₦airaland Forum

…Charges members to work assiduously towards party’s victory during 2023 presidential election


By Simeon OSAJIE

The Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Tony Aziegbemi has inaugurated the Edo State Chapter of Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council with a charge to the members to work assiduously to ensure victory for the party in the forthcoming 2023 presidential election.

Aziegbemi who made the call while inaugurating the 530 members of the State Campaign Council, Friday 21st, in Benin City the Edo State capital, made a passionate appeal to the members of the campaign council to endeavor to mobilize other members and supporters for the PDP presidential rally holding at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium on Saturday, 22nd October.

He further employ members to take full control at each rally by ensuring orderliness at the venue.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Campaign Council, Governor Godwin Obaseki said the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is coming to salvage Nigeria, insisting that only politicians of the PDP extraction have what it takes to rescue Nigeria from its present economic crisis.

According to the Governor, "Each time I've had the privilege to talk to our presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, he always referred us back to what happened in 1999. He said don't forget when we took over in 1999 Nigeria was as divided as it is today.

"The military had been there for a long time, the democratic culture had ceased.

"He said the same strategy we used then, we will deploy it this time.

"You may not remember the economy of Nigeria was in shambles in 1999, oil production and prices had collapsed, until they came in; himself and Olusegun Obasanjo to salvage the situation.

"He was in charge of the economy at that time. All the things that came Nigeria way; all the debt relief that came our way had his input," Obaseki said.

On his part, the National Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Umar Bature noted that with what he saw at the inauguration of the campaign council, Edo PDP is one.

He urged members of the PDP to channel their energy to the campaign with a view to winning the presidential election since there is no a governorship election in the state.

…Victim seeks Govt, Police Command, Relevant Authorities' Invention

 
By Simeon Osajie

In order to forestall an act or conduct likely to cause breach of peace in Egbiken Village in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State, Barr. Emmanuel Olayiwola Afolabi have on behalf of Mr. Osayande Ukpebor called on the Edo State government  through the Hon. Commissioner, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Edo State Police Command and other relevant authorities’ intervention on an alleged fraud in Ikpoba Okha local government council as staff where found involved on double certificates for street naming.

 

In a letter addressed to the Chairman/Head of Service, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Council, Idogbo, Edo State, Barr. Afolabi stated that some staff of the local government council connived with one Mr. Esebanme to re-registered Ukpebor Osayande Street which was duly approved and registered on the 6th of October, 2021 to Mr. Ukpebor Osayande.

Mr. Osayande Ukpebor name has appeared on Google Map of the local government area, an indication that he has perfected the processes of getting the street registered under his name and as such is the rightful owner of the  Ukpebor Osayande Street in Egbiken Village in the local government area.

 

Part of the letter reads, “URGENT NEED TO NOTIFY YOU OF THE UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES OF ONE MR. ESEBANME WHO OBTAINED A DOUBLE CERTIFICATE OF STREET NAMING WITHOUT PASSING THE DUE PROCESS.

“NEED FOR YOU TO RERIEVE SUCH CERTIFICATE FROM HIM AS THE STREET HAS ALREADY BEEN NAME AND DUE CERTIFICATE GIVEN TO MR. UKPEBOR OSAYANDE.

“We act as Solicitors to Mr. Ukpebor Osayande of Egbiken Village in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client” on whose behalf and clear instructions we forward this letter to your esteemed office.

“It is our brief that our client was the first person to build his house in the present Ukpebor Osayande Street. That our client started the process of getting approval for the street name since 26th of May, 2017 and it was fully perfected on the 6th day of October, 2021. After which our client’s street sign post was placed at the beginning, middle and end of the street as authorized by the local government council.

 

“Our client informed us that he was shocked when he saw that the street sign post was removed on the 10th day of November, 2021. That when our client inquired about of who must have done such a barbaric action; he discovered that one Mr. Christopher Esebanme who recently packed into his house in the street was the one who removed the sign post.

“Our client told us that he approached your office to lay a complain on the issue and found out that it was some of your staff (Ikpoba Okha LGC) that re-registered the street in the name of Mr. Esebanme and even gave him a certificate of street naming on a street that is already in existence with a certificate of street naming. A copy of the certificate of street naming is hereby attached as your perusal.

“It is on this note that we write to you sir, sincerely craving your indulgence to call Mr. Esebanme to order to also forestall and act or conduct likely to cause breach of peace in the said street. We also demand that the certificate of street naming given to Mr. Esebanme be withdrawn forthwith as it is illegally obtained.”

 

Investigations by MeritNews further revealed that Mr. Ukpebor Osayande wrote additional petition dated 29th September, 2022 addressed to the Chairman/HOS of Ikpoba Okha local government council, Idogbo, Edo State notify the chairman/HOS on the unlawful act of Mrs. Jossy Duze who issued a double certificates of street naming to Mr. Esebanme without passing through due process.

 

According to Mr. Osayande, “I started the process of getting approval for the street in Egbiken Village since 26th May, 2017 and it was fully perfected by the Ikpoba Okha local government council on the 6th of October, 2021 with the sum of N70,000. The said N70,000 was itemized on the Certificate issued and given to me by the council staff.

 

“After my payment of N70,000, my sign post was issued to me bearing Ukpebor Osayande Street. The street which is 290.01m long was approved with site location describing the length of the street.  I placed at the beginning, middle and end of the street as authorized by the local government council. I was shocked when I saw that my street sign post was removed from my street, on the 10th day of November, 2021.

“When I inquired to know who could have done such an act, I discovered that it was Mr. Esebanme who recently build and packed into his house in my street, with the assistance of the town planning department of Ikpoba Okha local government council, re-registered the street in the name of Mr. Esebanme Avenue and gave him a Certificate of street naming on the street that is already in existence called Ukpebor Osayande street, which has since been showing on the Google Map of Ikpoba Okha LGA and around the world.

 

“Since the decision of the elders of the community, Mr. Esebanme still keep on removing my sign post from the street, bringing the youth of Etete Community to fight me,” he alleged.

When contacted, the Edionwere of  Egbiken Community, Pa Napoleon Edogiawere collaborated Mr. Osayande’s claimed.

 

He said, “Mr. Osayande is the rightful person who first built and packed into his street  and as such embarked on the process of seeking approval from Ikpbo Okha local government council and was approved according to the documents he presented to me and my elders, and we also went as far to the council to verify the true copy of the documents, And our findings revealed that he has done and paid the necessary amount required to the council.

 

“Mr. Ukpebor Osayande is the rightful over of the street. He bought the land from me through my son. I told Mr. Esebanme to stop harassing him as he cannot lay claimed to the street. I am ready and my elders and ready too to defend this to the end. Mr. Esebanme should please allow peace reign in my community”, Pa Edogiawere said.

