₦airaland Forum

Mr. Tommy Asemota Founder and CEO of NAT LTD
I want to commend the Governor of Edo State, Gov. Godwin Obaseki for his tremendous help in reviving our factory Nat Limited . Our factory was closed down for about 4yrs because my wife was ill and I had to travel with her to Switzerland our second home for medical attention and there was no one available to manage the factory so I put up the factory for sale.
The Governor visited the factory while I was away in Switzerland and met only 2 workers who were in charge of safe guarding the factory.
In September 2018 I got a call from one of them that the Governor visited the factory. I was quite surprised because for more than 40years that our factory has been running, we have never gotten any visit from any Government including Edo State Government where we are located. Though we tried severally in the past to get them to see our factory and patronize us but they never responded.
I was contacted by the SSA (Senior Special Adviser) to the Governor but I explained to her that I was currently not in the country.
I got back into the country 2months later and contacted the SSA (Senior Special Adviser) to the governor. She scheduled an appointment for me to meet with the governor. I went to see the Governor 3days later and I was well received. The manner and way he received me showed he had respect for my age even though he was the Governor.
After exchanging pleasantries, he thanked me firstly for loving my State enough to set up and establish a furniture factory with my foreign wife in the State. He went on to say that he would provide jobs to keep the factory running in order to create employment and also to empower people by training them in the furniture business.
When he finished speaking, I thanked him for his warm reception and explained to him that as a result of my age I would not be able to run the factory so I suggested that since the factory was put up for sale, the Government could buy over the factory and that I would be willing to assist in any possible way to help them resuscitate it.
He then said that if the factory was bought over by the government, it would not last for more than 6months. He further appealed to me to put the factory in order and promised to give us jobs to supply furniture to various locations in the state thereby creating funds for the effective running of factory.
I was quite surprised and filled with joy that such a person could have so much love for the state. I also told him of my dream to help people move forward in life by creating jobs and even giving one subsidized meal daily for workers as being practiced in many companies but wasn’t possible because we had very low patronage.
In the past the only contracts we got were given to us by some architects, Shell Petroleum Development cooperation that visited and inspected our factory and registered us as one of the suppliers of furniture items. This really helped us at the beginning to help build up the factory but later when the usual corrupt practice of Nigeria crept in jobs were no more available. The various government and organizations resorted to importing furniture and we got jobs from few northern Governors while we didn’t get any jobs from the south-south regions.
I thanked him for giving my wife and I the privilege of realizing our dream (providing jobs for our people). While most of the furniture factories in the State and Nigeria at large were charging apprenticeship fee, we were accepting apprentices free of charge and giving them allowances.
Keeping to his words the Governor helped to reopen our factory, he awarded contracts to my company and five other companies to produce and supply furniture across offices in Edo state and payment for these jobs were made to us as and when due. He also made provision for trainees who are interested in the furniture business. These trainees were being paid twenty thousand naira monthly. In addition to this, working tools were provided and an amount was set aside for them to set up their workshops after the completion of their training. This action of the governor is unprecedented in the history of this country where everyone is for himself and not for the people.
Presently the International Organization of Migration (IOM) is in discussion with us with regards training of returnees in wood work, etc.
My wish is that the Governor be allowed to govern Edo state for another 4years so as to continue building the good legacy and foundation which he started in his first tenure. After the completion of his second tenure then someone else can be elected to continue building on this good foundation and legacy.
I have never been an advocate of any party but I will vote for the betterment and the good of the State and the country. Please let us give Governor Obaseki the opportunity to continue the good foundation he has started in the next 4years.
It is important to note that since independence there hasn’t been any physical development because their foundation was laid down on sand and couldn’t stand the test of time. We need a strong foundation where capable and intelligent people are at the herm of the affairs. Thugs should never be allowed to run the affairs in the local government or State government.
With this it is safe to say that the governor means well for the people.
This is an opportunity for us to give him the maximum support in other to move the state forward. We pray that God will help us in our desire.
God bless Edo State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Adedapo Samuel

