…..You can’t extend your political empire to Edo, Obaseki replies Tinubu
……..Tinubu Can’t Determine Edo People’s Choice – Oyegun
…….UK threatens election offenders with visa ban, asset seizure
Ibe Pascal Arogorn
The national leader of the APC and the governor traded attacks ahead of the Edo governorship election.
Mr Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, in a sponsored broadcast on TVC on Tuesday called on Edo residents to vote out Mr Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saturday’s election.
“I want to appeal to you to reject Godwin Obaseki in this coming election. I have suffered with many others to bring about this democratic regime that today we are enjoying in the country.
“Then, Godwin Obaseki didn’t participate in any aspect of the struggle to enshrine democracy in the country. Therefore, he could not understand the value and the pains associated with this democratic struggle.
He does not deserve any democratic ballot paper. Don’t vote for him, I appeal to all of you.”
Mr Tinubu also accused Mr Obaseki of using his office to impede over 14 assembly members.
“He (Obaseki) demonstrated the act of dictatorship, lack of respect for rule of law, lack of respect for you the people who voted for those legislators prevented from being sworn-in. Today, he now comes back as a democrat wanting you to vote for him. Please, I appeal to you, reject him.
“Several institutions and leaders of our country appealed to him to respect constitutional democracy but he rejected all entreaties. He rejected the appeal of the National Assembly. When the Attorney-General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria enumerated the path of honour and the constitution of the country.”
He also accused Mr Obaseki of destroying Edo House of Assembly by removing the roofs, burning gravels and rocks at the entrance of the assembly.
“Now, he is asking for our votes, your votes, our dear people. Is he a democrat? No, he is not.”
You can’t extend your political empire to Edo-Obaseki to Tinubu
The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Edo State Election , Godwin Obaseki, has faulted claims made by the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a televised broadcast on Tuesday.
Obaseki said this in a press statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr . Crusoe Osagie .
The statement was titled ‘ You can’ t extend your political empire to our state – Edo govt tells Tinubu’ .
Obaseki boasted that Tinubu cannot extend his political empire to Edo State , noting that Edo people were determined to end godfatherism in the state.
Reacting, the statement read , “ Our attention has been drawn to a television broadcast in which a former Lagos State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu , in his quest to extend his political dominance and empire to Edo State , decided to take over the role of Edo people to choose through the ballot who to govern them for the next four years.
“ It has become obvious that the spirited fight which Edo people have put up against godfatherism has sent tremors beyond the shores of Edo to the likes of Tinubu , who has for years sustained a stranglehold on Lagos and other states in South – Western Nigeria , hence this desperate, last-ditch effort to rescue the unproductive political instrument , now popularly referred to as godfatherism , with which he has feathered his nest and built his political empire at the expense of the people .
“ Tinubu knows clearly that come September 19, when godfatherism would have been dismantled in Edo State , the people of Lagos may just have found the recipe and formula for removing the chokehold placed on their collective destinies for decades by Tinubu, hence the inciting television broadcast . ”
Obaseki described the allegation that he prevented the inauguration of lawmakers in the state as “ false ” .
“ We call on all Edo people , friends of Nigeria and all lovers of democracy to disregard all the comments by Tinubu, as the allegations about the Edo State House of Assembly and other claims in the broadcast are completely false , ” he added .
Tinubu Can’t Determine Edo People’s Choice – Oyegun
The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie Oyegun has noted that the National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, can not determine the outcome of the governorship election in Edo State as an outsider.
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Oyegun while reacting to the statement called on the APC national leader to stop interfering in the political situation in the South-South state.
He also urged all political gladiators to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election is peaceful.
Oyegun also denied issuing a statement on the outcome of the gubernatorial election in Edo State, noting that his statements on the political situation in the state have been consistent.
He said: “I read with great consternation and disgust a statement purportedly issued by me on a so-called outcome of the gubernatorial election in Edo State.”
“First let me state emphatically that at no time did I issue any statement, verbally or written, on the fortunes of the APC, or any other party in the imminent election.”
