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Edo governorship transition committee denies borrowing N5bn for inauguration

Published

5 months ago

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The Transition Committee of Edo Governor-Elect, Monday Okpebholo, has denied borrowing funds for the inauguration ceremony slated for Tuesday.

The outgoing Gov. Godwin Obaseki had accused the committee of borrowing N5 billion to organise the ceremony.

Obaseki’s administration also accused the governor-elect of not inviting him for the inauguration ceremony, sparking concerns about the transfer of power.

A statement by Kassim Afegbua, a member of the committee on Sunday in Benin, said the governor-elect had opted to fund the inauguration from his personal resources to avoid any unnecessary expenses.

Afegbua said the decision was made after the committee’s meeting with the Secretary to the State Government and a Permanent Secretary, who requested an inauguration budget.

Afegbua stated that they declined to present a budget to avoid potential accusations of misusing the funds.

Afegbua criticised Obaseki’s administration, alleging that Obaseki was frustrating the inauguration process and overburdening the new administration with last-minute decisions.

He said the governor-elect was committed to making life better for the average Edo person and did not believe in an ostentatious display of resources.

“Suddenly, Godwin Obaseki, realises the ephemerality of power and now resorts to lamentations about an ongoing inauguration without extending an invitation to him.

“We found this to be generously laughable and self-indicting.

“In other climes, an outgoing governor or president organises the inauguration of the incoming, but for the painful loss of the PDP at the election, Gov. Obaseki and his co-travellers are doing everything possible to frustrate the inauguration of the incoming governor.

“Rather than sit down to plan the inauguration event as it is done in other climes, Gov. Obaseki is busy planting landmines on the path to smooth transfer of power.

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“From the transition committee to the inauguration committee, despite all the cooperation we have extended to them, what we have received in return is frustration and deliberate plot to overburden the new administration with all manner of misplaced government decisions.

“We totally frown at these dubious plots which are clear negations of the standard procedures of power transfer the world over,” he said.

Afegbua also said that most government vehicles had been carted away by government officials, leaving only one functional vehicle at the Edo Government House. (NAN)

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Politics

Ighodalo Will Fail At Appeal Court—Edo Governor

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14 hours ago

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April 5, 2025

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Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, says Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 election, and the opposition party will fail in their bid to overturn his electoral victory at the appeal court.

On Wednesday, the Edo state governorship election petition tribunal affirmed Okpebholo as the elected governor of the state and dismissed Ighodalo’s petition.

Ighodalo, who rejected the tribunal’s ruling, said he respects the judiciary but noted that Edo people’s right to credible elections must not be compromised.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate also said his legal team has been instructed to challenge the judgment at the court of appeal.

However, speaking on Friday during a celebration hosted by his supporters, Okpebholo boasted that he would win at the appeal court and even at the supreme court.

The Edo governor said the opposition party is “wasting money on court cases,” adding that his “mandate cannot be hijacked”.

“The opposition party has been talking and shouting, but Edo people spoke very clear and loud with their votes on September 21, 2024,” Fred Itua, spokesperson to the governor, said in a statement.

“Edo people voted for the right person in Senator Monday Okpebholo. The people will speak again when the time is right.

“We have defeated them at the tribunal, and they said they want to appeal the ruling. If they like, let them appeal and even get to the Supreme Court. We will defeat them.

“They have stolen enough money from Edo State. So, they are wasting the money on court cases. If they like, let them spend the whole money they stole from the people.

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“They will never steal Edo people’s mandates given to me and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the September 21st governorship election.”

In 2024, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Okpebholo of the APC as the winner after he polled 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo, his closest challenger, who scored 247,274 votes.

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Politics

S’Court Verdicts: Abure Remains Chairman —LP

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15 hours ago

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April 5, 2025

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The Labour Party (LP) says the judgment of the supreme court on Friday is an endorsement of Julius Abure’s leadership.

Reacting to the verdict, Obiora Ifoh, the party’s national publicity secretary, said Abure remains the LP chairman.

The apex court had nullified the judgment recognising Abure as national chairman of the party.

The court held that the issue of leadership is an internal affair of a party over which courts lack jurisdiction.

“Supreme Court strikes out Nenadi, Abure suits, says only Political Parties can determine who their leaders are,” Ifoh wrote on the party’s X page.

“It also said that the courts shouldn’t dabble into the affairs of the political parties. Abure is still the National Chairman of the Labour Party.”

The supreme court had allowed the appeal filed by Nenadi Usman, a former senator representing Kaduna south, and one other — and held that there were meritorious.

The apex court also dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure-led faction of the LP, describing it as lacking in merit.

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Ighodalo vows to Appeal tribunal verdict upholding Okpebholo’s election victory

Published

3 days ago

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April 3, 2025

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 19 September governorship election in Edo, Mr Asue Ighodalo, has said he will challenge the tribunal’s judgment at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Edo election tribunal, sitting in Abuja on Wednesday, reaffirmed Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s victory and dismissed the petitions from the PDP and Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, in a statement in Benin, said his decision to challenge the judgment aimed to protect Edo people’s collective rights and ensure they freely determine their future.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 election in our dear state.

“While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must continue as democracy’s foundational bedrock.

“Our pursuit of justice affirms our firm belief that Edo people’s right to freely choose their leaders through credible, free, and fair elections must always prevail.

“As a committed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man and urge all Edo people to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

Ighodalo said this was not the end of their journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate.

He commended the people for their massive support, sincere love, and belief in their shared vision for a prosperous Edo, which had fuelled their journey.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear ‘Pathway to Prosperity’ for Edo while upholding democracy’s core values.

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“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a serious miscarriage of justice.

“This is not about me or any single individual; it is about democracy’s essence, our collective right to determine our future, and our legacy for generations unborn.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo said. (NAN)

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