A football manager will tell you, you do not change a winning team.
In what is yet another validation of the focus of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration on innovation and technology, a team groomed at the Edo Innovation Hub, Benin City, won the Rosatom Atoms for Africa competition, defeating over 65 participants from across Africa.
During his speech, after a closed-door session with Governor Obaseki, Founder of Xigma, Derick Nwasor thanked the Edo State Government, Edo Jobs and Edo Innovation Hub for creating the platform for entrepreneurs to succeed in the State.
According to him, “we won the first prize in the Rosatom Atoms for Africa Competition, which created an opportunity for us to visit the world first Nuclear Power Plant in Obninsk Russia.
“The competition is about nuclear technology. We built a device that uses water to produce electricity, breaking water to hydrogen. We decided to step it up further into atomic particles. We applied for the Africa-wide Competition and came out first and went to Russia to see the world’s first power plant.
“We thank Governor Obaseki for creating the enabling environment for start-ups and people that have ideas to excel. The Edo State Government designed an Innovation Hub which enables people with start-up ideas to set up and operate companies with stable electricity supply, internet facilities and adequate security.”
He said the focus of his start-up is to provide the technology for use by Edo people, noting “We call on youths to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Governor Obaseki-led administration to transform their lives for the better.”
The Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare attributed the successes recorded by the job creation agency Edo Jobs and its subsidiaries , the Production center and Edo Innovates to Mr Obaseki’s ability to solve problems , her assertion is backed up by the success of the Edo Team at the Rosatom Atoms competition..
She urged Edo youths to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Obaseki-led administration through EdoJobs and Edo Innovation Hub
“I am calling on all Edo youths to embrace the system as there are many other opportunities for start-ups provided by the Obaseki- led administration. All these are for the benefit of Edo people.”
Manager, South-South Innovation Hub, Osayi Omokaro commended the Governor for the platform created for youths to excel, adding, “They have made Edo State and Nigeria proud as they represented us well in Africa and the World. We are hopeful that in the shortest time, their innovative device will create jobs for the youths in Edo State, Nigeria and the world at large.”

Thank you Igueben for the tremendous support for this MEGA Vision. We are overwhelmed by the show of love and pledge continuity on the good works we have started.
We will make Edo great again.
Join this movement. To know more, download the MEGA App on Google playstore
#EdoDecides #MEGAMovement #EdoMEGA

Terry Olujamisi

Tackling unemployment is more than campaign rhetoric it is a socio – economic malaise that must be tackled head on and if you think I am over reacting ask the unemployed. The lack of a job has led to broken marriages and homes, caused many to experience mental breakdown, worse still some turn to crime out of frustration and anger.
It takes a person of vision, strategy and empathy to make it a priority to tackle unemployment and many a person and government would testify to the intricacies of job creation.
So, when in 2016, the newly elected Governor of Edo State Mr. Godwin Obaseki, announced Edo Jobs as the new initiative to tackle the rising unemployment amongst youths in Edo State; people can be forgiven for saying another voice mail message.
Four years later, we must applaud his strategy of implementing employment programs that created more and better job opportunities. The initiatives rolled out by Mr. Obaseki have done a great job of linking the unemployed market with better opportunities while promoting entrepreneurship and innovation as the engine of job creation.
The Obaseki government launched an innovative and inclusive approach to reducing unemployment , firstly they avoided the mistakes of the past where government employment programs were random and did not address the socio- economic issues putting good jobs out of the reach of the Edo youth , they took the harder but more effective approach of tailoring job creation initiatives to target the skill deficiency in the youth and create the right conditions for budding entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and create jobs.
This strategy is merely the outcome of a competent team at the helm of affairs, they simply tied together the demand and supply sides of job strategy – reached out to the marginalized labor with tailored services that groom them for the opportunities in the labor market, identified and developed the value chains that have the capacity to create employment such as Agriculture,( Media & Creative) Production and Technology.
To ensure the approach worked in synergy, agencies of government were furnished with the necessary resources for policy implementation. This coordination between the government functionaries accounts for the 167,000 jobs created prior to the advent of Covid 19. This is an 80% performance rate in fulfilling the 200,000 job creation campaign promise made by Mr. Godwin Obaseki in 2016.
You can learn more about this strategy and the economic revolution happening in Agriculture, business and technology in the MEGA manifesto.
The Obaseki / Shuaibu government care about the people, it was not just a campaign promise - for them it was about people lives.
As for me, they said it and they did it.

It is a month to the gubernatorial elections in Edo state and the violence being witnessed is a growing concern, with heightened security challenges for the people of the state.

