the result now,” Ojezua lamented.
Igbere TV reports that Governor Obaseki, candidate of the PDP, secured 307,955 votes to defeat Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC candidate, who got 223,619 votes, in the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election.
Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has reacted to an accident involving Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the party.
Igbere TV had reported how Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo state, narrowly escaped death by the whiskers on Tuesday when a trailer ram into his convoy in Benin City the Edo state capital.
Two policemen were, however, unlucky as they lost their lives in the crash which occurred after the Benin by-pass by Oluku junction, while on their way to a campaign rally at Usen, with other leaders of the APC.
Reacting in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV Tuesday night, Pastor Ize-Iyamu frowned at the circumstances of the crash, alleging it was a deliberate attempt on the life of Oshiomhole.
“The circumstances of the crash were indeed curious and have left us deeply concerned, as the truck responsible for the crash, according to witness accounts of those in the convoy and other road users, appeared to have deliberately rammed into the convoy in what could reasonably be interpreted to mean an attempt on the life of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole,” he said.
The APC candidate, however, urged party followers across the state to remain calm and alert, while awaiting the conclusion of the investigation of the police in response to their petition.
He also expressed “deepest sympathies to families, friends, and all who knew the two exceptional Policemen we lost today in the tragic and disturbing auto crash.”
“We have since called off all campaign events scheduled for today and joined efforts with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to ensure the best care for injured persons.”
“May God rest the dead and grant quick and full recovery to those injured, amen,” Ize-Iyamu added.
Following the expiration of the tenure of the Development Centre Administrators and Members in the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has announced plans by his administration to reconstitute the membership of the Development Centres.
Igbere TV reports that Gov. Ugwuanyi made the announcement during a meeting with the outgone Administrators, and the 17 Local Government Council Chairmen held at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday.
The governor who thanked the former Administrators for the services they rendered to their Development Centres, Local Government Areas and the State, disclosed that new Administrators and Members of the Development Centres will be appointed, after due consultation.
More details have emerged on why the Enugu state government demolished a residential building belonging to an architect John Jerry Emejulu, who, on Wednesday, demolished part of the Enugu Airport fence.
The house, located at Eziokwe street in the Community Estate area of Trans-Ekulu, in Enugu East, was, on Friday, pulled down by officials of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).
Although some reports had claimed that the act was a reprisal following the falling of the Airport fence by Emejulu, findings have however shown that the government's action is unconnected with the Enugu Airport.
Investigation by Igbere TV over the weekend revealed that the house was standing on a water channel and needed to give way. Chairman of the ECTDA, Dr. Joseph Onoh also collaborated the findings.
It was also gathered that Emejulu had been served with notice of demolition before the government's act, informing him that his property was standing on the waterline.
It was further gathered that not only Emejulu’s property was pulled down by the ECTDA. The agency had equally pulled down shanties that sprang up around the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
Other residents whose properties were affected, confirmed to Igbere TV on Saturday that they had earlier received a pre-demolition notice from the Ministry of Works and Housing.
On the demolished architect’s building, Igbere TV further gathered that the demolition was carried out in compliance with a valid court order after it was duly served on the occupant of the house, Emejulu.
In the order obtained by Igbere TV, the ECTDA prayed for an order authorizing it “to demolish the respondent’s(Emejulu) illegal structure located at No. 23/24 Eziokwe Street, community Estate, Enugu with code No. 003005835.”
The agency also prayed the court for an order restraining the respondent from carrying out any such development at that location.
The Court granted the application by Motion Ex-Parte stating that “the Applicant is authorized/ directed to remove the respondent’s illegal structure located at No. 23/24 Eziokwe Street, community Estate, Enugu with code No. 003005835.”
Meanwhile, the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) has insisted that its actions were lawful and not in reprisal to architect Emejulu’s destruction of the Enugu airport perimeter fence.
Chairman of ECTDA, Dr. Josef Onoh, while reacting to the allegation that the state government exercised revenge on Emejulu for demolishing about two kilometers of perimeter fence at the Enugu Airport, said it was not true.
