Politics

OPINION: What Does Gov Obaseki Really Want?

Published

3 years ago

August 2, 2022

By Odeon Kodalo

In terms of governance, political evolution, strategic and critical thinking, these are not certainly the best of times for Edo State. It is very difficult to predict right now, where the state is heading.

In the most recent times, Edo State has literally come to represent the general belief in Africa which suggests that when yesterday’s condition of a patient is far better than that of today, the destination of such patient is obvious, irrespective of the proficiency of the physician.

When such a belief is related to governance, we find a situation where the people who typify the patient in the above analogy, will be lost in negative impulse and very far from improvement, development and visionary legacy which good governance ultimately bequeaths.

In Edo State as we speak, particularly since the inception of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s 2nd term in office, nothing but crisis, conflict and antagonistic policies have been the Hallmark of the system.

In the period under review, since the 2020 electioneering, the age long and enlivened Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Edo State has been systematically dismantled, as well as methodologically and deceitfully displaced; all at the peril of the Edo State people for the singular interest of Governor Godwin Obasek’s second tenure, and that of his Deputy, the SSG and even the Chief of Staff all in one swoop.

Surprisingly, frantic attempts are being made to undo the structure that brought them to office such that it is being brazenly dissolved and disbanded in utter disregard for mutuality devoid of conflict.

In the education sector under Governor Godwin Obaseki, the greatest victims have been the Colleges of Education, Ekiadolor and Igueben; College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi and now, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. These tertiary institutions in the state have experienced serious dislocation and in extreme cases, annihilation.

The Edo State Civil Service has been worse off as it continues to experience turmoil, the way it has been turned inside-out by Governor Obaseki.

Under Obaseki’s watch, very inexperienced and cosmetic consultants have been engaged to disorganise the civil service. The extant rules, principles, norms , methods and statutory order of the Service have been seriously undermined and compromised . The experiences , Seniority and importance of Cadres which used to be the hallmark of the Service are being jettisoned.

The Consultants have designed strange and phoney Cadres that are obviously at variance with the Civil Service and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria such that there is now total disrespect for Seniority. Juniors now brazenly Lord it over Seniors with reckless abandon.

At the behest of the Governor, his administration loudly told the world that e-governance is running in Edo State. To this end, sometime this year, the entire senior category of the Civil Service were mandated to undergo a promotional examination in the State. This they were told was necessary for the purpose of competence, capacity and the much needed reform.

Behold, while many institutions are using CBT as e-tool of participation and engagement, the very Senior civil servants in Edo State were made to write with biro and paper. Several months after the examination, no single candidate or civil servant that participated in that examination can tell the result as scores in the examination have been shrouded in mystery. This is antithetic to digital and e-governance as well as against the transparent utilisation of tax-payers money.

Rather than recognise the so-called competence, capacity and much valued experience of the time-tested Edo State Civil Service that necessitated the exams, it was speculated that, some staff of the Consultants traded and are still trading the scores of the exams, manipulating figures, positions and members of the Edo State Civil Service for self-interest.

What is more, the Edo State Specialist Hospital has been decapitated by Governor Godwin Obaseki. Rather than utilise the space and central location of the facility, at Sapele Road as designed by our forebears, the governor decided to decentralise its location rather than its services. This it was revealed by some residents that the expanse of land available for the Hospital is the interest of the Governor for private grabbing.

If you look around the hospital’s abandoned space right now, particularly on the Ezoti Road axis of the hospital, wild animals and criminals have turned the environment into a place of abode, with no serious intention of the Edo State Government concerning the land.

On the issue of land, Governor Godwin Obaseki is always quick to destroy and in a hurry to grab and acquire land with little or no convincing reasons for such attitude of Government.

Residents around Okoroma, Obazagbon, Evbuekpen and Obayantor are in a serious dilemma to see government acquiring their parcels of land with impunity, without serious consideration for their infrastructure deficit.

To this end, they have rhetorically asked to know what Governor Obaseki really wants.

“Obaseki wants to grab and acquire Garrick Secondary School layout. He wants to acquire and grab the entire Ezoti residential areas. He is intimidating the people Evbuekpen, Okoroma, Obazagbon and many more. What does he really want?”, the residents are asking.

