Edo

Edo 2024: PDP Crisis gets Messier, as Shaibu heads to Court

Published

11 months ago

March 12, 2024

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***Sues Asue Ighodalo, INEC, PDP

By Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja

The crisis in the Edo state chapter of the People’s Democratic party ( PDP) may be getting Messier as the state Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu has dragged Dr. Asue Ighodalo, PDP, INEC before Federal High Court in Abuja over the party primary held on 22nd of February, 2024.

Comrade Philip Shaibu is seeking an order of the Court nullifying the 2nd Defendant’s purported Edo State Governorship primary election which took place at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin-City on 22nd February, 2024 where the 4th Defendant purportedly emerged as the Governorship Candidate of the 2nd Defendant.

The Deputy Governor through his Counsel, Doyin Awoyale SAN is also seeking an order of the Court directing the 2nd Defendant to withdraw forthwith the Certificate of Return issued to the 4th Defendant having emerged from an invalid and unlawful Governorship Primary Election conducted contrary to the provisions of the 2nd Defendant’s Constitution and the Electoral Act.

He therefore further seek an order of injunction restraining the 4th Defendant from parading himself as the duly nominated Governorship candidate of the 2nd Defendant in the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for the 21st of September 2024.

The originating summons reads : “AN Order of injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from accepting and/or recognizing the name of the 4th Defendant as the Governorship candidate of the 2nd Defendant in the 2024 Edo State Governorship election scheduled to be conducted by the 1st Defendant on the 21 of September 2024.

“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court restraining the Defendants by themselves and/agents, representatives, organs chapters, etc from tampering with and/or discarding the delegates lists that emerged from the 2^{nd} Defendant’s congresses of 4^{th} February 2024 and 10th February, 2024 conducted by the National Working Committee of the 2^{nd} Defendant.

“AN ORDER of this Honourable Court mandating the 2^{nd} Defendant to conduct a fresh Governorship Primary Election for the Nomination of the Governorship Candidate for the 2^{nd} Defendant in the 2024 Edo

In a suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/308/2024 , the deputy governor sought for the following reliefs : That A DECLARATION that upon a proper construction of the provisions of Sections 84 (1), (5B) & (13) of the Electoral Act, 2022; Article 15 (2) of the 2^{ND} Defendant’s Constitution; Part 1 Paragraph 1 (A), (B) and Part 1 Paragraph 1 (1) of the 2^{ND} Defendant’s Electoral Guidelines for Governorship Primary Election, it is only Ad Hoc Delegates that emerge from a Special Local Government Area Congress and Special Ward Congresses conducted by the 2^{nd} Defendant National Working Committee (NWC) that are eligible to vote in the Edo State PDP Governorship Primary Election held on the 22nd February, 2024.

“A DECLARATION that upon a proper construction of the provisions of Section 84(1), (5B), (8) and (13) of the Electoral Act 2022; Articles 15(2), 50 (1), (2B) of the 2^{ND} Defendant’s Constitution; Part 1 Paragraph 1 (A), (B) and Part 1 Paragraph 1 (1) of the 2^{ND} Defendant’s Guidelines for Governorship Primary Election, the 2nd Defendant cannot alter, modify, amend, exclude or substitute the list of ad hoc delegates from a Special Local Government Area Congress and Special Ward Congresses conducted by the 2^{nd} Defendant National Working Committee (NWC)who emerged as delegates for the purpose of nominating the Edo State PDP Governorship Candidate in the forthcoming Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for the 21 of September 2024?

“A DECLARATION that upon a proper construction of the provisions of Section 84 (1), (2), (5B) & 13 of the Electoral Act, 2022; Articles 15 (2), 50 (1), (2B) of the 2^{ND} Defendant’s Constitution; Part 1 Paragraph 1 (A), (B) and Part 1 Paragraph 1 (1) of the 2ND Defendant’s Guidelines for Governorship Primary Election, the purported Governorship Primary Election conducted by the 2^{nd} Defendant at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin-City on the 22^{nd} of February 2024, from where the 4th Defendant purportedly emerged as the Governorship Candidate of the 2ND Defendant, is null and void.

“A DECLARATION that the 1 Defendant is not entitled to accept or recognize the 4th Defendant as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the 2^{nd} Defendant in Edo State for the 21″ of September 2024 Governorship Election, having emerged from an invalid, unlawful and illegal primaries conducted contrary to Section 84(1), (5B), (8) and (13) of the Electoral Act 2022; Articles 15(2), 50 (1), (2B) of the 2ND Defendant’s Constitution; Part 1 Paragraph 1 (A), (B) and Part 1 Paragraph 1 (1) of the 2ND Defendant’s Guidelines for Governorship Primary Election.”

Edo

Okpebholo Ends 10-Year Wait: 128 AAU Medical Graduates Finally Set for Induction

Published

18 hours ago

January 31, 2025

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Monday Okpebholo

After a decade-long academic journey and months of uncertainty, 128 medical graduates of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, will finally be inducted into the medical profession on February 13, 2025—thanks to the swift intervention of Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

The graduates, who completed their studies in August 2024, had faced an indefinite delay in their induction due to institutional challenges.
Their frustration boiled over in January 2025, leading to a massive protest that shut down the Benin-Auchi Highway.
Governor Okpebholo, demonstrating decisive leadership, immediately stepped in, engaging the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to resolve the impasse.

