The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has hailed the resilience and dexterity of Edo citizens in commemoration of the 29th year anniversary of the state, which was created from the old Bendel State on August 27, 1991, Igbere TV reports.
The governor, in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV, said the state has made appreciable progress in its march to progress, drawing from the contribution of its illustrious sons and daughters who have built on the strides made by the state’s founding fathers.
According to him, “I celebrate the 29th year anniversary of our dear state, Edo State, which has lived up to its billing as the heartbeat of the nation. In the almost three decades of our existence as a nation, we have grown in leaps and bounds, providing the space for our people to thrive and find their purpose and essence despite prevailing difficulties, differences and individual persuasions.”
He noted that since the inception of his administration, there have been concerted efforts to re-calibrate the state’s economy and place it on the path of progress.
“We are very much interested in ensuring that development in Edo is structured and well-planned and we are working on a 30-year development plan that would set the template for how our state would run for the good of the greatest number of people,” the governor said.
He further said that "it was heartwarming that Edo has maintained a very vibrant relationship with its sister state, Delta, which was created from the old Bendel State, noting that the two states, now on the same political platform, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would deepen the existing relationship for the good of the people of both states.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop dragging the judiciary into politics, “instead of campaigning hard for September 19 election”, Igbere TV reports.
In a statement forwarded to Igbere TV Thursday, the Party added that “exercising a legal right is not forum-shopping or disrespect for the judiciary.”
The PDP had addressed a press conference in Benin, at which it claimed the APC success at getting some judges to recuse themselves from cases, for likely bias, was an attack on the judiciary.
But in a swift response, the Chairman of the Edo State APC Media Campaign Council, Mr. John Mayaki wondered why the PDP reacted with "mischievous hysteria", to the granting of a routine application to guarantee justice for both parties in the suits.
"The chief judge of the Federal High Court acted on the merit of the APC application, and did what honest and proper procedure demanded," a release by the Edo APC campaign explained. "How that equated an attack on the judiciary and forum-shopping only exists in the PDP's jittery and frenzied application."
The APC said it had nothing but high praise and respect for the courts, for taking actions that would assure everyone of justice and fairness; but wondered why the PDP was dragging the courts to the partisan front.
"We should be very wary of dragging the judiciary into politics," the party warned, adding that even a desperate PDP should know that.
The APC wondered why, in its "idleness and listlessness", the PDP had suddenly turned spokespersons for the judiciary, instead of focusing on its campaign, where it was losing steam, every passing second.
It added that this news conference was the latest example of how the Edo PDP wasted its time on "frivolities", explaining however that the PDP was employing such ploys to excuse the electoral disaster that awaits it on September 19.
"Let the world bear us witness. When we, the APC, were busy campaigning and selling our message of hope and SIMPLE Agenda to our Edo people, PDP was busy addressing useless press conferences to push out lies and deceit. When it loses badly on election day," the party added, "it would rush to the same press conference to lament its failure and allege rigging."
Ongoing rally at Ekosodin community, a setting in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State predominantly of University of Benin (UNIBEN) students, partisans and traders.
The campaign train is led by the Ize-Iyamu’s DG, a retired Army Major General; Adams Oshiomhole, a former APC national chairman; Ize-Iyamu, his running mate, Gani Audu and other party leaders.
Edo Assembly Invasion: Court remands arrested Obaseki’s thugs over illegal possession of firearms
...as Obaseki faces accusation of bribery to secure freedom of the thugs
A Benin City High Court, (Vocation Court One), Edo State, on Monday remanded seven thugs nabbed by the Police with illegal firearms during the invasion of the Edo State House of Assembly complex led by Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu.
The thugs identified as Festus Agbonrenren (25 years), Odion Osayande (23 years), Ogbeiwe Wilfred (52 years), Morgan Uwaigboe (47 years), Osayomore Salami (25 years), Ifeoluwa Oladele (36 years), and Iginobaro Collins (26 years) were arrested on August 6 within the premises of the Edo Assembly complex with five double-barrel long guns, two single barrel long guns, and 10 live cartridges.
According to several Police sources, they have confessed to being mobilized by the Governor’s aides, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto and Mr. Osaigbovo Iyoha, to deny entry to the Assembly Complex to elected members of the Edo Assembly opposed to Governor Obaseki with violence.
They provided cover for other thugs who removed the roof of the Edo Assembly complex, vandalized its chambers, and tipped heaped of sands at its entrance in violent chaos supervised by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his Deputy, Philip Shaibu, to widespread condemnation from rights groups and residents of the state.
The presiding Judge, his Lordship, Hon. Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, said the suspects should be remanded in the Police custody pending the determination of the case on August 25.
However, in a decision said to be indicative of the sensitivity of the case and the highly-funded plot by Governor Obaseki to prevent the thugs from standing prosecution, the Judge asked that the suspects not be brought to court during the next sitting but kept in the Police custody where developments on the case will be relayed to them by their legal representatives.
Several prominent Civil Society Organizations have called on the Police to follow the prosecution to a conclusive end and resist the reported attempt by Governor Godwin Obaseki to either influence the testimony of the thugs, who have already allegedly confessed their ties to the embattled Governor, or procure freedom for them without prosecution.
One of the groups condemned the Governor’s invasion of the State House of Assembly, saying it set terrible precedence that pose a serious threat to the democracy of the State, and urged the Police and State Judiciary to consider the trial of the thugs caught with the illegal arms as the starting point to reaffirming their commitment to the rule of law and the stamping out of impunity and violence.
Orhionmwon, the home local government of the APC candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu on Saturday resolved that they will vote APC in the September 19, 2020 Edo governorship polls, so their son can govern Edo state.
Igbere TV reports that Hon. Patrick Aisowerien, the APC member representing the constituency at the National Assembly, Abuja disclosed this at the flag-off of the party campaigns at Abudu, the local government headquarters.
