The Oba of Benin Kingdom, Ewuare II, has called on all eligible voters in Edo to come out en masse for Saturday, Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, Igbere TV reports.
The Edo governorship election has incumbent Governor and candidate of the PDP, Godwin Obaseki and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC, as two major contenders.
In a statement made available to Igbere TV, Thursday, by Frank Irabor, Secretary to Benin Traditional Council, the monarch asked the citizens to cast their votes for candidate of their choice.
The Oba of Benin further urged the people to coordinate themselves in a peaceful manner, and ensure they maintain NCDC protocols on COVID-19.
“The Omo N’Oba pray to God Almighty and the Royal Ancestors for a free, fair and violent-free gubernatorial election,” the statement added.
The Edo State Government has declared Friday, September 18, 2020 as a work-free day, Igbere TV reports.
This was contained in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV, Thursday, signed by Mrs. Aziegbemhin P. E., Permanent Secretary in the Office of Head of Service.
She said the approval was given by Governor Godwin Obaseki to enable workers in the state travel to their respective constituencies to exercise their franchise.
The Edo State governorship election holds Saturday 19 Sept., with Obaseki of the PDP and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of APC as major contenders.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the distribution of sensitive materials, ahead of Saturday’s Governorship election in Edo state.
Igbere TV had reported how the sensitive materials for the conduct of the election, arrived the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) office in Benin City, on Wednesday.
Early Thursday, our correspondent observed the inspection of the materials in cartons, including the ballot papers and the results sheets.
Also among the materials are the Braille ballot guide for persons with disabilities, especially the visually-impaired.
Igbere TV observed Thursday morning that INEC had begun the distribution of the sensitive materials to various Local Government Areas in Edo state.
It was gathered that the Inter Party Advisory Council, including party agents in the state were invited by INEC to inspect the materials at the CBN.
Some election observers including Yiaga Africa, told newsmen that, “everything is intact, we just inspected the materials and we are satisfied.”
Escorting the materials to the various local governments are security agents, party agents and election observers, who vowed to observe the movement of the materials to LGAs.
Mr Timidi Wariowei, INEC Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Edo, reiterated the Commission’s readiness for the Saturday election, as well progress made so far.
Edo-born Oil magnate, Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo has opened up on his expectations for Saturday's Governorship election taking place in Edo State.
Speaking with Reuben Abati on Arise TV in a program monitored by Igbere TV, the billionaire said Governor Godwin Obaseki has created three opponents for himself in his quest for a second term.
The renowned philanthropist specifically mentioned himself, Adams Oshiomhole, former APC national chairman and Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the party's guber candidate.
The business tycoon, who recently endorsed Ize-Iyamu, described the Obaseki-led administration as “monstrous” and “draconian.”
“Obaseki on his own created three candidates for himself one candidate real and two imaginary candidates. Instead of him to concentrate and face the candidate he was supposed to face he made Adams Oshiomhole and Captain Hosa his opponents.”
Captain Hosa further berated Obaseki for allegedly demarketing Adams Oshiomhole, who was his benefactor, as APC national chairman.
He lamented how Governor Obaseki allegedly deployed ethnic sentiments on the Benin people against Oshiomhole.
“Same people who gave Adams the name 'Osho Baba' is the one he has decided to demarket”, the Edo-born billionaire alleged.
Captain Hosa, however, said the market women and the masses are solidly behind Oshiomhole.
He claims Oshomhole’s performance as governor, is clear for the masses and downtrodden to see.
“Of a fact Obaseki’s hatred to see success might be his albatross in the forthcoming election.
“The Governor has fought with every of his benefactor and made concerted efforts to rubbish and ridicule the years of labour these benefactors have put into the society.
“Obaseki might not escape judgement on September 19th as his atrocities are very visible to Edo Residents.”
ex-Abia Finance Commissioner, Oriaku 'Dancing Naked in Market Square'
By Chukwu Samuel Nnamdi
There is a popular saying that, "Those whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad". This can be said to be the case of Mr. Obinna Oriaku, a former commissioner for Finance in Abia State, who has been 'dancing naked in the market square' lately.
