Why I Won"t Reconcile With Igbinedion"s Family - Oshiomhole

BENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said that he may not reconcile his differences with the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, because the latter allegedly disrespected his office by seeing himself as bigger than the entire Edo State.

Lucky Igbinedion

Oshiomhole spoke when he visted Chief Igbinedion’s ancestral home in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, where he commissioned class room blocks at Iguomo and a three-storey office complex which was named after the governor.

The projects were executed by the chairman of the council, Mrs Lucy Omagbon. The governor, who was responding to a plea by a leader of the community that the governor should reconcile with Chief Igbinedion, said that he had no problem with Chief Igbinedion but that his duty as governor of the state was to protect both the rich and the poor, adding that it was in the discharge of such duties that he had issues with Igbinedion.

According to him, “I heard the Chairman talking about my quarrel with Igbinedion. I have no problem with anybody. There are only four levels of government, federal, state, local and traditional institution. The House of Igbinedion does not belong to any of this. He is a chief and I respect him as a chief but he must respect constituted authorities, the office of the governor of Edo State. This governor cannot be harassed, he cannot be blackmailed. And I stand ready to defend that office.”

Why I Won"t Reconcile With Igbinedion"s Family - Oshiomhole

‘Oshiomhole should apologise to Igbinedion’ - Victor Enoghama

Hon. Victor Enoghama, an associate of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, is a former commissioner in Edo State. In this interview with Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR, he says Governor Adams Oshiomhole should apologise to Igbinedion for making unfounded allegations. 

How would you react to the invective on former Governor Lucky Igbinedion by Governor Adams Oshiomhole ?

Lucky Igbinedion

I am an in-law to the former governor. The event that took place before the anniversary when we heard the Comrade Governor insulting the Esama of Benin Kingdom and also insulting the former governor was not pleasant to me. I was disturbed that it was coming from a governor that I have worked with for four years. The moral value we had has been lost. If there are political issues that have to be discussed, there are ways to discuss them after all, the people we borrow this democracy from, they have their own political disagreement, but they don’t resort it to a personal attack. From what I saw when the governor used over an hour to lambast the Igbinedions, both father and son, is not a welcome development. If I were with the governor, I probably would have told him that is not the way a governor should behave. If you have any political difference with anybody, you first have a close door meeting. Things you discuss at a close door meeting are personal issues. For him to come out and start insulting someone like Chief Igbinedion, it is not really about my relationship with the Igbinedions or my relationship with the governor. As far as I am concern, it is politically incorrect and morally wrong.

What should the governor do next?

Lucky did not hand over to Oshiomhole, he actually handed over to Oserheimen Osunbor. For 18 months, Osunbor was governor in this state. His did not say he wanted to investigate Lucky who was his predecessor. For Oshiomhole to say after seven years that he wants to investigate Lucky, you will know that there is something fishy and all those things dovetail into the seven years anniversary. It was a build up. For me as someone who has worked in public office, I will say the governor has erred in this regard. If I were to be with the governor in his administration, I would have told him that he erred in telling the Igbinedions that he has stolen money from the state government which is unfounded. He has erred and if he wants peace in the state because as a government his primary purpose is the welfare of the citizens of the state and peace which is more paramount. He can retrace his steps when he as a governor apologies. There is nothing wrong if the governor admits his mistake. As a governor, there are certain people he must manage, regardless of political affiliation. Those people who have attained, in terms of business, those people the Federal Government has recognised. Do you know what it is for somebody to be awarded with a CFR. The Federal Governmenr has found that person worthy of that position. A person who has that kind of title, you don’t just demean that person in the public.

What do you say about comments that Esama enriched himself during the administration of his son?

For Oshiomhole to say that Chief Igbinedion enriched himself during Lucky’s government is laughable. I grew up as a small boy when we hear of the word Exemption. I remember those days when we used to pass artillery on our way to the stadium. We see high rising buildings and they said they belonged to Igbinedion. I used to see him on a white horse. The title Esama means one of the richest man in Benin Kingdom. Singlehandedly, Igbinedion has sponsored his son back in 1991 when he lost  during the NRC and SDP. Lucky coming into power in 1999 was funded by his father. He was the first black man to own 747 jet. Having participated in Lucky’s government in 2007, I can say that Lucky has done his best. He created the foundation for Oshiomhole. In 1999, the day Lucky came to power was the day civil servants called off their strike. Lucky did not lament what he met on ground but he put his effort together and see how he could create a government. Lucky restructure our health system and the educational system. In the civil service, Lucky employed people and get water from Ikpoba Dam. With the little money, Lucky had, he was able to put structures in place. An incoming government was supposed to build on it. If Lucky wanted to eradicate the legacy of Dr. Ogbemudia, he would not have renovated the stadium. He put seats on the stadium. He made the swimming pool to an international standard. He built infrastructure in AAU. Government is continuity. If Edo State want to move forward, we must avoid the idea of killing legacies of predecessors. The legacy I left at the Ministry of Transport was destroyed.

Is it true that Chief Igbinedion solely collected the monthly IGR of N280m for personal use?

That is completely false. Lucky formed the Board of Internal Revenue. Go and ask those who were members of the board how they were collecting the revenue. When Lucky came in, the IGR was about N20m. Lucky built it to about N280m. Does it mean his father was collecting N200m? As we speak, Oshiomhole has paid four percent to Oseni Elamah. If Igbinedion by proxy or influence was a consultant to the Board of Internal Revenue of which he was not, there was no way government would have paid N200m. What are they doing with the 4% they are paying the consultants? These are political gimmicks.

A former Commissioner once said Lucky had passion for work, but was bogged down by his father and Chief Anenih.

