Politics

Edo 2024: Why ‘I’m Running On LP’ – Ex-Rep Member Joins Guber Race

Published

5 months ago

December 13, 2023

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

As the 2024 Edo State governoship election gather momentum, a former member, House of Representatives, Sergius Ogun, has joined the race on the platform of the Labour Party.

Ogun said he decided to join the race through the LP because he believes in the common man, adding that this is exactly what LP stands for too.

Ogun, who represented Esan North East/South East in the 8th & 9th National Assembly, made his intention to run for the governorship known on Tuesday at the state secretariat of the LP in Benin.

The former Lawmaker who disclosed that he has been working behind the scene in the party for long, said he so much believes in the party because through it (LP) Edo people “will be liberated.”

“Most of you might be aware that I have been a member of this party for so long. We worked behind the scene and later attack the issues of the campaign of February 2023 openly.

“I am pro-people; I believe in the people, and Labour Party stands for the ordinary people; the ordinary Nigerians, the commoners, the downtrodden of this country. So, we must use the Labour Party platform to liberate the common man in the street. Labour government in Osadebey Avenue will liberate the common man in this state. We are here to work on the ordinary people, and we are going to do that through the local government councils,” he added.

Ogun said under his government, the 18 local government councils in the state will be given autonomy, adding “whatever money due to the local government councils, they will get. Where the state government needs to collaborate with the local government councils, we will do that. When we have functioning local government councils in this state, life will become bearable in this state. Local government councils must be allowed to function because they are more closer to the people, and they know what the people in the rural areas are passing through.”

While promising standard health care for all when he becomes governor, Ogun said no government official under his watch will use public fund to travel to abroad for medical checkup.

He said: “We will not allow government officials to use public funds for medical trip abroad. Will make sure all our health facilities are put in good shape. We will make sure we have good health care system. Our primary healthcare centres in rural areas will be fixed to make sure they function well. We will make sure they have basic equipment.”

He continued: “We will make sure our schools are in good shape. We will, by the grace of God, remunerate our teachers well for a good service delivery.”

On food security, the governorship aspirant said: “We will make sure farmers go to their farms without fear so that they can bring farm produce to the urban areas. This will help to bring down the cost of living. I am aware that farmers are losing their produce due to bad roads and the cost of transportation. They spend so much to clear the farms, and they still spend a lot in transporting their produce. I will ensure access roads to farms in our state. I did it as a Lawmaker, so being an executive governor, it is more easier.”

Politics

Group Says Court Would Rectify LP Primary Infractions In Favour Of Imansuangbon

Published

11 hours ago

May 9, 2024

Editor

A pressure group under the umbrella of Shine Your Eyes Group, (SYEG) has asked Edo Labour Party in the state to save the party and its candidate, Olumide Akpata, from legal embarrassment over the weighty allegations as contained in the petition filed against his emergence by Barrister Kenneth Imansuangbon, than attacking the SYEG over it position.

The group said the major issues before the court for determination among others is whether in substituting his deputy Alufokhai Oluyinka Faith he complied within the time limit and the constitution.

In a statement endorsed by the group’s coordinator, Comrade Jonah Ifada and Secretary Osagie Omoregie, said INEC should not be blamed for any perceived infraction by the party, adding that the electoral body did not nominate Alufokhai for the LP in the first place.

Ifada argued, “What Imansuangbon in his application is asking the court to determine is whether the party followed the normal National Working Committee, NWC’s approval?

“Whether the mandatory signatories by Abure and the National secretary was obtained and if the answer are in the negative then Akpata does not have a substitution and therefore not a candidate of the LP in the eyes of the law.”

Ifada said the APC and PDP are keenly watching and waiting in the wings for the party to make this grievous mistake adding that the Supreme Court judgment in Bayelsa was very explicit and in line with section 29 of the electoral act.

“We want to say with due respect to our judges that the world is watching and that if Donald Trump can be brought to trial before the watchful eyes of the world Olumide can’t use the court to legitimate his error and Nigeria need to move with the rest of the world and respect of rule of law and democracy.

“Olumide among others pledged oath of allegiance to another country called Vanuate which is against Section 182 of our constitution. Imansuangbon is not contending that he was born in Germany but our Country is against his voluntary oath of allegiance to another country.

“We want to remind him that he cannot appropriate and reprobate at the same time. In the coming days, activities in Vanuate will be revealed to Nigerians and the world,” he added.

It further noted that it is not the turn of Edo South and that was why the APC and PDP went to Edo Central to nominate their candidates.

The group also reminded the LP publicity secretary, Comrade Sam Uroupa that Shine Your Group he attempted to deride in his watery statement is an existing body that includes all ‘mama, ‘papa, pikin and those who want a better Edo state are members of the body and are in the majority.

Politics

Edo Poll: PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Resigns From Party

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

Felix Akhabue, a former gubernatorial aspirant for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, Edo State election, has resigned from the party.

Akhabue was among the 10 aspirant who contested the party’s primary election in February and protested against the conduct of its ward and local government congresses.

Akhabue, a former, chairman of Esan West Local Government Area as well as Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperative and Industry in Governor Godwin Obaseki’s first tenure, dumped the party in a letter dated May 6, 2024, and addressed to the Ward 7 chairman of the party in Esan West local Government Area.

Politics

Edo Poll: Akoko-Edo PDP Leaders Meet Deputy Gov, Pledge Massive Votes For Ighodalo

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State Tuesday assured the Deputy Governor of the state, Marvellous Omobayo, of their preparedness to deliver block votes to the party’s governorship candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo in the forthcoming September 21st governorship election.

The leaders who came from ward (4), (3) and ward (5) was led by Comrade Princeswill Ogunnubi (ward 4), said Akoko-Edo, since the appointment of their kinsman as deputy governor, Akoko-Edo is a no go area for the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state, just as he predicted victory for the PDP.

Ogunnubi, who spoke during a courtesy call on the deputy governor at his office on a solidarity visit, noted that the visit was imperative to assure the number two citizen of the state of their readiness towards the continuity of the PDP in the state beyond 2024.

He said. “We are not just here today in solidarity with you on your appointment but to also assure you of our unalloyed support to deliver on the political trust and confidence reposed in you by the governor on your appointment.

“You can see that since your assumption as the deputy governor the youth of the state that forms majority of the voting population are excited and solidly behind you to see that you succeed and as a people are eternally grateful to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“It is on record that we have never had it this good apart from the statutory elective political offices. The time has come for us to compensate the governor by delivering Barrister Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of the Edo State.”

Also on the visit, Mr Ernest Akpaja, another leader, stressed on the need for all party members to close rank and join forces in the task ahead.

“This appointment is a testament to the Governor’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. We believe Deputy Governor Godwin will make significant contributions to advancing the governor’s development agenda,” Akpaja said.

Omobayo who was elated at the visit, appealed to the leaders to sustain the unity of purpose in ensuring that Akoko-Edo is solidly “PDP and PDP is Akoko-Edo.”

While thanking the leaders remarked, “Without mincing words, I can assure you that Akoko-Edo will get more positions under the PDP if voted back into power. More better days ahead for our people.”