Speaking on the breakthrough, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Emmanuel Paddy Iyamu, commended MDCN Registrar, Dr. Fatima Kyari, for her cooperation and reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to students’ welfare.
“Governor Okpebholo is not just resolving past issues; he is laying a foundation where students will never have to experience such delays again,” Dr. Iyamu stated.
The chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua in a statement on Friday indicated that the resolution of the crisis marked a new era for AAU’s medical school, which has struggled with accreditation and administrative setbacks. Governor Okpebholo’s administration has also restored monthly subventions to AAU, reinstated illegally disengaged staff and initiated reforms to strengthen academic programs
With these bold steps, Edo State is solidifying its reputation as a hub for quality education and professional excellence, the statement reiterated.
The induction of the 128 medical graduates is not just a victory for the affected students, but a symbol of Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to fixing education in Edo State.

“We endured 10 years of struggle, but today, hope has been restored. This is the leadership we prayed for,” said Precious Omohegbele, a spokesperson for the graduates.

With this milestone, Governor Okpebholo has sent a clear message—in Edo State, students’ futures will no longer be put on hold.

Edo

Edo Attorney General takes over contempt Case Against Omobayo

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2025

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Philip Shaibu and Marvellous Omobayo

***Disengages Ken Mozia, SAN, Others
***Court Adjourns to March 11, 2025

By Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja

The legal battle over the controversial impeachment of former Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, took a new twist on Tuesday as the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, took over the contempt proceedings against Engr. Marvellous Omobayo Godwins, currently occupying the deputy governor’s seat.

This development led to an adjournment of the case to March 11, 2025, following Osagie’s announcement of his representation of the 2nd to 6th Defendants/Respondents, previously represented by Ken Mozia, SAN, and other legal practitioners.
Appearing before the court, the Attorney General stated that since assuming office two months ago, he had not been briefed by any lawyer regarding the state’s representation in the matter. According to him, there was no official record of the case file in his office except for the recent hearing notices served on him.
“In my capacity as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, I have a duty to represent the state parties involved in this case,” Osagie told the court.
The case stems from the Federal High Court ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which last year declared null and void the impeachment of Comrade Philip Shaibu.

Following his removal, Shaibu was denied access to his office by the then Governor Godwin Obaseki. In response, Shaibu filed contempt proceedings against Omobayo, who was appointed as deputy governor by the Obaseki administration despite the court’s ruling.

Engr. Omobayo was served Form 48 and later Form 49, both of which pertain to contempt of court and impersonation as deputy governor of the state.
With this latest legal maneuver, Omobayo’s fate hangs in the balance. If the court upholds the contempt charge, he could be facing imprisonment in Kuje Prison unless an alternative resolution is reached before the next hearing.

For now, the case has been adjourned to March 11, 2025, as all parties prepare for the next stage of legal arguments.

This power struggle highlight the political tensions in Edo State as the fallout from Shaibu’s controversial impeachment remains unresolved.

Edo

Edo SUBEB Chair Marks International Education Day with Renewed Focus on Schools’ Revival

Published

1 week ago

January 24, 2025

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Barr. Onome Goodness Briggs

In a bold move to improve the educational landscape in Edo State, the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Barr. Onome Goodness Briggs, marked the 2025 International Education Day by visiting schools in Benin City to assess their challenges and chart a path for progress.

Barr. Briggs, who visited the Family Support Programme (FSP) School in Ikpokpan GRA and Maria Goretti Grammar School, highlighted the state government’s commitment to revitalizing the education system under Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
The visit was aligned with the global theme of this year’s celebration, “AI for Education,” which emphasizes the integration of technology into learning.

During her visit to the FSP School, she inspected classrooms, assessed pupils’ educational materials, and interacted with students on their reading abilities.
She expressed concern over the school’s lack of teachers and the state of its facilities, noting that, despite having over 300 students, the school operates with just eight teachers.

At Maria Goretti Grammar School, the SUBEB Chairman engaged with students and teachers, assessed academic activities, and reviewed character boards designed to instill moral values, a key pillar of Edo State’s educational policy. She commended the school for its inclusive approach, particularly its employment of persons with disabilities to manage specialized classes.

Speaking on her observations, Barr. Briggs stated, “International Education Day is an opportunity to reflect on our progress and challenges in education. Today’s visits reveal both the resilience of our teachers and the pressing need for improvement.
“Governor Okpebholo is committed to creating an educational system where every Edo child thrives. Our push for AI integration and better infrastructure is just the beginning.”

She lauded teachers for their dedication and assured them of government support, promising a strategic plan to address the shortage of teachers and revamp school infrastructure.

Head Teacher of FSP Primary School, Mrs. Mercy Ajibade, highlighted the school’s struggles, stating, “We face a severe shortage of teachers, and our infrastructure needs urgent attention. We’re grateful for the government’s commitment to improving our situation.”

Barr. Briggs concluded her visit with a renewed promise to upscale the state’s education system, emphasizing the role of technology and inclusivity in building a brighter future for Edo State’s children.