The Eagle Gate

Tag: Edo State

  • BREAKING NEWS: OJEZUA PICKS UP NOMINATION FORM

    BREAKING NEWS: OJEZUA PICKS UP NOMINATION FORM

    The forefront Aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anselm U. Ojezua, Esq. has picked up the nomination form to contest in the party primary coming up in February 2024 for the seat of Governor of Edo State 2024.

    In a brief statement Ojezua said, “I am determined to Unite the Party for Victory and move Edo State forward, it is out of passion I do so. The people of Edo State need to be part of and beneficiaries of government. It is on this note that I have offered myself. With my wealth of experience in government, politics including my educational background and my relationships I can achieve this. It is my prayer that the party and the people of Edo State find me worthy of this job.”

    Ojezua assures his supporters that he is ready and determined.

    PDP – Power to the People

  • PDP and Wise King Solomon

    PDP and Wise King Solomon

    It is time to understand the dynamics of the political terrain. As at the time of writing this article only three (3) persons can be considered aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), because they have picked up the Expression of Interest form from the PDP National Secretariat in Wadata, Abuja.

    • Hon. Omosede Igbinedion
    • Hon. Anselm Ojezua
    • Hon. Felix Akhagbue
    Hon. Omosede Igbinedion
    Hon. Anselm Ojezua
    Hon. Felix Akhagbue

    This is an indication that they are serious and ready for the contest for Governor of Edo State 2024. We expect others to join by end of the week or early next week.

    The numerous media hype lately keep us wondering the intent by some would-be aspirants. The PDP National is responsible for screening the contestants/aspirants and conducting the Governorship primaries. The party cannot infringe on the rights of those who choose to contest in the race. One would have expected with PDP’s experience in politics the rancor brewing in the political space would be managed swiftly. Those who own the baby do not want the be baby divided, but there are those who have nothing to do with the baby who believe that the baby must be divided if they do not have their way.

    In a situation like this what would wise King Solomon do?

    We will keep you informed as others join the contest.

  • Edo 2024: I am in the Race – Ojezua

    Edo 2024: I am in the Race – Ojezua

    Contrary to what is being assumed by many, the Eagle Gate investigative reporters confirmed firsthand from the foremost governorship aspirant of the PDP, Anselm Usioise Ojezua, Esq., that he is in the contest and his eyes on the ball.

    It should be noted that the Edo Central PDP Special Committee met yesterday, Friday, January 5 and today, Saturday, January 6, 2024, to discuss on reducing the number of aspirants coming from the district. As of today, four (4) people in total out of nine (9) have stepped down from the race, leaving five (5) people still standing.

    Ojezua wants his supporters to remain steadfast with confidence that he remains in the contest and by no means has any intention whatsoever to step down from the race. He says, ‘I have a lot to offer the people of Edo State both in politics and administration and I am passionate about it. I do not represent myself; I represent the people who believe in me, my ability to deliver on good governance as well as unify the party.’

    Nothing is easy, he doesn’t expect this contest to be easy, but that does not deter him from concluding on what he has started. He added, ‘I will continue with my campaign while the committee concludes on their findings. I trust this clears any doubts on my position.’

  • Edo 2024: Who stepped down for Ighodalo?

    Edo 2024: Who stepped down for Ighodalo?

    The Eagle Gate Investigative Reporters have spent time over the last six months monitoring the political and social media space on the Actors gearing up for the Gubernatorial election holding in September 2024 in Edo State.

    The major parties in the contest the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labor Party (LP) all make front page from time to time. The PDP, however, is foremost because it not only currently holds the seat of Government, but it has also had its fair share of crisis since the entrance of Obaseki into the party. The party has been severely fractured and the hope of reconciliation on time to win the election this year retaining the seat of government is most important.

    The crisis has deepened with the entrance of Asuelimen Ighodalo into the contest. Although an Edo by lineage, whose father comes from the Edo Central District, he has never been one of them socially or politically. In the 2020 election the slogan then was “Edo no bi Lagos”. This meant two things godfatherism will not be accepted and certainly Edo was not going to be possessed like Lagos is by a man or two. Not until late last year 2023 did Ighodalo pick his PDP party card from his ward. He has no political experience and unlike Obaseki who was coming from another political party with the seat of government, Ighodalo has nothing to offer in this regard.

