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PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Asserts Esan Identity Despite Language Barrier

by KINGSLEY OYEMA
written by KINGSLEY OYEMA

Asue Ighodalo, a gubernatorial aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has proclaimed his allegiance to his Esan heritage, emphasizing his identity as a true Esan boy despite facing challenges in speaking the local language. Ighodalo, believed to be the favored successor of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, made this declaration during an address to his kinsmen in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government of the state.

Acknowledging the need for an interpreter to communicate effectively with his kinsmen, Ighodalo stressed his connection to Esanland and his commitment to its development. “I am a true Esan boy; I am not going to use ‘homeboy’ because they have used it badly. I am an Esan boy,” he asserted through an interpreter.

Ighodalo, who has been part of the state’s economic team since 2008, defended his Esan heritage, pointing to his long-standing contributions to the state’s economic development. “I have been on the state economic team since 2008, starting from the administration of Comrade Oshiomhole,” he explained. “Since Godwin Obaseki came in as Chairman of the Economic Team, I have been coming to Edo state to support and advise the government.”

Dismissing the notion that residing in the diaspora should disqualify one from being a true Edo boy, Ighodalo argued that the essence of being a true son of the soil lies in one’s heart. “There are many of our brothers and sisters in the diaspora who are more Edo than many of them who live here,” he emphasized.

Calling for unity among Edo people, both within the state and abroad, Ighodalo emphasized the importance of collaboration for the development of Edo State. He urged people to put aside divisive sentiments and work collectively to advance the interests of the state.

“So all those of us in the diaspora, those of us in the diaspora in Nigeria, diaspora abroad, all the best hands must come to develop Edo State,” he stated. “Someone can’t sit in the village or in ‘mama put’ and say the rest of us cannot come and develop our state; it is not done. We must all come together to come and develop Edo State, plus the people in ‘mama put,’ plus the people in Canada, we come together and develop Edo State.”

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Tensions Escalate as Edo PDP Governorship Primary Commences Amid Factional Disputes

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

The governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has kicked off amid heightened tensions, characterized by internal disputes, factional boycotts, and conflicting statements.

A significant faction within the PDP, aligned with the National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Chief Dan Orbih, opted to boycott a crucial meeting held in Benin City. This faction, known as the Legacy Coalition, expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s management in the state, deepening the existing rifts.

Complicating matters further, reports indicate that Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, are currently at odds. While in Bauchi State, Governor Obaseki declared that the party would determine the political futures of Shaibu and other candidates, adding a layer of uncertainty to the internal dynamics.

In response to the divisions, the PDP State Secretary, Hilary Otsu, denounced a purported State Executive Committee meeting, urging party members to steer clear of any involvement. Otsu emphasized that only the secretary has the constitutional authority to call meetings, discrediting the circulated notice and warning against potential acts of sabotage.

Otsu stated, “Dear Edo PDP leaders, it has come to my notice that a certain notice of meeting has been sent to leaders of our party. Kindly note that the constitution of PDP empowers only the secretary to call meetings.“

Another group within the party, perceived to be loyal to Governor Obaseki, announced a membership drive. Luckson Ogedegbe, the State Assistant Secretary, revealed in a statement that the party had initiated the registration of new members. The State Working Committee (SWC) was directed to oversee the timetable for the 2024 governorship primary.

Ogedegbe outlined key decisions taken during a meeting of party leaders across the state, emphasizing the mandate for ward chairmen to commence the registration of new members. He detailed, “The SEC mandated the SWC to drive the timetable of the coming governorship primary, as released by PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).”

As the PDP navigates these internal challenges in Edo State, the upcoming days are poised to be crucial in determining the party’s unity and coherence ahead of the governorship primary in 2024.

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Edo State Governor Obaseki Addresses Deputy’s Governorship Ambition Amid PDP Forum Discussions

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has asserted that the fate of his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who declared his intention to run for the governorship seat, lies in the hands of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The relationship between Obaseki and Shaibu strained when the deputy declared his candidacy for the Edo State governorship election in 2024.

