Tag: Adams Oshiomhole

  • Why voters should support climate-friendly candidate

    Why voters should support climate-friendly candidate

    As preparations for this year’s governorship election in Edo State gather momentum, the need to remind the electorate to support and vote massively for a climate-friendly candidate has become increasingly imperative. Governorship elections are held every four years and their outcomes have demonstrably proven to have a profound impact on the state’s environmental and climate policies.

    Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the electoral body which oversees elections in Nigeria, has fixed Saturday, September 21 as the date for the governorship election in the state. The commission recently published the final list of candidates for the election, following the conclusion of party primaries and the end of the period for withdrawal and substitution of candidates as provided in the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.

    The electioneering in public by political parties, according to the commission, commenced on Wednesday, April 24, and would end at midnight on Thursday, September 19, that is, 24 hours before the date fixed for the election as provided by law. Moreover, INEC has harped on the need for the political parties to adhere strictly to the timeline for the upload of the list of polling and collation agents to the dedicated portal for the polls.

    From all indications, Edo State, which is geographically situated along Nigeria’s low belt region, has had its fair share of environmental and ecological challenges over the years. Notably, these challenges are rife across some communities within the three senatorial districts in the state, including growing evidence of climate change threats.

    Consequently, Edo State has continued to experience unpredictable weather conditions such as extreme temperature that results in excessive heat, decline in annual rainfall, air pollution, energy poverty, frequent flooding, erosion etc. For example, the premises and vicinity of educational institutions such as Queen Ede and Edo College, Iguosa, Ekenhuan Road and Gapiona in Edo South senatorial district, Ambrose Ali University, Emu, Ugboha and Ibore in Edo Central and Igbe Road and Oshiobugie in Edo North Senatorial districts, are worst hit.

    It may be recalled that less than four months to the forthcoming governorship election in the state, the premises of the INEC in Benin City, the state capital, were ravaged by flood. The commission disclosed that the flood damaged a section of the building and destroyed voter registration machines and other items. INEC has however, reassured the government and people of Edo State that the incident will not jeopardise its pre-election activities, adding that the damaged enrolment machines for the continuous voter registration in the state, have been promptly configured, in addition to the supplementary machines deployed from the neighbouring states to make up for the shortfall.

    At the maiden edition of the Edo Climate Summit which was held recently in Benin City, under the auspices of Connected Advocacy for Empowerment and Youth Development Initiative, the stakeholders observed that climate-induced weather conditions have further widened the poverty gap in the state and now undermined its contribution to both local and state development, including the well-being of the people.

    Similarly, Obaseki’s predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, and other past governors in the state had set up several initiatives aimed at tackling the age-long gully erosion hazards and a host of other environmental problems confronting the state. Sadly, these efforts seem grossly insignificant, especially when juxtaposed with the devastating ecological quandaries which have haplessly brought the state to its knees.

    Given the importance of climate change, it ought to be a top priority subject that should be adequately addressed in the ongoing electioneering and rallies across the state. It behoves all the candidates representing the different political parties that are in the race to unveil their climate policies as stipulated in their respective party manifestos. The onus lies on the candidate to reassure the voters of their party’s commitment to climate change and environmental sustainability issues in Edo State. Moreover, there should not be any form of political silence on climate during campaigns. The candidates should tell the electorate how they intend to tackle the multidimensional ecological crisis in the state.

    In light of this, the three front-running gladiators in the Edo State governorship race- Dennis Idahosa, the standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress; Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party- as well as other contenders, should step up and bring their different perspectives and action plans for climate to the campaign trail, forums and debates as the election date draws closer. This will go a long way in raising more awareness, enriching the campaign and giving more insights to the electorate on the subject matter. They have to bring the voters to speed in this regard.

    On their part, the electorate should ensure that they demand answers for the mind-boggling climate-related questions from candidates and representatives of the political parties that are in the race to lead the state. They must speak out and let the candidates know how dear environmental and climate issues are to their hearts.