He said, “In Orhionmwon we are ready to deliver all the 12 wards to APC from Orhionmwon East to Orhionmwon South. i want to assure our National Leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and our son, the governor that will be sworn in on November 12,2020 that Orhionmwon will be 100 percent for the APC”.
Aisowerien said “Orhionmwon people toed this line because the PDP candidate elected on the APC platform failed to keep faith with all his promises to reconstruct the Benin-Abraka Road and complete the College of Education at Abudu.”
Amplifying the position of Hon. Aisowerien, State factional APC chairman, Col David Imuse (Rtd) said now is the right time for the local government to have one of its own as Edo Governor irrespective of their party affiliations.
He said, ”All Orhionmwon should support Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to be governor irrespective of political parties because now is the time for the area to have the Governor of Edo State”.
With “no single project credited to Governor Obaseki in all of the wards in the locality”, Imuse declared that on September 19, 2020 it behoves on all Orhionmwon voters to turn out en masse and vote APC so that Ize-Iyamu will become Governor.
After he introduced his running mate, Mallam Gani Audu, the APC candidate, before presenting them with his manifesto, Simple Agenda said that from from the crowd alone he is confident that APC will win the September 19 vote in the area.
He said as a son of the soil, Orhionmwon should support his election so that the area can have a hospital, potable water, good roads, and other amenities, which the outgoing governor and PDP candidate failed to deliver.
He said these dividends of democracy were all contained in his manifesto, SIMPLE Agenda which he spelt out to include programmes and policies on security and social welfare, Infrastructure development and urban renewal, Manpower development, Public private partnership, Leadership by example and Employment and Empowerment.
According to Ize-Iyamu, “I have gone through all of the 18 local governments in the state and everybody says they will vote APC. Let me assure you that by the Grace of God when I am sworn in as Edo state Governor, the Benin-Abraka Road and College of Education, Abudu will be completed”.
There was mild drama on Thursday at the Edo State House of Assembly, located in Ring Road axis of Benin City, as the roofs of the Assembly complex were forcefully pulled down.
Igbere TV reports the move comes following the foiled forceful takeover of the Assembly by 17 lawmakers of the APC and loyalists of the Party's Governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The order was reportedly issued by the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu who have since decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the APC.
Igbere TV had reported how security agencies, believed to be drafted from Abuja, on Thursday, stormed the Edo Assembly complex to provide security cover to the 17 APC lawmakers and Ize-Iyamu’s loyalists.
The move, which was to allow fresh inauguration of the APC loyalists, and the impeachment of the Speaker, Frank Okiye; the Governor and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, was however foiled when Obaseki, Shaibu and supporters stormed the complex.
Our correspondent later observed that thugs were immediately drafted to forcefully pull down the roof of the Edo Assembly under the guise that it needed to be replaced with new ones.
Earlier, heavy duty trucks from the Edo Government House were seen heaping sand and other construction materials at the front of the Assembly gate under the guise that renovation was ongoing.
But Igbere TV gathered that the moves were to prevent the APC and the 'Abuja forces' from forcefully taking over the Assembly. A dummy mace at the top of the roof of the roof over fears that it could be used to carry out the impeachment plans.
The pro-Obaseki lawmakers had been sitting inside the Edo State Government House a.k.a Osadebe Avenue for over a month, claiming the Assembly Complex at Ring Road was being fumigated over COVID-19 scare.
The relocation to the Edo Government House, Igbere TV learnt, was to monitor the pro-Obaseki lawmakers and ensure they remain true to the Governor’s causes until the September 19 Governorship election.
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has ordered the heaping of sand at the front of the Edo State House of Assembly complex following the foiled forceful takeover by security agencies, Igbere TV can authoritatively report.
Igbere TV had reported how security agencies, believed to be drafted from Abuja, on Thursday, stormed the Edo Assembly complex to provide security cover to 17 lawmakers loyal to APC and its governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
The move, which was to allow fresh inauguration of the APC loyalists, and the impeachment of the Speaker, Frank Okiye; the Governor and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, was however foiled when Obaseki, Shaibu and supporters stormed the complex.
Our correspondent later observed that trucks and tippers from the Government House were already heaping sand and other construction materials at the front of the Assembly gate under the guise that renovation was ongoing.
But Igbere TV gathered that the move is to prevent the APC and the 'Abuja forces' from forcefully taking over the Assembly. There are also plans to forcefully pull down the Assembly roof by the Governor’s men to prevent any sitting.
The pro-Obaseki lawmakers had been sitting inside the Edo State Government House a.k.a Osadebe Avenue for over a month, claiming the Assembly Complex at Ring Road was being fumigated over COVID-19 scare.
The relocation to the Edo Government House, Igbere TV learnt, was to monitor the pro-Obaseki lawmakers and ensure they remain true to the Governor’s causes until the September 19 Governorship election.
‘Why Security Operatives Invaded Edo State Assembly’
There was heavy security presence at the Edo State House of Assembly, Ring Road, earlier on Thursday, with the rumoured takeover by the 17 lawmakers loyal to the APC and Pastor Ize-Iyamu.
Igbere TV had reported that the security officials - comprising of the Department of State Security (DSS), the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) - were drafted from Abuja.
The development came a day after the deputy speaker, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, was reportedly impeached by 7 lawmakers loyal to the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for pledging loyalty to the APC and Ize-Iyamu.
A member of the Edo APC executive, who pleaded anonymity, said the security measures were to allow the fresh inauguration of the 17 lawmakers loyal to the Party and its candidate.
Igbere TV had reported how a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered both the Senate and the House of Representatives to halt their plan to take over the Edo State House of Assembly.
The case was instituted by the now-impeached deputy speaker to challenge the directive by the National Assembly to Governor Obaseki, to issue a fresh proclamation of the state’s House of Assembly.
The federal lawmakers had threatened to take over the legislative duties and powers of the Edo State House of Assembly should the governor fail to make the fresh proclamation within three weeks.
