News

APC Remains A Party Govern By Constitution, Rules — Edo Dep. Gov

Published

5 months ago

July 20, 2025

The Edo State deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a party whose internal workings and decisions are guided by its constitution and rules.

He noted that the ruling party operates within the bounds of Nigerian law and respects democratic principles.

According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor made these assertions on Saturday while fielding questions from newsmen during the conduct of the party’s primary for the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled for August 16.

While commending the people for their peaceful disposing during the primary, expressed excitement that true internal democracy was at play for the primary.

The deputy governor who cast his vote at Iguobazuwa West, Ward 2,
declared that “APC is leadership driven political party.”

He noted that the exercise was peaceful and well coordinated in all the wards visited by him.

Highlighting the uniqueness of his ward, he said, “This is my ward, Iguobazuwa West Ward 2. Voting here was impressive as a mammoth crowd endorsed Omosede.

“We await results of the 23 Wards that make up Ovia Federal Constituency, which consists of the two Ovia local governments.”

Idahosa declared that the conduct of the primary marked a benchmark in Ovia federal electioneering process based on the voluntary withdrawal of other aspirants to make way for the emergence of Omosede, as the sole candidate.

This stand, he noted, was based on the fact that Igbinedion, a formee member of the Green chamber, stood a good chance with present political data showing a shortfall of the female gender in the political terrain.

“This brought up the need for gender inclusiveness, as there are presently no female candidates representing Edo state at the National Assembly,” he stated.

Simirlarly, a member of the party’s national electoral commitee, Jafaru Leko, declared that the process was “smooth, organized and credible.”

Also, the chairman of the primary in the federal constituency, Barr. Lucky Ajokperiniovo, who announced the final results of the primary conducted in 23 wards that make up the federal constituency.

He declared Igbinedion, the sole candidatw for the primary, the winner haven polled a total vote of 5819.

“With this aggregate score in the two council areas, Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion is hereby announce as the winner of the primary and the party’s candidate for the bye-election,” he stated.

It would be recalled that the Ovia federal constituency seat became vacant following the election of the former holder, Dennis Idahosa, as the deputy governor of the state.

Igbinedion, then member of the Peoples Party, was the occupant of the Ovia federal constituency seat in the 8th assembly.

She was defeated by Idahosa while seeking reelection in the 2019 general elections.

News

Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

Published

3 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

News

Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

Published

11 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.

News

Police Confirm Edo Tanker Explosion, say No Casualty

Published

11 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed tanker explosions that rocked Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s Police Publice Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, who confirmed the incident via the phone, said the explosion occurred at about 6:30 p.m. following the fall of a fuel tanker along the road.

Ikoedem said the incident occurred on Wednesday evening at about 6:30 p.m. following the fall of a fuel tanker along the road.

She explained that spilled fuel seeped into underground tunnels, which later ignited and caused three explosions in different parts of the Auchi community.

According to her, officers from the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters and the Area Command were mobilised to the affected areas and successfully cordoned them off to prevent loss of lives.

She added: “No casualty was recorded. Our men on ground were able to cordoned the affected areas.”

It was gathered that three separate explosions rocked the town simultaneously in different parts, which led to properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

A resident who does not want his name in print said via the telephone that the blasts occurred along Igbei Road, Igbo Shade, and along the Auchi–Okene Road, close to Winners Junction.

The resident, who alleged the explosions appeared to have been coordinated, called for a thorough investigation into the incident to prevent future occurrences.

Calls put across to Mr. Monday Edogiawere, Chairman, Red Cross, Edo State, were not picked.