    From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that the Edo electorate cannot afford to vote for a governorship aspirant whose beliefs, thinking and inclination towards climate are not explicitly articulated and well defined. They cannot afford to vote for a candidate who will treat the protracted ecological problems and climate-driven challenges with kid gloves. In other words, Edo State is in dire need of a governor that is not only climate-friendly but a governor that is well equipped with what it truly takes to fix the problems head-on.

    Since climate change poses an existential threat to the state, it is imperative that the voters take climate as their number one priority and also be mindful that their choice of candidate in the upcoming election, will shape the trajectory of the state’s climate policies. They must therefore vote wisely in order to support and foster a sustainable future for their beloved state.

  • Oshiomhole Accuses Former Lawmakers of Vandalizing National Assembly Properties

    Oshiomhole Accuses Former Lawmakers of Vandalizing National Assembly Properties

    By Daniel Edu

    Former Edo State Governor and current Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed his disappointment and concern over the vandalization of National Assembly properties by former lawmakers. In a recent interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole accused the ex-lawmakers of looting office items, such as televisions, carpets, and chairs, even in the presence of security personnel.

    According to Oshiomhole, the offices of many lawmakers were left in disarray, with walls damaged and office equipment stolen. He shared his personal experience, revealing that he had to spend his own money to fix and refurbish his office after the damage was done.

    The former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expressed bewilderment at the extent of the vandalization, considering the heavy presence of security personnel within the National Assembly. Oshiomhole further stated that similar acts of vandalism were reported in the offices vacated by past Principal Officers of the National Assembly, although he refrained from mentioning specific names.

    The issue has raised concerns about the need for accountability and protection of public property within the National Assembly.

  • FG’s Solution to Subsidy Removal Unveiled – Oshiomhole

    FG’s Solution to Subsidy Removal Unveiled – Oshiomhole

    A former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed confidence that issues arising from the removal of fuel subsidy will be quickly resolved between the Federal Government and the organized labour.

    Oshiomhole, who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said that President Bola Tinubu recognizes the impact the withdrawal of fuel subsidy is having on Nigerians and is determined to take immediate action to cushion it.

    “This president recognizes that the effect of the withdrawal is already here, people are already going through some level of discomfort and therefore there has to be an immediate solution to it.

    Read also: Subsidy Removal Will Reduce Fuel Consumption By 30% – NNPC

    “Now that immediate solution is what we discussed and the fact that we are meeting on Tuesday again shows that clearly, we realize that this is not one of those things you want to buy time because it has a real negative impact, on particularly, the most vulnerable group.

    “But we have a solution to it because you are going to make savings, so take from that savings or even if it is borrowing. So, whatever it is, you can leverage some revenue and improve wages to cushion the cost of living, I think it is legitimate, I think it is doable, it is not something that you want to spend two to three months negotiating,” Oshiomhole said.

    The former Nigeria Labour Congress (NUC) president was part of a meeting between the Federal Government and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Sunday and he said the meeting was productive, adding that the government will consider all the demands by the TUC and revert on Tuesday.

    He said that if Nigeria can save about N7 trillion by ending subsidy, the Federal Government can take part of that money and put in the wage sector “because those savings will go into the federation account which will be distributed among the three tiers of government and so every tier of government will have more money and should be able to meet the consequential increase in wages”.

  • Emefiele Deceives Buhari on Naira Redesign – Oshiomhole

    Emefiele Deceives Buhari on Naira Redesign – Oshiomhole

    Adams Oshiomhole, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari was deceived into approving the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    While speaking on a political programme on the Channels Television on Sunday night, Oshiomhole, a senatorial candidate on the platform of the APC, claimed that the Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, took advantage of the president’s zero tolerance for corruption to convince him to approve the policy.

    Oshiomhole who was reacting to Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State’s comment on forces working against the APC in the forthcoming general elections said the policy was designed to truncate the general election slated for February and March 2023.