 

All efforts made by MeritNews to reach out to Mr. Esebanme to get his reaction proved abortive as his GSM phone number was switch off.

By Easy OKOJIE

The recent threat to the Oil and gas industry in Nigeria, due to Crude Oil theft has led to the staggering revelations of oil bunkering activities around the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria. This has continued to gain traction as can of worms have been opened since the federal government raised concerns over the stealing of crude oil and illegal refinery operations which is causing dwindling revenue in the country.

Investigations have revealed that Edo State is not left out of the oil theft saga.

Sources revealed that some illegal bunkers around the Edo State capital are very much involved in these destructive criminal activities.

It was alleged that a woman by the name Itohan Evans aka. (Madam IT) was arrested on Friday 7th October 2022 alongside her conspirators by security operatives in the Edo State Police command.

The said woman, who is a kingpin, was also released immediately by the State Command, after she paid a huge sum of money to a high-ranking senior police officer in the Command, who in turn let her off the hook by granting her bail without due process as stated by the law.

Sources also alleged that the said Madam IT is part of a cartel of Crude Oil thieves that are specialized in the vandalization of crude oil pipeline belonging to Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) in Edo State, while their base of operation is around Kilometre 16/17 Benin Sapele road at Ogbakpen and Obayaton axis of the Benin metropolis.

The manager of the said woman, one Mr. Chukwuka Sunday who was also apprehended alongside other suspects by security operatives of the Command, admitted to their illicit activities and the exhibits that were discovered on their site of operations include Five (5) Pumping Machines, Six (6) Trucks loaded with adulterated Diesel (AGO) and a fully loaded truck of Corrosive Acid Chemicals which is used to process the crude oil.

Chukwuka, confirmed that he works for the said Madam IT and the site of operations belong to his madam. He also stated that after they finish processing the crude oil which is called phase two, they load their trucks with the processed products which is taken out for supply.

According to the sources, the activities of these crude oil thieves in Edo State has created an environmental disaster around their area of operations and may likely become worse if not check by the authorities.

It was also alleged that some security agents in the state conspired with these criminals to sabotage the commonwealth of every Nigerian citizen.

By Simeon Osajie

The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) in Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency has called on the National authority and the State Executive of the party to urgently do the needful and reinstate Murphy Imasuen as the rightly candidate representing the federal constituency in the interests of the good will of the party.
It would be recalled that Murphy Imasuen was unanimously elected during the substitution primaries of Labour Party in Abudu on the 13th of July, 2022 to run for Orihionmwon/Uhunmwode federal constituency in the forthcoming 2023 National Assembly election.
In the seven pages letter addressed to Edo State Chairman, Comrade K.S.E. and copied Barr. Julius Abure, National Chairman of the party, signed by Austin Oronsaye, Chairman LP Uhunmwonde, Comrade Engr. Oriakhi Osaigbovo, Chairman, LP Orhionmwon, C. O. Ebuehi, Esq., the Committee Secretary and 24 others, the leaders said failure to reinstate Murphy Imasuen as the party candidate will amount to unlawful imposition and subversion of the collective will of the people of the constituency, which will be fully resisted.
Part of the letters reads, “RE: THE MATTER INVOLVING HON. MURPHY P. IMASUEN AND HON. ELIZABETH U. ATIVIE; BOTH OF UHUNMWONDE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IN ORHIONMWON/UHUNMWONDE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY.

“The above subject matter refers.
“Sometime around the 29th day of September, 2022, a matter involving one Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie and Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen was reported and referred to Executive Council of Labour Party, Edo State for amicable resolution between all concerned parties which however ended in deadlock and was subsequently referred to the Executive Council of Labour Party, Orionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency with a view to broker lasting peace between the contending parties and make recommendations accordingly.
“The sole question that needed to be resolved between the parties, who are before the Executive Council of Labour Party, Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency at the meeting held on the 1st of October, 2022 is, who is the candidate of Labour Party in Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Constituency in the up-coming House of Representative Election come 2023.
“In resolving the issue between both parties who appeared personally before the Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency Executive Council Committee, three (3) questions came up for determination and they are: (1) Whether Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen and Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie were legitimate Labour Party aspirants for the just concluded substitution primaries on July 13th 2022 as directed by the National authority of the party. (2) Whether Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen and Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie participated in the just concluded substitution primary for the House of Representative in Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency. (3) Whether Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen and Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie were members of Labour Party by virtue of Article 10 (1) and (2) of Labour Party Constitution before the substitution primaries.”
Going further, the letter added, “After due consultations with both parties Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen and Elizabeth U. Ativie by way of eliciting oral testimony from both of them much deliberations made on the issue which also x-ray the position of Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Labour Party and the Labour Party, Orhionmwon Local Government Area. The Chairmen and some other Executive members of Labour Party that were present at the meeting also actively participated in asking and answering questions pertaining the issue. Principally, Mr. Ehiwe Ikuoyemwen, the place holder who was to be substituted orally laid the foundation on the issue.
“On Issue (1): In determining this issue, both Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen and Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie were called to give account of the process they went through.
“On account of Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen, he obtained the relevant forms having been led by his Labour Party Ward Executive Council to the Labour Party Local Government Area Executive Council, where he fulfilled all the relevant conditions required of him by the Labour Party Constitution which was brought to his knowledge by the Local Government Area Executive Council of Labour Party who led him to the State Executive Council for the acquisition of the relevant materials for the substitution primaries.
“On account of Hon. Blizabeth U. Ativie, she obtained the relevant forms from the National Office of Labour Party, Abuja; where she fulfilled all the conditions enumerated/highlighted for her by the National Executive Council of Labour Party, which is a condition viewed to be antithetical to the procedure obtainable in the Constitution of Labour Party by the general house. As such, the house unanimously considered this procedure abnormal.
“On Issue (2): In determining this issue, both parties were called to give an account of their involvement or otherwise with respect to the party substitution primaries held at the Labour Party Secretariat, Abudu, the headquarters of Federal Constituency held on 13th July, 2022 as directed by the national authority through the State Labour Party office.
“On account of Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen, he (Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen) partiticated in the exercise which was conducted at Abudu the headquarters of Federal Constituency on the 13” day of July, 2022 govern Government Labour Party Chairman and Com. Oriakhi Osaigbovo, Orhionmwon Local Government Labour Party Chairman respectively who were directed to conduct the substitution primaries by the relevant party authorities.
“While on account of Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie, she (Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie) affirmed that though informed of the time, venue and date of the exercise, but she did not participate in the primaries held on the 13th day of July, 2022 as directed by the national authority of the party. This was also affirmed and corroborated by the local government Chairman, Austin Oronsaye, Uhunmwonde Local Government Labour Party Chairman and Com. Oriakhi Osaigbovo, Orhionmwon Local Government Labour Party Chairman respectively.
“This issue having been carefully considered was resolved in favour of Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen for having participated in the party substitution primaries held at Abudu the headquarters of Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency on the 13th day of July, 2022 as directed by the national authority of the party transmitted through the state to the local government area.
“On issue (3): In determining this Issue, the relevant questions were inter alia: (i) How did they become members of Labour Party? (ii) If they are members of Labour Party, at what point or time did they become members?
“On the above questions, Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen narrated how he identified himself with the Labour Party at the unit level, the ward level where he regularized his membership card and the state level. Adding that his name is duly registered in the Ward register of Labour Party months the substitution primaries. This was affirmed by the ward Labour Party Chairman and the Local Government Labour Party Chairman both of Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.
“On account of Hon. Elizabeth U, Ativie, It was gathered that Hon. EIizabeth U. Ativie formalized her exit from All Progressives Congress (APC) on 6th September, 2022 and is yet to formalize her entrance into any political party as proved by her press release on the 6th of September, 2022, published in some print media e.g. Vanguard page 7. This was corroborated by delegates from her ward, Irue ward, who affirmed that she (Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie) has not regularized her membership with the ward and that her name is not in the ward register as at 1st October, 2022 and so not recognized as a Member of Labour Party in the ward. This was affirmed by the Chairman of Labour Party, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area. Though she (Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie) alleged that she obtained a membership card from the state chairman of Labour Party and affirmed that she was yet to formalize her membership with the unit and the ward.
“Having carefully considered the testimonies of Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen on one part, Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie and other delegates from her ward on the other part, it was unanimously resolved that Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie has not formalized her entrance into Labour Party and thus not a member of Labour 10 (1) and (2) of Labour Party Constitution is a qualified member of Labour Party and therefore he (Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen) is entitled to all rights and privileges of the party.
“Consequently, it was unanimously resolved that Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie cannot become a candidate in a party where she has not fully been a member and mandatory procedure as prescribed by the Labour Party constitution.
“The inclusion of Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie’s name on INEC list of candidate published some time ago was then considered as a misnomer and a mistake which should be corrected. The house then unanimously appeal to Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie to step down to enable the rightful candidate’s name to be reinstated as the candidate representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency.
“The house also unanimously called on the national authority of the party and the state executive of the party to urgently do the needful and reinstate Hon. Murphy Imasuen as the rightly candidate representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency in the interest of the goodwill of the party as failure to do so will amount to unlawful imposition and subversion of the collective will of the people of the constituency, which will be fully resisted.
“Moreso, when it has been confirmed that Hon. Elizabeth U, Ativie participated actively in All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representative primaries in May, 2022 and therefore barred by the Electoral Act of 2022 from contesting in another party's primaries, Thus, any attempt to allow her continue, may lead to unwanted litigation by opposition parties that can ruin the efforts and success of Labour Party. Pretense and/or recalcitrant by Hon. Elizsheth U. Ativie to repudiate appeal and neglect this fact is a solid pointer to one fact that she is being sponsored to destabilize Labour Party.
“Finally, the constituency wish to strongly reiterate that it has been resolved that Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen is the rightful candidate elected by the constituency and not Hon. Elizabeth U. Ativie.
“It is our final cry therefrom that Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen should be urgently reinstated. We therefore call on concerned Labour Party authorities and Support groups to prevail on Barr. Julius Abure, the National Labour Party Chairman to reinstate Hon. Murphy P. Imasuen as our candidate for the House of Representative, Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde Federal Constituency with immediate effect.”

