Edo Government Secures Admission For Boy Who Sneeked in Wheel of Arik Aircraft In State's Top Boarding School

The Edo State Government has secured admission in one of the state’s top secondary schools for 13-year-old Daniel Oikhena, who stowed away in the wheel of an Arik Aircraft from Benin to Lagos on Saturday August 24, 2013.

The state Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, disclosed this when the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mr George Uriesi, led FAAN management team on a visit at the Government House, Benin City, yesterday.

According to the governor, “without meaning to encourage anyone else, we decided to support him by sending him to one of the top secondary schools in Edo State owned by the government. The reason for opting for a boarding school is that we think there’s need to closely watch him, something his parents could not do.

“He is an intelligent young man with uncommon challenges, but one who has a vision. We had him examined by people who should know and the result confirmed that he is normal”, Oshiomhole noted.

“This incident was probably the kind of trigger we needed to improve facilities at our Airports. You are never going to have all the money you need to do all you have to do.  You should start from somewhere”, he noted.

Earlier, Uriesi said they were in Benin City for ground assessment of the stowaway incident which has forced FAAN to review and improve on its security arrangements.

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Oyerinde’s Assassination: Oshiomhole’s Allegations Are Unfounded – IGP

Yesterday, Thursday, at the launch of the code of conduct for officers and men of the Nigeria Police in Abuja, Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole, accused the police of having a hand in the assassination of his private secretary, Olaitan Oyerinde and went further to call for the sack and possible prosecution of the DIG in charge of criminal investigations for covering up the facts.

However, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, says the issues raised by Mr Oshiomhole on investigations into Olaitan Oyerinde’s death are unfounded.

“In the first place, this case is in court and it may be subjudice if I comment on it, but we are going to reply that comment at the appropriate time and soonest because he (Oshiomhole) made allegations that are unfounded,” he said.

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Oshiomhole fires Perm Sec, 41 Education Inspectors

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has approved the removal of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Caro Edo-Osagie, from office with immediate effect for alleged dereliction of duty. In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Louis Odion, the former Permanent Secretary was directed to hand over all government’s property in her care to her immediate subordinate within 24 hours.

 In continuation of the on-going sanitisation of the state education sector, Governor Oshiomhole, yesterday, announced the removal of 41 Zonal Inspectors and Chief Inspectors of Education and Local Government Education Officers over alleged non-performance and negligence of duty.

 The decision, according to him, is the outcome of a continuing performance audit. Also, the governor announced the demotion of the Vice Principal of New Era College, Mr. S. E. Akhabue, from Grade Level 15 to Grade Level 14, for allegedly being a perpetual late-comer. 

 Meeting with the affected school inspectors and officers at Government House, the governor disclosed that the administrative details of the change in the school inspectorate would be made known in the next few days. It will be recalled that the governor had paid series of unscheduled visits to public schools across the state in the last two weeks where he made mind-boggling discoveries bordering on absenteeism or dereliction of duty by teachers. 

 Addressing the inspectors, Governor Oshiomhole said: “It’s obvious from what I’ve seen today and from what you’ve told me, that you’ve all breached your basic duties, which are to monitor schools and file basic reports which, among other things, should include reports on those present and absent so that government can take steps to assist those who want to work to remain and those who don’t want to work to go home. “ Edo state government has lost millions of naira of taxpayers’ money because of your failure to perform your duties.”

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Oshiomole wins Edo polls..see details

The Governor of Edo State , Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been re-elected to pilot the affairs of the state in the next four years.The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Sunday, declared Mr Adams Oshiomhole of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as the winner of the Edo governorship election, held on Saturday..

The Returning Officer, Prof Osayuki Oshodi , who officially announced the result of the election  at INECheadquarter in Benin, said Oshiomhole scored 477,478 votes to defeat five other candidates in the election.

Oshodi said Maj.-Gen.Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party   scored 144, 235 votes, while  Chief Solomon Edebiri of All Nigeria Peoples Party  scored 3,642 votes to come third.

He said Mr Roland Izeobuwe of Congress for Progressive Change came fourth with 2,793 votes and  Mr Frank Ukonga of Social Democratic Movement Party followed with  807 votes.

Oshodi, who is the Vice-Chancellor of University of Benin, further announced that  Mr Andrew Igwemoh of Labour Party scored  604 votes, while Mr Paul Orunmwese of National Conscience Party scored  540 votes in the contest,

He said that Oshiomhole, who is the incumbent, won in the 18 local government areas of the state and satisfied the requirements of the law to be declared winner of the contest.

“I, Prof  Oshiodi as the returning officer, hereby certify  that I was the returning officer of the July 14 governorship election and  hereby declare that Oshiomhole having satisfied the requirement of the law and having scored the highest number of votes cast is hereby declared winner,’’ Oshodi declared. ( NAN)

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Who is next Edo gov? Factors that will define race(A MUST READ)

THE dateline is 14 July, 2012. The event is the Edo State governorship election. The prize is the coveted Edo State governorship seat. And the campaigns for the office have reached fever pitch, sometimes even with venomous intensity. The roads to this D-Day have been long, tortuous and undulating. The gladiators are the incumbent Governor Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Major-General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Edebiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Roland Izevbuwa of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Paul Orunmwese of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Frank Ukonga of the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP) and Andrew Igwemoh of the Labour Party (LP), all of who are the gubernatorial candidates of their respective political parties.

Indeed with a few days to the election, the candidates and their political parties have obviously been involved in last minute frenetic push for the votes of the electorate in the state. Analysts believe that even when the personalities involved in the electoral contest are seven, the real contenders are three, namely Oshiomhole, Airhiavbere and Edebiri. However, while acknowledging the person and accomplishments of Chief Edebiri, there has always been suggestions from across the political sphere that the governorship contest may be a two-horse race between Oshiomhole and Airhiavbere when it gets down to the wire, the finish line. Given the intensity, scope and sometimes bitter nature of the campaigns, there is also the proposition that the battle for who occupies the Edo State Government House on Osadebe Avenue, GRA, Benin City, from 12 November 2012, may be the fiercest since the creation of the state in 1991.

To some of these political commentators, issues that may ultimately determine the outcome of the polls include the pedigree of the candidates and their political parties, history or record of performance, vision, public perception of the candidates and their political parties and ethno-geographic politics.

