Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has accused his successor, Monday Okpebholo, of making false allegations against him in an attempt to divert public attention from the alleged poor performance of his administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Obaseki’s reaction followed an interview in which Okpebholo accused his predecessor’s administration of mismanaging the state’s resources.

The incumbent governor also alleged that the 2027 presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, brought thugs to Edo State during a visit to Benin City, the state capital.

However, Obaseki, through a statement issued by his media aide, Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the allegations, accusing Okpebholo of resorting to falsehood because he had no significant achievements to showcase after 24 months in office.

The former governor argued that the allegations were deliberately intended to shift public attention away from what he described as the poor performance of the current administration.

According to Obaseki, despite trillions of naira reportedly passing through the state’s coffers since Okpebholo assumed office, the governor had failed to fulfil his promises to the people.

The statement partly read, “Despite trillions of naira having passed through the state’s coffers during this period, we wish to note that it is totally disingenuous and mischievous to attempt to deflect public attention from his deplorable performance as governor by telling unconscionable lies about H.E. Godwin Obaseki and others whom he knows enjoy the goodwill of the people.

“Instead of relying on trickery to deflect public attention from the clear underperformance of his administration so far, we encourage Okpebholo to begin making an honest effort to deliver tangible dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State during the less than two years remaining in his administration.”

Obaseki maintained that Okpebholo should focus on delivering meaningful development to Edo residents rather than making allegations against his predecessor.

He also urged the governor to use the remaining period of his tenure to fulfil his electoral promises and provide tangible benefits to the people of the state.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) chieftain, Aisha Yesufu, has criticised the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the 48-hour ultimatum he issued to the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Keyamo, in a statement on Saturday, challenged Dickson to explain why members and supporters of the NDC sang the old national anthem during a recent town hall meeting in Lagos State.

The minister expressed displeasure over the incident and demanded that Dickson clarify within 48 hours whether the party officially recognises the repealed national anthem as its national symbol.

In his statement, Keyamo argued that a national anthem represents a country’s history, values and sovereignty and serves as a symbol of unity among its citizens.

He further suggested that deliberately using an anthem different from the one prescribed by law could amount to laying the foundation for secession, particularly if the leader of the group endorses the action.

Keyamo consequently called on Dickson, whom he described as his former classmate and friend, to publicly clarify the NDC’s position on the matter.

He wrote, “A National Anthem is one of a country’s national symbols. It represents a country’s history, values and SOVEREIGNTY. It is meant to UNITE citizens.

“When a group of people decide to defy it and sing something different from what others are signing as prescribed by law, that group is preparing grounds to break away from the country. It is one of the ingredients of SECESSION. And once the leader of such a group endorses the action, it means the group is then OFFICIALLY a secessionist movement.

“I AM THEREFORE OFFICIALLY CALLING ON the original ‘COUNTRYMAN’, my CLASSMATE, my friend and a man of considerable courage from our school days, SENATOR SERIAKE DICKSON, the official leader of the NDC, to within 48 hours SPEAK UP as to whether the NDC officially endorses a proscribed anthem as its own NATIONAL SYMBOL. The world is waiting.”

Reacting to the development in a post on her X account, Yesufu said the ancestors of the South-South region would be disappointed if Dickson responded to Keyamo’s ultimatum.

She also accused the aviation minister of remaining silent when the current administration brought back the old national anthem without adequately considering the history and opinions of Nigerians.

Yesufu argued that the decision to change the national anthem was made without sufficient consultation with the people.

She wrote, “If Seriake Dickson answers YOU as in the YOU that watched a National anthem being desecrated, whose history was not considered nor its people consulted before one man decided his ego had to be assuaged and changed it, then he fall hand!

“Proper falling! Our South South ancestry go cry for their graves!!!!!

“This monopoly of anyhowness that you think you own has been manufactured by many.”

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has described the party’s presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, as an incorruptible individual, insisting that his integrity makes him an important figure in Nigeria’s quest for good governance.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