Onoh said: “It was not a revenge. He destroyed a federal government property which he has to sort out with the federal government, but this is a state function, exercising control of unapproved structures. He was duly given 21 days notice and he was properly served.
“The property stood on a water way and it had to go. There is another building close to that one, on the same street, which has already been marked for demolition, tenants in that one have already moved out because the property already has severe cracks from the foundation and we are going to pull it down very soon.
“If you are observant, you would have noted that the ECTDA has been carrying out control measures in Enugu Capital city and Emejulu’s property cannot be an exception, despite whatever axe he has to grind with the federal government.”
Following the destruction of the Airport fence, the Federal Government has vowed to deal with architect Emejulu “decisively for wilfully destroying a national security asset belonging to over 200 million Nigerians.”
In a related development, owners of property adjacent to the Enugu Airport that were demolished recently by architect Emejulu have cried out to the federal government to come to their rescue.
The landlords who made the call while narrating their ugly experience on Saturday, said Emejulu led armed thugs to destroy their property after demanding 15 million naira each from them.
Speaking on behalf of the landlords in the neighborhood, Mr. Basil Madueke, whose duplex was destroyed, said it was the third time the perpetrator came with armed thugs to demolish their property.
Madueke who led newsmen round the affected structures, stressed that Emejulu’s level of intimidation and brutality were unbearable.
He alleged that Emejulu has been terrorizing the neighborhood claiming to be the rightful owner of the entire area including the Enugu Airport land, which was also affected by his destruction exercise.
Madueke explained that he, just like most other landlords, rightfully acquired their lands from Best Shelter Limited and have the necessary documents backing them up.
Also narrating his experience, a tenant of one the affected buildings, Mr. Kingsley Obiora, said that they woke up in the morning on that fateful day and were shocked to see touts pulling down the fence of their compound.
Obiora, who expressed sadness at the incident, added that the armed thugs came into their apartments, destroyed other parts of the building and carted away their personal belongings.
Another landlord, Mr. Joshua Akachukwu Otu, gave similar narrative, describing the incident as embarrassing as he acquired his property legally.
A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon. Essien Okon, has advised the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, to “be man enough” to face his travails and “stop being irresponsible in his frame ups.”
Akpabio had, while facing the House of Representatives ad hoc committee probing alleged financial impropriety in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), accused the lawmakers of being major beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the commission.
Challenged to substantiate his allegation, Akpabio quickly recanted, turning around to claim that James Ibori, Emmanuel Uduaghan are some of the beneficiaries of the contracts.
But the duo has since washed off their hands clean of Akpabio’s recrimination, pointing out however that none of the said contracts were executed by them.
In a statement forwarded to Igbere TV, Okon, a political ally of Akpabio, challenged him to be “man enough” to carry his cross, arguing that it smacks of irresponsibility to dodge his responsibility as the supervising minister of the NDDC, an agency of the Federal government placed in his care.
The member of Board of Trustees of the APC in the statement added: “The Minister of Niger Delta (Affairs), Senator Akpabio should carry his cross, and not to mention innocent people in the mess at the NDDC, which is under his ministry.
“I know Akpabio very well. I understand his craftiness and ceaseless attempts to pull everyone else down . He can be very irresponsible and that’s why he purposely listed names of prominent people as a shield to himself. He should better retrace his steps or else more dooms will befall him.”
Former Governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West Senatorial zone, Senator Rochas Okorocha on Thursday said Igbo leadership and responsibilities has fallen on the Senate Chief Whip and former Governor of Abia state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and himself(Okorocha).
Igbere TV gathered that the former Imo governor made the statement on Thursday in Abia at the home of first Vice National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), South East, Dr Julius Anyim Nyerere.
Okorocha whose meeting with Kalu was coincidental spoke strongly for the reunification of Igbo elites, adding that himself and Kalu have decided to work together.