    He said: “CBN’s naira redesign policy is senseless… CBN deceived Buhari and the intention behind it was to stop the elections.

    “Having worked as a chairman [of APC] which enabled me to work directly with the president, I know the trick that the CBN played.

    “We have a president who has told the world that if Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria. So, I can guess that in obtaining the approval that the president said he gave, I believe the CBN deceived the president by amplifying the need to have a corruption-free electioneering as if election is the only project which the president has the responsibility for.

    “I am shocked that the CBN could pursue this senseless policy. It is not about the idea of changing currency, this governor has broken no new ground because we have changed currency before and I dare him to check the records.

    “When Gen Buhari changed the colours of the naira when he did in his first coming as the military head of state, he did not forbid the banks from paying people in new notes, he did not impose restriction as to how much you can withdraw provided it is your lawful money.

    “To assume that every Nigerian is corrupt…and that this policy is meant to check corruption, the CBN is not part of institutions charged with the responsibility of ensuring free, fair and credible election.”

    Governor El-Rufai on Thursday said he would expose the “elements” in the Presidential Villa who are working against the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu and want him to lose the 25 February election.

    El-Rufai alleged that the currency swap introduced by the CBN was meant to incite voters against the APC and was orchestrated by the forces who are bent on ensuring that the APC presidential candidate lose the election.

    El-Rufai said the unnamed people hiding behind President Buhari were pursuing their interests by inciting the voters against the APC through the currency swap.

    Oshiomhole re-echoed El-Rufai’s claims, stressing that the naira redesign was not meant to stop abuses as claimed by the CBN governor but to truncate the electoral processes.

    The former APC National Chairman said: “I think what El-Rufai is saying is when you have a pocket of riots and protests here and there…you may end up with the situation where you are unable to conduct an election.”

    The CBN had announced the new naira notes policy on 26 October, 2022 and initially gave 31 January as the deadline for the use of the old notes, but later extended it to February 10.

  • Oshiomhole Blames Peter Obi for Nigerian Unemployment

    Oshiomhole Blames Peter Obi for Nigerian Unemployment

    Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has alleged that Peter Obi, Labour Party Presidential Candidate, is “contributing to how Nigeria is going down”.

    The All Progressives Congress senatorial candidate for Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, said this at the flag off of his campaign on Friday in Auchi. 

    “Obi owns the biggest shopping mall in Abuja and all the items sold there are imported, so if he is selling imported wines, clothes and other items, he is contributing to why Nigeria is going down because he is creating job abroad and importing unemployment to Nigeria,” he said.

    The former governor said he is not contesting the National Assembly seat to become a Senator sharing motor bikes, tricycles and grinding machines to youths and widows.

    He said he is going to the National Assembly to change the nation’s budgetary system so that budget will work for the people.

    Details later…

  • 2023: Muslim-Christian Presidency Hasn’t Taken Us Anywhere – Oshiomhole

    2023: Muslim-Christian Presidency Hasn’t Taken Us Anywhere – Oshiomhole

    Ex-Governor of Edo State and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has dismissed the controversy over the choice of a Muslim running mate by the APC presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

    Oshiomhole said it is high time the country did away with primordial sentiments such as religion and ethnicity, and concentrate on competence and courage of candidates to save the country.

    Speaking on TVC on Thursday, the former governor expressed satisfaction with the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC, while also commending Tinubu for making that decision.

    Tinubu had chosen former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

    He said, “The more opposition party joined the Muslim-Muslim debate, the more I’m satisfied that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s decision is right.

    “We need courage. We have struggled to balance this religious issues in recent years. Tinubu’s decision shows that he will take bold step when elected.

    “If the number of churches and mosques we have built over the years is equal to number of factories, we won’t be at this poverty level in the country.”

    Oshiomhole added that he was also satisfied with the choice of Shettima due to his capacity and some of his achievements.

