₦airaland Forum

while discussing on Sunday Politics aired on Channels Television, the Governor of Edo State, H.E Godwin Obaseki disclosed that he has never been desperate in his life and will win the primaries whether it is direct or indirect.

READ MORE@: https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/06/09/edo-gubergod-will-never-forgive-me-if-i-put-people-lives-at-risks-because-of-politics-godwin-obaseki/

A Federal High Court in Benin City has granted an order restraining the All Progressives Congress and its national chairman from conducting any primary election in Edo State ahead of the state governorship election in September, pending the determination of the suit before it.

More details to follow on : https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/06/08/breaking-court-grants-order-restraining-apc-from-conducting-primaries-in-edo/

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that his predecessor and the All Progressives Congress Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, has been taking decisions that are not in the interest of the party.

“I just do not agree with some decisions he (Oshiomhole) is taking as they relate to the party, they are not in the interest of our party,” he said on Sunday during an interview on a Channels Tv programme, Sunday Politics.

Read more @ https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/06/08/oshiomholes-decisions-are-not-in-the-interest-of-edo-apc-obaseki/

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/06/04/obaseki-appoints-stewart-to-replace-ohonbamu/

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation.

In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the appointment takes “immediate effect.”

“The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Mr. Stewart Efe as Commissioner for Communication and Orientation. His appointment takes immediate effect,” he said.

Mr. Efe, until his appointment was the Public Relations Officer, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Uselu, Benin City.

He hails from Ward 9, Egor Local Government Area (LGA) in Edo State.

He was a top contender as Chairman, Egor LGA, in the last local council elections, but stepped down for party interest.

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has vowed to remain in the All Progressives Congress as he battles for the party’s governorship ticket to seek re-election.

Obaseki said this while addressing members of the Obaseki Mandate Group FCT, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

READ MORE @ https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/06/03/ill-contest-edo-gov-election-on-apc-platform-obaseki/

His death was announced on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 by his longtime manager, Umenka Uzoma Day. He died at the age of 57.

It was gathered that he died in a hospital in New York on Monday around 5:45pm after a prolonged illness.

Fashek was born in Benin City to an Edo mother and a Yoruba father, but identifies with his Benin roots.

Details later @; https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/06/02/breaking-majek-fashek-is-dead/

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki says he is confident of returning to power as the first man of the state because “power comes from God.”

Details: https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/27/no-man-can-stop-me-from-returning-as-edo-governor-obaseki/

A credible source in the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) told Dai­ly Independent that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, APC National Chairman, had settled for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former gover­norship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who formally joined the APC in December 2019, as his preferred choice.

It would be recalled that a mock primary was organ­ised by the four aspirants few days ago to select a con­sensus candidate who will face incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, in the pri­mary.

Summary Edo APC

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/26/edo-2020-oshiomhole-dumps-odubu-ogiemwonyi-airhiavbere-others/

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Sunday said as the party leader of the All Progressives Con­gress (APC) in Edo State, he opposed the adoption of the direct primary method adopted by the party’s Na­tional Working Committee (NWC) because it might trigger the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

Cont. @
https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/25/edo-2020-why-im-opposed-to-direct-primary-obaseki/

Primary election will come and go, but we must ensure that Edo people will not be victims of the election. We must ensure that Edo people are protected. We must ensure that we save Edo State from community spread of the deadly contagious virus. We cannot sacrifice the lives of Edo people on the alter of politics of greediness and self centreness. Edo people must live freely without the risk of infections after the primary election.

Read more @
https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/24/edo-apc-primaries-prevention-is-better-than-cure/

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has felicitated with Muslim faithful on the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, after the completion of the Ramadan fast amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In a statement, the governor urged Muslims to promote a life of sacrifice, charity and love for one another.

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/24/eid-el-fitr-obaseki-felicitates-with-muslim-faithful/

According to him, “On behalf of the Government and people of Edo State, I felicitate with our Muslim faithful on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr after completion of the Ramadan fast, a major pillar of Islam. It is impressive that the Ramadan fast was observed most devotedly amid the coronavirus pandemic, with the relevant government regulations observed by the Muslim faithful in the state.

