₦airaland Forum

Political leaders of the South East geopolitical zone across all political parties, have insisted that it was turn of the region to produce president in the 2023 general elections.

The resolution was reached at the South East bipartisan meeting held at Igbere, Abia State country home of Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Tuesday.

Igbere TV had earlier reported about the meeting which held to discuss the political future of the South East region ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

At the meeting monitored by Igbere TV, the leaders argued that Nigerians across political, ethnic, and religious divides fought hard, long, and collectively to enthrone the current democratic dispensation as the surest way to engender national development and guarantee a just and equitable society “where every section of the country enjoys a sense of belonging.”

The meeting observed that the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has rotated between Northern and Southern Nigeria and among the various geopolitical zones. “Thus, the South West and South South geopolitical zones in the southern part of the country have produced the President of Nigeria.

“Hence as power is expected to rotate to the South in 2023, the South East is the only zone in the South that is yet to produce a President of Nigeria in the current democratic dispensation,” a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting made available to Igbere TV, further revealed.

The well-attended meeting further observed that the people of the South East region have continued to demonstrate their commitment to the unity and development of the country, Nigeria.

“Not only has the geopolitical zone actively supported the emergence of Nigerian President of other geopolitical extractions, the people are also known to be major agents of development and heavy investors outside their zone and often the next in population after the indigenes in any state of Nigeria.

“Our well-pronounced presence and investments in every nook and cranny of the country represent the firmest and most practical demonstration of faith in the unity, peace, and continued corporate existence of the country, for where a man’s treasure is, there his heart lies also,” it said.

Resolutions/Demands

After exhaustive and incisive deliberations, the leaders resolved to recommit themselves to the “deepening of the nation’s democracy as the surest way of fast-tracking national development and building an egalitarian society where no man is oppressed for reasons of his class, ethnic, religious or political affiliation and background.”

They implored Nigerians across political, ethnic, religious, and geopolitical divides and persuasions to support the people of the South East zone to produce a Nigerian President of South East extraction “as a mark of good faith and to promote justice and national harmony.”

“For emphasis, we deem this very important in giving every part of the country a sense of belonging and in promoting national unity and solidarity. It is the loudest reassurance of equality of all parts and that the country indeed belongs to all members of the Nigerian commonwealth ”

Furthermore, the meeting called on all the political parties to cede their presidential tickets in the 2023 general election to the South East “in the interest of justice, equity and national unity.”

“To make good our demand and reciprocate such good faith, we have decided, as a geopolitical zone with substantial presence in every part of the country to give a block vote and throw our full weight behind any major political party, particularly the APC and PDP, that zones its presidential ticket to the South East in 2023 general election. We resolved to work for such a party irrespective of our different individual political parties.

“To emphasis that what we seek is a Nigerian President of South East extraction, one that will work to further unite and develop every part of the country. Such a President will be President of all Nigerians irrespective of their political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, ensuring that all citizens and every part of the country is given a sense of belonging and treated with utmost sense of justice. Such was the dream of the founding fathers of this great nation wherefore they declared that though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand. For the same reason, they also committed to building a just nation where no man is oppressed so that Nigeria may be blessed with peace, plenty, and prosperity.”

The communiqué was signed by the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu; Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Ebonyi Central Senator, Joseph Obinna; House of Reps spokesman, Benjamin Kalu and House of Reps Deputy Whip, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.

Others were: Chief Chuka Odum, Sen. Michael Nnachi, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Hon. Amechi O. Danis, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Rep. Makwe Livinus M, Dr. Oliver Osi, Hon Ali Okechukwu and Hon Stanley Ohajuruka.

“The average person in Abia cannot access health care, we are pleading with you sir to come to the aid of doctors in Abia State”. Those were the words of the Abia State Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Okwuonu Chimezie to Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu during a courtesy visit of the medical body to Kalu’s Igbere country home.

Pained by the non-payment of their 18 months salaries and other pressing issues, Igbere TV reports that Doctors of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) under the NMA on Monday took their plight to the home of Kalu, a former Governor of the state.

