₦airaland Forum

Secretary to the Ondo State Government, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde has resigned from the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led administration.

Igbere TV reliably gathered that the SSG tendered his resignation Monday morning, and has transmitted his resignation letter to the governor.

In a letter exclusively obtained by Igbere TV, Mr. Abegunde thanked Governor Akeredolu for the opportunity to serve, while wishing him quick recovery from COVID-19 sickness.

When Igbere TV contacted Mr. Abegunde on reasons for his resignation, barely a week after denying a similar rumour, he simply said it was personal to him.

“It is personal...”, the former federal lawmaker said, refusing to comment further.
He, however, said he remains a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

But a close source to the now-resigned SSG’s office said the resignation may not be unconnected with the Ondo state 2020 politics.

“All is not well in Ondo, politically, forget the denials. All is not well with the APC in Ondo,” the source lamented.

Asked if the SSG has decamped to an opposition party yet, the source claimed Abegunde is likely to decamp to the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“He claimed he is still in the APC, just like the deputy, only for us to see him in the other party (PDP) hours later.”

”We know his (Abegunde) soul is already in the other party (apparently referring to the PDP) and won't be surprised if he finally makes move,” added the source.

Mr. Abegunde’s resignation as Ondo SSG is coming days after the embattled deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, dumped the APC for PDP.

The deputy governor, who has been at loggerheads with governor Akeredolu, is scheming to succeed his boss on the PDP platform in the Ondo 2020 governorship election.

Igbere TV reports that Governor Akeredolu remains in the APC and currently seeking reelection. The party primaries comes up in July this month.

https://igberetvnews.com/1357149/breaking-governor-akeredolus-ssg-reportedly-resigns/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

Ize-Iyamu Congratulates Gov Obaseki On 63rd Birthday

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the September 19, 2020 Edo State Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Thursday congratulated the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on his 63rd birthday.

In a statement made available to Igbere TV, Pastor Ize-Iyamu wished Mr Obaseki, who turned 63 on Wednesday, God’s blessings and also called for violence-free campaigns ahead of the September 19 polls.

“By divine coincidence, we will be contesting again on different political platforms for the opportunity to lead our people and serve the state as governor,” he said.

“God appears to have arranged musical chairs for both of us, bringing me to APC, which I helped to form and under which you contested in 2016, and taking you to PDP, where I previously contested and where you have now expressed your preference.

“Let the will of God be done and I want to assure you that my wish is that we have campaigns devoid of rancour and violence.

“Edo people need a governor that will help to unify the state, douse the political tension and focus completely on the development of the state.

“As leaders, you and I, including other aspirants, have the opportunity and responsibility to make things better and ensure that our contest is marked by democratic values that drive high standards of behaviour.”

Governor Obaseki is seeking re-election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after leaving the APC.

https://igberetvnews.com/1356776/ize-iyamu-congratulates-gov-obaseki-63rd-birthday/

“Today, in obedience to their invitation, I appeared before the Joint Committees on Labour of both the Senate and the House. The Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members sought to be briefed on the implementation of the Special Public Works Programme so far.

However, there was a misunderstanding between us when they questioned why I did not privately submit the program to them for vetting before taking certain steps. They suggested that they ought to have an input on how the programme should be implemented. In other words, they sought to control the programme as to who gets what, where and how.

However, I insisted that I could not surrender the programme to their control since their powers under the constitution does not extend to that. They insisted on a closed door session.

At this point, I remarked that it was only fair for me to respond to their position before the press, since their own position was also made public. In any case, I remarked that the Nigerian people deserve to know the details of the execution of this all-important programme.

I was then asked to apologize for insisting on a public interaction and I said there was nothing to apologize about, because their powers to expose corruption provided for in section 88 of the Constitution cannot be exercised in private. As such, there was no need to apologize by insisting on a Constitutional provision. Even their Rules that may provide for private hearings on public matters cannot override the provisions of the Constitution. I was then permitted to leave. I took a bow and left. I NEVER walked out on the respected Committees as they may want to bend the narrative.

