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2023: Why Oshiomhole Should Not Be Cleared For Primary – Edo APC Group

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Ahead of its primary elections—scheduled to hold from May 26 to May 30, 2022—some stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State on Saturday warned the party against clearing its former chairman and presidential aspirant, Adams Oshiomhole, to participate in the exercise.

This is as they said the party risks losing grounds completely in Edo State whose governorship seat now lies with the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party.

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The Stakeholders who held a protest outside the party’s secretariat in Abuja noted several pending legal cases and antecedents that the PDP could use to eventually disqualify Oshiomhole, should he emerge victorious in his dual bid for the presidency and the Senate.

In a statement read to journalists at Buhari House, the Coordinator of Concerned Afemai APC Members, Steven Asemah, said “We wish to draw the attention of our party to the serial controversies vis-a-vis legal burden hanging on Adams Alliu Oshiomhole, especially relating to his non-credibility to participate in the ongoing APC Nomination Exercise for the 2023 general election.

READ ALSO: Rigging Allegation: Oshiomhole Snubs Journalists After Meeting APC Chairman

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“In view of the precarious opposition status of APC in Edo state, wherein the ruling PDP under a draconic Governor Godwin Obaseki may lay ambush on the electoral prospects of APC if Adams Oshiomhole’s is considered for nomination, we, therefore, advise the APC Appeal Screening Committee to curtail avoidable technical losses of APC in Edo-North (which remains the only APC stronghold in Edo state).

“The Appeal Committee should review and stepdown Adams Oshiomhole from the ongoing 2022 APC nomination process.”

The statement was signed by CAAM Secretary, Ojo Evbouan, and is titled ‘The controversies of Oshiomhole’s credibility to contest APC primaries.’

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Citing various cases, Asemah said: “Based on a subsisting indictment in May 14, 2020, by Justice Oyomire (retd.) Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report which indicted Adams Oshiomole on the gross breach of the Edo State Public Procurement Law in the N1.4bn Supply and Installations of medical Equipment by VAMED Engineering Nigeria Limited (January 4th 2015).

“And that on December 23, 2015 Contract Awards of N12.2bn to A&K Construction Ltd and another N2.5bn to Sageto Ltd for Constructions of a Teaching Hospital and Senate building respectively in the Edo University Iyamho, were also fraught with breaches of the State’s Procurement laws.

“The Constitutionality of the powers of state governors to institute administrative or judicial commissions of enquiry within their areas of jurisdiction is no longer contentious, because powers of state governments to legislate on matters is in the residual list of the 1999 Constitution. Furthermore, the Attorney-General of Edo state has powers to prosecute any person accused of committing state offences, such as the indictment of Adams Oshiomole.”

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The group’s leader also said it is a dent in the credibility of Adams Oshiomhole if he has not disclosed his indictment in his 2022 APC Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms.

He noted that any such non-disclosure by Adams Oshiomhole will be contrary to article 7(iv) and 21.2(v) of the APC Constitution.

“The authenticity of Oshiomhole’s membership status after his suspension remains an unsettled fundamental issue. We recall that as of August 24, 2021 Justice D.Z. Senchi of an Abuja High Court sitting at Jabi, ruled that ‘Pursuant to the Motion on Notice, No. FCT/HC/M/8148/2020, dated and filed on 1/7/2020 discontinuing this suit at the instance of the Plaintiffs/Applicants and the Defendants/Respondents not opposing the application for discontinuance, the application is hereby granted and suit is dismissed.

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“’Parties to bear their respective cost, if any.’ It was a suit filed by Comrade Mustapha Saliu, Oshawo Steven and four others over the purported suspension of the former APC National Chairman by his ward 10 APC executives, Etsako West L.G.A.

READ ALSO: 2023: Seek Presidency Not Senatorial Seat, Group Advises Oshiomhole

“An Abuja High Court had earlier asked Oshiomhole to Step Aside as National Chairman of the APC pending the determination of the substantive suit. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Lower Court, and Oshiomhole stepped aside,” the statement read.

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On Oshiomhole’s alleged dual candidacy, the stakeholders said, “The validity of individuals picking dual nomination forms within the same nomination process of a political party is not a controversial political habit that is exposed to legal challenge anytime.

“Consequently, Oshiomole’s dual aspiration (for Presidency & Senate) within APC 2022 nomination process, is a disregard for internal democracy, APC constitution, INEC guidelines, Electoral Act 30,35,115d, 115k & 1999 Constitution.”

 

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US Desperate To Remove You, Cleric Warns Tinubu

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The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu again regarding the vice president, Kashim Shettima, and his 2027 second-term ambition, while also stating that America is “desperate to remove” the president.

Primate Ayodele, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, warned Tinubu not to drop Shettima as his running mate, noting that even if the VP offends the president, he should settle it for his own good.

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He explained that an attempt to bring another person on board would be a “huge minus” and would “destroy his chances and bring unnecessary enemies to him.”