The Doctors who spoke through the NMA lamented the deteriorating state of the teaching Hospital. According to them, due to the non-payment of their 18 months salaries, doctors in the state have become demoralised which has in turn affected Healthcare delivery in the state.

Dr. Okwuonu in his speech disclosed further that, due to the anomaly, hundreds of doctors have since migrated from the state's teaching hospital in search of greener pastures to other states and abroad.

He lamented that unlike in the past ABSUTH was no longer competitive. He emphasised that the sector had deteriorated so badly, asking Senator Kalu to intervene.

Okwuonu commended Senator Kalu's strides in the health sector during his tenure as Governor which included building and relocating ABSUTH to its permanent site, consistent payment of workers salaries amongst others.

According to Okwuonu, Senator Kalu as Governor of the state repositioned the state's health sector which produced medical doctors that are currently pioneering so many sectors of the medical field both national and international sectors.

In his words, “You built and transferred the Abia State Teaching Hospital to its current site and that teaching hospital as at the time you were the Governor of this state(Abia) produced so many medical doctors that are currently pioneering so many sectors of the medical field both national and international sectors.

“In fact one of the key neurological surgeons in the world today is a graduate of ABSUTH and a good number of them are playing key roles in the United States of America and the United Kingdom in ensuring that health care delivery is sustained in these places.”

He continued, “Our major aim for visiting you today is to intimate you of our plans to partner with you to continue to deliver health care in that teaching hospital. You may also be aware of the current state of the Teaching Hospital, it is not a hidden secret that workers in that hospital are demotivated, as we speak the medical doctors and other health care workers are owed salaries to the tune of 18 months and the motivation in ABSUTH is very poor. All the workers under the umbrella of Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU) are on strike and health services have been grounded for months now.”

Okwuonu appealed to Senator Kalu to deploy his numerous influence regardless of political affiliation to intervene so that the workers salaries would be paid and to also improve the health care delivery in ABSUTH.

He said, “We know that people like you have the reach to attract NGOs and other foundations while on our side we can provide the requisite man power in any area you need it to ensure that your mission and your dreams and your lofty ideas are carried out. Another issue is we have an NMA house that we are currently building , so we need your assistance to see that the building is completed because the building will take care of the welfare of the doctors in Abia State, the building will serve as a secretariat and event center for hosting our programmes.”

In his response, the Senate Chief Whip thanked the association for the visit, disclosing his readiness to partner with the association using his Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and others to improve health care delivery in the state.

“We have a foundation that has been a lot, particularly in the health sector, recently we went on a medical outreach to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Camps. We distributed drugs to vulnerable persons, so this visit is good so we can explore other areas to partner so we can do more,” he said.

On their salaries, Senator Kalu assured the association that he would reach out to the relevant stakeholders to ensure that their salaries were paid.

Speaking further, Kalu enumerated his achievements in the health sector during his eight years tenure as governor of Abia.

His words: “I awarded a 1 billion naira contract for the construction of the teaching hospital, the contractor partnered with a German company to equip the hospital to a first class standard. We promptly paid workers their salaries because we understood that when workers are duly paid the economy will grow. Unfortunately my successors failed to build on where we stopped. Democracy is redefined by the Government being guided by majority of the people not Government for the people and by the people.”

https://igberetvnews.com/1377946/absuth-turn-sen-kalu-intervention-18-months-unpaid-salaries/

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Immediate past acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Gbene (Dr) Joi Nunieh, has emerged 'Public Servant of the Year' in the 2020 Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards.

The prestigious Leadership Excellence Awards, recognises and honours the outstanding impacts of leaders across several sectors and industries in Nigeria. The most anticipated 2020 'lockdown edition' is slated for December 10 at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Abuja.

The Award is endorsed by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), an advisory body of the African Union (AU) designed to give civil society organizations (CSOs) a voice within the AU institutions and decision-making processes.

Nunieh, who was well known for her stance against corruption while she held sway as NDDC boss, beat five other nominees — including Hadiza Bala Usman, Abike Dabiri, Priscilla Ekwere Eleje and Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye — to emerge winner in a seven-day voting by Nigerians via online platforms.

According to Nigerians, who nominated and massively voted the Ogoni-born ex NDDC managing director, the choice of Nunieh was for her defiant fight for the soul of Nigeria, despite attempts on her life and attacks on her image.

