Politics

Gale Of Endorsement, Testament Of Ighodalo’s Public Acceptance

Published

2 years ago

February 19, 2024

Political analysts have described the gale of endorsement of Dr. Asue Ighodalo, a frontline aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the Edo Sept. 21 governorship election, as true testament of his acceptance by the people from the three Senatorial District of the State.

Having etched his name in the golden books of jurisprudence and in the business world, Ighodalo, fondly called by his sobriquet, “AI” from his intelligence and business savvy expertise, his foray into Edo State political arena, only provided him the opportunity to subtly showcase his allround socio-political and economic sagacity that continue to leave everyone who has come across him in great awe.

Little wonder members of Edo South Vanguard for Justice and Equity, recently endorsed and gave his governorship aspiration a boost , describing him as the best fit and most qualified to be the state’s next helmsman.

Leader of the group during a well attended press conference in Benin, Ms. Joy Osareimen from Oredo Local Government Area, said the group resolved to endorse Ighodalo based on his antecedent, credibility, pedigree and unalloyed commitment to the development of the state and its people.

According to them, no better aspirant deserves the massive support especially, in the spirit of fairness, justice and equity than Asue Ighodalo.

She said, “As we take our time to critically consider the socio-political history of the State since the beginning of the current democratic dispensation in 1999 and we arrived on the equitable resolution that it’s fair that Edo Central is allowed to govern the State in 2024.”

And like the golden fish, Ighodalo, who hails from Okaigben, Ewohimi, Esan South East LGA of the, state, also caught the eyes of the leaders and members of the most politically conscious LGAs in South Senatorial District; Uhumwode, Orhionmwon and Ikpoba-Okha, respectively.

Their endorsement of Dr. Asue Ighodalo as their consensus aspirant for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state, speaks volume of his wide reach and, acceptance by all and sundry.

Political analysts, especially political watchers, across the 18 LGAs of the state, have described that single episode as the tacit public endorsement of Asue Ighodalo by Edo South Senatorial District.

The leaders and members of the party said such endorsement became only possible following the undisguised and transparent aspirant’s track records of excellence in the various capacities he has served humanity.

Little wonder the motion for Ighodalo’s adoption in Uhumwode was moved and seconded by no mean personalities than former Senator Roland Owie and Mr. Charles Egbe amid wide acceptance and jubilations.

Addressing the people, Ighodalo appealed to the people to nominate him as the PDP flag bearer for the September 21 governorship election, maintaining that with his capacity and proven track records, he remains the best aspirant for the election.

He blamed bad governance in Nigeria over the years on the wrong choice and sentimental voting of the people, noting that Edo State will have no reason not to be developed if the right aspirant is chosen as the governor, which he said he represents.

Asue Ighodalo said: “Edo has no reason not to be developed if the right leaders are chosen to lead the state.

“I am the leader that will take the state beyond the next level, hence, my appeal for your nomination and support.

“Let us choose who can help us, knows the developmental road to lead Edo State and in doing so, we will have good roads and other basic amenities.

“I work hard to stardom and today, God has blessed me as I have created one of the biggest law firms in Africa. God made me chairman, Nigerian Breweries, Sterling Bank and others.

“God has helped me and in return, I try to help people but I believe the best help you can render is when you are in public service which is governance where you will be opportune to help millions of people.

“So, I am appealing to you all to give me the opportunity to help our people in Edo State.

” I promise you all that I will help the people and remove them from poverty. I will bring succour to homes and improve standard of living during my time as governor.

“I will be governor for everybody, operate an open-door-policy, accessible to the people. We are going to govern Edo State together as one man can not do it alone. So, together, we will create a better Edo State and Nigeria.”

As Edo people get set for the march again, searching and looking for Mr governor, Asue Ighodalo’s choice, will obviously be the right choice.

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Politics

Crack In Edo APC As Group Accuses Party Chieftain Of Acting Opposition’s Script

Published

43 minutes ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

All seems not well with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a pro-APC group known as Sustainable Development and Progress accused a chieftain of the party, honourable
Luqman Mohammed of playing the script of the opposition parties to destabilise the APC in Edo North Senatorial District.

This, according to the group, is responsible for the sharp division in Etsako West Local Government Area.

A statement by the spokesman of the group, Peter Mohammed, the body accused Mohammed and “his cohorts of convening a secret meeting at the residence of a top chieftain of the party where it was decided that the destabilization of the APC would begin from Edo North ahead of the 2027 General election.”

The cracks in the APC were sad to become obvious when Mohammed, who they claimed is an ally the immediate past Attorney- General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), allegedly led some leaders to suspend Alhaji Shaka Okwilague, the leader of ward 11 in Etsako West Local Government Area (Edo North ) of the state.

This action, according to the group, worsed an already tensed political situation in Edo North APC, and in retaliation, the suspended leader, Okwilague alongside other members moved against those that they claimed are behind the suspension—allegedly led by Mohammed.

