News

Edo APC Leaders Deny Oshiomhole’s Involvement In Mock Primary, Challenge Obaseki To Prove Allegation

Published

6 years ago

May 7, 2020

Demand Gov To Account For N350bn

Some leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State have denied allegation by governor of the state Mr. Godwin Obaseki that former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, was involved in a purported mock primary that recently held in the state.

A statement signed by the leaders, which was made available to INFO DAILY, also refuted the governor’s claim that, against his government’s directive, over 50 persons attendanded the meeting now misconstrued as mock primary.

Edo State government had accused the national chairman of organising a “mock primary” of the party in the state on April 30, purportedly to pick a candidate for the gubernatorial election in the state.

The statement jointly signed by Engr Chris Ogiemwonyi, Dr Pius Odubu, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, among others, the governor was challenged the governor to prove his allegation of a crowded “meeting of more than 50 persons.”

The statement reads in part, “We hereby vehemently deny any involvement of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in our activities. We also state emphatically that there was no crowded meeting of 20 persons or more by this body of APC Leaders anywhere in Edo State in recent time. We hereby challenge Mr. Godwin Obaseki to prove his allegation of a crowded, “meeting of more than 50 persons” by releasing a video of such event.

“A look at the list of those who issued this statement on behalf of our teeming members will expose the rudeness in describing us as puppets of Oshiomhole by Mr Obaseki in the statement under reference.”

According to the leaders in the statement, the twisted narrative by Mr Obaseki was meant to drag the National Chairman of the party’s name into their activities in order to blackmail him, adding that the blackmail attempt is already ongoing.

While confronting the governor with evidence of bad governance, the leaders noted that no form of intimidation by Obaseki’s “hackneyed bashing” would deter them in the state.

“The twisted narrative by Mr Obaseki, is meant to drag the National Chairman, Comrade Oshiomhole’s name into our activities in order to blackmail him. This is an ongoing, but over used strategy for his ill-fated campaign for second tenure. We state unequivocally that we are not intimidated by Mr. Obaseki’s hackneyed bashing of and disrespect for the former Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, whose excellent performance in government remains the selling points for our party till date.

“Contrary to the resort to personalise attacks by Godwin Obaseki on the National Chairman, who is not contesting any election, we are confronting Mr Obaseki with the evidence of bad governance, mindless embezzlement of state funds, destruction of democratic culture, wicked demonization of those on whose backs he rose to power, and systematic destruction of APC, the platform that brought him to power,” they added.

Speaking on the huge spending by governor of over N300bn, the leaders said there are practically no projects to justify the expenditure of the huge receipts, lamenting that “it has all promises, celebrated signing of MoUs, deceptive adverts inviting tenders, etc”

They continued, “As at April 2020, Edo State Government under Godwin Obaseki has netted about N350bn (Three hundred and fifty billion Naira). The bulk is made up of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements and Internally Generated Revenue, all amounting to about N300bn, Bail Out fund N17.5bn and Paris Club Excess deductions Refund, enhanced by exchange rate differentials, making up the balance.

“Against this huge funds, never seen before in Edo State, there are practically no projects to justify the expenditure of the huge receipts. All promises, celebrated signing of MOUs, deceptive adverts inviting tenders, and even inviting the Vice President on state visit to flag off construction of INDUSTRIAL PARK, came to nothing. There is not a single project worthy of commissioning as Mr Obaseki moves towards the end of his tenure.”

Reacting to the governor’s claim that he had spent N1bn on the fight against COVID-19, they, and the entire state was shock when the governor announced he has spent such huge amount, stressing that none of the claimed projects by the governor on COVID-19 has been executed in the state.

“Even in the current fight against Covid-19, he does not care about the sufferings of the people, but he is busy converting the opportunity for embezzlement, embarking on political campaign in the 192 wards under the guise of personal sensitization campaign against coronavirus. The state was shocked when he announced they had already spent over One billion Naira on the pandemic within two weeks. Till today there is no lockdown in Edo state in order to avoid spending on palliatives. Yet he moved markets to school premises in the entire state with a promise to fumigate the markets statewide.

