Politics

Edo: Those Who Defected To PDP With Obaseki Are Almost Herdsmen, Party Chieftain Laments

Published

4 years ago

October 20, 2021

Mr. Charles Idahosa, leader of the political group who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from the All Progressive Congress, APC, alongside Governor Godwin Obaseki in 2020, has complained about the fate of the defectors, lamenting that they are becoming “political herdsmen.”

Idahosa states this even as the PDP is busy searching for solutions to the crisis bedevilling the party.

The former Commissioner of the state lamented that those of them who followed Obaseki to the PDP had been stranded.

He expressed fear that they could become “political herdsmen roaming from point A to B to C because of some few greedy political lightweight “.

While admitting that the lingering crisis had negative effects on the performance of the governor in his second term, the PDP chieftain noted that the problem started when, the governor’s camp, while looking for a platform for Obaseki to actualise his second term ambition, having been thrown out of the APC, did not take into cognizance, the bad blood in the PDP.

“I concur also with that belief that the topmost delivery that Edo people know H. E. Godwin Obaseki for is missing in his one year second term. But the truth is that, when we were running from scorpions, we didn’t fully know that were bedding with snakes”, Idahosa lamented.

Idahosa, who addressed a press conference in Benin on Wednesday, said that rather than blame Governor Obaseki for the lingering crisis in the Edo PDP, the old members of the party, who resisted all moves to integrate the new entrants, should be held responsible for the crisis.

He asserted that Obaseki had done all he could do to ensure that everyone was accommodated.

Idahosa added that contrary to the belief that Obaseki lacks the quality to live in a peaceful coexistence with political actors, as indicated in the present crisis in the PDP, said that the truth “was that before we joined the PDP in 2020, the party had been divided into factions and it is those old PDP members who are shut out that causing the crisis and not the governor”.

The PDP leader added that Governor Obaseki’s main concern was the integration of those who followed him to the PDP, adding that that was why the governor appointed only 11 commissioners out of the 21 the state normal has, with the hope that the old PDP would allow harmonisation and fill the remaining 10 slots and the remaining 218 other political vacant positions would be shared equitably.

“The NWC of the party should do something. Edo issues would have been resolved like Benue and Sokoto States if not for the in-house crisis that is destabilising Governor Obaseki.

“The man has begged, cajoled, threatened and done all possible things to make PDD harmonies, but for personal gains with 2023 in mind, the old hawks in PDP Edo are resisting, but sooner than later, the right thing will be done”, he assured.

Idahosa explained that the rallying cry was enacted for the political liberation of the Edo people from the shackles of the godfathers, beginning with the late Chief Tony Anenih and in the last election to curtain Adams Oshiomhole, who fought Anenih as a godfather but wanted to play a godfather role.

“Today, every Edo man, particularly the Binis, have a sense of fulfilment that they dared the forces that the Godfather from threw at them I’m the last gubernatorial elections”, Idahosa submitted.

Idahosa therefore called on the governor and all stakeholders” to stop the unnecessary suspension and counter suspension forthwith”.

On that local parlance rallying cry of “Torgba” (it must complete) and “Ogbane” (it is complete) used during the 2020 gubernatorial elections in the state to secure a second term for Governor Obaseki, the political top shot bemoaned a situation where Edo citizens translated that to mean that because they supported the second term bid of the governor, the people could now act with impunity.

“I beg the pardon of religious persons, for us: Torgba and Ogbane are sacred words too, not word to place politics with, as it would amount to rubbishing our struggles.

“Anytime it rains or when wind blows away people’s houses, they will say ‘Torgab, Omagbane nia’ (we want it complete, it has completed), or when people build on flood channel, or right of way and such illegal building is pulled down as if the governor was re-elected to come and pamper their inadequacies or encourage them to flout town planning laws and become recalcitrant and lawless”, he bemoaned.

Politics

Obaseki’s Media Aide Tackles Edo Information Commissioner Over Alleged ₦600bn Debt

Published

35 minutes ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

A former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has denied leaving a debt of N600bn, urging the Monday Okpehbolo-led administration to crosscheck from the Debt Management Office (DMO) before “spewing lies.”

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, had on Monday in Benin claimed that the immediate past administration in the state left a whooping ₦600bn debt.

Reacting to Afegbua’s claim via video call on Tuesday, Obaseki’s Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, challenged the current administration in the state to visit the DMO to see whether Edo drew such debt.

Crusoe, who said no government at whatever level has capacity to draw loans or enter into any debt arrangement without the knowledge and approval of the DMO, said lies being spewed by the Okpebholo’s administration is giving the country a bad image.

He said information of such gives the impression that the state is being governed by people who don’t understand what it means to run a government.

Crusoe described the claim as false and outrightly out of place.

On the planned probe of Radisson Hotel, Crusoe noted that Radisson Hotel remained an international brand that entered into a business agreement with Edo State with all T’s crossed and all I’s dotted.

He insisted that every record about the transaction between Radisson Hotel and the Edo State government was contained in the transition report.

