Politics

Edo Govt Planned To Force Civil Servants To Attend PDP Presidential Rally, APC Alleges

Published

4 years ago

October 18, 2022

Editor

… Your Antics Won’t Work, PDP Has Over 500,000 Members – Edo Govt

Joseph Kanjo, Benin

The main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo State and the state government are at it again over an alleged plan by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led adminstration to force Edo civil servants to attend the PDP Presidential Campaign rally scheduled for Saturday, 22 October 2022, in Benin City.

While Col David Imuse (Rtd.), the APC chairmen in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Friday, made the allegation and consequently said the governor had perfected plans to declare Friday public holiday in order to make sure the civil servants have time to attend the rally, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, described the claim as “height of foolery and clearly amounts to taking absurdity to an extreme level.”

The APC chairmen statement which was signed by Assistant State Publicity Secretary of the party, Victor Ofure Osehobo, said it is worrisome that the Governor will be “seeking to shore up his dwindling political fortunes by seeking to drag Edo civil servants into politics.”

Col. Imuse in the statement warned the governor against declaring Friday, a working day, a work-free day with the excuse that civil servants need to join the illegal, hollow and fraudulent event, as it negates the Public service rules.

According to the Edo APC chairman, the plot by the Governor Obaseki to hide under the Supreme Court judgment in the case of INEC vs Musa cannot hold water because it did not anyway set aside or nullify rules 030422 and 030423 of the Public Service Rules.

“The extant rules bans civil servants, whether on duty or leave of absence from offering himself/herself or nominating anyone else as a candidate for
any elective public office, indicate publicly his/her support of or opposition to any party, candidate or policy and engage in canvassing in support of political candidates”.

Col Imuse who advised Edo civil servants, according to the statement, said: “Accordingly, in the overall best interest of neutrality, harmony, integrity and development of Edo Civil Service, all civil servants are strongly advised to reject and resist every attempt to drag them into partisan politics and endeavor to completely insulate themselves.”

But in a swift response, the Special Adviser to Obaseki further said: “At no point did the state government declare a work-free-day for the rally, which is absolutely unnecessary, to say the least, as even little children are aware that Saturday is not a working day in Nigeria.”

He added: “Edo people, however, are aware of the antics of the APC and have rightly placed them in the dustbin of history with the defeat of the party at the 2020 governorship election, a feat that is sure to be repeated in the 2023 general elections.”

Also in a statement, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, responded by stating that Edo PDP has over 500,000 verifiable members, hence Edo APC makes up stories to get on the new.

Nehikhare said: “And for your information, we have over 500,000 verifiable members of Edo PDP and for this rally, we are restricting the number to avoid stampede.”

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.