“I am already meeting with all those who were disgruntled after my election to ensure that the party remained united.”
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, John Oyegun, on Friday promised to reconcile aggrieved members and keep the party united.
Mr. Oyegun made the promise when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Adams Oshiomhole in Benin.
He said his priority was to bring back all those who were disgruntled after his election as chairman of the party.
“I am already meeting with all those who were disgruntled after my election to ensure that the party remained united,” he said.
The chairman described the APC as the ‘government in waiting.’
He urged the state leadership of the party and the governor to do same in the state.
“I left here as simple, plain John Oyegun and I have come back as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress.
“I ascribe this to the wonderful support that I have received from all of you. We have been done a great honour in Edo State.
“One of us has been chosen to do a very, very challenging task as the very first elected executive of the APC, the party that is the government in waiting.
“It is a great challenge for us here in Edo State. I was very glad when I was received at the party’s secretariat.
“I saw some faces that had had cause to be upset at a lot of things that happened. They were all there to join the welcome party. This signifies that the healing process is already underway and I want to pray and offer myself in my new capacity.
“I offer myself to do whatever can be done to bring peace, harmony, acceptance and harmony to the party in Edo State.
“This is because we are now in the eye of the storm; they have given us the responsibility to guide the party to victory”, he said.
In his response, Mr. Oshiomhole said the healing process of the party in the state had begun with the state chairman already moving round to meet with members.
“You became chairman courtesy of the will of the people of our great party.
“History is already on your side as the first elected chairman of our great party.
“I am happy that you have reached out to people who for one reason or the other had feelings that need to be managed.
“I know that it is something you will like to sustain until everyone is sufficiently able to accept the fact that we have had a congress and we should put it behind us and go ahead with the job at hand.”
Mr. Oyegun, accompanied by chairman of the party in the state, Anselm Ojezua, and their entourage, also visited the Oba Benin.
Reception was later held in Mr. Oyegun’s honour at the Urokpota Hall in Benin City.
Bloodbath was averted last Wednesday at the hallowed chambers of the Edo State House of Assembly by the state Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo.
It was a day Adebanjo would not even wish for his enemies, as he kept vigil for over 13 hours as warring lawmakers engaged in a free for all following the failed attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House to effect leadership change.
The crisis heightened tension in the state as youths and elders monitor Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s political enemies to ensure they do not use their minority in the House to impeach the governor.
Genesis of crisis
Sunday Vanguard had reported penultimate week an alleged plot to impeach Oshiomhole, his deputy, Dr. Pius Odubu and the Speaker of the House, Uyi Igbe.
It was alleged that huge sums of money had been budgeted for the project while some lawmakers were said to have collected N50million each to execute the plot.
Sources said the money was withdrawn from a new generation bank in Benin City. Part of it was said to be in dollars loaded in milk cartons and transported from Abuja to Benin by road.
It was believed that the alleged plot by the PDP in the state, in collaboration with some APC members who recently joined the party, was to destabilize Edo and create an atmosphere of anarchy so as to distract the governor from continuing his developmental strides before the February 2015 general elections.
The leadership of the PDP also realized that it would be difficult to defeat the APC if Oshiomhole is allowed to remain in-charge of the party when campaigns commence.
Therefore, the best bet was to impeach him and the entire APC lawmakers while one of the lawmakers who defected to the PDP from Edo South is made Speaker and later governor. The PDP lawmakers denied any plot to impeach the governor, but one of them, Friday Ogierhakhi, added that they would not hesitate to do that if any impeachable offence is levelled against Oshiomhole.
He went on to debunk the allegation that they collected N50million, describing it as a ploy by the state government to blackmail them. What is still not clear is whether the Presidency is backing the plot but analysts said some elements at the Villa were giving tacit support to it.
Hell was let loose when some youths learnt about the alleged inducement of the lawmakers to impeach the governor. There was protest in the streets by the lawmakers who asked for the recall of the lawmakers.