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki says the All Progressives Congress’ National Working Committee has no power to decide how the party governorship primary in the state will be conducted.

The primary has been scheduled to hold next month, with the governorship poll fixed for September.

Visit https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/23/apc-nwc-cant-decide-edo-primary-mode-obaseki-tells-oshiomhole/

A group in Edo State, under the aegis of the Masses Eye (ME) yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the controversies trailing the Edo Specialist Hospital, which he commissioned in 2016 in Benin, the state capital. Coordinator of the group, Samson Momorin, in statement made available to journalists yesterday, said that the people of the state people for whom the multibillion naira hospital was built were at loss as the hospital was yet to function to optimum capacity due to the controversies over allegations of embezzlement and shoddy deals in the award of the contract by the immediate past administration.

Read more @; https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/21/group-seeks-buharis-intervention-in-edo-hospitals-controversy/

Obaseki’s Spokesperson Slams Oshiomhole, Says Hired Equipment Were Used To Inaugurate Edo Specialist Hospital.

Read more: https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/21/obasekis-spokesperson-slams-oshiomhole-says-hired-equipment-were-used-to-inaugurate-edo-specialist-hospital/

Obaseki’s Spokesperson Slams Oshiomhole, Says Hired Equipment Were Used To Inaugurate Edo Specialist Hospital.

Read more: https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/21/obasekis-spokesperson-slams-oshiomhole-says-hired-equipment-were-used-to-inaugurate-edo-specialist-hospital/

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on Wednesday lashed out at his successor, Adams Oshiomhole while demanding for a free and fair governorship primary in Edo State.

See the full statement on�
https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/21/edo-guber-oyegun-tears-oshiomhole-apart-wants-him-off-edo-primaries/

Oyegun in a veiled message directed to Oshiomhole said “some persons in the leadership of the party (APC) are part of the contrived crisis in Edo state and must not be allowed to plan , participate or supervise the primary election in the state.”

He lauded the decision by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct elections in Edo and Ondo states, despite the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

Odigie-Oyegun reminded President Muhammadu Buhari about the outcome of reconciliation in the ruling party, stressing that part of the agreement was the decision to give automatic second term tickets to Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his Ondo State counterpart, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

He said Obaseki deserved reelection because he has neither offended party constitution nor brought the party into disrepute.

Odigie-Oyegun also said the governor has fought infrastructure battle in Edo and presided over a peaceful state. To the party chieftain, Edo must prove that democracy can survive without creating a situation whereby an individual or a small group can make or unmask the governor or other elected officials at will.

However, he said if Obaseki cannot be the consensus candidate, those creating crisis in the state must not be allowed to plan, participate or supervise the APC primary.

Odigie-Oyegun said: “Transparency must start with guidelines as to how the primary elections will be conducted. This is yet to be issued, even though dates have been announced. The nature of the primary election in Edo State will determine the shape and survival of APC as a political party.

“It will show Nigerians, and indeed the world whether APC is a party of truth, change and progress, driven by the principles of fairness, social justice and equity, of it is has become a party that believes and promotes business as usual.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_P0pRrh5wEY

Just In:

Few days after the shadow mini primaries organized by Edo People's Movement(EPM), and held at the compound of former deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen, over producing a consensus candidate that will be facing Mr Godwin Obaseki in the primaries, it has not been well with the camp.

It was recalled that the meeting which lasted for three hours was unanimously agreed by some persons to make Ize-Iyamu consensus candidate ahead of the primary. All hell was break loose as supporters of Odubu and Ogiemwonyi including Gen Charles Arhiavbere, expressed displeasure over hand-picking a candidate who joined the party few months ago as consensus, and all effort to reach Adams Oshiomhole proved abortive as he was completely incommunicado as a result of him switching off his phone.

However, the event took another ugly look as it became a war of words between Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chris Ogiemwonyi and Pius Odubu. The face-off among the trio continues until some thugs loyal to one of the aspirants arrived the place, chase everyone out of the premises and also, destroyed chairs and tables used in the meeting.