The Peoples' Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State has recieved the Judgement of the supreme court and is hopeful this puts to an end the ugliest episodes of our colourful existence.

As members of the same political party let us now direct our energy towards facing our common opponent with the aim of winning the forth coming General Elections. There has to be an end to litigation

It is unfortunate and regrettable that we had to resolve our disagreement by going to court and as far as the Supreme Court.

Now that the Supreme Court has reached this decision, its time to sheath our swords.

As members of the same political Party, it is now important that we unite and work towards achieving victory.

I will immediately inaugurate a 7 man committee to help in the healing and integration process.

The Leader of the Party and Governor of the State, H.E. Godwin Obaseki from the onset, pre-primaries and throughout the legal journey maintained and insisted that whoever emerges as PDP candidates were his candidates. The Supreme Court judgement today has put to rest who the PDP candidates are. The list uploaded by the NWC into the INEC server contains the authentic candidates of the PDP in the forthcoming General Elections.

Those that were not favoured by the court decision should be rest assured as HE, Godwin Obaseki is ready to work with every one as one big PDP family.

We should exhibit the attitude of no victor nor vanquished.

Dr. Tony Aziegbemi
Chairman, PDP Edo State.

By Simeon OSAJIE


The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo State, yesterday, said a total of 52,013 persons registered for the just concluded Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise that took place between the month of June 2021and January 2022 in the state while 32, 465 were successful, 19,548 was dropped due to double registrations amounting to 37 percent of the entire exercise.

Mr. Timidi Wariowei, in charge of Voter's Education, disclosed this during a Media and Stakeholders Summit with the theme: Roadmap to Credible, Transparent and Peaceful Election in Edo State, organized by the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.

He said the number dropped after being subjected to Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) where it was discovered that some individuals registered twice.

Wariowei said the figure was one of the least compared to other states where similar thing was done.

Wariowei also said that INEC through their own determine efforts to make elections seamless in the state has created more polling units, increasing it from 2,627 to 4,519.

He further appealed to Journalists in the state to cooperate with the commission to ensure peaceful and credible elections in the state just as he asked them to desist from the temptation of being the ones to announce election results while on election monitoring exercise.

He said a Journalist can quote a figure being displayed by INEC officials at the polling units but cannot declare any candidates winner noting that it is the sole responsibility of INEC to do that.

Speaking also, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, represented by ACP, Head of Operations of the Command, James Chu, said citizens of the state must check their excesses as they plan towards the forthcoming elections adding that the country belongs us and thus must not set it on fire by their actions.

Earlier, the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Festus Alenkhe urged Journalists to be guided by the Electoral Acts and avoid any acts that will jeopardize the country.

He also called on the law enforcement agencies to see Journalists as partners in progress and should not brutalize them while doing their job as the union has an internal mechanism in handling any Journalists that is found wanting.

By Simeon Osajie

The people of Ikhuen-Obo Community in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State have cried out seeking quick intervention of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Edo State Government and all other relevant authorities in alleged subversion of Justice.

Chief Priest Efosa Aighobahi and Peter Eze Omorowa on behalf of Ikhuen-Obo Community in a petition through their Solicitors, Trinity Chambers’ made series of criminal allegations, including murder against one ‘Clement Guobadia and his gang’.

According to the petition, Clement Guobadia and two members of his gang were arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command.

“The confession of the suspects to the Police implicated some other persons who are providing the dangerous weapons including AK47 with which they carry out their criminal operations”.

