News

N200m Election Fund Divides Edo APC

Published

4 years ago

August 26, 2021

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State is currently emerged in crisis over N200 million election funds allegedly meant for the Edo Professional Drivers on Wheel.

This was revealed on Thursday when a chieftain of the party, Mr Adam Ehigiamusoe, in a press briefing, alleged the party’s governorship candiate in 2020 election in the state, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of embezzlement of fund meant for the elections.

Ehigiamusoe who is the President of the Edo Professional Drivers on Wheel, said Ize-Iyamu’s interest in the APC is self-serving and not for the growth of the party.

He said the money meant for his trade union to mobilise for the governorship election was never released, adding that Ize-Iyamu held on to the fund inspite of all entreaties to get him release it.

While calling on the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to call Ize-Iyamu to order, he warned that his actions and activities is about “destroying the state chapter of the party.

Ehigiamusoe said that the APC governorship candiate in the last Edo election has succeeded in hijacking the party’s structure to himself.

“Ize-Iyamu was never interested in the growth of the party but what he stands to benefit from the party, he is self-cantered and arrogate everything that comes to himself and cronies.

“As we speak, he has already compromised the forthcoming congress; he has positioned his people to take over every possible position available and that I fear will led to parallel congress being conducted in the state.

“A man who failed to win his local government and even his ward in an election he stood as a candidate should not be allowed to take control of the party.

“Ize-Iyamu’s anticident at destroying party is well known, just the same way he destroyed the PDP before jumping ship is about the same thing he is doing to APC now.

“That is why i am callig on the NWC of the party to heard to my call by calling Ize-Iyamu to order. He must not be allowed to kill the party that we have laboured to build before he (Ize-Iyamu re-joined),” he alleged.

Reacting to the allegaion, Ize-Iyamu described the claim by Ehigiamusoe “as manifestly false.”

Ize-Iyamu who reacted through a statement signed by Mr John Mayaki, said at “no point before, during, or after the campaign did he met with Ehigiamusoe, whether in person or proxy, to offer such “outlandish promise.”

He continues, “My engagements with the transport unions in Edo State during the 2020 election campaign were subjects of sufficient media coverage – similar to meetings held with other representative bodies of stakeholders in the state.

“If any promise was made, it would have been reported and long claimed, not a year after when some persons are understandably attempting to ingratiate themselves with the ruling party because the burden of opposition proves too great for them to bear,” he stated.

On the coming APC congress, he said, “The party hierarchy at the national and state level is responsible for conducting congresses across the country.

“My only involvement is playing my role as a registered member of the party as outlined in the constitution guiding participation.

“I have neither the intention nor desire to manipulate the process. To what end?

“I do not know what may have motivated Mr Adams Ehigiamusoe’s unwarranted falsehood and attack.

“But I encourage him and others so minded to move on from the 2020 election and commit themselves to strengthening the party and renewing our promise to the people of our dear state who are, daily, yearning for effective representation.

“Notwithstanding, if their political goal is to mend fence with certain blocs, they can pursue that without smearing innocent parties with falsehood to demonstrate allegiance.”

News

Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

Published

6 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.

Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.

In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.

The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.

In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.

The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.

“Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.

“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.

“I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.

“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”

News

Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

Published

20 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Editor

The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

News

Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Editor

The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.