Of a truth, the comments credited to Mr. Oriaku making the rounds, where he made some unfounded and illogical allegations against the State and its treasury which he presided over for years, is disappointing and sad for a supposed “honourable”, to say the least.
Oriaku told the world how he was supposedly collecting N1.6 million to attend the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursement monthly for 4 years; how Abia State House of Assembly was purportedly being run with the sum of N140 million as against what he termed ‘the standard elsewhere’; how each member of the House bagged and pocketed monthly the whooping sum of N9 to 10 million and other sundry such claims.
All these cash disbursements were sanctioned by Obinna Oriaku as Commissioner of Finance from 2015 to 2019 from what we know. This leaves us with the question which is: If Obinna Oriaku is or was financially prudent and disciplined a cause he now champions, why did he wait till he saw and sat out his tenure as Commissioner before coming up with his unfounded claims?
Ever since he was removed as the Commissioner for Finance, Obinna Oriaku has been behaving like a bull let loose in a Chinese shop. It is understandable because he thought he was going to stay in the office forever. Forgetting that every position, including life itself, is transient, Oriaku has allowed his sulking to snowball into anger and frustration such that he has used every opportunity to attack the very system that brought him out of obscurity and poverty. Just like the nwanza (bird) which challenged its chi to a duel after over feeding itself, Obinna Oriaku thinks he has made money and therefore can brazenly challenge Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and the system.
His recent ranting on a programme called “UNCENSORED” has exposed him as a greedy, melo-dramatic and egoistic opportunist who is not ashamed of his past. If he had any sense of shame, he would have been more circumspect in the self-indicting allegations he threw against the State government. It is a pity that a man who served as a Commissioner for Finance could not brandish any iota of achievement apart from stopping some people from receiving their salaries in cash!
In his warped tantrums, he had equally alleged that each member of the Abia Assembly receives N3 million for the passage of annual budgets while their take home pay is purportedly N10m as against N1m paid to their Ebonyi counterparts. He also alleged that the House receives an overhead of N140 million (annually or monthly) as against Enugu’s N36 million.
Assuming, but not conceding, that he is right, why did he not raise the alarm while he was the Commissioner? What is his motive of inciting people against an Assembly that is hailed by the people of Abia State as the most vibrant and dynamic in recent times? Again, what does the law say about their constitutional entitlement? If indeed, he participated in bribing the Assembly, it presumes that he has proof and that he is also guilty of a crime.
When Obinna submitted that he, alongside the Accountant General and the Auditor General were collecting between 1.4 and 1.6 million monthly to attend FAAC meetings, what did he want us to do with the ‘information’? Did he for once refuse the money? Has he paid back the more than N60 million he collected for the 48 months? What kind of hypocrisy is that? If he considers that payment to be unlawful, why did he not complain officially?
In any case, is it not shameful that as Commissioner for Finance, he wasted millions of naira paying consultants to pay civil servants salaries. Can he be honest and tell Abians how much he paid LOIDANT CONSULTANT for their services and how the money was shared between him and the company. Is it also not curious that as a Commissioner, his job was only to disburse funds while he made no effort to present Exco Memo on how to increase the IGR of the State? Yet he alleged that IGR was diverted to private pockets.
Be that as it may, can Obinna Oriaku tell us why parastatals and pensioners were owed for two years whereas the Commissioner before him ensured that they were paid? Who is to be blamed if gratuities had not been paid for several years? What efforts did he make to change the narrative? What policy initiative did he bring to the table to assist the government of the day to serve the people better? Is it not funny that somebody who claimed to have served as Commissioner does not know that recurrent expenditure is often higher than capital expenditure in budgets even at the Federal level? That goes to confirm the fears that Obinna Oriaku was a misfit in that office. Again where is the Exco Memo he sent to the governor concerning the issues?