    It is rumoured that “Ighodalo is the governor’s candidate.” We say rumoured because the governor has said twice on air that he has no preferred candidate and also made a statement in Abuja that he will support whomever the party brings. This is difficult to believe when Ighodalo moves around Edo State with taxpayers’ money and the trimmings of the governor’s office, from vehicles, staff, resources and obviously on social media people appointed as Special Assistants, Senior Special Assistants on government payroll promoting Ighodalo 24/7. While trying to make Edo people believe he is a wealthy man and has a lot of money to throw around.

    In Edo Central District, nine persons showed interest to contest for governor. The Edo Central PDP Special committee was set up to come up with the best scenario for which they could win. This committee led by High Chief Tom Ikhimi met on December 3, 2023, and interacted with seven (7) out of nine (9) aspirants on that day. The list of aspirants did not include the name Kenneth Abhulimen. The committee promised to meet with leaders in Edo South and North districts respectively to determine the way forward and a meeting was scheduled for January 4, 2024, a month later.

    In that time period, two persons on the Edo Central PDP Special committee were made Special Advisers to the Governor. Rt. Hon. Friday Itulah started working for Asuelimen Ighodalo and Kenneth Abhulimen who was never one of the aspirants in the first place is Personal Assistant to one of the special advisers in the district. It is these persons Itulah and Abhulimen who are on payroll that have stepped down for Ighodalo.

    The Ighodalo grapevine social media personnel went on to misinform the public that all aspirants had stepped down for him. This is false.

    Our investigative reporters having made contact with three of the aspirants want to inform the public that Anselm Ojezua, Felix Akhabue and Clifford Ordia are currently making plans to go to the next level and are still very much in the contest for Governor.

  • ZIK PRIZE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AWARD; EDO PDP HAILS GOVERNOR OBASEKI

    ZIK PRIZE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE AWARD; EDO PDP HAILS GOVERNOR OBASEKI

    • says the Alaghodaro yearly summits have laid the foundation for a modern Edo State

    The Edo State Chapter of The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described the Zik Prize for Good Governance award bestowed on Governor Godwin Obaseki recently as well deserved. The party said that with the numerous strategic projects and programs the Governor has executed in the last 7 years in the state, it was no surprise that the organizers spotted him out for the award. The PDP also commended the Governor for sustaining the Alaghodaro yearly summit for the past seven years.

    In a statement issued in the party’s state Secretariat along Airport Road, Benin, the Edo PDP state chairman, Rt. Hon. Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, said that the party was excited by the award given to the Governor. He noted that “The Edo State PDP received with excitement the Zik Prize for Good Governance award bestowed on our leader, His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Governor of Edo State. The award is no doubt well deserved considering the people-oriented projects and programs executed in the last seven years by the Governor Obaseki led administration in the State.

    ” This singular recognition by the organizers of this prestigious award,  is a further testimony of the positive impacts Governor Godwin Obaseki has had on the development of Edo State since he took charge of governance in the State.

    ” The Edo state PDP wishes to use this medium to appreciate the Public Policy  Research and Analysis Center (PPRAC), the organizers, for this honour given to a deserving hard working Governor and the people of Edo State.

    ” In the same vein, the Edo State PDP congratulates His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and the board of the Alaghodaro Summit, for successfully hosting the 7th edition of the summit.  The Alaghodaro summit has laid the foundation for a modern Edo State in economic and infrastructural development which successive governments will leverage and build on. The people of Edo State can now face the future with renewed hope.” the statement concluded.

  • “I know my People and my People know me.” – Ojezua

    “I know my People and my People know me.” – Ojezua

    • Take Edo State to the next level
    • Nominate Anselm Ojezua for Governor

    ©️Ray Onwaeze

    “If You Want to Lead an Orchestra, You Must Back the Crowd” – Horace

    Hon Anselm Ojezua Esq is one of the most eminent sons of Edo state that ushered in the birth of the 4th Republic in the State in May 1999.

    He was there at the beginning with Governor Igbinedion 1999, Governor Oshiomhole 2008 and with Governor Obaseki 2016.

    Under these governors and eminent sons of Edo state, Hon Anselm had honed the skills of leadership. As Deputy Chief of Staff, 3-time Commissioner, and 2-time Party Chairman. Now is his time to use those acquired skills of statecraft to move Edo state to the next level.

