From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), last week nominated Mr. Godwin Obaseki as the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming election.
In this interview with journalists in Benin, Obaseki spoke about his journey through the party primaries, his plan for governance and the need for a new economic order in the face of declining oil revenue, even as he denied having any case with the EFCC.
Excerpts:
How do you feel winning the primaries?
I feel very thankful to God because if you cast your minds back when these whole campaign started sometime in October, the view held by many people then was that I did not stand a chance, that I will not fly. Those were the adjectives they used to describe my ambition. And to imagine that from that time till now for a person who came in last to gather that momentum and prevail, I think all I can do is to say thank God. I am so grateful to God. I am humbled by this success. You recall that we met several weeks ago and I did make a point that after seven and half years, I felt that I knew what Edo needed to go through this difficult phase of our national life. My key motivation is that I believe that Nigeria as a whole is going through a major watershed. If you recall the events that led to the civil war and the changes that have occurred in our federation since the end of the war, how we have gone to create a unitary system, how that unitary system has been nurtured by oil resources, that whole phase is now coming to an end. That means a total reorganization of our entire polity. Bearing that in mind, I just felt that what we need in Edo is someone who has an experience and understanding of the past but he is not indebted part of that past. So, you can see things freshly and differently. And I have looked at all the other players that have indicated interest in the race and I thought that even beyond the credentials of managing the economy, it is just the understanding of the political process.
We started this democracy in 1999 and a lot of the players have not inculcated deeply the culture and the logic of our democracy. We had a democracy of imposition and that is why some people shouted when the governor (Oshiomhole) in appreciation of the issues decided to support me. People did not understand the issues. For them, it was imposition, because that has become part of our lexicon in our new democracy but in this case, it was not what Oshiomhole did. He still said we should go and market ourselves.
If you recall, I went round the 18 local governments, meeting the town executives, I now then appreciated that it’s beyond that. That if this is an election of party delegates who are known, then you should go and campaign to them. So, I just came up with a strategy where I had to meet every delegate. It was just not sufficient to sit down and say okay I have gone in, I have called a few leaders, I have spoken to them and I expect that they would send the word down through. For the responsibility I am seeking to take on, I thought I needed to know a lot more, dig deeper. So, I took the delegate election as if it was a full blown election. I went to every ward, the 192 wards, I wanted to understand the structure of the government in every ward, so I did not go in and ask what is the leadership structure in this ward, who do you say the political leader are. At the ward level, not just at the local government but ward level.
After the consultation with the leaders at the local government level, what I found was quite revealing because no two wards even in the local government were the same. In terms of their governance arrangement, they had a lot of harmony. You go in, they’ll say this is our leader, where should we meet? They would say let us meet in this person’s house. They will all assemble there and they would all come there and listen to you. There are situations when you go in to some wards and there would not be agreement.
What effort are you making to reconcile with the losers?
Immediately after the election, I didn’t go to bed. On Sunday evening, the first person I went to was Dr Pius Odubu. I went to his house with some party officials. I went to talk with him and to extend my hand of fellowship and it was warm, cordial. He expressed his mind, his views as to what he felt and he was very open to reconciliation. He made a remark, he said people are calling him but he wanted to assure us that he was not going to leave the party, that he was going to work for the party. He admitted that he felt hurt and there were things that he felt should not have happened but he was prepared to work with the party and me. The following morning, I went to see Chris Ogienwonyi, whom I have a cordial and very warm relationship with and we spoke. He felt hurt, he feels he needs to exhaust the process to convince himself that the primaries were conducted properly, that it truly reflected the outcome and decisions of the delegates which I feel he is entitled to. Later that day I went to see Gen. Charles and we spoke, he opened his arms and said look, he is open to me and that he is willing to work with me. Some of the contestants I have called. I have not been able to see Imansuangbon, he sounds very angry with me and I have not been able to see him. I heard he travelled, so he’s the only one person I have not been able to see but I guess with time when he calms down, we will have a meeting but otherwise, I have spoken to everybody else and that evening, Prof. Osunbor, shook my hands and embraced me. Peter Esele called and pledged his support, Benson Agbomhere and Tina O too.
The other day, we had another meeting with the comrade governor. In fact, it was a success. I don’t know if you have seen some of the photographs. We all went on the inspection together and started the campaign. But in terms of reconciliation, we are working hard and I’m very optimistic that we will be able to get full reconciliation.
How do you feel going to face Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP in the contest?
I don’t know if he’s going to be my opponent but I also sent him a note congratulating him on his victory and to welcome him and advise that we conduct ourselves in this election in a very civil manner. I am going to be the governor of Edo State by the grace of God, therefore I’m going to govern every Edo person.
There is this allegation that you have EFCC case, how true is that?
I don’t have a case with the EFCC. I read the story. As you know, I am on the board of several companies; this is one of the largest German companies in the world, it’s a German company that owns rigs in Nigeria and I am on their board. They had a partner that died many years ago and unfortunately, his estates have not been properly managed. His other businesses have gone bankrupt and the company got a petition from the children in their estate claiming, alleging that the company was owing their father but you will see online that there is a full agreement which the company reached with the estate several years ago.
If you have been reading the papers, the family has been having quarrels and internal issues. So, it’s one of those kind of problems, they wrote to EFCC and other bodies. So, if somebody is owing you money, is there not a civil process to go through? Why should it be an EFCC matter? You are in this country, you know how citizens act but it has nothing to do with me.
I do not own the company. I am just a shareholder on the board of the company, so I don’t have anything to do with it. I did not take money from anybody.
The opposition party is alleging that the state debt profile is very high, how true is that?
I think the media has a major role, how do you determine the debt of a state? There is a debt management office of the country. Google DMO, it will give you a profile of all the states and what they owe. Edo State owes about N41 billion.
