How Edo people will vote today (Vanguard)

After several months of painstaken campaigns by the different political parties, the die is cast as  the people of Edo will today through  the ballot box  decide who their governor will be. Gabriel Enogholase writes that one factor that cannot be ignored is that of ethnic politics which  has become a corner stone in Edo politics.


BARRING last minute hitches, Edo people go to the poll today to elect the governor of their choice who will pilot the affairs of the state for another four years. The race to the Chief Denis Osadebe Avenue, seat of the Edo state Government House is expected to be a three-horse affair.
The candidates for the election are the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (A C N) ,  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candiate, Major – General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd)  and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Chief Solomon Edebiri.

However, with the withdrawal of the candidate of the CPC, Mr. Roland Izevbuwa from the race, six political parties will contest the election for the most coveted seat in the state.
Judging from events in the state since the famous Court of Appeal judgment which restored Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s mandate coupled with his performance in office and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeing itself as a party merely on leave from absence from the Government House, which it had occupied for over 10 years, a titanic battle is certainly underway as pundits see it as a straight battle between Oshiomhole and the PDP candidate, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere.

It is the believe of some observers of political events in Edo state that since the creation of the defunct Mid-West and Bendel state and now Edo state, no governor has been able to make any meaningful impact in the governance of the state than the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, except the era of Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, a retired Brigadier – General and Prof. Ambrose Alli of blessed memory during the Second Republic.   .

Therefore, there is no doubt that the non-performance of the PDP government during its ten years at the helm of affairs in the state and the performance of the Oshiomhole in his three and half years in office has become the campaign issue ahead of today’s election.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party believes that the Comrade Governor’s performance could at best be described as cosmetic and a scratch on the surface and had accused him of financial recklessness and inflicting pains on the people of the state through the imposition of levies and taxation and the destruction of their houses.

Comrade Oshiomhole on the other hand, has continued to thumb up his chest like the proverbial lizard who praises himself after falling from an iroko tree. He has continued to tell the citizens of the state and the world at large that he met Edo state in a sorry state when he took over in 2008 and has since turned the fortunes of the state around.
He has cited the construction of roads across the state, hospitals and health centres, construction and renovation of schools, water, and employment of over 11,000 youths under its Youth Employment Scheme (YES), transportation and human capacity buildings as some of his greatest achievements in office.
Against this backdrop, who carries the day in today’s election? Will the pendulum swing once again in Oshiomhole’s favour or the PDP candidate, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere or will the dark horse in the race, Chief Solomon Edebiri of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) spring a surprise?
However, going into memory lane, the first acid test between the opposition PDP and the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the Akoko-Edo state constituency 1 re-run election in which the A C N defeated the PDP to increase its strength in the State House of Assembly.
This was followed by various court verdicts which diminished the solid majority of the PDP with 16 memberships until both parties were put at par with 12 members each until the defection of Hon, Bright Omokhodion of the PDP to the A C N. This happened in 2010.

During the 2011 general elections in the state, the A C N won overwhelmingly in the State House of Assembly garnering 19 of the 24 seats. The party also won two of the senate seats and seven of the Federal House of Representatives seats allocated to the state.
In that election, A C N won overwhelmingly in Edo North and Edo South Senatorial zones while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won five of the State House of Assembly seats, the Senatorial seat and the two House of Representatives seats, obviously due to the towering influence of the Iyasele of Esanland and former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP.
The lost of the Edo Central Senatorial zone cost Esanland the position of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly now occupied by Mr. Uyi Igbe who comes from zone with the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, Edo South.

One of thing to expect in today’s election is the role of ethnicity in the contest. Vanguard investigation showed that the politics of ethnicity has been let loose, as some tribal demagogues believe that the Bini, with their numerical strength in population and land mass should produce the next governor of the state.
Their claim is that while the PDP years of Chief Lucky should be forgotten as the new PDP will re-produce the magic of Dr. Sam Ogbemudia (Bini) and Prof. Ambrose Alli (Esan) during the Second Republic.
They also recalled that despite the acclaimed performance of Prof. Alli. He was defeated by Dr. Ogbemudia of the NPN in 1983 Governorship election. While both the Chief Priest to the Benin Monarch and Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin have noted that performance in office do not have to depend on tribe of tongue, saying that Oshiomhole has done far more for the Bini people through his giant developmental strides compared to other Bini people that have occupied positions of authorities in the state.
On the other hand, the PDP has accused Oshiomhole of fanning the ember of tribalism when in one of , his political rallies, he listed some key political positions which his kinsmen have denied of in the past and would be redressed if re-elected.

