Edo 2016: Why Senator Uzamere resigned from PDP

By Ehi Ekhator

The news of one of the governorship aspirants in Edo State Senator, Ehigie Uzamere’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday took party leaders and followers by surprise.

Uzamere who is the first Senator from Edo State to have completed two terms since the creation of Edo State released a statement on his decision to resign from PDP.

Senator Ehigie Uzamere

The Senator told NAIJA CENTER NEWS that he has no reason behind his leaving. He also said that his decision would enable him concentrate on his business.

Senator Uzamere said that his radio station (Speedy fm) which will be fully in pidgin English would be launched three weeks from now.

“I did not quarrel with anybody, i just decided to quit and that’s it. It took me more than three months to make this decision after consultation.

“For now i decided to quit to face my business especially my radio station. It will be broadcast in Pilgin English. Speed Fm will be launched in three weeks.

” Constitution guarantee free movement, i have no explanation to anybody. I don’t know what tomorrow would bring, but for now, i decided to leave. Wherever i am going, God will guide me”

However, sources within the party who spoke with NAIJA CENTER NEWS in anonymity since they are not authorized to speak on the matter disagree with the Senator.

One of the sources told NAIJA CENTER that some members of the PDP led by the party Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih visited the aggrieved Senator last night to possibly, change his mind over the decision.

The source revealed that the senator may move to APC over fear of Federal might.

The source said ” Uzamere will eventually move to APC. For him, he is scared of Federal might. He is scared of the blood shared in elections and wants to be safe. It is a matter of survival for him.

“He believes that the Federal power will prevent PDP from wining. Do not forget, all these old politicians know is rigging. Therefore, he believes only a candidate in the people’s heart stands a ‘slim chance’ against the FG might.

“It is a shame that those who benefited for the party are the ones leaving while those who have not benefited are the ones fighting for the soul of the party. His leaving is good in the sense that it will make party leaders to sit up and stop their perceived favoritism.  They can not afford another gubernatorial candidate’s exit.

“In a women Programe one day,  he publicly expressed fears over the Bayelsa election. He complained that the blood shed was too much and advised that party leaders come together to select the most publicly accepted aspirant. He said only the people can win the election and not one man. He asked women to pray for wisdom because one man can never fight the Federal power. He said that candidate didn’t have to be him. He called for unity after the selection financially and morally.

The source also said that Uzamere may have left over the plan my some party leaders to impose a certain candidate on the party.

“If you compare what was about happening when the Igbinedion’s were trying to force Pastor Iyamu on the party via adoption which Sen Owie fought (they have not rested), and his initial statement that no Edo South leader is supporting him, then you can safely conclude that he is leaving in protest over perceived bias towards another aspirant and he is not ready to fight it.

On the speculation that he was trying to convince Mathew Iduoyekemwen and Solomon Edebiri to support him in order to defeat Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu who all tides seems to favour, the source said the senator was ready to step down for one of the candidates.

“I heard he was willing to step down for Edebiri to defeat Ize-Iyamu. He is comfortable with mostly Edebiri getting the ticket and Mattew at worst. His fears for Mattew is party leaders (especially Anenih) refusal to forgive Mattew for the fifty million naira given to him by Oshiomole to work against General Charles when Anenih had settled him with similar amount. Another fear he had for Mattew was his beating up of delegates who collected his money and did not vote him. The three of them were talking and nothing conclusive had been reached.

“On the whole, we have a clear case of someone who claims he wants to be governorship candidate of the party yet has done mighty nothing in pushing the party forward. He was wholly absent during the statewide storming & has absolutely no noticeable presence or structure on ground to show seriousness to actualise that aspiration and he now goes around blaming the Leaders from his community!”

Another source, a member of the PDP said the senator left because no Benin leader supported his ambition.

“I expected better response from Senator uzamere. I was scandalised by the reason he gave for leaving- that no Benin leader supports his gubernatorial ambition. For me, if he couldn’t get support, then he should have supported another, afterall, others have also supported him the two times he won elections to the senate.

“The man is just selfish.  He earlier convinced Matthew and Edebiri to join him to fight Ize-Iyamu, then he saw later that there was nothing he could do to stop Ize-Iyamu, so he gradually withdrew from the Party.”