Well, apart from the frustration of losing his job and the attendant hunger, Obinna Oriaku might just be jealous that his successor in Office is doing better than him in less than one year after his appointment. Parastatals are now getting their subventions monthly. Pensioners are now being paid promptly. And the state is saving millions of naira because no consultant is being used to pay salaries. And more than that, the Commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko is not only disbursing funds, he is also formulating policies on ways of increasing the state’s IGR and enhancing the financial status of the state generally.
It is unfortunate that Obinna Oriaku did not tell us the one man whom he accused of running the whole affairs of the state and dictate what happens. That man can only be the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu. He was elected by the people of Abia State. Any official serves at his pleasure. He reserves the right to relive anybody of his appointment just as he did to Obinna Oriaku. That power is not shared. That Oriaku was powerful as a commissioner did not mean he could share power with the governor. He abused the privilege extended to him by a benevolent man. And when his excesses became unbearable, he was shown the gate. That is the reality Obinna Oriaku. Live with it.
We are convinced without any reasonable doubt that Oriaku’s sudden outbursts and attack on his former allies and the State reveals his personal conviction that they will not endorse him in his gubernatorial ambition after discovering how he looted the state dry as Commissioner in charge of the state finances, revenues, and commonwealth.
Abians are wiser and cannot be fooled by a man who came in as Commissioner of Finance empty-handed and left the office a billionaire. We sympathise with Oriaku who is disillusioned, disgruntled and depressed because he was relieved of his duties when his incompetence and inadequacies became so glaring and unbearable.
...chides former APC national chairman, Odigie-Oyegun
Ahead of the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, the Oba of Benin kingdom, Oba Ewuare II has blamed the Edo State Governor and PDP candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for the lingering Edo political crisis.
The monarch accused the governor of not allowing him intervene or resolve the issues between him(Obaseki) and his estranged benefactor and APC former national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Igbere TV reports that the revered monarch spoke on Wednesday at his palace in Benin City, during a peace meeting between Governor Obaseki and the APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, called at the instance of the Oba.
The Oba of Benin who expressed his displeasure over the political tensions and conflicts in Edo state, said the PDP candidate, Governor Obaseki should have allowed him resolve the crisis at the early stage.
“I am not happy about this. When you did not let me resolve the issue between you and your friend, Comrade, before it got to this point. If we had done it that time, we will not be sitting here now. Everything would have been smoother than this.”
At the peace meeting monitored by Igbere TV, the Benin monarch also advised Governor Obaseki to employ foresight in his actions as his tenure was only ephemeral.
“It will be good to look beyond your office because you are not going to be there all the time. You see the elder statesman there, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun? He was once a governor too. He is not there now. So, everybody knows that it is transient. Look at how one day when you are no longer the governor everyone can sit and still give you respect. More respect even.”
[b]The Oba of Benin also took a swipe at a former APC national chairman, Chief Odigie-Oyegun for taking a stand in the fight between Obaseki and Oshiomhole, saying he did not behave as an elder statesman.
Igbere TV recalls that during the course of the issues between Obaseki and his estranged godfather, Oyegun took a stand with the governor, while condemning Oshiomhole in several press statements.
“I don't like calling him(Oyegun) ‘chief’ because he's not one of us, I said it before. I said it before in the presence of President Buhari that if he wants to be speaking with one of them(Obaseki or Oshiomhole), he(Oyegun) should come and make proper request.
“...Because he(Oyegun) is an elder statesman. I didn't expect him to take side with any of these people(Obaseki, Oshiomhole); whether castigating this side, or the other side.
“I expected him(Oyegun) to call both both sides to his house [when the fight started] and admonish them, talk to them to cease fire.....”, the Benin monarch expressed his disappointment.[/b]
On the purpose of the meeting, the Benin monarch said it was to appeal to politicians in the state to eschew violence and control their “so-called thugs”. He said he was less concerned about which of the parties was more involved in thuggery.
