Politics

17 Days To Edo Poll, Ex-Assembly Member Dumps APC

Published

2 weeks ago

September 4, 2024

Ahead of the September 21st governorship election in Edo State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Emmanuel Agbaje has resigned his membership of the party.

Agbaje, who represented Akoko-Edo II from 2015 to 2023 in the state House of Assembly, cited alienation from decision taken in his Ward 10 by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as one of the reasons for his resignation.

In a letter dated September 2nd, 2014, and addressed to his Ward 10 chairman of the APC, Agbaje said: “This decision has not been taken lightly, but after careful consideration and consultation with my support base and leaders. I believe it is the best course of action for me at this time.

“Since democracy provides for choices, I am entitled to review my involvement and seek alignment that recognizes loyalty, dedication and sacrifices. I can no longer accept the deliberate alienation and the sidelining of core Party faithful and leaders particularly from our Ward.

“As a founding member of the Party, it is a difficult decision considering the relationships built within the Party over the years as well as the feelings of good friends who may choose to remain, my assurances are that our friendship and relationships remain protected and insulated. Life outside politics is larger.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your leadership and support during my time in the Party. I have valued our working relationship and the shared commitment we have had to the ideals of the A.P.C.I look forward to a continuous robust relationship that benefits our people and communities.”

Agbaje was the only APC lawmaker in the state House of Assembly aside the 14 that were not inaugurated in 2019 that did not defect with Governor Godwin Obaseki from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2020 governorship election.

It was gathered that from that time till his tenure ended, he was denied all entitlements as a lawmaker except his monthly salary.

It was further gathered that he was not also consulted when the APC Governorship Campaign was constituted as members who were still in the PDP in his ward were made members of the council without consulting him.

Politics

Edo People Will Express Themselves Despite Armoured Tanks Around Former Governor

Published

4 hours ago

September 20, 2024

Editor

The Edo election has been won by the people of the state despite the machinations of hostile forces trying to use security and other agencies of the Federal Government to thwart them, Dr Pedro Obaseki, the deputy director-general of the Asue Ighodalo Campaign has said.

Obaseki who spoke in an interview late on Thursday said that the Edo people will push through their choice of Dr Asue Ighodalo despite the armoured tanks being used to intimidate them by a former governor of the state campaigning for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Dr Obaseki who spoke in an interview with AIT said: “When you push us to the wall we will come out fighting like a bull. A people who for centuries were not trampled upon by any black nation we will come out to express ourselves.

“I am giving it to you that as at 7.30 p.m. as we speak that at his place (former governor of Edo State) that there are two armoured tanks, one on this side one on the other side and about 30 police vehicles then all the thugs are there.

“There is no thoroughfare there right now but that will not work. The Edo people we no de fear. On a normal level we know how to face these people. So, on the day of the poll we will all move to the polls and all express ourselves not because of but inspite of all these people that want to mangle us

“When Edo people, a set of people who for centuries no tribe of black extraction ever conquered, when we are confronted with things that want to pull at our strength, we rise up and we fight back.

“With our PVCs we will trample these people who are bent on changing the will of our people. This can happen any where else, but this is Edo, a race that have the conqueror DNA and any other person whosoever wants to, we will sweep them away with their brooms.

“The Edo people know that Asue Ighodalo is our umbrella into our future,” he said.

Politics

Edo Poll: Friends, Ovia Youths In Novelty Match To Mobilise For Denco

Published

7 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Editor

Friends of Dennis Idahosa, the running mate to the APC governorship candidate, and Ovia Youths on Thursday engaged in a novelty match to mobilise support ahead of the Saturday election in Edo State.

The match was decided at the public field of Igobazuwa in tbe Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.

Idahosa’s friends popularly known as “Friends of Denco” defeated the Ovia youths by a lone in the highly entertaining match, played amidst funfair and mild downpour.

The encounter witnessed a large turn out of the youth in the area.

Idahosa, who is representing Ovia constituency at the House of Representatives expressed gratitude to the organisers and the participants for the solidarity support.

“I’m thrilled by this show of love and support from my friends and constituents.

“This novelty match demonstrates our unity and commitment to the APC’s vision for Edo,” said Idahosa, who was represented by Eghosa Omomo.

At the end of the match, a trophy was represented to the victorious side as well as laurel to valuable players of the match.

Politics

Edo 2024: Peter Obi Sends Strong Warning To INEC

Published

11 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Editor

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has issued a strong warning to the Independent Electoral Commission against glitches or hitches that could lead to rigging in the upcoming governorship election on September 21.

Obi made this statement during the grand finale of the party’s campaign in Benin, where he expressed his full support for the Labour Party’s flag bearer, Olumide Akpata.

He said, “We don’t want excuses again, we are tired of excuses. Let me use this (opportunity) to warn INEC. They said they would use BVAS and iRev. No glitches, no hitches. We want this election to be free and fair.

“We are not looking for anybody’s vote. Time of rigging must come to an end in this country; time of rigging is coming to an end in this country. We are coming to a time where anybody that rigs an election we will rig him.

“We cannot continue that way, that’s what Labour Party wants to change and that change is what we are preaching – Olu Akpata, he’s not just our guy, he’s our governor.”

This he said, in reference to the alleged glitch that the Independent National Electoral Commission encountered during the 2023 general elections.