A chieftain of the APC in delta state, and prominent prince of Warri kingdom, Prince Yemi Emiko, Ph.D, FIMC, CMC, has congratulated the governor-elect of Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on his resounding victory at the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state.
In a statement issued from his country home in Warri, last night, Prince Emiko called on the governor-elect to be mindful of the mistakes made by the out going governor, Godwin Obaseki, who became too big for his shoes, after leaders like His Excellency, Senator Adams Oshiomole, had brazed all odds to fight and install him as governor. He advised that Okpebholo must take heed, lest his story becomes that of another Judas Iscariot.
Prince Emiko who was APC’s senatorial candidate for delta south in the 2015 elections, affirmed that Okpebholo’s victory was an attestation to Oshiomole’s continued leadership qualities, strong vision and a rugged, weather beaten mastery of the slippery terrain of Edo politics. He called on the leaders and all members of the party in Edo, to join hands with the in-coming governor, to
re-imagine the vision of a new, vibrant and progressive state, in line with the dreams of the founding fathers, and it’s highly respected traditional rulers.
The Warri prince emphasized that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo’s massive loss, has direct correlation with Obaseki’s waning popularity, arising from his many battles with almost everybody, including his deputy, Philip Shuaibu, all of whom were waiting in the wings to exert their pound of flesh. This, he opined, should be a lesson to all young men never to allow their ego and blind ambition, overcloud their sense of reason.
Indeed, judgement day is here, and the chicken has come home to roost he declared.
Prince Yemi Emiko Congratulates Okpebholo
September 23, 2024
by Paul Ukpabio
September 23, 2024
Senator Monday Okpebholo
Kogi Assembly demands immediate sack of EFCC chair
The Kogi State House of Assembly, KSHA, on Monday, has called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, for “unprofessional” handling of the case against the immediate past Governor of the state, Yahaya Bello.
The Assembly, while also passing a resolution, commending President Bola Tinubu, for his economic policies aimed at building a strong and virile economy, had earlier, asked the EFCC to vacate the ‘wanted’ tag that it placed on the name and person of Bello, during plenary in Lokoja, called Olukayode tactic to question.
They also condemned what they described as the EFCC operatives’ attack on the Kogi State Government Lodge, saying it was an attack on the Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, and the entirety of the Kogi people.
The Speaker of KSHA, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf, who read out the resolution of the House, stated, “The House formally categorizes the April 17 and September 18 incidents as assassination attempts on the former Governor, and by extension, a threat to the life of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
“The unprovoked attack on the Governor’s Lodge and the firing of live rounds within a diplomatic residential zone further demonstrate that the EFCC has fully marinated in a sense of its own importance and power and now considers itself not only above the law but unanswerable to anyone or institution for its actions”, he added.
Rt. Hon. Aliyu Yusuf further stressed, “Because the EFCC Chairman has shown constantly, gross incompetence, the House has resolved that the President should relieve him of his appointment with immediate effect and replace him with a competent officer who will give Mr. President’s crusade for rule of law the needed effectiveness.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Akus Lawal, representing Ankpa 1 State Constituency. Hon Jacob Olawunmi, Mopamuro State Constituency, seconded the motion.
Hon. Akus said the EFCC was out to humiliate and possibly kill the present and former governors, an argument also chorused by other lawmakers.
Hon. Olawumi, who seconded the motion, stressed that the Audited Financial Reports of the State had always been published by the State Government, saying, “the State House of Assembly can categorically say that no money is missing to warrant EFCC’s unwarranted witch-hunting of the former Governor.”
They specifically said the EFCC boss should be prosecuted for allegedly attempting to kill the governor. He called on the president to remove him immediately, as EFCC’s conduct shows that the chairman is incapable of leading a supposed impartial agency like the EFCC.
Hon Bode Ogunmola, Ogori/Magongo State Constituency (PDP), said, “If I am in London and there is a crisis, if I get to the Nigerian House, I will feel safe. If I am in Abuja and there is a crisis, I believe that if I get to the Kogi Lodge, I will be safe.
“:For the EFCC Chairman to order that fire be opened on the official lodge of the Governor, he should be sacked and prosecuted. We should be told why he wants to kill our Governor.”
The Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, added that officials of the EFCC were begging the former Governor to let them pretend as if he was arrested, saying it was an embarrassing act, which showed that the anti-graft agency was acting a script written by some political enemies of the former governor.
The lawmaker therefore said the president should be notified of the assassination attempt on the present and former Governors; adding that the whole drama was a show to embarrass the former Governor.