But, Justice Taiwo ordered the parties in the case to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the case.
Igbere TV had also reported how a Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court restrained Obaseki from issuing a fresh proclamation to the Edo State House of Assembly.
The court order countered the Nigerian Senate’s resolution which directed Obaseki to issue a fresh proclamation to the state assembly in order to bring to an end the political crisis.
Following the pledging of loyalty to Ize-Iyamu and the APC by Idiaye, before his impeachment as deputy speaker, Igbere TV gathered that the lawmaker had secretly withdrawn the case from court.
Besides, a Constitutional lawyer in the State, who craved anonymity, said with the impeachment of the deputy speaker, the case in court is now dead - assuming not already withdrawn.
The crisis in the Edo Assembly began when the Assembly was inaugurated under controversial circumstances at night by the governor with only nine, out of 24 lawmakers-elect, on June 17.
All the 24 lawmakers were members of the APC until the recent defection of about 7 to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alongside Governor Obaseki.
Other lawmakers-elect were excluded from the inauguration to prevent the then National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole’s loyalists from taking control of the legislature, Igbere TV gathered.
As at 9:15 am Thursday morning, our correspondent observed police, NSCDC and DSS officials around the Complex with arms, blocking access to the House of Assembly.
When contacted for comments, Speaker Frank Okiye said he was not aware of the security presence. But a government official fingered Oshiomhole in the planned takeover.
There are rumours that Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu may be impeached if the plans scale through. Already, a mace and Clerk of the House are on standby for the planned inauguration.
There is currently heavy security presence at the Edo State House of Assembly with rumoured take over by the 17 lawmakers loyal to the APC Governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Igbere TV reliably gathered that the security officials - comprising of the Department of State Security (DSS), the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) - were drafted from Abuja.
The development comes a day after the deputy speaker, Hon. Yekini Idiaye, was reportedly impeached by 7 lawmakers loyal to the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for pledging loyalty to the APC and Ize-Iyamu.
A member of the Edo APC executive, who pleaded anonymity, said the security measures were to allow the fresh inauguration of the 17 lawmakers loyal to the Party and its candidate.
Igbere TV had reported how a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered both the Senate and the House of Representatives to halt their plan to take over the Edo State House of Assembly.
The case was instituted by the now-impeached deputy speaker to challenge the directive by the National Assembly to Governor Obaseki, to issue a fresh proclamation of the state’s House of Assembly.
The federal lawmakers had threatened to take over the legislative duties and powers of the Edo State House of Assembly should the governor fail to make the fresh proclamation within three weeks.
But, Justice Taiwo ordered the parties in the case to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the case.
Igbere TV had also reported how a Port Harcourt Division of the Federal High Court restrained Obaseki from issuing a fresh proclamation to the Edo State House of Assembly.
The court order countered the Nigerian Senate’s resolution which directed Obaseki to issue a fresh proclamation to the state assembly in order to bring to an end the political crisis.
Following the pledging of loyalty to Ize-Iyamu and the APC by Idiaye, before his impeachment as deputy speaker, Igbere TV gathered that the lawmaker had secretly withdrawn the case from court.
Besides, a Constitutional lawyer in the State, who craved anonymity, said with the impeachment of the deputy speaker, the case in court is now dead - assuming not already withdrawn.
The crisis in the Edo Assembly began when the Assembly was inaugurated under controversial circumstances at night by the governor with only nine, out of 24 lawmakers-elect, on June 17.
All the 24 lawmakers were members of the APC until the recent defection of about 7 to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, alongside Governor Obaseki.
Other lawmakers-elect were excluded from the inauguration to prevent the then National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole’s loyalists from taking control of the legislature, Igbere TV gathered.
As at 9:15 am Thursday morning, our correspondent observed police, NSCDC and DSS officials around the Complex with arms, blocking access to the House of Assembly.
When contacted for comments, Speaker Frank Okiye said he was not aware of the security presence. But a government official fingered Oshiomhole in the planned takeover.
There are rumours that Governor Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu may be impeached if the plans scale through. Already, a mace and Clerk of the House are on standby for the planned inauguration.
Igbere TV had reported that the pro-Obaseki lawmakers had been sitting inside Government House for over a month, claiming the Assembly Complex at Ring Road was being fumigated over COVID-19 scare.
The relocation to the Edo Government House, it was learnt, was to monitor the pro-Obaseki lawmakers and ensure they remain true to the Governor’s causes.
BREAKING: Heavy Abuja Security Presence At Edo State House Of Assembly Complex As Fed. Govt Set To Do The Right Thing - To Inaugurate 17 Members Elect.
...This Comes As The DSP, Who Earlier Barred NASS, APC, DSS & Police From Taking Over The Assembly Complex, Withdraws Court Case
...Obaseki, Shaibu, Illegal Speaker Okiye In Jittery Mode At Govt House, As Confusion Hits Governor's Camp.
The Federal Government has approved the increment of fine payable by hate speech offenders from the current N500,000 to N5 million, Igbere TV reports.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement forwarded to Igbere TV from his Office, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, Mohammed made the declaration at the unveiling of the Reviewed Broadcasting Code in Lagos, on Tuesday.
“This is an amendment to an existing 6th edition of the Code, which was launched in Kano in July 2019. Before the launch of the Code in Kano, there were wide stakeholder meetings and discussions on virtually all the provisions of the 5th edition, which was now reviewed as the 6th edition,” Mohammed said.
The minister added, “The amendments were necessitated by a Presidential directive, in the wake of the 2019 general elections, for an inquiry into the regulatory role of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) as well as the conduct of the various broadcast stations before, during and after the elections.”
“Following the inquiry, Mr. President approved many recommendations that will reposition the NBC to perform its regulatory role better. Key among the recommendations is the need to amend the provisions in the Code and Act. The amendments are mostly in the areas of political broadcasting, local content, coverage of emergencies, advertising and anti-competitive behaviour.”