The party also took exception to the remark by the Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Hailru Momoh, Ikelebe 111 remark that Edo North will not accept anything short of the governorship position in the state. To them, that marks the introduction of ethnicity in Edo politics.
It is being envisioned that with the emergence of  Bini governorship candidate in the camp of the PDP, what ordinarily looks as a comfortable ride for Governor Oshiomhole is now on the edge because of the voting strength of Edo South which stood at about 58 percent against 32 percent from the North and 16 percent from the Edo Central Senatorial zone,just as pundits say that with the Central zone being a strong PDP strong hold, a sway of votes from Edo South in favour of the PDP candicdate may spell trouble for Oshiomhole.
But others quickly pointed out that Benin- City which holds the population is a cosmopolitan city with no ethnic tribe dominating and would vote according to their conscience.
Another candidate who many said was the acclaimed winner of the governorship debate is Chief Solomon Edebiri, the ANPP governorship candidate. Although, he was the candidate of the PPP, he became the adopted candidate of the Coalition of political Parties in the state comprising the ANPP, CPC, CPP, LP,PPP and CPP.
Edebiri who ran for the governorship race in 2007 under the banner of PPP,  said that he decided to join the race because of his passion to serve and would revive all the moribund industries in the state as well as tuning its fortune around if voted into office.
However, many observers are on the opinion that Edebiri is a future governorship material for Edo state and that his effort at winning the race may just be a flash in the pan. They reasoned that the coalitions are just feather weight with most of having no structures on ground across the state.
On the overall, Analysts posited that the incumbency factor may play a major role in the outcome of today’s election. They argued that the incumbent governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole with enormous political will, influence, reach and financial resources will carry the day.
They also look at the antecedent of the performance of the previous administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vis-a-vis the performance of the Oshiomhole administration within its three and half years in office. Those who spoke with Vanguard said that the governor should be given a second chance to complete on-going projects that he has initiated.

According to Mr.Ehimehen Amhande, a Political analyst and public commentator, “one of the greatest problem facing governance in Nigeria, is the attitude of a succeeding government to complete projects initiated by its predecessor in office.
This is what is responsible for the numbers of white elephant projects scattered through the length and breadth of the country. I therefore advised that the Edo people should vote in Oshimhole to enable him complete the numerous projects that he has initiated”.
Again, there are those who say that it will be too early to access the character of the true Oshiomhole and what becomes of the A C N until the outcome of the July 14, election. According to Mr. Charles Oghuza, “the issue of who succeeds Oshiomhole should be left for now until after the governorship election. We may be putting the cart before the horse for now. That discourse can only come up if he is ere-elected for a second tenure in office”.
However, there are those who believe that the PDP should be overlooked as it also has the federal might and a huge financial chest to do battle with the A C N in the election.

$3 million bribery: Otedola refuses to speak to Reps, insists hearing on allegations must be public (Channels)

The Chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited, Femi Otedola, on Tuesday honoured the invitation of the House of Representatives Ethics and Privileges Committee probing his alleged $620,000 bribe to the suspended Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Farouk Lawan which probed the management of the fuel subsidy fund.

The committee then went into a closed door session. However, Mr Otedola requested the hearing should be conducted in public.

“I strongly believe that the interest of the public will not be best served if this investigation is held in-camera,” he said.
The committee had invited the billionaire businessman to explain allegations that he gave $620,000 bribe to Mr Lawan, and the erstwhile secretary, Boniface Emenalo, to get his companies off the list of firms indicted for the alleged mismanagement of oil subsidy funds.

I didn’t shun Jonathan – Oba of Benin (Punch)

Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Erediauwa, has dismissed reports that suggested that he shunned President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party during their visit to the palace on Saturday.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo, governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Idris Wada (Kogi); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); and the PDP Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, were among top party officials who accompanied Jonathan on the visit to the palace before proceeding to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, for a rally ahead of the July 14 Edo State governorship election.

But the President was reportedly told after waiting for minutes that he could not meet with the monarch for “circumstances beyond his control”.

The Oba, in a statement by the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor, on Monday said the Oba later met with Jonathan in a private chamber in the palace, despite a “complicated situation on that day”.

The statement read, “The Palace would like to make it clear that the Omo N‘Oba did not shun Mr. President and the Peoples Democratic Party members that came with him.

“Three weeks ago, the Omo N‘Oba waited for over two hours in his open office where he received Vice-President Namadi Sambo and the PDP chiefs that were in Benin for their political rally.”

Meanwhile, the Oba has pleaded with politicians to shun violence during the election, saying seeking government offices should not be regarded as a do-or-die affair.

Meanwhile, two groups, the Niger Delta Indigenous Movement for Radical Change and the African Renaissance Party, have warned youths and politicians in the state against violence during the poll.