    He said, “We can’t continue with business as usual. I’m satisfied with the quality of Shettima. He is well-read and well-exposed. He is well awarded both home and abroad.

    “We should spend time interrogating the personality, competence of Tinubu’s nominee. Soon, pagans will organise themselves to say otherwise too.”

    He further described the Tinubu/Shettima ticket as a “balanced ticket” for the party, stating that Tinubu’s track record and Shettima’s impressive qualities would translate to defeat for the opposition party.

    “It is a balanced ticket; balanced ticket in terms of competence, and their antecedents. The opposition party are threatened by this bold decision because they are sensing defeat.”

    The former APC national chairman dismissed the concerns over “islamization agenda” with the Muslim-Muslim ticket, saying that Tinubu couldn’t even islamize his own family.

    “What are the fears of people making this comment? They are saying there are plans to islamise Nigerians. The candidate himself (Tinubu), has he islamised his own family members? His wife is a Christian and a pastor.

    “Our presidential candidate is a happily married man. He has demonstrated religious tolerance by the fact that his own wife is practising her own faith. How can a man who allowed freedom of worship in his home Islamise the country?”

    Oshimohole also spoke on the lingering ASUU strike, stating that issues as such should have dominated the political commentary in the country.

    He added, “Despite a Muslim president and a Christian vice president, it hasn’t translated to anything.

    “And right now, I think what should feature most in our political commentary is: what is the problem between ASUU and the federal government? Even as a former Labour leader, I am not sure I know all the detail.

    “I can imagine the pains parents are going through. So, we don’t discuss these issues and we are discussing religion.

    “Okay, as we speak, we have a balanced ticket (Muslim-Christian), where has it translated to?”

  • Oshiomhole Dismisses Rumours of Presidential Declaration

    Oshiomhole Dismisses Rumours of Presidential Declaration

    Former National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has reacted to social media reports regarding his interest in the presidency.

    Speaking with Vanguard, the former Edo state governor said whenever he makes up his mind to go for any office, he would speak directly to Nigerians.

    Social media invites had been sent to some journalists and other stakeholders on Friday morning, asking them to attend Oshiomhole’s presidential declaration at the Federal Capital Territory FCT Council for Arts and Culture in Area 10, Abuja.

    Major streets of Abuja were also dotted with presidential posters of the former labour leader.

    Some of his supporters had thronged the venue only to be told that the event would no longer hold.

    When contacted by Saturday Vanguard , Oshiomhole said “it must be a mistake”, adding, “I will not declare on the pages of Newspapers. If I will declare, it will be to people”.

  • 2023: Oshiomhole formally declares for Edo North Senatorial seat

    2023: Oshiomhole formally declares for Edo North Senatorial seat

    A former National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has joined the Edo North Senatorial race ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    Oshiomhole, who served the state fro two tenure, made his intention known on Monday his 70th birthday party at Iyamoh.

    Recall that APC leaders from the 10 wards of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the State, had called on the people if the senatorial district to persuade the former governor to run for the seat.

    A former Executive Director, Oil and Gas and a Chieftain of the ruling APC, Vitalis Eshokene had also called on Oshiomhole to represent the Edo North

    Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Vitalis Eshokene had called on Oshiomhole to consider representing the Edo North Senatorial District at the upper chamber through the coming election.

  • Court grants order restraining APC from conducting primaries in Edo

    Court grants order restraining APC from conducting primaries in Edo

    A Federal High Court in Benin City has granted an order restraining the All Progressives Congress and its national chairman from conducting any primary election in Edo State ahead of the state governorship election in September, pending the determination of the suit before it.

    APC faction loyal to governor Obaseki has been at loggerheads with the national leadership of the party over the choice of the primary ahead of the governorship election in the state.

    INEC has fixed September this year for the governorship election in the state, but Political watchers say the success of the election is dependent on how politicalk parties manage their primaries.

    For months now, there has been no love lost between governor Godwin Obaseki and the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, a development political analysts say affect the chances of the party in the state.