Politics
Edo governorship poll: Defection of Igbinedion’s daughter rattles PDP
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Less than 48 hours after the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed confidence that the party’s governorship campaign in Edo State was gathering momentum, the exit of former federal lawmaker, Omosede Igbinedion, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, has rattled PDP.
On Sunday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, said the party’s candidate for the September 21 governorship election ‘’is coasting home to victory and that his APC opponent is nowhere to be found in the electoral contest.’’
However, according to sources close to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, there is now major cause for concern because the unexpected exit of Omosede, daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Sir Gbriel Igbinedion, who once represented Ovia Federal Constituency, also implies a shift by the influential Igbinedion family, which once produced a governor for Edo State, to support Monday Okpebholo, APC’s governorship candidate.
“Many of our (PDP) people felt very surprised and displeased to see Omosede at APC’s launch of its Edo South Senatorial Zone governorship campaign rally at Ekehuan campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Tuesday. The lingering issues the governor has with the palace (of Oba of Benin), losing the support of the Igbinedion family, add to PDP’s challenges, but we still hope our governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo’s capacity can win over voters in Edo State,” the sources said.
A copy of Igbinedion’s letter of resignation from the PDP dated August 11, 2024 was forwarded to the party’s Acting National Chairman, Amb. Ilyas Damagum and the PDP National Working Committee in Abuja.
She addressed the letter to Mr. Lucky Edosomwan, PDP chairman in Okada West Ward 1 in Ovia North East Local Government, whom some party members considered as a staunch supporter of Omosede, whose father, Chief Igbinedion, commands great influence in the area and beyond.
Omosede’s letter was also copied to the PDP Chairman in Ovia North-East Local Government, Chairman of PDP in Edo State and PDP Working Committee in Edo State.
Along with embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, Omosede, who represented her constituency as a member of the House of Representatives between 2015 and 2019, was one of the disappointed PDP governorship aspirants, who protested the allegedly skewed conduct of the ward and local government delegates’ elections that preceded the party’s governorship primary.
In her resignation letter, she attributed her exit from PDP to lack of equity, fairness, justice, and the marginalisation of long-standing party members, saying it was curious that founding members, who Governor Obaseki met in the party, were fenced off from the governorship ticket and deputy governorship positions.
She said: “It was a pleasure to have been elected to the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019 on the platform of the PDP, to represent the good people of Ovia North-East and Ovia South-West federal constituencies.
“Based on the principles of equity, fairness and justice, which I hold dearly and which no longer prevail within our party in the state, coupled with the marginalisation of the aboriginal PDP members, who have worked assiduously to sustain this party before its infiltration, despite complaints to the state and national levels, I no longer have the drive, conviction, sentiment and commitment towards a party that I once called my own.
“There is no indigenous PDP member on the Edo governorship ballot today, either as the standard-bearer or running mate, which raises the question: ‘Who exactly are we working for?’
“My overriding interest and commitment to the people of Ovia, whom I hold so dearly and who have always stood by me, supersede my personal interest, as well as any other interest.
“It is on this note that I have decided to tender my resignation from the PDP, effective from today, August 11, 2024.”
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said he will never take part in partisan politics, not for even billions of naira.
He stated that no amount of money, including “$1 billion,” (1.4 Trillion naira) would make him join politics.
Oyedepo made this known during an impartation service at Shiloh 2025 held at the church’s headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He explained that partisan politics is not part of his life’s calling and that is why he has chosen to stay away from it.
In his words: “In 2015, I warned the church that trouble was coming. Didn’t trouble come?
“Partisan politics is off my calling. If you give me $1 billion to join politics, I won’t, because it is off my course.”
The bishop also said the world is in urgent need of God’s intervention because of the times we are living in.
According to him, believers are being trained as an end-time army to bring solutions to national and global problems, similar to what biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel did.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
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