In a statement by its President, Nelly Emma, and Secretary, John Sailor, NDIMRC urged candidates for the election to caution their followers against engaging in violent acts.

The group said, “We appeal to those in the Edo State governorship race to play the game by the rule.Politicians must not see the governorship election in the state as a do-or-die affair or turn the state into a battlefield as we will not accept this.”

Also, the acting National Chairman of the ARP, Chief Jackson Omenazu, warned that electoral malpractice could set the state backward.

Omenazu said though the state had experienced some level of transformation under Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the electorate should be allowed to decide who would govern them in the next four years.

Omenazu, who spoke in Port Harcourt on Monday, also cautioned stakeholders not to manipulate the poll.

He said, “Youths in Edo State should not allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians. They must reject any form of gratification from them (politicians). We don’t want the election to be rigged so that the future of the youths will be protected.

“We also call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a credible election for the people of the state. The commission should know that the forthcoming election in Edo State is another integrity test, which they must pass.”

PDP faction heads for S’Court against Obasanjo’s group (Punch)

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State on Monday said it had dragged the Chief Ireti Oniyide Caretaker Committee before the Supreme Court over the crisis in the party regarding the state local government election.

Oniyide’s committee is said to be made up of loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Chief Adebayo Dayo-led faction of the Ogun PDP said in a statement by its Organising Secretary, Segun Sowunmi, that the group decided to approach the Supreme Court to secure an order for the stay of execution of the recent order of the Court of Appeal.

The Appeal Court had ordered a stay of execution of the judgments of the lower court in the cases involving the two factions of the Ogun PDP.

The party, however, said it had taken its case to the Supreme Court in Suit No. SC/259/2012, with a view to getting “an order staying the execution/operation of the order the Court of Appeal made in CA/L/38m/2012 on the strength of which some of these characters are said to be representing the state PDP”.

The PDP faction backed by businessman and party financier, Buruji Kashamu, stressed in the statement that it was not aware of the existence of any caretaker committee.

It added, “Even if one existed in their small minds, it is a clear contempt of even the Court of Appeal order of stay of execution which they flaunt with so much gusto, and three other judgments of the State High Court and the Federal High Court. At the appropriate time and forum, this will be sufficiently addressed.”

The party said it was committed to “dismantling the house built on the quicksand of illegality by the State Independent Electoral Commission and some estranged members of the party.”

The Ogun PDP added that it would not allow itself to be distracted by the antics of some “small minds who specialise in writing frivolous petitions.”

The faction also described Kashamu, as “a man of peace who towers above the petitioners in conduct and character.”

It added, “It is public knowledge that Prince Kashamu prosecutes his battles in the court of public opinion and the court of law.”

The faction urged the security agencies to invite the petitioners to provide them with the details of the alleged plot (of threat of lives by Kashamu) “since their so-called petition is hollow.”

Police, SSS close ranks on Lawan’s $3m bribery scandal (Punchng)

The Police and State Security Service have closed ranks in the former’s bid to crack the $3m bribery case that involves a former chairman, House of Representatives Ad hoc committee on subsidy, Mr. Farouk Lawan, it was authoritatively gathered on Friday.

Lawan and the Clerk to his committee, Mr. Boniface Emenalo, had collected a total of $620,000 from oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola, to remove his firm, Zenon Oil from the House list of companies that purportedly collected FOREX for fuel importation, but did not do so.

Earlier requests from the Police Special Task Force headed by Ali Ahmodu, to the Director-General, SSS, Mr. Ekpeyong Ita, for assistance in providing the video that captured how the bribe was collected, and telephone call records were rebuffed.

But an impeccable police source familiar with the investigation told SUNDAY PUNCH in Abuja, that the two security agencies had resolved their differences.

He said, “We are working together now to crack the case.

“We are sister security agencies, and we need their assistance just as they need ours. Though the SSS didn’t send us the evidence on time, we didn’t want to report to higher authorities (the presidency), so that we would not be seen to be against them.”

Otedola had earlier claimed that the SSS was involved in what he called “a sting operation” in getting the bribe across to the suspects.

Meanwhile, the Police have declared Thursday’s quizzing of Lawan by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, as illegal, adding that the House had no constitutional right to investigate a criminal matter.

A top police officer said a member of the Committee, Mr. Jagaba, was a suspect, adding that it was not proper for a “suspect to interrogate a suspect.”

The House Ethics committee headed by Gambo Musa had grilled Lawan, who reportedly told its members that what he collected was “money” and not “bribe.”

Lawan’s interrogation was held behind closed doors, contrary to an earlier promise by the House to make it public.

