Tag: Godwin Obaseki

Jailbreak: Edo Govt Extends Ultimatum To Fleeing Inmates By One Week

A file photo of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, addressing residents in a state-wide broadcast.

 

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has extended the ultimatum issued to the prisoners by one week, till October 30.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

He claimed that the government took the decision following the positive response by fleeing inmates to the call for their return after the jailbreaks at two Federal correctional facilities in Benin City, the state capital.

Osagie explained that the decision to extend the ultimatum was the outcome of a security meeting between Governor Obaseki and heads of security agencies in the state.

Authorities had said they were tracking 1,993 inmates who escaped from the correctional facilities in Benin City and Oko, as of Tuesday.

According to Edo state residents, Sapele road should be one of the most secured roads in the state due to the high security agencies located along the road.

 

Osagie, however, did not give the number of inmates who have returned to the facilities.

But he said a good number of them have since returned, adding that the new window was to allow for more prisoners to return to the centres willingly.

The governor’s aide disclosed that with the improving security situation in the state, the governor has reviewed the curfew time to span between 6pm and 6am daily, starting from Saturday.

 

“The security situation in the state is seen to be improving and we appreciate Edo people for adhering to government’s directives,” he said.

Osagie insisted that the government remained committed to the security of lives and property and would continue to work with security agencies to ensure peace and normalcy was fully restored in the state.

Alleged Embezzlement Of Funds: Obaseki Says New Findings Justify Shutting Down Colleges Of Education

File Photo of Governor Godwin Obaseki by Sodiq Adelakun/Channels Television

 

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, says the decision to shut down Colleges of Education in Ekiadolor and Iguoriakhi has been vindicated by reports of misappropriation of funds by the management.

Obaseki stated this on Friday when he received the final report from the commission of inquiry into activities of the institutions headed by Former Head Of Service, Mrs Gladys Idahor at the Government House in Benin City, the state capital.

“One underlying trend of these institutions is poor governance,” the governor lamented.

According to him, the institutions were so badly run that they were all grounded and he believes that “it was the height of deception”, for any Edo person to have insisted that they continued with the rot.

 

Governor Obaseki meets with the commission of inquiry on reports of misappropriation of funds by the management of Colleges of Education in Ekiadolor and Iguoriakhi.

 

Read Also: Claims And Counter Claims Dominate As Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu Debate

He, therefore, insisted that those indicted by the commission’s findings will face the consequences of their actions, noting that his administration had already taken steps to transform the institutions into standard manpower training centres.

“We thank God that we had the courage to take the actions we needed to take and institutions that are to be shut down, are shut down and restructuring processes have commenced.

“We will like to look deep into these reports and as I’ve always said, we must try to get away from this penchant of people allowing people mismanage public resources, run-down public institutions and they go scot-free.

“We want to look at these reports and see if there are any grounds for prosecuting some of these people who are involved in the destruction of these institutions.

“These schools were set up to serve certain purposes, to help in training high-quality manpower to serve the state. They were not set up to serve the interests of a few people and their godfathers and by the grace of God, with the renewed mandate which the Edo people have given me, I will not allow a situation where the bad habits that led to the destruction of these fine institutions, are allowed to continue”.

With another four years ahead of him, the Edo State Governor has reiterated his commitment to education reforms.

During his campaigns, he had explained how his administration transformed basic education in the state, through EdoBest, “to the applaud of the whole world.”

According to him, Edobest involved the use of technology to facilitate education; a system he said, has come in handy through the pandemic.

Deal With Me If I Become A Godfather, Says Obaseki

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, says godfatherism is dangerous to the tenets of democracy in Nigeria.

Speaking during a ‘Thank You’ visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja, Governor Obaseki asked the people of the state to deal with him should he become a godfather.

“God forbid I become a godfather, I should be dealt with accordingly because it is dangerous to the concept of democracy,” he said.

While condemning godfatherism in politics, the governor argued that people who play such roles act outside of the nation’s constitution.

He warned that if people allow the act to trend in politics and governance, it will be worse than military rule.

“The godfather acts outside of the constitution. He now controls people who are constitutional players.

“If we allow such a situation to continue, it will be worse than military rule. When people who have nothing at stake, who have no checks and balances in them can just arbitrarily decide that this is the way the constitution can be interpreted, that is why the concept is wrong,” he said.