That is not true. If Charles Idahosa is saying that, I believe that is a misplace information. When you talk about performances, there is a limit you can perform as a government and that depends on the revenue that accrue to you. There is no father that will not wish his son well. There was no way the father, Esama could distract his son. Those of us close to Chief, we know that Chief met well for this state and this country. He has contributed his own to the development of this country. There was no way he could have distract his son. Lucky was never distracted. He gave his best to the development of this state. He is a quiet man and has never want to join issue with anybody. Idahosa is one of the beneficiary of Lucky. Was he not a Commissioner in his government. When he is now saying the government he was part of and he didn’t resign when things were going wrong and go on to say that somebody was responsible for the failure. Wherever we are now was made possible by Lucky. I have said it in a State Council meeting. The cry of the people during Igbinedion era was not road. How many people have cars then. Because their human development has been attain, that is when you start talking about cars.  The man was building government. He meant well for the state which was why he set up those industries to enable the youths get employed. The fruit factory at Ehor was never sold. It was only Ikpeshi Chemical plant that was sold. Cassavita was working and Fertilizer plant was there. Oshiomhole should have seen that the companies were working and build on it. People would have been working in the factory. No investor want to come to Edo during Lucky because investors were not sure about our democracy. The government took the initiative and after privatize. I am saying these things because of my participation in three administrations.

You were in government when the Land Use Charge was passed into law..

The Land Use Charge first came in 2012 when I was the Commissioner for Transoort. We discussed it at the Council meeting,  I told the Governor that the state was not ripe enough for the Land Use Charge. Then it was called Property Tax. I said we should get the government infrastructure to a level before throwing out the option. For him to say we can get N18bn a month means anti-people. We know in abroad, property tax are paid through mortgage system. As a citizen, you don’t need to have the full amount before building a house. Before talking about Land Use Charge, the infrastructure, water supply, electricity, good roads, good public schools, welfare are they available? The timing was wrong when they brought it on board and I said we must take development  to a certain level before introducing the law. We can’t see that

Lagos State is doing something and we set out to do it. Property Tax is not politically correct as of this moment. Majority of Edo people are against this. You can shove it. You don’t make a law for certain people in the society. You make a law that encompassed the entire society. When they start saying it is met for those in the GRA. Where is the GRA? The GRA ends in Boundary road. I don’t live in GRA, I live in Ugbor village. Are you saying, I will pay when you have already defined GRA. Are you saying GRA at Auchi is included? If you want to take the map of old GRA, it ends in Boundary road. We should have public debate and do marketing before it is launched. The way the law was past showed there was something under it.

But, the government said it was meant to tax the rich and provide facilities for the poor.

How many rich men are in the GRA? Whenever they talk about the rich, they talk about Igbinedion. Some of the houses in the GRA are inheritance. There are so many government properties there. It is the rich men that established the businesses where people work in the state. Look at Igbinedion payroll, he pays over a N100m for salary staff. There is the C of O payment. Igbinedion is up to date on that. Are we going to tax them and give the money to the poor. How will the poor benefit from some of the programmes the government has outlined. That should be the questions to ask. There are various ways the rich can compensate and work for the poor. One way is bringing investment. Chief Igbinedion has brought a lot of investments where people work. The government should encourage the rich to invest. The rich are encouraged by the government to invest.

What about the alleged land grabbing by Chief Igbinedion under his son’s administration?

Without Igbinedion, most people would not have known Okada community. Igbinedion hails from Okada village. A part of those land the governor is referring to is his own inheritance. If you look at the date when some of the land were given to him, you can tell that military governors gave him part. If they say his son gave him the entire land which this government want people to believe is not true. The son didn’t gave his father those lands. Even if the son decide to give land to his father, is it because the son is a governor, the father should be denied something. If the father applied, the issue should be whether it passed through the normal process. I can do what I want to do on any land given to me by the government provided it is farming. If they say Chief Igbinedion has those land and he is letting them to cocoa farmers, how do we justify if Chief Igbinedion said he owns the cocoa farm. Have you seen any protest from Okada people that their land has been collected? Let them show us documents. Chief Igbinedion has documents with which the land was acquired. Some of those properties in the GRA were given to him by government before the son came to power. Igbinedion bought that number one Guest House from a former governor. They are playing politics with everything.

Do you attribute what is happening to next year’s election?

It is 2016 that is playing out now. They came out too early. The Oshiomhole government we started in 2008 was focus. We were focus and playing less politics. That is the reasons we were able to achieve some of the infrastructure we had. Today those infrastructures have collapsed because politics is now the order of the day. This last year is going to be for politics and as a result the people will not enjoy dividends of democracy. There are a lot of issues to compare previous government with this government unlike before when they will say this government didn’t do anything. The cost of doing the bye-pass from Oluku to Sapele road is N10bn. How much does this government spent on five kilometer of roads? When we want to talk about corruption, we have to look into his activities. I am not happy with the language of Oshiomhole calling Jonathan an armed robber. People like to talk about Martin Luther King. I will not want my children to talk like Oshiomhole. There are people to be managed in the society. If you successfully manage those people, it will be well with you. Some people were laughing when insults were poured on a man who for over 60 years has been on top of his game. The governor has right to challenge anybody to a debate but not to cast aspersion on those who said I don’t trust your policy. Some of us were labeled as rebel commissioners because we spoke our mind.

Are you worried about the planned probe of Lucky Igbinedion?

I am not worried about the planned probe. Those who have not sinned should cast the first stone. I just told you it takes N15bn to do a four kilometer road in this state. This issue of going to Abuja to forward files to the Federal Govenment. If there are issues, the man has a right to explain.

Your party has accused Oshiomhole of being corrupt and you have worked closely with Oshiomhole. Can you say the allegation by your party is true?

Corruption is of different forms. When you over blown project cost, that is corruption. When you get kickback on projects awarded, that is corruption. When you deny certain people of their rights, that is corruption. When I was there as a commissioner, there were certain things that happened that didn’t make me happy. That is the truth. It was clear to me that this idea of the messiah was not there. For you to say your predecessor was corrupt and you are not corrupt, that is for Edo people to decide. From the little we can see, we can tell the government is not free of corruption. When there is nepotism, tribalism playing in government, you know that is is not free of corruption. Some of us were moved from certain offices, because he wanted to put his tribesman there. Some people have been sacked from office because of one issue or the other while others are still in office for the same offenses. Is that not corruption. Oshiomhole’s government has lost focus. Politics now take 70 per cent and the real governance take 30 per cent and there is no control. Three years of this second tenure have destroyed the infrastructures we built in four years. Tell me any street light working today. When some of us challenged the traffic light, we were told this is the best. What about the school furniture that were supplied. People did not know what happened why there are no furniture in some schools where we invested N3bn. Compare the way Edo supplied furniture to schools to the way Fayose supplied furniture to schools. Our furniture makers in the state are not benefitting. Somebody did the furniture in Abuja and 50 per cent of the furniture were missing.