The Rivers-born daughter of the first Ogoni lawyer, as NDDC MD, carried out a contract verification exercise which required contractors to go to the states where the contracts took place to go and register it and get it verified by an interim panel; an act that pitched her against state actors.

Nunieh, who holds the highest title in Ogoni land and the only living Gbene in the Kingdom, exposed several shoddy contract deals within the Commission, revealing that one senator alone had over 300 contracts and that 120 were paid for without any scratch of work.

She followed this by disclosing that one man was pocketing N1billion every month to help collect statutory funds from the oil companies mandated by the NDDC Act of 2000 to remit to the Commission. Not a few were angry.

At a brief profiling event of the awardee on Tuesday, November 24, in Port Harcourt, the Ogoni-born Nunieh expressed gratitude to Nigerians for standing by her throughout her tenure as NDDC MD, and for finding her worthy of nomination and their votes.

Describing the Leadership Excellence Award as "most credible", which prompted her acceptance of the nomination and vote, Nunieh lauded the Igbere TV management team for their good works.

“I am more than delighted to be named public servant of the year 2020 by Nigerians. I am particularly grateful because our people recognise our fight for the soul of Nigeria as NDDC MD”, she said.

“I, therefore, thank Nigerians for finding me worthy of this great honour and deserving of this prestigious award. This goes to show that we did the right thing, and were being watched,” the ex-NDDC MD added.

This year’s event would be one of the most outstanding and credible Award ceremonies in Nigeria, as personalities in the Presidency, State Governments, National and State Assemblies, Economic Industries, Humanitarian Affairs and Human Activism are expected to grace the occasion.

Some of the awardees include, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian President (Foundation of the Year); Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Car Maker of the Year); Chief (Hon) Alex Ikwechegh, Founder of Alex Ikwechegh Foundation (Personality of the Year); Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor, General Overseer, Omega Power Ministries (Most Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year); and Chief Uche Nwosu, former Imo State governorship candidate and Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government (Hospitality Personality of the Year).

Others are: Senator Uba Sani, Kaduna Central (Senator of the Year); Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, Abia Assembly speaker (Speaker of the Year); Dr. Betta Edu, Cross River State Commissioner for Health (Medical Expert of the Year); Hon. Sir. Melie Onyejepu, General Manager of Anambra Bureau of Public Procurement (State Public Servant of the Year); Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ondo First Lady (Woman of the Year on Empowerment); and former Governor of Kano State, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Founder of Kwankwasiyya Foundation (N.G.O of the Year).

Also on the list are, Mrs Karima Babangida, Director FDA, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Civil Servant of the Year); Valentine Ozigbo, the immediate past President and CEO of Transcorp PLC, founder of VCO Foundation and frontline governorship aspirant in the Anambra 2021 election (Empowerment Personality of the Year); Justice Nuagbe, better known as Ushbebe (Comedian of the Year); and Dr. George Moghalu, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA (Maritime Personality of the Year).

While Dr. Alice Onyema, Vice-Chairman of Air Peace is being awarded as Aviation Personality of the Year; Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuife, CEO/Managing Director of Property Finders Limited, developers of Centage Estate, Lagos and Oil Spring Estate, bags Businesswoman of the Year award; with Prof. Georgewill Owunari, the former Deputy Provost, College of Health Sciences (UNIPORT) and Board member of the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, emerging as 'Educationist of the Year'; and Olakunle Churchill as 'ICT Personality of the Year', among others.

The 2019 edition of the Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards which held 28th November, 2019 at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja saw distinguished and prominent captains of industry, public figures and leaders cling on to the various Award categories.

Prominent awardees included President Muhammadu Buhari, United States-based Nigerian billionaire medical doctor, Dr. Godwin Maduka; former President Goodluck Jonathan, former House of Reps Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; minister Rotimi Amaech, Senator Rochas Okorcha, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, among others.

According to Igbere TV, organizers of the Award event, this year’s edition which holds Dec. 10, has been tagged Africa’s biggest and most glamorous online media award. The programme will be transmitted live on DSTV, GOTV, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Zoom, Instagram and other social media platforms with over 10 million audience globally.