After I left, I understand that the Joint Committees purportedly suspended the work of the Selection Committees nationwide until they decide how the programme should be run and who should be in those Committees. My opinion is that it is tantamount to challenging the powers of Mr. President.

I regret to say that their powers under section 88 of the 1999 Constitution is only limited to investigations, but NOT TO GIVE ANY DIRECTIVE TO THE EXECUTIVE.

A Committee or Committees of both Houses do not even have powers to pass binding Resolutions. They can only make recommendations to Plenary. In this case, even Plenary CANNOT give DIRECTIVES to the Executive.

All my life, I have fought for good governance and constitutional democracy. I will not come into government and be intimidated to abandon those principles. I will rather leave this assignment, if Mr. President so directs than compromise the jobs meant for ordinary Nigerians who have no Godfathers or who are not affiliated to any political party.

I therefore, respectfully further direct all the Committees set up nationwide made up of CAN, NSCIA, NURTW, Market Women, CSOS, Youth Organisations, respected traditional rulers, etc to proceed with their work unhindered. Only Mr. President can stop their work.”

The Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CEONCPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday approved the set up of a reconciliation committee to reconcile warring factions in Edo and Ondo States chapters of the Party.

In a statement made available to Igbere TV, the Party announced the appointment of former Senate President, Sen. Ken Nnamani, GCON and the Governor of Niger State, H.E. Abubakar Sani Bello to chair the Reconciliation Committees for Edo and Ondo States respectively.

“This is in line with the process of true reconciliation among leaders and members of the party at all levels, announced by the National Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni,” the statement said.

Edo State Reconciliation Committee
1. Sen. Ken Nnamani GCON - Chairman
2. H.E. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
3. Fetus Keyamo, SAN
4. Prof. Tahir Mamman
5. Mrs. Margaret Okadigbo
6. Barr. Sanusi Musa
7. Hon. Abdul-Rahman Kawu Sumaila - Secretary

Ondo State Reconciliation Committee
1. H.E. Abubakar Sani Bello - Chairman
2. H.E. Sen. Adamu Aliero
3. Sen. Bamidele Opeyemi
4. Gambon Magaji, CON
5. Mr. Jasper Azuwatalum
6. Hajiya Binta Muazu
7. Hon. Iquo Inyang
8. Mr. Shina Pellar - Secretary

https://igberetvnews.com/1356520/apc-constitutes-fresh-reconciliation-committee-edo-ondo-states/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Aliyu Abubakar Musa, as his Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO).

This was disclosed in a statement made available to Igbere TV on Monday, signed by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

He said, “DCP Musa, from Nigerian Police Force Zone 5, Benin City, as his last station, hails from Niger State.

“Musa’s appointment follows the redeployment of his predecessor, Commissioner of Police (CP) Abdulkarim Dauda.”

https://igberetvnews.com/1356392/breaking-president-buhari-names-new-personal-security-officer/

Lalasticlala Seun Mynd44

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2020 Edo State gubernatorial election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has challenged the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to clear its infamous status of a "tax collector" - a despicable description it earned from the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

Reacting to a challenged posed by the party for him to provide evidence of goodwill from the state’s former Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Pastor Ize-Iyamu denounced the PDP as a “fallen party in tattered rags, authoring an allegory of tax collectors and a Zacheus who must remain short of his 'non-negotiable second term ambition.'”

He asked the party to focus on its internal squabbles exacerbated by the divisiveness of Governor Godwin Obaseki who allegedly obtained the party’s ticket forcibly through a national imposition by induced tax collectors.

The statement signed by the Director of Communication and Media of Campaign Organization, John Mayaki, read: “The sun is dawning on a new era at the People's Democratic Party. For a party that has almost successfully faded into quiet irrelevance, the saying that bad publicity is better than no publicity has come to define this new era. A fallen party, in a bid to rise again, is grabbing at anything, be it pole or straw, just to find its feet again. And then arrives Obaseki, a fodder, pole, straw, and even cash cow, furnishing this fumbling party with seeds that will only counter-productively grow detrimental discordance.”