On reliable information that the suspects’ cronies were trying to influence outcome of investigation, the people wrote another petition to Force CID, Alagbon, Lagos (Homicide Section) took over the investigation on 29 July, 2022 and were making appreciable progress, it was said.

But bent on obstructing the wheel of Justice, the suspects’ cronies again influenced transfer of the investigation to Force CID, Abuja, on August 29, 2022 and ever since, progress on the investigation has been stalled without any appreciable progress.

“It appears that the obnoxious intention of the allies of the suspects is to hinder and subvert the smooth investigation of the matter at Force CID (Alagbon).”

“Though, the suspects confessed to be in possession of dangerous weapons, no attempt has been made to recover these arms,” the petitioners laments.

“Ever since, attempt has not been made to arrest cronies of the suspects implicated by their confessional statements and reliable evidence against them, they added.

The petitioners noted, that the prevailing situation is a sharp contrast to when Lagos was handling the investigation making appreciable progress  and were already at the verge of going to recover the arms and ammunition including AK47, or arrest those persons implicated in the confessional statements of the suspects.

Expressing more worries, the petitioners pointed out that there was no basis from the beginning to had transferred the investigation  from CID (Alagbon) to Force CID, Abuja as both are of equal status.

“The reason for the mischievous efforts of the cronies of the suspects in manipulating the transfer of the case from Force CID, Alagbon to Abuja is to prevent their arrest having been implicated, the petitioners noted.

Hence, the petitioners say they have no faith in Force CID, Abuja to do justice in investigation of the matter.

They therefore passionately appeal, that the Inspector General of Police, (IGP), Edo State Government, and all other relevant authorities should quickly intervene to get the right justice the matter deserves.

“We therefore on behalf of our clients urge the IGP, Edo State Government, to use their good offices to prevail on this matter, so as to attain the appropriate Justice that this matter deserves.

“Our Clients have suffered a lot of damages and calamity as a result of the criminal activities of the suspects,” the petition stated.

The Petition dated 16th September, 22 was signed by Emmanuel C. Okonkwo Esq. and copied: The Hon. Minister of Interior, and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Abuja.

By Simeon Osajie

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has approved the redeployment of Mr. Chris Nehikhare, former Commissioner of Youths and Gender Issues, to pilots the affairs of Edo State Ministry of Communication and Orientation while Andrew Emwanta has been moved to Ministry of Youths and Gender Issues.

The redeployment is as a result of the cabinet reshuffle and rationalization of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state government.

In a statement issued and signed by Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, said the governor gave the approval at the Executive Council (EXCO) on Wednesday, 22nd September, 2022.

He noted that, “The rationalization of the MDAs is as a result of decreasing accruals from the Federation Account, which can no longer sustain the existing structure of the government.”

Ogie said the cabinet reshuffle and rationalization of MDAs led to the merger of certain ministries and re-deployment of Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries across MDAs.

According to him, “As regards the cabinet reshuffle, Chris Nehikhare will now man the Ministry of Communication and Orientation while Andrew Emwanta has been moved from the Ministry of Communication and Orientation to the Ministry of Youths and Gender Issues.
“A new Office of Special Duties is to be headed by a Commissioner, Osasere Malachi Evbuomwan.”

He continued: “The affected Permanent Secretaries include Osagie A. Peter who has been moved from the Ministry of Housing to the Ministry of Youths and Gender Issues while Felicia Edwards is now at the Ministry of Public Security and Safety.

“Edionwe Joel, formerly of the Ministry of Public Security and Safety is now in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, while Efe Iserhienrhien of the former Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is now in the Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives.

“Barbara Nekpen Aluyi Osobajo of the former Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues is now in the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development.

“Ifueko Alufohai of the former Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs is now in the Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs while Abieyuwa Naps from the Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives is now in the Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology.

“Washington Abbe from the Ministry of Transport has been moved to the Local Government Pensions Bureau while Gilbert Egwakhide has been moved from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Special Duties,” Ogie added.

Ogie further noted, “Okodugha Birgitta has been moved from the former Ministry of Science and Technology to the Edo State Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).

“In the new structure, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning has been merged with the Ministry of Finance to become the Ministry of Finance, Budget, Economic Planning and Development.

“The Ministry of Youth and Humanitarian Affairs is now the Ministry of Youth and Gender Issues while the former Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues is now the Ministry of Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs.

“The Ministry of Science and Technology is now the Ministry of Digital Economy, Science and Technology, while the Ministry of Mining, Oil and Gas has been merged with the Ministry of Energy to become the Ministry of Mining and Energy. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives is now the Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives.

“The Ministry of Housing has been merged with the Ministry of Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development to become the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development.”

“The Ministry of Local Government has been merged with the Ministry of Community and Chieftaincy Affairs and now the Ministry of Local Government, Community and Chieftaincy Affairs,” he stated.

Mr Chris Nehikhare, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation

By Simeon Osajie

The Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), has appealed to its numerous members and supporters to remain calm as the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC published the list of the party's candidates in Edo State ahead the 2023 general elections.
In a statement signed by the chairman of the Edo State chapter of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi pointed out that INEC is bound by law to publish the list of party candidates by today, 20th September adding that the publication is without prejudice to the cases going on in the various courts.

According to the statement, [i]"the Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) have taken note of concerns being raised by our numerous members and supporters on the list of candidates published today, 20 September by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC ahead the 2023 general elections.

"We wish to assure our party members and indeed all Edolites that there is no cause for alarm as INEC is statutorily bound to publish names of candidates of participating political parties in the 2023 general elections today, 20th September, 2022.

"The INEC publication of candidates is in compliance with the relevant sections of the Electoral Act and in obedience to a court order.
"There are still pending cases at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

"We enjoin all our members to remain calm, continue to support our party as the PDP is one big family, while we await the outcome of all the cases in the various courts", [/i]the statement said.

By Osajie Simeon

The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has consoled with Chief Tom Ikimi, former foreign affairs minister over the loss of his dear sister, Madam Tessy Namorie Ikimi.

In a press statement issued and signed on behalf of the party by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman noted with profound memories the laudable contributions Madam Tessy Ikimi made to the society at large and her immediate family.

Part of the statement reads, [i]"I, the chairman of the People’s Democratic party, PDP, Edo State Chapter, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, on behalf of our great party, wish to commiserate with the family of our National Leader Chief Tom Ikimi, over the loss of their dear sister, Madam Tessy Namorie Ikimi.

"I note with profound memories the laudable contributions Madam Tessy Ikimi made to the society at large and her immediate family.

"I shall not fail to mention her great sacrifices to saving lives while serving as a matron in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH. Her's was a selfless and dedicated time on the job. Her motherly humane, calm and generous attitude towards all shall be greatly missed.

"It is worthy of mention too, that despite the demanding nature of her job at the UBTH, she couldn't stop using her acquired cooking skills to the benefit of the society. Many people did not only eat and relish her delicacies, but she trained and mentored a number of young people to become successful caterers.