Edo 2016: Why Senator Uzamere resigned from PDP

$75m World Bank Loan: Kassim Afegbua fires back at Dan Orbih

Edo State Commissioner for Information Prince Kassim Afegbua has responded to the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Dan Orbih’s allegation over $75m world bank loan.

Dan Orbih

Dan Orbih had accused the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of planning to exchange the assisted loan at the rate of N325 to $1 at the black market instead of bank official rate which according to him, would lead to a surplus of N10bn.

Dan Orbih also cried that the governor planned to use the said amount to cause chaos in the coming election by possibly, buying election officials and vote in his party favour.

The Commissioner for Information who was trying to defend his boss had a share of the attack from the State Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare who described his response to the allegation as infantile and uncivilized.

Without wasting time, Afegbua has responded saying that PDP showed reckless financial orientation.

According to Afegbua  ” If Orbih were not a complete dunce, he would have known that World Bank is not like Ogbona Community Bank where you can abuse financial procedures.

He has just shown the reckless financial orientation of the PDP and their brigandage and voodoo economics. Otherwise he would not even contemplate that a world bank would carry money in sacks and hand over to state government.

“We have repeatedly said it that the PDP has no answer to the challenges of governance. The empty-headedness of their state chairman further compounds their problem. How on earth would a man talk about world bank in such reckless emanations.

“What a pity. Please I recommend for Dan Orbih a refresher course for him to learn the ropes in modern world bank financial transaction instead of exhibiting manifest ignorance that tends to put Edo people to shame.”

$75m World Bank Loan: Kassim Afegbua fires back at Dan Orbih

Infantile Tantrums of Prince Kassim Afegbua - Edo PDP

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has taken a swipe on the state Comissioner for Information, Prince Kassim Afegbua for defending his boss, Governor Adams Oshiomhole concerning the plans to exchange dollars worth billions in the black market.

dan orbih

The State PDP Chairman, Chief Dan Osi Orbih had accused Oshiomhole of planning to sell the $75m world bank assisted loan at the black market at the rate of N325 to a dollar instead of the official rate of N199 which will make the governor up to N10bn.

The PDP expressed worry that the amount, the governor has allegedly planned to create chaos, possibly to buy votes and election officials in the coming governorship election.

In a Statement issued by the state Publicity Secretary, Chris Osa Nehikhare, the PDP described as infantile, uncivilised and culture, the manner Kassim responded to the allegation by the party Chairman.

Nehikhare said “Once again Prince Kassim Afegbua commissioner for information has brought his gutter language to bear. The mere fact that you come from a village  called Okpella does not excuse your uncivilized and uncultured manner of responding to issues of grave concern to Edo people.

“The issues raised by Chief Dan Osi Orbih, state chairman of PDP Edo State are germane and as    usual, Prince Kassim Afegbua, you completely failed to address them.

“For the purpose of clarity, Chief Dan Osi Orbih exposed your master, Governor Adams Oshiomholes’ grand evil and fraudulent plan to sell the $75m world bank assisted loan at the black market at the rate of N325 to the dollar and then make return/deposit at the official rate of N199 to the dollar. This criminal round tripping of the loan will make Governor Adams Oshiomhole a cool N10billion which he plans to use as a weapon of coercion and intimidation as we approach the governorship elections.

“As we speak, the accomplice commercial bank to be used for this fraud has released its private jet for the pleasure and use of Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

“Edo people want responses and not infantile tantrums. Please grow up and behave your age.”

 

Infantile Tantrums of Prince Kassim Afegbua - Edo PDP

$2.1 Arms Deal: PDP leaders in war with Dan Orbih over secret N500m received for Jonathan"s campaign

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state heightened Tuesday following the revelation by members of the party that the leadership of the party in the state led by Chief Dan Orbih allegedly received the sum of N500million for the presidential election of former President Goodluck Jonathan without the knowledge of leaders of the party.

dan orbih

Nation gathered that the money which is part of the N2.1 billion which was shared by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, was said to have been paid into the account of the Edo state PDP through Hartman Company, belonging to the former chairman BOT of the PDP, Chief Tony Anenih.

Nation was reliably informed that the matter which is being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) led the commission to contact the Orbih led Executive if such amount was received in the state.

It was learnt that in their reply to the Commission, the party Executive agreed that the said amount was received and was disbursed to party Executives and leaders across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state for the Jonathan Campaign.