“However, in their deadened obscurity now enlivened by the hapless Obaseki, this PDP has a strong headache: Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC's Edo State gubernatorial candidate. Disturbed by the Pastor's widespread popularity and massive acceptance among common Edo people, the PDP, running with their crippled Obaseki, is looking for just anything to lay hands on in their bid to burnish Obaseki's waning, if not inexistent popularity. This is why they have, through a memo signed by the National Publicity Secretary, called on the illustrious Ize-Iyamu to avail them of instances of past goodwill by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. However, that singular memo has achieved something sinister and unexpected.”

“Harping on the sentences made at the heat of a very charged campaign, the PDP seeks to defenestrate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu while at the same time turning a blind eye on the well-published flowery praises heaped on the Pastor by Oshiomhole in the past. Addressing a scholarly audience, Oshiomhole had confessed his admiration and respect for his former campaign director, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. In this speech that can even be rewatched in videos across social media platforms, Oshiomhole was particular about not just the Pastor's book intelligence but his smartness and ability to inspire and mobilize the people. For this reason, he, Oshiomhole, praised to high heavens, the Pastor's unique achievement of delivering 18 out of the existing 18 local governments to the political party.”

“Even as tables turned later, making Obaseki the anointed kid, he never enjoyed such showers of praise. And it wasn't that Oshiomhole, in his renowned eloquence, cannot or was not eager to say things of this man, but rather because Obaseki is a flat uninspiring character. Today, the PDP revisionists will, for deliberate amnesia, forget to mention these facts. Neither will they mention that at Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu's 50th birthday, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole wrote a handwritten letter filled with unrestrained admiration and personally delivered it to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.”

“While their house is collapsing and the roof is catching fire, PDP is adamant about scratching its neighbor's beautiful new car. The newest development is even reflected by this troubling memo that is ordering Ize-Iyamu to provide goodwill from Oshiomhole. Emerging news has it that signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, Obaseki's candidature is a brainchild of the party's national superimposition. The Edo State chapter of the party, it appears, is not at home nor happy with Obaseki's candidature. Although still stifled, the state chapter has grumbled that they were dribbled and their will hijacked after Obaseki paid dearly and hugely, a National cabal, for Edo PDP candidature.”

“All this corroborates two things: first, the accusation that Obaseki financed his unripe and undue candidacy with 25 billion naira; and secondly, Governor Wike's famous branding of PDP national leaders as tax collectors. Now, Chris Nekhaire, PDP Edo State chapter publicity secretary, has expressed his dissatisfaction with Kola Ologbondiyan writing, signing, and publishing that memo that ordered Ize-Iyamu to produce any Oshiomhole goodwill of him. PDP has become a party in tattered rags, authoring an allegory of tax collectors and a Zacheus who must remain short of his 'non-negotiable second term ambition.'”

“In all these, it should not be mistaken that Chris Nekhaire's indignation is righteous. His anger does not come from a place of moral belligerence or hierarchical hurt, rather a simple vexation that the money Obaseki rolled out for the service of his ambition went to the party's national organ and not the state structure. But in all these, there is hardly any cause for surprise. This is PDP, a party that squandered the collective future of a nation for unbridled sixteen years; a party that has been this way since its inception; a party that would be this way forever. It is a good thing that Obaseki, a politically troubled child, has gone to them, his desperation unveiling old attitudes that never died. They should enjoy.”

By Igbere TV, Umuahia

EFCC Storms Premises of Son Of Ex-Abia Dep. Gov. Enyinnaya Nwafor (Photos))

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday stormed the premises of Engr. Enyinnaya Nwafor, son of late former deputy governor of Abia State, Dr. Chima Nwafor.