We have witnessed an unprecedented level of verbal and physical attacks on the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy, and their supporters.
Of particular note, and in the full glare of the Nigerian police last week, Governor Godwin Obaseki and his campaign entourage were attacked by political thugs and hoodlums.

It is important to note that this is the third time that an attempt would be made to attack or intimidate the Governor.
At least, 12 supporters were hospitalized after the attack at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, with no less than 22 vehicles destroyed by these employed thugs openly brandishing dangerous weapons.

So we insist that the Federal government must assure Edo people of peace and security in this September 19 election.

We also call on the international community to pay closer attention to the Edo election and put pressure to bear on INEC to conduct a free and fair election in the State.
#EdoDecides #MakeEdoGreatAgain #EdoMEGA

Governor Obaseki’s transformational first term is drawing to a close with elections due on September 19th 2020 and while he has declared his intention to run for reelection this is the time for us to take stock of the last four years.

Understanding Governor Obaseki’s MEGA vision economic agenda for Edo State requires an evaluation of some of the painstaking steps his government has taken to reconfigure the investment terrain and usher in a vibrant economy.

In pursuit of prosperity for the people of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki rolled out policies aimed at making Edo State attractive to investors and implemented critical reforms that would impact the investment climate.

The starting point was the reform of the Ministry of physical planning and urban development which involved restructuring the internal systems, streamlining the processes, implementing the training and development of civil servants and introducing modern best practices that changed the service model. The result - Fast and simpler processes and the automation of building permits. Presently building permits can be obtained in 14 days.

In the next phase, it was essential to deal with the issues that had been identified as investment repellants, so Mr. Obaseki embarked on the systematic eradication of the illegal land grabber’s syndicate by passing the Bill ’Anti- CDA Bill’ prohibiting thugs or illegal gangs ‘AKA Omo Onile” from intimidating the investors or residential land owners, thus creating the right environmental and sending a message that Edo is safe , secure and open for business . These steps sent the right signal as over 30 Organizations have extended their investment and expanded operations into Edo State creating new business activities that are boosting the local economy and stimulating job creation.
The impact of the reforms put in place by Mr Obaseki, if continued and built upon will have a 30 to 40-year reach but do not take my word alone; evaluate Governor Godwin Obaseki performance and his plan for the next four years by reading the MEGA manifesto.
Take it a step further, get involved in how your life will pan out, come September 19th 2020

On 15th August 2020, thousands of Edo residents and PDP supporters took to the street’s in a campaign road show dubbed the Umbrella Walk. This action was a public display of loyalty to the incumbent Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki and a protest against the recent events in Edo State that threatened to undermine the democratic process. Yes this defining moment by the public was their rightful response to political lawlessness tagged as godfatherism , the acts of violence perpetuated by miscreants of the opposing party and an opportunity to march for the common goal of accountable leadership and good governance. The best outcome of the march is that many more are reaching out and asking how to sustain the momentum that will bring about real change in Edo State.
Some may ask what is the Obasekist or Umbrella Movement?
It is made of Edolites who not only recognize and identify with the vision of Making Edo great again but are committed to working with the leaders: Governor Obaseki and Deputy Shuaibu in shaping strategies that best fit the times and address the next 30 years of the Edo State


While this public optimism is noble, there are some basic lessons on how Obaseki and Shuaibu got to this point that is worth remembering.
First, there was the 2 years of silent but deadly war between the Obaseki administration representing accountable leadership and the old corrupt political system characterized by over 2 decades -long failure to take responsibility or address the issues in Edo State ; the infrastructural decay , corrupt election system , barely existent public institutions and the deplorable living conditions faced by the everyday Edo man.
Secondly there was a buildup, corrupt systems have a modus operandi that remain unchanged through the years it seeks to buy, subdue, intimidate and ultimately silence good. A through look at the David and Goliath fight between Mr Obaseki and the “powers that be” saw the same pattern play out. First there was the offer to buy Edo State, followed by the dirt slinging and accusations about lack of gratitude, an attempt to suspend from the party, the disqualification and ultimately attempts on their lives.
If history is a guide, reformation always comes at the cost of personal sacrifice and a high moral code. However, on a positive note Mr Obaseki and Comrade Shuaibu appear to have taken stock of the challenges ahead and are up to the task.
The overwhelming majority of participants in the Umbrella march recognize these leaders as not just wanting the perks of the office instead they are committed to a larger cause of restoring greatness to Edo State , therefore the march was to draw awareness to their aspirations for a Greater Edo and their allegiance to Obaseki / Shuaibu in making the vision a reality .