The revelation angered both some members of the state Exco of PDP and party leaders who expressed shock that they never knew that such money came. And that was part of the reasons why most of the leaders called for the removal of the Orbih led Exco.

A leader of the party in the state, who spoke to Nation, “said we are petitioning the EFCC to also investigate how the money was disbursed in Edo state because we never knew about the money until we learnt from Orbih’s response to the EFCC that the money was received. So they should tell us who they gave the money to. We will formally address the media on this issue.”

$2.1 Arms Deal: PDP leaders in war with Dan Orbih over secret N500m received for Jonathan"s campaign

Ambrose Alli University, Edo Government Caught In An Attempt To Tamper With Projects Evidence

In continuation of the state wide sensitization tour by the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, its chairman, Chief Dan Orbih in Ekpoma, Esan West Local government area, declared that he stood by his earlier statement that the state governor Adams Oshiomhole is claiming credit for projects he did not sponsor.

Ekpoma University

He went further to query why some departments including architecture, micro biology, biochemistry, building and material engineering amongst others were not accredited in the last NUC conducted accreditation test on the university.

In the middle of his speech, a mild drama occurred as a student of AAU brought a picture of one of the projects the university management claimed gov Adams financed and commissioned.

In the photograph, it is clear that someone tried to remove the name of the sponsor of the project by scratching and thereby vandalising the project sign post in an attempt to deceive the people.

Chief Orbih advised the management to steer clear of politics but sympathised with them as he believed they were trying to defend their employer.

He however cautioned them from making false and unsubstantiated claims especially as regards the N1b alleged received. ” it’s either you got the money and squandered it or Adams didn’t give you. One way or the other, Edo people deserve an answer” the PDP chairman concluded.

Recall that a few weeks ago the state chairman of PDP exposed that the governor was claiming credit for projects he did not sponsor.

There after, it was revealed that the management of the university were coerced into issuing a statement denying the PDP assertion and even made to announce that they had received N1b for infra structural development from the Adams Oshiomhole’s government.

Ambrose Alli University, Edo Government Caught In An Attempt To Tamper With Projects Evidence

EXCLUSIVE: Ikimi, Orbih, Igbinedion planning to hijack PDP candidacy for anointed candidate

• We cannot compare Oshiomhole with PDP 8yrs in Edo – Senator Roland Owie


• Never Again Shall we deal with Imposition – Prince Edobor

By Ehi Ekhator.

All is not well in the camp of Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the choice of candidate in the next coming governorship election.

Just as there is a problem over an alleged imposition of candidate in the state All Progressives Congress, NAIJA CENTER NEWS gathered that the PDP aspirants are equally fighting the some cabals planning to impose their anointed candidate.

dan orbih

According to investigation, Edo State Party Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih invited some leaders to Abuja for a meeting at Chief Tony Anenih’s residence. Those in attendance were reported to be loyal associates of one of the aspirants, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Discussion concerning the upcoming governorship election and state congress were top on the agenda in the meeting.

The leaders who were in support of other Aspirants other than those for Pastor Iyamu were not invited. For example, Senator Rowland Owie and Chief Ben Edo, two very top members of the Edo South curcus as number two and three respectively were not invited, a move that did not augur well with the other aspirants and their supporters.

NAIJA CENTER NEWS gathered that those projecting their candidate are Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Dan Orbih and host of others.

Our correspondent gathered that upon their return a week later, Chief Tom Ikimi as Chairman of a special committee and one of those solidly behind the secret anointed aspirant, sent a text message to all aspirants and a meeting was held at his GRA residence in Benin.

The list of those invited for this Special Committee meeting includes:

Edo North:-

(1) Alhaji Kassim Ozeto

(2) Chief Mike Oghiadomhe

(3) Col. Tunde Akogun

(4) Hon. Henry Tenebe

(5) Hon Pascal Ogbome

(6) Chief Dan Orbih (State Chairman)

Edo Central.

(1) Arch. Mike Onolumeme

(2) Sen. Odion Ugbesia

(4) Sen. Cliff Odia.

(5) Hon. Joe Edionwele

(6) Hon. Sergies

(7) Dr. Prince Tony Omoghae

(8) Hon Giwa Agbonmelere.

(9) Chief Tom Ikimi (Committee Chairman)

Edo South

(1) Chief Gabriel Igbinedion (Esama.)

