Politics

Edo 2024: Lobby For APC Deputy Governorship Candidate Hots Up

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Ahead of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, the lobby for the deputy governorship candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, has increased in tempo.

Already, many political heavyweights and interest groups have continued to mount pressure on the governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the party leadership to consider their candidate as the running mate.

One of the names that has been prominently featured is Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma fondly known as E.J, who was a former member of the House of Representatives.

A Diaspora group by name N’Edo Ghama Diaspora Group, USA, believes that E.J has the legislative and executive experience having worked as a Special Adviser under the administration of Senator Adams Oshiomhole as the state governor.

Besides, the group believes that EJ’s connection with some past American Presidents will be an added advantage to the state if he emerges as the deputy governor.

In a statement on Sunday, N’Edo Ghama Diaspora Group, USA, said, “When considering and shopping for a running mate in any election as regards the office of the deputy governor of a state, there are a number of factors to be considered in the choice of person who would fit into that office, and by extension, one who can compliment his/her boss. There is a need to settle for one who has a wealth of experience and huge electoral value.

“Getting a good candidate to fly the party’s flag in an election that would be keenly contested is not enough to guarantee the party’s victory at the polls without a running mate whose electoral value cuts across all spheres of the society.

“One of the names that came to our mind when we were considering someone as running mate to APC Governorship Candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo in the forthcoming September gubernatorial election in Edo State is Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma (EJ). A former member House of Representatives ( Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency), a Federal Commissioner of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), a man who had occupied different executive offices and positions. He was a member, Board of Directors of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, and served the nation by helping to put NRC on the right path.

“He also contributed immensely to the development of Edo State as SA to the former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. He is a man of goodwill who has used his influence and connections to affect many lives positively. He is highly connected both locally and Internationally.

“Hon. EJ is one who has great respect for our traditional institutions, and he is well recognized by the same. Well known by our religious bodies and sundries with a few exceptions. He should be the one to be considered. He, who the cap fits, let him wear it.

“We therefore want to urge and respectfully request that all well-meaning party leaders and party faithful in Edo South and across the three senatorial districts of the State should do well to nominate Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma as running mate to Sen. Monday Okpebholo. This combination will make an unbeatable team. In fact, Ikpoba-Okha LGA, with their numerical strength, electoral value, and huge population, deserved the number two seat in Edo State.”

The statement was signed by Pastor Timothy Ogie President, Dr. Obama Asemota, Elders Council USA, Professor Osa Obasogie, Elders Council, USA and Comrade Usunobun, Elders Council, USA .

Related Topics:#edo poll Edo APC Edo Guber

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Politics

Rivers: Fubara Cancelled 10,000 Jobs I Initiated For Youths – Wike Alleges

Published

3 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State cancelling an employment process undertaken by his (Wike’s) administration which engaged 10,000 youths of the state.

Wike made this allegation on Wednesday at Ahoada main Town, during the ‘Renewed Hope Family thank you visit’ to Ahoada East Local Government Area.

He said his administration had employed 10,000 youths into different sectors of the state’s economy, but regretted that Fubara, his successor, sacked the beneficiaries.

He slammed Fubara for claiming the construction of Ahoada-Omoku and Emohua-Kalabari Road, which he said he had made 70 percent payment before handing over, describing the governor as “a bad child”.

“When I decided to dualise this Ahoada road, people thought it was impossible. But by the grace of God, today, Ahoada East, Ahoada Town, is coming back to be the city it is supposed to be. When I was a narcissist, I finished phase one of this dualisation.

“Then I flagged off phase two, which would end up in Omoku. The job was given the same day as the one of Emohua to the Kalabari area.

“I gave it to Julius Berger and we signed an agreement for Julius Berger to collect N4 billion every month from our IGR. The total amount of that road, and the one from Emohua to the Kalabari area, was about N80 something billion. So I said, if they collect four billion every month, that would give them 48 billion. That in two years time, they would have completed,” Wike said.

Politics

Amaechi: Buhari’s Administration Was Hell For Me – Wike

Published

4 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has said the administration of late President Mohammadu Buhari was like hell for him.

Wike, who addressed members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ahoada East Local Government Area, LGA of Rivers State on Wednesday, said a minister from the state tried to frustrate his government.

Wike was apparently referring to Rotimi Amaechi, who served as the Minister of Transportation during the immediate past administration.

The FCT minister said despite the moves, his administration remained focused and committed to the people of Rivers State.

He said, “When I was governor, the administration of our late President Mohammadu Buhari was hell for me.

“A minister who is from here, tried to make sure we didn’t move forward but by the grace of God, we were focused and made more impacts.

“Governance is not just about awarding contracts, it is about relating with people. Anybody can award a contract but the capacity for you to settle issues and meander when there is a problem.”

Politics

2027: Watch Out For My Anointed Candidate – Wike Tells Supporters

Published

4 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Editor

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has urged his supporters in Rivers State to watch out for his anointed candidate for the state’s governorship election in 2027.

Wike spoke on Wednesday in Ahoada East Local Government Area, LGA of Rivers State, while addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

He urged the supporters to observe the movement of APC and PDP chairmen, as well as other leaders loyal to him to know his anointed candidate.

The minister appealed to the supporters to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He said, “The other one as it relates to the State, we will come back. Watch where your council chairman is going.

“Watch where the PDP and APC chairman are going, anywhere you see them, that is where we are”.

Wike had vowed to ensure that his estranged political godson, Siminalayi Fubara, was not re-elected in 2027.