A senior police detective with the Special Task Force told one of our correspondents that the committee was

muddling up their work by quizzing Lawan, and summoning other members of his committee and Otedola.

Otedola is to appear before the committee on Tuesday.

The source advised the House to adhere to its decision during its emergency plenary where it resolved to detach itself from the investigation and wait for the outcome of police investigations.

He said, “The House is going beyond its brief by asking its committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the bribery scandal which the police are already working on.

“They have no legal right to investigate a criminal case that police investigators are probing. Besides, some members of the committee (on ethics and privileges) are suspects in the bribery scandal because Lawan in his statement claimed he gave the bribe to Adams Jagaba.

“We don’t want to take issues with the House, but at the appropriate time, we will move against all of them; we are just bidding our time and following the rule of law,” the officer stated.

The House had during a session on June 15, 2012 directed its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate the $620,000 bribery allegation and report back to the House within two weeks.

It was gathered that the STF was trying to establish if other members of the committee benefited from the $620,000 bribe, including house members.

Where the money is kept remains a puzzle for the police as Lawan has failed to surrender it, just as Jagaba denied Lawan’s claim that he gave the cash to him for safe-keeping.

On the saga, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Rueben Abati, said the president was interested in ensuring that all corruption cases related to the subsidy were investigated and culprits brought to book.

He said, “When the President spoke in January on the complete deregulation of the downstream sector, he said it was an attempt to sanitise the sector, rid it of corruption and eliminate waste.

“It was the president’s effort that triggered the House of Representatives probe of the subsidy regime and the revelations that followed.

“That was why immediately he got a copy of the report of the House of Representatives probe, he handed it over to the Attorney-General with a clear directive to send it to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for thorough investigation and prosecution.”

Abati also said the report of the Aig-Imhokuede committee set up by the Ministry of Finance on the same issue had been formally presented to the President.

He said like he did with the report of the House of Representatives, Jonathan would send the report to appropriate agencies for actions.

Drama at Oba’s palace, as Jonathan visits Benin (Vanguard)

AHEAD of the July 14, 2012 governorship election in Edo State, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, vowed to ensure security, free and fair election in the state, just as he urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to mobilize properly in order to ensure victory.
The President, who arrived the Benin Airport at about 11:45am, proceeded to the palace of the Benin monarch, Oba Erediauwa, with his entourage, including the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur; Chief Tony Anenih, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Gen.Charles Airhiavbere, and the state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih.
However, there was a drama when the Oba requested to see only Jonathan, in his inner chambers when the PDP team came topay a courtesy  call and they spoke for about five minutes. while the Iyasei of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, received other members of the delegation. No reason was given why the Oba could not in the open,  receive the high powered PDP delegation including its governorship candidate Airiavbere.
Contrary to insinuations, the PDP, yesterday, said its team was not shunned by the Oba of Benin.
The Iyasei, after  said, “Our son,  the President came on a courtesy visit and, after his visit, he should have a safe journey home.”
While speaking at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the state PDP governorship rally, Jonathan thanked the people of Edo State for voting massively for him during the last presidential election and recalled that it was in the state that started the campaign for one man one vote, adding that the forthcoming election will not be an exception.
“So, this time around, no stuffing of ballot paper. No thuggery, no thuggery, no thuggery. It must be one man one vote. I came here to promise the people of Edo State that they should keep faith with that promise, Edo State is going to be one state that will show that example.
“And I have been hearing so much stories on Edo State. Let me assure you that even this morning, before I came, I called the Inspector General of Police, are you ready for Edo State? He said yes. I called the Chief of Defense Staff, are you ready for Edo State?  He said yes. I guarantee hundred per cent security for your election and there will be no manipulation, election results will be entered at the various units and no body will change figures. PDP is the dominant party, as long as you mobilize and vote, the PDP will win”, he declared.
Anenih, who spoke earlier, said the visit of the President had ended what he described as the rumour being peddled that Jonathan may not show up for the campaign in the state.
He said the party was fully prepared for the election.  His words: “We want to put in place a government that will be responsive to the yearnings of the people. Mr President, your presence here has raised our hope. You have energized us. We need a free and fair election. We want to make sure that on election day, all the candidates will be given equal opportunity to vote and go home”.
The national chairman of PDP, Tukur who described the rally as a sea of heads, called on Edo State not to be left out in the PDP train in the South South as the PDP is providing a new agenda in transformation. He presented the PDP governorship candidate,  Airhiavbare, to the rally. Airhiavbare was also handed over the flag of PDP as the gubernatorial candidate.
The candidate promised a humane administration and an accountable government. He said the first thing is to address insecurity.  According to him, there will be peace through enhanced security, improved health programme and education.