    Going forward Hon Anselm Ojezua Esq is without debate, the best candidate on offer to the good people of Edo state for Governor in 2024.

    Like a great leader, he can cut through arguments, debates, and doubts to offer solutions everybody can key into. Even when tough decisions have to be taken, which may require the need to back the populist crowd in order to lead the orchestra of Government, he will rise to the occasion by carrying the people along. He is a consummate consensus builder.

    Together with the supreme quality for leadership, which is integrity, Hon Anselm is far above anyone else on the field.

    One of the tests of leadership which Hon Anselm Ojezua has on offer from my years of interaction with him, is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency. As a homeboy in touch with Edo state, while others think and talk about the State problems, Hon Anselm by his extensive experience within the system, thinks and talks about solutions. This is the extra package he brings to the table.

    Even as top functionary of 3 Administrations since 1999, Hon Anselm never lived in official quarters, because he always wanted to be close to the people with open doors, to feel their pulse. All great leaders must be close enough to relate with their people, but far enough to motivate them. That defines this candidate on offer to Edo people, Hon Anselm Ojezua Esq.

    As the next Governor needed to take the state to the next level, he will hit the ground running. That would create a seamless transition needed to get things done as quickly as possible given the exigency of the time. Edo state no doubt would love this man and I believe they would not let this opportunity pass them by.

    Vote & Nominate Hon Anselm Ojezua Esq as the candidate of the PDP for Governor Edo state 2024. You Can Never Be Wrong.

    Just Do It✔️

  • Shaibu rubbishes the office of deputy governor

    Shaibu rubbishes the office of deputy governor

    • Closes the gates for future opportunities for incoming DGs
    • He’s displayed a crass lack of incompetence, strategy, loyalty, calculation and tact

    Shaibu has no doubt, rubbished the exalted office of deputy governor; he has misused, abused privileges accrued the office, betrayed trust, he has popood on the sanctity of the office, dragged it on the ground, reduced the attractiveness attached to the office, making it uninteresting; with elements like Shaibu in the history books, a governor and his deputy will now have to watch their backs, suspicious of every move each party makes.

    To have used uncomplimentary statements to describe the 7-year productive administration of Obaseki, the same government Shaibu serves as DG is the height of recklessness, incompetence and desperation.

    What public sympathy does Shaibu intend to gain from his irrational dispositions? 

    Where and how did Shaibu get it wrong, could it have been his desperation to succeed Obaseki; could it have been his nocturnal engagements with opposition forces to outsmart the governor; it is a devilish, regrettable and unpardonable act that the deputy governor will forever carry on his neck like a tattoo, accompanying him everywhere he goes.

    A spoon-fed deputy governor who, despite his boss’ magnanimity towards him, leveraged on his tall, impossible desire to be governor, failed in the coup against the Edo State Governor.

    Shaibu experienced the greatest fortunes in his natural life under Obaseki; one time, he was acting governor, another time, he managed the IGRs of the 18 LGAs, he was in the forefront of the distribution of palliatives in the COVID era, under Obaseki, Shaibu now own more than 25 petrol station outlets across Edo State; he has vowed to use the proceeds from sales of petroleum products to prosecute his tall ambition in 2024.

    Shaibu’s unorthodox and crass means to remain in Osadebey Avenue 2024 onward, is the greatest undoing by any deputy governor in Edo; Edo deputy governors from 1999, were loyal to their bosses; they never for once, moved on their bosses and never described their own administration with reckless, uncomplimentary statements.

    It is unbelievable that Shaibu who was carried on the back by Obaseki all along, in the 2020 political war now rubbishes the office of deputy governor, closing the gates to future opportunities for incoming deputies; no doubt Shaibu has displayed a crass lack of incompetence, strategy, loyalty, calculation and tact in his tall and impossible request to govern Edo.

    N’Edo Gha Ma.

  • Edo State Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aigbojie Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN)

    Edo State Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Aigbojie Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN)

    In a historic event held on Monday, the  20th of November 2023, Under the supervision of Prof. Faith Osadolor, the Solicitor General of Edo State, A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing took place between the Edo State Government and Aigbojie Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation as well as PSHAN to construct eighteen state-of-the-art Primary Health Care Facilities (PHCs) across the state.

