Politics

Alleged Marginalisation: Owan, Akoko-Edo Stakeholders Vow To Negotiate Political Relevance With Votes

Published

3 years ago

June 5, 2022

Stakeholders drawn from Owan and Akoko-Edo federal constituencies of Edo State have vowed to use their votes to negotiate the interest of the two constituencies in the 2023 general election.

The stakeholders who rose from a meeting the the two federal constituencies of the state on Sunday, said that the move became inevitable because of their seeming marginalisation from the politics of Edo North Senatorial District.

They noted that since the advent democratic dispensation in 1999, Owan and Akoko-Edo have only had the senate seat for eight years while the Etsako have had it for 16 years.

The stakeholders stressed that what is more worrisome is that the same Etsako is about having it again in 2023 since the two dominant political parties, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have picked their candidates from the area.

They pointed out that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, Owan or Akoko-Edo should have been considered for the Edo north senatorial seat in the coming elections.

Mr Ayo Olowojoba, a representative from Akoko-Edo, said, “We cannot talk of political representation of AFEMAI people without conscientious consideration of Owan, Akoko-Edo and Etsako natural bond. how can we promote genuine brotherhood when equity is suppressed?”

On his part, Mr Omeiza Ogumah also from Akoko-Edo, insisted on the need to put an end to the political marginalisation of the areas concerned.

He said, “As political leaders, we have responsibility and capacity to resist the unpalatable insinuations that Owan and Akoko-Edo are inconsequential in Edo-North politics.

“The Power of 2023 is in our hands. Owan and Akoko-Edo will decide 2023 Senate, and we will only give our votes to the man we can trustand who will protect our interest.”

Similarly, Mr Sunny Ifijen from Owan said that it was now obvious that they have been told to take take destiny in their hands.

“It is narrow-mindedness to sing victory song when a game is merely at first half; that somebody has secured a party ticket does not imply that he has secured the peoples trust.

“Where is the hope of Owan and Akoko-Edo people at this junction? Obviously, we have been told to do it our own way and that we shall do,” he stated.

Other stakeholders at the meeting include: Hon.Collins Ojo, Mrs Idehen Inumidun, Olumide Obende and Comrade Sunday Okhwuolo among others.

Recall that Victor Oyofo from Etsako axis held the senate seat from 1999 to 2007 while Yisa Braimoh from Owan had his from 2007 to 2011.

Domingo Obende from Akoko-Edo represented the senatorial district from 2011 to 2015 after which Francis Alimikhena and the incubent from Etsako had occupied the seat from 2015 to date.

Alimikhena who just defected from the APC over the party’s ticket for his third term, has won the PDP ticket to seek reelection.

Meanwhile, the former governor of the State, Mr Adams Oshiomhole also from Etsako, won the APC ticket for the district.

Politics

BREAKING: Nigerian Senate Approves Tinubu’s N1.15tn Loan Request

Published

4 days ago

November 12, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Senate has approved the request of President Bola Tinubu to raise N1.15 trillion from the domestic debt market to cover the unfunded portion of the 2025 budget deficit.

This comes after the adoption of a report by the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debt during plenary on Wednesday.

According to the committee, the 2025 Appropriation Act provides for a total expenditure of N59.99 trillion, representing an increase of N5.25 trillion over the N54.74 trillion initially proposed by the Executive.

The expansion created a total budget deficit of N14.10 trillion. Of this, N12.95 trillion had already been approved for borrowing, leaving an unfunded deficit of approximately N1.15 trillion (N1,147,462,863,321).

In a related development, a motion by Senator Abdul Ningi was adopted, directing the Senate Committee on Appropriations to intensify its oversight to ensure that the borrowed funds are properly implemented in the 2025 fiscal year and used strictly for their intended purposes.

Recall that President Tinubu had on November 4th requested the approval of the National Assembly for a fresh N1.15 trillion borrowing from the domestic debt market to help finance the deficit in the 2025 budget.