He listed the “many desirable provisions in the new Broadcasting Code” to include;
“- The provisions on Exclusivity and Monopoly: This Antitrust provision will boost local content and local industry due to laws prohibiting exclusive use of rights by broadcasters who intend to create monopolies and hold the entire market to themselves. It will encourage Open Access to premium content. I must explain that this provision is not new to Nigeria Broadcasting. Exclusivity was disallowed at a certain time in the history of our broadcasting. I recall Multichoice sub-licensing EPL matches to other local operators in Nigeria. I recall HITV engaging several local operators on sub-licensing the EPL when they got the rights.
- Sub-licensing and Rights sharing create opportunities for local operators to also gain traction and raise revenue for their services
- The law prohibiting backlog of advertising debts will definitely promote sustainability for the station owners and producers of content
- The law on registration of Web Broadcasting grants the country the opportunity to regulate negative foreign broadcasts that can harm us as a nation. Such harms could be in the area of security, protection for minors, protection of human dignity, economic fraud, privacy etc
- The provisions on responsibility of broadcast stations to devote airtime to national emergencies: This provision obviously mandates terrestrial and Pay TV channels to make their services available to Nigerians at time of national emergencies - like the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic - for their education and enlightenment.
- The provision raising the fine for hate speech from 500,000 Naira to 5 million Naira.”
“Permit me to say that section 2h of the NBC Act specifically empowers the Commission to establish and disseminate a National Broadcasting Code and set standards with regard to the content and quality of materials for broadcast.
“From the above, it is clear that it is a regulatory function to establish the Code. It is democratic when the regulator engages stakeholders to get their views. This could be done in several ways, including questionnaire, conferences, face-to-face discussions and focused group discussions. Once the regulator has factored all the views, he takes a decision to codify provisions that best address the needs of the country. This is what NBC has done in this case.
“What I have observed in the reactions to the last amendment are interests who believe that their singular business interest is superior to the national interest. Therefore, they have resorted to all kinds of blackmail, using hack writers. Ladies and gentlemen, we remain unperturbed, because we are acting in the national interest.
“The Broadcasting Code is not a static document. As we often say, broadcasting is dynamic. Therefore, even the 6th Edition of the Code shall be reviewed at the appropriate time.
“But, as it currently stands, the 6th edition and the amendments, which we are unveiling today, remain the regulations for broadcasting in Nigeria. Our intention remains the good of the country. We need to catalyze the growth of the local industry. We need to create jobs for our teeming creative youths. The opportunities must be created and we believe that effective regulatory interventions are a sure way of attaining this. That's why we will not waver.
“For those who still have misgivings about the amendment to the 6th Edition of the Code, we expect you to meet with the regulator and present your views. As I said, there are opportunities for constant review of the Code, but please note that this latest amendment is signed, sealed and delivered, and we are committed to making it work for the good of the country”, the statement added.
PDP Members Petition ICPC, Accuse Obaseki Of Diverting State Funds Using AfriInvest
…says Governor planning to use stolen funds as starting capital for regional bank
Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the aegis of Concerned Edo PDP Stakeholders, have petitioned the ICPC over alleged diversion of state funds by Governor Godwin Obaseki through the award of fraudulent contracts to his personal firm, AfriInvest Limited.
A copy of the petition obtained by Igbere TV signed by Andrew Egboigbe, a PDP member in Ward 3, Orhionmwon LGA of Edo, and submitted at the ICPC on Monday, was made available to the press in Benin City.
The petition, titled “Petition against the unfairly advantageous awarding of Edo State Contracts to Afrinvest Limited by Mr. Godwin Obaseki”, alleged that Mr. Godwin Obaseki abused his office as Governor to unfairly award inflated contracts to his company, AfriInvest Limited, in flagrant disregard for the constitutional provision that guides the award of contract.
The petition alleged that Obaseki, been the founder of Afrinvest, used his position as Governor, to unfairly award contracts to his company in flagrant disregard for the constitutional provision that guides award of contract.
It read: “We, as concerned Edo indigenes, who have no other place to call our home except Edo state, file this honest petition against Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the governor of the state. and his firm, Afrinvest Ltd.”
“This followed revelations from reliable sources of unfair advantage the governor bestowed upon the firm using accumulated state funds meant for developmental works and projects.”
The petitioners claimed that although Mr. Godwin Obaseki stepped down as the Chairman of AfriInvest’s Board of Directors in 2016 on the assumption of office, he installed one Mr. Ike Chioke who served as his stooge at the firm and helped him siphon state’s resources.
“One of such abuse of his official position was when Obaseki, single-handedly, without the approval of his cabinet and legislative arm of government, awarded a N1.8 billion naira consultation contract on water storm project to Afrinvest Ltd., without the justification of the inflated sum and the nature of the contract. This, when established, will find the governor in contravention of Section 19 of the ICPC Act 2000.”
“That Afrinvest Ltd has, on different occasions, served as front and pipe for Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s diversion of state’s funds through bogus contracts and budgetary allocations.”
The petitioners further alleged that the security votes of Edo state which increased to an annual sum of 7.5 billion naira by Obaseki, since 2016, had been deposited in Afrinvest Ltd’s bank account.
According to the petitioners, the stashed funds and other illegally obtained profits are what Governor Godwin Obaseki used as starting capital to resuscitate PRIMUS bank which the Governor, acting through his proxies, is now seeking approval for, to operate as a regional bank.
“That Primus bank was funded through stolen funds and granting approval for its operations could lead to a financial closure as it remains vulnerable to an abrupt close when investigations if its fraudulent findings come to light.”
They urged the ICPC to act within the mandate of its powers “having established these facts and provided the surrounding context of the corrupt relationship between Obaseki, Afrinvest, and Primus Bank.”