“No fumigation has been carried out and the school premises are fast becoming Refuse dumps. Huge crowds are crammed into whatever space in the schools without social distancing. He ordered people to wear face-masks but his government did not provide any for the poor masses. The number of infected people is growing exponentially, he doesn’t care”, they lamented.

While ago alleging that thugs are deployed at will and agencies of government are sent as hounds to make life miserable for persons, the said anyone who disagrees with Obaseki in the state is being endangered.

“Anyone who disagrees with Obaseki in Edo State is endangered. Thugs are deployed at will and agencies of government are sent as hounds to make life miserable for such persons. Bombs have been thrown into people’s homes resulting in massive destructions, but curiously no arrests were made”, they said.

Efforts to speak to Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Cruseo Osagie proved abortive as calls put across to him were not through, and SMS sent to him was not replied.

News

PHOTOS: Low Turnout, Voter Apathy Mar Anambra Guber

Published

4 hours ago

November 8, 2025

Editor

The November 8 Anambra State governorship election has been marred by low voters turn and apathy.

In Akwa, the state capital,
some tricycle riders were also seen going about their normal businesses, just as some business owners opened their shops for businesses.

In the state capital, accreditation of voters did not start in many polling units visited by our correspondent until about 9:00am.

At Polling Unit 009, Ward 06, Akwa South Local Government Area, our correspondent observed that accreditation started at about a few minutes past 9:00am with low turnout.

At Polling Unit 011, Ward 06, Akwa II, Akwa South Local Government Area, the Presiding Officer, Chiamaka Agbakoba,
told our correspondent that she started accreditation at about 9:15 am because “we were waiting for party agents to arrive, and more so there were not many voters on the ground.”

Salas Okosun, Presiding Officer, Polling Unit 018, Ward 06, Udeozo Primary School, Akwa South, said “we started accreditation exactly 9:am but voters have not been coming. As you can see, no one to capture, so we are still waiting, once it’s 2:30pm, we are done.”

Olusola Abdulsalam, Presiding Officer, Polling 017, Ward 06, Akwa II, Akwa South, said “as at 10:08, we have captured 15 voters. They have been coming out little by little.”

Presiding Officer, Polling Unit 023, Ward 06, Akwa II, Akwa South Local Government Area, Mercy Ezeah, said “we have captured 23 voters as at 10:37am, out of the total of 178 voters we are expecting.”

The narrative was however different in Polling Unit 007, Ward 05, as voters turned out to cast their ballots at the unit.

Speaking to our correspondent, a voter, Anene Chukwudezie, lamented that he was disenfranchised because INEC did not print his Permanent Voter Card.

He said: “I cannot vote for the candidate of my choice because INEC did not print my PVC. And it is not me alone, over 30% of voters in Ward 04, Akwa South have this same problem, with my findings, so they cannot vote. And this is why some of our people decide to sit at home.”

News

Okpebholo’s One Year Performance Outshines Some governors’ 8 Yrs, Says Idahosa

Published

16 hours ago

November 8, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa says Governor Monday Okpebholo’s performance within his first year in office surpasses some state governors achievements in eight years of office.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, the deputy governor was quoted to have said this when he played host to delegation of Esan Daughters Development Initiative of Edo State in his office on Thursday.

He assured that Okpebholo’s administration has just taken off, adding that with the support of the people, Edo will record remarkable achievements in few months to come.

Idahosa noted that with his SHINE Agenda, Okpebholo is poised to entrench good governance across the nook and cranny of the state.

He particularly noted that Okpebholo policies are people centric.

While noting that the unity of the people remains the governor’s primary concern, Idahosa reeled out names of Esan extraction who made impact on Esan land and Edo State in general.

According to him, “Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, to me, is God’s gift to Esan land,” and, “the entire Edo State people are happy with him.”

The President, Esan Daughters Development Initiative of Edo State, Mrs. Kate Osaro commended Idahosa for his complementary role to Okpebholo.

According to her, their complementary roles have ensured peace reign in the state and solicited for its sustainability.