Five Nigerian states will get a refund of over one hundred and forty-eight billon naira (N148,141,969,161.24) for road projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.

This was as the Senate on Tuesday, November 24 approved President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for a refund of the said sum to the affected states.

Igbere TV gathers the five states to include, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, Osun and Ondo. The money will be refunded to the coffers of the states government.

The approval was sequel to the consideration of a report by the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts Chaired by Senator Clifford Ordia (PDP, Edo Central).

Ordia in his presentation stated that most of the Federal highways in the beneficiary states where said projects were executed “were at a deplorable state before the intervention of the state governments.”

According to him, “series of visits were carried out by the Federal Ministry it Works and Housing on all Federal Roads completed by the States and ascertained that the quality off work done met the required standard.”

The lawmaker however noted that states like Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and Ondo States embarked on the highway projects execution as far back as 2005 to date.

He added that while the State Governments have completed all projects, as well as paid all contractors, the Federal Bureau of Procurement on its part certified that due process was followed accordingly.

All the kidnap victims on-board a Toyota Hiace bus belonging to a popular transport company in Edo State, have been released.

Similarly, chairman of the Esan Central Local Government Council in Edo state, Professor Waziri Edokpa, has been released.

Also not left out is Miss Oghogho Christiana, the 400level medical student of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who N7m ransom was earlier demanded for her release.

Igbere TV recalls that all the victims were kidnapped along the Benin - Ekpoma Expressway, which has, in recent time, become a 'safe haven' for kidnappers.

Although the kidnapping occurred separate hours, early Friday, it was gathered that the same set of armed bandits took them away into the thick bush.

Details of their release are still sketchy, Igbere TV, however, gathered that the transport company paid a whopping sum of N9 million ransom to secure the release of all victims.

The Abuja-bound passengers, said to be 14 in numbers, were taken earlier before the council boss and AAU student were abducted separately by same sect.

The N9 million ransom was said to have, however, covered the entire kidnap victims who were released Friday night with the driver of the bus shot dead earlier.

A staff of the transport company privy to the arrangement, who craved anonymity due to sensitivity of the matter, confirmed the development.

The staff said, "we had to make all necessary arrangements because they (the kidnappers) said we have until Friday night to do the needful."

The source was however silent on the method of delivery of the cash, or how much was first demanded. Another official confirmed the killing of the bus driver.

The public relations officer of the Edo state police command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, could not be immediately reached for comment.

However, a relative of the kidnapped AAU student confirmed the victim had been released. "We so much thank God and remain grateful to [name withheld] - the transport company", the relative said.

Students Union officials and course mates of the student have since taken to social media to celebrate the release of Miss Christiana.

Meanwhile, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has re-emphasized the existing 10pm to 6am curfew in the state to checkmate the rising level of insecurity in Edo.

This was as the governor urged security agencies in the state to check the activities of hoodlums and criminals following the hijack of the #EndSARS protests in the state.

Obaseki spoke on Friday when he received the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Anthony Bamidele Omozoje, at the Government House, in Benin City.

Igbere TV reports that the visit was to inform the governor on plans by the military to embark on a seven-day heightened security operation to fish out criminal elements in the state.

https://igberetvnews.com/1372461/edo-transport-company-pay-n9m-secure-release-abducted-passengers-lga-boss/

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The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of economist and stockbroker, Mr. Albert Okumagba.

Igbere TV reports that Okumagba, who died at the age of 56 years, was an investment banker and Obaseki’s ally, who hailed from Delta State.

In a statement forwarded to Igbere TV, the governor said the news of Okumagba's passing came to him as a rude shock, noting that he would be sorely missed.

The governor extended condolences to his wife and the entire Okumagba family, praying that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

He also commiserated with late Okumagba's friends, professional colleagues and business associates, noting that his “prayers are with them during this difficult period.”

Barely a week after being inaugurated for a second term and two months after winning re-election, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has rolled out tough decisions in the state on governance.

Igbere TV reports that on Friday, the governor ordered contractors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to immediately stop executing projects or undertaking contracts in the state.

