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Why Obaseki Should Change Course To Ogbeide-Ihama

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Mani Ekpeneru

The approach to the 2024 governorship election in Edo State is one that is bound to raise questions for the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The party’s prospects became a challenge after the national leadership of the party kowtowed to the political leadership of the state instead of inclining to the mainstream of the party ahead of the 2023 General Election. The result was an unmitigated disaster that led to the PDP for the first time losing the presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

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At the peak of the popularity of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as governor he was unable to browbeat the PDP in the two elections, underlying the popularity of the PDP in Edo State.

It is, however, saddening that the PDP because of the internal crisis it experienced allowed itself to be seriously divided in the 2023 General Elections leading to the unpalatable result.

The question that must now be brought to the fore is whether having learnt its lesson, is the PDP is ready to make a change?

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READ ALSO: FG Disburses N105.5bn For 260 Roads Repairs Nationwide

It is welcoming that Governor Godwin Obaseki has after much hesitation unbent and started reconciliation with many of the PDP leaders he had in the past been at odds with.

The Christmas Holiday visit to Chief Dan Orbih, the national vice-chairman, South-South of the party is indeed instructive.

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It is, however, regrettable that the governor is making peace in his last days in the office for the sole purpose of trying to market the aspirant he wants to make the candidate of the party. However, he cannot cover the faces of the people with this his last-minute charm offensive.

However, this charm offensive towards Orbih and other leaders is misdirected. Obaseki should rather direct his arsenal towards the very man who made it possible for him to win reelection in 2020.

We remember that Hon Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama was the leading aspirant in 2020 and had the momentum to win the PDP ticket four years ago.

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That aspiration and momentum were, however, cut short after Obaseki had his problems in the All Progressives Congress, APC with his issues with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and he decamped to the PDP.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Lagos Assembly Raises, Okays N2.267trn 2024 Budget

Ogbeide-Ihama was courted and pressure was brought to bear upon him by high and low within the PDP to yield the ticket to Governor Obaseki who was desirous of a platform for a second term.

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It was a patriotic and also a humane gesture from Ogbeide-Ihama to step down for Obaseki in 2020. His action showed that he is not a

man of arrogance being ready to concede to superior authorities.

Now with the outgoing governor looking for a lasting legacy especially in political stability, there is no better person to takeover the baton than Ogbeide-Ihama.

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Among the reasons Ogbeide-Ihama is best positioned to be the next governor of the state is the fact that he continues to maintain the popularity that thrust him forward as the aspirant to beat in 2020.

Ogbeide-Ihama’s popularity in 2020 came on the fact that he is presently the only one to have won re-election as member of the House of Representatives from Oredo Federal Constituency.

That feat was undoubtedly as a result of his impressive performance as a member of the House of Representatives. It is also significant that he is widely regarded among the mainstream of the party in Edo State.

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Ogbeide-Ihama as such is the best route for Obaseki to sustain the legacy of the PDP in Edo State and that is the reason why he should re-incline himself in this popular direction.

Mani Ekpeneru writes from Abuja

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Politics

N’Assembly committee Approves New State For S’East

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The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geo-political zone.

According to a statement by the media unit of the committee, the resolution was reached on Saturday at a two-day retreat in Lagos, where it reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.

The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should create another state for the region.

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Kalu, who joined other lawmakers to champion additional state creation for the region, argued that a new state would give the people a sense of belonging.

When created, the South-East will be at par with the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones, each having six states.

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The South-East is the only geo-political zone with five states comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

READ ALSO:American Pilot Kidnapped In Niger Republic – Report

The North-West comprises seven states: Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa.

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According to the statement, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State) at the retreat.

“The motion received the unanimous support of committee members and was adopted,” the statement read in part

READ ALSO:Reps Move To Regulate Cryptocurrency, POS Operations

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Similarly, the committee also established a sub-committee to consider the creation of additional states and local government areas across all six geo-political zones, noting that a total of 278 proposals were submitted for review.

Speaking at the event, Jibrin urged members to rally support among their colleagues at the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to ensure the resolutions sail through during voting.

We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.

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“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the state Houses of Assembly,” the Deputy Senate President was quoted as saying.

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PDP Unveils 13-member Screening Panel For National Convention

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According to a statement issued on October 25, 2025, by the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and signed by its Chairman, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is also the Governor of Adamawa State, the screening exercise will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The committee will be chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal luminary.

He will be assisted by Hon. Mohammed L.S. Diri (SAN) as Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Esq., will serve as Secretary. Jacob Otorkpa was named Deputy Secretary.

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READ ALSO:Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

Other members of the committee include: Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Achike Udenwa, Haj. Maryam Inna Ciroma, HM. Felix Hassan Hyat, HM. Zainab Maina, and Chinedu Nwachukwu, who will also serve as Administrative Secretary.

The statement noted that the selection reflected the PDP’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and internal democracy in the build-up to its national convention.

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The NCOC notes and expects that the exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during this very crucial assignment will justify the confidence reposed by the Party in members of the Committee,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: PDP Dismisses Anyanwu’s Forgery Claim, Says He Signed Convention Letters

Fintiri assured party members that the screening process will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and impartiality, underscoring the PDP’s resolve to strengthen its democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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“This exercise is crucial in ensuring that only credible, competent, and loyal members emerge to steer the affairs of our great party,” Fintiri stated.

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Why I Refused To Endorse El-Rufai As My Successor — Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he turned down a suggestion to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.

Speaking on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, Obasanjo disclosed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai for the presidency, but he rejected the idea.

Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event, had earlier narrated how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, an encounter that led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

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Addressing the audience, Obasanjo took a playful jab at Chidoka for leaving out the El-Rufai story.

“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.

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Turning to Chidoka, who was seated among the panelists, he asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?” The former minister nodded in agreement.

Obasanjo explained that he dismissed the suggestion because he believed El-Rufai still needed time to grow politically.

“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember?

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“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

The former president, however, commended Chidoka, El-Rufai, and other former aides for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed to the success of his administration.

READ ALSO:Nigeria Not Difficult To Govern If… – Obasanjo

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Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo emphasised character, exposure, experience, and training as essential qualities of effective governance.

Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship.

“But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”

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El-Rufai served under Obasanjo’s administration as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) before becoming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, he instead backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor.

In his address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s development setbacks on excuses and what he described as the politics of alibi.

READ ALSO:Provide Evidence Of My Third Term Ambition’, Obasanjo Challenges Nigerians

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“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.

“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.

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He urged leaders to prioritise accountability and measurable results.

“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.

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