It was gathered that Odubu who could no longer watch being sidelined after losing the audio NDDC Chairman position, stormed Abuja on Tuesday and coincidentally, met Ize-Iyamu at Oshiomhole's house. The Iyamho man who expressed disappointment over the outcome of the shadow primaries, told them to go back and continue with the underground campaign as a new date will be fixed for another mock primaries.

The aspirants, immediately after the meeting, told their social media hirelings to continue with the campaign, and this ignited a new hope for Odubu and Ogiemwonyi supporters as they took to media space in a different tune in order to sell their candidates ahead of the mock primaries.

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/07/edo-2020-more-travails-for-epm-as-ize-iyamu-odubu-clashes-at-adams-oshiomholes-house-over-failed-mock-primaries-on-consensus-candidate/

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/06/coronavirus-edo-screens-collects-samples-of-over-100-persons-on-transit-from-rivers-kano/

…tests travellers for COVID-19

With increased vigilance at the state’s borders to halt the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the Edo State Government has screened and collected samples of over 100 travellers from Rivers and Kano States for COVID-19 tests.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, the state capital, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Patrick Okundia, said 26 travellers in a truck were stopped at AGIP Junction along Sapele Road and moved to the Stella Obasanjo Hospital for screening and testing to ascertain their COVID-19 status before they were let off to continue their journey.

The commissioner noted that the cargo truck was conveying the 26 passengers and the driver, and was loaded with bags of salt. He added that the truck was travelling from Rivers State and was waved down by security operatives at the AGIP Junction along Sapele Road, Benin City.



He added, “We are going to have their records well-documented. We have been directed to get them back into their truck, and direct security men to escort them out of Edo State. It is until they get far away from Edo State that they will be allowed to continue their journey.

Dr. Okundia said another batch of 75 travellers from Kano State, who were spotted at Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area (LGA) of Edo State by men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, were moved to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) for screening and testing.

According to him, “The management of the ISTH are screening and testing them. We are communicating and exchanging reports. The essence is to screen these persons and get them tested after which they will be allowed back into their truck to continue their journey and Police officers will escort them out of the state.”

The driver of the truck with registration number LSF 679 XZ spotted at Edo Central, John Monday, said he had just finished delivering his goods and decided to pick up the passengers who he charged between N500 and N700 on his way from Kano State en-route Ogun State.

Chairman, Esan Central LGA, Hon. Waziri Edokpayi, said samples of the travellers have been taken for testing at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXucnOf6CvM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2cyyoBq-6M


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKokCQ5wYOo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGU4eO9W2Us

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/04/coronavirus-we-never-released-photograph-of-fleeing-covid-19-patient-edo-govt/

The Edo State Government has said that it never released any photograph of the fleeing COVID-19 patient, Amaka Okoro, a nursing mother, who is wanted for treatment in the state.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said this in reaction to a video on social media by someone claiming to have been falsely identified as the nursing mother, who absconded after testing positive for COVID-19.

He noted that the lady whose picture was circulated on social media, is a victim of fake news, stressing that the action by the mischief makers amounts to undermining government’s efforts to track down the nursing mother.

According to him, “Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media by a lady who claimed her photos have been circulated on social media wrongly as the nursing mother wanted for COVID-19 treatment by the state government.

“It must be stated that when government made the announcement, it only gave the name of the woman in question and her address and never released any photograph of her.

“We categorically stated that the nursing mother lives at No. 2 Atoe Idubor Str, off 2nd Ugbor, Benin City. With such detail, it would be impossible to mix up the person we are searching for.

“However, we understand that the action of the mischief makers would have caused the lady in the video on social media undue psychological torment. We sympathize with her as, just like us, she is now a victim of fake news.

“Therefore, we use this opportunity to reiterate the warning on purveyors of fake news and misinformation to desist from such act, as their actions amount to undermining government’s effort to check the spread of coronavirus. This is punishable under the Quarantine Act Regulations, which is in force in the state.”

The governor’s aide urged the general public to continue to provide useful information that would aid in tracking down the COVID-19 patient and her baby so as to safeguard Edo people.