Meanwhile, the governor’s deputy, Phillip Shaibu, who the Oba had told to call his “boys(thugs)” to order and desist from violence, could be observed rubbing his palms together in apology and deference to the Oba.
At the peace talks, on Wednesday, were representatives of other contesting parties in the state and top leaders of the two leading parties - the PDP and APC - and the candidates’ running mates.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has said there is no animosity between him and Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election.
Igbere TV reports that Obaseki explained he treats the APC candidate like his younger brother and he(Ize-Iyamu) reciprocates with respect like unto an elder brother.
The incumbent Governor spoke at the palace of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on Wednesday when key political players gathered for a peace meeting, as earlier reported by us.
Governor Obaseki claimed he had never and would not participate in any election violence as the chief security officer of the state.
“Actually, the point I’ll make, Your Majesty, is that I’m acting in two capacities: as the chief security officer of the State as the incumbent Governor and as a candidate. I think it’s important that I make that separation, he said.
“That’s why I’m emphasising that as the chief security officer and incumbent, I swore to an oath and I don’t have any issue with swearing to that oath to my God that I will not participate, I’ve never participated, I’ll never participate in violence particularly when it affects the people I’m governing.
“I’ll never. I’ve never. Let it also be on record that I have no problem whatsoever with my brother, Osagie Ize-Iyamu. We are contesting for the same position but we have no personal animosity between us.
“I treat him like my younger brother and he respects me. He gives me my respect and that is the relationship we enjoy. So, Your Majesty, I just wanted to make that point.”
The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Wednesday called on the Edo state deputy governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu to call his “boys (thugs)” to order, ahead of the September 19 Edo Governorship election.
Igbere TV reports that the monarch spoke at a peace meeting between Governor Godwin Obaseki of the PDP and Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC at his palace in Benin City - where both candidates signed a peace pact.
At the meeting, monitored by Igbere TV, the revered Oba who expressed concern over spate of violence in the state, issued a direct warning to Shaibu to rein in on his “boys” and halt further escalation.
Igbere TV had reported how Oba Ewuare II summoned the two major candidates, Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu, alongside their running mates to express his concern on the incessant outbreak of violence in the state ahead of the guber poll.
He said he has been having sleepless nights on the violent conduct and has held continuous prayers for peace. He urged the politicians to sue for peace and relay the message to their followers across the State.
However, during the course of the meeting, Hon. Philip Shaibu, Governor Obaseki’s running mate, earned specific mentions, over alleged direct involvement in violent clashes in the state.
“I have noted that Edo State's politics has been in the news for quite some time for all the wrong reasons. I have been having sleepless nights for some days. We are all from Edo State. We are no strangers,” the Oba said.
“Philp, they say you are the tough one inside, you must behave. Please. Tell your boys...to cease fire that your baba has told you that they should cease fire. Enough is enough! I don't want to hear shooting of guns anymore, enough is enough! Don't go and kill yourselves because of office.”
While noting that elections were not a do-or-die affair, Oba Ewuare II said politicians in Edo must note that they have only Edo State to call their own and, thus, must do everything to protect it from disintegration.
“Must it be a do-or-die affair? Do not kill yourselves because of public office. Stop the shootings. I am very sad about what is happening in Edo. This is the worst scenario. Let us eschew violence and give peace a chance in our state.
“It is for four years and at most another four years. Why will you [politicians] now want lives to be lost? Why do we hear that you people are arming boys (thugs)? Why?,” the Oba of Benin queried.
The monarch also advised Governor Obaseki “to look beyond his office” because he will not be there all the time. He said political office is transient and urged him to look at the bigger picture so that he can continue to earn the respect of all when he is no longer the governor.
On whoever emerges at the polls, Oba Ewuare urged Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu to emulate the action of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 when he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.
