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November 2016, residents of Edo state, South South Nigeria will go to the polls to elect another governor after 8 years of Governor Adams Oshiomhole's rule in 'The Heartbeat of the Nation'. Adams Oshimhole, came into politics after his retirement as a radical labour leader. As he prepares to hand over power in the coming months, here is a look at the controversies that have engulfed his 8 years administration in Edo state.
1. Fight Between Edo Government and UNIBEN: A fight between the government of Edo state and UNIBEN became a full scale war after the Ex-VC’s house was destroyed and lecturers molested by alleged government loyalists. In protest, UNIBEN students went rioting, blocking roads, burning state owned vehicles.
It was gathered that a 'thug', who is an alleged loyalist to the state governor drew the ire of the students after beating up some lecturers. The lecturers were said to be returning from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre where they had gone to protest what they called molestation by the Edo State Government. The lectures’ vehicles were destroyed while their personal items were stolen.
This, coupled with the demolition of Oshodin's house provoked the students who went on rampage. Several reports also allege that the trouble is connected to the court case between the Edo state government and UNIBEN over 18 properties situated at a location in the GRA area, where some of the university's staff reside. After winning the first hearing, the state government reportedly went ahead to destroy the contested buildings, despite a pending appeal by the university and a court injunction.
2. 'Go And Die' Widow Controversy: This issue got so many tongues wagging. In the video that went viral online, Oshimohole, while leading officials of the state to sanitize the city of Benin, was seen issuing an order to men of the State War Against Indiscipline to confiscate some goods of an alleged roadside hawker. The woman was accused of obstructing the Mission Road. Upon hearing her pleas for mercy on grounds that she was a widow, the Governor infamously retorted, “You are a widow, go and die.” Afterwards he stood for some seconds looking indifferently on how the officials took the women’s belongings away, and he left the scene of the drama.
Because of the public outburst, few days later, Governor Adams Oshiomhole apologized to the widow and gave her N2 million, offered her employment and promised to help her second child in getting education.
3. Wedding Controversies for Marrying a 'Foreign' Wife: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole got remarried on Friday, May 15, 2015, and the affair had so many people talked about it. The governor tied the knot with beautiful Cape Verdean, Iara Fortes 5 years after the death of first wife, Clara. Oshiomhole’s wedding trended on social media for three days amid contoversies that include: Marrying a foreign wife: Senator Dino Meleye of Kogi state took a swipe at Oshimohole for marrying a foreign wife. He added that Nigerians should not emulate the governor who chose not to patronise 'made-in-nigeria' women.Age Difference:The governor was 63 when he married Iara, who is said to be 36-years-old; Child's Absence: Oshiomhole’s daughter, Winifred, didn’t attend the wedding citing a busy schedule.
4. War with Duputy: Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, and his boss, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, came on board November 12, 2008, when the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor, then of the Peoples Democratic Party. Oshiomhole and Odubu had since their coming enjoyed so cordial a relationship that the governor on many occasion describe his deputy as the most loyal deputy governor in Nigeria.
To demonstrate to the public that there was no rancour between them, Oshiomhole had during his re-election campaign in 2012 rejected pressure from Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was then in Action Congress of Nigeria, to drop Odubu as running mate. The governor in conjunction with members of the Edo in Safe Hands, led by his Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, came to Odubu’s rescue and subdued Ize-Iyamu. But the relationship between Oshiomhole and Odubu recently rned sour. Although there have been no public disputes between the two men.The friction between the governor and his deputy began with the governorship ambition of Odubu, who is alleged not to have informed his principal of his ambition to run for governorship when Oshiomhole summoned his political associates, including Odubu, to support Godwin Obaseki. At the meeting, Odubu was said to have kept quiet, only to open a campaign office later.
It was further learnt that because of the choice of Obaseki, Ogie, earlier believed to be the governor’s choice, had to shelve his ambition as a mark of honour to Oshiomhole. The deputy governor was expected to do the same. But he did not. Based on this, Oshiomhole was alleged to have said that since both of them joined the boat at the same time, they will disembark at the same time.