(2) Dr. Oni Edigin

(3) Owerri Dickson Imasogie

(4) Barr. Ahimien

(5) Hon EJ Abonayima

(6)Hon. Omosede Igbinedion

(7) Hon. Omoregie Ihama

(8) Sen. Matt Ughrohide

Aspirants present in the meeting were:

(1) Chief Solomon Iyobosa Edebiri (ISE)

(2) Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu (POI)

(3) Hon Mathew Iduyokemwen (MAI)

Aspirants who shunned the said meeting or took excuses not to attend were:

(1) Senator Uzamere

(2) Osaro Onaiwu

Tony Anenih

NAIJA CENTER NEWS gathered that the meeting almost ended in chaos when the aspirants were told that the committee was saddled with the primary responsibility of scaling down the number of aspirants to an initial two and finally one as time goes on.

The meeting tensed all the aspirants except one aspirant who said a level playing field be provided.

The leaders of the meeting, according to NAIJA CENTER NEWS finding advised the aspirants to discuss within themselves with a possibility of arriving at some stepping down for another which they all rejected.

Uncomfortable at the turn of the event, the Committee Chairman stated that the party will dictate what happens and not the aspirants, again a statement that resulted in complaints.

However, the Edo South curcuss Chairman Chief Gabriel Igbinedion who was absent came just as his Daughter, Hon Omosede Igbinedion was stepping out to catch her scheduled flight back to Abuja alongside other elected PDP National Assembly members who were all invited to the botched meeting.

He (Chief Igbinedion) pleaded for calmed nerves and asked to be given time to consult and submit two names to the committee for consideration. Two of the aspirants except one again rejected the suggestion.

The Aspirants again protested that anyone who continue to show interest be allowed to see his ambition to a logical conclusion; the Primaries. The meeting thus closed without any concrete resolution. The committee Chairman and Party Chairman gave him (Chief Igbinedion) two weeks to come out with these names.

Tom Ikimi

NAIJA CENTER NEWS investigation revealed that the plot continued in Chief Igbinedion’s residence where he invited five persons per Local Government including the Party L.G. A Chairmen over the burning issue. Again nothing concrete came out as those against the plot to impose a candidate successfully thwarted the move.

Majority of the Party Leaders who may have learned from the Presidential election are said to be in favour of a true and transparent primaries nothing that the party failed at the National level as a result of the same imposition; a scenario they are no longer willing to see repeat itself in Edo State, therefore raise posers:

What is the role of National PDP in State chapters if the state chapter does anything that is unconstitutional?

What will be the role of the people if a few persons are allowed to determine their destiny?

After the imposition by these persons (assuming they even succeed), will the general election also be by consensus?

Lucky Igbinedion

Is the party not at risk of incurring the people’s wrath considering the fact that the Igbinedion dynasty is frantically trying to foist one of their own through the back door?

Senator Roland Owie who spoke with NAIJA CENTER NEWS on the issue confirmed the plans.

The Senator stressed that they would not succeed in hatching it, insisting that though they may plan but they can’t as it will go against the tenet of the party.

On the secret meeting that took place in Abuja, the Senator said he challenged Tom Ikimi’s right to be in the meeting knowing fully well that he is supporting a specific candidate.

Some of us have told them it is illegal and they cannot try it. They were trying to do that nonsense and we told them it is not possible.

I told Tom Ikimi that he doesn’t have moral right to be there because he has a candidate he is supporting, how will you then chair such a committee. The PDP constitution is very clear, only NEC, PDP at national level that can constitute the committee at the appropriate time.

They were just wasting their time with what they were doing, it is unnecessary and they do not have the authority to do that.

Ikimi has his own aspirant which everybody has right to have but certainly my own arguments have been that the governorship election is not on party level but who is fielded.

I have said it that any aspirant that has close link with PDP eight years in Edo State cannot be the governor because that regime did not do too well. Everybody is free to choose candidates, but Edo people will choose their candidate. If they choose a candidate that is not salable or not, we wish them luck.

Oshiomhole may not have done to the extent that is expected to be but you cannot compare the governor’s achievement on ground to that of Lucky Igbinedion because if a man is not objective and as a Catholic Knight i am bound to say the truth in public and private.