ADEDAPO SAMUEL

The year 2016 was a very interesting and challenging year as most countries including Nigeria were faced with an economic recession further exacerbated by falling oil prices, it was against this premise that Godwin Obaseki assumed office as Governor of Edo state.

In a stroke of luck for Edo State; Governor Obaseki’s professional background ,experience and expertise in global economics and his role at the helm of leadership in various national and foreign organizations was a good backdrop to crafting the 6 major plinths that hold the pillars of his governance model and form the framework for the MEGA vision . These 6 pillars provided the background for organizing the programs that helped build a solid foundation and account for the rapid development of the State.

Within the space of 4 years , Governor Godwin Obaseki has put Edo state on the global roadmap by rolling out and implementing institutional reforms that have transformed State services, he has reconfigured the local economy and improved the daily living conditions of the people on far less resources ( due to the oil crash).

His core mission which is to pull the people of Edo state out of poverty and achieve prosperity became a watchword. This model is definitely working as evidenced by the decreasing unemployment rate in Edo state from 25% to 19% within the span of 4 years. Numbers do not lie.

His fight for democracy has attracted attention and approval locally and globally, the public identify with his mantra that leadership is accountable to the people and democracy is not succession; the previous system of political godfatherism that was prevalent in Edo State deprives the 99% for the 1% thereby cheating the people of the life they voted for and deserve. In his first year as Governor, Mr. Godwin ensured godfatherism and political thuggery was eradicated and the power returned to the people and with that broad stroke he created the means for Edo to move forward. It will be a grave mistake to hand the State back to the old political party of godfathers thus jeopardizing the progress made in the last 4 years.

It has been inspiring to see the changes in the residents of Edo State, people are outspoken because they realize that Governor, Godwin Obaseki listens to the people and his plans are always for the collective good. They can give voice to their opinion, dislikes, dream and desires freely without the fear of intimidation or being attacked by any political thugs. The security, safety and the general wellbeing of the people have been placed above the desires of the politicians.

Close to the end of his first term as Governor the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments and businesses across the world scrambled to deal with the challenges of the pandemic and most are still getting a hang of the impact of Covid on the health systems and the economic fallout.

Once again the Governor Godwin Obaseki has proved himself a resilient leader by setting the pace in the response to combat the virus: The measures put in place to contain the spread of Coronavirus in Edo State include multiple screening centers set up across all the local Government areas, fully equipped isolation centers were operationalized and over 5,000 health care personnel trained.

Challenges do not deter Mr Obaseki , his mind is made up and he is committed to fulfilling his promises for Edo state. A man who has placed the interest of the millions of Edo people above the interest of the few deserves to continue leading selflessly.

GGO has changed the narrative of the popular saying “politicians are lairs” by delivering on his promises of rebuilding the civil service, building new and extending the existing infrastructure, providing security of lives, property and investment which is evident by the Edo state Geographic information service. Increase in employment stirred by the new investment that the state now attracts. There have been more production centers and processing to stimulate the economy and our socio-cultural values have improved. The second term of this over-achiever is non-negotiable. Edo state employs the use of technology than any other state in Nigeria which has provided a seemingly stress-free and convenient way of getting things done.

Governance in Nigeria has always been associated with corruption, lies, laundering and underperformance but GGO presents a legacy of trust and a future for all to behold.

The other day my car ran into one of these bad roads, and I asked myself, are these people not seeing how bad this roads are or don't they go out, now that some set of group are ready to speak maybe something will be done

Current Situation: The people in Edo State walking in support of Godwin Obaseki.
#Umbrella March #MegaMovement #EdoMEGA #EdoDecides

THE Progressives Solidarity Front, a socio-political group, has warned the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to stop playing politics of intrigues and treachery in the build-up to the Edo State governorship election.

The election in the South-South state is slated for September 19, 2020.

PSF, in a statement by its President, Charles Obanor, threatened to expose what it referred to as Tinubu’s unclean records if he refused to stop what the group called destructive politics in Edo State.

“We have watched with dismay the politics being played by Tinubu, which is hell bent on destroying Governor Godwin Obaseki,” he said.

Obanor noted that many prominent Nigerians, including Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and some other governors on the platform of the Progressives Governors Forum had raised the alarm over the destructive politics of some APC leaders.

