Politics
Edo 2024: PDP, APC clash over alleged fraud, underdevelopment
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the September 21 election in the state, Dr. Asue Ighodalo; his running mate, Osarodion Ogie; and Edo Chairman of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe; have clashed over alleged monumental fraud and underdevelopment of the state.
Tenebe, yesterday at a news conference in Benin, accused Obaseki, a chieftain of the PDP, of strings of corrupt schemes deployed to siphon Edo state of its resources, in connivance with Ighodalo and Ogie, while urging the anti-graft agencies to thoroughly investigate them, thereby prosecuting the governorship candidate and his running mate without immunity.
He said: “The state is happy with steps taken in relation to the investigation of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) interventions that were squandered by Obaseki. We are in receipt of an invitation letter No. CR: 3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/SOT/VOL. 2/2024, dated 19th April, 2024 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to Edo State Commissioner of Finance, and the response by the Secretary to State Government (Ogie), via his letter of May 7, 2024 with Ref. SGA.440/T3/82.
“We urge the EFCC to follow up their investigation to prosecute and recover the agriculture and other sundry loans diverted by this present administration in Edo State.
“We wish to draw the attention of the general public to two projects that were designed by Obaseki, and supervised by his political godson, Asue Ighodalo, through his law firm of Banwo and Ighodalo, and Obaseki’s Afrinvest. A systematic pattern of contract splitting and variation was deployed by the Edo Ministry of Finance to drain off the state’s resources.”
Edo chairman of APC also accused Obaseki’s government of lack of transparency, thereby allegedly mortgaging the future of unborn generations of Edo
He said: “Obaseki’s company, Afrinvest, raises capital for projects at a Management Fee and Commission, in the name of Edo State, and the loans on Edo State. Afrinvest also provides Business Advisory and Project Finance at inflated fees.
“Greenfield Consultancy, owned by a close associate of Obaseki, has been the one handling all civil service reforms in Edo State at outrageous fees. The civil servants are privately grumbling, and are volunteering information on this unholy scheme.
“The latest plan by Obaseki to make the activities of his administration paperless is a criminal plan that has been designed by one ‘Ugo,’ who is in charge of e-governance, and has concluded with Edo governor to destroy all documents relating to fraudulent contracts, with the excuse that Edo Government has gone paperless. ‘Ugo’ has been instructed to delete the server containing sensitive documents, when the PDP loses the election on September 21, 2024. We hereby warn Obaseki and the head of e-governance, ‘Ugo’ not to delete the approvals of contracts on e-gov.
“We are calling on the EFCC to immediately begin the investigation of the law firm of Banwo and Ighodalo, as it connects to the treasury of Edo State government, relating to many legal advisory services the PDP candidate received huge sums of money for services not provided.”
Tenebe also accused Edo governor of inflating the contract of the ongoing construction of Radisson Hotel in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Benin, from N15.3 billion on August 23, 2023, when the contract was awarded to Shapoorji Pallonji Nigeria Limited to N23 billion now, and with further sub-contracts of N2.1 billion, for supply of, installation and commission of MEP/HVAC mechanical works equipment), as well as N1.6 billion for supply and installation of kitchen and laundry equipment, and N703 million for installation of aluminium glazing works and alucobond cladding awarded to All Facave Limited, with over N28 billion being wasted.
He stated that the Lagos-based law firm of Banwo and Ighodalo was awarded the contract for legal advisory services at N1.5 billion by Obaseki, in addition to Ighodalo’s legal contract drafting, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) writing in the last eight years, at ridiculous and bogus fees.
Edo chairman of APC insisted that residents of the state deserved to know the real owner of Edo Refinery (ERPC), located in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo, which he said Obaseki claimed it belonged to Edo government, but he expressed surprise that it was now the property of a private company, with 100 per cent ownership by Michael Osime AIPCC Energy.
Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, in his reaction, asked the leaders of APC in the state to tell Edo people what the party’s standard bearer, Senator Monday Okpebholo, would do differently for residents of the state.
Nehikhare said: “I have just read a statement from the chairman of the APC in Edo State. It is unfortunate that we still have someone heading a political party, without idea of how the government is run, but believes in sensationalism.