He also suggested they need to dramatize their love and peace so that subsequent generations can key in to it.
According to him, “Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu is late, politicians like Jim Nwobodo, Arthur Nzeribe and many others are no longer active as they use to be. Many other great leaders are no more and that vacuum must be filled up. So the responsibilities have fallen on other people’s shoulders, and that shoulder is that of Dr Orji Uzor Kalu and myself. So it is important that we gather as brothers and discuss issues that will help the entire Igbo people. Because if a child knows what killed his father, he wouldn’t allow himself to die same way.”
Speaking further he said, “I am using this opportunity to tell my brother, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu that the dance we are dancing now is not for ourselves but to entertain the public and know if they will be happy. If I dance for you to give me money, that means something is wrong. So the dance now is not for us but to see if there will be a better future for Igbo people. We have decided to work together. We are learning on the job on how to work together. We have to make a shift from the normalcy.
“The political ideology inherited from our predecessors and political fore fathers are not really the best. We were taught to maintain political enemies for the rest of your life. That is why the likes of Jim Nwobodo and Alex Ekwueme never agreed until death, Mbakwe and Arthur Nzeribe never agreed until death and so we must carve out a niche so we don’t transfer this to subsequent generation of “Ndigbo”, that is why people like Orji Uzor Kalu and myself must profess love amongst ourselves and not only within us but within our enclave.”
Continuing he said, “We should never allow division among ourselves. We must distinguish ourselves in character and at the same time know when to extend our hands of fellowship to our brothers who are not on the same political stand with us. This will help us to know when political war will end and when brotherhood will start . Because in life you need to know when to start and when to stop. We need to come together to make sure that Igbo people are no longer used as political spare tyres. I saw a protest yesterday in Abuja and Lagos and that protest is a pointer. We need to dramatize our love and peace so that subsequent generations can key in to it”, Okorocha said.
In his response, Kalu said he wants peace to return to the APC political family in the South East.
He noted that what he needs in life at the moment are limited, adding that he will be very happy to see the current governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodimma and Rochas Okorocha on the same page.
Kalu’s words: “I am happy because Owelle has spoken so well, I want peace to return to APC in the Southeast, I am the highest politically elected office holder the Southeast by virtue of my office as the Chief Whip.
“In the Senate I am ranked number four and I have never taken it for granted. The only problem I am facing is resolve the issue between the Governor of Imo State (Hope Uzodinma) and the former Governor (Rochas Okorocha); for them to be on the same page, I will be fulfilled politically anyday both of them decide to work together. My dream is to have roundtable discussion with Governor Uzodimma, Yourself (Okorocha), Senator Ken Nnamani, Hon Minister Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Chris Ngige and Minister Geoffrey Onyeama and others. Once we achieve that, the sky will be our starting point. If we are unable to resolve the political issues in Imo State it will be difficult for us to move forward”, he said.
Kalu noted he is very courageous and not scared of speaking the truth, adding that he also want to see a larger Nigeria where every citizen will be comfortable and living in unity.
...As Police Boss Assures Lawmakers, 7th Assembly Of Support
The newly-elected factional speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, on Thursday, led a delegation of other lawmakers on a courtesy visit to the Edo Police Commissioner, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo.
Igbere TV had reported that Hon. Edoror of Esan Central constituency was announced Speaker today in a plenary session attended by 17 lawmakers, while Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje of Akoko-Edo Constituency II was elected Deputy Speaker.
The emergency plenary session held at a private location impeached Hon. Frank Okiye and Roland Asoro as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively and nullified all previous actions taken by the 7th Assembly.
At the visit to the Force Headquarters, in Benin City, the Police Commissioner pledged the support of his Office and that of the Edo State Police Command under his watch to the newly inaugurated lawmakers and the Edo Assembly.
Earlier in the day, 14 lawmakers-elect were, first, sworn in and then, together with three other lawmakers who recently pledged their allegiance to Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), impeached the ex-speaker and his deputy.