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/04/coronavirus-we-never-released-photograph-of-fleeing-covid-19-patient-edo-govt/

Coronavirus: We never released photograph of fleeing COVID-19 patient – Edo govt

The Edo State Government has said that it never released any photograph of the fleeing COVID-19 patient, a nursing mother, who is wanted for treatment in the state.

In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said this in reaction to a video on social media by someone claiming to have been falsely identified as the nursing mother, who absconded after testing positive for COVID-19.

He noted that the lady whose picture was circulated on social media, is a victim of fake news, stressing that the action by the mischief makers amounts to undermining government's efforts to track down the nursing mother.

According to him, “Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media by a lady who claimed her photos have been circulated on social media wrongly as the nursing mother wanted for COVID-19 treatment by the state government.

“It must be stated that when government made the announcement, it only gave the name of the woman in question and her address and never released any photograph of her.

“We categorically stated that the nursing mother lives at No. 2 Atoe Idubor Str, off 2nd Ugbor, Benin City. With such detail, it would be impossible to mix up the person we are searching for.

“However, we understand that the action of the mischief makers would have caused the lady in the video on social media undue psychological torment. We sympathize with her as, just like us, she is now a victim of fake news.

“Therefore, we use this opportunity to reiterate the warning on purveyors of fake news and misinformation to desist from such act, as their actions amount to undermining government's effort to check the spread of coronavirus. This is punishable under the Quarantine Act Regulations, which is in force in the state."

The governor’s aide urged the general public to continue to provide useful information that would aid in tracking down the COVID-19 patient and her baby so as to safeguard Edo people.

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/02/coronavirus-obaseki-launches-digital-homeschooling-platform-with-zero-data-access-free-sms-others/

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has launched an online homeschooling platform, EDO-BEST@Home. This platform was built to engage primary school pupils across the state in school lessons with the guidance of parents.

Parents can access the E-lesson programme for their children during the stay-at-home period on https://subeb.edostate.gov.ng/home-school/.

The platform provides for downloads with zero-data access or through free Short Message Service (SMS) supported by MTN Nigeria.

The SUBEB chairman, Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe, said, “Mobile Tutors are also available for Parents/Guardians who need the assistance. Please call the Edo SUBEB hotline 08091849777 to request assistance.”

According to her, the helpdesk for the programme is available from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, through which parents/guardians can chat real-time with education managers and teachers if they have any questions or concerns.

Watch Obaseki launche digital homeschooling below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb3VVpApj2s&feature=youtu.be

Edo govt condemns Oshiomhole’s renewed effort to heat up polity, divide APC and cause crisis amid COVID-19 pandemic

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/05/01/edo-govt-condemns-oshiomholes-renewed-effort-to-heat-up-polity-divide-apc-and-cause-crisis-amid-covid-19-pandemic/

The Edo State Government has condemned in the strongest possible terms the activities of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in heating up the polity in the state by organising what has been described as ‘APC faction’s mock primaries’ through the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM) amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has not only shut the global economy and disrupted the world as we know it, it has led to the loss of over 200,000 lives globally, with Nigeria having its fair share of casualties.

It is then most despicable of Comrade Oshiomhole to show such insensitivity by spitting on the graves of these people; endangering the lives of millions of Edo people and undermining the efforts of government at the state and national levels to halt the deadly campaign of this invisible enemy.

Comrade Oshiomhole on Thursday, April 30, 2020, organized what some media outlets have come to term as ‘APC faction’s mock primaries’ in Benin City. The meeting was organized by a group of dissidents who make up the EPM with the active backing of Comrade Oshiomhole, who, it was reported, drew up a delegates list for the exercise.

It must be noted that the gathering held in a house of a member of the EPM, with the attendants numbering over subsisting directives on public gatherings as prescribed by the national and state governments.

For Comrade Oshiomhole to organize this sort of gathering at this dark moment of our history as a nation, he has not only shown disregard for the health and safety of Edo people and Nigerians in general, but also proved that he has no regard for the hard-won reputation of our great party.

The organization of this event directly associated with Comrade Oshiomhole has effectively brought the name and integrity of the party to disrepute; rubbished the efforts by different stakeholders in defeating this deadly virus and put the resolve of our government at the state and national level in jeopardy.