More to come...
1. Fight Between Edo Government and UNIBEN: A fight between the government of Edo state and UNIBEN became a full scale war after the Ex-VC’s house was destroyed and lecturers molested by alleged government loyalists. In protest, UNIBEN students went rioting, blocking roads, burning state owned vehicles.
It was gathered that a 'thug', who is an alleged loyalist to the state governor drew the ire of the students after beating up some lecturers. The lecturers were said to be returning from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre where they had gone to protest what they called molestation by the Edo State Government. The lectures’ vehicles were destroyed while their personal items were stolen.
This, coupled with the demolition of Oshodin's house provoked the students who went on rampage. Several reports also allege that the trouble is connected to the court case between the Edo state government and UNIBEN over 18 properties situated at a location in the GRA area, where some of the university's staff reside. After winning the first hearing, the state government reportedly went ahead to destroy the contested buildings, despite a pending appeal by the university and a court injunction.
2. 'Go And Die' Widow Controversy: This issue got so many tongues wagging. In the video that went viral online, Oshimohole, while leading officials of the state to sanitize the city of Benin, was seen issuing an order to men of the State War Against Indiscipline to confiscate some goods of an alleged roadside hawker. The woman was accused of obstructing the Mission Road. Upon hearing her pleas for mercy on grounds that she was a widow, the Governor infamously retorted, “You are a widow, go and die.” Afterwards he stood for some seconds looking indifferently on how the officials took the women’s belongings away, and he left the scene of the drama.
Because of the public outburst, few days later, Governor Adams Oshiomhole apologized to the widow and gave her N2 million, offered her employment and promised to help her second child in getting education.
3. Wedding Controversies for Marrying a 'Foreign' Wife: Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole got remarried on Friday, May 15, 2015, and the affair had so many people talked about it. The governor tied the knot with beautiful Cape Verdean, Iara Fortes 5 years after the death of first wife, Clara. Oshiomhole’s wedding trended on social media for three days amid contoversies that include: Marrying a foreign wife: Senator Dino Meleye of Kogi state took a swipe at Oshimohole for marrying a foreign wife. He added that Nigerians should not emulate the governor who chose not to patronise 'made-in-nigeria' women.Age Difference:The governor was 63 when he married Iara, who is said to be 36-years-old; Child's Absence: Oshiomhole’s daughter, Winifred, didn’t attend the wedding citing a busy schedule.
4. War with Duputy: Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, and his boss, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, came on board November 12, 2008, when the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor, then of the Peoples Democratic Party. Oshiomhole and Odubu had since their coming enjoyed so cordial a relationship that the governor on many occasion describe his deputy as the most loyal deputy governor in Nigeria.
To demonstrate to the public that there was no rancour between them, Oshiomhole had during his re-election campaign in 2012 rejected pressure from Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who was then in Action Congress of Nigeria, to drop Odubu as running mate. The governor in conjunction with members of the Edo in Safe Hands, led by his Commissioner for Works, Osarodion Ogie, came to Odubu’s rescue and subdued Ize-Iyamu. But the relationship between Oshiomhole and Odubu recently rned sour. Although there have been no public disputes between the two men.The friction between the governor and his deputy began with the governorship ambition of Odubu, who is alleged not to have informed his principal of his ambition to run for governorship when Oshiomhole summoned his political associates, including Odubu, to support Godwin Obaseki. At the meeting, Odubu was said to have kept quiet, only to open a campaign office later.
It was further learnt that because of the choice of Obaseki, Ogie, earlier believed to be the governor’s choice, had to shelve his ambition as a mark of honour to Oshiomhole. The deputy governor was expected to do the same. But he did not. Based on this, Oshiomhole was alleged to have said that since both of them joined the boat at the same time, they will disembark at the same time.
More to come...