In related vein, Idahosa received and congratulated Management, Staff and Students of “Our Lady of Mercy Nursery and Basic School” on their forthcoming school’s 50th anniversary.

He appreciated the school’s management for helping to shape and impact the lives of students and society.

He deemed it an honour having the organizing committee lead pupils of the school to his office.

He encouraged them (Pupils) to aspire to greater heights by participating in politics to becoming future governors and deputy governors of the state.”

News

#AnambraDecides: Transport Unions Endorsement Of Soludo Could Undermine Perceptions Of Neutrality — KDI

Published

16 hours ago

November 8, 2025

Editor

The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), has expressed concern that the endorsement of governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State by the Joint Transporter Forum could undermine perceptions of neutrality in the November 8 governorship election, owing to the role they play in conveying sensitive and non-sensitive materials during elections.

KDI said since INEC relies heavily on these unions —NURTW, RTEAN, Keke, Okada, and Bus Unions — for material transportation, their partisan alignment could undermine perceptions of neutrality, risk delays, and erode public confidence in the process.

Bukola Idowu, Executive Director, expressed the organisation’s concern at a pre-election briefing held in Akwa on Friday.

“The endorsement of the incumbent governor by the Joint Transporter Forum, comprising NURTW, RTEAN, Keke, Okada, and Bus Unions, raises a significant logistical red flag,” KDI worries.

INEC’s Preparedness

The KDI, while noting that INEC has largely demonstrated logistical readiness, some operational gaps persist.

“KDI’s comparative analysis of INEC’s preparedness for the 2025 Anambra Governorship Election against the 2024 Ondo Off-Cycle Election reveals a mixed outlook on operational readiness.

“The training of ad-hoc officials concluded only on November 6, 2025, two days before the election, compared to a timelier completion in Ondo 2024 left no room for mock drills or refresher sessions, limiting INEC’s ability to evaluate the competence of ad-hoc personnel and replace unfit or unavailable staff ahead of election day.”

The CSO, however, commended INEC for the “continuous engagement with stakeholders and improvements in technology usage, particularly through the BVAS and IREV platforms,” saying that it “remains positive indicators that, if effectively managed, can mitigate these risks and enhance the credibility of the process.”

Pre-election Observation, Warning

KDI observed that voter turnout in Anambra has fallen by over 58% in the last eight years, attributing this decline to insecurity, logistical and geographical challenges, warning that “special attention must then be paid to these areas lest Anambra risks experiencing another historically low voter turnout in tomorrow’s governorship election.

“Despite consistent growth in voter registration.It will appear that voter turnout is falling at the same rate at which voter registration was growing. This means that while more citizens are registering to vote, fewer are turning out on election day, a troubling trend that points to deepening voter apathy and declining trust in the electoral process.”

On intolerance during election, KDI said while the overall security risk across the state remains moderate, several localized flashpoints persist in areas historically prone to electoral tension, political rivalry, and voter intimidation.

“The analysis identifies Aguata and Ihiala as severe-risk areas, with a high likelihood of violence or disruption on election day.

“Nnewi North, Nnewi South, and Ogbaru are categorized as high-risk LGAs, while the remaining local governments are assessed as being at a moderate risk level.

“In practical terms, this means that LGAs classified as severe or high risk face a greater probability of experiencing election-related disturbances, ranging from logistical delays and voter suppression to violent clashes, unless proactive measures are taken.

“Conversely, moderate-risk areas could be relatively peaceful, provided preventive actions are maintained and early warning signals are properly addressed.”

KDI, therefore, urged security agencies to uphold professionalism, neutrality, and restraint in their election-day operations.

“Security deployments should prioritize visible but non-intimidating presence in identified flashpoints, timely intelligence sharing, and rapid response coordination to ensure the safety of voters, election officials, and materials across all 21 LGAs,” KDI noted.

KDI, however, expressed optimism of a largely peaceful election, just as it emphasized that the “credibility of the process will depend on timely deployment, transparent procedures, and restraint by political actors and their supporters.”

The CSO also called on eligible voters to come out peacefully, exercise their civic rights, and resist any attempt to disrupt the process or sell their votes.