With this action, it is also clear as day that Comrade Oshiomhole has no regard for President Muhammadu Buhari and the collective efforts of the various agencies of government to protect and safeguard Nigerians in these dire times.

In a global crisis akin to a world war, Comrade Oshiomhole’s actions expose his inherent spite for the Nigerian people; advertises his vainglorious quest to remain as the godfather in Edo State by trampling on the lives of those who have been lost to this pandemic and the many more who are battling for their lives in the hospitals. This uncharitable, machiavellian and self-propagating character exhibited through his action make him eminently undeserving of the position he currently occupies in the party.

Nigerians should see him rightly as the man who thinks only about his ambitions, interests and cronies. He is incapable of empathy, does not provide succour and support, particularly now that our people are at their lowest ebb and in dire need of hope.

It is most instructive of the kind of person that Oshiomhole is that at this time that Federal and State governments are seeking for security operatives to enforce directives on safety and other public health precautions, he is deploying Policemen and soldiers to a location to hold a political gathering. These security operatives should have rather been at borders and other strategic points serving the people and doing right by the thousands of health workers who are in the frontlines serving as shields against this unraveling enemy.

We, therefore, by this statement, call on Comrade Oshiomhole, to desist forthwith from these lawless actions and warn that the state government would not stand idly as he carries on with these acts that jeopardise the safety and lives of Edo people. The primary responsibility of government is to protect the lives of the people and we would not hesitate to bring down the heavy hand of the law on him if he continues to challenge the resolve of government to protect the people. We reiterate that no man is above the laws of the land and we would ensure that the rule of law prevails.

Edo State Government also warns that going forward, any individual or group that violates the order of government on social and physical distancing and limit to the number of people that can meet in a public place, thereby endangering the lives of Edo people in the face of this pandemic, would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

We also urge the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chief of Army Staff to investigate the use of their men for this illegal assignment when there is a national emergency of the kind we are faced with.

We call on the Presidency and President Muhammadu Buhari to call Comrade Oshiomhole to order and impress on him the urgency of the need to protect our people this period; impress on him to desist from the wanton disregard for law and order, and do away with acts that show disregard for and divide our great party, the APC.

Osarodion Ogie

Secretary to Edo State Government

April 30, 2020

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/04/30/obaseki-extends-states-curfew/

…Adjust time of curfew[i][/i]

On the his official Twitter handle the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki announced the extension of Edo State’s curfew for 14 days.

Adjustments where made to the time of the dusk-to-dawn curfew which now restricts movement of people from the hours of 8pm to 6am daily.

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/04/29/covid-19-edo-govt-cedes-pcr-machine-to-delta/

The Edo State Government has ceded one of its four Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines to Delta State Government to boost the latter’s capacity to test for coronavirus.

PCR machines, usually sited in laboratories with high biosafety clearance, are used by molecular biologists to amply portions of the DNA or genes to an extent that makes it possible to study the sample and test for viruses, among others. The machine is being used to test for coronavirus.

It was gathered that the Governor Obaseki-led government started sourcing for PCR machines in the early days of the outbreak, which eventually resulted in the state procuring 3 machines to add to the one already existing at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).

However, after observing that the state had enough of the machines, Governor Obaseki decided to cede a PCR machine to its sister state, Delta, so as to provide the state the needed capacity to test for coronavirus.

Even after ceding the PCR machine to Delta State, Edo State has a total of 4 active PCR machines, as a private medical centre has also procured one of the machines. Hence, in Edo State, government operates 3 PCR machines, while a private hospital has one.

The gesture, along with other novel moves by the Edo State Government, signposts the smart decisions that have characterised the Obaseki-led administration in Edo State in the last three years.

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/04/29/covid-19-edo-govt-cedes-pcr-machine-to-delta/

The Edo State Government has ceded one of its four Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines to Delta State Government to boost the latter’s capacity to test for coronavirus.

PCR machines, usually sited in laboratories with high biosafety clearance, are used by molecular biologists to amply portions of the DNA or genes to an extent that makes it possible to study the sample and test for viruses, among others. The machine is being used to test for coronavirus.

