Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Edo State

  • Edo PDP: Obaseki, other cleared aspirants get green light for primary

    Edo PDP: Obaseki, other cleared aspirants get green light for primary

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has been given a reprieve after a High Court of Justice in the Ekpoma judicial division today restrained the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from excluding Governor Godwin Obaseki and the other cleared aspirants from participating in the Edo State governorship primary.

    According to the court order, the PDP and the electoral umpire should not exempt any of the aspirants who have been cleared by the party from participating in the gubernatorial primary election scheduled to hold on the 25th June 2020.

    This decision as of now guarantees the participation of Governor Godwin Obaseki in the gubernatorial primary.

    Recall that earlier today, there were reports in the media that indicated a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State had on Monday stopped Obaseki from participating in the June 25 governorship primary of the party in the state.

    A PDP member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, had filed an ex parte motion, praying the court to bar Obaseki from taking part in the primary.

  • Saraki welcomes Obaseki to PDP, says Oshiomhole has met his Waterloo

    Saraki welcomes Obaseki to PDP, says Oshiomhole has met his Waterloo

    Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has welcomed the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and congratulated him for taking a good step in the right direction.

    In a statement issued in Abuja, Saraki noted that the bigger commendation and appreciation should go to the leaders of the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the various levels for the sense of sacrifice, patriotism and devotion to the progress of the party demonstrated by them in the process of welcoming Obaseki into its fold.

    “I also thank Obaseki’s colleagues, the PDP Governors, for their role and for ensuring that while bringing him into the party, they carried along the local chapter and refrain from just unilaterally taking decisions without the input of the leaders of the party in Edo State. The process our Governors adopted in working with the local chapter to bring in the Governor is a better approach than the system in many of the other parties where the National Working Committee (NWC) would simply just give him a membership card.

    “That is why my appeal will, at this point, go to all of us, the leaders and stakeholders, who gave assurances that agreement will be honoured, we need to ensure that the NWC of our party plays its own supervisory role by making sure that those agreements entered into by the Governor and the local chapter should be kept, particularly since I am very sure they are all lawful and in the interest of peace and development of the state. That is the only way to keep our integrity intact.

    “At this point, it will be odd if I fail to comment on the situation that led to the change of party by Governor Obaseki. While I have kept my cool and ignored all the verbal attacks directed at me by the suspended chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, I have always known that a day like this would come when his masquerade will dance naked in the market.

    “The truth is always constant and no matter how far falsehood travels, the truth will catch up with it one day. Oshiomhole can fool people for a long time but he cannot fool the people all the time. What is happening to him now is a moment of truth. This same man who was garrulously proclaiming the end of the political career of some other people is now about to meet his Waterloo.

    “He has continued to use his mouth to divide his party and I believe there is a lesson for all politicians to learn from the fate of the suspended APC chairman. No autocrat can successfully pretend to be a Democrat. The true character of a man will come out one day”, he said.

    Saraki further stated that all lovers of democracy should be interested in the emergence of a healthy and strong party system and organisation which would provide viable platforms for people to aspire and provide quality leadership to the country.

  • Breaking: Embattled Edo Governor, Obaseki, dumps APC

    Breaking: Embattled Edo Governor, Obaseki, dumps APC

    The embattled Governor of Edo State has withdrawn his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party on whose back he won the governorship seat in 2016 that has now turned its back on him and even determined to stop him from returning to the number one office in the State.

    Governor Obaseki, who announced his leave from the APC this Tuesday afternoon after visiting the State House for the second time in less than a month

    “I have officially resigned my membership of the All Progressives Congress after meeting with the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We shall continue the battle to protect the interest of Edo people and sustain good governance in the state”, the Governor stated.

     

  • Edo Guber Poll: Unperturbed by His disqualification, Obaseki Rallies Supporters

    Edo Guber Poll: Unperturbed by His disqualification, Obaseki Rallies Supporters

    Unperturbed by his disqualification from contesting the June 22 All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has held a series of meetings at the Government House in Benin City to rally his supporters and determine his next political move.

    There are strong indications that Obaseki may pitch his tent with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Rallying his supporters ahead of September 19 governorship election in Edo State, the governor appreciated the people of the state for their unflinching support and prayers.

    “The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki sincerely appreciates Edo people, Nigerians and our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora, for the outpouring of goodwill and solidarity since the announcement of his unjust disqualification by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee from the Edo governorship primary election. He thanks them for keeping the faith.

    “We are consulting widely with party leaders and members in the state and other stakeholders and we shall soon brief the public on the next steps we are taking, going forward,” said Obaseki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie.

    The statement explained that the governor’s insistence not to appeal his disqualification was informed by his stance not to kowtow to the wishes of a handful of politicians, who do not have the interest of the people at heart.