Adams Oshiomhole and the ACN

Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the candidate of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who is seeking re-election for a second term of four years in office, and the ACN having been showing up as both the candidate and party to beat in the governorship election.

As things stand presently, the ACN appears to be in a pole position with two out of three senatorial seats, six out of nine House of Representatives seats and 19 out of 24 constituency seats in the state House of Assembly. But some other analysts argue that the present constitution of the House may not be a true representation of the reality on ground, as a number of the seats being held by the ACN were initially not products of election, but that of defections from the PDP prior to the 2011 State House of Assembly election. It is said that the profile of the ACN in Edo State is inextricably tied to that of Oshiomhole.

Those who make this submission contend that it was his inauguration as governor of the state in November 2008 following a protracted legal battle over the results the outcome of the April 2007 governorship poll and his eventual victory at the Court of Appeal, the terminal point of gubernatorial election petition at the time, that gave the ACN the political clout it now enjoys. 

A saying common in informal circles in Edo State is that without Oshiomhole there will be no ACN in the state and without ACN there will always be Oshiomhole. It is an axiomatic expression that underlines the dominant influence of Oshiomhole as the driving force behind whatever success the party claims it has recorded in the state, and a presupposition that the success or failure of Oshiomhole translates into success or failure of the ACN.

As a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oshiomhole’s eloquence and prowess in the art of persuasion and mobilisation are not in doubt. Some pundits opine that Oshiomhole has through a blitz of well orchestrated and manipulated run of activities created a somewhat saintly image for himself while demonising opponents or portraying them as enemies of the people. But Oshiomhole has insisted that his greatest credential is his record of performance in this his first term in office which, according to him, are there for all to see; and achievements which he has often said are “eye-mark,” meaning “what you see” and not earmark.

Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd), PDP

Before Major General Charles Airhiavbere (retd) joined partisan politics shortly after he pulled out of the Nigerian Army in July 2011, not much was known of him in this game of number and interests. Airhiavbere is reputed to have worked assiduously to emerge the candidate of the PDP for the Edo gubernatorial election. To buttress his effort, Airhiavbere said that so far he is the only aspirant to have covered with the leadership of the PDP in the state the 192 political wards in the state in the bid to sensitise and mobilise the people for the PDP and his aspiration ahead of the election. 

Some of his critics have observed that despite being the first to stake his claim to the Edo PDP governorship ticket, as well as also claiming pole position in the geographical mileage covered, Airhiavbere’s main political base was not immediately clear. But that situation does not appear to be the case now, for not a few persons have agreed that his own political base has crystallised, having won the fiercely contested governorship primary of the PDP which took place on 25 February 2012. Today, the ex- Director, Nigerian Army Accounts and Finance Corp, and a former Director, Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, carries himself with a swagger that suggests he is already home with victory.

Airhiavbere has also been credited with high level connections, given his status as an accountant and as a man who served the country for 37 years before retiring from the Nigerian Army. Airhiavbere’s admirers express the view that so far he has not betrayed any lack of capacity to deal with the challenges of seeking the elective office of a governor in a state like Edo. Airhiavbere’s political platform, the PDP was sent packing from the seat of power in the state in November 2008 when the Court of Appeal ousted Professor Oserheimen Osunbor and installed Oshiomhole as the duly elected governor of the state, a legal outcome which flowed from Oshiomhole’s challenge of the result of the April 2007 gubernatorial election in the state. The PDP was not just the ruling but the dominant political party in Edo state from 1999 to 2008.

Before now, the results of the National Assembly and state House of Assembly elections held in April 2011, showed the PDP as a party that appears to be in dire straits. In the elections under reference, the party won one out of the three senatorial seats in the state, got three out of the nine House of Representatives seat in the state, and secured victories in five out of 24 constituency seats in the state House of Assembly. Some analysts say that the statistics, which seemed grim at the time, make the PDP’s quest for the Edo governorship seat in 2012 a tall order.

The current leadership of the PDP with Chief Dan Orbih as the state chairman of the party and the party’s gubernatorial candidate have continued to insist that there is now a new PDP in Edo State, as the party has been repositioned and rebranded.

A number of political observers say that so far the PDP and Airhiavbere are doing well facing up to Oshiomhole and the ACN challenge but added that what may be the greatest challenge of the PDP in Edo state is the treachery and sabotage within its ranks. Persons who share this opinion say there are many so-called PDP members who merely put on the cloak of PDP to conceal their ACN identities. This category of PDP members are said to be eating from both sides of the political divide for their own selfish gains and may not easily give up their anti-party acts for the good of the party no matter the reconciliation efforts.

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Oshiomhole challenges minister on N2.6billion contract

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, alleged that the Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolemenmen, awarded N2.6bn road contract in Uromi, Edo State which nobody could see. Disclosing this in a rally at Egor, Benin City, where he officially received a former presidential aide, Prof.Julius Ihonvbere, into the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the governor asserted that “the godfather and the godson got the FEC into awarding a N2.6bn for a road contract that nobody sees in Uromi”. 

 “I am inviting the President to come and flag off the construction of that road so he can see that the road does not exist, “he added. The governor posited that rather than campaign and tell the people of the state their plans for the development of the state, “the PDP leaders in Edo Central and Edo North were busy buying voters cards. As we speak, five of them have been charged to court on account of buying voters cards. Now that the PDP people have been caught red handed, we want to see what punishment INEC and Jega will mete out to these people.” 

 He accused the PDP candidate, Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, of ignorance of events in the state. “The man does not even know the state he wants to govern. He said he will pay salary arrears. Is there any worker we are owing in Edo State?” National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Chief Bola Tinubu, who addressed the rally, urged people of the state to sustain the development strides in the state. 

 Other ACN leaders who spoke on the occasion were Governors Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State. Meanwhile, Ihonvbere, an erstwhile Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on Policy and Strategy and a former governorship aspirant of the PDP, said the PDP in Edo represents “oppression, intimidation, repression, retrogression and decay”. 

 He said he is an old boy of Edo College and had to spend his personal resources to work on the roof and equip the computer laboratory of the school which was left to rot for years by the PDP, but which has now been rehabilitated by the ACN, saying “go there now and see what Oshiomhole is doing”.