You are close to the former Governor. Has he in anyway regretted actions of Charles Idahosa?

Lucky Igbinedion talk less even when you sit with him for hours. He listen a lot. He has said he will not interfere with Oshiomhole government and he will allow him concentrate on governance. Who made Charles Idahosa chairman during military era, it was Lucky. Lucky also made him a commissioner. People believe they can pass any aspersion on him and it will stick because he does not say anything. This time, the man has said enough is enough. It is unfair for Charles, a childhood friend of Lucky to start castigating him from behind. Lucky has contributed to the likes of Charles. You cannot play politics with your friend who has contributed in terms of human capital development to your life.

‘Oshiomhole should apologise to Igbinedion’ - Victor Enoghama

Defend yourself on Oshiomhole"s allegation - APC tells Igbinedion

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has called on a Benin Chief, Gabriel Igbinedion, to defend himself on the allegations levelled at him by Governor Adams Oshiomhole in his address at the ceremony to mark his 7th anniversary in office and stop stoking unnecessary sentiments.

Lucky Igbinedion

In a statement signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, the party said the Benin Chief has continued to dish out falsehood to distort the facts of the Governor’s address in order to score cheap points.

He said: “we have watched with amusement, the desperate attempts by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and his sympathizers to portray the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole as the villain.

“It would be recalled that Chief Igbinedion had, since 2012, deployed his radio and television stations to conduct incessant and undeserved campaign of calumny and falsehood against the person and office of the Comrade Governor until early this year.

“The Independent Radio and TV (ITV) had at a time publicly apologized, recanted their stories and the virulent attacks abated. From what we now know, the renewed onslaught against the Governor is directly attributable to the fact that he exposed the scandalous transfer of state land to the Chief in questionable circumstances during the tenure of his son Chief Lucky Igbinedion as Governor.

“There is also the issue of using Government facilities to train students in private institutions owned by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion at the expense of Edo tax payers while the chief smiles to the bank with hundreds of millions of naira. The Governor equally exposed how his son, former Governor Lucky Igbinedion awarded the contract for the construction of Iguobazuwa-Okada road to his younger brother, Bright Igbinedion who diverted the contract sum to construct roads within Igbinedion University, leaving the people of Okada and the neighbourhood to continue to suffer and risk their lives on the bad road.

“We believe that the Comrade Governor has exhibited a very rare quality of courage in reversing what obviously constitutes abuse. He should be commended for exposing the anomalies and redressing same to those people who have allowed themselves to be used as protesters in exchange for a mess of pottage, we say they should hide their heads in shame. It is very obvious that they have acted in ignorance. The chief they have come out to support has not denied any of the allegations by the Comrade Governor.

“We call on him to speak on the issues and stop whipping up petty sentiments.

“Those who do not want the progress of Edo State must not be allowed to have their way.”

Defend yourself on Oshiomhole"s allegation - APC tells Igbinedion

How Much Tax You Pay For Your House In London, US, Dubai, South Africa - Igbinedion replies Oshiomhole

• explain how squander trillions of IGR – Igbinedion

A former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion has asked the governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to explain how he squandered trillions of Internal Generated Revenues for the past 7 years of his administration.

This is coming after the governor accused Igbinedion of allegedly stealing $31m belonging to the general public and allocating 200,000 hectare of government owned land to his father

Lucky Igbinedion

The governor said  “Based on the powers vested in me, as the elected Governor of Edo State, I used those privileges to revoke the over 200,000 hectares of land that the Igbinedion, the son gave to Igbinedion the father. I revoked it and I returned it to government.

“Igbinedion takes this land and gives this land to cocoa farmers, some of them from Edo, some from Yoruba land. These cocoa farmers will farm and sweat to grow their cocoa on government land, Igbinedion will sit in his house on which he is not paying ground rent and is collecting royalties.

“Is Igbinedion the Oba of Benin? The great Oba of the great Benin Kingdom never subjected his people to that level of exploitation. Can you accept that one chief collects royalties as if he is a traditional ruler.”

In a swift response, the former governor in a statement on Saturday asked Oshiomhole to account for the trillions of naira he has generated through IGR in the state.

 

Igbinedion said   “He should explain to the people of Edo State how he spent the federal allocations and internal generated revenues running into trillions naira in seven years.

“He should tell the people of Edo how much he is paying as land tax for his house in Iyamho worth over N10bn and other properties he has acquired in the last seven years in Dubai, Cape Town in South Africa, in San Francisco, United States of America, a high rise apartment in Atlanta also in America and in London. He is calling everybody a thief but Oshiomhole is the biggest thief in Benin City today.”

He said that his financial transaction as a governor is open for everyone to see, adding that the governor’s accusation is meant to divert the people attention from his failing administration.

He said  “Oshiomhole has failed; the people of Edo State now know him better. Oshiomhole is the least qualified person to talk about corruption in the country today because his actions and programmes in the last seven years in Edo State epitomise corruption.

“He has called everybody in Nigeria a thief; has called former President Olusegun Obasanjo a thief; called former President Goodluck Jonathan a thief, he called (ex-Minister of Finance, Ngozi) Okojo-Iweala a thief, and others. Yet, he cannot prove his cases. I don’t think he knows the meaning of a thief.

“He lives in the glass house and throws stones. President Muhammadu Buhari will soon find out the real Oshiomhole by the time we provide documents against him.”

How Much Tax You Pay For Your House In London, US, Dubai, South Africa - Igbinedion replies Oshiomhole

Why it took 7 years to squeal on Igbinedion — Oshiomhole

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said it took seven years for him to squeal on the illegalities perpetrated by the Lucky Igbinedion administration because he knew that the past PDP-led Federal Government lacked the moral and political will to fight corruption as the PDP Government at the federal level was also committing serious infractions.