    “The governor is unfazed, even as he would soon announce his next line of action. But at the moment, Edo people and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are solidly standing behind the governor. They have declared unflinching support for him and the ideals he stands for.

    “The market women, labour unions, clerics, women groups, the elderly, artisan groups, youths, among others, are strongly in support of the governor’s ambition and his stance to keep the state’s treasury sealed from those who have now resorted to disqualifying him from running under the APC in the gubernatorial elections because of their selfish interests. But Governor Obaseki remains undaunted and unperturbed.

    “For Obaseki, it is Edo people or nothing. This is why he has remained in this battle thus far. Among many other reasons, each of the groups that form the governor’s support base have benefitted from Governor Obaseki’s stance against thuggery and extortion. The governor has enthroned probity and accountability in governance. For labour unions, regular salaries, clearing of over 20 months pension arrears and providing a conducive work environment is what is gearing them to support the governor. The pensioners are fully in support of his policies. The governor has not only cleared pension arrears accrued since 1999, but would soon commence the payment of gratuities.

    “The governor’s loyalty rests with Edo people. He would not trade them away to those who have decided to become godfathers and waging a war of impunity to subjugate the people,” the statement said.

    Why disqualifying Obaseki on Friday, the Jonathan Ayuba APC Screening Committee adduced six why the incumbent governor could not seek second term in office.

    The reasons include:
    1. For claiming to have a Higher School Leaving Certificate which is unknown to the Nigerian educational system;
    2. For allegedly being in possession of an affidavit disowned by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory;
    3. For error in the National Youth Service Corps discharge certificate which bears Obasek as against Obaseki;
    4. For loss of primary, secondary and the Higher School Leaving Certificates;
    5. For alleged violation of Article 21 D (V) of the party’s constitution, which forbids members from taking the party to court; and
    6. For legal precedents occasioned by the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on discrepancies in names.

  • Edo Election: Former Vice President Atiku moves to admit Obaseki into PDP

    Edo Election: Former Vice President Atiku moves to admit Obaseki into PDP

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has invited embattled Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) so as to actualize his reelection bid, which is being threatened by forces in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to TheCable, the former Vice President on Friday reached out after news of Obaseki’s disqualification from participating in the APC primary election broke.

    Atiku Abubakar, who defected from the APC to the PDP in November 2017 in order to contest the 2019 presidential election is said to be negotiating a “soft landing” for Obaseki should he decide to switch lanes to the opposition party.

    Atiku’s “soft landing” moves is believed to help Obaseki bypass the PDP constitution, which requires anyone who seeks an elective position under the party to have been a registered member for at least 18 months, and favour him with a waiver.

    A source close to Atiku was reported to have said that the former Vice President discussed Obaseki’s likely defection with some PDP governors.

    According to TheCable, the source said: “The Waziri (of Adamawa Emirate which Abubakar was turbaned in 2018) is wooing Obaseki on behalf of PDP. He spoke with him yesterday and encouraged him to join the PDP.

    “He also spoke to some of the PDP governors and urged them to give him a soft landing and access to the party”, the source said.

    Governor Godwin Obaseki, who has been in a long drawn battle with his predecessor and National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, was disqualified from participating in the primary election that would have been a vehicle to his second term reelection.

    On Friday, Chairman of the APC screening committee Edo governorship poll, Jonathan Ayuba, announced that Obaseki was disqualified based on a “defective certificate”.

    While political observers believe that Obaseki will likely join the PDP, his alleged traducer, who once supported him to be Governor in 2016, APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole is believed to be backing Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a consensus candidate for one of the party’s faction in Edo State.

  • Edo Election: Hours after APC disqualified Obaseki, Edo youths protest against violence

    Edo Election: Hours after APC disqualified Obaseki, Edo youths protest against violence

    The political drama playing out in Edo State ahead of the September 19 Governorship election continues today as youths who are members of the Edo Concerned Citizens stormed the streets of Benin, the Edo State capital to stage a peaceful protest.

    The youths on Saturday marched through major streets carrying signs that read “fairness in politics”, “Peace not war”, Edo must choose wisely”, amongst others.

    The protest March, which is suggestive of the political tension that is brewing in the state due to the disagreement between the immediate past governor of the state, now National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and the incumbent, who is seeking a reelection under the APC, Governor Godwin Obaseki, was clear in its purpose of reaching out to political gladiators in the state and demanding a peaceful governorship election.

    The protesters, who explained that the demonstration became necessary as political events heightened in the state, also urged political leaders to sustain the relative peace in the state as they prepare for the September 19 governorship election.

    They also noted that recent turn of events, likely referring to the power tussle within the APC, which on Friday led to the disqualification of Governor Obaseki by screening officials, have raised concerns about likely violence and other electoral malpractices during the upcoming governorship election.

