Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has expressed strong support for the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for moving forward with the local government elections scheduled for Saturday.
According to Abubakar, Fubara’s actions are crucial in reinforcing the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
Abubakar encouraged the people of Rivers State to participate in the electoral process, emphasizing the importance of local governance and the rule of law.
He believes these elections offer a valuable opportunity to uphold the principles of democracy and constitutionalism, ensuring that citizens can freely select their grassroots leaders.
The former Vice President highlighted the significance of these elections in empowering local communities to shape their leadership, urging peaceful participation and a strong sense of civic responsibility among voters.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has reiterated that his deputy, Philip Shaibu, remains impeached, despite a recent court ruling.
On Friday, Obaseki responded to a statement attributed to Shaibu, where he warned Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) against the possible looting of government properties by political appointees.
Obaseki, through his media adviser Crusoe Osagie, urged Edo State workers to dismiss Shaibu’s directives, emphasizing that Shaibu has no authority to issue instructions as he remains impeached.
The governor reaffirmed that Shaibu’s removal from office is still in effect, pending the court’s final decision, and that the deputy governor holds no power to interfere with the functioning of state employees.
This comes after the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a July ruling, ordered Shaibu’s reinstatement, stating that due process was not followed during his impeachment by the Edo State House of Assembly.
The state government and the House of Assembly’s attempt to challenge the court’s decision was dismissed, with costs awarded against them.
Obaseki’s administration, however, continues to uphold Shaibu’s impeachment while awaiting the court’s definitive ruling on the matter.
Furthering a tradition of citizens’ participation, Delta state government last Sunday engaged indigenes in a global townhall dialogue to harvest their input into the 2025 budget of the state via a webinar.
Sonny Ekedayen, Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning says the webinar, the second in the series, represents Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s novelty of “running a people-centric governance model that takes citizen’s views seriously.”
Mr. Ekedayen says, regardless of the location or status, indigens of the state were accorded opportunity through the webinar to interrogate government actions, decisions and policies in a bid to ensure greater accountability, transparency and robust citizens participation in the decision making process on the 2025 budget.
Sonny Ekedayen, Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning
He informed Nigerian Anchor that the webinar was organised by Delta State Government through the Ministry of Economic Planning, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Civic Engagement and Civil Society led by Rex Anighoro.
Mr. Sonny Ekedayen stated that prior to the webinar, his office already held a physical citizens’ budget engagement comprising of the organised sectors such as the traditional institutions, community leadership, the clergy, private sector, women, youths, people living with disabilities and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
” There is nothing that can be more important than having engagement with the people whom the budget is being prepared,” Mr. Ekedayen said, emphasising:
“I want to put it out there that the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori is a peoplecentric Governor, everything he does and thinks is on how he can impact the people…and he takes the citizens views seriously.”
The Commissioner enthused that the 2024 budget now being operated has recorded appreciable performance because it is a product of citizens engagement.
“In the past one year we have made some progress in our fiscal space,” he said.
“We have a budget of N724.9Billion for the year 2024 with N316.7Billion budgeted for recurrent expenditure, which is 44% of the budget. N408.3Billion was budgeted for Capital expenditure, representing 56℅ of the budget,” he reported.
He disclosed that, “As at half year, the revenue performance of the budget stood at N523.6Billion, representing 144.4℅, while reccurrent expenditure stands at N121.8Bllion out of 316.7Billion representing 76.92% performance.”
He said, in terms of capital expenditure, “Government has spent N135.3Billion out of N408.3Billion earmarked, this represents 66.37℅ performance.” He called on the citizens especially those in the Civil Society to verify his claims.
Showcasing some of the achievements of the Government in the year under review, he made it known that Delta State Government has committed N5Billon in ensuring that the salaries and promotion arrears of the Delta State State Civil Servants were paid as at when due in pursuit of strengthening industrial harmony and stability in the State.
He also stated that a N40Billion loan guarantee was granted the Local Governments Councils to help clear their salary and promotion arrears backlog which demoralized the civil servants.
Continuing, the commissioner mentioned that the State Government has ensured the employment of 3,000 teaching and essential non teaching staff for Primary Schools, averring that the Delta State Government takes seriously the good and welfare of it’s workforce both at the State and Local Government levels.
Further, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, stated that there is a massive infrastructural development ongoing across the State especially in the Uvwie and Warri axis of the State with the engagement of Julius Berger to undertake major construction work which includes flyovers. He also made it known that the completion and commissioning of the massive State High Court Complex Asaba which construction has spanned nearly ten years was worthy of mention.