“Dropping Shettima will cause trouble for you; those who want him out are your enemies who don’t want you to succeed. Anything that Shettima might have done, forget it, and let’s move the country forward,” the cleric advised.

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He continued; “If you remove Shettima, it’s a minus for you; don’t remove him if you still want to maintain your chances. There are things you need to settle between yourself and Shettima, settle with him and let him remain; if not, it will be a serious minus to your government.”

The cleric stated that Shettima is harmless to Tinubu, but that the president will still face challenges in the north, predicting that “the Emirs will gang up against you.”

He urged the president to “do extra work” because the “election won’t come by easily.”

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Primate Ayodele further revealed that America won’t support President Tinubu’s second-term ambition and will “do everything to see him removed from power.”

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He urged the president to avoid “self-inflicted problems by solving the issues of hunger and security.”

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“Also, make sure you sort out the issue of international communities, like I said, America isn’t your friend. America is desperate to remove you; they will do everything to see you out of power.”

He stated that there are people who can defeat Tinubu, and although none have openly shown interest yet, with the current situation on the ground, they will defeat the president if they contest.

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I am not in support of anyone. If anyone comes out to contest and can defeat you, I will tell you, but I have not seen it yet. However, you need to work very hard because if the person comes out with the situation on the ground, you will have issues.”

He concluded by reiterating that the true problems are not personnel, but the nation’s challenges.

Shettima isn’t your problem, but hunger in the country and other factors. If you don’t fix them, removing anybody from your government or adding anyone will not do you any good. You should also work on security, you can win terrorists, they are within Nigeria.”

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I’m Not Ready To Go Into The Gutters With Anyone – Makinde

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, said he is not ready to “go low with anyone who decides to go into the gutters.”

He made this statement while addressing journalists shortly after the South-West zoning consultative summit of the Peoples Democratic Party, held in Lagos.

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He said, “Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them. Some people are now going into the gutters. We will reach out to them. That is democracy.

READ ALSO:Makinde, Wife Installed As Aare Omoluabi, Yeye Aare Omoluabi Of Akure Kingdom

I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here. It should be about what we are giving to Nigerians because they are watching.”

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The governor added that despite challenges, recent elections had shown that the PDP remained a formidable force.

“In all our states, they showed last Saturday that PDP is not dead. In most other places of the 12 states, PDP came second. It is an indication to us that if we continue to work hard, we can reclaim the confidence of Nigerians,” he said.

When asked about discussions on zoning of the PDP presidential ticket to the South, Makinde said the party was not yet at that stage.

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READ ALSO:2027: Makinde For President Posters Flood Kano

We haven’t even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything you are trying to do will fall flat.

“Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again,” he said.

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Dignitaries at the meeting include the Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the party’s National Zoning Committee and Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri; Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun state, Peter Mba of Enugu State, represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai; former Osun Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Bode George; and Monsurat Sunmonu.

Others were 12 of the 17 PDP National Assembly members and key stakeholders of the party from across the southern states.

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2027 Presidency: Idahosa Reiterates Okpebholo’s Promises Of Delivering Edo To Tinubu

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Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa on Tuesday reiterated the promise of Governor Monday Okpebholo of delivering the state to President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

The deputy said that the just concluded by-elections in the state was an affirmation of that promised made by his principal.

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Idahosa stated this in a press statement sogned by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, and made available to newsmen.

He said Okpebholo did not just make the promise of delivery the state to the APC, but that Edo will secure 2.5m votes for the President in 2027.

READ ALSO: Ovia By-election, Litmus Test To APC Success In 2027, Says Edo Deputy Gov

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He commended the leadership of the party across Ovia federal constituency for their providing the leadership that made a APC victorious on Saturday.

He, however, noted that there was more room for improvement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, “after the victory, we called the leadership of the Ovia federal constituency to review and evaluate our performance at the poll, to observe areas where we need to work on next time.

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“The bye-election was a litmus test for the 2027 presidential election. We are fully ready.”

READ ALSO: FULL LIST: FG Approves Nine New Private Varsities

Idahosa also used the opportunity to sensitize the people on the ongoing continuous voters registration and revalidation process by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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He also reeled out measures in place by the party to get new registered members for the exercise when commenced on Monday.

We are going to constitute subcommittees to mobilize people who have not yet registered to enable us actualize on the promised votes to the president,” he said.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives member elect, Omosede Igbinedion, promised to deliver on her campaign promises to the people.

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READ ALSO:Edo Election: Walter Obaseki Descendants Congratulate Okpebholo, Idahosa On Victory

Ovia Federal Constituency should expect nothing but the best, in terms of representation and also in terms of developmental strides.

“We will come through, in anything we can do, from the federal level to complement the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the tremendous work he is doing at the state.

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“Ovia is looking very bright. The deputy governor, Dennis Idahosa, has laid a good foundation we will build upon that foundation,” she said.

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