    Representing the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Osarodion Ogie (Esq) stated that “the MOU signing was the beginning of greater things to come for primary healthcare as the construction of 18 facilities would improve the quality of care at the Facilities. He told the group that the Government is rebuilding the School of Health Technology that would train people that would work at the facility. He urged them to go on a tour of some of the newly renovated facilities as well as the school of health technology to have a feel of the quality of work ongoing.

    While speaking at the event, Dr. Samuel Alli, the Edo State Honorable Commissioner for Health, expressed gratitude to the Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and PSHAN for meticulously selecting the 18 PHCs earmarked for construction. He highlighted the symbolic nature of the signing, symbolizing a collective commitment to revitalizing and upgrading PHCs throughout Edo.

    Dr. Omosigho Izedonmwen, the Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), extended a warm welcome to guests and attendees. He recognized and appreciated Governor Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki’s unwavering support and visionary approach, noting that the Governor’s dedication has laid the groundwork for a new era in primary healthcare in Edo State.

    Mrs. Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation provided an insightful overview of the foundation which she stated was established to improve the lives of people through transformed public service delivery and increased access to quality primary healthcare. She added that “as a foundation, it is their intent to construct 23 PHCs in Nigeria, with 18 PHCs designated for Edo State”. This public-private partnership intervention holds significant potential for fortifying the health system and addressing existing gaps.

    Adding to the discourse, Mrs. Tinuola Akinbolagbe, the Managing Director/CEO of PSHAN, emphasized the necessity of having a model PHC in each of the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs). This, she asserted, would create a tangible impact at the grassroots level, providing perpetual technical support. Drawing on PSHAN’s successful engagements in states like Rivers, Delta, and Bauchi, she stressed the importance of a collaborative effort in Edo State, leveraging public-private partnerships to successfully implement the planned renovation of the PHCs.

    The MD affirmed that Pilot PHCs for construction, include Atoruru PHC in Sabongida Ora LGA, Idunmungha PHC in Uhunmwode LGA, Uteh PHC in Iwogban, and Evbuodia PHC in Oredo LGA.

    Led by the Edo State Honourable Commissioner for Health Dr Samuel Alli and the Executive Secretary, EDSPHCDA Dr Omosigho Izedonmwen the guest took a tour to the newly renovated Aruogba PHC, Oredo LGA where they were taken on a tour of the facility by the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Igbinobaro and the Head Nurse in charge of the facility Mrs Flora. They later proceeded to the School of Health Technology, Sapele Road where construction work is currently underway.

    Nene Olaye
    Head, Public Relations Unit,
    EDSPHCDA

  • Edo 2024: “I am the right man for the job”. –  Anselm Ojezua

    Edo 2024: “I am the right man for the job”. –  Anselm Ojezua

    A frontline politician of the PDP and former Commissioner of Edo State, Anselm U. Ojezua Esq, has formally joined the race for the Governorship of Edo State come 2024. In a declaration video released to the media, he said that he is offering himself to serve the state because he is the right man for the job. In his words, “I believe very sincerely that I am the right man for the job at this critical time in the annals of our collective history because of my knowledge and cognate experience in both governance and politics complete with the relevant skills required to get the job done”.

    He insisted that his aspiration is based on a set of core ideals which he believes are essential to celebrate the strength inherent in the homogeneity of Edo people, recognize the boundless creativity of Edo youth and provide the necessary support for the people.

    Reflecting on our democratic journey since the return to civil rule in 1999, he said, “I have come to the firm conclusion that the recurrent problems confronting us and retarding our development is more political than mere issues of governance hence I believe that whoever must be entrusted with this sacred responsibility must be a well-grounded individual who is educated, possesses the relevant political skills and has the vision to sustain and possibly upscale the current efforts already being made to take this State to an updated, upgraded and technology driven level necessary to ensure a self-reliant and robust economy required to confront the very dire straits that we have been plunged into as a Nation and by implication a State”

    In conclusion, he urged Edo people to unite with him to bring enhanced productivity and growth; stating, “I do not pretend to know it all; rather, as a deliberate policy, I intend to tap into the very vast and sophisticated human resource of our people at home and in diaspora to create the atmosphere for a productive economy within a reasonable time frame in a peaceful and harmonious environment”, he enthused.

    Credit: Anselm Ojezua Campaign Organization

  • MANEUVERS FOR 2024

    MANEUVERS FOR 2024

    The game of politics just started. Who becomes relevant, and the deals to be made. At the end of it all, whatever the case, it will end well for PDP.