The APC group also accused the former Edo State House of Assembly member of being a mole and a willing tool planted by the opposition leaders to destabilise the existing peace in the party.

The group alleged that “Luqman Mohammed attends APC meetings during the day and PDP’s meetings at night,” and vowed to expose and resist his efforts.

The group, while stating that Mohammed’s action amounts to “…working against the interest of the party,” alleged that “his recent outburst against the party was part of PDP and ADC’s plots and called for a thorough investigation of the weighty allegations.”

Meanwhile, a communique issued by the Ward Executive Committee and leaders
Etsako West Local Government Area, a resolutions, part of which is the suspension of some executive officers, and members.

The communique reads: “The ward 11 APC Executive Committee and leaders held a meeting on Monday 10 November, 2025 at 6:00 pm in the party secretariat Jattu-Uzairue Etsako West Edo State.

“The meeting aimed to discuss the following. The purported suspension ‘carryout’ (sic) by the Ward Chairman, Secretary and Youth Leader against Uzairue Leader Alhaji Shaka Okwilague aka Shamac.

“Anti-party activities fractionalizing and creating parallel party disobedience in carrying out lawful directives of the party. The meeting was focused to know if those allegedly suspended ‘violate’ article 21 of APC party constitution.

“It was unanimously agreed to set up a disciplinary committee to investigate and report back to the house which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino.

“According to the disciplinary committee set up which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino, the Ward Chairman Daudu Jafaru Abubuakar, the Ward Secretary Yusuf Bala Bello and Youth, leader Francis Aliu ‘contravene’ and violated the article 21 of APC party constitution thereby recommended immediate suspension for them.

“At the end of the investigation the Ward Executive Committee (WEC) considered the report of the disciplinary committee which was headed by Comrade Osumah Musa Afuosino. Having carefully reviewed the finding and recommendation, the Ward Executive Committee resolved to approve their immediate suspension from the APC in Ward Eleven.

“Their actions had undermined the unity and integrity of the party, warning them against identifying as a member or acting on behalf of the party in any capacity. The LGA, ‘part’, SEC party and NWC party should as a matter of urgency ratify the above ‘mention’ names.

“It was unanimously agreed again that the Vice Chairman Mrs. Josephine Dokpesi should immediately be the Acting Chairman in line with the APC party constitution and oversee the political affairs of the ward pending time lifting of the suspension of the above ‘mention’ names.

“The entire Ward Executive Committee of Ward Eleven passed an implicit and undiluted vote of confidence on our indefatigable leader, the person of Alhaji Shaka Okwilague aka Shamac.”

Reacting, Mohammed denied allegations leveled against him and blamed the crisis on outsiders who have invaded ward 11 where he is the number one leader, to impose their stooges.

The former Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Philip Shaibu is also from the ward.

While defending himself via a telephone interview, the former Edo House of Assembly member and later Board member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), frowned at the composition of the panel established by the State Working Committee to investigate the crisis in ward 11, especially the appointment of Mr. Blessing Agbonmere as head and Alhaji Shaka Okwilague, the suspended leader as member of the panel.

Mohammed said Okwilague cannot be a judge in his own case and that Agbonmere is an interloper working to implement a script.

Politics

Oshiomhole Blasts Amaechi, Says He Built Railway To Niger Republic Instead Of Port Harcourt

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole on Monday criticised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of poor judgment and misplaced priorities during his tenure in office.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Oshiomhole said: “Rotimi Amaechi is the most terrible. Look at the choice of language. A guy who shut down Rivers judiciary because he wanted to appoint his own personal favourite as chief judge of Rivers State. Once he couldn’t have his way, the Rivers State judiciary was shut down for almost two years.

“Look at the crisis in the railway system that he superintendent over for eight unbroken years. He was unable to get the priorities right, playing to the gallery.

“Now he rather constructed a rail, not to Kano, not to Port Harcourt, where he came from, but to Niger Republic.

“Which goods are we sending to Niger Republic? He was a minister. And if you were a minister under Buhari, you will be fair to him, life or death, that Buhari gave anyone he appointed free hand to do the job he assigned to you. That is what Buhari was.”

Politics

State Police Can No Longer Be Delayed – South-West Governors

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Editor

The Southwest Governors Forum is set to create a South West Regional Security Fund to strengthen responses to insecurity in the region.

This initiative aims to address the rise in kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining, and unregulated interstate migration.

The decision was reached during a meeting of the six governors on Monday at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, Oyo State.

In the communiqué issued at the end, it was agreed that all six states would support coordinated operations, joint intelligence sharing, and rapid-response initiatives across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states.

The governors also emphasised that the establishment of state police “can no longer be delayed.”

They applauded President Bola Tinubu for security interventions in states affected by kidnappings, while urging sustained attention on regional development.