After a closed-door meeting with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel Udom and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed at the Ramat House on Thursday, Obaseki addressed journalists. The meeting aimed to discuss matters related to the PDP Governors’ Forum, including Obaseki’s relationship with his deputy and potential ways to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to alleviate the challenges faced by Nigerians.

Governor Obaseki emphasized that he maintains a cordial relationship with Shaibu, acknowledging the deputy’s constitutional right to run for governor. Obaseki highlighted that his vote alone would not determine Shaibu’s candidacy within the PDP, stating, “The party will decide, and also members of the party will decide who will be the flag bearer of the party in the forthcoming governorship election.”

While noting the challenges facing the country, Obaseki expressed the need to collaborate to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. The discussion also covered broader party issues and the state of the nation.

As the political landscape evolves in Edo State, attention is now on the PDP members’ decision-making process, which will ultimately determine the party’s flag bearer for the upcoming governorship election.

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Breaking: Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, Officially Declares Governorship Aspiration

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has formally declared his ambition to contest the governorship position in the upcoming 2024 elections. The announcement was made in a video released by his office in Benin, the state capital, on Monday, November 27, 2023.

Philip Shaibu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed his intent to succeed his current principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and vie for the governorship on the PDP platform. The declaration follows earlier indications from Shaibu’s camp that he would officially announce his candidacy this week.

Last week, the Philip Shaibu Campaign Organisation had issued a ‘Special Invitation’ dated November 23, 2023, inviting newsmen to witness the formal declaration. The event was scheduled for Monday, November 27, at the Eterno Hotels, beginning at 8 am.

This move by Shaibu sets the stage for a dynamic political landscape in Edo State, as his gubernatorial aspiration places him in direct competition with Governor Godwin Obaseki. Obaseki, who is currently serving as governor, is believed to be working towards endorsing another candidate to succeed him, leading to potential internal party dynamics within the PDP.

Shaibu’s official entry into the gubernatorial race signals the beginning of what promises to be an interesting and closely watched political process in Edo State as the 2024 elections draw nearer. As the deputy governor embarks on this journey, political observers will be keenly observing the unfolding developments within the PDP and the wider political arena in Edo State.

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Controversy Surrounds Death of ‘Mummy Be Calming Down’ Woman in Edo State

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

The reported suicide of Toluige Olokoobi Babalola, the woman who gained fame in a viral ‘Mummy Be Calming Down’ video, has sparked controversy as conflicting accounts emerge. The Edo State Police stated that reports from the deceased woman’s husband and those of his neighbors contradict each other.

The video, which became an internet sensation in 2020, featured Toluige’s young son on his knees, frantically begging his mother after offending her. On Tuesday, an X user disclosed that Toluige allegedly took her own life in Benin, Edo State, citing unknown reasons and claiming to have been at the scene of the incident on Monday afternoon.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Edo State, Chidi Nwabuzor, addressed the issue at the Edo State Command Headquarters in Benin City. According to Nwabuzor, the accounts provided by the deceased’s husband, Mr. Lawal, and his neighbors were inconsistent. This prompted the State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Adamu Dankwara, to launch an investigation into the matter.

Nwabuzor provided details, stating, “On the 8th of November 2023, the husband by the name Lawal reported to the Evbuotubu Division in Benin City, Edo State, that he returned from the market and found his two-year-old child, Ife Lawal, crying.”

He continued, “Immediately he burst the door open and saw the wife on a rope tied to the ceiling, so he loosened it and cried out to the neighbors who came and accompanied him to the hospital where the wife was confirmed dead and immediately deposited at a hospital mortuary in Benin City.”

Nwabuzor highlighted conflicting statements, stating, “The husband said the neighbors came upon his outcry and helped him to lose the woman. The neighbors are saying ‘No! We did not know anything about loosening the woman’ that when he shouted, we came and met him lying on top of the woman.”

Due to these conflicting reports, the Commissioner of Police ordered the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. The police emphasized the need for a comprehensive inquiry, especially given the absence of marks of violence on the deceased woman’s body, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding her tragic death.

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