Governor Oshiomhole

Speaking at a colloquim organised by the state government to interact with the people of Edo State on the topic: “The Edo Project: Defining the Issues and addressing the Challenges-Post 2016” as part of activities to mark his 7th anniversary in office, Oshiomhole said “there were things I could not do under PDP.

“People asked me, why didn’t you speak all these years. If I say it, reporting thieves to thief, what difference does it make? Now I can talk because I know that the man there, if I can provide evidence, he will act.

There was no point reporting a thief to an armed robber.”

According to the Governor, the PDP Federal Government acted with a lot of impunity at that time, saying “a Commissioner of Police came to my office a few years ago and brought an instruction from Abuja signed by the IG on the instructions of the Secretary to the Federal Government, Anyim Pius Anyim that I should be stopped from intruding into the Ovoranwnem Square, that I am vandalizing Federal Government property and violating federal territories.

“I told the CP top put me in handcuffs and take me away because it is not difficult to arrest me courtesy of my size. We have been fighting all kinds of forces and I said, the water fountain you call an act of vandalism was what our people celebrate.

But in the eyes of the PDP, I was vandalizing it and even as we speak, the matter is in court.

“Given the new balance of forces in Abuja, I have directed that they resume rebuilding the water fountain and to re-grass it and I also said that that place should not be turned to a car park. Until we got rid of the PDP, anybody I sent to carry out such task did so at great risk to their freedom.”

Speaking on the Land Use Charge law, the governor said “I am not going to waste my precious time dealing with mercenaries. We are ready to engage with the real civil societies.

They have a signature House in Abuja and they know what they pay there. They have a house in Bishop Avenue in London occupying 1300 square meters, whether the one owned by the father or the son, they have properties in South Africa and they pay land use charge for those properties whether they live there or not.

“Do you think when they are fighting us in Edo, it is about enlightenment? It is not about enlightenment. Is it not of interest to you that it is student and Civil Societies who are fighting or purporting to fight against property tax. In other developed countries, it is this group that will be pushing government to increase property tax to the rich. How can a student be fighting for a rich man not to pay tax?”

Earlier, the moderator of the Colloquim, Mr. Femi Falana SAN praised Comrade Oshiomhole for a job well done in the past seven years as Governor.

According to him, “the Governor having been in the terrain of popular struggle and systemic exploitation and corruption, Nigerians were wondering what this social critic was going to do in Edo State. It wasn’t easy because by the time he assumed leadership of the State, the economy was already grounded.

“For 8 years before he got there, the governments, particularly of this state, were all smiling to the bank. By the time the Governor took over, the purse had not only been looted, but it had dried up. The comrade accepted the challenge and looked for water even in the rock and at the end of the day, he has been able to demonstrate even to his greatest critic that there are governors and that there are governors.

“For our comrade, the road has not been easy, the battle has been tough but at the end of the day, all of us who are friends and allies, whenever we are discussing the Governors who have performed in this country, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole will certainly rank as one of the best.

“Comrade, you still have a year and unlike other governors who hardly perform during their second term, I understand in Edo State you are waxing stronger and I wish you success as you enter the last lap of your glorious tenure in this state.

“It is not common to see a building of this nature and when I got here I could not believe that I was in the premises of a secondary school, you can only find a hall of this nature either in Abuja or Lagos. Today is not just a day of intellectual discourse, it is day of stock taking.

“I want to congratulate each and every one of his team and the entire Edo people for their contributions to the success of the Comrade Governor. Our people say when your masquerade dances well, you are very proud, Comrade, you are a good masquerade and you are dancing very well”.

Speakers at the Colloquim include Dr Pius Odubu, Deputy Governor; Mr Osarodion Ogie, Commissioner for Works; Prince Clem Agba, Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities; Mr Godwin Obaseki, Chiarman, Edo State Economic Team; Mr Frank Evbuomwan, Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development; Dr Aihanuwa Eregie, Commissioner for Health; Dr Osagie Obayuwana,former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Edo State and Mr Austin Osakwe, human rights activist. It was moderated by Mr Femi Falana, SAN.

Why it took 7 years to squeal on Igbinedion — Oshiomhole

Igbinedion allocated Edo land to his father, says Oshiomhole

•You’re a sinking man – Igbinedion

By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin-City

THE current war between Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and former governor Lucky Igbinedion has taken fresh dimensions with the two leaders trading allegations. The development has tended to heighten tension in the area two groups of residents took to the streets last Monday and Wednesday protesting government’s recent introduction of the land charge policy.

Governor Oshiomhole

The anti-land charge protestors who marched through major streets in Benin-City were allegedly sponsored by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

But in a counter protest, a multitude of youths said to comprise students and civil society organizations backed the land use charge policy and commended government over what they described as its efforts to collect such taxes from the rich to assist the poor.

The group of solidarity protesters marched to the House of Assembly complex and Government House where Oshiomhole addressed them and described Igbinedion’s alleged unlawful withdrawal of $31 million from the government coffers as clear abuse of power.

Oshiomhole also said that the Igbinedion family had thrown caution to the winds, using every available means to wage war against him because he recovered over 200,000 hectares of land illegally by Chief Gabriel Igbinedion during the tenure of his son as governor.

According to the Governor, “let me thank all of you for coming out in huge numbers to express your solidarity, your support and your endorsement of my stewardship here at Osadebey Avenue.

Lucky Igbinedion

Esama of Benin Kingdom, Gabriel Igbinedion

Let me assure you, I will continue without fear of man, but with the fear of God to provide leadership that will deliver prosperity to the great people of this great state. To be able to do that, everybody, everybody born of a woman who lives in this state must be subjected to the rule of law.

“In the interest of Edo people, even the ones yet unborn, I want to be remembered after my stewardship not only for roads, hospitals, for schools and much more importantly, I want to be remembered as the man who brought an end to exemption.

There is no more exemption in Edo State. I want to be remembered as the man who took from those who have bastardized, raped and privatized the resources of Edo State, used our money to build their private universities and they walk around our streets when they are supposed to be in prison.”

Alleged land deals

According to Oshiomhole, “let me share with you some of the things that are going on and why they are angry. I did not promise to make everybody happy, what I promised was to make the majority happy. I will publish records in black and white and Edo people will be shocked how they have been raped.