It was gathered that the Governor Obaseki-led government started sourcing for PCR machines in the early days of the outbreak, which eventually resulted in the state procuring 3 machines to add to the one already existing at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH).

However, after observing that the state had enough of the machines, Governor Obaseki decided to cede a PCR machine to its sister state, Delta, so as to provide the state the needed capacity to test for coronavirus.

Even after ceding the PCR machine to Delta State, Edo State has a total of 4 active PCR machines, as a private medical centre has also procured one of the machines. Hence, in Edo State, government operates 3 PCR machines, while a private hospital has one.

The gesture, along with other novel moves by the Edo State Government, signposts the smart decisions that have characterised the Obaseki-led administration in Edo State in the last three years.

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/04/25/obaseki-appoints-uzamere-as-chief-of-staff/

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the appointment of Osaze Ethan Uzamere as his Chief of Staff.

In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq., said the appointment takes immediate effect.

Uzamere is the son of Senator Ehigie Uzamere, who represented Edo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2007 and 2011.

An investment banker, Uzamere, 38, is a graduate of Stony Brook University, New York, where he majored in Computer and Electrical Engineering.

He has had stints with Lehman Brothers and South Grade Engineering, among others.

A thorough-bred professional, he had, before his appointment, served as Executive Assistant to Governor Obaseki.

https://thestateofedonow.com/2020/04/25/edo-shameless-politicians-stake-politics-over-covid-19-fight/

By Samuel Iyobosa

In the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) some unscrupulous politicians in Edo State, especially those in the Edo Peoples Movement (EPM), have continued to exhibit their characteristic disdain for Edo people by continuing insensitive political campaigns when the people are grappling with the health and socio-economic effects of coronavirus.

This disdain is made apparent by attempts to heat up the polity by desperate aspirants for the governorship seat, as they have stepped up with political activities while millions of Edo citizens are bracing to halt the spread of the coronavirus working closely with government agents to track, test for and treat those infected by the virus.

In the last couple of weeks, for instance, the likes of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; former Deputy Governor, Pius Odubu; former Minister, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, among others have covertly or overtly continued to push the envelope for their political interest in a manner that comes across as not only being insensitive and provocative but characteristically Machiavellian.

While Pastor Ize-Iyamu has continued to make a fathom attempt at positioning himself to contest in the gubernatorial elections, it is unclear on which platform he will be running, as his hurried defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was still borne. While it is certain that his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is complete, it is yet unclear whether he can claim to be a member of the APC.

Also, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the state, Pastor Ize-Iyamu embarked on a doom-fated distribution of relief materials to vulnerable persons in the state, an exercise that turned out to pitch him against his co-travellers in the EPM, many of whom accused him of hijacking their collective assets in service of his personal agenda. Not only were the items distributed to his fast-receding brood of supporters with itchy fingers, the people, for whom the wares was supposed meant for, were taken for a ride, as many saw through the charade.

On his end, Odubu has continued with his campaign despite the betrayal from Pastor Ize-Iyamu, with many of his supporters angling for blood, and many waiting for the body language of their deeply-troubled godfather, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, whose recent public stunt to make for his suspicious inactivity in recent weeks with bodybuilding has earned him a shellacking by the ever fiery social media marauding influencers. Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi’s camp is no different. Even with a feigned closure of his campaign office, the jury is still out as to whether he really halted politicking in the face of the uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought upon the country, the state inclusive.

Much as it would be said that politicians would always be politicians, it would be instructive to point to what has transpired in the United States and the United Kingdom in the face of the pandemic. In some states, everyone is rallying together to see how to contribute to government efforts at containing a virus that has disrupted and continues to disrupt the world as we know it.

While Edo people would most certainly remember the efforts of the Governor Obaseki-led administration in the face of this deathly pandemic, it is only pitiable that the anti-people posture of politicians in EPM in these dire times has left much to be desired. In the end, one can only say that the mission of these politicians was and would never be about Edo people, but only to scheme their way in cornering the people’s patrimony to line their private pockets.


*_Samuel Iyobosa is a digital media aide to the Edo State Governor_*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY9yGnWKhVU

5 mins video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e95eH414L0

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