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Gov gives police 14 days ultimatum to fish out killers

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has given the police 14 days ultimatum to fish out killers of his principal private secretary, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde, who was murdered in his home early yesterday. He also charged them to investigate the accident, which caused the death of three journalists inside a bus on his convoy last week and nail those behind it. Addressing his supporters, who had come to welcome him in Benin City, the state capital, from Abuja, the governor said that the arrest of Oyerinde’s killers has become necessary, as there appears to be an orchestrated plot to intimidate him and eliminate his aides.

 He recalled that three journalist were killed when a truck rammed into his convoy, revealing that he had petitioned the police on a plot by some people to cause bloodletting in the state. He said: “Last week, they succeeded in killing three journalists. Last night, they killed Olaitan. Let me be clear they cannot kill my fighting spirit. 

We submitted a petition to the Commissioner of Police in which we informed him of the meetings held at the residence of the godfather, where they took a critical evaluation of the forthcoming election and they agreed it is impossible for them to win. They also resolved at the meeting presided over by the godfather to intimidate my person and if possible to eliminate me. At that meeting, they said they would kill, under the guise of armed robbery, many of my personal staff and key leaders and pretend as if they are victims of kidnapping.

 “I also informed the police they resolved that weeks before the election, they will detonate bombs in parts of the state in order to scare people away from going to vote. What is our crime? Our crime is that we have mobilised our people; we have deployed public resources for the public good and the godfather is angry. We have no apology for the stand we have taken and we will not slow down. The blood of these young men will fire me on to fight and defeat the godfather. There is no going back. They have killed my son. They have killed my brother; they have killed my people, but they cannot kill my spirit.

 I ask you the police if they do not find the killers, if they do not do proper investigation on the killing of those journalists and of Olaitan last night, as the Governor of Edo State, I will convert the leadership of my people to find solution to security. They must not fight like coward. They should stand. “Last night, like coward, they shot Olaitan in the chest, head and belly to make sure he never survives. Why will a man sit over the death of young children? Why will an old man who has children and grand children supervise the killings of young people? I want to serve them notice. I have the capacity and the men.

 If they do not behave, we can stop them from coming to Edo State. Let me say I have not come to cry today. The blood of those young men will whet my appetite for justice because their plan is to postpone again, for the second time, our campaign. Tomorrow, we will go ahead because Olaitan, in his lifetime, was a fighter. We met in the field of struggle, not on the dining table. I ask you not to be afraid, not to be intimidated. Don’t give up. If anything, we should be more resolved. The godfather is finished; nobody can rescue him. “They are killing, they are maiming and they are planning more.

 You will recall, in 2007, we lost three young men who were killed. At the state house of assembly, they planted a bomb, which was meant to killed ACN members in the House, but thank God that bomb did not explode. You also recall they used machete and Shelltox to kill and attack ACN lawmakers. In all of these, the Police have not done justice. Those who tried to kill those honourable members, nothing has happened to them. Those who plotted the killing of those journalists are busy paying condolence visit. It is not how long I live that matters but what I should be remembered for. We will fight and not give up.

 We will not plot evil. All my life, I have never killed. I will not be desperate. Those who are bathing in the blood of innocent people will not go free. “I am giving the Police 14 days from today to produce the killers of Olaitan and to establish those responsible for the killing of those journalists. If they do not do that, as the Chief Security Officer of this state, I reserve all my options. This country will either fail or stand. Nobody can intimidate me. Even out of power I was not intimidated.

 I ask you to go home and not take laws into your hands. Resist the temptation to fight them today. We are giving the police today. They must produce those killers. They will not die in vain. Go back peacefully. They do evil at night but we do good at night. Nobody has monopoly of evil and violence. Go back home peacefully; tomorrow mobilize; we will still do the rally as planned. “Every week, they will create a situation where we will postpone our rally. The best tribute we can give to Olaitan is not to give up; it is not to surrender. We have already conquered them; we will consolidate.”

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Oshiomhole doles out N25m to family of late AIT staff

BISHOP of Auchi Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Gabriel Dunia, yesterday condemned the recklessness of drivers of heavy duty vehicles on the highway, just as Edo State Government doled out N25 million to the widow and children of the late AIT journalist, Mr. Fidelis Okhani, who died in an auto crash involving the convoy of Governor Adams Oshiomhole, last weekend. 

The bishop, who made the observation during the funeral service for late Okhani, aged 41, at St. Mary’s Parish, Iviukwe, Etsako East Local Governement Area, said people should be educated to do what was right, irrespective of political party affiliations. The Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, in his remarks, recalled that Fidelis worked with him while he was not yet a governor in 2006, saying he was dedicated to his duties.

 He said: “We shared a common vision that Edo State must move on by taking motion pictures of our activities into the living rooms of Nigerians across the nation. “This death will not break our fighting spirit. The best tribute we can give them is to use public resources to address the challenges of the people. 

The government has obligation to support those who need help, we have done it for those we do not even know, because that is the social purpose of governance.” He disclosed that the state government will deposit the sum of N5 million in the name of each of the four children of the late Fidelis in the bank to ensure that they attend school to university level, while N5 million will be given to the widow to take care of them. 

 The funeral service, which was followed by internment at the family compound, was attended by dignitaries from all walks of life, including the chairman of DAAR Communications, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, led by the Edo Council chairman, Comrade Friday Obanor.

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Auto crash: They were after my life – Oshiomhole

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said weekend’s accident involving his convoy, in which three journalists lost their lives, was an attempt on his life, as the tipper driver rammed into his official vehicle, while the car he personally drove, escaped by the whiskers. Oshiomhole, who spoke on the accident at Government House, Benin City, lamented that it took him and other survivors close to 40 minutes to remove the journalists from their mangled bus. 

 Meanwhile, a crack team of detectives is investigating the ghastly motor accident, in which three journalist lost their lives on the Warrake-Auchi Road, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state. Olatunji Jacob and George Okosun, both of Independent Television, ITV, and Fidelis Ohani camera man attached to African Independent Television, AIT and a driver attached to the state Government House, Samson Inobemhe, lost their lives. Oshiomhole, yesterday, said: “I wept when I saw the way the journalists were trapped.” He condoled with the Nigeria Union of Journalists,NUJ, on the loss of its members.