Furthermore, he stated that the Delta State Government has reduced significantly it’s debt stock from N465.3Billion at the inception of the present administration to N303.4Billion as at 30th June 2024.
Speaking about diversifying the Economy, the Commissioner spoke about Delta State Government bold and innovative steps to harness the Green Economic Space with a view of harvesting carbon credit for sale noting that this alternative and complementary revenue sources for the state will create thousands of jobs for Delta Citizens across board.
Nigeria security agencies have surrounded the Edo State Government House following reports that the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, would resume office today (Monday).
The security personnel include policemen, Department of State Services (DSS) officials and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with many Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
They prevented vehicles into Government House from the first gate with staff, journalists, visitors, and others politely asked to trek, leaving their cars behind.
This is as the Edo Deputy Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebomhiana Musa, in a statement, denied any plan to invade the Osadebe House.
Musa said Shaibu is a peace-loving man who firmly believes in the rule of law. He called on Obaseki to obey court order that affirmed Shaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
“Our attention has been drawn to the effect that Edo State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu is making plans to invade the Government House on Monday, September 30, 2024, in a bid to enforce two different court judgements, ordering his reinstatement.
“We want to put it clearly here that, unlike Governor Godwin Obaseki, Philip Shaibu is a peace-loving man, who firmly believes in the rule of law and would not want to shed innocent blood, for whatever reason.
“As it is today, in eyes of the law and in the eyes of the good people of Edo State, indeed, Nigerians, Philip Shaibu is the de jure and de facto Deputy Governor of Edo State. We need not fight or struggle for that which God has given us.
“Obaseki and his co-travellers should accept the fact that the good people of Edo State have spoken, and his godson, Asue Ighodalo, has been roundly rejected at the governorship election of September 21, 2024. Sadly, this reality is yet to dawn on them.
“Crusoe Osagie (Special Adviser to Edo Governor on Media Projects), the purveyor of the fake news, is well known as an alarmist and propagandist who thrives on rumours and beer parlour gossips, with little or no respect for the ethics of our cherished profession, Journalism. So, he has to be ignored,” Musa said.
The Elders Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party has apologised to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the ongoing rift between him and his successor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The elders, led by the Executive Director of Finance at the Niger Delta Development Commission, Boma Iyaye, apologised to Wike on Saturday at the Rivers State Ijaw Peoples Congress organised in his honour in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Iyaye stated that the Ijaw people were sorry for the embarrassment and public display of disregard for the minister by Fubara.
He said, “On behalf of our people, we are apologising to you for what our son is doing to you. We are sorry. We are sorry because it is not in our nature to pay evil for good. You have done well for us, and we will continue to say thank you.
“Your Excellency, do not, because of this bad behaviour of our son, run away from us. Continue to be our brother. Continue to have us in mind. We have never set our feet on the number one seat of Rivers State. You made it possible for us to become the governor of Rivers State.”
The Chairman of the Elders Forum, PDP Rivers State, Ferdinard Anabraba, berated the Fubara government, saying that the Ijaw nationality would not forget Wike.
“The aberration we are seeing in the administration of Rivers State is only a demonstration of lack of political discharge of an individual, and by no means the opinion of Ijaw people.
“We, the Ijaw, see you as the light of Rivers State. You are indeed a notable strategist in Nigeria’s contemporary politics. And without doubt, you are the most celebrated Ijaw politician of national recognition,” he said.
Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, wife of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has passed away after a brief illness.
The news was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, in a heartfelt statement titled “Unexpected Sunset”.
The state Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, announced the First Lady’s death in a press statement issued in the early hours of Friday.
According to the commissioner, the First Lady passed away peacefully at a hospital on September 26, 2024, surrounded by her loved ones. The family has requested prayers and support during this difficult time and has asked for privacy as they mourn the loss of their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.
“She passed away peacefully at the hospital on 26th September 2024, in the presence of her family.
“The family submits to the will of the Almighty and asks for the prayers and support of kind-hearted individuals during this difficult time.
“Further details will be provided by the family as necessary. In the meantime, the family kindly requests privacy as they mourn their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.
“His Excellency, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno appreciates all who have stood by the first family in this period and assures all the citizens that despite this huge personal loss, his commitment to the service of the state is unwavering.”