[i]"The passing into eternal glory of Madam Tessy Ikimi is not only a loss to the Ikimi's family alone but to the entire Edo State. I commiserate with our National Leader, Chief Tom Ikimi. I pray that God Almighty would grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen."

...A Testament Of Gov Godwin Obaseki's Reforms


By Simeon Osajie

Criticism is one of the most outstanding features differentiating a military regime from a democratically elected government. It is also what distinguishes a tyrannical regime run by a potentate from a democratic government with adherence to the rule of law and tolerance of all shades of opinion.

In a military regime, criticisms are not tolerated, while praise singing is accorded the highest form of reward whether the said praise singing is justified or not.

Criticism could be in form of a cerebral analysis to arrive at balanced judgement, or an outright hostile attack on a government to score cheap political point. Criticism from social critics who mean well for the society are constructive, meant to evaluate and improve governance process for the citizenry.

In the case of the criticisms against the present People's Democratic Party (PDP) government led by Governor Obaseki of  Edo State, there is nothing to show thus far that criticism of the policies and programmes of government by opposition elements are geared towards evaluating and improving governance for the overall benefit of the state and its citizens.

The criticisms that trailed and is still trailing the reforms initiated by the Governor Godwin Obaseki led government of Edo State is a case in point.

When this administration was birthed in 2016,  far reaching policy reforms were initiated at the primary and secondary school levels of education in the state.
Implementation of these reforms spilled over into the second term of the administration which commenced in 2020.

The good thing about these reforms which have been undergoing silent implementation is that they have started bearing fruits which are now so loud that those with hearing impairment can hear. Just recently, the West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) released the results of the 2022 May/June Senior Secondary School Certificate examination (SSSCE) with Edo State coming in the first position in Nigeria.

Edo State achieved this feat with 92.8 of the candidates passing five subjects and above at credit level, including English and Mathematics. For the understanding of the lay man on the street, it means that 92.8 person of all those who wrote the May/June WAEC SS3 Examination are qualified for university admission, which is five credits, including English and Mathematics.

Before attaining this feat, Edo State came second in the 2021 WAEC SS3 Examination with 93.5% of the candidates scoring five credits and above in five subjects, including English and Mathematics.

It's noteworthy that Edo State has not come out below the third position in WAEC SS3 examination since the inception of the Governor Godwin Obaseki led administration in 2016.

This feat is surely worthy of commendation by all those who mean well for Edo State.

Public policy analysts and political watchers have been wondering why those who have criticized the educational reforms of the Obaseki government have not seen the need to congratulate the government on this achievement described not by a few as laudable.

These analysts and political pundits have admonished these critics to publicly acknowledge the good work the Godwin Obaseki led government is doing and the achievements therein thus far or risk being tagged by Edo people as those seeking the mandate of Edo people just  to recline on the table of the people's resources to appropriate them to themselves and their cronies.

They are also appealing to the warring factions in the PDP to sheath their swords and support Governor Godwin Obaseki to deliver the dividends of democracy to Edo people.

By Simeon Osajie

Divergent views have been trailing the news of the redeployment of the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, (REC), Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem to Cross River State.

While some political parties and political gladiators may be jubilating and celebrating the redeployment of Dr. Sinikiem as Edo State INEC REC, some are accusing INEC of bias in their decision.

These divergent opinions must have arisen as result of the several controversies that have dogged the monitoring of the recently conducted political party primaries wherein their candidates emerged for the 2023 general elections.

While some of the political parties and aspirants in the party primaries are giving kudos and commendations to the Edo State INEC REC and his men for monitoring the primary elections in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, others are giving the electoral umpire knocks and accusing the INEC REC of bias and alleged complicity in the organization of parallel congresses in some political parties and availing some aspirants documents to initiate litigations against their party.

A case in point was the petition by an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), one Prince Lucky Igbinedion to the Edo State Police Command accusing the Edo State INEC REC of allegedly forging INEC report in favour of one Osamudiamen Atu in the Edo State House of Assembly primary election of the APC for Orhionmwon East Constituency held on the 26th of May 2022.

Similarly, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic party PDP accused the Edo State INEC REC of allegedly forging the party's primary election results and availed same to some members of the party to initiate legal proceedings claiming victory in the primary elections.

In a petition signed by the chairman of the Edo State chapter of PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, urged the police to investigate the issues raised in the said petition and prosecute if need be. The Edo State PDP followed this petition up with a press statement which was made available to journalists and signed by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, further calling for the prosecution of Edo REC, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem for alleged forgery.

The Edo State PDP claimed in the said statement that there's no law that insulates INEC agents from investigation and possible prosecution.

According to the statement, "PDP request to the Police is very simple-to investigate and verify documents that Mr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem has been peddling as results of his imaginary Congresses and Primaries.

"The petition is backed by facts and we had initially refrained ourselves because the matter was before the Court. However, now that the Appeal Court in its ruling last week affirmed that the issue of Congresses and Primaries are Political Party's internal affairs, justice has been served in favour of the party".

The Edo State INEC REC was also accused by politicians and political parties in Edo State of alleged inappropriate handling of the voter’s registration exercise which ended on 31 July.

The Edo State chapter of the People's Redemption Party, PRP called for the replacement of the Edo State INEC REC based on alleged corruption exhibited by INEC staff during the voters registration exercise.

In a statement signed by the Edo State chairman of the PRP, Dr. Greg Igbinomwanhia said, "it is highly embarrassing that the bribery allegations in the last voters registration was vividly captured by a national newspaper in the country.

"The newspaper has reported that there was element of corruption during the voters registration with the commission demanding between N1,000 and N5,000 before eligible citizens are allowed to participate in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) ahead of the 2023 elections".

The said national newspaper also reported that INEC Head of Voters Registration and Publicity in Edo State, Mr. Timidi Wariowei disputed the allegation of bribery and inducement leveled against the commission, saying it was not true.

However, the Edo State Deputy chairman of the APC, Mr. Henry Tenebe faulted the redeployment of Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, accusing the national leadership of INEC of bias noting that it came about as a result of differences he had with leadership of Edo State chapter of PDP and admonished the electoral umpire to as a matter of urgency return Dr. Sinikiem as Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner to absolve itself of impartiality and complicity.

Political pundits and analysts in Edo State view the redeployment of Dr. Sinikiem from Edo as the only option left for INEC, not necessarily because he may be guilty of allegations against him as according to them, politicians have a proclivity of accusing the umpire and its agents of bias against them once the game is not going their way; but for the electoral umpire to extricate itself from accusations of bias by political parties and politicians ahead the 2023 general elections.