Oshiomhole, who addressed the youths when they thronged the Government House, each of the lawmakers received N50million to defect to the PDP and impeach him, adding, however, that the plot will not succeed.
He said: “I thank you for recognizing that we all went round to campaign for these people who have decided to sell their mandate for naira and kobo. What is sickening is that they are young men who should be anxious to break from the past.
However because they believe they do not have any chance of being re-elected in February next year, because they have either done two terms or of their poor performance, they know their constituency will not re-nominate them.
They now decided to benefit from the desperation in different parts of the country to sell their mandate for N50 million each, collect advance payment of N35 million.
When I read this in the newspapers, initially, I didn’t believe. But going round, people tell me they are buying new vehicles, others are rebuilding their hotels. Suddenly money is flowing.
Obviously, I think it is important that if democracy is going to survive, each promise must be kept because in the last election, I had to go and do a television advert when the PDP people said this election is not Oshiomhole’s election, therefore vote for individual candidates.
I went on television to say that a vote for these House of Assembly members is a vote for Adams Oshiomhole. I had to do that because Edo people were not going to accept some of these people and I had to remind them that if they do not vote for them they would create problems for me.
Now the vultures have come and they are offering money and people are collecting money and making all kind of excuses. As far as I am concerned, there is no cause for alarm. A lot of these people cannot win election on their own merit in their own booth. They were voted for as ACN with the broom. If you were voted for as ACN, with the broom, how can you now go and replace it with an umbrella that is torn and abandoned?
“People with little mind will think that they can sell their constituents for N35 million or N50 million depending on when they will get their balance and, with time, more truth will be revealed and when it is revealed a lot of these people will not be able to walk through the streets.
Those who voted some of them do not have a thousand naira but those they have voted for have chosen to sell it for a huge sum. As far as I am concerned, we are stronger. Edo politics will be cleaned up and the cleaning is already here”.
Battle ground
It will be recalled that after Edo APC leader, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and his supporters joined the PDP, four lawmakers loyal to his group: Jude Ise-Idehen, Rasaq Momoh, Friday Ogierhakhi and Patrick Osayinmen, also defected.
The defection of the APC lawmakers leaves the party with 16 members out of the 24-member House. It was learnt that the governor’s loyalists knew that the Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea, had switched camp but Sunday Vanguard understood that they tried to convince him to remain in the APC and support Oshiomhole. But when the crisis started, it was obvious he had moved on.
As a result, he became one of the targets of the APC lawmakers. Leading the war against anti-Oshiomhole lawmakers were the Speaker, Igbe, the Majority Leader, Philip Shaibu, and the House Committee Chairman on Information, Kabiri Adjoto.
The tension in the state heightened last Monday, when 14 members of the House suspended the Deputy Speaker, Ogierhakhi; Ise-Idehen and Osayinmen for alleged misconduct. Their suspension followed a motion which accused Ebea of allegedly running a parallel leadership just as he was accused of alleged attempt to get APC lawmakers to join PDP.
Explaining the reason for the defected lawmakers suspension which, according to him, was not as a result of their defection, Adjoto said “The four lawmakers were suspended as a result of misconduct and not because they defected. The Deputy Speaker is still a member of APC as long as we are concerned because he has not said he has decamped. Rasaq Momoh defected but was not suspended.
They offered some of us N50-70million to join the PDP, but that is a poisonous offer because we don’t want to go back to the dark days of the PDP. Our people are happy that Oshiomhole is working, so why must you remove him due to your selfish interest. So that offer was a poisonous carrot and they were using it to destabilize the House. They also took the House to court and that is also against our rules and they know it.”
Invasion
The battle in the House resumed on Tuesday when the PDP lawmakers came to the chamber at about 9am, sat for about three minutes without the mace before the APC lawmakers stormed the House and drove them away. After the incident,the suspended Deputy Speaker claimed he had become the Speaker.
He described his suspension and that of his three colleagues as null and void, saying that it did not follow the due process. At about 6am, on Wednesday, the PDP lawmakers drove into the House premises in company of over 30 armed mobile policemen. They allegedly broke into the chamber to sit with a mace.