There are some achievement Oshiomhole has made which PDP in Edo State did not do. All we should do is to tell the people that we would do better than what Oshiomhole had done by bringing a credible candidate, but if they bring a candidate within the system that failed (Lucky Igbinedion administration), we will distance ourselves throughout the campaign.

So they won’t try it, and if they dare, it will be aborted.

Revealing Oshiomhole’s plan, Senator Owie said the governor’s plan is to roll out a big board of Pastor Ize-Iyamu with Lucky Igbinedion to warn Edo people if he emerged as the party flag bearer.

Quoting the governor, the Senator said: “If Pastor Ize-Iyamu emerge as PDP candidate, he would roll out big board from Ofusu to Okpila with picture of Lucky Igbinedion and the Pastor with an inscription “don’t draw Edo State back again”,  and during campaign we will be defending ourselves.

Speaking on the issue, another chieftain of the PDP, Prince Edobor Eghosa said “We must not forget where we are coming from as a political party. First we are guided by the provision of our constitution. The founding father of this party have in mind when they postulated the motto of this party that there must be justice, unity and progress and the law two is not attainable without the first one.

“The slogan of PDP is that power must be to the people. We say no to imposition, and the selection of candidate must be through free, credible and democratic process. That is how in the end, there will be unity and progress because justice has been served.

“Making reference to what happened at the federal level, Prince Eghosa said i think our people have learned from their mistakes. The problem of the general election in 2015 has become an opener to the people.

“We drifted from the primary constitution of the party and that was why we lost the election. Not again shall we now deal with imposition and cabals who are bent on destroying this party.

EXCLUSIVE: Ikimi, Orbih, Igbinedion planning to hijack PDP candidacy for anointed candidate

500 women defect to PDP in Edo

About 500 women from the Social Democratic Party and the All Progressive Congress in Udaba community, Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo State have defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

dan orbih

The women said they were joining the party that would take Edo to a higher level.

State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, who receive the defectors said a PDP government in Edo would prioritize women empowerment and welfare.

Chief Orbih encouraged them to become apostles of change in the state by mobilizing support for the PDP.

Orbih said the PDP would neutralize Governor Oshiomhole’s plan to replace himself with another stranger as the governor.

He said Oshiomhole was a stranger in the state who would be leaving hardship and huge debt burden on the state.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu said the Afemai people would not lose anything after Oshiomhole hands over in November.

A former commissioner for Lands and Survey under Oshiomhole, Donald Boi Osikena, disclosed that he resigned because his responsibilities as commissioner were usurped by the governor.

Osikena, who defected to the PDP last year, said, “My ministry was being run from the government house. Approvals for lands and certificate of occupancy were being issued from government house without informing me. I reasoned that I didn’t want to go to jail early in life, so I left.”

500 women defect to PDP in Edo

Oshiomhole allegedly withdraws N500m for Christmas celebration

• Edo State Government: Let Your Expenses Reflect The Sign of The Times! – PDP

Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has warned the governor, Adams Oshiomhole on his reckless spending despite the current financial situation.

dan orbih

PDP in a statement signed by the state Chairman, Chief Dan Osi Orbih urged Oshiomhole to let his expenses reflect the sign of the times.

Chief Orbih was reacting to the speculation that the governor has withdrawn N500m ahead and in preparation of Christmas celebration.

The PDP Chairman said ” Information available to us is that Edo State Government has concluded plans to withdraw about N500m for a phantom Christmas celebration. We call on the Governor to stop this hideous and senseless intention. Let your expenses reflect the sign of the times! We recall that last year, Edo State Government spent over N220m for Christmas mainly using vouchers listed below :

EXT/GOV/GHSP/2586/14

EXT/GOV/GHSP/2580/14

EXT/GOV/GHSP/2563/14

EXT/GOV/GHSP/2578/14

EXT/GOV/GHSP/2522/14

EXT/GOV/GHSP/2521/14

“In the past few weeks we have witnessed protest from different segments of our society over unpaid salaries, pensions and gratuities. We have also witnessed protests over transferred economic burden resulting from mismanagement, misappropriation of funds, harsh and brutish state economic policies.

“Those directly affected that have cried out loud are the tipper drivers, market women, civil society groups, tenants, landlords as well as students and parents over arbitrarily increased school fees.