As a symbolic gesture, in his address at the Palace, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu embraced Governor Godwin Obaseki and assured the Benin monarch of his commitment to peace, describing the governor as his “senior brother.”
Oba Of Benin To Obaseki: "Look Beyond Your Office..." [VIDEO]
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II has called on the Edo state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to look beyond his office and employ foresight in his actions as his tenure was only ephemeral.
“It will be good to look beyond your office because you are not going to be there all the time,” Oba told Obaseki.
“You see the elder statesman there, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun? He was once a governor too. He’s not there now. So, everybody knows that it is transient.
“Look at how one day when you are no longer the governor everyone can sit and still give you respect. More respect even.”
Igbere TV reports that the Benin monarch spoke when he played host to the governor, his deputy, Philip Shaibu; APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his running mate, Mallam Gani Audu.
Oba Ewuare had summoned the two major candidates, Obaseki of PDP and Ize-Iyamu of the APC, to sign a peace pact ahead the Sept. 19 Governorship election.
He expressed his concern on the incessant outbreak of violence in the state, saying he has been having sleepless nights and has held continuous prayers for peace.
He, therefore, urged the politicians, especially the candidates to sue for peace and relay the message to their followers across the state.
The Oba reportedly said Obaseki should have allowed him resolve the crisis from the onset, while expressing his displeasure over the political tensions and conflicts in Edo state.
“I’m not happy about this. When you did not let me resolve the issue between you and your friend, Comrade (Oshiomhole), before it got to this point. If we had done it that time, we will not be sitting here now. Everything would have been smoother than this”, he was quoted as saying.
Those present at the meeting aside Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu and their running mates, include Chief Dan Orbih, PDP South-South National Vice Chairman; and APC leaders including former National chairmen, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
…As Gov Provides Befitting Office For Force CID Annex
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his outstanding commitment to the security of the state.
Adamu also applauded the governor, who he described as “a very security-friendly governor” for “always making the security agencies in the state comfortable to be able to discharge their duties without fear of favour”.
Igbere TV reports that the IGP spoke when Gov. Ugwuanyi inspected a befitting office complex for the newly created Force CID Annex for the South East geo-political zone located at the Command’s Detective College, Enugu, which was renovated and furnished by his administration.
The Police Chief, who was represented by the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Abdurrahman, described the edifice as “a very good architecturally magnificent office, which we are going to hand over to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, who will be the Commander of this very highly investigative outreach of the Nigeria Police Force”.
CP Abdurrahman, on behalf of the IGP, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for his timely intervention, when Nigeria Police Force was looking for an office for the new unit, disclosing that the governor “came in handy without hesitation and said CP, tell the I.G that I will take full responsibility and I will give them a befitting office that will house them.
“I am therefore here representing the Inspector General of Police to receive the renovated edifice”, the CP said, thanking God for the life of the IGP “who in his wisdom found it very expedient to locate this office here in Enugu for the South East investigation unit”.
Igbere TV captures the moment Governor Godwin Obaseki and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu hugged publicly for the first time ahead the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election.
We had reported how the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, on Wednesday met with top candidates in the election, including Obaseki of PDP and Ize-Iyamu of the APC.
The duo of Governor Obaseki and Pastor Ize-Iyamu are meeting face-to-face for the very first time since the electioneering campaign commenced last month.
Igbere TV reliably gathered from palace source that the meeting became necessary against the backdrop of rising violence in the build up to the election.
The meeting was at the instance of the Oba. At the meeting, the monarch requested the Governorship candidates to sign a Peace Pact.
The revered monarch also advised them to eschew violence and call their supporters to order throughout the election process.
The duo were allowed to hug thereafter, with Ize-Iyamu referring to Obaseki as his “senior brother”. Watch the moment captured by Igbere TV below...
A former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole narrowly escaped death by the whiskers in Benin City, on Tuesday.