Obanor, who said the former Governor of Lagos State was the leader of those against Obaseki’s return as governor, declared that they would all be disappointed “because Edo people have resolved that they will return Governor Obaseki on September 19.”

He said, “I want to remind the APC National Leader of the story of the ‘bagman for two heroin traffickers’ in the United States. We will be forced to come out with details if he does not desist from the destructive politics he is playing in Edo State.



“We have said it many times that Edo is not Lagos. Despite the achievements of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Tinubu and members of his cabal denied him ticket for a second term. It is the same thing they want to do in Edo but God is greater than them.”

The group said, “Governor Obaseki was denied the ticket and he went to another party, which is not a sin.

“Immediately, they sponsored lawmakers whose seats had been declared vacant to storm the House of Assembly but Edo people rose to the occasion and sent them away. The question is: Why is Tinubu afraid of the September 19 election?”

While threatening to expose details of some information he said was at the disposal of the group, Obanor said Edo people had been keeping quiet because of the respect they had for the Oba of Benin, who declared that people should not resort to personal attack and violence.

“But we cannot continue to watch while our hard working governor is being rubbished by some selfish APC leaders. We are ready to publish more on the ‘bagman for two heroin traffickers’ if we are pushed,” he declared.

“The way Oshiomhole was embarrassed and removed as APC chairman in June is the same way Tinubu and other APC leaders will be embarrassed and ridiculed when Governor Obaseki wins on September 19 and is sworn in for a second term in November,” the Group stated.

http://www.thepointng.com/dont-play-destructive-politics-in-edo-group-warns-tinubu/

The Progressives Solidarity Front (PSF), a socio-political group, has warned the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to stop playing politics of intrigues and treachery in the build-up to the Edo State governorship election.
The election in the South-South state will hold on September 19.
PSF, in a statement by its President, Charles Obanor, declared that “we have watched with dismay the politics being played by Tinubu which is hell bent in destroying Governor Godwin Obaseki”.
Obanor said many prominent Nigerians, including Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and APC governors on the platform of the Progressives Governors Forum have raised the alarm over the destructive politics of some APC leaders, tarnishing the image of Governor Obaseki in the process.
Obanor, who said Tinubu is the leader of those against Obaseki’s return as governor, declared that they will all be disappointed “because Edo people have resolved that they will return Governor Obaseki on September 19”.
“I want to remind the APC National Leader of the story of the ‘bagman for two heroin traffickers’ in the United States. We will be forced to come out with details if he does not desist in the destructive politics he is playing in Edo State.
“We have said it many times that Edo is not Lagos. Despite the achievements of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Tinubu and members of his cabals denied him ticket for a second term. It was the same thing they want to do in Edo but God is greater than them.
“Governor Obaseki was denied the ticket and he went to another party which is not a sin. Immediately, they sponsored lawmakers whose seats have been denied vacant to storm the House of Assembly but Edo people rose to the occasion and sent them away. The question is: Why is Tinubu afraid of the September 19 election?”
“We still remember the story of the man with a spotty CV. We also remember what happened in the U.S. decades ago when a certain baron had to forfeit nearly half a million dollars to the U.S. Treasury Department after being named as an accomplice in a white heroin-trafficking and money-laundering ring that stretched from West Africa to the U.S. Midwest.”
“We also remember a Financial Times profile of this man, identified as a bagman for two Nigerian heroin movers who operated out of Chicago and Hammond, Indiana. They were Adegboyega Mueez Akande and Abiodun Agbele, Akande’s nephew, who was exposed to law enforcement after selling white heroin first to Lee Andrew Edwards, another dealer later jailed for trying to murder a federal agent, and then to an undercover cop.
“In a 1993 court docket from the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent Kevin Moss said that Akande had run the white heroin ring in the late 1980s until 1990, when he handed off the U.S arm of the business to his nephew, who had arrived in 1988.
“Akande then returned to Nigeria but continued to oversee the operation from abroad with the help of others at home and in the U.S., including his relatives. One of the individuals identified in his cartel is a Chicago State University-educated accountant working as a treasurer for an oil company.
“He gave differing accounts for his wealth to Moss. In one phone call from Nigeria, shortly after the U.S. Treasury seized his money, he admitted to wiring $100,000 to Akande’s Houston bank account and to receiving $80,000 from Akande into his First Heritage account. He also said that apart from one other account in Fairfax, Virginia, he had no other money stashed in U.S. banks.”
“But there were other accounts. Citibank has a worldwide banking division known as Citibank International where he stashed an additional $550,000. He also controlled an entity called Compass Finance and Investments Company Ltd., of which Akande and Agbele were directors.”
“He eventually settled with the district court, turning over $460,000 of the seized $1.4 million, with the remainder released back to him”.
Obanor said Edo people have been keeping quiet because of the respect they have for the Oba of Benin who declared that people should not resort to personal attack and violence “but we cannot continue to watch while our hard working governor is being rubbished by some selfish APC leaders.
“We are ready to publish more on the ‘bagman for two heroin traffickers’ if we are pushed. But, one thing is clear. The way Oshiomhole was embarrassed and removed as APC chairman in June, the same way Tinubu and other APC leaders will be embarrassed and ridiculed when Governor Obaseki wins on September 19 and sworn in for a second term in November”.