Obaseki said the state government is approaching the court to seek an order stopping the federal agency from embarking on any project in the state without the consent of the state’s Executive Council.

Speaking when management team of Seplat Petroleum Company Limited paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, in Benin City, Obaseki said the NDDC has continued to fail the people of the region in the discharge of its responsibilities.

The governor noted: “We embarked on a very ambitious project by signing an agreement with the NDCC and Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDOPADEC), to jointly construct the Benin-Abraka Road. Unfortunately, NDDC, as usual, failed and we are going to Court. We will not allow them to operate in the State except subject to our approving every project.

“They are only to execute projects cleared by the State Executive Council. They can't come into the state and dictate to us what they want to do here. It’s our money and we will determine what we want, not them telling us what they want to do.”

“All NDDC contractors in Edo State are stopped forthwith from undertaking any contract or any work in the state. We want to go back and focus on our priorities. We want to build that Benin/Abraka Road. We are re-awarding that road,” Obaseki added.

Igbere TV recalls that Obaseki had made similar move against the NDDC when he allegedly, through his ally, a lawyer, approached the court stopping the inauguration of the then NDDC team constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari.

An Edo man, Dr. Pius Odubu and opponent in the then All Progressives Congress (APC) party of the governor was named chairman of the Commission, but the court processes stalled the inauguration.

This forced the President the reconstitute the NDDC team, allowing an interim committee to oversee the activities of the commission. Odubu was deputy governor and ally to former APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, whom Obaseki was at loggerheads with for months before decamping to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to win re-election.

Mali on Friday, September 25, inaugurated Mr. Bah N'daw, as the new interim President, to pilot the affairs of the country for the next 18 months.

Also sworn in by the West African country was Colonel Assimi Goita, who was inaugurated as the nation's Vice President.

Their inauguration comes exactly five years weeks after the former president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, was ousted from office, Igbere TV reports.

N'daw, 70, a former Defence Minister, was picked by the coup leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, to head a transitional government until elections, which are expected in 18 months.

The appointment of a civilian president was a condition for the West African regional group, ECOWAS, to lift the sanctions it imposed after the coup.

After taking oath of office, the Attorney General of the Supreme Court asked the president and his vice to release all civilian and military figures arrested since after the coup or bring them to justice.

During the 18-month transition of N'daw, he is expected to set up a cabinet of a maximum of 25 members, headed by a prime minister to be appointed by him.

A National Transitional Council, composed of 121 members, is also to be set up as Mali's legislative body any moment from now.

Those who witnessed the inauguration ceremony were Nigeria's former president Goodluck Jonathan, who is mediator of ECOWAS, and President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo.

On his Facebook page, Jonathan wrote; "Today, we witnessed the swearing-in of His Excellency Mr. Bah N'daw and Colonel Assimi Goita as President and Vice President of Mali's Transition Government.

"The Ecowas_Cedeao mediation team congratulates these new Malian leaders and wish them success as they embark on an 18-month long task of restoring normalcy, stabilising the country, uniting the people and overseeing the process that will produce the next democratically elected president of the beautiful country of Mali."

https://igberetvnews.com/1365921/breaking-mali-swears-new-president-18-months-photos/

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Guinea Bissau, commissioned a road named after him in the West African country.

Igbere TV had earlier reported how the Nigerian leader departed the country, to participate in the Guinea Bissau National Day Celebration.

Unveiling the road project with President Buhari was his Guinea Bissau counterpart, Umaro Sissoco Embaló and that of Senegal, Macky Sall.

The Guinea Bissau National Day celebration, which marks the West African country's 47th independence anniversary, held at the 24 de Setembro National Stadium, Bissau.

Also joining President Buhari at the independence day anniversary were heads of state of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and that of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré.

Speaking at the event, the Nigerian leader said Nigeria will continue to assist Guinea-Bissau in any way possible, saying ‘‘a peaceful and prosperous guinea-Bissau is a win for West Africa and for Africa.’’

Congratulating President Embalo, the government and people of Guinea Bissau on the 47th Independence anniversary, Buhari said it was his sincere hope and prayer that the country and its people will continue to grow in strength and prosperity.