On her part, the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba, wondered why, “The EFCC is just trying to give the former Governor a bad name through their media trial. The EFCC is not sincere in this fight. It has an agenda it is pursuing and the entire people of the state, particularly the women and youths, will not accept this.”.
‘Economic Stabilization Bill will boost Liquidity, Employment’, FG
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has on Monday has approved major road projects and allocated billions of naira for construction, as the approved Economic Stabilization Bill, is aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s economic stability and growth.
The bill, which will soon be transmitted to the National Assembly, proposes reforms to the Companies Income Tax Act that enable Nigerians provide services to foreign companies without requiring them to register in Nigeria; and it also contains key provisions to amend the Foreign Exchange Act, encouraging electronic transactions over cash to increase liquidity.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who disclosed this to reporters at the State House, Abuja, after the FEC meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, said the bill empowers the Central Bank to attract international funds, facilitating foreign exchange transactions and remittances to Nigeria.
FEC also approved several major road projects across the country, allocating billions of naira for construction, without a mention of the damaged and failed East-West Roads that connects nine Niger Delta States that has been abandoned for almost two decades.
According to Edun: “The Federal Executive Council did pass for onward transmission to National Assembly, Economic Stabilization Bill. It contains, for example, items that change the Foreign Exchange Act to give greater liquidity and encourage the use of electronic rather than cash means, for example.
“It gives the Central Bank even greater ability to bring in and attract funds such as the money from international money transfer organizations and others that want to transact foreign exchange business and in fact, remit funds to Nigeria.
“There’s also a proposal to amend the Companies Income Tax Act basically to allow Nigerians with the skills, the expertise and the relevant relationships to be able to stay in Nigeria, and provide services to foreign companies at home, without those companies having to come and register in Nigeria, thereby opening up a whole vista of employment opportunities, income opportunities, and entrepreneurship opportunities. So those are the types of measures that are contained in bill”, he said.
The Minister also said, “There are changes to Fiscal Responsibility Act as well that affect in particular government-owned enterprises and how they are to share their surpluses and how they are to put in place reserve funds for building surpluses from their revenues”.
FEC also approved the construction of toad projects across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike told newsmen that the approved road projects include construction of an access road from Artillery Road N11 from Mabuchi to the judges’ quarters. Development of all internal roads within the judges’ quarters.
Others, he said, are construction of an access road from Ring Road 1-N16 Shehu Shagari Way to the judges’ quarters and development of roads connecting to the Court of Appeal Abuja division.
He said these approvals are part of a larger infrastructure push in the FCT, which includes the development of over 75 kilometers of roads in satellite towns across Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Bwari area councils.
The Minister said the government aims to complete these projects by December, 2024. Wike also announced the termination of a previous contract for the development of Maitama 2, citing delays and lack of progress.
He said a new procurement process will be initiated to ensure the area’s development, potentially addressing housing deficits in the capital.
However, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced that the Abuja/Kano Road project, handled by Julius Berger, received approval for N740 billion.
The project, initially valued at N155 billion, was revised to N797 billion by the previous administration and further increased to N1.5 trillion.
Other approved projects include the rehabilitation of Maraban-Kankara/Funtua Road in Katsina State, construction of the Sokoto/Badagry Super-highway Section 2, Phase 2A in Kebbi State, and dualization of Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe Road in Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo states.
Additionally, FEC approved N80 billion to complete the Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State, bringing the total cost to N280 billion.
The Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, previously executed under emergency work, has been upgraded with solar lights and CCTV cameras, enhancing security and reducing road blockages.
Umahi also mentioned 14 road projects and bridges affected by floods, including Ado-Ekiti/Afe Babalola in Ekiti State and Lafia/Shendam Road in Plateau State approved for rehabilitation.
79th UNGA: Nigeria secures US Chamber Of Commerce’s $320m for mortgage financing, SMEs, others
The United States Chamber of Commerce has on Monday in New York, the United States commited the sum of $320 million, to support President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment towards mortgage refinancing and women empowerment.
This was announced at a US-Nigeria Executive Business Roundtable hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, Nisha Biswal, of the American International Development Finance Corporation with a portfolio of $1 billion, that it was investing $200 million in mortgage refinancing in Nigeria.
The sum of $100 million has also been earmarked for FCMB to finance SMEs in Nigeria, with particular interest in women empowerment. The US Chamber of Commerce also announced that $20 million has been approved for a firm, Robust International, for processing of cashew nuts in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, who is leading the federal government delegation and representing President Tinubu at this year’s UNGA, met with other members of Nigeria’s delegation to strategize on Nigeria’s engagements in New York.
Biswal said the American Chamber remained committed to working with Nigerians in the development and pursuit of sustainable economic policies.