Edo State tax a year is about N24 billion, so in two years, we can pay whatever we have outstanding. I don’t know where this whole contraption of debts is from. We don’t owe a bank a dime because all the bank debts have been rescheduled and refinanced so all you need to do is go to the DMO website, and look at all the states and what they are owing and you will see what Edo State is owing there. It is not a secret or an issue for contemplation. With two years of current tax revenues we can pay out the debt of Edo State.
Sheriff: 520 delegates set to elect fresh candidate
… Makarfi faction files suit
From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Ali Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced yesterday in Benin that 520 delegates will participate in its governorship primaries today to nominate ahead of the September 10 election.
According to the PDP faction, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has written to them that it will supervise the exercise.
The acting state chairman of the faction of the PDP in the state, Mr Ebenezer Alabi, who disclosed this to journalists, said the police and other security agencies have been contacted to provide security at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, venue of the exercise.
Also speaking, spokesman of the faction, Okharedia Ihimekpem said: “INEC officials will be arriving from Abuja to supervise the exercise”, adding “the Ahmed Makarfi faction sent the name of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu to INEC but INEC rejected the name based on a court order restraining it from doing so until the ruling which we are expecting on July 4.
“So INEC is coming. The exercise will take place at the Tennis Court section of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium. We have 520 delegates that will elect the governorship candidate; they are called adhoc delegates from the 192 wards in the state. So those thinking INEC will shun the exercise are wasting their time” he said.
Two governorship aspirants, a member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma and former state representative on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Matthew Iduoriyekemwen will be involved in the exercise.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Benin City has fixed Friday, July1, 2016 for hearing of a motion in a suit number FHC/B/CS/109/2016 seeking to restrain Alhaji Modu Sheriff, Hon Johnson Agbonayinma, Hon Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and the INEC from conducting or participating in another primary election in Edo State on the platform of the PDP.
This was sequel to an originating summons filed by the PDP through its legal Adviser, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.
It was learnt that as required by law, all parties to the dispute are obliged to refrain from taking any action, including conducting or participating in the proposed governorship primary election fixed for Wednesday, June 29, 2016, pending the hearing of the motion fixed for July 1, 2016.
Reacting to the development, Edo State chapter of the PDP in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, advised all party members and security agencies to take note of the development.
“We wish to reiterate once again that Edo PDP has held its primary and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has been nominated as our gubernatorial candidate for the September 10, 2016 governorship election for the state. We urge the good people of Edo State to remain patient and calm as a new government that is prepared to meet their aspiration is about to be enthroned.
“No amount of blackmail, desperation and manipulation on the part of APC, Gov Adams Oshiomhole and their conspirators and collaborators will prevent the imminent defeat of the APC candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in the forthcoming election”, he said.
Voter registration: Edo Assembly wants extension
By Mark Pippah
The Edo State House of Assembly has called for the extension of the Continuous Voters’ Registration in the state by one week to enable more eligible voters in the state participate in the forthcoming election.
This was part of a resolution made by the House yesterday following matters of urgent public importance raised by the Deputy Speaker and member, representing Igueben Constituency, Justin Okonoboh.
Members of the House who contributed to the issue observed that there were widespread complaints by eligible voters who could not be registered while the exercise lasted.
They called for necessary modalities to distribute the uncollected 400,000 voter cards to avoid a situation of double registration.
On her part, the Speaker. Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie said the incidence of the voters who were not captured in the exercise cuts across all council areas in the State.
While affirming members support in favour of the resolution, she emphasized the need for voters’ registration on a regular basis to avoid disenfranchising the electorate.
The House also requested that registration materials be made available within the period and that voters should be sensitized on the exercise while the House Committee on education should liaise with the INEC to ensure compliance.
Edo Unity group backs Ize -Iyamu
By Ojieva Ehiosun
Unity in Democracy Group(UID), in Edo State chapter has pledged its support and loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize- Iyamu.
President of the group, Hon. Ehighalua Andrew, said the decision to back Ize- Iyamu was taken unanimously after four hour deliberations in a meeting of the members held over the weekend at the Airport road hall, Benin city.
According to him: “We are not a praise- singing group, or here to run down any body or government. But you and I know that the situation on ground now in this country demands somebody that has the political will power to put things in proper shape. We have decided to throw our full weight behind the PDP candidate, Ize- Iyamu because we believed in him, and we know his track records. Edo people needed a man that has the fear of God, a man that has the masses at heart; we are not interested in the party, we want a candidate that will be able to harness the potential of the people into something that will make jobless teeming youths become self employed.
Our youths are on the streets, criminal activities are on the increase daily; for the past eight years or so, this administration has not made any public employment”.
Watch out for upset on Sept 10 –YDP
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Young Democratic Party (YDP), has warned both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and leading minority party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expect an upset in the Edo State governorship election, stressing that the party would unleash a bloodless revolution in the September poll.
National Youth Leader of YDP, Comrade Bishop Amakiri, who gave the warning further promised to roll out the perfected winning strategy immediately after the party primaries scheduled for the first week of July.
His words: “YDP is a party to make the difference. We summarise this in our slogan, ‘the light has come’ because darkness will disappear when light comes. We are bringing something new to the Nigeria political terrain because the party has come with full force without affiliation to any political party. “The party has the desire to make Nigeria a better country than what it is today. Having found ourselves in this quagmire, the party will provide the alternative to the situation. It will provide the platform to bring solution to the problem the country faces today”.
On where the party intends to source the funds to muscle out or match the big parties, he said: “We have a robust strategy to demystify them and break their ranks to possess what now belongs to our party. We have the grassroots appeal to destabilise them.”