Politics

APC Expresses Dissatisfaction Over Governance, Says Obaseki Has Mortgaged Edo Future

Published

4 years ago

January 19, 2022

Editor

… Edo Has Retrogress 50 Years Back – APC

… Describes Obaseki As Insensitive

By Joseph Kanjo, Benin

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State chapter on Tuesday expressioned dissatisfaction over governance in the state, raising the alarm that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led PDP administration has mortgaged future of the state and generation unborn.

The party said with the present manner at which Obaseki is governing the state, he had taken the state backward to 50 years term, further describing the government as being insensitive to the yearnings of the people.

Peter Uwadiae, Esq. , state Publicity Secretary of the party who raised the alarm in Benin while briefing newsmen, said the Obadeki-led administration is not just constructing projects in the state, but also destroying legacy projects built by previous administrations in the state without building new ones.

The APC publicity scribe who lamented that Edo people were unfortunate for having Obaseki as governor, said the promises of providing qualify healthcare, education and other infrastructure were not just unmet, he is rather destroying the ones he met on ground.

He said: “The present day Edo State is experiencing the worst adminstration in this forth republic.This is the worst government Edo people have ever experienced since the state was carved out of old Bendel State. And I will say this for the record. That we are very concerned as a party, we have made the Federal Government known that apart from the fact that he is destroying the legacy projects, the local government today is no longer there.

“The legacy projects that were built, from the time of Lucky Igbinedion’s administration till when Obaseki came on board, most of them have been destroyed, and not only destroyed, they have been rendered disfunctional, and comatose by this government.”

He continued, “When the library at Sapele Road was built, it was a legacy project in Edo, it is only a government that is insensitive to the people’s educational pursuit that can sacrifice such an edifice for an economic enterprise. I do not think Edo people will know the negative impact of that destruction until few years to come.”

On the demolition of the state-owned Central Hospital, Uwadiae said, “We have find out that the Central Hospital has been mortgaged for commercial entity, as against the very significant impact our health sector. It is very disheartening and most unexpected of a government that said it would build for the people the best health infrastructure.

“With the demolition of the edifice, it shows that this government does not set its priority right. A government that said it wants to revamp the health sector, now demolishing an existing central hospital and using it as a park shows that the government is a directionless government, government that has nothing to offer the people.”

While alleging that the Edoline Transportation in Port Harcourt, Bayelsa and Abuja have been sold out to private enterprise, the APC state Publicity Secretary asked where the funds from sales and other inernally generated revenues are and what they have been used for.

On education he said, “Obaseki has been talking about EdoBEST, there are no teachers in most government owned schools particularly in the villages. instead of buying laptop to students in the village where there is no network in the name of whatsoever, why not employ teachers so they could have a one-on-one interface with these students.”

On Security, he said contrary to Obaseki’s Commissioner’s claims, there have been series of killings and kidnapping in the state, recalling that a whole community was recently invaded by herders few weeks ago.

“No state governor that is being owe his Security Vote every month. Edo State Government, from available resources, collect nothing less than N750m as security vote every month from the Federal Government, how is Edo State Governor utilizing that security vote?”

He further accused the government of excess borrowing without a commensurating work or project in the state.

He further lamented: “We have been Mortgaged, there is borrowing left and right, and in all these borrowing, there is no accountability. You don’t just borrow money for the sake of borrowing, when you borrow money, you channel it to a particular project. There is no project tied to the borrowing this present Edo Government is doing.

“If you compare Edo with other neighbouring states in terms of infrastructure, you will find out that we are 50 years back. No state is being managed as Edo State is being managed by Obaseki.”

He continued, “The Internally Generated Revenue has increased yet we don’t see the impact in our state. No road is being constructed.

“Today, an average market woman including pure water seller is make to pay for four to five tickets, and it is so arranged that the fund goes directly to the government confer.

“The Internally Generated Revenue of Edo State has skyrocketed, where is all these money being utilised on.

“This government has not only fail, it is hacken to a dictatorship. It is a government that does not have the intellectual capacity to lead the state. A government that has taken us aback, the government that does not respect the rule of law, it is a government that does not respect the yearnings and aspiration of those who brought them on board.”

Politics

Reps Raise The Alarm Over Terrorists’ Threat To Bomb N’Assembly Complex

Published

22 hours ago

October 28, 2025

Editor

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Internal Security, Garba Muhammad, on Tuesday disclosed that the National Assembly has received threats from terrorists to bomb the complex and called for urgent fortification of the edifice as a proactive measure.

