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
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
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
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”.
Source: The Sun News Papers