You are here looking for a small parcel of land and Lucky Igbinedion, former Governor here gave out to his own father, Gabriel Igbinedion over 200,000 acres of government land.   They took that land on the ground that they will use it for mechanized farming.

That is what is in the books but what is on ground is that, Igbinedion takes this land and gives this land to cocoa farmers, some of them from Edo, some from Yoruba land. These cocoa farmers will farm and sweat to grow their cocoa on government land, Igbinedion will sit in his house on which he is not paying ground rent and is collecting royalties.

Is Igbinedion the Oba of Benin? The great Oba of the great Benin Kingdom never subjected his people to that level of exploitation. Can you accept that one chief collects royalties as if he is a traditional ruler.

Based on the powers vested in me, as the elected Governor of Edo State, I used those privileges to revoke the over 200,000 hectares of land that the Igbinedion, the son gave to Igbinedion the father. I revoked it and I returned it to government.

“You need to hear as students of AAU how Igbinedion raided Edo State resources. You know that in AAU, we have College of Medicine where we are training doctors. In 2000, when Lucky was in government, AAU was producing Medical students.

These medical students are supposed to be attached to a hospital for their clinical. The Igbinedion family decided that AAU will not use the state-owned hospital. They decided on record that our Central Hospital will be reserved for Igbinedion University.

Some of you will remember that AAU medical students had to go to University of Jos Teaching Hospital for their clinical at their own expense. When UniJos could no longer take them, they made arrangement to take them to Uniben.

When the authorities found out the capacity of Uniben could not accommodate them, AAU students were stranded. In the end, they ended up with Irrua Specialist Hospital. Now, what did they do with the Edo state-owned Central Hospital?

Igbinedion the son, entered into agreement with Igbinedion the father that the Central Hospital shall be reserved for medical students of Igbinedion University, Okada. So, whereas Edo State Government owns a university, their own students were denied the use of Edo State-owned hospital. Edo State hospital was obliged to teach students of Igbinedion University, Okada.

They agreed that Igbinedion University will pay some fees to the Central Hospital. The amount to be paid was not stated. Every year, the taxes that you pay were being used to provide facilities for the Central Hospital to teach the students of Igbinedion University and they paid zero cost. Edo State Government paid the lecturers, the doctors and provides all the consumables in the hospital.

“So I revoked it and directed the Commissioner to write to terminate the MoU and to demand that Igbinedion pays about N30 million per year for those periods and I directed he should be charged to court. That is the fight.

“I fight with clean conscience to secure the collective future of our people. My motives are not personal. My mission in government is not to bring hardship to anyone. I just want to correct what is wrong and get going. I am not here to look at yesterday but if you over do it and you continue, we need to put an end to it.”

Oshiomhole’s allegations baseless

But former Governor Igbinedion in an advertorial carpeted Oshiomhole describing him as a sinking man Igbinedion said that allegation of illegal deduction of money had no basis even as he accused Oshiomhole of a deliberate policy of grounding the industries he established when he was governor.

However, Oshiomhole in his 7th  anniversary as governor on Thursday responded to the allegation that he failed to build industries arguing that the industries the Igbinedion administration built were never meant to function, rather to siphon money.

“The previous government is quick to tell us that they built a factory in Ehor, Casavita at Uromi, Fertilizer at Auchi and Ikpesi Fruit Juice Factory. The intention of that government was simply to use these outfits to siphon public funds to private pockets. They were never intended to function and they never functioned one day even under their government,” Oshiomhole said.

Igbinedion allocated Edo land to his father, says Oshiomhole

I have corruption files on Igbinedion - Monarch tells Oshiomhole

The traditional ruler of Opoji in Esan Central local government area of Edo State, HRH Aidenojie Ehidiamen, has chided Governor Adams Oshiomhole for not opening several alleged corruption files on former Governor Lucky Igbinedion.

Lucky Igbinedion

The Royal father said Oshiomhole refused to act on several messages he sent to him on where to find files containing information on how money was diverted during Igbinedion’s administration in the state.

Ehidamen, who spoke at a town hall meeting to mark Oshiomhole’s seven years anniversary, said it was wrong for roads in his domain to be in bad shape, while those that wreaked the state finances walked the street free.

“There are so many files on Lucky Igbinedion. We can start fresh prosecution. There was the N200million that was diverted and they are walking freely.”

“You have overlooked many things. You have to come out so that Edo can move forward. I don’t know whether you have become a Reverend Father that forgives sinners.”

Responding, Governor Oshiomhole confirmed receipts of petitions from the Roya Father.

Oshiomhole disclosed that he has ordered for files on government assets that were sold during Igbinedion administration with a view to reclaiming those that were not properly sold.

The governor also disclosed that all internal roads at the Igbinedion University were constructed by the Edo State Government based on available records.

I have corruption files on Igbinedion - Monarch tells Oshiomhole

Why I’ll prosecute former Gov Igbinedion, Esama - Oshiomhole

BENIN—GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said  that he will take all the files containing alleged fraud perpetrated during the tenure of former governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, to Abuja next week to commence prosecution.

Governor Oshiomhole

Vowing to prosecute the former governor and his father, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and send them to jail if convicted, Oshiomhole alleged that both the former governor and his father converted property and funds meant for the people of the state to their private use.

He also expressed his readiness to publish the sales of government property during the administration of Chief Igbinedion and also fingered the former Secretary to the State Government, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as one of the beneficiaries of some of the sales.

The governor  spoke when he addressed  youths, civil society organisations and students who embarked on a solidarity march to condemn what they described as the Monday protest in the state allegedly sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The youths had earlier condemned the protest, commending the governor for his developmental strides and introduction of the land use charge which, according to them, is geared toward uplifting the lives of the poor to the detriment of the rich.

Oshiomhole, who said he wanted to be remembered for eliminating god-fatherism in the state, commended the youths for their solidarity, saying: “It shows your support and your endorsement of my stewardship here in Osadebey Avenue.”

He said his problem with the Igbiendions started when he revoked the over 2,000 hectares of land the former governor gave to his father in Okada which, according to him, belonged to the state government and also the termination of the MoU the former governor signed with his father, which according to him “allowed medical students in Igbinedion University to use our state- owned hospital at the expense of Edo State Government while Chief Igbinedion collected N1 million from each medical student.”