The Vice President while appreciating the gesture of the group, reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to investor-friendly policies.
He words: “I urge you to give Nigeria the benefit of the doubt. The current administration led by President Bola Tinubu is the most investor-friendly administration in the history of Nigeria. When fuel subsidy was an albatross around Nigeria’s neck, President Tinubu, from day one, hit the ground running by withdrawing the fuel subsidy and unifying the multiple opaque foreign exchange markets.”
Earlier same Monday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, led other members to brief the Vice President on the activities and itinerary lined up for him in New York, saying the Shettima is expected to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.
The Vice President Kashim Shettima is also expected to meet with the Secretary General of the UN. Aside other heads of states lined up to meet with the Vice President, there are also scheduled meetings with the head of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States; the President of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Director General of the International Atomic Agency, and multinational companies, among others.
Also on the itinerary of the Vice President is a meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a host of other international partners.
Top Nigerian officials present at the meeting included the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite.
Others are Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake; Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, among many others.
Floods: Nigeria constitutes committee to re-assess dams nationwide
Following the recent flood disaster in Maiduguri, Borno State and some other parts of the country, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has constituted a committee to re-assess the 38 year-old Alau Dam and others across the country to prevent reoccurrence.
Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsey, disclosed this and that the Council extensively deliberated on the flood situation across the country with emphasis on Maiduguri flooding,
Sanitation had requested increased allocation from the National Assembly to address the bad component of the Alau Dam.
The FEC, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, mandated the Committee to develop detailed designs and recommendations for the overall reconstruction of the Alau Dam for future use, as the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, also told journalists that the Council has established a Disaster Relief Fund.
According to Utsev, “In 2022, there was a problem with one of the components of the dam. The Minister of Water Resources wrote to the National Assembly for allocation of more funds and the government of Maiduguri for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the 38 years old dam to further facilitate water supply, purposes of irrigation and flood controls.
“We are now re-assessing the true integrity of the dam to come up with a detailed design for overall reconstruction. We also had a discussion with the management of Lagdo Dam on the release of 100cubic meters of water that can be released within seven days and the Ministry sent a warning to those living along the river valley areas”, he said.
Members of the constituted committee on the review of Alau dam and others were, the Ministers of Finance, Wale Edun, Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Utsev, and Agriculture, Food and Security, Abubakar Kyari among others.
The Minister of Finance said the established Disaster Relief Fund would focus on the financing and bringing together funding from the three tiers of the government, the private sector, and international philanthropic organizations to build a resilient response to climate disaster occurrences across the country.
Acknowledging existing relief funds domiciled with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Flood Relief Funds set up in 2012, the Minister said that the President directed the set-up of the Fund to mitigate the climate challenges.
He said, “We were in agreement with the decision of Mr. President to start today’s FEC meeting with the devastating situation of flooding in Maiduguri in Borno State. At the end of that discussion, which we started the meeting with, Mr. President did direct that a disaster relief fund be set up. We know that there is NEMA and the Flood Relief Fund.
“The President feels that in this era of climate change and events, and that from time to time, no matter the prevention measures, there will be disasters that will occur. We need to build greater resilience in the form of a substantial Disaster Relief Fund separate from the agencies that intervene in disasters. This will focus on the financing.
“From the federal, subnational, local level, private sector, and even international organizations. It will be led by top corporate governance, including leadership by the private sector at an appropriate level in order to build for Nigeria a resilient response that is adequate size, skilled, and quality and able to respond to such occurrences as we have had in Borno and elsewhere.
“We know no matter how we pray against it, we know this will happen from time to time, so we need to be ready. We also know we do have the NEMA Relief Fund; we even have the Flood Relief Funds set up around 2012, but Mr. President feels we need this in this era of climate change.
“We need to build greater resilience in the form of substantial disaster relief funds, separate from agencies that actually intervene physically. This will focus on the financing and bringing together the funding from across the spectrum of the federal, subnational, and local levels, and clearly the private sector and international philanthropic organizations.”.
He emphasized the importance of pooling funds from various sectors and being prepared when disasters strike.
Edun equally disclosed that the Council passed the Draft Economic Stabilization Bill, which was largely based on the recommendations of the Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee. This bill, he said, would soon be sent to the National Assembly for passage into law.
The FEC also on Monday directed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration to immediately commence the construction of 40 number quarters at Katampe District to provide accommodation for judges and justices in the Territory.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who disclosed this to newsmen, explained that “what it means is that out of these 40, the FCT High Court, which is like the FCT Court, will have 20, the Federal High Court will have 10, and the Court of Appeal will have 10. And these will be completed in 15 months time.”.
