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Anenih’s state burial not cause of Obaseki, Oshiomhole rift – Ex-commissioner
By Francesca Hangeior.
The Media Director of the Edo All Progressives Congress Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, has faulted the claim by Governor Godwin Obaseki that he fell out with a former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, over the state burial given to the late Tony Anenih.
Obaseki said on Friday during the Peoples Democratic Party campaign for the September 21 governorship election in the state that one of the problems his administration had with Oshiomhole was that it organised a state burial for the deceased PDP leader.
Speaking to party supporters at Okpujie Demonstration Primary School in Uromi, Obaseki said Oshiomhole questioned the rationale behind his organising a state burial for Anenih.
He said, “When Chief Tony Anenih died, I gave him a state burial while I was still in the All Progressives Congres, and this is one of the things that caused problems between Oshiomhole and me.
“He said the late Anenih was not an elected official, so why would I give him a state burial? I said the man has done more than many governors, so he deserved it.”
However, Afegbua, who was a commissioner under Oshiomhole, said in a statement on Sunday that Obaseki was playing cheap politics with the claim.
He said, “I just read what was attributed to Governor Obaseki as the reason he gave for falling out from Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and I wondered why an executive governor could make such a bogus claim just to score a cheap political point.
“It is terrible character indices for Governor Obaseki to raise such devious reason as the rationale for his breaking apart from Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
“Governor Obaseki is not even smart at all. Chief Tony Anenih, of blessed memory, died on the 28th of October 2018, at the age of 85, but Governor Obaseki’s political squabbles with Comrade Oshiomhole started in late 2017, by February 2018, it had become so visible and almost irreconcilable.
“I remember vividly that I met with Governor Obaseki at his residence on Commercial Avenue on the 18th of May 2018 in an attempt to bring the two of them together after a series of failed reconciliations by Alhaji Aliko Dangote and a couple of other governors.
“At the 18th May 2018 meeting, I confronted Governor Obaseki about the reason why he fell out with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, his benefactor. He pointedly told me that he just wanted to be his own man. He showed an aspect of his ethnic chauvinism when he rendered the following words; “that short man from that little village of Iyamho cannot run the show”.
“I remember asking him at what time he suddenly realised that his benefactor was a ‘short man’ and from ‘that little village’ because I recalled he was always carrying Oshiomhole’s bag each time they were travelling. At that point, his countenance changed.”
Afegbua said he insisted that he put together a team of 10 mutual friends to meet and resolve the issue, and the governor obliged him that evening before he left for Abuja the following day.
He added, “When I got to Abuja, I met with Comrade Oshiomhole and related to him my encounter with Governor Obaseki. He was willing to attend such a meeting but doubted if the governor was genuine in his affirmation. But on the evening of May 19, Governor Obaseki called me to inform me that he would no longer subscribe to the meeting and that I should call it off.
“When I called Comrade Oshiomhole to inform him of the governor’s disposition against the meeting, he told me he would have been surprised if the governor would have been available for the meeting. That was how I put off the meeting.
“Chief Tony Anenih died on October 28, 2018, almost a year after the political differences started. So, it is the height of ungodliness and devilish intentions for Governor Obaseki to make reference to the state burial for Chief Anenih as the cause of his differences with Comrade Oshiomhole.
“He wants to profit from the death of Chief Anenih for political reasons. I am ashamed to hear this and to read this. Imagine the height of desperation to implant a godson when he once quarrelled with the idea of a godfather. What manner of a leader is Governor Obaseki? Profiteering from the dead?”
The Ondo State Government has declared Friday as public holiday to enable civil servants and others to travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities.
This was contained in a statement on Wednesday evening signed by O.F Ayodele, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of service.
The statement reads, “The 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State has been scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold on Saturday, 16th November, 2024.
“To this end, the Ondo State Government has declared Friday, 15th November, 2024 as Work-Free Day for Public Servants in the State to enable them travel to their various communities to exercise their civic responsibilities.
“All Accounting Officers are to note the content of this Circular and disseminate same to all staff of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”
The Board of Directors at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced a leadership shakeup, appointing key executives to strengthen corporate governance and operational efficiency.
This was made known in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.
In the series of new appointments, Mr. Adedapo A. Segun has been named as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), succeeding his prior role as Executive Vice President of the Downstream sector, where he contributed significantly to NNPC’s downstream operations.
Segun replaced the outgoing CFO, Umar Ajiya.
Joining him in newly appointed roles, Mr. Isiyaku Abdullahi has been promoted to Executive Vice President (EVP), Downstream.
Udobong Ntia has also been appointed as the Executive Vice President (EVP), Upstream, replacing the outgoing EVP Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan.
The statement read, “These appointments align with NNPC Limited’s commitment to building a unified and competent leadership team to drive operational excellence and support the organisation’s strategic objectives.
“The Board and Management also extend their deepest appreciation to Mr. Umar Ajiya and Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa A. Eyesan for their outstanding dedication and service to NNPC Limited.
NNPC Limited remains committed to achieving operational excellence, enhancing global competitiveness, and ensuring financial sustainability, while prioritising the interests of the Nigerian public in the petroleum industry.”
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) says a total of 1,463 people were killed by non-state actors while 1,172 Nigerians were kidnapped between January to September 2024.
According to the data from the commission, the month of May recorded the highest number of persons killed with 298 while March recorded the highest number of abductions with 499 kidnappings.
These figures were presented on Wednesday at a workshop on the state of human rights in Nigeria by the commission and the European Union, in Abuja.
In his remarks, NHRC Senior Human Rights Adviser, Hillary Ogbonna, gave a breakdown of the alarming rise in human rights abuses, including kidnappings, killings and child abandonment.
“By January 2024, we already had 150 kidnappings and 55 killings associated mainly with non-state actors. What has become the norm is the killing of law enforcement officers,” he said.
“We started with seven policemen killed in January. From victims’ perspectives, we had quite a number of victims for human rights violations for January.”
The NHRC attributed the rise in kidnappings, killings and child abandonment to the negligence of the state tom protect its citizens.
“In recent years, we have witnessed alarming trends and threats against those who dare to speak the truth to power.
“It serves as a stark reminder that the protection of human rights is an ongoing struggle that requires continuous vigilance, action and cooperation from all sectors of the society,” Tony Ojukwu, NHRC Executive Secretary said.
The delegation from the EU reiterates its commitment to support Nigeria to overcome these challenges. It also urged the Federal Government to work with the armed forces to end this trend.
“The European Union will continue to work around the world through diplomacy,” the Head of EU Delegation, Zissimos Vergos, said.
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