As they began their sitting, APC youths had already laid siege around the Assembly premises and alerted their party’s lawmakers who stormed the place. However, there was attempt by the armed policemen to stop the APC lawmakers from entering the chamber to allow the PDP lawmakers effect leadership change. Sources claimed there was serious resistance from Shaibu and Adjoto who challenged the policemen to shoot them.
Sunday Vanguard learnt that some of the lawmakers wore bullet proof vests and were prepared for bloodshed. It was learnt that the APC youths disarmed the policemen and that was how the APC lawmakers pounced on their colleagues. APC lawmakers allegedly confiscated the mace and used it to give some of the PDP lawmakers thorough beating before the arrival of the state Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo, at about 7am.
The chamber was in tatters at this point. Adebanjo and his men were able to take control of the premises and chased away the youths. Sunday Vanguard learnt that guns were found in the premises.
Adebanjo the peacemaker
The warring lawmakers were said to be panting when CP Adebanjo arrived. He addressed them and urged them to make peace before leaving the chamber. He warned against actions that will cause crisis in the state, just as he asked them to talk to their supporters.
Speaker Igbe then started presiding over the meeting while CP Adebanjo was monitoring the situation. The APC lawmakers argued that those who were suspended should leave the chamber and that even if the suspension was going to be lifted, a committee will be set up to do that and not them breaking into the House.
But the PDP lawmakers insisted that they were not leaving the chamber and urged their colleagues to restore their position so that the status quo will remain. Both sides started consulting with their god fathers through their cell phones on what to do. That situation compounded the problem as Sunday Vanguard learnt.
For instance, sources said it was almost agreed that the suspended lawmakers should leave so that, by tomorrow, the suspension may be lifted. But it was gathered that a PDP chieftain informed the PDP lawmakers not to agree, that they should insist that the suspension be lifted immediately.
At about 2pm, the lawmakers’ were exhausted and hungry, they sent for rice. Everybody ate together and exchanged banters but no deal yet. At about 4:30pm, the negotiations changed, after a court injunction which restrained the four suspended members from entering the Assembly premises was displayed to the PDP lawmakers.
The affected ones said they were not aware of the injunction, but their colleagues urged them to abide by it while the search for solution to the crisis continued. The lawmakers were at the chamber till 7pm that day before they left. CP Adebajo was with them throughout the meeting.
Commenting on the mace which was recovered from the PDP lawmakers, Adjoto said it was in possession of the Sergeant at Arms.
The suspended PDP lawmakers, in a separate briefing, told journalists they will attend the House sitting tomorrow, adding that they have legal backing.
Though it was not clear the legal backing they have, the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, said the party had appealed against the injunction against the lawmakers. Meanwhile, CP Adebanjo disclosed that 37 suspected thugs were arrested during the three days crisis at the Edo House of Assembly.
The suspects were arrested with cutlasses, long axe, large quantity of broken bottles and stones used as missiles. The suspects were arraigned in a Magistrate Court in Benin City for offences ranging from conspiracy, riotous act and unlawful assembly to conduct likely to cause the breach of the peace and have been remanded in prison custody.
The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, has waded into the crisis rocking Edo State House of Assembly, urging the actors to allow peace to reign.
The Oba, who told politicians not to plunge Edo into crisis, held a meeting with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his palace, yesterday. He appealed to the political parties to resolve their political differences in the interest of peace and security.
Oba Erediauwa
A statement issued by the palace and personally signed by His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin said: “I thank leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic party (PDP) for honouring my invitation at short notice.
“I invited you to my palace to appeal to you on the need to allow peace continue to reign in Edo State, I know youo as politicians have a way of resolving political issues, no matter how delicate and sensitive the issues are.
“Politicians in Edo State, regardless of whichever political parties they belong to, I am quite sure, will do all they can to ensure that our great state especially Benin City, the capital, is not made ungovernable for political reasons. I know as citizens of Edo State, you will always do all you can to protect our people and our land.