 He said he had been receiving messages that officials of his government were targets of assassination and kidnap before the tragic incident. “If I was in the regular jeep (my official car), the guy would have hit me. I was in a small car which I decided to drive myself. The tipper pushed that jeep off the road and then crashed into the bus conveying the journalists. “It is a straight road, so if he lost control, he would have swerved into the bush. When I asked the motor boy yesterday (Sunday) where the driver was, he said he opened the door of the vehicle and fled. He claimed the driver just said he should follow him.

 I then asked him if he was not under 18 and why follow a man to another local government area without asking questions. “Well, we have asked the State Security Service, SSS and the police to investigate the accident, but before we knew it, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was already issuing condolence message. I haven’t cried for a long time but when I saw the ITV man (George Okosun) and then the AIT man (Fidelis Ohane), I wept.

 From the time of my campaign in 2006, they had followed me all the way through the judicial process until now and they all have families, young families. We well get to the root of the matter. “The truck hit them head on and smashed the bus. To open it, they had to use axe to cut the bus. You saw people bleeding but you couldn’t get them out; some, we had to loosen the bolts of the seat to remove them. For about 40 minutes, we were trying to get them out but God took control.” Meanwhile, at press time,the Chief Detail to the governor and other security operatives, in the convoy were also receiving treatment at the intensive unit of the Benin Central Hospital. 

 Vanguard learnt that the crack team of detectives, including officers drawn from the State Security Services, SSS, have commenced investigation into the accident in order to ascertain whether it was a planned attempt on the governor’s life. A top security officer, who craved anonymity, told Vanguard: “We are worried because the governor was not in his usual car but was in a BMW Station Wagon in front of the convoy while his usual vehicle was right behind the BMW. 

So the report was that the tipper rammed into the convoy hitting what was supposed to be the governor’s usual vehicle. “It meant that something could have happened to the governor, if he was in his usual car.” ….As Edo Pdp, Nma commiserate with Oshiomhole BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE BENIN—Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State chapter, yesterday, commiserated with Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the people of the state on the death of three journalists in a ghastly road accident, involving the governor’s convoy, weekend. 

 State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Matthew Urhoghide, also commiserate with the state chapter of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; the Independent Television, ITV and Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on the death of the journalists, which included two ITV staff, Olatunji Jacob and George Okosun and a Camera man with AIT, Fidelis Ohani. PDP wished speedy recovery for those who sustained injuries in the accident and prayed God to grant the departed souls eternal rest and their families, the fortitude to bear the painful loss. The Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Edo State branch, also commiserated with NUJ over the unfortunate accident.

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EDO STATE GOVERNOR,ADAMS OSHIMHOLE ACCUSED OF ERECTING N10 BILLION EYE POPPING MANSION

There is a story making the rounds now that the Edo State governor,Adams Oshiomole is currently building an exotic estate in his hometown,Iyamoh,near Auchi,Edo State. According to an online publication,the former NLC president is building the private estate secretly and it has been described as a paradise on earth when completed. 

 The online publication alleged that the paradise he is building for himself is directly behind his house,in his compound,not far from Iyamoh Primary School,in Iyamoh,off Auchi Okene road,near Auchi. 

 The allegation has since been adopted by the opposition People Democratic Party,PDP, whose candidate,Charles Arivaberre(rtd) has already been using it as a campaign issue. According to the allegation His estate,which is the size of a Texas style ranch,with swimming pools,water fountains and a big occasion hall,amphitheatre,indoor cinema hall,to mention a few is heavily guarded by what can only be described as a battalion of armed vigilantes in 10 Hilux pick-ups and a detachment of fierce looking mobile policemen The cost of the estate,according to the publication is about 10 billion naira.

 But the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,Peter Ohiria,has come back to debunk the claim. According to him, If Governor Oshiomole has N10bn he would rather build more roads,schools and hospitals.Even Aso Rock did not cost N10bn to build. Don’t be deceived by frustrated politicians in the PDP When asked if Oshiomole actually owns the estate or not,the CPS said Don’t know of any estate at Iyamoh owned by the gov.

He owns a house there which he built long before he became Governor Meanwhile,the multi billion naira eye popping estate allegedly being built by the hard working governor is already causing some tensions in the political climate of the state which is said to be owing about 100 billion naira.

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EDO 2012: Oshiomhole challenges Airhiavbere to public debate

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has called for a public debate between him and the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) ahead of July, 2012 governorship election in the state. 

 Oshiomhole said the PDP candidate owed the electorate and Nigerians explanations over certain issues. He recalled how he was detained for breach of public peace as leader of NLC, noting that records of his detentions were traceable.“I have been detained for many times for breach of public peace by the Magistrates’ Courts.” 

 According to him, these are some of the issues the retired general will explain to the electorates. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife on Sunday paid an unscheduled visit to Gov. Adams Oshiomhole. Obasanjo’s discussion with the governor was not made public as the meeting was under closed doors. 

 The former Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman of PDP told newsmen after the visit that “I cannot be passing through Benin City and I do not say hello to my friend. “I will pay another visit to the governor and then we will talk to you, the governor will talk and I will talk and then we will all play together. Today is not for talk,’’ he said.

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Holds Secret Talks With Adams Oshiomhole

Barely five days after resigning as the Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday paid an unscheduled visit to the Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the Government House in Benin. 

Obasanjo, who was accompanied on the visit by his wife, held a closed- door meeting with Oshiomhole for about 30 minutes at the official residence of the governor. But Obasanjo and Oshiomhole refused to disclose why they met and the outcome of the meeting. Our sources at the meeting however disclosed that the meeting might not be unconnected with the state of the nation especially as there are talks about alignment and realignment across the country over the 2015 presidential race. 

When journalists sought to know Obasanjo’s mission to the Government House, he claimed that he was in the state to meet with the governor, assuring the journalists that the outcome of the meeting would be made public at the appropriate time. Obasanjo said: “I am not here for any statement. If the governor is around and I’m in Edo State for a private visit, I should be here to say hello. 

Thank you very much.” On whether he was in the state to endorse Oshiomhole for a second term and the outcome of the private meeting, the ex-president simply said: “Another day I will come, I will talk, and the governor will talk.” Meanwhile, Oshiomhole has promised that he will continue to provide good governance to the people of the state since he has been elected to cater for their well being. 