Residents of Ezoti have severally cried out to the Government of Governor Godwin Obaseki to stay away from their heritage and ancestral land bequeathed to them by their forefathers. This is as a result of the fact that Governor Obaseki is considered desperate to acquire their ancestral lands in addition to his desire to destroy all that former Doctors Quarters at Ezoti Street, presently housing several ministries and government functionaries in the State.

According to many residents in the State, “if Governor cannot improve on our lives and facilities he met as Governor, he should leave us the way he met us, rather than destroy the entire place and build empty halls without aesthetic designs, convenience and vision and start to call them Hub”.

“He is busy telling everybody that EMOWAA is a must for his Government, even when he has not done anything to preserve several tourist and common heritage sites in the State. Go to Ramat Park for instance, it is like a village inside a city. Ramat Park is so bushy and irritating.

Several heritages such as the Central Specialist Hospital that was a beehive of activities and attractive to visitors and tourists, The Edo State Library, Edo Broadcasting Service, (EBS) and Bendel Newspapers Corporation, publishers of The OBSERVER titles, Ethiope Publishing, Edo Line, Edo State Library which collectively form part of our common patrimony and heritage have been strangely destroyed by Governor Godwin Obaseki for no convincing reasons and better alternative.

“In short, Governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration has become so impulsive, prodigious and destructive not only to infrastructure, but also very caustic to the entire Government ecosystem and apparatus in the State.

“We had Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia in this State. He built the likes of The Nigerian Observer as the mouth piece of government and the voice of the people and several other facilities. We had Prof. Ambrose Alli who built the University that Obaseki is frustrating today; and many more. These past Govenors neither destroyed nor displaced citizens and the system. The Secretariat that was renovated by Governor Godwin Obaseki recently was designed and built over forty (40) years ago. Yet it is still serving the purpose it was initially met to serve. The ICE building was built several years ago. It was renovated and is currently in use. Why the destructive tendencies and displacement of people and the system by this present administration?

The earlier a stop is put to these dangerous trends the better for Edo people.

-Odeon Kodalo writes from Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State.

Politics

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

Published

3 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

14 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.”

Politics

How Obama Plotted My 2015 Election Defeat – Jonathan

Published

14 hours ago

November 3, 2025

Editor

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, has alleged that ex-US President, Barack Obama, plotted his defeat in 2015.

Jonathan made this allegation in his new book, ‘My Transition Hours’ due to launch on Tuesday.

He said Obama displayed an unusual level of bias during the 2015 elections, describing him as overbearing and ‘condescending’ in his message to Nigerians ahead of the 2015 general election.

According to Jonathan, “On March 23, 2015, President Obama himself took the unusual step of releasing a video message directly to Nigerians all but telling them how to vote.”

Giving the details in the book, Jonathan said, “In that video, Obama urged Nigerians to open the ‘next chapter’ by their votes.

“Those who understood subliminal language deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition to form a new government.”

According to Premium Times, which obtained a copy of the book hours before its unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan had kept the book secret in order to avoid excerpts of it being published ahead of its formal launch.

Recall that Jonathan lost the 2015 elections to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, marking the first time an incumbent president would lose reelection.

He assumed office in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, getting his own mandate of four years at the 2011 presidential election.

“The message was so condescending, it was as if Nigerians did not know what to do and needed an Obama to direct them,” Jonathan said of the video message.

He lampooned Obama, who was American president from 2009 until 2017, for saying all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear, but was reluctant to allow the Nigerian security forces drive Boko Haram insurgents away from the Nigerian territories they had been occupying in order to free Nigerian citizens there ahead of elections.

Jonathan also took a harsh aim at former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, saying the diplomat was nonchalant in his attitude towards his government, despite all efforts to make him understand that the decision to postpone election was in the overall interest of Nigeria.

“How can the U.S. Secretary of State know what is more important for Nigeria than Nigeria’s own government? How could they have expected us to conduct elections when Boko Haram controlled part of the North East and were killing and maiming Nigerians?

“Not even the assurance of the sanctity of May 29, 2015 handover date could calm them down. In Nigeria, the Constitution is very clear: No President can extend his tenure by one day,” Jonathan said.