From Taiwo Amodu, Abuja

Ahead of the governorship election, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole to desist from making inciting comments that could undermine the  sanctity of his office.
Reacting to a statement attributed to   Oshiomhole, where he called on the anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to arrest the PDP flag bearer in the forthcoming election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the opposition party dismissed the call as unwarranted.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Dayo Adeyeye and made available to newsmen yesterday,  the party declared that it was improper for Oshiomhole to dictate to  the EFCC who to arrest in the course of its operations.
“We have observed in recent times the utterances of the governor of Edo  State during the APC’s gubernatorial campaigns ahead of the September  10, 2016 election in the state and we wish to remind the governor that he should maintain the sanctity of his office as an executive governor of the state instead of directing the EFCC on who to arrest or  prosecute.”
The PDP further expressed concern that  Oshiomhole’s statement has   confirmed “ the belief and the opinion of perceptible Nigerians that the  anti-corruption war of the present administration is nothing but a  partisan political agenda to intimidate, suppress and silence the PDP.
“Governor Adams Oshiomhole is desperate to hang on to power through his  imposed stooge, despite the fact that he has lost the trust and  confidence of the people of Edo State”.
The party further noted that recent comments of the governor against the person of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu was clearly unbecoming of the holder of the high office of governor of a  state.
“When a Governor speaks like a garage boy, he is inviting the public to treat him as one. We call on the EFCC to demonstrate  that they are not  a lap dog of the APC and its leaders, by distancing itself from the  unguided utterances of Governor Oshimhole. “They must show clearly that  they do not take instructions from the powers that be, otherwise, the  entire anti-corruption war will loose all credibility”.
The statement called on the All Progressive Congress (APC) Government  at both state and federal levels to at least for once play by the rules  saying that ‘all the great works done by the PDP’s administrations to  ensure the sanctity of the ballot box has been virtually destroyed by  the APC Administration.
“We are now in the era of inconclusive elections. We will not tolerate  any harassment, intimidation, and oppression of our Candidate in the Edo  Governorship Election. “We will also not allow the APC to destroy this  democracy we have laboured for 16 good years to build and sustained”.


Obaseki  says Ize-Iyamu has no working experience 

obaseki

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki, said yesterday that his opponent in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu does not have the working experience to lead Edo State to the next level.
Accusing Ize-Iyamu of being part of those who allegedly ran the state aground during the PDP reign in the state, he warned that Ize-Iyamu will go to jail if he does not retrace his steps.
Obaseki stated this at the APC campaign rallies at Oredo and Ikpoba Okhai local government areas yesterday during which chieftains of the PDP led by the former Chairman of Oredo, Victor Ebomoyi, his followers and PDP Executives were  received into the APC by Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu.
“Somebody who has not worked before cannot govern Edo State. Ize-Iyamu has no experience to govern the state. For the PDP to present Ize-Iyamu is the greatest insult against the people of Oredo and Edo State generally. And we will not allow it, we will show them that because we allowed them steal the other time, this time around we will jail them. We will not allow them to come back and steal.
“This is a man his only antecedent is Personal Assistant and just being a politician, he lacks what it takes to lead our people. This time around, we have come to work. By the grace of God, God must win come September 10. The minimum votes we must get in Oredo is 120,000 votes”, Obaseki said.
Speaking also, deputy governor of the state, Dr Odubu, noted that the Oshiomhole administration had laid a solid foundation for the future and urged the people to vote Obaseki, saying “we cannot go back to Egypt. There is nothing in the PDP to celebrate. APC has done well for our people and we all must reward APC by voting Obaseki”.
Others who spoke include the Secretary to the Edo state Government, Prof.Julius Ihonvbere, former Minority leader of the House of Representatives, Samson Osagie, Director General of the Obaseki campaign organization, Osarodion Ogie, who was hailed by his people in Ikpoba Okhai for his leadership prowess.