“The ICPC in line with its core mandate to examine the practices, systems, and procedures of public bodies and where, in the opinion of the commission, such practices, systems born procedures aid or facilitate fraud or corruption, to direct and supervise a review of them.”
The People's Democratic Party, alongside its unfortunate candidate, has continued the shameful lamentation typical of their propagandist electoral campaign. In a campaign season that has seen the unpopular party fumbling and struggling to provide solid, issue-based campaign and a catalog of achievements, the PDP has resorted to baseless mudslinging, conspiracy twigging, and dishonorable falsehoods spewed to gain public pity. Unfortunately, while pity may temporarily attract emotional concern, it does not stand the fiery check of facts and logic.
Such has been the fate of their new pity-seeking propaganda, where Governor Godwin Obaseki, through a Coalition of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), accused Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of gathering politicians with instructions to move from unit to unit, ward to ward, local government to local government, with a view of obtaining electoral results for a rigging operation code-named "Operation Show Your Result".
Extending the frontiers of this thoughtless propaganda, Obaseki equally alleged that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in a political rally held at Iyamho, incited the youths against Governor Obaseki, claiming that such incitement was made manifest when the governor and other PDP leaders were attacked outside the gate of Oba of Benin. To achieve its ultimate propagandist motive of attracting pity to their sickly and dying campaign, Obaseki and PDP called on President Muhammad Buhari to intervene.
But all those are faint attempts of a dying party to wave themselves into the recognition of the living. The inability to admit that his failure as a governor of 4 years has drawn the ire of the people against him reveals his unreadiness and his unfitness to be rewarded a second chance at leadership. Leadership consists of taking responsibilities, taking corrections, and displaying a willingness to right wrongs committed by the self and the followers.
However, for Obaseki, leadership means prideful arrogation of the self above the natural tendencies of mistake and failure. As such, he fails to own up to the catastrophic disaster that his first term was, and then seeking for forgiveness and a new chance. It is this failure and hubris that made him the victim of the people's venomous anger, setting him face to face with a vocal expression of his rejection by the people. Now he wants to excuse it away with conspiratorial and propagandist lies.
Yet, even in that, Obaseki reveals the horror that his naive heart is. Nothing is more politically horrific in a postmodern era of democratic political participation of all demographics, youth and elderly alike, than a politician who sees youth and their vociferous participation as thugs and mob violence. When it is not revealing of an ignorant mind, it is representing tyrannical traces of a man performing a cruel despotic play in a democratic stage.
To Obaseki, the youths should not involve in politics, and if they must, then they should constantly sing his praise or be met with his state-backed wrath. His call to the president is a vain attempt that wastes their own productive time and this is because the president know them for what they are: a bunch of unserious hypocrites.
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s charge to the youths in the meeting Governor Godwin Obaseki and his PDP proxies are sadly twisting in their characteristic mendacity, was simply for them to return to the respective units where they are registered to vote and participate in the complete electoral process including door-to-door mobilization of other young persons to solicit votes and achieve victory as it is the practice in all democracies across the world.
‘Operation Show Your Result’ is a simple political theme for a grassroots mobilization effort no different from the ‘Don’t boo, vote’ message made popular by the Democrats in America to urge youth participation beyond the performative pre-election display of support on campaign grounds.
Unlike Governor Obaseki, Pastor Ize-Iyamu has a documented plan to create jobs for the youths, empower them, and rehabilitate those neglected by the Obaseki-administration for safe reintroduction and reintegration into the society for positive contribution. For this plan to be realized, he has to win. Hence his message to the youths, who evidently have skin in the election like all elections in the country, to return home and deliver results for the APC at the polls.
Our demand of Obaseki and the PDP has been one and the same: to develop themselves to a point of proficient and modern opposition. Their thinking, language, and political orientation is brutish, nasty, and a thing of ages far folded in ancient history. By their daily display, they consistently fall short and farther off the bar of ideal politics. It is a thing of shame for a party that calls itself the People’s Democratic Party.
Signed:
Mr. John Mayaki Chairman, State APC Media Campaign Council Edo 2020 Governorship
In continuation of its defeatist campaign strategy hinged on blackmail, propagation of falsehood, deference to subornation and mischievous, dangerous twisting of facts to both incite violence and stoke division, the Edo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its eleventh-hour underperforming candidate, who lacks achievements, character and an agenda in collaboration with its national leadership of tax-collectors, sponsored an open letter asking the President, H.E Muhammadu Buhari, not to meet with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the party’s candidate in the September 19 Governorship election in Edo State. The letter was purportedly written by ‘Concerned Edo State APC Stakeholders’.
Using its well-known, and discredited, cowardly letter-writing tactic of putting its words into the mouths, or hands, of non-existent characters portrayed either as ‘concerned citizens’ or ‘stakeholders’ as the current case manifests, the interloping PDP argued, laughably so, that by meeting with Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the President will “rubbish” his stance against anti-corruption because of the said 700 million naira case instituted in court by the EFCC, in which the candidate was named as a party to.
According to the PDP, the case brought before Justice J.M. Umar of the High Court sitting in Benin City, with the suit No. FHC/BE21C/2016, against Pastor Ize-Iyamu and “four other accused persons” represents enough reason for the President to turn his back on a candidate, who emerged as the state’s All Progressives Congress flagbearer, at the successful primary election he ratified. The meddlers also construe that on account of the above non-issues, the president should divorce himself from the candidate whom he asked all organs of the APC, at the State and National level, to offer all the required support, within the ambit of the law, to win the election.
The first pointer to the ridiculous nature of the argument, and indeed the entire affair, is that the PDP, having undergone the stress to commission the writing of the laboriously lengthy essay to police and direct the associations of the President, carefully avoided outlining details when it came to naming all those accused in the said case, and instead settled for the concealing “four other accused persons” line that reveals its contradiction each time it attempts to shamefully weaponize the case against Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu whose soaring popularity and wide acceptance in the State is responsible for their jitters and sudden interest in letter-writing and literature.