The governor, who stated this during an interactive session with journalists after Obasanjo’s visit, said he is humbled and elated by the kind of support, encouragement and endorsement he has been receiving both within and outside the state. He added that he would not be distracted by politics of ethnicity which he said the PDP in the state is creating. He therefore promised to continue to offer dividends of democracy to the people.

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EDO STATE GOVERNOR ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE WELCOMES FIRST GRANDCHILD

Report at our disposal revealed that the daughter of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has puts to bed.

Sources revealed that his beautiful daughter, Mrs. Jane Adukwu , gave birth to a bouncing baby boy at a private hospital in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, few days ago .

The elated grandfather said; “God has been gracious to me and my family. Help me to thank God for my family and indeed for the birth of my first grandchild, whom I call Eric Oshiomeghie.”

Jane got married on January 8, 2011 to Mr. AchimuguAdukwu, son of Architect Gabriel Adukwu, the former Minister of State (Health) at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja

Congratulations to the family!

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Edo State Governor Employs All Female Driver For State Buses

The state governor surprised not a few persons, having mandated that ladies should be engaged as drivers for the state's public transport system, known as Edo City Transport Services (ECTS)

When Governor Oshiomhole informed the ECTS boss, Mrs Edugie Agbonlahor, early last year that he wanted a crop of girls to drive the Daewoo Luxury Buses plying the city, she was surprised, although pleased.

Without hesitation, she set to work instantly, advertising for applications. But since such a development has never been seen anywhere in Nigeria, people did not take them seriously, and this resulted in the low turnout of girls.

One other factor that brought doubts into the minds of Edolites, as Edo people are fondly called, was the fact that the advert said that they wanted girls without experience. I laughed when I heard it, and that was why I never bothered to apply. I may have got the job too, since I was qualified too , says Efemena Agbodo, a passenger at Ring Road in a voice laden with envy at the lucky ladies driving the buses.

It was fascinating to see these young women, most of them between 22 and 25 years of age, driving the long, heavy, airconditioned buses as if they were driving small cars. One of the drivers who simply identified herself as Blessing, told Sunday Mirror that though the job is stressful, she was never scared of driving on the highway.

She explained that the type of training she received has given her all the confidence she needs: Initially, I would be wondering what if something goes wrong, but as time went on, my confidence increased. I can now drive without fear.

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Edo market women buy N4.7m guber form for Oshiomhole

IT was like a triumphant entry yesterday, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State arrived the Benin Airport from Abuja, where he had gone to pick his N4.7million governorship form of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, which reportedly purchased for him by market women in the state.

It was difficult for the governor to walk out of the plane due to the crowd, mainly women and youths, who thronged the airport to welcome him.

Oshiomhole stormed the National headquarters of the ACN in Abuja at about 6pm Tuesday to pick his governorship form ahead the July 14, 2012 governorship election in the state.

Addressing the women at the Benin Airport Oshiomhole thanked them for purchasing the form for him, expressing surprise that the form was paid for by the women before he even got to Abuja.

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Between Anenih and Oshiomhole: The Character Question

quick recap of how Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, began to act indecorously towards the former Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, would help to put this piece in the proper context of its title.

Sometimes in 2009, Anenih had, on the occasion of Kenneth Imasuangbon’s movement into the PDP from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) at Ewohinmi in Edo State, declared that the ACN was like an air conditioner without a compressor.

Apparently encouraging his numerous party members, as was expected of any political leader, not to despair, Anenih was reported to have said that the ACN government had failed to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the state.

He had advised Oshiomhole, who was president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at a time, to advert his mind to the fact that there was difference between being governor and labour leader; and, that governance was not about making fabulous speeches and getting applause from students but about performance.

But it is understandable Oshiomhole would become aggressively offensive in his reactions to Anenih’s statements and wise counsels: the point of aggravation was the fact that Anenih was not careful in declaring the readiness of the PDP to dislodge the government of Oshiomhole from power in Edo on the grounds of non-performance.

What did he expect from Anenih?

Was he thinking the Iyasele of Esanland had forgotten his leadership of the PDP simply because he (Oshiomhole) pleaded with and/or requested him to nominate two commissioners and a special adviser into his cabinet after the Court of Appeal declared him governor having nullified the election of Oserhiemen Osunbor of the PDP?

Realising that was wishful and knowing full well that Anenih’s political influence in the government was awesome, Oshiomhole had set out to define himself by confronting him.

He deployed all manner of strategies that were contra bonus mores (against public morals) although members of his camp had considered them politically correct.

In fact, it is a matter of public record that Oshiomhole, in response to some words of encouragement by Anenih, had called him (Anenih) his father at a public function in June of 2009 and had said that he would continue to accord him respect as a “leader” irrespective of the fact that they were not in the same political party.

But the comrade governor has since broken his own words and has continued to abuse the Leader in a vulgar manner that offends the sensibilities of true sons and daughters of Edo.

When the comrade governor knocked Anenih at a public function in Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, the two commissioners and special advisers nominated by Anenih who were present at the event did not have to be told that the revelry was over.

They got to their offices and threw their letters of resignation at the governor in protest against the public affront.

The godfather is alive and kicking. Hurray! He has become a veritable bugaboo to Oshiomhole’s re-election bid.

If anyone expects the comrade governor to be polite in his reactions to the real political threat around him as typified by Anenih, then he or she may not be fair to Oshiomhole.

Everybody knows that Oshiomhole can talk but should he, even if it is in his character to throw punches at every opponent, commit himself to the regular abuse of Anenih?

However, it is apparent that it is not in the character of Anenih to jump into the public arena to take on an aggressor or offender.

This is the truth. He has always been taciturn, preferring to work and perfect his political strategies behind the scene.

This way, it becomes difficult to misquote him. This is why the lead story of Compass newspaper of Wednesday, February 22, 2012, entitled- “Anenih to Oshiomhole: You are a drowning gov”, where a reply purported to have been made by Anenih to a derogatory statement earlier made by Oshiomhole, was quoted and displayed on the front page, amounted to a sheer misrepresentation of the Anenih persona.

Anenih has never and would not engage in a war of words with anyone, including Oshiomhole.But the peculiar political situation in Edo would not hamstring him in commenting about the institutions of the ACN and the government of the day. Although, a thorough reading of the Compass newspaper story, published on page 8, showed that the reporter actually spoke with the State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, he (the reporter) had purported Orbih was speaking on behalf of Anenih.