Igbere TV gathered from multiple source that two policemen in the former Edo governor’s convoy, however, lost their lives with others sustaining various degrees of injury.
The incident happened Tuesday afternoon when a trailer ran into the travelling campaign entourage of the APC, while on their way from the just concluded Edo North ward-to-ward rallies.
Igbere TV reliably gathered that the incident happened just before the popular Oluku junction, in Ovia local government area of the state. Those injured are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
According to a security source attached to the APC campaign convoy, the trailer ran into Oshiomhole’s convoy, destroying his car and killing two just after the Benin bye-pass.
“It happened so suddenly,” the security source, who craved anonymity, said. Other APC faithfuls in the campaign convoy also collaborated the security source's version of the story.
Following the incident, the candidate of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has called off his rally at Usen.
In a statement endorsed by the Chairman of the APC Media Campaign Council, Mr. John Mayaki, the campaign said it was suspending the scheduled event, to honour the dead.
On behalf of Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the APC, Mayaki condoled with the families of the victims, saying they were not alone in their grief.
He pledged that the campaign would do everything within its powers to ameliorate their grief.
Reaching out to the families of the policemen involved in the fatal crash, the campaign said Edo would never forget their supreme sacrifice.
The statement called on everyone to pray for the soul of dead, and against the recurrence of such tragedies.
Former military head of state, General Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) is currently hosting Senator Orji Uzor Kalu at his Minna residence, the Niger State capital.
Igbere TV reports that Kalu, Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate and former Governor of Abia State, arrived Minna on Monday for a visit to his political leaders.
OUK, as fondly called by supporters and political associates, arrived the 'power' state at exactly 2pm alongside political friends, associates and aides.
The Senate Chief Whip is currently meeting with Babangida, after which he will proceed to the home of former President of Nigeria and Military General, Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Igbere TV reliably gathered that Senator Kalu is billed to also visit the homes of Governor of Niger state, Abubakar Sani Bello and Emir, Etsu of Lapai, Niger State.
The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, has approved the reduction of the tuition fees payable at the state-owned Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).
This was contained in a circular on Thursday made available to CAMPUS GIST issued by Opeoluwa Akinfemiwa, Acting Registrar and Secretary to Council of the Institution.
He said the approval followed an earlier appeal by students, and in view of the economic effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country on parents and students.
According to the curricular, Akeredolu directed that AAUA should consider a reduction in tuition fees in a way that quality education can still be sustained in the University.
“As a follow up to the above (directive), a meeting between the Governor, the University and the student leaders was convened,” Akinfemiwa said.
“Consequently, the Visitor has approved the underlisted reduction of tuition fees with effect from the 2019/2020 academic session, as recommended by Council.”
With the latest reduction, Science students paying N150,000 will now pay N120,000, while Social and Management Sciences are to pay N120,000 instead of N150,000.
Fee for Agricultural students was reduced from the current N150,000 to N100,000, while Arts was reduced to N80,000 from N100,000.
Education faculty students are to now pay N80,000 instead of N100,000. *Fee payable by Law students was however retained at N150,000.*
“All students are therefore advised to take advantage of the reduced fees by paying their school fees and registering for their courses without further delay,” the statement added.
CAMPUS GIST recalls that the Ondo state government had, in 2017, increased the AAUA school fees by about 200 per cent (N70,000 to N250,000), saying “the initial rates operated under the previous administration were unsustainable”.
Both the AAUA and the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH), Okitipupa were subsequently shut following students’ agitation for fees reduction.
The reduction in tuition fee of the Adejunke Ajasin University is coming barely six weeks to the October 10 Ondo State Governorship election where incumbent Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is seeking re-election.
Samuel is CAMPUS GIST’s AAUA correspondent. ajayi.samuel@campusgist.com.ng
Politics › President Buhari's PA, Bashir Ahmad, Set To Wed (photo) by BleedingPen(op): 11:11pm On Sep 18, 2020