The political  pundits and observers also counseled the incoming Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo State to be mindful of how he will relate with politicians in the discharge of his duties, stick strictly to the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, be transparent in the discharge of his duties and possibly meet with the State Working Committees of political parties in the presence of newsmen while implementing some contentious issues affecting political parties to vindicate himself and the commission in any event of accusations by political parties and politicians.

By Eboigbe Cyril Zion

The advancement of a country is traceable to the level of literacy its citizens possesses. This is what separates the developed world from the underdeveloped world.

Literacy, the ability to read and write is almost as old as man. The first written communication dates back to 3500 B.C when only a few who knew how to read and write displayed their skills in public performances.

However in 23 B.C, books came on the scene first from Rome and then from the Middle East and Asian nations. During this period books were rare and very costly to get. But by the 15th century printed books became more common as it invoked the quest towards a reading culture amongst European life.

Again, the Industrial revolution brought about swift changes to the advancement of the reading culture in the world as a result of paper production which greatly reduced the cost of books. Thus the level of literacy increased around the world.

Africa was not left out, the missionaries coming into the hinterlands of Africa brought education and taught the people how to read and write as a result, schools were established during the colonial era and sustained after the independence of African nations, thus the level of literacy grew amongst Africans and their leaders making many African leaders to gain formal education in their home country and abroad.

According to the Collins dictionary, reading can be defined as a total integrated process that starts with the reader and includes the effective, perpetual and cognitive domains.

Through reading, humans have been able to transmit information or knowledge from one succeeding generation to the other, thus acquiring skills, learning and listening to wisdom and people of the ages.

In Nigeria for example, the decline in our reading culture today especially among children, has its root cause to the advancement in science and technology. Prior to the age of advanced technology like the internet and use of cell phones, reading and writing were the best form of communication such as pen pals. It was full of excitement to read a letter sent to you and quickly reply as soon as possible.

But in today’s world, not much of writing and reading can be found amongst student as communication is mostly carried out through the use of gadgets like phones and electronic mail.

In the past, interschool debate, essay competition and reading competition among students, were key motivations in enhancing our reading culture in schools especially public schools in Nigeria. The absence of this competition has greatly impaired the reading culture and educational system.

In a democratic society like ours, it is pertinent that everyone should be able to read in order to fully dispense the responsibilities enshrined in the constitution.

Developing a competent reading skill is one ability that helps to improve one’s efficiency hence students and employees alike should brace up the challenge to read and be acquainted with current events. Therefore developing a reading skill is essential to one’s success in life.

Reading is a life skill that should be nurtured from childhood. A child’s poor educational background is a direct reflection of his or her poor reading skills and consequential poor grade at school. These pupils often feel frustrated and distracted, have behavioral pattern associated with difficulty to cope in school and hence unable to develop their full potential.

Acquiring a reading skill is key to understanding all subject in school. There are certain requirement one must have in order to be a fervent reader. Such as a skill could help any reader find good books and captivate his interest.

Some of the skills for reading are skimming, scanning, light reading and word-for-word reading. To develop these skills there must be of a necessity a conducive learning environment for quiet study. To this end, libraries were established to carter for such needs.

Unfortunately, most places of learning, particularly primary and secondary schools are located in densely populated areas where noise and distraction hinders the smooth flow of reading. The short supply of books in the library shelves of most schools and almost non availability of library in some schools and communities contribute immensely to a poor reading culture.

The challenge of poor eye health from a child’s early age could also be a contributory factor. Accident or injuries to eyes, problems resulting from cataract, long sightedness and short sightedness not quickly identified and treated, could lead to complication of the eye sight among students.

However, despite the aforementioned factors, there are strategies that could be adopted to change the tide and take the nation from a poor reading nation to a reading nation and her citizens a reading people.

These include but not limited to the provision of adequate funded libraries equipped with books, charts, magazines, newspaper, literatures, journals and computers for e-libraries purpose.

Group reading is another way of creating fun. By reading together, students or people become motivated and their interest stimulated to express their knowledge and understanding of a subject or an issue. As such, good reading habits are formed as students are motivated to habitually read a book as often as possible.

Reading habits are also formed through storytelling, shield reading, formation of books clubs and a serene reading environment devoid of unwanted noise and distraction.

Developing a good reading skills is one way to build your reading culture. The use of an online dictionary like the oxford online dictionary is a good resource for defining unfamiliar words or ideas.

The use of an e-reader online will proffer access to digital books for sale or loans. Also, there are quite a number of websites that gives you access to universities libraries with permission to pre-copy right literary works online.

Reading improves our self-worth, intelligence, fluency, in addition to create pleasure as we read. In addition, it helps to improve our individual personality. Reading helps in essential discovery about life, places and events especially those not taught in the class room. That’s the more reason why teachers are to encourage students to cultivate a deliberate reading culture as a life practice beyond the class room or school environment.

By Eboigbe Cyril Zion

A Strong position held by proactivists for climate change and global
warming over the years continue to warn that human activities are harmful
to a safer earth with scientific evidence showing that human activities
(primarily the human burning of fossil fuels) increasingly pollutes the air
with the release of toxic carbon monoxide harmful to the environment with
various degrees of hazardous substances, which is toxic to human and
aquatic life.

One definition of climate change, refers to long-term shifts in
temperatures and weather conditions. These shifts may be natural such as
variation in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been
the main driver of climate change particularly due to burning fossils fuels
like coal, oil and gas.

Arguably, it is believed that global warming if left unchecked could reshape
the future of the earth leading to temperature changes, regions which were
known to be cool might become warmer and vice-versa. Other changes
expected include a warmer atmosphere due to sudden rise in the earth’s
temperature, causing warmer and more acidic ocean, rise in sea levels
beyond normal. Also an alarming changes in precipitation patterns.

That the future of climate change will negatively impair the earth, is a
function of how we responds to the earth’s plea for a reduced greenhouse
gas emissions. The more emissions are released into the earth’s surface the
more probable the negative impacts or changes would be.

According to experts, they opined that global temperature rise is
increasingly alarming and that there is about seventy-five per cent risk that
temperatures globally may rise with two to three degree in the next fifty
years. It will not be out of context to say the rise of just one or two degrees
would be catastrophic enough to melt the Greenland ice sheet and drown
the Maldives. But a three degree rise would devastate the Amazon
rainforest, wipe out nearly one third of the species going extinct and dwarf
crop yields as a result of changes in weather conditions.
Although the global climate goes through hot and cold cycles, but
increasingly alarming is the pace of change that could cause human
extinction.

According to scientists, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) conference on
global warming, noted that a time frame was issued following the findings
from the conference that global warming, would push outbreaks of
infectious diseases, create water shortages, famine, cause drought,
flooding, and catastrophic natural disaster such as hurricane and influx of
refugee fleeing inhabitable regions.

Study have shown that the projected impacts on wildlife and ecosystems,
food crops, water resources and economies across the earth, due to rising
temperature expected in the next 10 decades would cause some species of
wildlife to go extinct including human life.