He stressed that the decision is predicated on the premium the President Tinubu administration attaches to members of the judiciary.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told newsmen that FEC gave approvals to several changes in the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation policies to strengthen the national value system, precisely the institution of national citizens value brigade across basic schools.
He added that the Council noted the gradual eroding of values, especially among the younger ones, giving rise to all forms of misconduct and acts that are not in tune with Nigeria’s traditions and norms.
‘We inherited a dead civil service, says Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Mr Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration inherited a near-dead civil service with no promotion nor human capacity development.
Governor Fubara disclosed this while addressing the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, and her team on a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday.
Walson-Jack said she is in the state to represent President Bola Tinubu at the ongoing 2024 annual management conference of the Nigeria Institute of Management holding in the state.
The governor noted that following the situation, his government initiated the promotion of civil servants, which stagnated for over 11 years, and engaged consultants for the retraining of the workforce in line with contemporary service delivery for effectiveness and efficiency.
“When we came on board, we inherited a near-dead civil service, a service that had no promotion for 11 years. We came in, and it wasn’t easy, but we had to give the civil servants hope by ensuring that they were promoted. We did not end there; when the Institute of Management visited us earlier, we assured them that we were going to get a consultant to commence retraining of the civil servants, which is key.
“I can’t remember the year that any of these civil servants in our state have gone for any training. The last time we did training should be in 2010. That was the last time the civil service was involved in anything training.”
“I know what it means because that is my primary constituency. Training is the only thing that can build the service that will give us that level of result for transparency, efficiency, accountability, and assurance that there’s hope. It is only when you start building their capacity that they will feel secured and also understand that something is at stake,” he said.
He commended Mrs. Walson-Jack for her new position and assured her of the willingness of his administration to collaborate with her office to improve the state civil service, adding that as a worthy ambassador of the state she should protect the interests of Rivers State and also help the people to progress.
“I can say it here without fear that you symbolise peace, and we are very proud to associate with you. We will, by the special grace of God, in any way we can, support you because we know what you stand for.”
Fubara assured that with the commendable efforts of the Head of Service of the Federation, his government is going to join hands with her to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu to succeed, stressing that when the heads fail, it will also affect the bottom.
He reiterated his commitment to restoring the glory of civil service in the state and the policy of diligence that was the condition to recommend individuals to the federal civil service in the past, which the Head of Service of the Federation who started her career in Rivers State civil service is a product of that system.
In her remarks, Mrs. Walson-Jack applauded Governor Fubara’s leadership vision and dedication to good governance, which she said are critical to the success of the efforts at the federal level.
She also expressed confidence that they can jointly advocate for policies that will unlock Rivers State’s full potential and ensure its citizens access to the resources and opportunities needed for sustainable growth and development.
She said, “The discussions at that event underscore the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments in ensuring effective governance. This principle resonates strongly with the purpose of my visit here today, which is to reaffirm my unwavering commitment to this collaborative approach.”
“My visit, Your Excellency, is not just a ceremonial gesture; it is a genuine opportunity to strengthen our partnership and explore new avenues for collaboration. With a shared commitment to innovation and progress, I am confident that we can achieve great things for Rivers State and Nigeria.”
She expressed excitement on Gov. Fubara’s deep commitment to public service and promised to explore ways they can work together to strengthen the Rivers State civil service further, especially through prioritizing initiatives such as capacity building, promoting transparency and accountability, and fostering greater citizens’ engagement to build a service that meets and exceeds expectations.
Walson-Jack particularly commended the governor for Rivers State hosting the 2024 edition of the Federal Public Service Games, which is coming up in November, expressing confidence that the event will further enhance Rivers State’s standing as a centre for national activities and demonstrate its capacity for excellence.
Edo governorship election recorded abysmal turnout, says AidAfrica
AidAfrica Director Ugochukwu says
The Executive Director of AidAfrica, James Ugochukwu, has expressed his concerns about voter indifference and the legitimacy of the political process in light of the dismal voter participation, adding that Nigerians should utilize the Supreme Court’s local government autonomy ruling to redefine democracy from the grassroots.
On September 22, 2024, Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was proclaimed the victor of the Edo State governorship election by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, which was more than enough to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Ugochukwu, who discussed the concerning turnout for the Edo state governor’s race in 2024 in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, said, “Out of 2.2 million people that collected their PVC, out of the 2.6 million people that actually registered, out of which only only 24.4 percent participated.”
Ugochukwu further mentioned how the poor voter participation was exacerbated by the time wasted opening the polling unit. He questioned why INEC couldn’t provide proof of the money spent on them.
