Politics

Edo Poll: LP Candidate, Akpata, Opens Up On Being Allegedly Sponsored By Obaseki

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2024

Editor

The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Edo state, Olumide Akpata, has denied being sponsored by the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, as speculated ahead of the September 21 election.

The immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association made the rebuttal when he was featured as a guest on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Akpata said that despite being his kinsman, he could not be a Plan B to Obaseki’s government, which has been scored low by the Edo people for performing woefully in office.

The LP governorship candidate also cleared the air when asked to tell Nigerians where he got his campaign funding.

He said, “Who is funding me? I don’t want to appear to be dodging any questions. I am funding myself, and I have friends. You know the popular saying that your net worth is your network. I have friends who believe in me and in this cause. I have people from Edo State who believe we can do much better.

“Firstly, I am really flattered by the fact that there is so much attention focused on me. That means I am doing something very good and right.

“As I said on another channel, Na tree wey get stone dem dey stone. Nobody will come up to you if you have nothing to offer. With them working with me, we have been able to get the kind of funding that we require. Which general goes to war without first counting the costs? So, we have taken into consideration all that is required for this race and I assure you, we are going to win.

“Those who are hoping and praying we run out of steam have something else coming for them. Initially, I was said to be the agent of Governor Obaseki, we were able to debunk that. Today, I am said to be sponsored by the APC. The conspiracy theory, as it is termed, is so stupid. But we will push back on that.”

Akpata refused to back down when asked if he was truly an agent of Obaseki or the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The lawyer insisted that with the harsh treatment meted out to him by officials of the governor and the vandalisation of his campaign materials, he can’t afford to be seen mingling with their camp.

“That was what they were saying when I became the candidate of the Labour Party. We have told them clearly that there is a gulf between myself and Governor Obaseki. It is like night and day. I cannot be associated with a government whose performance has been underwhelming.

“You know I have been attacked and my billboards pulled down. Everybody knows that I am not his choice. I am not even his Plan Z. We have local government officials and the PDP going after my billboards. But we have warned them and they have desisted,” he lamented

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Politics

2027: Jonathan Will Contest Under PDP, Return To Aso Rock — Jerry Gana

Published

10 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

Former Minister of Information and Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, has disclosed that ex-president Goodluck Jonathan will contest again in 2027.

Gana made this remark while speaking to journalists in Minna, the Niger State capital.

According to him, Jonathan will contest in the next presidential election, as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

According to him, Nigerians had experienced life under two presidents after Jonathan and were now yearning for his return.

“In 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan said his ambition was not worth the blood of Nigerians,” Gana said.

“After him, another President ruled for eight years, and now another has ruled for two years.

“Nigerians have seen the difference, and the difference is very clear. Nigerians are now asking us to bring back our friend, former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate, and we should be prepared to vote for him to return as President again,” he added.

Politics

How I Survived Kidnap, Assassination Attempt – Rivers Speaker

Published

10 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

The Speaker of Rivers House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, said he is thankful to God for surviving a kidnapping and, an assassination attempt in the past years.
Amaewhule made this known during his 52nd birthday thanksgiving service at the All Saints Anglican Church, Eliozu, Obio/Apkor Local Government Area, Rivers State.

“I am not just marking another birthday but acknowledging that many people had planned to take his life in the last one year, but God didn’t allow them,” he said.
Recounting how he survived a harrowing experience in 2008, he said that he narrowly escaped death during the incident.

Amaewhule noted that he was abducted by some unidentified gunmen at his residence as he arrived after a Sunday church service.

“Some of you were here in 2008 when a preacher was preaching right here on a Sunday service, on that faithful day, I didn’t know the people who came to kidnap me were also in the service,” he said.

“After service, they tactically followed me to my residence, tied up my security guard, and abducted me and took me to a forest where they held me hostage for five days.

“They placed thorns under my feet and inflicted several injuries on my head and body in the process of moving me from one hideout to another within the forest.

“They fed me with biscuits throughout the period even as I almost bled to death.”

The speaker, however, expressed gratitude to God for his numerous blessings, guidance, and preservation over the years.

“When God does things for you, it is important to appreciate him for more.”

Politics

Edo: Chief Ben Bowei Sworn In As Vice Chairman, Ovia South-West

Published

15 hours ago

September 29, 2025

Editor

High Chief Ben Bowei (Left) taking oath of office at the council secretariat on Monday

An Activist and politician, High Chief Ben Bowei has been sworn in as Vice Chairman, Ovia South-West Local Government Council of Edo State.

Bowei, chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), deputises Hon. Nosakhare Edobor who happens to be the Chairman of the council.

The Vice Chairman, a committed member of the APC in the local government and state, is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the local government council being a former National Treasurer of the most respected youth body in west Africa — Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide.

Bowei, an advocate and promoter of governance, is the founder of Niger Delta Volunteer for Good Governance, said he’s poised in promoting good governance and taking the dividends of democracy to the most interior part of the local government.

The Vice Chairman urged sons and daughters of the local government to cooperate with the council’s leadership in their bid to extend the dividends of democracy to them.

Bowei, while appreciating governor Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, for the good work the current administration has been doing in the state, expressed optimism that the current state government would perform beyond expectations.