BY KENNETH OBASI EZE

Globally, the pillar on which democracy is cast is the principle of one man, one vote, in recent times this individual representation seems consigned to history.

Nigeria, despite boasting a large chunk of intellectuals was under the jackboots for most of her independence. Many can recall how scary military rule was in Nigeria, before few people chose to take the bull by the horn by championing mass movements, to liberate the country. Little wonder, the world rose in unity to celebrate the arrival of the government of the people, by the people and for the people in Nigeria in 1999. The likelihood of over 150m people scampering across the world in the event of war compelled the powers that be to rally in support of civil society to enthrone democracy in Nigeria.

The delicate balance between political power and the people is the civil society. Each time any part of the world comes under the siege of ruthless politicians, it is the civil society that saves the day.

So, why is the civil society turning deaf ears to the cry of longsuffering Nigerians at this time?

Wole Soyinka in what sounds like an apparent reference to the present state of affairs noted in ‘The Man Died: Prison Notes of Wole Soyinka’, that “the man dies in all who keep silence in the face of tyranny.”

The way political gladiators, even those who rode to power on the strength of being social crusaders, have been raping democracy has left discerning and concerned people around the world wondering if the politicians have forgotten how they got there.

Happenings at Edo State capture the above scenario succinctly.

It is absurd that those who should be behind bars are at the forefront of partisan politics in Nigeria. What do the politicians take the citizens for?

Why do Nigerian laws allow those standing trials muscle their way to political positions as a tool to frustrate prosecution? This ought to be engaging the attention of the civil society, if democracy must survive in Nigeria.

Leaving the country at the mercy of godfathers and their criminal cronies is an ill- wind that blows nobody any good.

Knowing that a stitch in time saves nine, and that those who keep silent in the face of oppression are actually taking sides with the oppressor, means that now is the time for activists to rise up and save democracy in Nigeria.

I feel for the people of Edo State.

The enviable history of the Benin Kingdom is being ridiculed and desecrated upon by political rascals. How does it feel being an ordinary citizen of Edo State or indeed those other states where democracy have been so raped?

If a citizen has been investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission with the matter pending before a court of competent jurisdiction, yet the same people who presupposed him guilty, and approached the court for adjudication, look at the entire citizenry and claim, ‘this is the only one who can be your governor’, does it bode well? It only goes to show the kind of love and respect the politicians have for the citizenry.

And this is not limited to Edo State.

This is why I am worried that the civil society are unable to realize themselves as being in the open prison of corrupt politicians in Nigeria.

Who can guarantee free and fair elections in Edo Sate come September 19, 2020? The people are crying for freedom, but their voices are not being heard. The voice of the people is being stifled by the hullabaloo of empty-vessel political slave- masters. How long this is going to succeed, is only a question of conjecture.

Juxtaposing the campaign propositions of 2016 and 2019, leaves Edo voters with a simple choice to make. Retaining the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, at least promises that it is the people making their choice, not an individual imposing and deposing governors at will. The question must be asked, ‘Is Edo State an individual’s estate?’

Sadly, the brash manner in which the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the deposed national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole have been bragging about the outcome of the election, does not indicate a willingness to allow the will of the people, through the ballot box to prevail.

Interestingly, the rich history of Edo State speaks to something different. And with many highly placed people in the APC not too comfortable about being used as tools to create chiefdoms for certain politicians and their political cronies, there might be hope.