READ ALSO: Thank You For Bringing Your Deputy To See Me After Beating My Party, Buhari Tells Obaseki

On his part, President Buhari thanked Obaseki for coming along with his deputy, Philip Shaibu, to visit him at the State House even after defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the just-concluded Edo Election.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki speaks during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on September 25, 2020.

 

The President maintained that he ordered the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and other security agencies not to interfere in the polls to allow the will of Edo people to prevail.

“If contestants have too much money and they decide to spray, so be it. But what I insist is, nobody should go and raise a counterforce to the government, arm heavily-drugged thugs to go and humiliate people.

“I want Nigerians to appreciate that I respect them as Nigerians and that I am bound by the oath I have taken, that their security is in the hands of God and in the hands of the government, which I am leading,” he said.

According to President Buhari, he was congratulating the Edo governor “reluctantly” because he defeated the candidate of his party, the APC.

Governor Obaseki defeated APC’s Osagie Ize-Iyamu, to win a second term as governor of Edo State, destroying godfatherism in the state.

The governor secured 307,955 of the total votes, 84,336 more votes than his closest rival Ize-Iyamu, who got 223, 619 votes.

‘We Clothed Him’: Wike Confident Obaseki Won’t Defect

 

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, says he is confident that the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, will not defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said this on Friday on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, while discussing the events surrounding the just-concluded Edo governorship election.

“This is a party that clothed him, this is a party that when it was raining they gave him an umbrella,” Wike said.

According to him, Obaseki has assured the party severally that he would not leave. However, he noted that if events turn around and Obaseki decides to leave then there is also no problem with that.

Read Also: ‘It Was Key’: Wike Attributes Edo Election Success To Visa Ban On Riggers

“I don’t want to discuss something that I think is not going to be possible but however, assuming it happens, so what? That is politics,” the Rivers State Governor said.

“If the governor believes that PDP is no longer a party for him to actualize his vision and mission, there is nothing wrong. I just don’t believe that it is going to happen because the governor has consistently told us that there is no way he will leave PDP. If he does leave PDP, he should know the consequence of that, that the people of Edo State will not be happy.

“He is somebody whom I have that trust that he will not leave the party”.

Governor Godwin Obaseki receives his certificate of return from INEC.

 

Obaseki’s victory came on the back of a tense and heated electioneering process that saw him dump the APC after being disqualified from the primaries, join the PDP and overcome stiff opposition and criticism by members of his former party, including former ally and his predecessor Adams Oshiomhole.

With another four years ahead of him, the Edo State governor has reiterated his loyalty to the party.

“I couldn’t have contested on a party, won on that party’s platform and then consider moving to another party,” he said on Friday when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa.

Obaseki Advocates For South-South Development During Akwa Ibom Visit

 

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki has said it is time for the South-South region to take responsibility for its own development, rather than leave everything to the Niger Delta Development Corporation (NDDC), which he insists has failed to deliver on its mandate.

Mr Obaseki was speaking at the Government House in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Thursday as part of his tour of the South-South to thank the PDP Governors for their support during his re-election.

Mr Obaseki had earlier visited Governor Nyesom Wike in Rivers State.

On his part, Governor Udom Emmanuel asked PDP leaders to leverage on Mr Obaseki’s victory to strengthen the party structure.

 

Ize-Iyamu Did Not Ask Obaseki To Return To APC, Says Spokesman

A file photo of the APC Candidate in the Edo 2020 Governorship election
A file photo of the APC Candidate in the Edo 2020 Governorship election

 

A spokesman for the Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation, John Mayaki, on Thursday said reports that his principal asked Governor Godwin Obaseki to return to APC are false.

In a statement forwarded to Channels Television via email, Mayaki suggested such reporting was a continuation of the media’s lack of news verification before publication.

Some news media (not Channels Television) had earlier reported that Ize-Iyamu, in a television broadcast on Wednesday, had made the appeal.

However, Mayaki insisted Ize-Iyamu is yet to address the press since the election results were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday.

He said the video being referenced was broadcast three months ago.

“We warned several times that the media should beware of fabrications from Obaseki and the PDP camp, but they did not listen,” Mayaki said. “That is why they have reported that the election was free and fair, and that is why they have said our candidate appealed to Obaseki to come back to APC.

