Edo: Oshiomhole, PDP And The Chicago Convention

It is no longer news that the relationship between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) can best be described as that of cat and mouse where today, the ruling party has been pushed to defensive position with torrent of allegations against the Governor Adams Oshiomhole-led administration.
Interestingly, last week, the annual Edo National Convention which is usually held in the United States of America (USA) became controversial when the leadership of the opposition PDP accused Oshiomhole of allegedly wasting N428 million of state resources on foreign trips.
The 2014 convention, which was held in Chicago, among others was aimed at fostering development; provide a forum for the reunion of all sons and daughter of Edo State where critical issues affecting the state can be deliberated upon and provide a platform among the youths for positive interaction with their peers from around the world. The annual event, it was gathered is packaged by an Edo indigenous organisation known as Akuge Oretin Club of Chicago, United States of America.
However, no sooner had the entourage of the state government, that had attended the event arrived the state, that the PDP hierarchy, at a press conference lambasted the state government over the trip and demanded that the government offer an apology for embarking on what it described as “picnic to Miami, Florida” in a private jet with Edo tax payers’ money.
The state publicity secretary of the party, Hon Mathew Uroghide, said the party is in possession of approval made by the governor to his ‘protégés’ to attend the said picnic in the US, alleging that government impropriety had further improvised the people.
According to Uroghide, “The PDP, Edo State demands an apology from Governor Adams Oshiomhole to all Edo people on the reckless waste of the resources of the state to the tune of N428,000,000 (four hundred and twenty eight million naira) in two months.
“We also demand the immediate resignation of Anslem Ojezua, the APC state chairman; Mr. Louis Odion, the state commissioner of information and Mr. Godwin Eghahon, the APC publicity secretary from the offices they hold for reasons that they wilfully distorted the facts about the waste of government resources on personal and social engagements.
“The financial impropriety from the governor has impoverished the already-cash-strapped state making physical and human capital developments unachievable. Our people groan under the hash times whilst these government protégés, and several not mentioned in the present government dip into the commonwealth to undertake expensive journeys to the United States for picnics.
“The PDP is in possession of proofs of the estacodes and BTAs approved for the governor and his cronies to attend a picnic in Miami, Florida. Such monies include approval for millions of naira to the governor to procure security details in the already-secured United States.
“This development is unacceptable and as responsible opposition machinery, the PDP, Edo State shall expose these insensate lots for what they really are. That is, enemies of Edo State and its people.”
However, the Edo State government, while debunking an earlier statement credited to the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, that Oshiomhole’s recent visit to Miami in the United States of America was not a private one, said the governor’s trip was on the invitation of Edo community in that country as a special guest to their annual convention.
A statement issued in Benin City, the state capital by the state commissioner for information and orientation, Mr. Louis Odion, explained that the governor travelled by commercial airline and not a hired private jet that costs N18 million as alleged by Chief Orbih.
Odion said, “Edo PDP chairman, Chief Orbih, again exhibited his talents for lies and contempt for facts last weekend with a ludicrous claim that Oshiomhole chartered a private jet on a private trip to Maimi, USA last month at the cost of N18 million. Ordinarily, one would not have bothered to dignify yet another of Orbih’s outbursts with response, but for the sake of the gullible, this clarification is made contrary to his mischievous lies. The governor visited Chicago not privately, but to honour Edo community in the United States on invitation as a special guest at their annual convention.
“Governor Oshiomhole travelled by commercial airline. Anyone who bothers to double-check would find that Oshiomhole is one of the few governors today who travels with the smallest entourage, if not totally alone, with a view to saving costs.”
Similarly, piqued by the allegations, the APC, in its reaction said the Dan Orbih led-PDP in the state lacks the moral justification to question Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s expenses, saying that the memo which contained the alleged travel expenses of the governor as read by Orbih was an indication that the expenditure was authorised from the appropriation law as passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Recalling that the World Bank had hailed Oshiomhole’s administration as regards its transparency in award of contracts and other government expenditure, the APC through its state chairman, Barr. Anslem Ojezua, said Orbih should give credit to Oshiomhole for being transparent by “putting up a memo which he claimed he saw unlike his PDP that does not follow due process when it comes to expenditure”, adding that the party should be worried with the “scandal as regards the $9.3 million smuggled into South Africa by the PDP-led government.”
According to Ojezua, “Orbih is making mountain out of a mole hill because from the documents he exhibited, you could see that the document was a memo emanating in accordance with the public service rules, indicating compliance with the law as relates to public expenditure. It is also evident that the expenditure itself is authorised from the appropriation law from the Edo State House of Assembly.