    As the protest held, rumour of the defection of Governor Obaseki to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was rife in town.

  • Edo APC Primary: Obaseki Describes His Disqualification as Disheartening as Ize-Iyamu Hails Screening Committee

    Edo APC Primary: Obaseki Describes His Disqualification as Disheartening as Ize-Iyamu Hails Screening Committee

    Idowu Sowunmi
    Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Friday described as unfortunate and disheartening his disqualification by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee from participating in the June 22 guber primary in the schedule.
    The governor said the situation was quite saddening because APC has failed to live up to expectations as a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.
    Thus, Obaseki ruled out the possibility of appealing to the outcome of the alleged “unjust screening exercise.”
    “We have watched the mockery of democratic process, which Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is administering and superintending over in our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). It has been an unfortunate, disheartening and dreadful spectacle.
    “We had initially asserted that going by the open display and enthronement of illegality by one man in the party that comprises several organs and eminent personalities, there is no way that Governor Godwin Obaseki would get a fair assessment in the run-up to the nomination of candidates to fly the flag of the party in the forthcoming Edo gubernatorial election.
    “It is unfortunate that this open show of shame, illegality and travesty of justice is the brand of democracy which Comrade Oshiomhole has reduced the APC into. The situation is quite saddening because this is a party supposedly reputed for change, equity and social justice.
    “We have therefore decided that it would be effort in futility to appeal whatever the unjust outcome of the evaluation and screening process of the APC will be, especially when Comrade Oshiomhole has declared that he is the Supreme Court and ultimate determiner of the fate and future of our great party.
    “We wish Oshiomhole luck in his maladministration of the party and trust that the Almighty will help our country to find the path to true liberty, freedom and justice.
    “We call on all party members and the teeming supporters of Governor Obaseki to remain calm and await further directives,” said Obaseki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie.
    The APC Screening Committee has disqualified Edo State governor from contesting in the party’s governorship primary election scheduled for June 22.
    The committee chairman, Prof. Jonathan Ayuba, made the disclosure in a press conference on Friday afternoon.
    He said the governor did not present his Higher School Leaving Certificate, adding that the committee could not ascertain the authenticity of Obaseki’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.
    Ayuba said the committee recommended that the incumbent Edo State governor was not eligible to contest in the election.
    However, Dr. Pius Odubu and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu were cleared to contest.
    Meanwhile, Ize-Iyamu has expressed gratitude to the screening committee of the party for carrying out a thorough job.
    Ize-Iyamu, in a statement on Friday in Benin by the Director of Communication and Media of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s Campaign Organisation, Mr John Mayaki, commended the leadership of the ruling party its true spirit and character premised on “a bold insistence on fairness, accountability, and transparency.”
    He said: “I wish to send my deepest gratitude to all the members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, for joyful cooperation that led to a seamless but thorough screening exercise.
    “I urge all the members of our party whose indefatigable commitment, loyalty, and cooperation has led to the success we experienced in recent times, to remain focused and committed to our general ambition as a party, and in the same vein pursuant of our personal political dreams in light of our progressive philosophy.
    “As we prepare for the primaries and the election itself, it is time we bind together and close ranks, remembering that the greatest goal is the progress of Edo State, the moving forward of our great homeland, and the betterment of life for all of its people.”
    But, a former APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has predicted that the ruling party would suffer “dire consequences” in Edo State on account of the disqualification of Obaseki by the APC screening panel.
    Odigie-Oyegun, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Chief Ray Morphy, in Abuja on Friday, described the outcome of the screening as a hatchet job aimed at installing a stooge that would allegedly allow some people unfettered access to the treasury of Edo State.
    “While not a surprise, that disqualification is a clear indication that internal democracy has been murdered in APC, a party which we founded on the principles of fair play and good conscience!
    “I daresay that APC will suffer dire consequences in Edo State if this disqualification is not speedily reversed.
    “As a matter of fact, Oshiomhole is indeed the one who is guilty of anti-party (activities), not Obaseki.
    “Oshiomhole is the one who is acting unconstitutionally not Obaseki. I hope that Oshiomhole will not go down in history as the undertaker of APC,” Odigie-Oyegun said.
    The Chairman of Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anselm Ojezua, Esq., has, however, called for calm among party members and supporters following the unjust disqualification of the governor.
    While noting that Obaseki has performed credibly well and would still be reelected for a second term, Ojezua said: “I want to appeal to leaders and members of APC in Edo State to remain calm. The validity of the Screening Committee has not been established.
    “A proper response to the report is yet to come as the leadership of the party in the state will meet tomorrow and at the end of the meeting give an appropriate response.
    “They didn’t say he will not contest the election but that he will not contest under the platform of the APC.
    “By tomorrow, we will meet and be in a position to make a proper statement on what the future holds for the party in Edo State.”