“The video in reference is from three months ago, not after the election but doctored by Governor Obaseki media handlers to seek undue legitimacy.”

Mayaki also wondered if the media was being sponsored by Governor Obaseki and the PDP, as it seemed implausible that they (the media) actually believed the story.

“Pastor Ize-Iyamu was reported in the stories as speaking from Abuja, but it was the Benin reporters that covered the story. Were the reporters transported to Abuja? Do these media agencies actually believe the stories they carry? Obaseki and the PDP has a way of leaking false news to the media and the media has to be sensitive and professional in receiving these news,” he said.

He also warned that there is a fake Twitter account purporting to belong to Pastor Ize-Iyamu, which has been disseminating false information. He warned the media to avoid it like a plague and verify all their information before passing them on.

“I only wish the media had been more professional during the elections; they were not and what is done is done,” he said. “They don’t know how violent and anti-democratic it was in several parts of Edo State, including Egor in Benin City, and so they reported that the elections were free and fair. At least, going forward, let them verify all news before passing it on. It is the basic ethic of the profession.”

Solace I Got From You Paid Off, Obaseki Tells Wike During ‘Thank You’ Visit

 

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has described the consolation he got from the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as the second pivot for his electoral victory.

The first pillar, he said, is God who crowned the efforts of all his supporters.
Governor Obaseki was speaking when he led some political leaders of Edo State on a thank-you visit to Governor Wike at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.

He noted the commitment of Governor Wike in ensuring electoral victory for him by relocating to Edo State despite the needless attacks from the opposition.

“After I was pushed out of my former Party, this house was the first place I sought solace. You took me in as a brother, out of the storm, changed my clothes, and gave me food to eat.

“It was in this house, the Campaign Council met to work out the key strategies that led us to victory.

“You mobilised people across the country. You moved to Benin, went through the humiliation and attacks. You supported us and we won.

“It will be a sin against God if we do not come to say thank you. Even if the victory we are celebrating is from God. He has used people like you to make it happen,” he said.

READ ALSO: PHOTOS: INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Obaseki, Shaibu

 

In his response, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said his support was informed by the fact that Governor Obaseki was courageous and fearless.

According to him, standing against forces of godfatherism was not easy but Governor Obaseki made himself available to protect the interest of Edo State.

“Our work would have been difficult if he did not make himself available. I cannot support a lily hearted person. Governor Obaseki was firm.

“It is not easy to fight godfatherism. But he has the interest of Edo people at heart. Together, we have conquered it, ” he said.

Governor Wike also clarified that he had advocated unity within the party.
He explained that when Governor Obaseki joined the PDP, he pushed for all interests to be considered.

That position, he said, paid off because the Party went into the electoral battle as a united family and clinched the victory.

“I did not want division. I insisted that it will be good we are all together. This will make it easy to go into the electoral battle and win.

“I thank you, my brother, Obaseki for carrying everybody along in the Party. Edo people are also looking up to you to forgive everybody.

“Forgive your political opponents. I am happy that today, South-South is under one political party. This will make for integration. We can speak with one voice in moving Nigeria forward.

“This is the sweetest electoral victory I have ever witnessed,” he added.
Wife of the Edo State Governor, Betsy Bene Obaseki presented Souvenirs to Governor Wike and his wife, Justice Suzzette Eberechi Wike.

The items, she said, will serve as symbols that will strengthen the existing friendship.

According to her, we have to remain as one to attain the desired plans of God.

PHOTOS: INEC Presents Certificate Of Return To Obaseki, Shaibu

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued certificates of return to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Phillip Shaibu.

The National Commissioner, INEC in charge of Edo, Rivers, and Bayelsa, Mrs May Agbmuche-Mbu made the presentation on Tuesday at the INEC office in Aduwawa, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

See photos from the event below…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘The Fight Is Over,’ Obaseki Extends Hand Of Fellowship To Oshiomhole, Ize-Iyamu

 

The re-elected Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has extended a hand of fellowship to leaders and members of the opposing party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Obaseki while receiving his certificate of return on Tuesday at the INEC office in Aduwawa, Benin City, said the fight is over between him and his predecessor Adams Oshiomhole who is also the former Chairman of the APC.