…Why I didn’t appoint PDP candidate –Oshiomhole

adams-oshiomohole

 

Related News

Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday gave reasons he refused to give political appointments to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in his government.
He said he didn’t trust Pastor Ize-Iyamu because of the role he played in the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion.
Oshiomhole who disclosed this at the APC campaign rally in Oredo local goverment area, said he gave appointments to people he trusted.
“I never gave Pastor Ize-Iyamu government job. I gave jobs to those I trusted. Pastor Ize-Iyamu would have done to me what he did to Lucky Igbinedion.
“It was because we kept him away from government that we were able to succeed and deliver on electoral promises. I didn’t allow him access to public fund. Edo cannot go back to what it was before.
“I laugh when he said he made me governor. I have made my name and I worked hard for the Nigerian workers. We are not tied to anybody’s apron”, Oshiomhole said.
He said Pastor Ize-Iyamu begged him to be made Director-General of his campaign organisation in 2012 after he refused to drop Dr. Pius Odubu as his running mate.
He told governors of other South South states to respect him because he increased minimum wage and pay salaries regularly at a time many of them could not pay.
He told pensioners who were yet to be paid their entitlements that their problems was caused by the former PDP government which he said refused to pay.
According to Oshiomhole, he has spent billions of naira to pay pension arrears batch by batch instead of the PDP approach that pay pension to their friends and relatives, adding that he has paid up to 2012 and promised to find bulk money to pay before the end of his tenure.
“All the years of PDP, no pension was paid. Their problem is about the huge arrears that PDP left behind.”
I have cleared pension till 2012”, he said.
In his speech, APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki, announced a 10-year development plan for the state, stressing that he would ensure the plan is followed so as to build on Oshiomhole’s legacies.


PDP primary election was negation of Democracy -Edebiri

Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) governorship aspirant, Chief Solomon Edebiri, has confirmed his rumoured resignation of his membership of the party, attributing the decision to the “dishonesty of the party leadership”. Speaking to Journalists at Obayanton, near Benin yesterday, Edebiri described what happened at the party’s primary on June 20 “as awful and a complete negation of what democratic tenet is all about”.  “‎I can officially tell you that I have resigned my membership of the PDP and that I have also refused to join either the Sherrif faction or any other party.
“My resignation followed the dishonesty of the party leadership who reneged on its pledge to provide a level playing field for all aspirants at the primary election.
Edebiri who said he‎ had pledged to move with the party beyond the primary election provided the exercise was free, fair and just, disclosed that “there were reports that the party’s institution gave a specific instruction to party chairmen at the local government level for members to vote for a particular aspirant, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.
Edebiri, however, promised to continue to serve the good people of the state in other capacity through his other foundations he has set up to serve humanity.
“I have also told my supporters and followers to follow their hearts but to avoid money politics and ensure violence as no aspiration is worth innocent blood”, he said.


I’ll revive moribund industries, create jobs -Ize-Iyamu

Ize

From Tony Osauzo, Benin

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate,  Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has promised to revive moribund industries in the state to create jobs for the army of unemployed youths in the state.
They include Bendel Insurance Company Limited, Bendel Brewery Limited, Edo Line Transport Company Limited, Bendel Courier, Cassavita Industry Uromi, among others.
Addressing New Benin market traders and party faithful at Lagos Street, Oredo East Constituency, Ize-Iyamu said  the revival of the companies was the only anti-dote for unemployment, creation of wealth and sustainable development in the state.
He said he would review the current multiple tax regime in the state, saying that although taxation will remain a veritable part of his government revenue generation, it would be pursued along side wealth generation policy that will bring happiness and empowerment to the people.
“For almost eight years, the Edo State government led by Adams Oshiomhole has received over N1.5 trillion, yet no new industries were built. The existing ones such as the Bendel Insurance, Bendel Brewery, Bendel Line Transport, Bendel Courier and others have collapsed and no attempt was made by this government to revive them to create employment for our people.
“He said he built red roofs, but building of red roof without teachers, libraries, laboratories, sports facilities is no education. He abandoned agriculture and cultural tourism which are revenue earners and for which our people are noted for.
“However, let me assure Edo people that if we are elected into office, hopes are not lost as we will revive all the moribund industries to create employment for our people; we will build schools well equipped and employ teachers and give them incentives to work; we will revive agriculture, build industries to accelerate the  pace of industrial development in the state”, he said.‎
He accused the Oshiomhole administration of obtaining N2 billion loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria and another N500million from the Bank of Industry and challenged him to tell Edo people what he has done with the money.
The governorship candidate also promised to review downwards the multiple taxation inflicted on the people by the state government, saying “we will avoid multiple and oppressive taxation which will bring pains and sufferings to our people”.