“On this very note, taking into consideration what has been happening since the beginning of this week, I am appealing to you not to engage in the destruction of lives and properties for whatever reasons. I also appeal to you as you leave here to have the interest of Edo State at heart and amicably resolve whatever political disagreement you may have, which I am sure, you are well capable of resolving for peace and security to reign. I thank you for coming and God bless you all.”
Representing the APC at the meeting were Dr Pius Odubu, Deputy Governor of Edo State and Hon Patrick Obahiagbon, Chief of Staff to the Governor.
Chief Dan Orbih, PDP Chairman, Mr Lucky Imasuen, one-time Deputy Governor, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Hon Festus Ebea, suspended Speaker of the State House of Assembly represented the PDP.
Meanwhile, a former Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Rowland Owie, has urged the warring members of the House not to allow people he described as “ambitious politicians” ruin their career and the prevailing peace in the state.
Owie, who was reacting to the crisis in the parliament, said: “Our legislators in Edo should seek peace among themselves and should not allow over ambitious politicians to drag the state to dishonour. The new PDP in Edo state under the chairmanship of Chief Dan Orbih believe in the rule of law and not thuggery.
“Nobody knows whom the stone thrown in the market will hit. Senators and members of the House of Representatives have decamped to APC, PDP and vice versa, but they are in harmony in their various chambers.
That of Edo State should not be different. Above all, PDP government under President Goodluck Jonathan does not go after perceived enemies. We, in PDP, pray for perceived enemies to be able to see the light of God and choose love rather than hate”.
The Edo State police command on Friday raised alarm over a plot by politicians to unleash mayhem on the state during resumption of plenary on Monday at the state House of Assembly, warning that it will not hesitate to deal with anybody that attempts to plunge the state into crisis.
The state assembly was during the week thrown into a leadership crisis following the suspension and counter suspension of the deputy speaker, Hon Festus Ebea, and the Speaker, Hon Uyi Igbe and others. The assembly has further been divided into pro and anti-Gov. Adams Oshiomhole camps with the latter allegedly plotting the governor’s impeachment.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Foluso Adebanjo, who gave the warning when he paraded 42 suspects involved in armed robbery, defilement, kidnapping and murder, including a 42-year-old pastor who defiled a 12 year old girl, lamented a situation where politicians in the state were heating the polity unnecessarily.
Adebanjo also lamented that “in the last few days, the Edo State police command has done its best to contend with the crisis without loss of lives. From the information available, politicians are heating up the polity by making unguarded statements, creating unnecessary tension in the state”.
He added: “Information from undisclosed sources revealed that political stalwarts and supporters are arming thugs with offensive weapons for a showdown at the Edo State House of Assembly on Monday 16th June 2014. The Edo State police command therefore is using this medium to warn politicians, party supporters and political thugs to have a rethink and desist from making unguarded statements capable of creating chaos at the state House of Assembly.
“The command wishes to warn and advise politicians to follow due process through the courts or political solutions in resolving the disagreement amongst themselves. For the avoidance of doubt and purpose of clarity, the command will not tolerate any act of thuggery but encourage the good citizens of Edo State to be law abiding and go about their lawful business without fear of harassment”. (Info Nigeria)
Those who believe one man is God, may one man continue to be their God-Governor
*Impeachment plotters are anti-development; we will resist them-Shaibu
By SIMON EBEGBULEM
The defection of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a former Secretary to Edo State Government, and his supporters to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a political earthquake in the state.
The mass defection did not come as a surprise to many following their complaints that the congresses of the All Progressive Congress (APC) were skewed to frustrate them out of the party. Though Ize-Iyamu can be said to be a political tactician, that cannot be said about other leaders who left with him.
Since the defection, Ize-Iyamu, a very close ally of Governor Adams Oshiomhole when the going was good, has not failed to use any opportunity at his disposal to unleash verbal missiles at Oshiomhole.