Ultimately, there have been calls by supporters of climate change on global
warming mounting pressure on government and multinationals, challenging
them to adopt policies in favour of safe Earth for all.

Nonetheless, the calls by pro-climate activist on global warming are now
beginning to gain global attention especially with the case of Nigeria where
most of the oil wells are located in the Niger Delta region and had
continued gas flaring activities since 1950 when it first discovered oil.
It was not until 1980’s that technology was innovated for storing and
transporting the natural gas expelled during crude oil extraction.

Today, due to advanced technology natural gas can be cooled and
condensed into liquid form, known as liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Despite the economic advantage notwithstanding, Nigeria continues to
flare much of its gas and adds to countries listed for gas emission globally.

By Simeon OSAJIE

The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has not known peace since the commencement of the nomination process ahead the 2023 general elections.  The party has since been bifurcated into two factions, the old PDP also known as the Legacy PDP and the new PDP consisting of all those who came into the party alongside Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2020.

It is a matter of public knowledge that the two sides have been at daggers drawn since the commencement of the process leading to the congress of the party for the nomination of candidates for the 2023 general elections. The two factions went ahead to organize separate primaries and submitted results to the party national secretariat.  However, the Legacy PDP went to court to seek an order validating their factional primary as the authentic primary, a prayer that was granted by an Abuja Federal High Court. The court also ordered the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept the candidates from that factional primary as the candidates of the Edo State chapter of the party.

However, the new PDP also went to court seeking an order to validate their own primary as the validly conducted primary election of the party. That case went up the Court of Appeal in Benin with a declaration that nomination of candidates is an internal affair of the party.

The new PDP also appealed the Abuja Federal High Court ruling at the Abuja Court of Appeal.  The Court of Appeal in Abuja also declared that the nomination of candidates for elections is the internal affairs of the party.

Several political pundits and analysts view the Appeal Court judgments as hunk judgments, just as it is being rumoured that some of those laying claims to the party candidacy have gone to the Supreme Court praying for a declarative order on their candidacy.

The matter even degenerated to the extent that the party has to petition the Edo State Resident Electoral Commission (REC) to the police, accusing him of forging results of the primary election and availing same to a faction of the party to file suits at the law courts.

It should be noted that Edo people who wholeheartedly voted the PDP back to power in 2020 via Governor Godwin Obaseki after more than a decade are not happy. The party should be sincere with itself and call all the claimants to the candidacy to a round table with a view to resolving all the issues in contention, settle out of court and withdraw all pending litigations.

As a first step towards the realization of this out of court settlement, the Edo State PDP State Working Committee (SWC) should immediately convene a meeting, sincerely purge themselves of any vestige of bias against any of the claimants to the party candidacy and make an appeal to the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki who is the leader of the party to intervene to pave way for out of court resolution of the crisis.
 
The party should leverage on the provisions of Sections 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022 dealing on the withdrawal of candidates from the election to share the elective positions between the Legacy PDP members and the new PDP members. It is against the grain for the Legacy PDP members to corner all the elective positions to their members and expect support from the new PDP members who came to the party with Governor Obaseki. By the same token, it will be unfair of the new PDP members to appropriate all the elective positions to their members alone leaving the Legacy PDP members in the cold.

The party should invoke the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2022 which states that, “a political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under Section 29 of this Act, except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate; provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of candidate, the political party affected shall within 14 days of the occurrence of the event, hold a fresh primary election to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the Commission for the election concerned."

Section 31 provides that all these should be done not later than 90 days to the date of the election.

Members of the Edo State PDP should make a passionate appeal to the Governor and leaders of the party to explore the provisions of these Sections of the Electoral Act to resolve the crisis rocking the party and withdraw all pending litigations which outcome will further divide the party.

This proposed reconciliation encapsulated in the spirit of give and take, sacrifice for the party’s interest and the interests of the Nigerian masses suffering under the yoke of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC); will surely assist to bat dawn all electoral hurdles for the candidates and the Edo State chapter of the PDP and enhance their chances of registering victory in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

May I caution with all the equivocally that I can muster that if this crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the party continue beyond the next two months, it will make the party strength become as lean as a rake and wasted to skeleton in the run up to the 2023 general elections and what becomes of its electoral fortunes can only be imagined than experienced.

All those laying claims to the party tickets at various levels and their supporters vide the various court pronouncements should stop giving an impression of settled and irreversible conquest of the situation.
 
They should stop equating their perceived previous success with ability to neutralize obstacles as it would be near fatal for them to approach the general elections with a divided house.  The candidates need the cohesion of the party and support of every member to face their major opponent, which is the nation’s ruling party in the general elections.

...Calls for immediate replacement, prosecution by Edo State Police Command.

 
By Osajie Simeon

The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) has called for the immediate replacement and the prosecution of the Edo State Resident Election Commissioner, (REC), Dr. Johnson Alaibo Sinikiem.

The PRP demand is coming few weeks after a similar call by the ruling party in the party, People's Democratic party (PDP).

The PDP had in a petition signed by the party chairman,  Dr. Tony Aziegbemi accused the Edo REC of forgery and falsification of reports.

The PRP in a statement signed  by the party's chairman, Dr. Greg Igbinomwanhia said the party’s stance is based on the recent corruption exhibited during the recent voters registration in the state where money was alleged to have exchanged hands between the INEC officials and the people as a condition for registration.

According to the party,  "it is highly embarrassing that the bribery allegations in the last voters registration was vividly captured by a leading national newspaper in the country.

The newspaper has reported that there was element of corruption during  the voters registration with the Commission demanding between N1,000 and N5,000 before eligible citizens are allowed to participate in the continuous voter registration (CVR) ahead of the 2023 elections, applicants have alleged.

Dr. Igbinomwanhia condemned the attitude of the Edo REC who he said gave the laxity to the personnel for allowing his staff to deny the citizenry their civil responsibilities due to corruption.

Dr. Igbinomwanhia also stated that the petitions from Edo PDP and APC has enough evidence to prosecute the Edo REC, over their  involvement in the bribery scandal.

By Osajie Simeon

The Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the recent shield provided for the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Johnson Alaibo Sinikiem by the National body of the Commission and similarly insisted on Police prosecution.

The party in statement issued in Benin city and signed by it's State Chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbemi draws the attention of the Commission's Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to the statement by Mr. Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, which he considered as a cover up and ways to intimidate, coarse and prevent the police from concluding the ongoing investigation of Dr. Sinikiem.

According to Dr Aziegbemi, the PDP request to the police is to investigate and verify documents that Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem has been peddling as results of his imaginary Congresses and Primaries.

"I condemn in very strong terms, Okoye's comments as being subversive, and capable of ridiculing the electoral body as a transparent institution."