Politics
Obi Urges Nigerian Graduates to Seek Opportunities Overseas if Needed, Vows to Fix Nigeria for Their Return
Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 election, has encouraged Nigerian students to seek better opportunities abroad if local conditions don’t meet their needs.
Obi shared this advice during his visit to Anambra State, where he made donations to Peter University in Achina/Onneh and the College of Nursing Sciences in Adazi-Nnukwu. Addressing nursing students, he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting institutions that nurture skills, professionalism, and character.
Obi advised students that, if career opportunities are limited locally, they should feel free to explore options abroad.
“If things aren’t working here, go where they will work for you,” he said, expressing optimism that, with efforts to improve the country, Nigerians working abroad would eventually return.
Speaking at Peter University, Obi urged students to dedicate themselves to their studies, highlighting education as a transformative force essential for national development.
Emphasizing that investment in education is an investment in the future, he encouraged them to aim for excellence, assuring that a stronger Nigeria would await them.
Politics
Parliamentary system better option for Nigeria -Aregbesola
Politics
2027: Kwankwaso’s visit to Otti sparks possible alliance
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State at the weekend played host to the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, at his Nvosi country home in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area(LGA).
Speaker of the House of Assembly Emmanuel Emeruwa, some aides of the governor, and members of the Kwankwasiyya Movement were present.
Although Kwankwaso said he was in the state to condole with Otti on the passing of Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the first governor of old Abia State, rumours of a possible political alliance between him and Otti, the only Labour Party(LP) governor in the country, spread.
Onu was buried in Uburu, his hometown in Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State on Friday.
Kwankwaso’s visit coincided with a reception held by the governor for 15 Abia indigenes who recently graduated from the Nigeria Police Academy in Kano.
Shortly after he departed the state, political analysts said they were sure that the visit was partly informed by efforts of the Peter Obi-led LP faction to align with other opposition parties ahead of 2027.
‘’Don’t forget that 2027 is near. Do you think the two men would meet like they did now with talking about the next presidential election? That is impossible,’’ one of them told The Nation.
Another said Kwankwaso and Otti were ‘’very much aware that the only way to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progress Congress (APC) from the centre is a formidable alliance.
‘’They know that now is the best time to start talking about how to defeat those in Aso Rock. And that, I believe is the core reason for the visit.”
Last month’s local government poll in the state produced a stunning result with candidates loyal to Otti winning nearly all the chairmanship positions on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party(ZLP)
The governor backed the winners because of court cases on the authentic leadership of the leadership of the LP.
One faction of the party is led by Julius Abure while the other supported by Obi and Otti is headed by Nenadi Usman, a former Finance minister.
Political analysts argued that if Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Obi, and Kwankwaso fail to put their political differences behind and field an acceptable presidential candidate in 2027, they might end up not making a significant impact.
Otti had while welcoming Kwankwaso recalled how he offered him a ‘’platform in May 2022 to run ’’ as a governorship candidate.
He thanked Kwankwaso for his guidance and patriotism.
His words: “Thank you for your guidance, for your patriotism, for everything that you have done for this country.
“I want to thank you for encouraging me in 2022 not to lose faith, though we were in different parties, and it appeared as if everything was going to be lost.
“That call that you made about the 20th of May 2022, for also making your platform available for me to run if I had wanted to use the platform, the rest is now history.”
Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor, congratulated Otti on his emergence as governor. He also lauded his achievements in the state
“For the little time I have been here, I have had the opportunity of talking to a few people who confirmed to me that you are doing very well. We have seen your project everywhere” he said.
The governor and his visitor urged the new Police officers to work hard, contribute to the security of the country, and be good ambassadors of the state.
“The challenge is for you to now work very hard, knowing fully well that in this society, the son of a nobody can be the father of somebody,” said Otti.
“If people like us who grew up here without any hope at that time can be here, there is no reason why you can’t get here. But I am challenging you to be the best you can be.
“Always do things right and do the right things. You can always get to where you are headed. Cutting corners does not take you too far, “ the governor added.
Kwankwaso charged the new police officers to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
“Let me take this opportunity, based on my experience, to advise you to first and foremost fear God.
“Two, you need to be professionals. Now you are fresh, just coming out of the prestigious institute.stay there as professionals,” he said.
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