In a TV programme in Benin-City, which the former SSG during the Lucky Igbinedion administration tactically granted last Monday, the same day the APC held its state congress, he alleged that the governor had, on several occasions, promised him governorship in 2016, just as he debunked the insinuation that he received several contracts from the state government.
He accused the governor of destroying the APC in Edo and warned that the APC will not win any seat in the 2015 general elections. However, when it became clear that Ize-Iyamu was leaving the party, Oshiomhole invaded his camp and some of his foot soldiers such as Lawrence Orka, regarded as his field marshal in Edo South, rejigged.
Elder Patrick Igbinaken also denied resigning from the APC, saying he was deceived to attend a meeting where he and some others purportedly resigned from the party. Igbinaken, Chairman of the defunct ACN in Ovia North East Local Government Area, said as a founding member of the APC, nothing could make him desert a house he helped to build.
While this was happening, royal fathers in Edo South paid a visit to Oshiomhole and expressed their support for his administration. They described the defection of the members as selfish and urged the governor to disregard them.
The Enigies, numbering over 60, said they were happy with the developmental strides of Oshiomhole, especially in Edo South and have absolute confidence in his government.
The Chairman of the Enigies, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, the Enogie of Egbaen-Siluko, and five other royal fathers spoke on behalf of the Enigies. According to Osazuwa Idurase, the Enogie of Eyaen, the reasons given by Ize-Iyamu for defection are selfish and not in the interest of the people of the state.
In an address by the Public Relations Officer of the Enigie, Professor Aduwa Ogiegban (the Enogie of Ogbeson), the royal fathers said, “Everybody that is here today is representing a community. Everyone of us is authentic and nobody is fake. We have watched over the years as you provide development across the nooks and crannies of the state; from Edo South to Edo North.
But we are from Edo South and we will be concerned with that in this visit. You are about six years in office now and we have seen the changes that have taken place in Edo South. We appreciate you because you are God-sent.
Prior to your coming as governor, we know what our senatorial district looked like; it was shoddy, dirty, no good roads, no potable water, health facilities were in shambles. We are here to appreciate you for the development you brought to Edo State and Edo South in particular.
Some people said you have not been carrying them along but all the Enigies here and those at home have come to say that we have been carried along by you. Some people said that your government is a one-man show, we know better than that and if by one man’s show, they mean the government of Oshiomhole for the generality of all, and not for the few, so be it. If that is what modern democracy looks like, we will take it”.
The royal father cited some areas where the governor has performed wonderfully to include Sapele Road, Mission Road, Airport Road, Siluko Road, New Lagos Road, 5 Junction, Uselu Road, Ogan/Igbanke Road and Urhonigbe/Urohmili Road. “The educational sector has been transformed and health centers have been built and facilities provided where there have been none.
You provided succor for our children. Many schools have been renovated and wearing the red- roof. We know you are going to do more. The problem is that you started from the scratch. There was not much for you to build on. In some parts of the state, you went down the deep sea to provide clean water for the people and that is where some people feared they would get drowned in the deep blue sea.
Those who are going home, the so-called home that is in ruins, allow them go because we do not want to return to the dark ages which they took us to some years back. The era of the Stone Age is over. We want to tell you that gone are the days when the Enigies were referred to as uneducated people is gone. We are on the path of development”.
But the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, condemned the visit of the Enigies, to the governor, accusing Oshiomhole of alleged attempt to drag Edo royal fathers into politics. The Enogie of Obazuwa and younger brother of the Oba of Benin, Prince Edun Akenzua, described Orbih’s comment as insulting and urged the PDP chairman to apologise to the royal fathers.
However, the political tension in Edo heightened last week after Sunday Vanguard learnt about an alleged plot to impeach Oshiomhole; his deputy, Dr Pius Odubu; and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Uyi Igbe. I
t was reliably gathered that the plot was masterminded by members of the APC who recently defected to the PDP including their lawmakers and some leaders of the PDP in the state. It was alleged that the lawmakers who were expected to execute the plot received N30million each while N20million will be added to it later.