He called on the flagbearer of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and other members to join in the administration of the state.

READ ALSO: Edo People Have Left A Legacy Of Efficiency – Bishop Kukah

“I am using this opportunity to extend a hand of fellowship to my brother Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and other colleagues in the APC to join us and work with us so that we can move Edo forward.

“On a specific note, I want to use this opportunity to call on the former Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that the fight is over and he should come and join in building the house where he was part of laying the foundation. We have no malice. The only thing we disagree on is the approach in moving Edo State forward,” he said.

File photo of Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki/ PHOTO: Sodiq Adelakun/Channels TV

 

Obaseki adds that both members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and APC are one family and cooperation is needed in moving Edo State forward.

“To our friends and brothers on the other side of the divide, we are one family in the pursuit to provide services and public goods for our citizens.

“Our citizens have decided that for now, they trust us more to provide the leadership. It does not mean that they do not have a role to play. It does not mean that they are not part of the family,” the governor stressed.

The electoral body had earlier issued certificates of return to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his deputy, Phillip Shaibu at the INEC office in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The National Commissioner, INEC in charge of Edo, Rivers, and Bayelsa, Mrs May Agbmuche-Mbu made the presentation and commended stakeholders including the security agencies for their role in the smooth conduct of the poll.

How Obaseki Won Re-Election In Edo And What It Means For 2023 – Analysis

 

On Sunday, Governor Godwin Obaseki won re-election in Edo State.

But does his victory hold any significance for voting patterns in Nigeria?

Channels Television’s data analyst, Babajide Ogunsanwo believes what happened in Edo is “perhaps the end of the beginning.”

 

Edo Election: APC Was Going To Win, I Don’t Know What Happened – El-Rufai

 

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai on Monday suggested he was surprised at the loss of the All Progressive Congress in the recently concluded Edo State Governorship Election.

The Governor said three weeks to the election, polls indicated that the APC was set to win.

However, on Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election and Governor of the state for the next four years.

“We would have loved to win,” El-Rufai said, during an interview on Sunrise Daily. “Quite frankly I was optimistic.

A file photo of Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

 

“Up to three weeks ago, the polls indicated that we were going to win. I don’t know what happened in the last two, three weeks of the campaign.

“As you know, a large number of voters make up their minds in the last two weeks of an election. Many voters decide, no matter what happens, this is how I am voting. But most people want to wait and watch and make up their minds in the last two weeks.

“Three weeks ago, the polls clearly showed that APC was going to win, but the results came out differently from what we expected.”

However, El-Rufai commended how the election played out and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his policy of non-interference in elections.

“The election was reasonably decent,” he said. “We were all worried about violence; there was very little violence or none at all. So Obaseki has won, that’s it. You can’t go into an election without adverting your mind to the possibility of losing.

“And one thing President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has always done is to say that there must be free and fair election and the people’s choice must prevail.

“And the President has never used what is called Federal Might that other governments have used in the past to steal elections. We always insist that everyone should go and pitch to the people and may the best man win. And we can live with it.”

I’ve Never Seen People React So Passionately, Obaseki Speaks Of Victory

 

Mr Godwin Obaseki is still basking in the euphoria of victory in the recently concluded governorship election in Edo State.

Obaseki, who contested under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 307,955 votes to defeat his closest rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 223,619 to win a second term as governor of Edo State.

Reacting to his victory during an interview on Channels Television’s News At 10 on Sunday, the governor said his victory didn’t come as a surprise to him.

Describing his feeling, Obaseki said he is so excited by the show of love and support from different people across the state.

According to him, he has never seen citizens of Edo State react so spontaneously with such excitement.

“I feel very happy just watching the responses, reactions from citizens of Edo State across board. For me, I have never seen a group of people react so spontaneously with such excitement,” he said.

When asked on his plans to reconcile friends and associates who are aggrieved with the outcome of the election, Governor Obaseki said his doors are always open.

The governor also said his major rival in the contest, Ize-Iyamu had yet to congratulate him on the election victory.

With the elections over, Obaseki admitted that there is so much work to be done in the next four years, adding that his administration is ever ready to partner with his opponents on how to move the state forward.

“There is so much work ahead of us. I believe there is room for everybody to contribute. My doors are wide open for talks and consultations,” he added.