At all times it is expected that governance will always carry cost attached to it; that is the reason why provisions are made
for various items in the budget.
“In this respect, there is no expenditure that was made under the authority of the governor that was outside the budget. Let me say also that neither Orbih nor the PDP had the legal justification to criticize the governor or anybody else for that matter neither Orbih nor PDP had the moral or legal justification with regards to financial profligacy. Because even now as we speak, the South African government is investigating an attempt by a private individual in Nigeria to smuggle in 9.3 million US Dollars from Nigeria to South Africa, and the Nigerian Government, the PDP government at the Federal Government had admitted complicity in that matter.
“And the attempt to transfer that money from Nigeria reportedly to make purchases is in violation of the public procurement Act and without the knowledge of South African government. The Aircraft that carried that currency is a private air craft even when the Presidency has several aircrafts in its hanger but that money was carried by a private aircraft owned by a Pastor in Nigeria who is not a public servant.
“So I believe that the presidency only owes up because the Pastor has been caught with the money that is why the government now owes up and all these have been done in violation of Nigerian law and all international laws relating to the carriage of currency from one
country to another.
“Secondly, a PDP chieftain in Edo State, who is more or less a kinsman of Orbih was reported to have been arrested by EFCC and 50 million US dollars was found in his account. A former governor of CBN has alleged in Nigeria that we cannot account for 20 billion US Dollars under the watch of PDP government. As we speak, the purported audit the President said he ordered up till now no report has been submitted. Finally Orbih should be reminded of the circumstances of which he was removed from NNPC reportedly over financial issues.
“In the face of all these, I submit that Orbih does not have the qualification to question the financial discipline of Oshiomhole, who has been certified by the Worlds Bank to have conducted the governance, fiscal governance in a very transparent and disciplined manner
resulting in the partnership that the Edo state government now enjoys with the World Bank.”

Lawyers mustn't aid disobedience of court orders, says Oshiomhole

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has challenged members of the Bar to speak up against disobedience of court orders, saying it portends danger for the rule of law.

Speaking at the opening of the 2014/2015 Legal Year in Benin City on Friday, Oshiomhole said “every lawyer must endeavor to uphold the law and it is dangerous for either the Bar or the Bench to encourage Trade Unions to become the enforcers of court orders.

“Those who live by the court must not be seen to aid and abet disobedience of court orders. If Senior Advocates of Nigeria advice people to disobey court orders, it is a sad thing for the rule of law and if the Bar keeps quite in the face of disobedience of court order, it is a terrible thing for the rule of law.”

It would be recalled that four suspended members of the Edo state House of Assembly, Hon. Festus Ebea (Esan South-East), Hon. Friday Ogieriakhi (Orhionwon-South), Hon. Patrick Osayimwen (Oredo-East) and Hon. Jude Ise-Idehen (Ikpoba Okha)  have continued to flout the Order of a State High Court which barred them from forcibly gaining entrance into the chambers of the State House of Assembly and another Order of the Appeal Court which ordered them to obey the High Court Order before seeking further reliefs at the Appeal Court.

The Governor said: “If court bailiffs are assaulted in  public view, Senior Advocates and other learned members of the community keep quiet, it is not the best for the rule of law because those who may not be affected today may be the people to be affected tomorrow, particularly where the rule of law operates on the basis of precedent.”

He continued: “it can be concluded from the number of cases that the Edo state judiciary were able to hear and dispense justice on and also the number of cases that are pending suggests that the Edo state judiciary has so much work to do. This suggests that both the judiciary, executive and legislative must find resources to create more courts, appoint more judges so that our people can have quicker access to justice.”

Oshiomhole who lauded the Chief Judge of the state, Hon Justice Cromwell Idahosa said, “I want to congratulate you my Lord that under your administration, the Edo state judiciary has never been reported in the negative as you have provided courageous leadership and defended the rights and privileges of the judiciary in the state.

“I believe my Lord that that the challenge of defending democracy necessarily demands that we have not just an independent judiciary but a courageous judiciary with potent teeth to smile and even with potent teeth to bite regardless of those appearing before you.

“When the court is referred to as the last hope of the common man, I submit that all men and women are common before the law. The foundation of fairness demands that we reduce everybody to the same level once they appear before the court of law regardless of age, connection, their vocation and social class”, he said.

The Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Cromwell Idahosa while giving a review of the outgoing year said, “to further strengthen the administration of justice in the lower bench, the Edo state Judicial Service Commission employed the services of more judicial officers including magistrates and area court presidents.”