Nwafor is the founder and chief executive officer of Tunnel End, and Rock Waters Integrated Services Ltd., two construction companies headquartered in Aba.

Some buildings in the company's premises were marked by the EFCC officials, during the operation which lasted for hours. It was a joint operation which had men of the Nigerian police.

Nwafor is said to be a subject of investigation over alleged fraud and failed contracts. Some roads topping the list include the Unuaro/Ekwereazu road in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

Igbere TV recalls that Governor of Abia, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu had recently ordered the contractor back to site after some portions of the road failed. The road only lasted for about six months - December 2018 to June 2019.

Ikpeazu had expressed anger over the poor construction done on the road, which is currently the only route in and out of Aba from Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers States, due to complete failure of all federal roads linking the states.

He said the poor work on the Ekwereazu road didn’t meet the standard of roads done by his administration, ordering the contractor back to site to undertake a full reconstruction of the road.

Rumours are rife that Engr. Nwafor, a managing consultant from Umuojima Osisioma community of the state, is warming up for the 2023 general elections in Abia.

A close source confirmed to Igbere TV on Wednesday that the ex-deputy governor’s son was on Tuesday invited for questioning at a police station in the state.

“Yes, he was invited for questioning on Tuesday where he was asked to make some certain statements which he did,” the source said, revealing that Nwafor was later released at 7pm.

Igbere TV reliably gathered that plans are on ground for the EFCC to immediately invite Engr. Nwafor to Abuja, the nation's capital, for further questioning and investigation.

More details later...

Sources in the Presidency have dismissed claims of an APC National Executive Committee meeting in Aso Rock purportedly convened by Victor Giadom, a suspended member of the party who resigned his position in the party’s National Working Committee in 2019.

Giadom announced yesterday, Tuesday, a NEC meeting of the party in the Presidential seat of power, claiming he had the backing of the President. However, this has been refuted as a ‘blatant falsehood’ that deeply offended the Presidency by sources in the Aso Villa.

“Victor Giadom offended the Presidency with his falsehood that he had the backing of President Buhari or anyone in Aso Rock for his purported NEC meeting. The reality is that the President doesn’t even recognize him as a member. President Buhari relates directly with the national leadership of the party and is well versed on the current situation that Mr. Eta Hilliard, nominated by the NWC, is acting on behalf of the recuperating Abiola Ajimobi pending the resolution of the court case suspending the National Chairman,” the source said.

Another top presidency source also denied knowledge of any NEC meeting, describing Giadom’s call as an attempt to force fiction into reality.

“Giadom and his backers are merely trying to force their fiction into reality. He is no longer a member of the NWC and even when he was, he doesn’t have the powers to convene the NEC meeting. The process for convening the meeting is clear and it involves a 14-day notice to all. So for Giadom to wake up on one Tuesday morning to call for a NEC meeting on Thursday is nothing but pure comedy and an insult to the schedule of Mr. President who is a statutory NEC member and as such works in collaboration with the party leadership to set date for the meeting,” he said.

“He can enjoy his momentary fame because we have been asked not to dignify his incendiary comments with an official response but journalists quoting this man need to study the party processes and constitution. By doing that, they will realize his claims are just wishful thinking that cannot stand,” he concluded.

Disqualification: Obaseki’s Imported Aides Prepare For Final Looting Of Edo Treasury

Hours after the embattled Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki was disqualified by the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee from the Edo 2020 Governorship election, information have filtered in of grand heist plot by foreign aides of the governor.

The aides mainly of Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Igbo and Youruba extraction held a meeting at Protea Hotel at about 7pm where they finalised on plans to loot Edo treasury through phony deals and contracts.

Amongst those sighted exiting the meeting venue were the governor's personal assistant, Tijani Nwadei (TJ) and Jiro.

According to sources, TJ and his cohorts will use two companies "Redwire" and "Vissaus" as conduit pipes to actualise the plot. The companies owned in proxy by TJ is operated by Jiro and one Temitayo Utomi.