Garba disclosed this in Abuja at a public hearing on a bill seeking to establish the Legislative Security Directorate, which seeks to enhance security management, protect the lawmakers, staff members and visitors to the nation’s parliament.

The edifice housing the Senate, the House of Representatives and sundry offices, he said, has been facing security challenges, including cases of car and motorcycle theft, vandalism, fake identity cards, and infiltration by unregistered visitors.

Recall that on May 4, 2021, a similar incident was rumoured when security alert warned lawmakers of a planned Boko Haram attack on the National Assembly complex and other VIP/government locations in Abuja. In response, security measures were intensified, including strict vehicle checks that caused significant congestion at the gates.

Lawmakers were advised to use the less-congested presidential gate for safer access. The alert underscored concerns over Boko Haram’s growing threat, with insurgents reportedly operating as close as Niger State, near the Federal Capital Territory.

Following the alert, the National Assembly limited members’ presence on the premises for safety, and security experts called for stronger federal protection of national infrastructure and assets.

Garba said, “We have received threats from terrorists to bomb the National Assembly Complex and threats from protesters to lock up the National Assembly.

“Legislators are exposed to threats from constituents and others who gain easy access to their offices without any formal appointment.

“It is obvious that with the ongoing security challenges, if proper measures are not taken, it will truncate the legislative activities in the National Assembly. If activities are thwarted, there will be no representation, no oversight, no annual budget, no plenary at all — and that will destabilise legislative procedure, democracy, and the stability of the system, and our nation at large.

The Kano lawmaker noted that robust security management requires a holistic and coordinated approach, integrating multi-layered approaches to secure the National Assembly environment to enable lawmakers to discharge their duties in an atmosphere of peace.

“That is why this bill is important. It seeks to address all the challenges as aforesaid and adopt the world’s best practices of parliamentary security procedures and architecture.

“The need for effective security measures in the National Assembly cannot be overemphasised because parliament has to remain accessible to the public. However, this bill is committed to ensuring the best security architecture in the National Assembly — to protect legislators, staff, visitors, and property,” he said.

He urged State Houses of Assembly to take urgent steps to protect their complexes nationwide.

He called for support among stakeholders to ensure the quick passage of the bill, describing it as a major step toward securing Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

“I wish us a peaceful and fruitful hearing that will ultimately bring a turnaround in the National Assembly’s security architecture,” he said.

Politics

N’Assembly committee Approves New State For S’East

Published

3 days ago

October 26, 2025

Editor

The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geo-political zone.

According to a statement by the media unit of the committee, the resolution was reached on Saturday at a two-day retreat in Lagos, where it reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.

The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should create another state for the region.

Kalu, who joined other lawmakers to champion additional state creation for the region, argued that a new state would give the people a sense of belonging.

When created, the South-East will be at par with the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones, each having six states.

The South-East is the only geo-political zone with five states comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

The North-West comprises seven states: Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa.

According to the statement, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State) at the retreat.

“The motion received the unanimous support of committee members and was adopted,” the statement read in part

Similarly, the committee also established a sub-committee to consider the creation of additional states and local government areas across all six geo-political zones, noting that a total of 278 proposals were submitted for review.

Speaking at the event, Jibrin urged members to rally support among their colleagues at the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to ensure the resolutions sail through during voting.

“We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.

“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the state Houses of Assembly,” the Deputy Senate President was quoted as saying.

Politics

PDP Unveils 13-member Screening Panel For National Convention

Published

4 days ago

October 25, 2025

Editor

According to a statement issued on October 25, 2025, by the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and signed by its Chairman, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is also the Governor of Adamawa State, the screening exercise will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The committee will be chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal luminary.

He will be assisted by Hon. Mohammed L.S. Diri (SAN) as Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Esq., will serve as Secretary. Jacob Otorkpa was named Deputy Secretary.

Other members of the committee include: Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Achike Udenwa, Haj. Maryam Inna Ciroma, HM. Felix Hassan Hyat, HM. Zainab Maina, and Chinedu Nwachukwu, who will also serve as Administrative Secretary.

The statement noted that the selection reflected the PDP’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and internal democracy in the build-up to its national convention.

“The NCOC notes and expects that the exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during this very crucial assignment will justify the confidence reposed by the Party in members of the Committee,” the statement read.

Fintiri assured party members that the screening process will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and impartiality, underscoring the PDP’s resolve to strengthen its democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This exercise is crucial in ensuring that only credible, competent, and loyal members emerge to steer the affairs of our great party,” Fintiri stated.