The plot was said to be geared at causing crisis in the state so as to give the PDP the opportunity to win the majority in the state House of Assembly and National Assembly elections come 2015. If the alleged plot to impeach the three succeeds, one of the lawmakers, who recently defected to the PDP is expected to transform from Speaker to governor.
With the recent defection of four APC lawmakers to the PDP, the PDP remains in the minority. But with eight PDP lawmakers against APC’s 16, Sunday Vanguard learnt that there were strong moves to induce more lawmakers to back the plot.
The Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Mr Philip Shaibu, who reacted to the situation, said: “We are aware of their plot but they will fail. My joy is that we have lawmakers here who believe strongly in the developmental strides of the Comrade Governor so they cannot never be part of such plot to impeach the governor.
We are very much aware of all the moves they are making to destabilize the state, to ensure that the Comrade Governor does not continue his developmental efforts but they are wasting their time. The problem with some people is that they now think like God, they act like God but what they fail to understand is that when the majority of the masses are with the Comrade Governor, God will always protect him and his administration.
Oshiomhole, who reacted to the defection of the APC members and some of the allegations levelled against him by Ize-Iyamu during the Monday state congress of the APC, said: “A rolling political stone cannot make a difference. Those who rolled on those that left the party were people who insisted that I should unilaterally decree them as the governor of Edo; there is no way they can fit into the logic of APC.
Those who insist that I should appoint them as Chairmen of APC because they were chairmen before, there is no way they can fit into this democratic setting. Those who insist that I should make them woman leader whether or not the women want them, they cannot fit into the logic of change. Those who insist that because they cannot get what they want then they can move on, it is important that we assist them to move.
Those who insist that no man is God who now affirmed that man is God, may man continue to be their God. Let me remind all of you that I am a thorough democrat, I understand the principle of multi-party democracy, APC is not at war with PDP. APC recognized the legitimacy of PDP, and we are here to contest on the basis of ideas but we are all united in a commitment to build a great nation. We might not agree on everything, which is why we have built an alternative political platform.
Let me remind all of you that my fight to liberate Edo people is not a personal fight. Indeed those who have moved on, they started fighting not on the basis of Edo people but over their own ambition.”
Anslem Ojezua emerged as the Edo Chairman of the APC at the state after other chairmanship aspirants stepped down. Others elected include Gentleman Amegor (Vice Chairman), Osakpanwa Eriyo (Youth Leader), Chief Osaro Idah (Secretary) and Comrade Godwin Erhahon (Publicity Secretary).
The battle line has been drawn and the political tension in Edo is expected to remain as charged as ever till the end of the 2015 general elections.
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole yesterday explained his problem with a former chieftain of APC who decamped to People Democratic Party, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, during the All Progressives Congress, APC congress with the governor.
Governor Oshiomhole
The governor explained that his problem with Ize-Iyamu is that the Pastor wanted him to unilaterally endorse him as the governor of the state in 2016.
Oshiomhole disclosed this at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium while addressing the party delegates, the governor also disclosed that he has heard of a plan by the People Democratic Party, PDP, to rig the 2015 and 2016 elections in Edo State, adding that such attempt would be resisted as Edo people are not animals and will not be captured.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu while answering questions on a private TV station in Benin, asserted that the governor promised to give him the governorship ticket of APC on many occasions.
Governor Oshiomhole explained that those who left APC for alleged various reasons actually left after he refused to endorse them as a governor, chairman or woman leader of APC in the state.
He said: “Those that left the party were people who insisted that I should unilaterally decree them as the governor of Edo State. There is no way they can fit into the logic of APC. Those who insisted that I should appoint them to lead APC because they were chairmen before, should know that there is no way they can fit into this democratic setting. Those who insist that I should make them woman leader, whether or not the women want them, know they cannot fit into the logic of change.