The reason for this concealment, which is already uncovered by the people of Edo State, who have since ignored their childish tantrums, is because the four accused persons include Mr. Tony Aziegbemi, the current Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the PDP, and the man he succeeded in office who, interestingly, also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election, Mr. Dan Orbih.
The election of Mr. Tony Aziegbemi as the Chairman of the Edo PDP and the appointment of Mr. Dan Orbih as the Chairman of the Campaign Council of the PDP came after the filing of the 700 million naira suit by the EFCC, and when taken to task on this by curious journalists and other interested persons, the PDP defended both appointments on the grounds that allegations and a court case are not evidence of wrongdoing because of the constitutional presumption of innocence which holds that unless convicted by a competent court, accused persons remain innocent of all charges.
Besides, the PDP argued that the said sum, in any case, was sourced from private bodies, not the coffers of government, and it was distributed to its rank and file in the State, who have documents to show receipt and the expending of the sum.
Summarily, the PDP, in its own argument and robust defence of its leaders, Mr. Tony Aziegbemi and Dan Orbih, had already vindicated Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. This is further corroborated by the fact that although the case was for an alleged improper practice that took place in 2015 over the campaign funds of President Goodluck Jonathan when he was seeking re-election, the PDP, in 2016, unilaterally elected and backed Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its Governorship candidate.
Even for a toddler, it is clear that the turn-around today, and the open letter to the President, is a political, though unintelligent, reactionary attempt to cause setback to the progressive strides of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the APC to victory on the 19th of September having won the goodwill of the people of Edo State.
Although these faceless persons claim to write on behalf of Edo people at home and in the diaspora, the mendacious claim is exposed by the deluge of endorsements received daily by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu from the people of Edo State across the world, including prominent members of Mr. Godwin Obaseki’s government and family, who are resigning in numbers never seen before, because they are convinced of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s integrity, competence, and documented manifesto to move Edo State forward.
We are confident that Mr. President is well-aware of the vicious, unprincipled, and mindless attacks on innocent people and their reputation by the PDP, having been a victim of their flexible principles and morality himself. Therefore, he needs very little convincing on why their jejune demand, alongside the shameful insistence on dragging others into their campaign of calumny to hide the failure of their candidate, stems from their approaching defeat on the 19th of September.
This clarification is made to unsuspecting members of the public who may be tricked into believing the lies of the ailing PDP. It is a party of power-mongers pitted against themselves by their unrestrained ambitions, and still operating on the “do or die” politics it introduced and poisoned our polity with due to its unforesightful methods.
•Mayaki is the Chairman, Edo State APC Media Campaign Council
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Sept. 19 Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has congratulated newly-elected Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olumide Akpata.
Igbere TV reports the Edo-born Olumide Akpata polled over 9000 votes to defeat his two rivals Babatunde Ajibade (SAN) and Dele Adesina (SAN), breaking a 30-year jinx as the first non-senior advocate to emerge as the NBA President since Charles Idehen last did in 1989.
In a congratulatory message sent to Igbere TV on Sunday by Mr. John Mayaki, the Chairman of the Edo APC Media Campaign Council, Ize-Iyamu praised Olumide Akpata as an amazing lawyer and outstanding person with the qualities to preserve the integrity of the bar and restore the reputation of the legal profession in Nigeria.
He said: “I am happy for Olumide Akpata who, over the years, has been a brilliant lawyer and outstanding human being. Now, summing a brilliant career so far, Olumide emerges the President of the Nigerian Bar Association.”
“His remarkable campaign and ability to rally the majority behind him speak volumes of his proficiency, one that, under his leadership, is bound to take the NBA to unprecedented heights.”
“The National Bar Association has indeed found a magical gem in you, and as a lawyer myself, one who followed you for a certain period of time as you practiced with utmost ethical conduct and imitable professionalism, I am confident that you will preserve the integrity and restore the almost divine reputation of the legal profession in Nigeria.”
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has received royal blessings from his High Royal Highness, Alhaji Aliru Momoh Ikelebe III, the Otaru of Auchi and the Vice-Chairman of the Edo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
Ize-Iyamu was at his Palace on Saturday alongside his running mate, Mallam Gani Audu, and other leaders of the APC to pay the traditional ruler homage as part of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations and officially deliver copies of his SIMPLE agenda manifesto, Igbere TV reports.
He said as one of the foremost Islamic traditional rulers in the country, the Otaru of Auchi holds an important position in Edo State, hence his visit to felicitate with him during Sallah and formally inform him of his governorship bid.
Ize-Iyamu praised the Otaru as a forward-thinking ruler with great love for his people.
He lamented the state government’s failure to take maximal advantage of the solid minerals deposited in Auchi and rising insecurity that has scared away investments, while assuring the ruler that as Governor, he will tackle the challenge of security and the erosion problems of the Auchi kingdom.
Receiving the candidate and his running mate, the traditional ruler commended him for the documentation of his promises in the SIMPLE agenda manifesto.
He advised him to keep his promises to the people if elected, stating that truth and justice are important values that leaders must display to bring peace and development.
He recounted some of the contributions of Ize-Iyamu’s running mate, Mallam Gani Audu, as Local Council Chairman and offered prayers and blessings for the candidate.
The Otaru was joined by other traditional rulers including HRH Alhaji Ali Suleiman, The Ogeagah of Three Ibies and prominent Islamic leaders such as the Sadiq of Auchi, Alhaji Saliu Ahmed, and Dr. Sani Jimoh, Chairman of the Muslim support group for the APC Campaign.
Our correspondent reports that APC leaders on Ize-Iyamu’s entourage included Engr. Lawrence Okah, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, Hon. Lucky James, Olusola Oke (SAN), and former trade union leader, Comrade Peter Esele.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that South-South Zone completely belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Igbere TV reports.