According to him, “Every body born of a woman in this state must be subjected to the rule of law. I decree in the name of God my creator and in the interest of Edo people, even the ones yet unborn, that I want to be remembered, not only for roads, hospitals, schools but much more importantly, I want to be remembered as the man who brought an end to exemptions. I want to be remembered as the man who took from those who have bastardized, raped and privatized the resources of Edo State, used our money to build their private universities and walk around our streets when they are supposed to be in Oko prison.

“We provided leadership that has banished godfathers in Edo State, they can never  forget that once upon a time there was Adams. I did not promise to make everybody happy, what I promised was to make majority happy. And to make majority happy we must make some people cry, so that others can smile.”

Why I’ll prosecute former Gov Igbinedion, Esama - Oshiomhole

Edo: Next Governor Must be A PDP Member - Lucky Igbinedion

Eight years after keeping mute on the political scene since he left office as Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion has bounced back vowing to anoint the next governor of the state when Oshiomhole’s tenure ends next year.

Lucky Igbinedion

Chief Igbinedion noted that being a high ranking member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, he was in the prime position to anoint who will be the next governor of the state.

He said he would play a prominent in the process of picking the PDP governorship candidate when the time comes.

The former governor spoke at the birthday reception of former Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his wife.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu who shared the same birthday with his wife served as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government during Lucky’s administration.

Chief Igbinedion said that there was no iota of doubt that he is well loved by the people of the state and asserted that till date he was the only governor whose victory at the polls was never challenged in any court of law.

According to him, “Whoever is going to be the next governor of Edo State must be one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. And must also be a member of the ‘family”.

The birthday party was attended by Chairman, Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Senator Domingo Obende, Chief Dan Orbih, Hon Sergius Ogun amongst others.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu who is a strong contender for the PDP ticket would be battling against Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Chief Solomon Edebiri, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and Mike Onolememen.

Edo: Next Governor Must be A PDP Member - Lucky Igbinedion

Igbinedion donates N8m in honour of FHC CJ, Auta

The Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel igbinedion, led all donors at the presentation of a book written in honour of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta‎, last Thursday.

Esama of Benin Kingdom, Gabriel Igbinedion

The father of a former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, donated ‎N8m.

He was only followed by a group of 21 Senior Advocates of Nigeria who donated N7m for the book.

Igbinedion announced his donation at the public presentation of a book titled, ‘Encyclopedia of civil procedures and practices of superior courts in Nigeria’ which was compiled by a group of lawyers.

The event took place on the same day when a son of Igbinedion was given a N3m option of fine ‎for N25bn money laundering offences by the Benin Division of the Federal High Court.

A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress and former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the Senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District of Ekiti State in the National Assembly, Babafemi Ojudu, also donated N2m for the book.

The 21 SANs, led by Dr. Alex Izinyon and Mr. D.D Dodo, initially raised N5,250,000 but later felt that it was below expectation and subsequently increased it to N7m.

The event took place on the same day one of Igbinedion’s sons, Michael, was being sentenced by Justice J. Liman of the Benin Division of the Federal High Court.

Justice Liman had, on April 29, 2015 convicted Michael, who is a younger brother to Lucky, and adjourned till last Thursday for sentencing.

The judge sentenced Michael to a six-year jail term for N25bn money laundering offences.

An aide of Lucky, a former governor son of Igbinedion, Patrick Eboigbodin, was also jailed for 20 years for the same offences.

However, the governor’s brother has an option of paying N3m or N1m for each of the three counts on which he was found guilty to avoid going to jail.

Igbinedion donates N8m in honour of FHC CJ, Auta

Group slams judge for fining Igbinedion N3million over N25bn theft

The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has condemned the slap-on-the-wrist judgment handed Michael Igbinedion, a younger brother to former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, by a federal judge.

Lucky Igbinedion

In a shocking ruling Thursday, Justice J. Liman of the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, fined N3 million for stealing N25 billion of public money.

The Executive Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, said the judgement was another proof that Federal Government was protecting corrupt people.

“The Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke is not interested in prosecuting anybody. Several people have been indicted, nobody has been made to face the wrath of the law; and for those who were brought before the law, the cases were shoddily prosecuted to the extent that many of them didn’t get deterrent punishment. As a matter of fact, it is a long drawn story of protecting corrupt people,” he said.

“It is unfortunate this is happening in Nigeria despite the many reforms this administration claimed it has brought to our judicial system. This is an indication that the reforms are just charade. The judgment ridicules our judiciary and judicial system.”

The paltry fine against Michael, was a repeat of history, as a court had delivered a similar dubious judgement in favour of his elder brother seven years ago.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which brought the charges against Michael, the money was stolen from the Edo State treasury when his brother was governor of Edo State.

The court’s ruling is reminiscent of a 2008 case brought against the former governor, where he was accused of plundering the Edo State treasury during his eight years tenure as governor.

Following a controversial plea bargain reached with the then Farida Waziri-led EFCC, the former governor was sentenced to six months in jail with the option of a N3.5 million fine by a Federal High Court in Enugu.

He was also directed to return N500 million and three of the houses he acquired with stolen public funds to the Federal Government.

Based on the plea bargain all but one of the 191 charges of corruption and money laundering against him was dropped.

Now, seven years later, a similar pattern has been followed in the case of his brother, Michael.

Michael and his co- accused, Charles Eboigbodin, were convicted by Justice J. Liman of the Federal High Court, Benin, on Wednesday.

The duo alongside their companies: Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited, were prosecuted on an 81-count charge of money laundering, misappropriation of funds and abuse of office brought against them by the EFCC.

The convicts pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned, setting the stage for a full trial. In the course of trial, the prosecution called several witnesses to prove its case.

The duo was also convicted on different charges.

While Mr. Eboigbodin and PML Nigeria Limited were convicted on counts 50 to 59 for colluding to conceal the illicit origin of funds as stipulated under Section 14 (1)(b) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, Mr. Igbinedion was convicted on counts 79, 80 and 81 for receiving cash in excess of the stipulated threshold.