According to Dr. Aziegbemi, "There are no laws that insulates agents of INEC or any other State or Federal institutions from investigation and possibly, criminal trial, especially in a case of forgery."

He said, "The petition is backed by facts and we had initially refrained ourselves, because the matter was before the court. However, now that the Appeal Court in its ruling last week affirmed that the issue of Congresses and Primaries are Political Party's internal affairs, justice has been served in favour of the party, we challenge Dr. Sinikiem to defend himself against the very heavy proof of falsification that has been levelled against him."

Edo PDP Chairman further challenged the Edo REC with a series of questions to provide answers to, which are: (i) What communication did he act on, regarding the addresses of venues approved by the PDP National Working Committee? (ii) What does the INEC guideline say about the organization of Congresses and Primaries of political parties? From facts at the disposal of the party, Dr. Sinikiem ignored communications from both the NWC and the office of State Chairman. As a matter of fact, he assumed the authority of our party. "

"For the avoidance of doubt, and without equivocation, Dr. Sinikiem has failed to defend his verbal claim that he monitored any parallel delegates congress and Primaries in Edo State."

"PDP has records to prove that Dr. Sinikiem merely sat behind in INEC office and rubber stamped the forged papers that were passed to him by paid agents.

"In the spirit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu's determination to always deliver free, fair and transparent election, we call on him to support moves by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, to thoroughly investigate the allegation of falsification by the PDP against Dr. Sinikiem, the REC in Edo State. This is more important as the nation moves towards critical elections in 2023."

"Sadly and painfully too, Dr. Sinikiem partisan role in the internal workings of PDP, has considerably festered division in the party.

"In the prevailing circumstance, where the police is being prevented from investigating and prosecuting Dr. Johnson Alaibo Sinikiem, we shall have no other option to the fact, that he used his position as the Resident Electoral Commissioner, to cause division, disaffection, in the manner an interested party will do, in what the Appeal court has now said is the internal affair of our political party."

Dr Aziegbemi further remarked that the bribery allegations of the commission officials in the ongoing voters registration is a further prove of the activities of INEC in Edo State under the supervision of Dr. Johnson Alaibo Sinikiem.

Dr Aziegbemi had recently forwarded a petition to the Edo state police command accusing the Edo REC, Dr. Johnson Alaibo Sinikiem of forgery and falsification of results of Congresses and Primaries conducted by the various panels set up and sent to the State by the NWC of the party.

The petition, amongst other things, accused the REC of forgery and falsification of results of Congresses and primaries conducted by the various panels set up and sent to the State by the NWC of the PDP.

By Simeon Osajie

The euphoria of the victory of Ademola Adeleke of  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last governorship elections in Osun State may have subsided,  but what may not be forgotten in a hurry are the attendant beneficial moral lessons from the contest that are vividly instructive.

 

One of such didactic lessons which any  political party or individual  desirous of  electoral victory must indelibly commit to memory is that, it is only the collaborative push of all members that guarantees electoral victory, as palpably exemplified by the Osun example.

 

It may be safe to say that the mediatory  roles played by the former Senate President Bukola Saraki as Chairman of the party’s National Reconciliation and Strategic Committee (NRSC) and other invaluable contributions of the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and others,  positioned them to have the ears and heart of many stalwarts of the PDP in a  bid to mend fences and ensure that the party enters into the  contest against its arch rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as an unbreakable, formidable  and united force.

 

Their roles in  fence mending amongst the aggrieved party leaders, their planning and monitoring of the decisive moments ensured the victory that the PDP is currently savouring in that  State today. Certainly, that would not be possible in an acrimonious atmosphere as is the case presently  with  Edo PDP.

 

The Edo State PDP as it were, is  an  institution. A formidable political institution  like a deity,   that  requires a prescribed  and acceptable  pattern  of comportment. Anything less is unacceptable but a wakeup call for anarchy  because a deity that requires, for instance,  blood sacrifice,  would not accept oil, no matter how much quantity you offer, until the  prescribed and acceptable sacrifice is administered.

 

That  sacrifice the Edo PDP urgently requires now to bring it back to the path of corporate sanity, is the sacrifice of peace not of court litigations.

 

Litigations between the PDP folds are divisive. The party has no business or gain in internal crisis of the party. Litigations in Edo PDP is like cutting off the nose to spite the face.

 

The choice of litigations in place of internal peaceful resolution of the Edo PDP differences readily brings to mind the words  of  Frederick Foresight, in his book, " THE DEVIL'S ALTERNATIVE" where he said and I quote, "WHICH EVER OPTION I CHOOSE, MEN ARE BOUND TO DIE." 

 

The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) currently faces the Devil's alternative in their choice of Court litigations,   because the Court victory of any of the factions affects the unity and party cohesion which is the driving force behind electoral victories. A Court win for any of the warring faction is a loss for the unity of the party as a whole.

 

It is considered in some quarters that the recent Court of  Appeal judgment in Abuja which affirmed the power of the  party to choose its representatives in elections through processes defined by its internal leadership and consistent with its  constitution is soft landing for the party and a leeway for internal peaceful resolution of the current crisis.

 

During the struggle by the African National Congress (ANC) and the South Africans against the Apartheid policy  in South Africa,  the  late Steve Biko of blessed memories said,  "the most powerful weapon in the hands of the opponent or the oppressor  is the mind of the oppressed.”

 

It is a fact universally acknowledged that the opportunity of winning an opponent is most often times provided by the opponent himself.


 
What the above statements translate to is that, the state of mind of the PDP as a corporate entity as it were presently,  is a weapon in the hands of its opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) because the PDP has successfully mutilated its  corporate esteem and therefore  lacking in social and moral capital which are expedient in  cohesion building, which are the cumulative recipe for electoral victories.

 

According to political observers and analysts, what the Edo PDP urgently requires now is a comprehensive action plan of  reconciliation in the real sense of it; a reconciliation package that would be all encompassing and acceptable to both divide. A reconciliation package designed to give a sense of belonging to all members of the party; a sacrificial reconciliation which must be concessional from the feuding parties.

 

Everyone in Edo State PDP for instance, must accept that His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the governor of the State is the Leader of the Party.  It has to be acknowledged that though this is not in the Party’s Constitution, it is based on conventional wisdom and it is so in all the States of the Federation that has a PDP Governor, Edo cannot be an exception.

 

The Governor too, should also accept the fact that he has to do statewide consultations before taking any major decision concerning the party.  Every member of the party has to feel that they were part of the decision making process.  This allows for easy implementation.  With the mien of the State Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, we are confident that this crisis can and would be resolved soon.

 

Edo PDP should also solicit the support of prominent and credible individuals at the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party hierarchy to midwife the reconciliatory process. 

 

To consummate  the glory of true reconciliation, all the aggrieved must  demonstrate, in words and in actions, true preparedness for a peaceful and willingness for an enduring truce that will restore the troubled party to its lost glory.