From Tony Osauzo
The United States Consul-General to Nigeria, John Bray has charged all political parties’ candidates in the September 10 election to see the poll as a contest and not a ring of war.
Consul Bray in company of the Economic Officer of the United States Consulate in Nigeria, James Plasman who were on a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Edo State and Strategy Team (EST), Mr Godwin Obaseki, in Benin City advised that political gladiators in the state must be aware that the international community is waiting anxiously to see a violence-free election.
He assured the Edo State government of a sustained working environment, saying matters of economic importance such as Agriculture, power, Peace in the Niger-Delta and Matters bordering on youth empowerment were top on their priority list.
“We are in the state for the upcoming election, just letting them know the international community is watching for a free, fair and transparent election. So, we are trying to make that point to all the gladiators”, he said.
Responding, Mr Godwin Obaseki, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), with his running mate, Hon Philip Shaibu who received the delegation, thanked them for the visit which he said, will go a long way in sustaining the mutual working relationship between the United States and Edo State.
How Ize-Iyamu, others ruined Edo Civil Service -Iriase
Deputy Chief whip of the House of Representatives and the member representing Owan Federal constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Mr Pally Iriase, has attributed the problem with pensioners in Edo State to the premature retirement of thousands of civil servants in the state by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration in the state under Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
Speaking to journalists in Benin, Iriase said: “I was the Deputy Speaker in the state House of Assembly and I knew all that transpired then. They were certain things that I heard recently which I would have loved to engage my friend (Pastor Ize-Iyamu) on, so that they either expunge them from their campaign talks or state the facts as they are.
“I heard Ize-Iyamu is accusing the Oshiomhole’s government of destroying the civil service. Nothing could be further from the truth, nothing could be worse than an attempt to stamp the truth on its head or to re-write history. If anything, it was the PDP government that nearly annihilated the civil service in Edo State. Another point he has made is that this government, is to be held responsible for running down to the educational system.”
Change of Edo Assembly leadership, gimmick to deceive Esan people -Ize-Iyamu
The PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has faulted Monday’s stepping down of the Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Mrs Elizabeth Ativie, so that her deputy, Dr Justin Okonoboh can replace her, arguing that the action is unknown to law.
“What they have done is ‘wuru-wuru’ because there is no way a speaker can be removed from office with a motion supported by one person and is replaced by the deputy. There are three ways by which a speaker can be removed; either he is impeached, he resigns from office or dies in office”, he explained.
Speaking at the palace of the traditional ruler of Ekpoma, Zaiki Abumere II, Ize-Iyamu said the situation in the Edo assembly is a deliberate plan by the APC to deceive the people of Esanland whereas they had the option in the beginning of not impeaching the Speaker from Esanland.
He also informed the traditional ruler of Ekpoma of the deliberate plan by APC and Governor Adams Oshiomhole, to cripple academic activities at the state- owned Ambrose Alli University at Ekpoma in Esan West local government area.
He said the university which was set up by a great Esan man and former Bendel State governor, Professor Ambrose Alli at a time many indigenes of the Midwest were being denied access to university education because of the quota criteria, has been neglected by the Edo State government in the last seven and a half years.
He alleged that evidences abound of the governor’s refusal in the last seven and a half years to employ lecturers, provide the funds required to accredit many of the university’s courses and give adequate accommodation for its teeming population of students.
“Ekpoma appears to be going through a rough phase as roads have become dilapidated, there is no development and at the Ambrose Alli University, many of their courses have been de-accredited due to lack of funds by the state government which deliberately wants to remove Ekpoma from the scheme of things”, he said.
According to him, the action of the governor in increasing the fees payable by undergraduates of the university which has a high population of indigent students, without bursaries or scholarships is alarming and a disservice to the vision of Alli.
The PDP candidate promised that if elected governor, he will honour the memory of the founder of the University by employing qualified academics and equipping the institution to the level that is comparable with others of her age anywhere in the world.
”We plan to give Ekpoma priority when we come into office. The sufferings of the local government will stop. We will ensure that we reduce the school fees payable by students; we will give scholarships to indigent students to buy books, pay for their accommodation like Ambrose Alli did”.
On his plan for old campus of the university located at Emaudo, Ize-Iyamu promised to set up a technical school on the site as a way of bridging the gap between those desirous of attaining university education and those seeking vocational skills.
”The old site is a good location for a technical college that would complement the university so as to train Edo sons and daughters in the area of technical skills with which they can compete anywhere in the world”, he said.
Oshiomhole stopped erosion control contracts in Esan -Yakubu
Running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State, Mr John Yakubu, has accused Governor Adams Oshiomhole of using his power to stop the award of contracts for the control of two erosion sites in the Edo Central senatorial district of the state.
The PDP governorship running mate who also accused Oshiomhole of hatred for the Esan nation and its people, urged the Esan people to shun the APC and its candidate at the polls.
Yakubu made the allegations while speaking at the palace of the traditional ruler of Ogwa in Esan West local government area of the state, HRM Vincent Ehizojie II, when the state chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih, led the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and other party faithful to campaign in the council.
He said the federal government was misinformed by Governor Oshiomhole to stop the Uhen and Ibore Erosion projects because he (Oshiomhole) was not consulted about them and that they were not priority projects.
In his speech, PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu who presented a copy of the letter to the Onogie of Ogwa, HRM Vincent Ehizojie II, said it was ironic that a government which claimed to love Esanland like Oshiomhole’s would descend to such extent.
He thereafter presented copies of his campaign manifesto entitled ‘Simple Agenda’ to the traditional ruler and appealed to the people of Ogwa and Ujiogba communities to rally support for the PDP.
Ekpon community will support Obaseki –APC chieftain
By Ojieva Ehiosun
Ahead of the September 10 election, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekpon, Igueben Local Government Area, Mr Ose Igbogbo has said that the people of the area have thrown their weight behind the party’s standard bearer in the election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
Ose Igbogbo, said Ekpon community decided to queue behind Obaseki because of the achievements of the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the past eight years He added that the decision is also aimed at showing appreciation to the party for the elevation of their son, Dr. Justin Okonoboh, to the post of Speaker of the state House of assembly.
“First and foremost, I want to commend our comrade governor, Adams Oshiomhole and the entire members of the legislative House for the big honour done our son, Dr. Justin Okonoboh. This is the biggest thing that has ever happened to an Ekpon man politically since the history of Edo State in terms of democracy. It is an indication that this present government of Adams Oshiomhole is a government that carries every one along. And I want to assure our party that the good people of Ekpon are happy and totally committed to making sure that APC wins the election, with a landslide.”
victory in this local government to give room for continuity.”
“We also want to advised our leader Justine Okonoboh, to make sure that he sees this call for service as an opportunity to serve his people diligently without fear or favour by sponsoring bills that will put smiles on the faces of the people of the state.”