Governor Adams Oshiomhole has shed light on how Edo State government intends to look into the unlawful withdrawal of $31m (about N7 billion) for a questionable business and related matters by the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion.
Addressing members of civil society organisations and students of Ambrose Alli University, AAU who mobilised to Government House yesterday in support of the governor and his policies, especially the Land Use Charge Law, Oshiomhole accused the Igbinedion family of using its Independent Television, ITV and radio stations to wage a war against Edo government because he recovered over 200,000 hectares of land that was illegally gifted to Chief Gabriel Igbinedion by his son, Lucky, when the latter was the governor.
Oshiomhole said he was not deterred by the campaign of calumny the Igbinedion media organisations had launched against him and insisted that he would always work in the interest of Edo taxpayers, no matter whose ox is gored.
“In the interest of Edo people, even the one yet unborn, I want to be remembered after my stewardship not only for roads, hospitals, and schools. More importantly, I want to be remembered as the man who brought an end to exemption.
“Let me share with you some of the things that are going on and why they are angry. I did not promise to make everybody happy. What I promised was to make the majority happy. I will publish records in black and white and Edo people will be shocked how they have been raped by the gang masters of original fraudster.”
“You are here looking for a small parcel of land and Lucky Igbinedion, former governor here gave out to his father, Gabriel Igbinedion, over 200,000 acres of government land (free). They took that land on the premise they will use it for mechanised farming. That is what is in the books. But what is on ground is that Igbinedion takes this land and gives this land to cocoa farmers, some of them from Edo, some from Yoruba land.
“These cocoa farmers will farm and sweat to grow their cocoa on government land, Igbinedion will sit in his house on which he is not paying ground rent and is collecting royalties. Is Igbinedion the Oba of Benin? The great Oba of the great Benin Kingdom never subjected his people to that level of exploitation. Can you accept that one chief collects royalties as if he is a traditional ruler?
“Based on the powers vested in me as the elected governor of Edo State, I have used those privileges to revoke the over 200,000 hectares of land that Igbinedion the son gave to Igbinedion, the father. I have revoked and returned it to government.
“Let me tell you what I have done. I told those cocoa farmers, you are Nigerians, you do not need resident permit to live in any part of Nigeria as a Nigerian citizen.
“Why will a Nigerian be asked to pay rent on a farmland to a chief who collects royalties? I directed, ‘You go and do your farming and whatever you make from it, you pay tax, personal income tax to Edo State government to ensure that Edo people have the resources to develop Edo State. And I said never again should you pay money to a chief,” the governor said.
“That is the battle line that Igbinedion has been fighting. He tells me he is above the law and I tell him, if you fault the law, you will go to prison. He must obey the law, laws made by Edo State government and laws made by the Federal Government. If he does not want to obey those laws, he will have to relocate.”
Efforts by Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Igbinedion, to speak with our correspondent on telephone suffered setback due to network issues. For more scintillating and juicy stories, follow the official Naijapals accounts On Twitter - https://twitter.com/Naijapals and Facebook - www.facebook.com/naijapals
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 12-11-2015 06:32 AM (8 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Wikigenius at 12-11-2015 06:39 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Continue exposing yourselves
Posted: at 12-11-2015 06:39 AM (8 years ago) | Upcoming
melody941 at 12-11-2015 07:44 AM (8 years ago) (f)
These oshomo ole is the most stupid governor in the history of edo state, u that is the thieve no one has questioned or insulted u, every were in edo state both kids, old ones insults u. U increased our school fees (AAU) from 40k to 120k, pensioners have not been paid for 7 months, roads in Uromi are so bad (Thannk God 4 Royal construction) u still have d guts to remove dirt from someone's eye when yours is filled with dirt Imbecile like u Kwashorkwo governor
Posted: at 12-11-2015 07:44 AM (8 years ago) | Upcoming
ngfineface at 12-11-2015 07:54 AM (8 years ago) (f)
And you enriched Edo state to marry your daughter's age mate. See kettle calling pot black. What have you done for Edo people? Which industry did you establish since your reign? Mtcheeeew '
Posted: at 12-11-2015 07:54 AM (8 years ago) | Hero
bennieben at 12-11-2015 08:20 AM (8 years ago) (m)
After how many years, u are just saying it just because the Igbinedion family are no longer in support of ur government. Ur time is up and soon u will face d dance. Hahahahaha
Posted: at 12-11-2015 08:20 AM (8 years ago) | Upcoming
i wonder if you guys are from edo state of your sense of reason has just gone far too low ... if you know what the lucky done to edo staet and you still talk this way you are haters of the state and should arrested
Posted: at 12-11-2015 09:05 AM (8 years ago) | Newbie
Ocfashion at 12-11-2015 10:22 AM (8 years ago) (m)
Adam Oshiomhole is the worst governor edo state has ever produce,oshiomhole increase Ambrose Alli University school fee from 40k to 150k,oshiomhole is inhuman and anti-people
Posted: at 12-11-2015 10:22 AM (8 years ago) | Newbie
Slimchery at 12-11-2015 01:56 PM (8 years ago) (m)
You people here may not be from Edo State or Ubini and Oshiomhole may not be saint but better than lucky and the father put together, They steal almost everything, most land in Edo State and personalize it, I am from Edo and Ubini which you people know as benin, that man Lucky and the father as done many evil to the bini people trying to make himself Oba which failed his son rule for 8years Ubini was in total mess. I thank God for bringing someone like Oshiomhole because the man has transform Edo state and i love it when i visit last because i now have some good road to drive on unlike before, Thumb Up for Oshiomhole and i pray the next person should follow his step but cut some of this tax down and bring the prize of school fees to a reasonable amount, May Oshiomhole live long and may Edo people live long and as well my great Ubini brothers and sisters may you all live long.Oba Gha To-Kpere... Ise!!!
Posted: at 12-11-2015 01:56 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
SweetDaddy1 at 12-11-2015 02:25 PM (8 years ago) (m)
Lucky Igbinedion Looted Edo To Enrich Family, that's a know fact to the Edo people, but why has Adams Oshiomole waited for over 7 years before trying to recover our money from the ex governor. I pray for a new governor next year who will look into the books of the State from 1999 and recover our stolen money.
Posted: at 12-11-2015 02:25 PM (8 years ago) | Gistmaniac
AmazingMarie at 12-11-2015 02:42 PM (8 years ago) (f)
it is not a hidden fact that the Igbinedions have impoverished Edo state in Lucky Igninedion's tenure as governor both is money and government property.
Posted: at 12-11-2015 02:42 PM (8 years ago) | Hero
Wikigenius
morgrawl231
melody941
ngfineface
bennieben
Novic
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sugarwealth
Ocfashion
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SweetDaddy1
AmazingMarie
okatee
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