Edo donates suspended monarch’s entitlement to orphanage

The South-South All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday held a send-forth party for the out-going governor Adams Oshiomhole in Benin City, Edo State capital.

The national Chairman of APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, said Oshiomhole has changed the narrative of the state politics for the better.

He noted that before Oshiomhole assumed office, the state was considered a civil service state but that through desire to effect positive change, the former labour leader embarked on ambitious transformation of the state, through massive construction of roads, schools, hospital, among others.
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He said eight years down the lane, Oshiomhole, through these projects, has placed the state on a new pedestal.

‎Oyegun stated: “This is a unique event, eight years ago when Oshiomhole became governor his people were honouring him and I was there.

Today is another life time event and I must say I am privileged to be here. Since my time as a governor, I see him as a natural successor of my administration.

“Oshiomhole has raised this state miraculously to a higher level. Things we thought were impossible, miraculously he changed the face of Edo state. He has proved that truly Edo state is the heart beat of the nation. What is important here is that he has changed the story of Edo state as a civil service state to an economically buoyant state.

“As your predecessor, you have made me very proud. The people of Edo State and the South-South see you as the hope, which needs to be projected. As you are about to step out, this is the end of the first phase, you still have more to do for the nation.”

The chief host, Rotimi Amaechi, Transportation Minister, explained that the event was organized to acknowledge the achievements of governor Oshiomhole in the past eight years.

He said: “We are really proud of him because he has done APC proud not only in Edo but in the South-South and he is one of our best and we are grateful today to God that he is bowing out”.

On his part, APC South-South Vice Chairman, Prince Eta noted that “Within the scarce resources, the comrade governor was able to achieve what he is able to achieve today, he is the best governor in our zone the South-South today. It is our hope that if he is given a bigger opportunity to serve he will do more.’’

He said the national working committee of the APC is proud of Oshiomhole’s achievement and we hope that his successor will perform better than him.

Oshiomhole who was overwhelmed with the encomiums, thanked God for protecting him throughout his tenure as governor.

He said: “When we came to Edo, there were two forces, darkness and light. I want to commend Oyegun for what he did to rise to the position of the national chairman of the ruling party APC. I am proud to call you my leader and national chairman.

“I want to also thank my wife who warned me today not to speak much because we are going for a dinner. Life has been tough but God has been merciful to me. We thank God for his protection and mercy. I started life at 17 and had laboured till today, it has not been easy but we give praise to God.’’

In another development, the monthly allowance to the suspended traditional ruler of Uromi, Zaiki Edenojie II, would be donated to orphanages in the one year of his suspension.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Peter Okhiria, quoting the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Julius Ihonvbere, said the letter of suspension to the monarch was in accordance with Section 28 (1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law (1979) and the one year suspension takes effect from today, Monday, November 7, 2016.

The suspension was as a result of the Edo State’s insistence that the monarch failed ‎to apologise within a stipulated period to a woman, Ms. Betty Okoeber, who he allegedly assaulted on September 28, among other infractions.
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The apology letter by the monarch dated October 28 did not meet the expected response to the query government issued him over the alleged attack and offences, including high handedness on some persons in his kingdom and traveling out of the country without permission.