Apart from phony contracts and shady deals, they also plan to engage the companies in money laundering activities to siphone the common patrimony of Edo people.

We wish to alert Edo people of this criminal plot by TJ and his cohorts who had less than N100,000 in their accounts as at 2016 when they were ferried in from mainly Lagos by outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Concerned Edo Citizens

...expresses concern over use of UNIBEN hostels by athletes

A socio-political group, the Edo Renewed Minds (ERM), has urged the Edo state government, who is hosting the 20th edition of the National Sports Festival, to postpone the program immediately due to the outbreak of coronavirus in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Wednesday March 11, the group called on the state government to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Sports to temporarily suspend or reschedule the festival, which is billed to hold from March 22 to April 1, 2020.

The statement widely circulated in the media, berated the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare for insisting that the program will hold at all cost, even at the detriment of peoples lives and despite the outcry of Edo citizens.

“The Edo state government appears unperturbed over the possibility of importing the deadly coronavirus into Benin City all in the name of hosting the 20th National Sports Festival.

“This is evident in recent weeks as government of Edo continues to spend millions on adverts and publicity for the program without paying much attention to public health and safety of its citizens.

“Particularly of note is that the state government has concluded plans to camp expected athletes and some invited guests at the students hostels in Ugbowo campus of UNIBEN.

“This is not only worrisome, but the height of irresponsibility. These (the students) are our children. They are the hope of this country. We should not put their lives at risk.”

The ERM, therefore, called on the University of Benin management to disallow the use of its hostels and sport facilities pending when the government shows some level of responsibility and seriousness.

“Records at our disposal shows that no adequate preventive measures have been put in place to prevent any possible outbreak of the deadly virus in Edo as the state sets to host the 36 states and the FCT.

“We express worry over the resolve of the organizers to carry on with the festival in the face of the outbreak, even after similar programs of such a magnitude have either been postponed or cancelled worldwide.

“To be on the safe side, the National Sports Festival should either be postponed by two or three months or suspended indefinitely.

“We are talking of (hosting) thousands of guests from across the 36 states and the FCT, including at least 3,500 skilled athletes expected to be camped in UNIBEN hostels.

“Events are being postponed across the globe. Just recently, Saudi Arabia saw the wisdom in halting its annual lesser pilgrimage,” ERM added.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) which originated in Wuhan, China, has killed more than 4,000 people and infected over 116,000 people across the world. Nigeria has just recorded a second confirmed case of the virus.

The embattled and outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has allegedly mobilized thugs to attack his predecessor and national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole upon his arrival at the Benin Airport.

Oshiomhole, who is billed to land at the Benin Airport any moment from now, is expected to attend the burial ceremony of the late mother of Hon. E. J. Agbonayinma, a former lawmaker and senior aide to House of Reps speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

An insider privy to the development said the embattled governor, through his suspended Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, had "stationed boys" within the premises and exit gates of the Airport to attack the national chairman on sight.

The source, who condemned the development, therefore advised party faithfuls and all lovers of democracy, particularly the good people of Edo state to call Godwin Obaseki to order over the ugly trends.

“Those in Benin city should immediately mobilize to the Airport and protect our national chairman because information at my disposal is that Obaseki has sent thugs to attack him,” the source said.

It would be recalled that Godwin Obaseki has, on so many occasions, threatened to deal decisively with his predecessor for not supporting him over the illegality perpetrated by him(Obaseki) which saw the nocturnal Edo Assembly inauguration, and the lingering Edo APC crisis.

More details shortly...

...Says Oshiomhole stands suspended

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has expressed anger over a meeting between his predecessor and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole and some top members of the ruling party had on Friday paid a visit to Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, while also presenting a new year card to the president.

The visit is said to have angered Governor Obaseki, who has been at loggerhead with his benefactor (Oshiomhole) over the controversial inauguration of the Edo State House of Assembly.

