By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has slammed his Successor, Monday Okpebholo over allegation that  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members benefited from alleged N96 billion local government fraud during his administration.

Reacting to the report of a probe panel set up by Governor Okpebholo, Media Adviser to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, described the fraud allegation as “another desperate effort to justify Okpebholo’s unconstitutional onslaught on duly elected council excos.

Part of the statement reads: “We have read with disdain a statement by Monday Okpebholo alleging that the elected 18 local government chairmen in Edo State mismanaged N96 billion, in another of Okpebholo’s frantic efforts to justify his unconstitutional onslaught on the elected leadership of the third tier of government.

“What is most shocking about the statement is that Okpebholo appears to be completely oblivious of the fact that he does not have supervisory responsibility over the local governments and can therefore not set up any investigation of government officials that are elected into office just like him. 

“As a matter of fact, these local government chairmen have a better claim to their democratic office than he, whose election stands on a knife edge, with the election petition tribunal preparing to deliver justice in the September 21, 2024 election, widely believed to have been rigged.

“Also advertising Okpebholo’s ignorance is his attempt, as usual, to drag His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki into his propaganda. 

“Okpebholo should kindly note that Obaseki was never obsessed with control of local government funds during his tenure, as Okpebholo has shown himself to be in the last three months. 

“We are forced to, by this statement, inform Okpebholo that there are limits to his powers as governor, and if he believes there are financial infractions in a separate tier of government from his own, he should simply inform the relevant agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to carry out their constitutional responsibilities. 

“Okpebholo needs to be reminded that he is neither the Inspector General of Police nor the Chairman of the EFCC.

“We urge all Edo people and Nigerians to ignore the lies and falsehood propagated by Okpebholo in his statement and to rest assured that His Excellency Godwin Obaseki, who is clearly the target of Okpebholo’s witch hunt ran the most transparent government in the history of Edo State and had no authority over local government funds at any time during his eight years in office.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The leadership of the Labour Party has denied the news making the rounds that it has zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South East.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Obioral Ifoh, the party emphasised that it has not and will not zone any of its positions to any geographical zone or individual.

While making reference to a statement released on Sunday titled, “2027: Labour Party still available for Ndigbo to realise presidency – Abure”, Ifoh declared that the party did not at any time said it has zoned the presidency or any of its positions in the coming election.

The party was emphatic on its position that though, it made its platform available for the South East to pursue its political aspirations in the 2023 election, it will not close its doors to the zone if it chooses to work with the party in future elections.

According to Ifoh, “the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure on Saturday while speaking at a gathering of South East members of the party in FCT only advised that Ndigbo can still achieve the presidency if they are more united and are able to reach out to other groups, and that the Labour Party is a veritable platform for their aspiration.”

The Labour Party Spokesman stressed that the LP is a national party and has large followership across the country and therefore the issue of zoning does not arise. 

“In 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the North and across the Southern states and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections. 

“Candidates of every position must emerge through highly competitive and democratic processes as the party constitution does not permi zoning. 

“We therefore regret the misinterpretation of the party’s noble intention by a section of the media. Our party was quoted out of context. 

“However, we are excited by the deluge of concerns raised by the public over the misinformation, it clearly shows the level of love and trust Nigerians have for the Labour Party and how far they are willing to support the party in the task of repositioning Nigeria and ensuring that the democracy works again in our dear country. 

“We seize this opportunity to call on Nigerians to have faith in the Labour Party and to support us for the huge task ahead. We will not fail you. Together, we shall overcome.”

The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned alleged attacks on its members by some sponsored suspected thugs.