Igbere TV reports that on September 10, 1974 Guinea Bissau declared its independence from Portugal, after a protracted struggle for freedom, which brought Portuguese colonization to an end.

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has denied being under pressure from party leaders to accept defeat.

Ize-Iyamu stated this in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV, Thursday, while reacting to a report in the newspapers, urging the various media agencies to desist from speculative reporting.

In the statement signed by his Director of Communication and Media, Mr. John Mayaki, he said, "I was shocked this morning when I saw reports saying I begged Obaseki to return to APC after the election. While immediately responding to it, another one emerged. I will restate that I never begged him to return after the election. I deliberately did not reply when I saw all that rumour on the social media with people tagging me in them.

"Now I saw another report in the media stating that APC leaders are mounting pressure on me to accept defeat. In all fairness to the National leadership of my party, they never mounted any pressure on me. So I wonder where their source got information from. The public reposes a lot of trust in the media for authentic information. What happens when this trust is betrayed?"

Meanwhile, Pastor Ize-Iyamu in the statement made available to Igbere TV, reiterated his earlier position that he had not yet made up his mind on the next step to take.

"I already tweeted that I am studying the result and consulting widely on my next line of action. Speculative reporting must be condemned. When I make up my mind, I will let my supporters know. For now, patience is what I implore. Not violence, not anger will help us now. Dignity will manifest in how we bounce back from this minor setback," he said.

The APC candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu lost to incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded election.

Igbere TV reports that Governor Obaseki secured 307,955 votes to defeat Ize-Iyamu, his closest rival, who got 223,619 votes in the Sept. 19 gubernatorial election.

Although President Muhammadu Buhari and the Mai Mala Buni-led APC national caretaker committee had since congratulated Obaseki on his re-election, Ize-Iyamu is yet to concede defeat.

Rumours are rife that the APC faction in Edo loyal to its former National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, would challenge the victory of Obaseki in court up to the Supreme Court.

Already, the Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has been set up in Sapele Road, Benin, and a panel constituted by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Menem.

https://igberetvnews.com/1365770/edo-guber-im-pressure-concede-defeat-ize-iyamu/

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The Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation has called on the traditional media to perform due diligence in reporting events arising from Edo State, "as unprofessionalism would render them as tools for PDP".

This was in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV by the Director of Communication and Media of the Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation, Mr John Mayaki, who reacted to claims that APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu appealed to Governor Godwin Obaseki to return to APC yesterday at a press conference in Abuja.

Mayaki, who noted that nothing of such happened, explained that "the media has once again lent itself to the fabrications of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP, as they did throughout the election."

"We warned several times that the media should beware of fabrications from Obaseki and the PDP camp, but they did not listen. That is why they have reported that the election was free and fair, and that is why they have said our candidate appealed to Obaseki to come back to APC. The video in reference is from three months ago, not after the election but doctored by Governor Obaseki media handlers to seek undue legitimacy”, he disclosed.

He also wondered if the media was being sponsored by Governor Obaseki and the PDP, as it seemed implausible that they actually believed the story. This is even more so, when reporters in Benin city would report Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu who is currently in Abuja where the various media organisations are also domiciled - this is to tell you the suspicion inherent in the viral video.

"Pastor Ize-Iyamu was reported in the stories as speaking from Abuja, but it was the Benin reporters that covered the story. Were the reporters transported to Abuja? Do these media agencies actually believe the stories they carry? Obaseki and the PDP has a way of leaking false news to the media and the media has to be sensitive and professional in receiving these news."

Meanwhile, in the statement made available to Igbere TV, Mayaki also warned that there is a fake twitter account purporting to belong to Pastor Ize-Iyamu, which has been disseminating false information.

He warned the media to avoid it like a plague and verify all their information before passing them on.

He said, "I only wish the media had been more professional during the elections; they were not and what is done is done. They don't know how violent and anti-democratic it was in several parts of Edo State, including Egor in Benin City, and so they reported that the elections were free and fair. At least, going forward, let them verify all news before passing it on. It is the basic ethic of the profession”.

https://igberetvnews.com/1365740/edo-guber-ive-addressed-press-election-says-ize-iyamu/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44