“The said statement which is making rounds in social media could only have originated from sick minds and desperate persons of criminal orientation. My views and statements on the Edo State political situation have been consistent.”
“I strongly advised against the mistreatment of Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki by the late unlamented National Working Committee, (NWC), of the APC and his subsequent forced exit from the APC. Governor Obaseki stood bravely for the dignity and pride of his people and in the process suffered unacceptable indignities.”
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“In the matter of who governs Edo State, the people are sovereign and no individual or group, whatever their status, can decide on their behalf. I stand with the people of Edo State and urge them to come out massively to exercise their democratic right! They should vote for good governance, common decency, principled leadership, especially in the political arena and the protection of their vital democratic rights. They should by their votes, make clear that it is their right to choose their Governor and nobody else! There is no room for fence sitters.”
This is a special situation and primitive loyalties should and must be set aside. Remember Mr President’s admonition in an equally challenging preelection situation in Imo State. “Vote your conscience”. There will be peace on Saturday. Come out and vote your conscience.”
Atiku counters Tinubu, asks Edo people to vote Obaseki
Former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar has asked voters to cast their votes for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Godwin Obaseki, in the Saturday’ s Governorship election in Edo State .
He tweeted this a few hours after the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, said Obaseki does not deserve a single vote in the Saturday governorship election .
The former governor of Lagos State had in a televised broadcast said , “ He ( Obaseki) does not deserve any democratic ballot paper . Don’ t vote for him , I appeal to all of you . ”
But Obaseki debunked Tinubu’ s claim , noting that Tinubu would fail in his attempt “ to extend his political dominance and empire to Edo State ” .
Atiku in his tweet warned against violence during the election .
He said , “ The democracy that we enjoy today was bought at a great price . We can only deepen and sustain it by respecting the sanctity of the ballot and necessary review of our electoral processes .
“ As the great people of Edo State go to the polls to elect their governor this weekend, they need to be provided with a secured environment to cast their votes and be assured that their votes will count .
“ I urge all duly registered voters of conscience and who truly care about the wellbeing of Edo to turn out en masse to cast and defend their vote for @ GovernorObaseki . ”
Wike, Obi, others storm Benin for PDP rally
Governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State including the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi were among the dignitaries that graced the final rally for the re-election bid of Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
The governors, in their separate speeches, charged the electorate to vote and protect their votes.
Wike, said governor Obaseki has done his best in going round the 192 wards to solicit for their votes and that the large number of persons that have turned out at the rally was a clear attestation that he has done what he needed to do adding that going by the number of persons at the rally, the governor has already won the election and that the electorate must compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to announce the election result in his favour.
On his part, Tambuwal said the people of the state must rise up to protect their votes and should not be intimidated or allowed themselves to be enticed by money so as to sell their votes.
“I heard that somebody is coming here with a bullion van. Do not sell your vote. Do not be intimidated, vote and let it be counted. Vote for continuity”, he said.
Okowa of Delta State commended the state governor for his zealousness in taking his campaigns round the 192 wards, a feat that has not been done in the country.
Okowa said those who are calling him an outsider who is trying to dabble into Edo State politics should have a rethink because he is part and parcel of the state noting that his grandmother is from Igbanke while his wife’s father is also from Igbanke. “This is the first time a governor went round from ward-to-ward to campaign.
“As you vote, remain vigilant and shine your eyes. No one can cheat the majority. Edo will not be left out; all South-south states are PDP, so we don’t want anybody to cheat on us.”
Obi who is a former governor of Anambra state said voting Obaseki the second time will guarantee them a brighter future for them and for their unborn children.
National chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, said the European Union and other lovers of democracy all over the world must rise to see that the Edo State governorship election is free, fair and credible.
On his part, Obaseki said his campaigns round the 192 wards has opened his eyes to some of the challenges faced by most of the communities in the state adding that he would address the situation in his second tenure.
“I don’t have anything to say to you my Edo people but to thank you; you have been wonderful especially as we went through the 192 wards to seek your support for reelection.
“We will win this election because so far over 100 groups have endorsed me for the race. With groups like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and other groups in the state behind me, tell me how we will lose the election?”