The President’s request was conveyed in a letter. According to the letter, the proposed borrowing is intended to bridge the funding gap and ensure full implementation of government programs and projects under the 2025 fiscal plan.

Politics

Agege LG Chairman Resigns

Published

2 weeks ago

November 5, 2025

Editor

Agege Local Government
Mr. Tunde Azeez Disco has stepped down as the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, citing persistent health challenges as the reason for his resignation.

The former chairman submitted his resignation letter to the Agege Local Government Legislative Arm.

He noted that his health status had significantly impacted his ability to effectively discharge his official duties.

The legislative house, while acknowledging Azeez Disco’s dedication to public service, quickly accepted the decision. Following a thorough deliberation, a unanimous resolution was passed, accepting the resignation with immediate effect.

The council wished the outgoing chairman well in his future endeavours, with the event underlining the necessity for public officials to prioritise personal health and well-being.

Ganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker, Lagos State Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is the Vice chairman of Agege Local Government.

In May, residents of Agege, under the banner of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the local government election in Agege.

They claimed that Obasa allegedly plans to foist his surrogates as candidates in the local government and councillorship elections.

In a meeting held in response to the announcement of candidates for the chairmanship and vice-chairmanship of the Agege Local Government and Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the aggrieved residents alleged that those shortlisted as candidates to represent the area were handpicked by Obasa.

They said the process was void of internal democracy and collective participation.

Addressing the media, Kamardeen Sabitu, chairman of the PCC for Agege and Orile-Agege, alleged that Obasa did everything possible to manipulate the political structure in the area for personal gain.

During the protest, demonstrators carried placards reading “Red Card, Obasa O to ge, (it is enough). They also chanted songs such as “Enough is Enough, this suffering is enough, Tinubu, rescue us.”

Politics

JUST IN: Reps In Rowdy Session, Reject Key Motions

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

The plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday turned rowdy after members voted against some motions of urgent public importance, which bordered on the protection of lives and key government assets.

With the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, presiding, the session became rowdy, as members dissolved into a closed-door session to restore order.

It all started when the member representing Somolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye, drew the attention of his colleagues to what he called the illegal allocation of lands within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and prayed the House to refer the matter to the Committee on Public Assets for investigation.

Kuye, a member of the All Progressives Congress is the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets.

Proposing an amendment to the prayers, Delta lawmaker and Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, argued that though the matter brought before the Green Chamber is urgent enough, the Committee on Commerce, not Public Assets, should be in charge of the investigation.

Waive was supported by Akwa Ibom lawmaker, Mark Esset, who argued that “It is the Committee on Commerce that should take responsibility on this matter.”

On the other hand, Yusuf Gagdi representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Plateau State, supported Kuye, stating that the Public Assets Committee should be allowed to take charge of investigating the allegation of illegal land sale and submit a report to the House.

With no end to the back-and-forth argument in sight, Gbefwi Gaza (SDP, Nasarawa) on the advice of Kalu, proposed the constitution of an Ad-hoc Committee comprising members of both Committees (Public Assets and Commerce) to conduct the probe.

When subjected to a voice vote, almost an equal number of lawmakers voted in support and against the motion.

Not sure whose voices were louder, Kalu gave it to the nays, sparking unrest in the chamber.

Next on the order of urgent motions was Mohammed Bio representing Baruten/Kaima Federal Constituency, Kwara State.

Bio who lamented the worsening security situation in his constituency, prayed the House to urge the military to establish a base in the crisis-prone areas to stem the tides of attacks.

This time, more lawmakers voted against the motion, to the surprise of Kalu and the Kwara lawmaker.

It became clear to Kalu that members had resolved to frustrate the day’s session owing to the rejection of Kuye’s motion.

So, when again voices thundered against Ayodeji Alao-Akala’s motion which drew members’ attention to the need to address Nigeria’s description as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the United States President, Mr Donald Trump; Kalu allowed the motion to pass, forcing members to openly oppose the decision.

Voices of dissent rent the chambers and the plenary was suspended for a closed-door session.

…Details later