I know that Oshiomhole’s attacks on Anenih will not abate whether before or after the July 14, 2012 governorship elections, regardless of the outcome of the poll. What I know and I readily vouch for is that Anenih, in any situation, will not jump into the arena of conflicts or descend into the gutters with Oshiomhole in a bid to join issues with him because it is not in the gene of the Iyasele of Esanland to do so.

Ojeifo, journalist and magazine publisher sent in this piece from Abuja.

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Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has re-affirmed his commitment

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has re-affirmed his commitment to impact positively on the lives of citizens by utilizing money accruing to the state on meaningful projects.

The Governor who made this known when he hosted members and leadership of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the three senatorial districts, market women and youths of the party to separate luncheon thanked them for their contributions in strengthening the party in the state in the past year.

While appreciating the members of the party for their contributions in the development of the state, Comrade Oshiomhole said the massive investments in road construction, renovation of public schools and other ongoing projects are aimed at delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

The state governor said the abolition of fees for public primary and secondary schools as well as the reduction of fees payable by students of the Ambrose Alli University , Ekpoma and introduction of free medical care for those above seventy years are designed to touch the lives of citizens positively.

At Igueben, Esan North East Local Government Area, where the luncheon was held for members of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Edo Central, a leader of the party and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, disclosed that this kind of party which is the first to be hosted by a governor has never happened before.

“We are determined that since we have seen the light, we are not prepared to throw away what we have got. Let us be vigilante and embrace dialogue to resolve any impasse,” he noted

The chairman of Action Congress of Nigeria in Edo State , Hon Thomas Okosun said the Esan people are free and liberated, adding that the people are happy with the reduction in fees paid by students at the AAU.

While addressing market women in Benin City , Comrade Adams Oshiomhole promised to give every market woman support towards making life easier and disclosed that by next month the Agbado market will be completed and the shops will be allocated to the market women.

The Secretary to Edo State Market Women Association, Hon Mrs. Josephine Ehi Omoregie who commended the Comrade Governor for appointing seven market women as Board members as well as a Councillor appreciated the efforts of the state governor at the on going work at Uwa market.

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Pressure on Tambuwal over Reps’ motion

Former Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, acting National Chairman of the party, Abubakar Baraje and other party leaders yesterday visited the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, asking him to drop last Sunday’s decision of the house on the petrol price increase.

Apart from the PDP, Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Chairman, Dangote group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote also reportedly met the Speaker separately, in a bid to convince him to get the House change its decision on the matter. Oshiomhole,former national president of NLC was in the forefront of opposing anti-people policies before he became governor.

NEWSMEN gathered that Anenih who led members of the National Working Committee, NWC, to the Speaker at 4pm, told Tambuwal that the decision of the House was not palatable to the PDP as the removal of fuel subsidy by President Goodluck Jonathan was the party’s decision.

The House of Representatives, had in an emergency session last Sunday, January 8, passed a motion urging President Jonathan to stay action on the deregulation policy in line with the mood of Nigerians and the nation.

But the source told NEWSMEN that Anenih and other PDP leaders failed to convince the Speaker, as he was said to have told them that what took place in the House cut across party lines as all the political parties were involved.

When PDP leaders departed, it was gathered that governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state and Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote also went into a marathon meeting with the Speaker, with a bid to convince him and the House to change the decision.

When contacted to speak on the visits, the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Imam Imam who admitted that the Speaker received the visitors, said, ‘’the Speaker is a Stakeholder in the Nigeria project, it is not surprising if prominent Nigerians from all walks of life visit him to confer on issues affecting the country.”

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I was offered N2.5b to forget my mandate – Oshiomhole

Simon Ebegbulem, Benin City

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state celebrated his third year anniversary last Saturday in a grand style. It witnessed different Nigerian artistes.

Edo people also used the occasion to watch an international friendly between the Super Eagles and the Bostwana national team. Amidst his anniversary events, Saturday Vanguard cornered the Labour leader turned Governor for this exclusive interview.

And as usual, he bares his mind on some of the security problems bedeviling the state, his optimism on President Goodluck Jonathan led administration and the proposed removal of the fuel subsidy. Governor Oshiomhole also speaks on his preparedness for the forthcoming 2012 governorship election in the state, asserting that “this election will be the easiest for me”, among other national issues. Excerpts:

Nigerians are worried about the menace of Boko Haram. How can we check the problem?

The federal authority should know all the facts because I am sure they have facts which I cannot have. And I want to believe that they are dealing with it to the best of their ability. This is something that is completely known. But I believe the government is doing its best to tackle it.

Gov Oshiomhole

You know security issues are not easy. I am sure there are couples of things they must be doing that they cannot discuss in the media. We just pray that somehow we are able to sort out this issue. I like to believe that the Federal Government is doing its best. I think everybody is worried that things we used to watch in the movie or on TV are now happening here.

But I am aware that the Federal Government is trying to acquire some gadgets to check the excesses of both the Boko Haram and kidnappers. For us here, we have made effort to empower security agencies in Edo. Over four 400 kidnappers have been arrested and facing trial today in the state. We have bought about 100 vehicles and communication gadgets to assist them. And they are doing their best. But my appeal here is that when I see the PDP in Edo state talking about insecurity in the state, I ask who is responsible for security?

The security of Nigerians is in the hands of the Federal Government and it is a PDP government. All security agencies are under the Federal Government. We are just here to advise and to compliment the effort of the Federal Government. But the constitutional responsibility for peace and security is the responsibility of the Federal Government.

And when they are talking about security, they are indicting the PDP government because that is where the power resides. Do you know that I have given a couple of orders that a couple of people should be arrested? They told me no, that Abuja has given a counter order and those people are walking freely in the streets. However, I know that President Jonathan is doing his best to solve these problems.

Removal of fuel subsidy

Nigeria for me is a reality. We passed through the civil war and we cannot break up. Yes, some of our country men and women are angry but I believe in the unity of this country and I will work on the side of one Nigeria. The problem is that we have far too many, greedy and selfish people who are ready to undermine the system if it does not work according to their selfish interest. I do not see how oil subsidy affects the disintegration of Nigeria.

It was not oil that brought us together. The issue of debating whether oil subsidy should stay or go has been on right from the time of the military, so you cannot say that the military never thought of it.