Governor Oshiomhole

“In the face of these harsh economic policies of Adams Oshiomhole’s Government, key officials of the Government have continued to spend state resources in an embarrassing and reckless manner. Those that used to wear Khaki now wear linen and silk. Champagne is now their drink of choice. All at the expense of taxpayers.

“This year’s plan to continually deplete state fund by doubling the amount spent last year have reached an advanced stage.”

This is coming at a time the state is engulfed in a huge and unmanageable debt portfolio as well as unprecedented fraud in various government department and agencies.

Recently, government reluctantly acceded to a longtime revelation to the monumental fraud in the ICT department by sacking the principal officers.

It could be recalled that Edo PDP blew the whistle on the fraud in ICT when it described the department as a “cesspool of corruption”.

Chief Orbih added “This action taken by the governor so far to say the least is face-saving and “scape-goatism” . The truth is that the Governor should take responsibility for the fraud in the ICT department. The department was created by Governor Adams and all principal heads were brought in by Governor Adams and they reported directly to Governor Adams.

“The innocent victims of this sack action can be likened to punishing the bus conductor for the accident of the driver. The governor should own up and accept responsibility for the fraud.”

Oshiomhole allegedly withdraws N500m for Christmas celebration

Edo South: Tribunal dismisses Samson Osagie’s petition

 

BENIN—EDO  State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City, yesterday dismissed the petition by Mr. Samson Osagie of All Progressives Congress, APC, challenging the election of Senator Matthew Urhoghide of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the representative of Edo South senatorial district.

The tribunal dismissed the petition on the grounds of incompetence.

The tribunal, in its ruling delivered by Justice Raymond Ozoemena, held that the petition lacked merit as it was not signed by lead counsel to the petitioners, Samson Osagie, APC, or any of their counsels.

The tribunal ruled that the petition which was not in compliance with the law, be struck out for lack of competence.

Counsel to the respondent, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who commended the ruling, described it as victory for the rule of law, while counsel to Mr. Osagie, Mr. Osaro Osemwengie, said the ruling was a somersault of justice.

Reacting to the ruling, Edo State PDP, through its Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, said: “This ruling today is a further confirmation that not only have the people of Edo State rejected the APC and the Governor Adams Oshiomhole‘s government, it also shows that they have been rejected by the law as well.

“PDP wishes to thank all Edo people for their support during the last election and assure them that a mandate given to us will be vigorously defended at all times and won’t be taken for granted.  We implore Edo people to remain patient in the face of the obnoxious policies of this government in the areas of taxation, harsh and uncivilized treatment of civil servants, pensioners, teachers, traders, market women and businesses in general.

“We ask the patient and peace loving people of Edo state to remain calm as the election for governor of Edo state is around the corner and I want you to know that only PDP can deliver real change in Edo State. With your mandate, we will implement a clear plan to turn our economy around and give all our people the best chance of success. It is a plan to create more jobs, give more hope to young people and to give families across the 18 local government areas more financial security and peace of mind. A PDP government in 2016 will be transparent and financially prudent.”

Edo South: Tribunal dismisses Samson Osagie’s petition

Edo PDP crisis deepens as party leaders kick against Orbih’s return

BENIN—THE crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State following the decision by some leaders of the party to kick against the return of Chief Dan Orbih as state chairman of the party heightened, yesterday, with 3the leaders reiterating their opposition to his return.

dan orbih

They said he had nothing new to offer the party after six years in office.

The leaders were reacting to an interview by a former Vice Chairman of the party, Paschal Ugbome, who insisted that Chief Orbih had performed creditably in the state PDP, and as a result “he will be re-elected in the forthcoming congress of the party.”

But a chieftain of the party in Edo South, Mr. Osaze Jesurobo and two time former chairman of Owan West Local Government Area and leader of the PDP in Edo North, Dan Asekhame, disagreed with Ugbome, stressing that the entire leadership of the party should give way for new persons so as to be able to stand a chance in the 2016 governorship election in the state.

Jesurobo said: “We have been saying it internally that Orbih should give way but we need to react to the comment by Ugbome. What he said are his personal views, those are not the views of majority of the party. For somebody that cannot win three elections in a row has nothing new to offer the party.”