The Edo State House of Assembly has been embroiled in a crisis since 2019, one that has now been worsened by the buildup to the governorship elections in the state.
Twenty-four lawmakers were elected from the 24 constituencies during the 2019 general elections. However, only 10 of them were inaugurated on July 17 of the same year, sparking a controversy that included intervention from the National Assembly.
Five of the 10 lawmakers that were inaugurated including the Deputy Speaker, Yekini Idiaye, had declared support for Ize-Iyamu last week, after accusing Governor Obaseki of rendering the legislature in the state useless.
In retaliation, Igbere TV had reported that four of the five inaugurated lawmakers loyal to Governor Obaseki, met on Wednesday and impeached Idiaye, replacing him with Asoro.
...Says His Emergence Marks End Of ‘Lopsided Democracy’
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has congratulated the ‘newly-elected Speaker‘ of the Edo Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, describing his emergence as the end of a deformed and lopsided democracy.
Igbere TV had reported that Hon. Edoror of Esan Central constituency ‘emerged’ Speaker on Thursday in an emergency plenary session attended by 17 elected members of the House of Assembly, at a private location, while Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje of Akoko-Edo Constituency II was elected as Deputy Speaker.
The emergency plenary session reportedly impeached Hon. Frank Okiye and Roland Asoro as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively and nullified all previous actions taken by the 7th Assembly.
In a congratulatory message forwarded to Igbere TV by Mr. John Mayaki, the Chairman of the APC State Media Campaign Council, Ize-Iyamu said the emergence of Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror as Speaker is a victory for Edo State and all constituencies previously denied representation.
He said: “I am happy to receive the news of the emergence of Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror as the Speaker of the Edo State House Assembly.”
“His emergence marks an end to a lopsided and deformed democracy, ushering in a new and reformed era of inclusive governance and non-discriminatory politics.”
“Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror’s emergence is also a victory for the people of Edo State, for the constituencies previously sidelined, and for the House-members’ elect who had been unfairly denied their elective right to represent their constituencies in government.”
“Personally, as someone who has known Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror for a long time, I am convinced by the great personality he is; I am sure that this joy sweeping across Edo as the shackles of tyranny breaks today, will not be temporary.”
“As a true democrat and a progressive, and as someone who came to leadership through and after a tomentous and elongated period of political persecution, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror knows the sour taste of injustice and as such would not let any one more Edo person experience such bitter tang.”
“Backed by an overwhelming majority, Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror is demonstrably the people’s choice for the position. And it is in line with common sense that for an individual to sway such massive support, he must have demonstrated great qualities admired and necessary for leadership and development, and as such is being trusted with the enormous task of piloting the House from its darkest moments as cast into by the reprehensible divide-and-rule politics of the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki.”
“I send my congratulations to Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror while at the same time encouraging him to set a good example with the opportunity of leadership God has given to him today.”
Seventeen members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly are currently being sworn in by deputy clerk of the Edo Assembly, Igbere TV can authoritatively report.
The event is taken place at an undisclosed location within Benin City following the ‘destruction’ of the Assembly complex on the alleged orders of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
Out of the 17 lawmakers, 14 are members-elect who were previously bypassed when the Governor proclaimed the Assembly in a controversial manner that saw the inauguration of 10 members of the 24-member House.
Three lawmakers loyal to the Obaseki course recently dumped the governor, pledging loyalty to the APC and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, refusing to decamp to the PDP with Obaseki.
Earlier, heavy duty trucks from Government House were seen heaping sand, granite and other construction materials at both the entrance and exit gates of the Assembly to prevent forced entry.
The roofs of the Edo Assembly complex were also forcefully removed on the alleged orders of Governor Obaseki, under the guise that they were old and needed to be replaced over the next few months.
Politics › Re: Ekiti APC Suspends Tinubu’s In-Law, Buhari's Aide, Others by AgencyReport(op): 1:52pm On Sep 24, 2020