Whether it stays or goes is not what will disintegrate the country. But I think we should be careful in the way we comment on very serious national issues. We have seen many countries passing through serious economic turmoil. United States was almost going bankrupt just few months back. They had to pass a law to raise their borrowing requirement. Greece is currently going through serious liquidity crisis, almost bankrupt. They are dealing with it their own way. The entire Europe is experiencing economic crisis but I have not heard anybody talking about disintegration. Disintegration is not the solution. This country must be defended and we must defend the country.

I think we can engage in a very healthy national conversation. What is the best way to fix the economy? Should subsidy be removed or should it stay? This for me is a healthy national conversation, but no one should go beyond that and talk about disintegration. Nigerian cannot be on the mercy of few individuals.

PDP has vowed to recapture Edo in 2012. How prepared are you for the 2012 guber race ?

I appreciate your recollecting their exact word. They want to take over. That is a military language. Coups have been outlawed and it remains outlawed. Those who are still wallowing in the past that they want to take over are day dreaming.

That is probably why I heard they are considering a General, may be they expect the General will bring out the guns from the barracks. They will use the armed forces, both serving and retired to rig the election for the General. That is probably why they are using the word take over. But I am sure that the General will reconcile with the reality that coup plotting is not in place in a democracy. The people will vote.

He has to persuade those voters and we will meet in the field. And he will be able to speak to his pedigree and I will be able to speak to my pedigree. Both when he was a soldier and myself when I was in the NLC. Everybody has a pedigree before we came here and we will enlighten Edo people to look at the characters and ask themselves the question, who can we trust? That issue will come.

But I believe that politics is not magic, it is not one of those miracles. We can see through the behavioral pattern of the electorate. Since we assumed office here, on the basis of a certain campaign against godfatherism which is a campaign against imposition, campaign against pocketing public resources and subjecting the people to wallow in hopelessness, Edo people have since bought this message. I take you down memory lane. By January 2009, from the PDP leader down to their stewards, they were boasting that my being Governor was because the judiciary was just generous to me; that otherwise Edo was a PDP state. What is their evidence?

They pointed to the fact that all the members of the National Assembly were PDP, all the Local Government chairmen were PDP, that the state House of Assembly had the 2/3 members in PDP. They came to a conclusion that I was a governor by chance; that it was because Chief Anenih had disagreement with Osunbor that was why I won the case in court as if Chief Anenih controls the judiciary.

It is not courtesy of Chief Anenih. It is because they rigged the elections. And we are able unlike in the past where once you rigged election, they called you and gave you some money and asked you to forget the mandate.

They tried to do it to me, they offered me over N2.5billion to forget the election. I said no, I cannot monetize it because my purpose of getting into politics was not because I needed money to complete my family house. I wanted an opportunity to make a difference.

I also reminded them that people died for that election, so I could not do that. From that situation, we went into some bye elections arising from the nullification of some of the elections they rigged. When we won the first one in Akoko Edo, Chief Anenih said I deceived him, that the next time around, he would teach us a lesson. If you remember, it was after Akoko Edo election that he started abusing me; that I don’t know the difference between labour and politics, that they will chase me out of Government House.

That was how we defined the battle line. I have defined the struggle till date. After Akoko Edo, it we went to Etsako Central election. Under Prof.Iwu, Chief Anenih had all the influence. They got Iwu to post away the Resident Electoral Commissioner because the man was obstructing them from rigging in Akoko Edo. They brought in an INEC Resident Officer, one Raji who they have used in rigging election in other places. They ask him to come to Edo.

The then Minister of Defence, General Abbe, decided to disband our Operation Thunderstorm because he felt that it would create an obstacle for them, in terms of the arms they wanted to move to the area. And they even decided to impress on the then Inspector General of Police that they should bring Police from Abuja. They brought police from Abuja under the command of an AIG.

But I said they could change everybody but they could not relocate Edo people. We went into that election. They tried to rig and we got some of them arrested and we won them hands down. After that, we went for another election in Akoko Edo and we defeated them again. We also had a re-run in Ovia South West again we won the election.

The godfather now knew that people of Edo state were determined. You cannot see what is good and replace it with what is bad. And of course, they said because those elections were isolated, that when we had a general election, where everybody is manning his own area, that they will use all their Federal might and resources to fight. We went into this last election. They spent so much money, yet we rooted them out.

The whole of Edo South, the largest senatorial district, they could not win even one seat. We now know how they do their rigging and that is why they are in the cage today. In Edo North, even with Senator Braimoh and Akogun, the leader of the House of Reps, we defeated them beyond any question.

The whole of Edo South, they lost their deposit. The whole of Edo North, they lost their deposit. In Edo Central, we made few mistakes; first we fielded one or two wrong candidates. One of them has already returned to PDP. That shows we should not have fielded that candidate. One DPO that has been working for the godfather tampered with the election in that area but we still won in some areas. Yes, they won few seats in the Central.

Then we had the Presidential election. Our members supported Jonathan and they came up with one trick, telling people that from now on, everything is PDP but I came out to say no; that was only for Jonathan now. We must be back to pure politics. And we defeated them in the general election. On the basis of evidence, just last April, we are not talking of few years ago, few months back, we moved the people back to ACN after the Presidential election and we won.

We won two senatorial seats. Of the 10 House of Reps we won eight, of the 24 House of Assembly, we won 19. So where is the godfather’s strength? We have confined him to his area and he is down and out. The only reason that he is still breathing is that Abuja has placed him on political oxygen but how far can he go?

He can be relevant in Abuja but in Edo, people have moved on. I keep saying it put the PDP’s name in a ballot paper and my name in a ballot paper, I will defeat him even in his village. Because I can pinpoint what we have done in his village. I have built a road and schools in his village. As far as I am concerned, when they say they will capture, that is a military language.

They must democratise their language because if they don’t know, elections will be conducted on the basis of one man one vote.

Many people have told me that they said they will flood Edo with soldiers both retired and serving. I will like to see. If President Goodluck Jonathan did not use soldiers to rig elections for him, how their own retired General who was not in the combatant wing will use the army, serving and retired, to rig election in Edo state. We are waiting to see how he will do it.

But if you ask me, this election will be the easiest because it is not being contested by strangers. I have been here. The people can see what I have done in three years. The PDP has been here.