 

Edo PDP crisis deepens as party leaders kick against Orbih’s return

Edo State House of Assembly Crisis, The True Position - Dan Osi Orbih

On May 9, 2014, three PDP members of the Edo State House of Assembly went to court to obtain an injunction ordering the House leadership not to declare their seats vacant or suspend them on any pretext. It is important to note that when 37 APC members of the Federal House of Representatives went to court to seek the same restraint the House Leadership and the National PDP asked a competent court of law to determine whether or not lawmakers should forfeit their mandates when they cross carpet. The courts are still interpreting that question.

Under the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, the grounds under which a member can cross-carpet are when his former party is in crisis or it is involved in a merger. The suspended members of the Edo State House of Assembly were members of the ACN who did not feel the need to move with the merger. On that score, they had right. It is instructive to note that Edo PDP demonstrated restraint when its legislator representing Esan Central Local Government, Hon. Victor Edoror, defected to the APC earlier in the year even though PDP was neither in crisis or in a merger. Our party saw it as his right to free choice until the question of ownership of mandate is settled legally.

The law relating to suspension of Honorable Members of the House is clear.

In the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Law CAP 87 Laws of the Bendel State of Nigeria, 1976, as applicable to Edo State of Nigeria, section 31, subsection 2 states that:

‘In the case of an offence committed by a member of the House, the House may, in addition to or instead of any punishment specified in subsection 1 of this section, order his suspension from the service of the House for such period as it may determine:

Provided that such period shall not extend beyond the last day of the meeting next following that in which the order is passed, or of the session in which the order is passed, which ever shall first occur’.

When therefore a member is suspended in accordance with this law, the suspension cannot be indefinite. The word used in the proviso under that section is shall and shall is mandatory. It therefore means that any suspension placed on a member of the House must lapse at the next sitting of the House. The Speaker of the House or indeed the House, has no option in the matter. A recall of such suspended member by the Speaker or the House is unnecessary. It is also unnecessary for the affected member to go to court to seek a declaration that such suspension has lapsed before he should be admitted back to the House. See the decided cases of:

1. Suit No. NIC/ABJ/69/2011 between Hon. Zakawanu Garuba vs Edo State House of Assembly & Anor.

2. Suit No. NIC/EN/07/2012 between Hon. Levis Aigbogun vs Edo State House of Assembly & Anor.

Therefore the suspension not being indefinite as at the time Hon. Uyi Igbe and Hon. Philip Shuaibu went to court on June 11, 2014, the suspension had lapsed.

Even the House Rules that Hon. Uyi Igbe and his co-travelers purported relied upon is subject to the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Law earlier mentioned above which is the Principal Law.

1. Under the House Rules, members cannot be suspended in absentia. They must be present in the sitting of the House where the offence or offences would have been committed.

2. The offence/s for which any members can be punished must be committed on the floor of the House.

3. The offence/s must be reported by the Speaker or the Chairman immediately after the commission of the offence by the named member.

4. A sitting Deputy Speaker cannot be punished by a pronouncement unless by a two-thirds majority of members of the House

In all the drama of Hon. Uyi Igbe and his co-travelers in the sitting of the House on Monday June 9, 2014, none of the supposed suspended members was present in the House that day making it impossible for them to commit an offence on the floor of the House that day. The House sat for only fifteen minutes from 10.10am to 10.25am as contained in the VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS No. 279 of the House of Assembly of the same date.

The alleged offence/s on which the suspension was hinged were claimed to have been committed outside of the floor of the House.

In the aforesaid Votes and Proceedings, it was Hon. Ohonbamu Paul (representing Egor Local Government Constituency) instead of the Speaker who under Matters of Urgent Public Importance rose and drew the attention of the House, in his words, ‘to the clandestine activities of some Honorable Members which has continuously undermine the peace that pervades the House’. According to him, ‘the continuous nocturnal meetings held by [the suspended members] is capable of threatening the peace of the House and by extension, the state and this amounts to gross misconduct on their part’. Nocturnal meetings (night meetings). Could these be said to have held on the floor of the House? No. Assuming this is correct, when have nocturnal meetings become an offence or gross misconduct under our laws? Aside all of these, were the Honorable Members given fair hearing? The answer is in the negative as they were not given any hearing whatsoever

In the case of one of their own Hon. Festus Ebea (APC Esan South East) who was before the supposed suspension, the Deputy Speaker of the House the House Rules as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria made provisions for his suspension or removal from office to the effect that he cannot be removed from office except by a two-thirds majority of the membership of the House which is sixteen. In his own case, the members that sat were FAR LESS THAN sixteen.