He said: “Radisson hotel is an international investment drawing funds from the German government, the United Kingdom’s government, and the French government for its development. You think such an investment will be put on a land that was not ceded to that organization by the state.

“These people just come out there and toss all kinds of irresponsible information out there. At the end of the day what happens is that all of these turn around to form the intelligence that gathered out of Nigeria by the international community.

“It makes these countries think that the country is a failed state and the place is not being governed.”

Politics

Ijaw Leaders Commend Gov Diri Defection to APC, Describe Decision As Bold, Strategic

Published

7 hours ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

The Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF) has commended Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement signed by the Convener, Hendrick Opukeme, the ILCF described the governor’s move as a “strategic and a “bold declaration of statesmanship”.

The group noted that Governor Diri’s decision has repositioned the Ijaw voice within the national equation, rekindled hope, relevance, and responsibility for the Ijaw people across the Niger Delta and beyond.

The ILCF pledged its unwavering support and collaborative commitment to ensure that the transition becomes a redefinition of Ijaw destiny in the Nigerian project.

The statement reads, “The Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF), on behalf of the elders, stakeholders, and traditional leadership across the length and breadth of the Ijaw nation, conveys its heartfelt solidarity, commendation, and national applause on your courageous and strategic decisions to align with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Your Excellency, this historic political realignment is not merely a matter of partisan affiliation — it is a strategic national statement, a bold declaration of statesmanship, and a clear assertion of Ijaw political maturity in the unfolding
dynamics of Nigeria’s democracy. By this act, you have repositioned the Ijaw voice within the larger national equation and rekindled a sense of renewed hope,
relevance, and responsibility for our people across the Niger Delta and beyond.

“Your decision resonates deeply with the Ijaw consciousness — that of courage in conviction, resilience in adversity, and foresight in leadership. It has sent a message
of awakening and unity throughout the three zones of the Ijaw nation: Western, Central, and Eastern Ijaw.

“The Stakeholders meeting was coordinated by the Hon. Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Bayelsa state government, HRM, God’spower Tam Oporomo, Tara Eza 1st, Pere of Kierebiri – Mein, Bomadi LGA Delta State
At the enlarged stakeholders’ political consultative meeting convened by the Executive Committee of the Ijaw Leaders Consultative Forum (ILCF) on Saturday, November 3, 2025, at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, leaders, youths, women, and opinion moulders from all three zones of the Ijaw nation were in massive attendance.

“The collective resolution of that meeting was an overwhelming
endorsement of your political movement and an expression of total solidarity with your visionary step toward national integration and transformative partnership.

“Your Excellency, this move, properly consolidated, will reposition Bayelsa State and the entire Ijaw nation at the heart of Nigeria’s developmental agenda. We see in your action the dawn of a new political synergy that transcends rhetoric — a synergy of purpose, unity, and strategic engagement with the centre.

“The ILCF, therefore, pledges its unwavering support and collaborative commitment to ensure that this transition becomes not just a change of party, but a redefinition of Ijaw destiny in the Nigerian project. We call on all Ijaw sons and
daughters, at home and in the diaspora, to rally around your leadership and align with this evolving national movement anchored on inclusion, justice,

“May the Almighty continue to guide and strengthen you as you lead our people with wisdom, courage, and divine purpose.With profound respect and patriotic regards”, the group added.

Meanwhile, the governor’s defection to APC was celebrated at a grand ceremony in Yenagoa, attended by top government officials, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other governors. Governor Diri stated that his decision was not driven by personal ambition but by the desire to advance Bayelsa’s unity and development.

The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, urged Governor Diri to deliver Bayelsa State to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, saying, “Take this as a symbol of strength, symbol of unity, unite our party, make it stronger and bring all the votes”.

Politics

Trump’s Threat: You’re Responsible For Nigeria’s Rising Insecurity – ADC Slams Tinubu

Published

18 hours ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has blasted President Bola Tinubu, blaming him for the escalating insecurity in Nigeria and the tagging of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern by US President Donald Trump.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Monday, the ADC said the action by Trump again highlights the urgency and scale of Nigeria’s security collapse.

The party said that the US President’s designation underlines the global expectation that governments must protect the lives of citizens living within their borders.

“We are guided by the painful reality that what is really at stake on this issue are the thousands of human lives that have been lost to insecurity in Nigeria, irrespective of their tribe, religion, or region.

“The statement by President Trump reminds us of the greater global concern about the sanctity of human life, and the cardinal responsibility of national governments to protect the lives of people who live within their borders.

“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” he stated.

Beyond the security failures, the ADC decried Nigeria’s weakened international standing, linking it to what it called the administration’s diplomatic negligence.

It questioned the continued absence of ambassadors in key countries more than two years into the government’s term, asking: “How can a government that has been boasting of unprecedented revenue success continue to give lack of funds as an excuse for not appointing ambassadors?”

“Under President Tinubu, Nigeria has declined both as a continental and a regional leader.”