A New Political Accord in Edo South Senatorial District

There is a new dawn for Edo South that is worth our celebrating. Immediately, after the last general elections, it was resolved by the Edo South political Leadership to support one of their own. That they should forget their political divide and pull one string by rallying around the APC, so as to give Chief John Odigie Oyegun, the National Chairman of APC the needed backing in Edo South. 
To achieve the set goal, the Iyase of Benin, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi & others addressed a press conference. This was followed by a press release by Capt. (Dr.) Hosa Okunbo and a press conference addressed by the Student Leadership.
There is a strong manifestation of this new alliance in the field already. It makes me proud that I am a Benin.

A FULL PAGE ADERT IN VANGUARD OF 8TH APRIL 2015

A FULL PAGE ADERT IN VANGUARD OF 8^TH APRIL 2015

I, Captain (Dr.) Hosa Okunbo, wish to use this medium to congratulate the President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His Excellency, General Mohammadu Buhari (Rtd.) GCFR. Vice President-Elect Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), for their victory in the just concluded presidential elections.

I also congratulate an illustrious, worthy and proud son of Benin Kingdom, His Excellency, Chief John E.K. Odigie-Oyegun, the National Chairman of the ALL Progressives Congress (APC) for leading the party to victory in the elections.

This feat is unprecedented in the political history of our great country, Nigeria.

I must also congratulate the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan (GCFR), for demonstrating the spirit of good sportsmanship, an action that has endeared him to many across the globe and has brought peace to our dear country.

Consequently, in the spirit of patriotism, I wish to call on all the people of Edo State to welcome and wholeheartedly embrace the change that has enveloped the nation-irrespective of party affiliation; more so, as a great son of Edo State is the National Chairman of the Party that has brought this change.

It has been my vision and commitment over the years for the Benin people and indeed, the entire people of Edo state, to align to the main stream of the political governance of our country for the good and overall development of our State.

Finally, I wish to appeal to the good people of Edo State, particularly our teaming youths to allow peace to reign in our land during and after the forthcoming elections on Saturday, 11^th April, 2015

Signed

Capt. (Dr.) Hosa Okunbo (JP) 

The New PDP and Benin Enegie

THE NEW-PDP AND BENIN ENIGIE

By His Royal Highness, HRH Enogie of Obazuwa Past President Association of Enigie Benin Kingdom. The Convener,  Benin Leaders of Thought.

I attended a special meeting convened on Wednesday, March 25 at the instance of the PDP at the Palace of the Enogie of Egbean, Siluko Road and President of the Association of Enigie in Benin Kingdom. About 100 Enigie were in attendance. I describe the meeting as special because it was called just three days before the election of March 28.

Although that last ditch meeting was convened at the instance of the party, not all of their flag-bearers were present. Some, they said, were “inevitably absent” as they were campaigning elsewhere. Nevertheless, they seized the opportunity to plead with Enigie for their support.

Introducing the team which was led by the wealthy business man Captain Hosa Okunbor and four Palace Chiefs. Lucky Imasuen, the party’s senatorial chairman who introduced the team, told the Enegie that the party was now called the “New PDP”. He said the New PDP was now led by the Benin business mogul, Capt Hosa.

He described Capt Hosa as one of the movers and the shakers of Abuja (the FCT) and a “very good friend of President Jonathan” He said the people of Benin were lucky that such a wealthy personality agreed to throw his weight behind them.

Speaking after Imasuen, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu appealed passionately for the Enegie’s support for the New PDP’s flag bearers as well as for the party’s presidential candidate. He said President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan personally appointed him a co-ordinator of his campaign in Edo South because of the President’s love for Benin.

He also said a Benin man he named as Matt Akhionbare, who serves at the Villa, has his office in the Villa located close to the President’s. “One has to pass by Akhionbare’s office to get to the President’s”.

Ize-Iyamu also talked about the business mogul’s friendship with the President and that the mogul gets the President’s ear. So, if Benin people vote for the President (and all the party’s flag-bearers) they will have a strong voice to speak for them in Abuja.

It was time for the business mogul to speak. He grabbed the microphone. He was suave and eloquent. He disclosed why he decided to throw his hat into the ring to fight the Benin cause in spite of his earlier stance to face only his business. He said many of his fellow business men had gone out of the country and were wondering what he was still doing around at this time of political uncertainty. He said he told them he was staying to ensure that Benin people voted themselves ‘out of opposition’. He said he promised his “friend, the President”. He would get Benin votes for him.

He ended his speech by dramatically getting on his knees, pleading fervently for support for President Jonathan and all the new PDP’s candidate at the elections.

Principal speakers at the event talked about the business man’s friendship with the President. But no one said when the friendship started. Was it before the President’s first coming in 2011. or only recently?

The three disclosures: that Benin have a rich. Influential man, who has the President’s ears: that the President personally appointed Pastor Ize-Iyamu as campaign co-ordinator and that Mr. Akhionbare’s office in the Villa is near the President’s is cheery to the Benin ethnic nationality. But the more that is so, the more it compounds the main question Benin Leaders of Thought has been asking since 2011, thus:

Why is it that no one has been able to influence the President to include a Benin man or woman in his cabinet since Governor Oshiomhole made the people of Edo South vote massively for President Jonathan in 2011?

Some of the New PDP speakers tried to profeer an explanation. They said the President does not appoint “opposition” people to his cabinet. It is true that Governor Oshomhole’s government in Edo State is in opposition to President Jonathan’s PDP administration.

But is Edo Central not part of Edo State? Is President Jonathan president of only PDP or for thoe whole Nigeria irrespective of political or religious belief?

Must a state have a person who is the President’s tribesman or personal friend to be able to het its constitutional rights?

Mr. Imasuen had earlier admitted that the old or original PDP nay have done “something wrong” in the past. He assured that the New PDP is different. He pleaded with the Enigie to “give them a  chance”

The Eigie, through their President told their august visitors that being non-partisan, they do not sponsor any party or politician. Enigie, the President said, pray to god to give Benin and Nigeria good politicians and good leaders who would develop the land.

One Enogie was heard saying: ‘Edo State knows who has been winning for the past six years and you don’t change the winning team.

By HRH. Prince Edun Akenzua, Enogie of Obazuwa.