The offence covered by these counts under Section 15 B of the Money Laundering Act carries both “a fine of not less than N250, 000 or more than N1million or a prison term of not less than two years or both fine and imprisonment.”

When the court resumed for sentencing, counsel to Mr. Eboigbodin and PML Nigeria Limited, Richard Ahonaruogho, urged the court to exercise its discretion and award a fine on PML Nigeria Limited and his client as first time offenders.

Mr. Igbinedion’s counsel, Abubakar Shamsudeen, prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his client.

“The second convict confided in me and he is remorseful and repentant, and Your Lordship has unfettered discretion to exercise option of a fine,” Mr. Shamsudeen said. “Section 15(2) of the Money Laundering Act has given my lord the ability to exercise the sentence with an option of a fine not below N250, 000 or N500, 000 and not more than N1, 000,000. My lord, he is a first time offender with no previous record of criminality.”

However, prosecuting counsel, Tayo Olukotun, who held brief for Rotimi Jacobs told the court to impose the stiffest punishment allowed by law on the convicts.

Mr. Olukotun contended that given the huge amount involved in the case, the reputation of the court was at stake if it grants an option of fine to the accused persons.

He urged the court not to be swayed by the plea of leniency from the defence lawyers, pointing out that “the convicts have been on bail and had been travelling in and out of the country and even after their conviction yesterday, they still went home, so the court has been lenient enough.”

Mr. Olukotun said, “The position of the law is clear on the punishment for the various counts for which Patrick Eboigbodin, PML Nigeria Limited and Michael Igbinedion had been convicted.

“Eboigbodin must serve the sentence as his offence has no provision for an option of fine, while the counts on which Igbinedion was convicted has an option of fine, imprisonment or both fine and imprisonment. We urge your Lordship to administer both the option of fine and imprisonment on Igbinedion.”

After listening to counsel, Mr. Liman proceeded to pronounce his sentence on the convicts.

He sentenced Mr. Eboigbodin to two years imprisonment but gave Mr. Igbinedion an option of N1 million fine on each of the three counts for which he was convicted and in default, two years imprisonment.

Mr. Liman also wound up PML Nigeria Limited and all its assets forfeited to the Federal Government, he ordered the company to pay N1 million on each of the ten counts for which it was convicted.

In addition, the judge discharged and acquitted three of the companies involved in the case: Gava Corporation Limited, Romrig Nigeria Limited and PML Securities Company Limited.

The convicts who were docked on an 81- count charge had pleaded not guilty upon arraigning setting the stage for a full trail.  In the course of trial, the prosecution called several witnesses to prove its case.

During the trial, a prosecution witness Ajoyo Sowale, an accounts officer with the Guaranty Trust Bank, identified various account statements and account opening documents of the convicts and confirmed to the court that several lodgements were made into the accounts.

He added that he printed the account statements and got them certified by the appropriate authority.

Another witness Eriyo Amadiayagbon, a personal assistant to Mr. Igbinedion told the court how he was instructed on several occasions to make lodgements into the accused GTB account and those of Romrig Nigeria Limited and Gava Corporation.

According to Mr. Amadiayagbon, he usually received cash from the accountant at the Government House and paid into the account of the second accused person.

“And after paying the government entourage, the remaining cash was usually given to the ADC to the Governor,” Mr. Amadiayagbon had said.

He clearly identified his name on the printed account statement of Mr. Igbinedion, which is part of the exhibits before the court.

Abdullahi Hamza, an EFCC operative and a witness in the trial, gave detailed account of how state funds were diverted by the convicts for personal purposes, such as buying of shares, and transfer of funds  into the account of Ekpenyong and Sons, a company owned by the first accused person,  Mr. Eboigbodin.

CACOL urged the incoming Buhari government to reopen all these cases and bring all corrupt people and their allies in the judiciary to judgment.

“What a ridiculous judgment! What ratio is N3m to N25bn? What qualifies Lucky for an option of fine which is not applicable to Eboigbodin? Do we have different sets of laws for different classes of people?”

Group slams judge for fining Igbinedion N3million over N25bn theft

How Buhari’s Victory Altered Edo Political Calculations

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State prior to the emergence of presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) General Muhammadu Buhuri, as president-elect in the March 28, 2015 presidential election appeared ready to sink the ruling APC led government of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

The party had campaigned vigorously across the nook and crannies of the state winning more supporters who have been disenchanted with the APC in the state coupled with the calculation that victory for the PDP at the presidential election would further put the final nail to the political coffin of the APC in Edo State.

The presidential and the National Assembly election saw the PDP winning the entire senatorial and House of Representatives seats in Edo South and Central senatorial districts, a victory which further boosted the fortune of the party. However, as the PDP was basking in the euphoria of the victory it recorded in Edo State lasted, the hope was dashed after General Muhammadu Buhari was declared the winner of the March presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Expectedly the victory of Buhari unsettled PDP in Edo State as prominent members of the party move in droves to the APC. Those who ensured the failure of PDP in the state are now the one defecting with their numerous supporters.

Those who had in the past vowed not to dine and wine with the APC even with a long pole today are singing praises of Buhari and Oshiomhole to high heavens. In fact some of them described their days in the PDP as “nightmare” adding that with the loss of the PDP at the centre it is now clear that the PDP is dead finally.

Today, one of the major reasons they adduced for their mass defection was the fact that Edo State cannot remain in opposition to the ruling party at the centre adding that it would drag the state backwards in terms of development.

But the most shocking of all the defections was that of General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd) the PDP governorship candidate in 2012. Before his defection, he was one of the coordinators of President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign in the state.

The retired army general during his defection said, “I believe today which is also an Easter Sunday, is the day the Lord has made and set aside for the people of Edo State to have sustained peace and political progress. Since after my election of 2012, Edo State has experienced heightened political tension, which has brought development of the state to a back stage.

“That I was the governorship candidate of the PDP in 2012 election and its aftermath is history. I have decided to join the team of change that has come to the nation in the last election of March 28, 2015, so that Edo State will continue to enjoy the benefits of the party at the centre. Any politician who means well for this state will ground their arms of hate and join the change train of the APC government ably led by His Excellency, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole.”