He added, “a modern High Court in Irrua, fully equipped and furnished by  Esan Central Local Government council is ready for commissioning and a new Magistrate court building in Ubiaja has been completed for the administration of justice in the state.

“Also, the Governor of the state has approved the building of new courts in the part of the High court known as complex ‘B’ which on completion will accommodate 8 new court rooms for the quicker administration of justice.”

Lagos directs schools to resume Sept 22 as Kano kicks

Lagos State govern­ment yesterday said it will comply with the directive of the Federal Government on the September 22, 2014 re­sumption date for all public and private schools in the country following a nation­al consultation on efforts to contain the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Nigeria.
In a release signed by the Special Adviser to the Gover­nor on Information and Strat­egy, Mr Lateef Raji, the state government said that schools have to comply with the di­rective since there is currently no known carrier of EVD in the state.
“Although this resumption date is advisory, as education is a concurrent matter to be regulated by the respective federal and state authorities, Lagos State government con­siders it eminently justifiable, in view of the fact that there is currently no known carrier of EVD in our state at the mo­ment. Furthermore, the last individual suspected to have been exposed to the virus will be discharged from observa­tion on September 18, 2014, if he tests negative to the vi­rus.
All public and private edu­cational institutions in the state are, therefore, directed to schedule their resumption accordingly”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, Kano State government has rejected the position of the state chapter of the Association of Pro­prietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), demanding Ebola-free medical certificates from returning students and pupils in the state.
The state Commission­er for Information, Alhaji Abubakar Nuhu Danburam said the state government has no hand in the decision even as he urged the association to rescind the decision immedi­ately.

R-e-v-e-a-l-e-d: Why APC Will Win Forthcoming Elections In Edo - Prince Alao, SUBEB Boss

In a chat with the Weekend OBSERVER in his office recently, the SUBEB boss Prince Stephen Alao said the emergence of Oshiomhole as governor of Edo State marked a fresh era of progressive politics in the annals of hearthbeat state.

Prince Alao, who is endowed with sharp reflexes and highly penetrating mind, asserted that Oshiomhole’s foot prints in the areas of infrastructural and manpower development can never be erased from the sand of Edo and the pages of her history however hard revisionists might try.

“Oshiomhole is a brand. He is a phenomenon His good works have placed him on the credit side of history and he will continue to remain a reference point when the subject of discourse is good governance.”

For sometime now, there have been some defections from APC to PDP. Is Prince Alao worried. Will this trend affect the electoral fortunes of APC in 2015 and 2016?

Responding to these questions, Prince Alao smiled, gritted his teeth, and releasing a punch into the air as a gesture of confidence and optimism, he declared “PDP has no foothold in Edo State. The defections are a mere storm in a teacup. APC is still intact, unshaken and unshakeable. The party will win future elections because Oshiomhole has done much for the state and he is widely appreciated and acknowledged by the electorate – they are those that matter in electoral contest not politicians who are driven by obvious instincts of self-interest and self-gratification. Those that have defected to the PDP ought to know that good governance is defined by dividends of democracy which Oshiomhole has given the people bountifully.”

What are these dividends of democracy?

“Edo State under Oshiomhole has been turned around. From unprecedented massive road reconstruction to rehabilitation and rebuilding of decayed infrastructures in public schools the Comrade Governor has redefined development and politics as instrument of service to the people.”

In politics and social engineering what is important to the people is performance. To what extent are government policies impacting positively on the people. These are important questions. Oshiomhole’s performance is so far reaching that the people have come to accept him as the dependable hub around which their expectations revolve. Those of us who are in APC today are the authentic members of the party. Those decampees have no ideological convictions and do not have the sincerity to key into the progressive ethos of the Oshiomhole phenomenon. That is what has happened.

Generally speaking, carpet – crossing cannot be described as morally uplifting and it cuts across political parties in Nigeria. How do we stop this trend of politicians moving back and forth in pursuit of self-interest?

Well, it is true carpet-crossing cannot be described as an ennobling act but those of us that moved to Oshiomhole were attracted to his progressive tendencies nurtured over his many years in labour activism and pro-democracy struggles.

And he has not disappointed us neither has his performance fallen short of popular expectations. So, we have decided to remain with him because of what he represents in the present struggle for a better and brighter future for Edo State and its people.

Whereas we were ideologically driven in our desire to work with the Comrade Governor, what we are witnessing today is that anytime stomach politics is threatened, some politicians chicken out. There are politicians who are driven by a passion for stomach politics and self-interest and when political permutations seem to whittle their desire, they come up with all manner of excuses to defect.