“So the question we will be asking is that, why is it that INEC, on election day, where everywhere is locked down and there is no movement at all and with all the preparations and arrangements with road transport workers, cannot move materials from one point to another?” He questioned.
Additionally, he stated that individuals suffer from this apathy as a result of the belief that their ballots are insignificant.
He stated that “We should be looking at Nigerians leveraging the Supreme Court ruling of local government autonomy and ensure that we start redefining our democracy from bottom-up.”
Liborous Oshoma, a lawyer and human rights activist, stated in the same interview that it is impossible to claim that voters used their free will because they were “impoverished” and induced, saying, “In Nigeria of today, you dangle N20,000 before somebody looking for urgent N2000; certainly, he will sell his conscience”.
Oshoma went on to highlight how clear it was that the votes were bought and weren’t generated naturally.
He said, “It was obvious that they shared money. They bought votes right in the presence of security agencies that looked the other way.
“In Edo North, for example, some party agents abandoned their party because of money. You see where politicians will weaponize poverty.”
Edo election was transaction, not election, says Akpata
Labour Party candidate at the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Olumide Osaigbovo Akpata, has said that the election was a transaction by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) that bought the votes of Edo people rather than engaging in free and fair election practices.
Akpata, in a press statement released on Monday, denounced the Edo election as a transaction, accusing APC and PDP of widespread vote-buying and intimidation and laments voter apathy and what he perceives as a flawed electoral process.
He described the election, held on 21 September 2024, as being compromised by voter intimidation and falsification of results, while also pointing to one of the lowest voter turnouts in recent years.
His words: “This disengagement ultimately contributed to the worst-case scenario we now face. What transpired on 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction,” Akpata stated, highlighting that both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) engaged in widespread vote-buying.
Citing the civil society organization YIAGA Africa, he said that the election had been reduced to a “commodities market” where voters were auctioned off to the highest bidder.
“What transpired on 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction. To those who sold their votes: We extend our understanding, not condemnation. We acknowledge the crushing economic hardships that many of you face daily—hardships that make the immediate relief of vote-selling seem like a lifeline. Yet this short-term gain comes at an immense long-term cost,” he said.
“We did not budget to compete with the two political parties whose Governors perhaps may have dipped their hands into their States’ treasuries to provide the war chest for this show of shame. Even if we had the resources, we lacked the inclination to participate in such a perversion of democracy.
“If I were so inclined, I could have easily mustered enough cash to secure enough votes to win my polling unit. But that is not the path we chose. We reserve our strongest condemnation for those who engaged in vote-buying: the APC and PDP. Their actions have directly contributed to the destruction of our State’s economy over the past 25 years.
“This election has laid bare the stark reality that our political landscape is dominated not by ideologies or the people’s will, but by those with the deepest pockets and the most extensive networks of influence.
“Let this moment serve not as a defeat but as a rallying cry for all who believe in the promise of democracy. The power to shape our future lies not just in the ballot box but in our daily commitment to the values of integrity, transparency, and public service,” he added
Edo Election: Prince Emiko Congratulates Okpebholo
… says lessons learnt on ego, blind ambition
A chieftain of the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) and prominent Prince of the Warri Kingdom, Prince Yemi Emiko, has welcomed the emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the governor-elect of Edo State.
Prince Emiko, while congratulating the governor-elect on his resounding victory in the September 21 gubernatorial election, urge him to be mindful of the mistakes by the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, which should be a lesson to all never to allow their ego and blind ambition to overcloud their sense of reason.
Emiko, who was APC’s senatorial candidate for Delta South in the 2015 elections, in a statement he personally signed, further cautioned, saying, “Be mindful of mistakes by the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, who became too big for his shoes after leaders like His Excellency, Senator Adams Oshiomole, had braved all odds to fight and install him as governor. You must take heed, lest your story become that of another Judas Iscariot.
“The PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo’s massive loss, has direct correlation with Obaseki’s waning popularity, arising from his many battles with almost everybody, including his deputy, Philip Shaibu, all of whom were waiting in the wings to exert their pound of flesh. This should be a lesson to all young men never to allow their ego and blind ambition to overcloud their sense of reason”, he warned.
The APC chieftain further affirmed that Okpebholo’s victory was “An attestation to Oshiomole’s continued leadership qualities, strong vision and a rugged, weather-beaten mastery of the slippery terrain of Edo politics.
“I call on the leaders and all members of the party in Edo to join hands with the in-coming governor to re-imagine the vision of a new, vibrant and progressive state, in line with the dreams of the founding fathers, and it’s highly respected traditional rulers”, he intoned.