A top government official, who pleaded anonymity, said the visibly angry Governor Obaseki expressed disappointment at the president for receiving Oshiomhole whom he said he has since suspended.

The government official, who spoke to our correspondent over the telephone, said Mr. Obaseki felt betrayed that Buhari would receive a gift from the same man he allegedly asked him to deal with.

“Don't quote me, I repeat don't quote me(sic). His Excellency felt betrayed, you know he is like a son to Mr. President. The Governor has the support of top aso rock officials that's why he's angry because such a meeting could be fixed without him getting wind of it.

“He (Obaseki) even insisted that the person who received the national chairman must be ‘Jubrin of Sudan’ and not the same Buhari who asked him to deal with Oshiomhole”, the government official said.

Governor Obaseki only recently openly boasted that President Muhammadu Buhari had given him the permission to deal decisively with Adams Oshiomhole and other members of the Edo APC.

According to the government official, the Governor has concluded plans to have a meeting with President Buhari which he said will be influenced by Governor Fayemi Kayode of Ekiti State, who doubles as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).

Meanwhile, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Thursday said that his stellar performance is the reason he has been under attacks and attempts being made to remove him from office.

Oshiomhole spoke at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when he led members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on a New Year visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Oshiomhole said the visit was also to congratulate the President on the successes so far recorded since his second term administration was inaugurated.

The party national chairman who has faced a barrage of criticisms, however, urged Nigerians to recognise that under the Buhari-led administration, a lot have changed for better.


Follow Governor Obaseki on Social Media
Website: www.godwinobaseki.com
Facebook: fb.com/godwinobasekiofficial
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PHOTO CAPTION:
President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; and other members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) during a courtesy visit to the State House, in Abuja.

Indications emerged on Sunday morning that the incumbent embattled Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, may not be participating in next year’s 2020 governorship election in the state.

According to reports, the Governor who has severally said he deserved another term, gave the hint at an interdenominational thanksgiving service of the just concluded Edo “Alaghodaro” Summit, in Benin City.

He, however, did not give much details as to why the sudden change of mind, even when he only recently declared he was not leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the state’s number one seat.

Obaseki said, “I have since come to realize that it is God who gives power, not any man. I stand by my words that no one made me governor. And one man (apparently referring to Oshiomole) cannot stop me in 2020, if I chose to run. But I may not be running after all.

“My government came on board in 2016, with a promise to reposition the state and close the treasury against looters and disgruntled politicians, shut out political thugs, CDAs; and we have so far succeeded in doing that.

“But the crisis within my party has overwhelmed and overshadowed our performance. I have since opted to focus on good governance and in completing our first term, while I go back to my normal business which is suffering greatly.”

NAN reports that Obaseki, who once said in 2016 that he won't be seeking re-election at the expiration of his first term, has been at loggerheads with his predecessor and national chairman of the APC, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, with the governor accusing the latter of ‘godfatherism.’

Just recently, the governor suffered great political defeat ahead 2020, with the suspension of the Edo APC Chairman, Anselm Ojezua, a known loyalist and staunch supporter of Mr. Obaseki; while the governor was also suspended by another faction of the party.

Eleven out of sixteen members of the Edo APC executive have since deserted him (Obaseki) and absconded to Abuja, even as 14 of 24 Edo Assembly members-elect loyal to Oshiomhole, are still aloof.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, were unsuccessful. But an official of the Edo state government, who craved anonymity, confirmed the development.

“Yes, it is true. The governor is being pressurized to step down ahead of next year's election. He is being accused of disregarding the party and constituted authorities, including the national leader, Bola Tinubu with his ‘Edo is not Lagos’ statement.

“Don’t forget that he was also recently suspended from the party, including his deputy Shaibu, and SSG Ogie. All is not well, and the governor knows this. He may not get the governorship ticket if he chose to run, hence his sudden u-turn”, the official said.

https://breakingnewsnigeria.com.ng/edo-crisis-i-may-not-seek-reelection-next-year-baseki/