However, the desperation of certain viruses within the APC must be carefully watched. With the brazen attempt at creating a parallel parliament in Edo State backed by the Attorney General of the Federation and other party chieftains, observers must be concerned.

What the APC has done is leaving Edo people with a simple choice to make with their votes. A choice for self-determination and self-governance by voting Obaseki for second term, as against indirectly renewing a third-term for Oshiomhole and running the risk of their intelligence being assaulted again in four years’ time with another cock and bull story to replace Osagie Ize-Iyamu with another stooge of the former labour leader.

While it is simple to consider that voters in Edo State are not so gullible as to fall for the rhetoric of the APC, it is evident that the desperation of power hungry politicians can defy logic.

This is why I am wondering why the civil society is watching helplessly while democracy is being raped to death in Nigeria. The deafening silence of activists and the civil society over godfatherism and criminals infiltrating the polity is worrisome because keeping silence in the face of oppression means blindly supporting the oppressor.

Several signs in the political and governance space have left people pondering if there is a possibility that the civil society is conniving to abort democracy in Nigeria.

The final nail on the coffin of democracy in Nigeria has often been driven in by mismanaged elections. The desperation of certain groups of people to hold on to power have seen them cross the line of human tolerance, again and again, with no human certain, when the stretch of endurance would cave-in. Until something is done or seen as being done, right thinking citizens will keep wondering if the civil society is folding its hands while democracy dies in Nigeria.

With the campaign for the Edo State gubernatorial elections heating up, it is time for us, insiders, voters-card carrying people of Edo State to speak-up on the truth and eye witness account.
Having lived in Edo State for years and seen many governors of the state, both military and civilian, I can clearly state the we, the people of Edo State have chosen HE Godwin Obaseki as our leader based his scorecard during his first tenure in office.
When he was campaigning in 2016 and promised to take Edo State further, we never gave him a chance. We took his words for the empty promises of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
But Obaseki has left us surprised with the fulfilment of his electoral promises.
The evidence of his performance abound. Ordinary people have been impacted in so many ways, that if I had to narrate all the testimonies, I will sound like a mouthorgan.
Nevertheless, a man will always be judged by his track record, so I make bold to state that if in 2016 Governor Obaseki promised that we will go further and did, I have no reason to doubt his vision of Making Edo Great Again, MEGA.
Nobody can refute that the people of Edo are his priority, which explains why we have made Obaseki our leader. Where he goes, we will follow because we are only as strong as our leader.
Edo people are pleasantly surprised that Governor Obaseki is the first politician in almost 20 years to live up to his manifesto promises.
Some of the areas where his good hand manifested include the education system. He has totally transformed our public schools, which led to increased attendance.
His efforts led to drastic reduction of irregular migration by our youths. Desperation to trek across the desert because of hopelessness experienced at home has almost become a thing of the past. Even many of those who were wallowing abroad have returned from Europe and other parts of the world, with the government under Obaseki helping them settle into normal lives at home. I cannot count the number of parents who wept to see their children return and get help from the Obaseki administration in starting their lives again.
Also, retired pensioners got the fruit of their labour after 22 years of unpaid pensions. Even more outstanding in cases where the pensioner had passed on the funds were paid to the next of kin.
On infrastructure, roads and social amenities neglected for 40 years have been repaired by the Obaseki administration.
The taste of the pudding as they say, is in the eating. What we have seen of Governor leaves us convinced that he will keep to his promise to make Edo State great again!
Making Edo Great Again is sure
MEGA is a goal
God bless Godwin Obaseki, God must win
4+4 is a sure

According to Oshawo, “Oshiomhole did not pay my pensions for eight months during his tenure as governor of Edo State, but it took Obaseki less than one month of assumption of office to clear it.”

ToshAT3:
Will Edo Voters Accept Obaseki’s Citizen-Centric Offer?