Since Oshiomhole’s 2nd term will terminate in 2016, do you think there can be another highly marketable politician like him for APC to field in the guber race?

The truth is that the Oshiomhole is one in a million. Such people come once in a while. But he has trained some people. There are disciples who have learnt from him.

It is true that Oshiomhole has the capacity to do what others cannot do. And there is no doubt that there are credible people in APC whose immersion in the Comrade Governor’s progressive politics have prepared them to continue from where he would stop. And I can assure you that whoever he supports and backs in the 2016 polls will emerge victorious, Edo is endowed with credible people.

What is your advise to Edo people?

They should ‘shine their eyes” they must think and remember where they were before the comrade governor came in. They should continue to support the comrade governor and ensure that APC clears all the seats in Edo House of Assembly in 2015 elections’.

Has work slowed down on the rehabilitation of schools?

Work is ongoing. There are one hundred and twenty six (126) projects and they comprise construction, reconstruction and procurement of furniture for primary schools in the three senatorial districts.

We are poised to actualize the social economic agenda initiated by the present administration to tackle the infrastructural decay in the education sector. We will not compromise standard in the execution of projects and contractors who fail to execute jobs to specification will be blacklisted.
Let’s come back to 2015 and 2016 polls in Edo State what is your assessment of APC’s chances?

I had told you earlier that Oshiomhole’s name, the good work he has done which is highly appreciated by the people will give victory to the APC. The opposition propaganda against the governor and his government is hollow and cannot in anyway affect our performance at the polls.
APC will win because the Comrade Governor has recorded groundbreaking achievements that will sell the party. APC is people-driven. Victory at the polls is a forgone conclusion.

Reality Of Grassroots Development

SINCE I left homeland, some years ago, to explore the puzzle across the Atlantic, my routine visits back home afforded me opportunities to savour emerging realities of our common heritage.

Time was, when government efforts at development were defined and assessed by how much billions of naira was “earmarked” for particulars sectors. Equally depressing, then, was the irony that whereas “billions” would have been “earmarked”, virtually nothing was seen on the ground to justify the self- adulating hoopla of officialdom.

Not anymore. Comrade Adams Oshiomole has demonstrated that practical, evident, far-reaching development projects are realizable, measured and appreciated by local communities.

Edo State, for long, was reclined to the poverty mentality; that since it was not endowed with intimidating Oil and Gas; there were, therefore, no funds for crucial development. But what you see, now, in all parts of Edo State, attest to the dictum that where there is a will, there is a way.

Comrade Oshiomole’s courage and audacity have re-defined development as visible, positive change that we can see and feel and not merely by the “bureaucratic” billions of naira” earmarked”.

That explains why the Oshiomole phenomenon reverberates beyond Edo State. It puts the state on the spotlight as a shin light on the hill.

The news in the diaspora is no longer about Governor Fashola and Lagos State.
Comrade Oshiomole and Edo State have taken over the headlines. Many Edo indigenes abroad are eager to come home at the next opportunities to see the positive transformation for themselves.

In Benin City, modernity displays itself on the major streets and roads like Akpakpava, Mission, and Ring Road (now) Oba Ovonramwen Square, Airport Road, TV Road and 5-Junction among others. What you see are beautified pavements, modern streetlights, walkways, flowers and ornamental plants.

Coupled with these, are dual carriage ways, traffic control lights and traffic control officers in uniform. Again, the menace, once posed by okada riders, is now a thing of the past.

To alleviate the hardship of motorists, Comrade Oshiomo commissioned 300 new cars, purchased by the State Government for use by former okada riders.

At the time, Governor Oshiomole maintained that 15% subsidy on the price of each vehicle was granted to each beneficiary which the government was not expecting them to pay back.
This gesture is further evidence of Comrade Oshiomole’s sense of community service delivery to the people.

Indeed, the next step would be to ensure that these taxi cabs do not engage in arbitrary price charges.

Another grassroot milestone is the provision of free bus rides for students in uniform in both public and private schools, to and from schools, across the State. Comrade Oshiomole stressed that “this is something we are doing just to show that we care. This is one way we can deliver more subsidy in a way that cannot be a any middle man.”

Certainly, the 42-seater air conditioned buses have also substantially eased mobility of passengers and goods. Students, market women and others have found Comrade buses convenient alternative to “tuke-tuke” commercial operators. These buses provide safety, comfort and low-pricing for the masses.