In the case of Suit No. B/70/OS/2014 instituted by Hon. Uyi Igbe and Hon. Philip Shuaibu the said suit was filed at about 3.36pm on Wednesday June 11, 2014 an interim order was purportedly obtained the same day restraining ELECTED MEMBERS from ‘forcibly gaining entrance into the premises and legislative quarters of the third claimant or so ever interfering with the sitting activities and other functions of the third claimant pending the determination of the motion on notice’. What an interim order!

We wonder how elected members can be said to be forcefully gaining entrance into the ‘premises’ wherein they are elected to represent their constituencies or how can they be seen to be interfering with the sitting activities and other functions of a House wherein which they are elected to represent their constituencies.

Despite all of these, an appeal has been lodged against the order and an application for stay of execution on the said order has been filed and same pending before the court. Yet there is also a pending application to vacate or set aside the order same having been made in error.

It is now trite law that when an appeal has been lodged against an order of a court and an application for stay of execution of that order filed, that application must be taken first before any step in respect of the said order. Thus all the hues and cries about an order being disobeyed should not arise and are certainly out of place. On the contrary, the APC members in the House are those who are in perpetual disobedience of court order and processes and causing tension where there ought to be none.

That in the case filed by the three supposedly suspended law makers in the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/B/CS/48/2014 against Hon. Uyi Igbe and others, one of the principal reliefs is claim for declaration for perpetual injunction restraining them from suspending the claimants. Yet in defiance of this suit, he went ahead with his co-travelers to suspend the said three law makers INDEFINITELY thus going in a roundabout manner to circumvent the ruling of Justice A.M. Liman to the effect that their seats should not be declared vacant pending the determination of the suit. Put succinctly, indefinite suspension tantamount to declaring their seats vacant.

It is an elementary principle of law that once parties are in court the res (the subject matter of the action must be safeguarded and not destroyed until the action is determined by the court). The res in this instance is the non-suspension of the three members until the case is determined.

It is to be noted that at the stage the interim order was granted in favor of Hon. Uyi Igbe and others, Chief Ferdinand Orbih was not given audience in court by the Judge, reason being that he should wait until his clients are served.

The PDP in Edo State wishes to state categorically that the APC and its government must tow the line of peace and call its members in the Edo State House of Assembly to order as the PDP will not fold its arms and allow the use of thugs to harass and embarrass members of the House. They must be advised to obey and have respect for the rule of law, the orders of the courts and due processes.

signed

Chief Dan Osi Orbih

Chairman, PDP,

Edo State.

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Edo State House of Assembly Crisis, The True Position - Dan Osi Orbih

PDP attacks Oshiomhole over neglect of health sector in Edo

BY  GABRIEL     ENOGHOLASE

BENIN—EDO State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has taken a swipe at the state government over what it described as the “reckless abandonment of the health sector in the state.”

State Chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih, spoke in Abudu, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state, in continuation of his visitation tour of the party’s state Working Committee to all the 18 councils in the state.

Orbih, who formally received some defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to PDP in the town, noted that it was depressing that while pregnant women in neighbouring Delta State get free medical care, those in Edo State pay and don’t get services for the their money.

He noted that training of nurses and midwives in state- hospitals stopped in January, 2013, after the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, NMCN, withdrew their operating licence owing to what he described as poor training regime and inclement training conditions.

He said while the NMCN recommends a ratio of 10 nursing students to one instructor, the practice in Edo State dropped to as low as 78 nursing students to one instructor, promising that a PDP government will  ensure that the licence was returned when voted into office.

Welcoming decampees from the APC, including Mr. Isaiah Osifo and Pastor Joseph Osagiede, Orbih said PDP will be willing to receive the state deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, who is from Orhionmwon Local Government Area, back into the party by the time he serves out his tenure.

Pointing out that over N300 billion had been received by the Governor Adams Oshiomhole administration and N2 billion was being received every month as Internally Generated Revenue, he lamented that there was nothing to justify the money received so far.

“We will not allow Edo people to be deceived again. We will not give Oshiomhole the privilege of picking a successor. Our people must know that we need a governor who will relate with the Presidency to fast-track development in Edo State,” Orbih said.

PDP attacks Oshiomhole over neglect of health sector in Edo