Politics

Edo APC Chides Obaseki Over Poor State Of Schools, Alarming Insecurity

Published

3 years ago

June 30, 2022

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State chapter, has condemned the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration for the poor condition of schools, and increasing alarming insecurity in the state.

Reacting to the poor state of schools and insecurity, the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Peter Enoserogbe Uwadiae Igbinigie Esq., said it’s very “worrisome to note that the Obaseki’s led PDP administration has returned the education sector in Edo to the doldrums, also allowed the ever alarming rate of insecurity.”

The party lamented that the high level of overall development in the education sector established by his predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, has since been abandoned by the administration.

He Said: “Now, the schools has returned to utter state of decay before the coming of the APC led administration of Oshiomhole.

“What is prevailing is a radical departure from the high standard as set by Adams Oshiomhole’s administration, ‘the Red Roof Revolution’ which was widely applauded within and outside the State and even beyond.”

He noted that the story of Ofumwengbe Primary School in the media where there is no roof and the pupils sit on the bare floor, is only a classical example of the unfortunate situation across the state under the Obaseki’s administration.

“Whearas, the Obaseki’s administration continue to deceive the people with the so called EDOBEST programme which obviously has no bearing with the physical realities on ground.

“Evidently, ‘EDOBEST’ has been a conduit pipe via which the Obaseki’s administration has been using to syphone the collective resources of Edo people.

“If you go to schools across the state, with the Ofumwengbe Primary School story as brought to the fore by the journalist who visited the school on the behest of the community leaders; pupils now sit on the bare floor to learn.

“Whereas, the Edo State Government keeps singing with the EDOBEST programme to have greatly changed the narrative in the state.

“But while Oshiomhole was in charge, the practicality of what the education system should be, was obvious: red roof revolution, holistic infrastructure development and teachers employment.

“Since the coming of the Obaseki’s administration, no employment of teachers, infrastructure are in utter decay; underlining the fact that EDOBEST programme is not only a total failure, but a charade.

“Ultimately, this is not how the education sector should be as compared to the dreams of our forebears.”

Also notably, insecurity in Edo has assumed a frightening dimension that no one feels safe anymore. Traveling on our roads is now a nightmare, and people can no longer go to their farms for fear of being attacked.

“It is very saddening that the environment is very volatile that going about one’s business is a top risk.

“A case in point is the killing of the Catholic Priest in Okabigbo, Edo North last Sunday, and resumption of cult related killings on Wednesday in Benin City.

“We, however, commiserate with the family of the victims, the Catholic Church, and Christiandom for the untimely loss of their loved ones.”

The party accused the Obaseki’s administration for poor funding of the security architecture in the state, hence the prevailing ever increasing insecurity in the state.

The vigilante outfit are not even trained, they go about carrying arms that are inferior to that of the criminal elements.

The APC consequently challenged the Obaseki’s administration to put to judicious use, the monthly security vote of the N750m it receives from the Federal Government.

As it reiterates that the situation prevailing is very worrisome, and charged the Government to wake up to the challenge.

Politics

N’Assembly committee Approves New State For S’East

Published

2 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

3 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.

Politics

Why I Refused To Endorse El-Rufai As My Successor — Obasanjo

Published

3 days ago

October 25, 2025

Editor

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he turned down a suggestion to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.

Speaking on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, Obasanjo disclosed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai for the presidency, but he rejected the idea.

Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event, had earlier narrated how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, an encounter that led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Addressing the audience, Obasanjo took a playful jab at Chidoka for leaving out the El-Rufai story.

“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.

Turning to Chidoka, who was seated among the panelists, he asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?” The former minister nodded in agreement.

Obasanjo explained that he dismissed the suggestion because he believed El-Rufai still needed time to grow politically.

“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember?

“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

The former president, however, commended Chidoka, El-Rufai, and other former aides for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed to the success of his administration.

Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo emphasised character, exposure, experience, and training as essential qualities of effective governance.

Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship.

“But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”

El-Rufai served under Obasanjo’s administration as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) before becoming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, he instead backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor.

In his address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s development setbacks on excuses and what he described as the politics of alibi.

“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.

“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.

He urged leaders to prioritise accountability and measurable results.

“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.