The former governorship candidate of the PDP added that, “I know for sure that with APC at the national and the state, there will be rapid development and all the campaign promises will be delivered to our dear state that is yearning for rapid development. Kudos to all APC members for your resilience and victory at the last election”.

“We will do it again in the state on April 11, 2015 election,” he added.

When asked why he didn’t defect before the March 28 presidential election, Airhiavbere said, “PDP didn’t give me any money. My drive and passion for Jonathan is from my personal efforts. I will ensure that Edo State remains in the mainstream. Money has never motivated me. I will always be loyal to the centre. We delivered to PDP in Edo South; we will deliver to APC on April 11 state elections.”

Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, was the immediate past governor of Edo State, a major pillar of the PDP in Edo Central senatorial district. He was governor of Edo State for 18 months before the emergence of Oshiomhole through the court ruling. No doubt, Osunbor, who is a major player in the PDP contributed to the massive victory recorded by the party in the March 28 election. Curiously, on Tuesday, March 7, he equally defected to the ruling APC with his teeming supporters.

Receiving Osunbor and thousands of his supporters at Iruekpen, Oshiomhole said, “I will be working with a respected professor of law like you and many of your supporters. We thank God for what he has used us to achieve. I appeal to our people to vote for our APC House of Assembly candidates because they will help me to develop our state rapidly and with the APC government at the top, the sky is our limit”.

Other prominent members of PDP who defected with their supporters are Emmanuel Arigbe-Osula, former deputy minority leader in the House of Representatives and co-founder of the Friends of Goodluck Jonathan Support Group and former provost marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Idada Ikponmwen.

Ikponmwen, who defected in Benin urged all his supporters to vote APC all the way in the April 11 state elections. “I am exceedingly happy that our people and the entire nation have overwhelmingly voted for the man of the moment, a perpendicular person, a leader of proven character, a courageous and detribalised man with zero tolerance for corruption, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari to lead this nation.

“I urged all Nigerians and particularly our people of Edo State to give their votes en-mass at the un-concluded Edo South senatorial and House of Assembly elections coming up on the 11th of April, 2015 to APC candidates in order to support the ongoing political revolution in the country”, said Ikponmwen.

It was reliably gathered that all arrangements have been concluded to receive a major financier and governorship aspirant of the PDP, Kenneth Imansuagbon (Rice man) into the APC fold. It was also learnt that Chief Tom Ikimi, former APC chieftain and Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Edo South co-ordinator of Jonathan campaign are being wooed back into the APC. It is a known fact that both Ikimi and Ize-Iyamu played crucial roles in the merger talks that gave birth to APC, before defecting to the PDP.

It was also learnt that the daughter of Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, Omosede Igbinedion, who just won the Ovia Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat is equally warming up to defect to the APC.

Interestingly, most of these defectors played major roles in the Jonathan campaign and ensured his victory over Buhari in Edo State, but shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC announced the APC presidential candidate as winner, things have fallen apart in Edo PDP.

If the on-going defections are anything to go by, then Edo is gradually becoming a one-party state.

In a swift reaction to the defections, which has become a daily affair, the state chairman of the embattled party, Dan Osi Orbih said it is a non-issue. “Those who defected have no political value”, said Orbih.

How Buhari’s Victory Altered Edo Political Calculations

N25bn Alleged Fraud: Judges’ holiday stalls Igbinedion’s ruling again

A federal court has again rescheduled its judgement in a case of alleged N25 billion fraud involving Michael Igbinedion, a younger brother to a former governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion.

The case was stalled Friday due to an extended Easter break for judges.

Mr. Igbinedion was arraigned alongside Charles Eboigbodin by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged money laundering, misappropriation of funds, conspiracy and abuse of office.

A new date, April 20, was fixed for the trial by Justice J. Liman of the Federal High Court in Benin, the capital of Edo State.

The extension came barely a month after Mr. Liman promised there would to be no further delay in delivering the ruling which has suffered several adjournments since January 30 when the case was first fixed for judgment.

On March 10, counsels had to re-adopt their earlier adopted written addresses in line with the constitutional provision that, “after 90 days of adopting written addresses, if judgment is not delivered, the judge can summon the parties to re-adopt”.

Messers. Igbinedion and Eboigbodin and their companies – Gava Corporation Limited; Romrig Nigeria Limited; PML Securities Company Limited and PML Nigeria Limited were also joined in the case.

N25bn Alleged Fraud: Judges’ holiday stalls Igbinedion’s ruling again

2015: I’m not scared of elections, says Igbinedion

The daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, and sister to the former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, has said she is not scared of contesting the 2015 general election to the Federal House of Representatives.

She is the second child of Chief Igbinedion to be contesting for high elective office since the days of her brother, Lucky, who served as governor of Edo State between 1999 and 2007.

She spoke at Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Government Area, in company of her mother, Lady Cherry Igbinedion, where she announced her intention to represent Ovia Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives.

Igbinedion, who is the second child of the renowned octogenarian and business mogul to contest a top political position, pledged to upgrade educational and economic welfare of children, youths and women in the locality.

She said, “I am telling you what I will do. Every child in Ovia must go to school with books. Women and youth will be empowered. Where there is no electricity, I will ensure the villages get electricity.”

“I am aware of farmers in the villages. I will attract investors. If you support me, you will see changes.”

“I have no fears in the elections. Ovia constituency is the least developed in Edo South. I don’t know what others before have done but you will see lots of changes.”

However, a social-political group in Etsako Central has said that it would reject the 2015 political ambitions of some political leaders, whom it said have had no positive impact in the area.

The group, Save Afemai Group, which lamented that Afemai had been subjected to under-development, flayed the political leaders from the area for neglecting their place of origin.

A statement signed by the leader, Blessing Agbomhere, said, “The growing unemployment rate among the youths of Afemai, both artisans and graduates, home and abroad, is alarming and it poses a threat to the development of Afemai.

“If you guide and motivate the youths, they will work towards the development of the society but if you neglect them, they will use their hands to work against it.”

While disclosing that an orphanage in Jattu, with “about 52 children,” needed urgent attention, the group called on the state government to come to the aid of the children’s home.

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2015: I’m not scared of elections, says Igbinedion