The people can see what they did in 10 years. Even the road, with due respect to Prof.Osunbor, he built some roads but Simon, where are those roads now? The roads have all failed because they built them without drainage.

The election will be won and lost on the basis of issues. The report card of PDP between 1999 and 2008 and ACN report card to July when the election will take place, that will be about three and half years. Then the second level is to look at the character, who is Oshiomhole and then the people will look at whoever will be their candidate. They will look at his pedigree, his accomplishment. Some of us have been detained in the course of the union work. We can say why we were detained. If they have also been detained in the course of their own work, they should be able to tell us also why they were detained.

The beauty of democracy is that once you have come to the village square, you are entitled to go through the extreme. It is not going to be what they are thinking that they will print result sheets and announce results then we can go to court. I want to see how they can do it. For me, I want to continue to deliver to the people of Edo state, use the current mandate to the fullest so as to justify why we are asking for a second mandate.

PDP says the FG contributed to most of the on-going school projects, that it is not the sole effort of your government.

You know when I read all these PDP lies, my only complain is that it is not in the mouth of a liar to lie to those who know the truth. The media knows the truth. Therefore, if you find people who live and survive on lies over the year, you just ignore them. This is why we call them People Decieve People or Papa Decieve Pickin. PDP was in government since 1999. In Edo state, at the state level, at the Local Government level.

They had absolute control of everything. And the Federal Government is a PDP Government since 1999. If it is true that the funds were there just for people to take, what stops them from going to Abuja to collect the money to develop the state. After all, some of them in their electioneering campaigns against my candidature said Edo state should not be isolated, they should be in the main stream of politics.

Now, how come they who were in the heart of PDP with their godfather as the leader of PDP, did not get the money to develop the state if what they are saying is the truth? In fact, that makes it more annoying and that is the more reason Edo people should stone them. You are part of the Federal government, the “Leader” here, the godfather is the leader of PDP at the national level. You said these funds were there. Why did you not take them? It means they hated our people.

Let me tell you, there is a Universal Basic Education and I did not hide the fact that I was shocked on assumption of office that for six years, PDP government refused to access the UBE fund because they were not ready to contribute the counterpart funding. And I decided that we must raise the counterpart funding which they were not prepared to do ,even when I met an empty treasury. Because when I assumed office, not one dime was in the treasury. I met a huge debt of N10billion. So we raised N2.5billion to pay the counterpart fund so as to develop the state.

So for me, these are just empty, incoherent, laughable statements which for me portray them more as people who are in politics with no purpose.

Their second allegation is that we have been borrowing. Again , you go to the stock market, you know how much the Federal Government has borrowed or is borrowing. Within our South South region here, I am surrounded by PDP controlled states.

You know how much they have borrowed through the capital market and you know how much they earn from Federal allocation. Edo is the least in this region. We have only gone to the stock marker once and we raised only N25billion where others have raised N100bilion, others N50billion.

For us to raise that money, we had to demonstrate that we had the capacity to pay back and from December last year when this bond matured, we paid from the Federation Account because it is deducted at source, N520million monthly to service that bond, including both capital and the accruing interest rate which we are already paying into a fund that is being managed by a board approved by the Stock Exchange.

As we speak, this year alone, we have already paid over N6billion. So what is left now is N19billion. You see, people who have no brains will not be able to understand how government works. But the important thing is only to remind them that this government is not the first to take bond in Edo state.

The PDP Government also accessed bond in Edo state. The issue is have we pocketed this money? The money is still available and that is why not one of our contractors has abandoned site on account of none payment. We are the least borrowed state across the country.

Allegation of expending N3b for third year-anniversary celebration

Even if these people don’t know God, even if they must lie by habit, at least they should lie in a way that makes some sense. What is the line up of the anniversary that it will cost even a N100m, not to talk of N3billion? What they are confused about is the fact that this government enjoys enormous goodwill. I am sure when they heard that the Super Eagles were coming to play an international march with Botswana at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, they thought that Oshiomhole must have hired them.

I will get a copy of the letter from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to you where they said, ‘Comrade, we want to come to Benin to acknowledge your contribution to the development of sports and development in the state’. (He gave the letter to Saturday Vanguard). So we did not lobby, we are not the one paying. This is purely the gift from NFF, not out of pity for us but in acknowledgement of what we have done. When we were doing these roads in Benin, they said we were planting flowers.

When we wanted to do the Airport Road, they said we wanted to destroy the Oba’s palace. But thank God, the Oba is far more knowledgeable and more exposed than any of these political rascals. We said we were going to remove those funny roundabouts which Osunbor put on Akpakpava Road, to create an additional lane to make it three lanes, they said it was impossible. But today, people hardly remember those funny looking PDP roundabouts on Akpakpava road.

When we decided to build additional two service lanes on Ugbowo road to Uwelu to create additional lanes, the then Minister of State for Works said it was impossible; that he would revoke the contract. How can you revoke what is not yours.

There is nothing we have planned here to do that they have not tried to twist. But for me, it does not bother me anymore because the people are watching and seeing our developments. In any case, if they said Edo is broke and we are spending N3billion, where did we now get the money?

How has it been ruling Edo state in the past three years?

For me it has been quite exciting, no dull moment. As I have said to many people I thank God that I decided to get into politics and I thank him for what he has used His infinite powers to accomplish for us in terms of being able to prevail over some of these very powerful dark forces that have dominated the state for a long time.

I have come to the conclusion that our people are extremely easy to govern. And they are a very appreciative people. They are willing and ready to corporate for anything they believe is in the interest of the majority. I have had enormous support across social classes, even to some extent across political divide. So it has been a very rewarding experience for me. But I must confess that in the first few months in office, I was a very troubled man. I was troubled by the fact that I assumed office at the peak of the oil crisis. Oil prices collapsed and the allocation to Edo state also collapsed to a level that was below what we needed to pay salaries. And given my background there was so much expectations. But three years down the road, I am a happier person, far more confident and with a sense of fulfillment.

I am proud that from what seems to be a complete hopeless situation one has been able to re-engineer the governance of the state, the politics of the state such that even my most ardent critic now accepts that things have changed and Edo is changing. At least we have cured our people of that self doubt.

Now, our people again can proudly refer Edo as the true Heart Beat of our great country. I feel quite happy that God has used me and other people in government to bring about this re-awakening and to God be the glory.

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