“Those who insisted that because they cannot get what they want, then they can move on. It is important that we assist them to move. Those who insist that no man is God who now affirmed that man is God, may man continue to be their God. Let me remind all of you that my fight to liberate Edo people is not a personal fight. Indeed, those who have moved on, they started fighting not on the basis of Edo people but over their personal ambition.”
….Says he won’t be intimidated to surrender state’s resources to individuals
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says he will not be intimidated to surrender the resources of the state to service private individuals who do not have the interest of the people at heart, saying his Government will work for the masses and not for godfathers.
Oshiomhole
Speaking at the inspection of the on- going Storm Water Masterplan Project in Benin city today, Oshiomhole said he wished those who have defected from the party “safe journey” to their new destination.
He said, “I am aware that some people have left our party. We wish them safe journey. When I came, I was clear and I said we will work on the people of the state. I did not say I was going to work for individuals. So if individuals feel angry that I have not helped them in what they call ‘individual personal empowerment’, I have the choice to make, work for individuals or work for the people; I choose to work for the people.”
Oshiomhole declared, “Day or night, come sun or come rain, I know that the voice of the people is the voice of God and when God stands by us, who can we be afraid of? I know that with time, water will find its level. Those who cannot cope will leave and many have left. Those who are happy with progress will stay and the overwhelming majority of the people have stayed.
“I know that many people were deceived and they are already returning because they were told come for a meeting only to see people carry microphone saying they are resigning from the party. We will not decamp. We will continue to do what God asked us to do and I know that the people of Egor will continue to support me. In the last election, I got 96% in this Local Government.
“I know that the more we work, the more benefits people will see, because we are still going to build more schools, the construction work will continue, we will deliver more transformers.
“Let me assure you, for us, it is ‘let the people lead’ not let the godfathers enjoy and allow the people suffer. If the godfathers like, let them move away, we will continue the development of Edo State and our people will continue to enjoy good governance.”
The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to aggressive urban renewal in the state, saying “when we came out to ask for your votes in 2007, I did make the point that the problem of Benin City is not beyond solution and that the problem of flooding, making people to be afraid whenever the rain is threatening is not an act of God but a result of many years of neglect by various governments.
“I said I am not coming to Edo to lament but that I am coming to Edo to fix it, and to lay foundation for the future. As you can see, we are right now standing on a huge underground drainage which is part of the Benin City Water Storm Master Plan that every water that drains from this area gets into the underground drainage and it will take it to the river; so that the problem of this community is solved forever.
“The most difficult part has now been completed. You have seen the side drains that they are doing, when we finish it, this place we are standing will be asphalted. So you will be driving on it and will not know that you are driving on top an underground measuring about 40feet deep and 20 -30 feet wide.”
Residents of the community who trooped out in their large numbers expressed joy at Igbinaduwa road and other roads in the area, the flood and erosion control measures put in place by the Governor.
A resident of the area, Mr. Edo Aguebor said, “We are making history today, the comrade governor, the performer is in our midst.
“Since we entered this community for the past 30years, we have experienced serious problems of erosion to the extent that many were driven from their homes but as you can see today, our roads are now accessible, we can easily get to our various homes and the problem of erosion is now a thing of the past.”
On his part, the Ailefoba of Benin Kingdom, Chief Jonathan Idada Erinwioghae commended the Governor for his good works promising that the people will continue to support all his laudable projects.
Others who spoke are Mr. Emma Iyase and the Mrs. Esther Obanor both of whom eulogised the governor promising to support the APC in future elections in the state.
Mr. Oyegun made the promise when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Adams Oshiomhole in Benin.
It was a day Adebanjo would not even wish for his enemies, as he kept vigil for over 13 hours as warring lawmakers engaged in a free for all following the failed attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the House to effect leadership change.
The state assembly was during the week thrown into a leadership crisis following the suspension and counter suspension of the deputy speaker, Hon Festus Ebea, and the Speaker, Hon Uyi Igbe and others. The assembly has further been divided into pro and anti-Gov. Adams Oshiomhole camps with the latter allegedly plotting the governor’s impeachment.