According to him, the people of the region will not allow any other political Party to have a foothold in the area any more.
Wike stated this today during the flag-off of the PDP campaign for the September 19 Edo Governorship election held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, in Benin City.
Igbere TV reports that Wike who is Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship election also declared that “godfatherism is over in Edo.”
“The people of Edo State must reject godfatherism because nobody can rig the September 19 governorship election in the state,” he said.
“Former national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole is making a u-turn to lick his vomit by presenting a candidate he earlier rejected and castigated.
“Today, we are here to tell the people of Edo State that they should not be afraid because nobody can rig the forthcoming election.
“Today is the end of godfatherism in Edo State. I want to thank Governor Godwin Obaseki for refusing to dance to the tune of godfatherism.”
“Four years ago, Adams Oshiomhole said he cannot trust the APC governorship candidate that he was rusticated from school.
“Today, Oshiomhole is coming back to present the same person to Edo people. He thinks Edo people are fools. I challenge Edo people not to vote any person presented to them by Oshiomhole,” he stated.
Governor Wike assured that as the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for Edo Governorship election, he would be in Edo State during the election to ensure that the state is returned to PDP.
He noted the “outstanding performance of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the last four years in the development of Edo State.”
Governor Wike urged the people of Edo State to come out en masse and vote for the PDP candidate during the election.
“As the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council, I will be in Edo State. We will make sure that everything needed will be done to return the state to PDP.
“You should all come out and vote on September 19, and as you vote, you wait and defend your votes.
“Governor Obaseki has done well in the last four years. You should not allow anybody to deceive you again. APC has no candidate. The only person who thinks that the party is running an election is Oshiomhole,” he said.
Also speaking, the Governor of Sokoto State and Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described Edo State as strategic to the nation and called on Edo people to always remain steadfast and resolute.
Governor Tambuwal who took a swipe at former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole for condemning godfatherism and turning back to practice it, however urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to hold onto God and the people of Edo State to defeat the enemies of the state as he did in Sokoto State.
He also called on the INEC Chairman, Professor Yakubu Mahmoud to build on the legacies of his predecessor, Professor Attahiru Jega who ensured that free and fair election was conducted in Edo State which enabled Adams Oshiomhole to govern for eight years.
Governor Tambuwal also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that his anti-corruption crusade also affects the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election in order to ensure peace and stability in the state.
Presenting the PDP flag to the party's Governorship candidate and Governor of Edo State, the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus described him as an “accomplished gentleman and performer.”
Prince Secondus who noted that the party is proud of PDP Governors in view of their high standing performance in governance, said they are the reason democracy is thriving in the country.
He stated that “the nation is at a cross road” and appealed to President Buhari to ensure that “free and fair elections hold in the country.”
Responding, the PDP Governorship candidate and Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki said the mandate given to him marked the transformation of the state and Nigeria.
He promised to “sustain the tempo of his developmental strides in his second tenure.”
The flag off was also attended by the Governors of Bayelsa, Douye Diri, Oyo, Seyi Makinde, Bauchi, Senator Bala Mohammed, Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa as well as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi.
The Edo State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 19 governorship election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Saturday, declared that he is certain of victory while unveiling the Make Edo Great Again (MEGA) plan to Edo electorate, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV reports that the governor made the declaration at the flag-off of his governorship election campaign at the Lawn Tennis Court of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Edo State, after a courtesy visit to Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin.
Dignitaries at the event include governors drawn from the South-South region and other parts of the country including Ifeanyi Okowa, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Nyesom Wike, Duoye Diri, Seyi Makinde and Sen. Bala Mohammed of Delta, Sokoto, Rivers, Bayelsa, Oyo and Bauchi states, respectively.
Other guests at the event include Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi; National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; Chairman of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi; Chief Tom Ikimi; Sen. Clifford Ordia and Barr. Ken Imasuagbon, among others.
According to Governor Obaseki, “I am happy today that I have been given the party's flag to contest the governorship election on September 19, 2020. I did it before and will do it again. We would focus on improving governance to transform the lives of our people. In the next four years, Edo would continue in the quest to become the economic hub of the nation."
The governor unveiled the programme for his second term bid titled Make Edo Great Again (MEGA), which he said would prepare the state for a post-coronavirus (COVID-19) world.
He noted, “We are saying that we will, working with you, make Edo great again. Our message is one of hope and the future. We are one people; we have one dream and one heritage. The blood of our forefathers who built an empire and dominated their space still runs in us today. If they were able to achieve what they achieved over 500 years ago, we will achieve much more today.”
Explaining the focus of the campaign’s MEGA theme, he said: “The plan we have adopted will focus on how to use governance to support our people. We will use government to create enabling business environment so that Edo people can do their business without being harassed by anyone, especially thugs.
Responding to attacks by sponsored thugs earlier in the day, he said, “The opposition has now resorted to violence. Please we do not want bloodshed. One of their billionaires hired thugs today around the Oba’s Palace. I hear they are destroying cars with PDP flags. Do not retaliate. God will retaliate for us. Their strategy is to scare the people. They are saying that what they did today is a sample of what they intend to do on September 19.”
On his part, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national Governorship Campaign Council for Edo 2020 gubernatorial election and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, urged all Edo people to come out en masse to cast their votes for Governor Obaseki and equally protect their votes to return the governor in office, to enable him continue his good work for the majority of the people.
Wike noted: "The APC, for me, does not have any credible candidate. Also, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, according to the sacked National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is a thief.”
"Don't allow your votes to be rigged as APC believes in rigging. I want to assure you this time that this election will be difficult to rig. South-South is for PDP and Edo belongs to PDP. Edo people should not allow Edo to be rigged. I urge you to defend your votes and ensure Obaseki is returned for a second term to continue his good works in the state.”
