The Ailoba Ahonkhai Blog Spot

Explaining his recent visits to the president, he said: “A visit to the Presidency by the Senate president is a normal thing because we need to consult, discuss, exchange ideas and make suggestions to each other from time to time. More importantly, at this time, when the nation is facing economic crisis, there is need for frequent engagements by the Presidency and the National Assembly.” According to him, “It is in fact very unfortunate that these empty speculations by the media are now forming the basis for commentaries by some politicians who are in a position to be better informed. Politicians should stop playing to the gallery or drawing political capital from all issues. When serious national issues are on ground, we should refrain from making statements based on mere sentiments.” Saraki pleaded with the media to exercise restraint in their reportage and commentaries in order to properly serve the people. “At a time when we are about to prepare a budget whic...

Interim Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has declared the resolve of his administration to rebuild Benin Technical College for the training of skilled technical manpower and job creation. Mr Godwin Obaseki made the disclosure on Monday in Benin City when he led a delegation on an inspection tour of the dilapidated Benin Technical College, Benin City. Not pleased with the condition of the school Obaseki said, “Look at what we have. It’s unacceptable” and he resolved, “We will have to take very drastic measures in the next few weeks. We have to rebuild this institution and we have to bring it up to standard so that it becomes the basis for training technical manpower.” Mr Obaseki, who was accompanied on the facility tour by the State interim Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu, interim Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Barr. Osarodion Ogie and the interim Chief of Staff, Edo State Government, Taiwo Akerele, spoke further, “Well, in our election promise, you reca...

The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Benin, on Wednesday, declined to issue an order to the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Mr Godwin Obaseki, restraining the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the September 28 governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, from utilizing any equipment to examine, scan, or howsoever interact with the ballot papers used in the election. However, the Tribunal ordered that the proposed scanning or forensic analysis by the PDP should be done if the integrity of such equipment to be used has been demonstrated and cleared by the Election Petition Tribunal. The PDP has said that it is willing and prepared to demonstrate the equipment before the tribunal but thanked the tribunal for not accepting the prayers of the APC for outright disapproval of the use of the forensic materials. After hearing the four paragraph motion and the sworn affidavit of the APC, the Hon. Justice A. Badamasi-led Tribunal declined...

The launching also saw the emergence of the Edo Mandate Recovering Group A PDP Stalwart Daniel Ogbegie , Esq. who addressed the gathering at length  said the group is not to serve as a rival group to the party but another platform to galvanic Edo people who would hitherto not have the chance to be on the PDP table to contribute their quota towards recovering this mandate. He further to express the will of the Edo people to see the end of the plundering of their rescources that went on under Mr. Adams Oshiomole in the last 8 years. He enumerated: Oshiomole sourced 30 billion Naira from the stock market for the Benin city storm water project but after 8 years, he cannot tell Edo people how the money was spent. As of the handover, Oshiomole is handing over a phantom project to Obaseki. 30 billion Naira has gone down the drain. Oshiomole invited the President Buhari to come to Edo to commission renovated schools and resurfaced roads, cost of which he continues ...

After the Edo State governorship election, some people expected you and your party to congratulate the winner and move on with your life. Why did you refuse to do that? You must understand that in as much as I was the candidate in the election, I ran under a platform of a political party; people gave me support, a lot of people came out boldly to show that support. In accepting or rejecting the election, common sense demands that we take a critical look at the result itself and consult with all the stakeholders on how your response will be. In this particular case, it was very clear that the result that was announced was completely at variance with how the people voted. A lot of irregularities took place where the APC said that they won. And the independent National Electoral Commission, INEC chose to completely ignore such irregularities. In many places where we were leading, thugs were sent to disrupt the places, in spite of the heavy security, the police did not arres...

A mild drama has started in Edo State as Ms Betty Okoebor, the woman in the middle of the crisis between Onojie of Uromi and outgoing Edo State governor,  Adams Oshiomhole, has said that she did not request for any apology and does not seek any apology from the Onojie of Uromi. In a personally signed letter to the Edo State governor, a copy of which was made available to Urhokpota Reporters, Ms Okoebor said she has since reconciled with the Onojie and she does not require the governor to humiliate the Onojie of Uromi on her behalf. “Your Excellency” the letter of Okoebor reads, “note that as a loyal daughter of the Throne of the Onojie of Uromi, it will be sacrilegious for me to demand or receive apology from His Majesty, under any circumstances. Rather the custom of our people behoves on me to reconcile myself with the Throne. I have since done this accompanied by my elders and family members.” Ms Okoebor warned the governor not to drag her name or her fam...