As the race for who occupies the government house of Edo State after the September 19, 2020 gubernatorial elections hots up, the incumbent is dangling before the electorate the chance to take power to themselves by voting into office a leader who is citizen minded.
Lovers of democracy, irrespective of party affiliations are desirous of seeing Edo people rise up to the occasion with their votes, come September 19, 2020.
Those who have access to the promises of the incumbent Governor of Edo State and flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the coming elections are delighted with his position that “Making Edo Great Again is a mass movement for the popular participation of all Edo people for rapid, sustainable development based on a circular economy and sound financial management.”
The general feeling amongst Nigerians is that the politicians have held sway for too long and that the time has come for the people to take their destiny in their hands by voting pro-people aspirants into positions of authority.
And because the Benin Kingdom have always been at the vanguard of civilization, Nigerians want to see this clearly demonstrated in Edo State with the coming gubernatorial elections.
The people must speak with the votes to take their freedom from unscrupulous politicians and godfathers, feelers from political activists indicate.
Interestingly, in Obaseki’s manifesto, in which he pledged commitment to “citizen participation and government of accountability, he invites the people to join him in the quest to “Making Edo Great Again” (MEGA).
Drawing from his experience in governance and investment banking, the MEGA manifesto highlights six strong promises to the people of Edo State. They include Citizen-Centric Leadership, Economy & Industrialization, Infrastructure, Government as an Enabler, Technology & Data Driven Governance, and Governance Reforms.
Looking at the recently launched app called Edo MEGA, one is tempted to believing that the offering is appealing to Edo State voters, particularly as the manifesto draws from proof-points of the dividends of democracy that the people are reaping from Obaseki’s first tenure, now drawing to a close.
It is in the public domain that the incumbent governor of Edo State, HE Godwin Obaseki has been at daggers drawn with his predecessor in office, Adams Oshiomole over issues of hijacking governance and godfatherism. It is easy to understand why the average Edo voter will align with the current governor.
The odious issues of ill-governance and godfathers have partnered to hold good governance by the jugular and defraud the people of the dividends of democracy pan Nigeria.
Even active participants in the game of politics in Nigeria agree that the stranglehold of godfatherism is the most singular threat to democratic and good governance in Nigeria. So, whoever, dangles the juice of citizen-centric governance is most likely to have the people behind him, mostly if there is any little evidence to buttress the claim, as Obaseki has.
Proof of his ability to lead a people oriented government include, massive education reforms, tagged Edo Best and his clearance of the outstanding salaries and emoluments due to civil servants and pensioners in Edo State.
It will be recalled that Stephen Oshawo, Chairman, Ward 10 of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, which pulled the rugs from under Oshiomhole’s feet as national chairman of the party, by suspending him from the party, disclosed that while the deposed national chairman was governor of Edo State, civil servants and pensioners went cap in hand for their due.
According to Oshawo, “Oshiomhole did not pay my pensions for eight months during his tenure as governor of Edo State, but it took Obaseki less than one month of assumption of office to clear it.”
Testimonies like this which resonate across Edo State are what watchers consider will sway the vote casting by the electorate come September 19, 2020.
And with Obaseki offering citizen participation and accountability, it is an offer that political analysts consider would be too tempting for the people of Edo State to turn down.
According to the manifesto, Obaseki promises a massive action against poverty with deliberate efforts to make every Edo citizen rich through agriculture, infrastructure and transportation.
He further avers that, “my mission today, just as it was four years ago, remains to spearhead the transformation which is required to pull our people out of poverty.”
The incumbent governor while attempting to show respect to the citizenry acknowledges that “Edo people are very enlightened and politically savvy, much more than most of us politicians give them credit for.”
Beaming with optimism that Edo people will take his good offer by voting massively for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the coming elections, he noted, “This election is about the promise of Edo.”
As events unfold towards the Edo 2020 gubernatorial elections, it would be interesting to see to what extent the electorate aligns with Obaseki on his stance that “we must set out to consolidate the project of building a new Edo State, where true democracy thrives.”

You need to download the MegaMovement app so that you can have a good sense of why Obaseki is the best for the Edo people.Edo2020

OmoruyiM16:
can you beat your chest to dat? people like are the reason animals like Oshemole hat to turn edo state upside donw just to achieve his selfish gain but my Edo people are wise[/i][i][/i][b][/b][i]

Obaseki has all it takes to make Edo great.. Don't be deceived by this APC people feeding you with lies

Zeezy81:
Government is continues idiot.
Tinubu's blueprint for lagos are still being actualized uptill date.

Obaseki is what the Edo people need, not one yeye Ize Iyamu from nowhere that has no plan, his case is still with the EFCC, his attecntion is needed their, I wonder why Bubu will be endorsing such fellow and he said he is fighting kwaruption.