Obaseki continued: “Democracy is not a government of godfathers but a government of the people, by the people and for the people. In Edo we have been fighting godfatherism and by Saturday we will put an end to it, and after that go Lagos and put an end to godfatherism in Nigeria.
UK threatens election offenders with visa ban, asset seizure
The United Kingdom has said it will take action against individuals who mastermind violence during the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States .
It said the sanction could include restrictions on their eligibility to travel to the UK, restrictions on access to UK-based assets, or prosecution under international law just as it did after the 2019 elections .
The British High Commission in Nigeria stated this in a statement published on its
Twitter handle on Tuesday.
This is coming 24 hours after the United States imposed visa restrictions on politicians who masterminded violence and rigging of the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States .
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria , Catriona Laing, in the statement , said she has held meetings with the leaders of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party on the Saturday governorship election in Edo State .
The commission explained that the parley focused on the need for the parties to prevail on their supporters to avoid violence before, during , and after the elections .
It further said the UK welcomed the signing of a peace accord by the governorship candidates in the state.
The commission disclosed that it would be deploying observation missions to both Edo and Ondo polls while supporting civil society – led observation .
The statement read , “ The UK takes a strong stand against election -related violence and just as we did in the general election in 2019, we will continue to take action against individuals we identify as being responsible for violence during elections .
“ This could include restrictions on their eligibility to travel to the UK, restrictions on access to UK- based assets or prosecution under international law . ”
Oba of Benin hails National Peace Committee
The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has hailed the former Head of State, and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, retired Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, for the committee’s efforts in ensuring there is peace across the country.
The Oba gave the commendation on Tuesday when the Chairman and members of the National Peace Committee visited his palace in Benin.
Ewuare II said that he was not surprised because of the pedigree of the retired General considering the circumstance under which he emerged as Head of State of Nigeria and the pace he quickly organised the return of the country to democratic rule.
The Benin Monarch further informed the visiting former Head of State and the committee that the political gladiators generated political tension to a worrisome dimension before they were called to order in peace meeting that brought peace to the polity.
On his part, the former Head of State, Gen. Abubakar the members were in Edo to hold Peace Accord Meeting with politicians.
He thanked the Benin Monarch for the initiative to hold peace meeting with the political gladiators in the state which set the ball rolling for the committee to take-off and progress on the peace drive.
Gen Abubakar informed the monarch that they had earlier attended a meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for security agencies, candidates of political parties and other stakeholders in Benin.
He said they all agreed to abide by the peace agreement ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in the state.
Gen. Abubakar was accompanied by the Committee’s Secretary, Bishop Matthew Kukah, amongst other members who charged eligible voters in Edo to come out en-mass to vote for candidate of their choice on Sept. 19.
The committee assured the Edo electorate that their votes would count.
FRSC deploys 1,500 personnel, 35 vehicles
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says it has deployed 1,500 personnel to provide security during the Sept. 19 Edo governorship election.
FRSC Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), ACM Bisi Kazeem on Tuesday in Abuja.
Oyeyemi said the deployment of the personnel became neccessary because of the heightened concern of political violence during the Saturday’s election.
He said the officers and men of the FRSC would assist in ensuring a hitch-free electoral process in Edo.
He said that the FRSC team would be led by the Zonal Commanding Officer RS5, Benin, to be assisted by the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Federal Operations at its FRSC headquarters, including Sector Commander RS5.1 Benin.
He added that the commission had approved the deployment of about 35 operational vehicles, including tow trucks and ambulances to aid the electoral processes in the 18 Local Government Areas of the State.
He said that the deployed personnel were to engage in carrying out enforcement of no movement order.
“Certification of INEC vehicles to be used to convey electoral materials, removal of obstructions and rescue operations as well as joining other sister agencies to maintain orderliness at assigned polling booths, ” he said.
The Corps Marshal advised the FRSC personnel to conduct themselves professionally in the conduct of their duties diligently and ensure compliance with the Presidential Task Force Directives on COVID-19.
According to him, FRSC 122 Emergency toll free line remains open to the general public to reach out in case of any unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