Pastor Mrs. Patience Umo Eno was a highly respected figure in Akwa Ibom State, renowned for her charitable work and unwavering support for her husband’s administration. Her legacy will live on through the lives she touched.
Despite this huge personal loss, Governor Umo Eno has reassured citizens of his unwavering commitment to serving the state. He expressed gratitude to those who have stood by the first family during this period.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received the Edo state governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, at the State House, Abuja.
Okpebholo is accompanied by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and some of the governors elected on the platform of the party.
When President Tinubu reached for a handshake with Okpebholo, the Edo Governor-elect fell to his knees to receive the President’s stretched arm.
Edo-Governor-Elect-Okpebolo kneels before President Tinubu
Among the governors spotted in the entourage are the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).
Also on the entourage is the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, and deputy governor, Philip Shaibu.
It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo the APC winner of last Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State.
The dust and angst generated by the outcome of the September 21, 2024 may take some time to abate, especially amongst leading members of the opposition parties and the mass of their supporters.
One such member is the former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, who has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has infiltrated the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun.
Melaye made this statement in response to the recently concluded Edo State governorship election.
Taking to the social media platform X, the former lawmaker expressed concern about the outcome of the election and the direction in which the PDP is heading under Damagun’s leadership.
He remarked, “With the destroyer called Damagun on the wheels, PDP is in the departure lounge waiting for the boarding pass. Edo experience will be a joke, there are more APC in the NWC than PDP.”
His comments follow the defeat of the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the Edo State governorship race.
Ighodalo secured 247,274 votes but was ultimately defeated by the APC’s Monday Okpebholo, who garnered 291,667 votes.
The results were declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta serving as the Returning Officer.
The 2024 Edo governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has promised never to abandon his supporters.
Asue Ighodalo described September 21 election as the darkest day in the political history of the state. He added that it was marked by brazen theft of the mandate given to him by the people of the state.
In a video, on Monday, Ighodalo said, “To all our beloved supporters, we thank you for believing in this vision, for your countless hours of dedication and for every conversation you’ve had with people about this course. Together we ran a great campaign and your overwhelming support was evident in the ballots before our progress was unjustly halted on September 21st 2024 by people who do not mean well for you or for our state.
“That day will forever be etched in our history as one of our darkest moments marked by the brazen theft of our mandate and the shameful subversion of the will of the people. Yet, in the face of this challenge, we must not be discouraged.
“The illusory triumph of evil over good is only temporary. Our journey towards a prosperous Edo state does not end here. It is just beginning. Let us remain engaged, committed, and united in our collective resolve to create a pathway for prosperity for all in Edo State. You did not abandon me during our campaign and I promise you by the grace of God Almighty that as we face a daunting and uncertain future together, I will not abandon you.”
On Tuesday, in a text statement on his X handle, he added, “Thank you, Edo. Thank you for the love and massive support you have shown me throughout this journey.
“Thank you for braving the rains, threats of violence, harassments and intimidation to vote for us massively last Saturday 21st September 2024.
“Our journey doesn’t end here; it continues in our commitment and collective resolve to recover our mandate and create a Pathway to Prosperity for All in Edo State.”
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has dismissed its outcome, describing it as a transaction where victory was awarded to the highest bidder.
Akpata made the remarks following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to building a democracy that works for all, not just the highest bidder. We continue to envision an Edo State, and a Nigeria, where ideas triumph over Naira, where the collective will of the people shapes our future,” Akpata said.
Akpata, who finished third in the election with 22,763 votes, expressed the need for comprehensive electoral reform.
He advocated for technology to establish systems that make vote-buying impossible, emphasizing the importance of addressing the socio-economic conditions that drive citizens to sell their votes.
“We must also address the root causes that make our people susceptible to vote-selling by creating economic opportunities, improving education, and building a society where citizens do not feel compelled to mortgage their future for immediate gains,” Akpata added.
He lamented that the Edo election exposed the harsh reality that politics in the state, and across Nigeria, is often dominated by those with the deepest pockets and the most extensive networks of influence, rather than by ideologies or the will of the people.
Condemning the widespread vote-buying, Akpata pointed to the long-term damage the practices have inflicted on Edo’s economy over the past 25 years, fostering an environment where democratic values are routinely undermined.
He, however, said despite the election’s outcome, the Labour Party remains committed to upholding the sanctity of the ballot and ensuring that the people’s right to freely choose their leaders is preserved.