Also, Governor of Delta State and Chairman of South-South PDP Governors’ Forum, Ifeanyi Okowa, urged Edo voters to reject the antics of Oshiomhole, the APC and its candidate, Ize-Iyamu, adding: "Looking at the debt Oshiomhole left for the state, I pitied Obaseki but as a technocrat, the governor did well and has greatly reduced the debt burden of the state, and has put Edo on the path of development.
Meanwhile, Governors of Bauchi and Oyo states, Sen. Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, described Obaseki as a resource person that has represented the state and nation well.
Chairman of PDP Governors' Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, charged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that Edo State Governorship election is free, fair and credible.
Tambuwal added: "No single individual can decide the fate of Edo people as no one man is superior to Edo people."
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Wednesday said he was innocent of all the accusations leveled against him by Dr. Hosa Wells Okunbo, Edo born billionaire oil magnate and business tycoon.
Igbere TV recalls that Okunbo, fondly called Capt. Hosa by associates, had accused Governor Obaseki of serially attacking him through orchestrated campaign of calumny to damage his reputation and business interests.
He said those attacks were engineered by the Edo state government under the watch of Obaseki over his (Okunbo’s) alleged support for APC/Ize-Iyamu in the Edo 2020 Governorship election.
In a personally signed statement made available to Igbere TV on Monday, in Abuja, Okunbo called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the people of Edo state to prevail on Obaseki to “leave him alone.”
He also accused Governor Obaseki of planning to revoke Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) of his houses and burn his farms, saying the governor once prevented Buhari from inaugurating one of his farms.
Okunbo said Obaseki, as Chairman of the National Executive Council Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control, masterminded a damaging report against his company, the Secure Anchorage Area Ltd. (SAA).
But reacting in a personally signed statement made available to Igbere TV on Wednesday, in Benin City, Governor Obaseki said he was innocent of all the allegations made against him by the Edo born billionaire.
The statement reads, “My attention has just been drawn to a three-page advertorial sponsored and signed by you, in some Nigerian newspapers of Monday July 20, 2020, entitled: “An Open Letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and The Good People of Edo State: Please Urge Governor Obaseki to Leave me Alone.”
“In your lengthy and convoluted missive, you accused me of being the mastermind of all your recent misfortunes, which range from the sublime to the ridiculous. I sincerely empathise with you over these unfortunate and negative incidents but hereby state without equivocation, that I am innocent of all you have accused me of.
“Those who have worked with me can attest to the fact that I do not have the propensity to inflict evil or pains, especially of the scale you alleged, on any man or woman. I couldn’t have been shopping for businesses abroad while at the same time destroying the ones owned by Edo sons and daughters like you. My background and record bear witness to the fact that all my working career have been devoted to creating, supporting and sustaining businesses and investments.
“Even beyond my personal policies, I am under oath as Governor to guarantee the security and safety of persons and property and ensuring the greatest level of happiness to the greatest number of Edo citizens.
“In specific response to some of the allegations made in your publication, I wish to offer the following corrections:
“i. As Chairman of the National Executive Council Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control, the records would indicate that the eventual report actually favoured you and your company, despite the strong complaints from the competition and some clients about the astronomical cost of the services offered by your company.
“ii. As pertains to the Secure Anchorage Area Ltd (SAA) operations, your accusation against me in this regard is blatantly false and without foundation. The Honourable Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is alive today to bear witness to the extensive effort I made on your behalf to resolve your problems with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“iii. On the complaints regarding the non-commissioning of your farm project by Mr. President, it would appear that you are not aware that the President had a mere five-hour visit to Edo State and his itinerary was entirely put together by the Presidential Protocol Team and further vetted by the Department of State Services (DSS). They came to the conclusion that the commissioning of your farm project could not be included on the President’s visit. Neither I nor the Edo State Government had anything to do with that decision.
“As your brother, I have been struggling to situate the probable source of your outlandish claims and wrong assessment of my character. Without a doubt, I am convinced that you must have been talking and consulting with the wrong people in your search for an honest assessment of my personality.
“It is disappointing that despite our close family relationship, you could allow yourself to be convinced that I would do anything to hurt you or your business interests.
“You will recall that over a year ago in my house (at the early stages when the intrigues of the godfather began to manifest), I had advised you to steer clear of the battle which was going to be an epic one to get rid of the choking influence of the godfather from our political life. I knew at that time that the godfather was desperately shopping for allies of Edo South extraction to assist him in his obsessive quest to continue his choking and unproductive dominance in the affairs of our state.
“It is unfortunate that you fell prey to the recruitment drive of the godfather and you have now found yourself in the position where you are actively working against the interest of your own people.
“As you are aware, I have had my fair share of attacks for undertaking to serve my people and help develop my state. I have been humiliated, undermined and my age-old business and family name ridiculed by the godfather and his agents, simply because I refused to do his bidding, and deprive millions of Edo people the good life that they rightfully deserve. This is what comes with the terrain when any person involves himself in politics and the consequences that follow.
“In all of these I have no regrets whatsoever. I am certainly not paranoid about anybody. I remain committed and focused because the wellbeing and gratitude of the people, on whose side I have chosen to fight, namely; civil servants, pensioners, traders, the youths, farmers, drivers and the millions of other professionals and non-professionals in our state, are sufficient rewards.
“I am saddened that you have made yourself the face of the forces that seek the continuous dominance of the godfather in Edo politics and have thereby exposed yourself to charlatans and opportunists who are now preying on your inner fears and insecurities to distort the real issues on ground.
“I respect your right to make your political choices and to support any political interests you consider appropriate. I also acknowledge your freedom to freely associate with any political tendencies that you find acceptable. But you must recognise that the world of politics is not a tea party and the choices that we make in life always come at a cost and we should all have the courage to bear and accept the consequences associated with those choices we have freely made.”
Politics › Edo At 29: Obaseki Hails Dexterity, Resilience Of Citizens, Assures Greater Futu by Edo2020(op): 7:02pm On Aug 27, 2020