There are also inter-city routes covering Benin-Ekpoma, Benin- Auchi-Okpella, Benin-Uromi-Ubiaja, Benin-Igueben-Benin-Ewohimi-Ewatto, Benin-Igarra-Ibillo, Benin-Urhonigbe and Benin-Sabo-Afuze-Otuo.

Outside Edo State, Comrade buses have served as intervention vehicles in emergency evacuations of Edo people from Bauchi and University of Maiduguri, Borno State.

Commendably, the Comrade Bus project is the first to use the E-payment system in its operations and also the first to employ female 42- seater bus drivers. This exemplifies Oshiomole’s commitment to women empowerment.

Not the least, is the massive renovation of dilapidated schools across the State. Some of them, I have visited and seen for myself.

Hundreds of secondary and primary schools, abandoned by previous administrations have been rebuilt, renovated and provided with new furniture and other modern facilities to promote conducive learning.

Red roofs and perimeter fences are the signature marks of Comrade Oshiomole’s new transformation agenda for primary schools.

By whatever political barometer, his tenure is scrutinized and measured; Comrade Oshiomole has set a clear example of grassroots development.

Also impressive is the fact that Comrade Oshiomole has not been distracted by other ambitions. He has not ventured into the murky permutations of Presidential politics. His service to Edo State deserves commendation.

25-year-old trailer driver shot dead in Edo

A 25-year-old trailer driver has been found dead at Iyaro, along the New Lagos Road in Benin, Edo State.

The driver, identified as Anthony, was said to have been found dead on Monday with bullet wounds in the chest and head around 3am.

One of the victim’s colleagues, Zakari Musa, said he was informed on the telephone that Anthony had been killed and taken to the mortuary by the police.

He said that the late driver was conveying goods from Ofusu in Edo State to Ughelli in Delta State before the incident occurred.

Zakari said, “It was last night around 3am that someone called that one of our drivers was killed, adding that the police took the corpse to a mortuary.

“He was killed around Iyaro, close to Kada Chicken Republic. His name is Anthony but his nickname is Oshiomhole. He just carried goods from Ofusu to Ughelli, but parked at Iyaro.

“We don’t know whether he was killed by armed robbers. So, we want the police to investigate the matter.”

The Edo State Police Command, however, said the man was killed by armed robbers.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Noble Uwoh, told our correspondent on the telephone that the late driver was shot in the head.

Uwoh said, “The man was shot in the head by armed robbers. The people around called the police and when our men got there, they discovered that the man was shot in the head. So, the police had deposited the corpse in the mortuary.”

He said investigation was ongoing, adding that the fleeing robbers would face the wrath of the law.

Nigeria: Edo Assembly Factional Speaker Dumps APC for PDP

Benin — The factional Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Chief Festus Ebea, at the weekend, formally dumped his party, the APC in favour of the PDP, at a rally in Ubiaja, the headquarters of Esan South-east Local Government Area of Edo State.
This is coming 24 hours to the resumption of plenary by the factionalised state assembly,
Suspicions of his defection to the PDP was one of the reasons given when he was 'suspended' along with three other APC lawmakers, namely, Patrick Osayimwen, Friday Ogieriakhi and Jude Ise-Idehen, on June 9 this year.
He remained in the APC while the trio dumped the APC for the PDP.
After his suspension, Ebea was later 'impeached' by the APC dominated state Assembly in an action which led to the break-up of the 24-member state Assembly into two parallel factions along APC and PDP lines.
The two factions in the last four months have held parallel plenary along party lines and at two separate locations, with the nine PDP members electing him as their Speaker in July.
Speaking at the event, Ebea said his decision to pitch tent with the PDP was informed by the fact that the APC as a party has lost direction flowing from the ideals of the defunct ACN on which platform he contested and won the state Assembly seat in 2011.
"My constituency has been particularly sidelined in the scheme of things in spite of numerous promises and budgetary allocations for development projects that were never executed by the state government. And my people have wondered if this should continue," he stated.
The lawmaker said the PDP has proved at the national level with President Goodluck Jonathan at the helm that Nigeria can be transformed with credible and people-centred leadership and development programmes.
"Even at the state level the constructive leadership style of the state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, has helped put the party into reckoning as a competent opposition which can and will take over the state house in Benin City in 2016," he stated.
Ebea who also used the occasion to formally declare his intention to seek re-election to the state Assembly as representative for Esan South-east said that he remained committed to transforming his constituency with 'trusted, tested and dependable' legislation' that would help bring about the needed development of the locality.