CONCORD ONLINE NEWS

           Igbafen (m) flanked by ASUU officials at the               press briefing  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities has joined the ranks of those kicking against the controversial Tax Bill by the federal government, saying it is out to destroy public institutions in the country. Speaking with journalists Friday in Benin, the Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Benin Zone, Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, said the planned gradual facing out of TETFund in the proposed bill is out to kill public education in the country. President Bola Tinubu had however vowed during a media chat in December last year in Lagos that his administration will not back down on the new tax reforms bill before the National Assembly as Nigeria "can't continue in the old ways."  Prof. Igbafen countered, saying that the union is alarmed by Section 59(3) of the Tax Bill  which states that only 50 p...

  Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has warned of a breakdown of law and order, leading to anarchy and chaos in the state if the  continued brigandage, illegality, and violent assault on democracy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is not checked. In a statement Friday January 17, 2025 in Benin by the caretaker committee chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, he said that at 1.31 pm on Thursday, January 16, 2025, the APC, using several Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and other vehicles, led by the acting state chairman, Jarret Tenebe deployed their thugs, backed by policemen from the Government House, to sack the PDP from its secretariat on Airport Road, Benin City. The main opposition party chairman charged that the entire operation was violent and brutal as has never been heard of or seen before in Edo and lasted for more than an hour.  Insisting on the right of return, Tenebe had forcefully taken possession ...

          Tenebe inside one of the offices  Hendrix Oliomogbe  Insisting on the right of return, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo State Edo has forcefully taken possession of its party secretariat along Airport Road, Benin City, four years after it was forcefully evicted by immediate past Governor Godwin Obaseki of the People’s Democratic Party PDP).  APC State Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, speaking shortly after the takeover of the party secretariat, said the property rightfully belonged to the APC as they had renewed the rent for a period of seven years. The PDP, with the help of Obaseki had forcefully took over the property from the APC when he (Obaseki) defected from the APC to the PDP during the run to the 2020 governorsip election.  Tenebe led hordes of party members to the building and drove the occupants, including top party members, away before gaining entrance to the complex. Tenebe said: “About four years ago, A...

Hendrix Oliomogbe  An plot to blackmail and replace the former Edo State deputy governor, Rev. Peter Obadan as the Owan West  Local Government Area leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the wishes of majority of party faithful may result in a leadership crisis in the local chapter of the ruling party. It was gathered that opposition against Obadan's continued leadership is spearheaded by a faction loyal to the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonbvere, the member representing Owan Federal Constituency. A statement credited to Rev Obadan shortly after the victory of the party in the last governorsip elections at an enlarged meeting of the party, where he expressed his willingness to handover the mantle of leadership of the party to the younger Turks led by Mr. Lucky "Tarex" Ohimai appeared not to have gone down well with Ihonvbere's supporters. The former deputy governor had lionized Tarex as Ohimai is popularly called for ...

                                                  Ogbankwa  Hendrix Oliomogbe  Legal fireworks in the case of alleged theft of a stabilizer against a former Publicity Secretary of the Benin, Edo State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Douglas Ogbankwa,, has again suffered setback at the instance of the prosecution. When the case came up Monday, January 13, 2025 Justice Williams Aziegbemhin, revealed that there was a letter by the new state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), for adjournment in view of a visit to the various Criminal Court Jurisdictions by the DPP. In line with the adage which holds that justice delayed is justice denied, Abraham Oviawe, counsel to the petitioner, Sandra Palmer-Kelvin expressed reservation over the delay of justice in the matter. Oviawe told the court that there have been series of adjournments aimed at frus...

   Hendrix Oliomogbe  The Chairman, Edo State People's Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi has accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of engaging in total falsehood over a damning allegations of embezzlement by the suspended 18 Local Government Chairmen. Okpebholo had Tuesday in Benin revealed a shocking N12 billion embezzlement scheme involving the suspended 18 chairmen. The funds, allegedly siphoned over 15 months,were reportedly channeled to PDP leaders. In a swift statement in Benin, Aziegbemi however insisted that Okpebholo’s spurious and baseless claims on remittance of funds to PDP leaders is a ploy aimed at "justifying the lawlessness, extermination of democracy and brutal attack on the state’s 18 local councils as executed by his clueless government." Aziegbemi maintained: "We want to categorically state the unfounded allegations are a blatant lie and should be disregarded as a cocktail of complete falsehood. "The resort to unintel...

  Hendrix Oliomogbe  Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Tuesday in Benin revealed a shocking N12 billion embezzlement scheme involving the suspended 18 Local Government Council Chairmen. The funds, allegedly siphoned over 15 months, were reportedly channeled to People's Democratic Party (PDP) leaders. Governor Okpebholo made the startling revelation during a courtesy visit from the acting Local Government Chairmen and Councilors. He commended the acting officials for their courage in upholding transparency and democracy, emphasizing that local government funds are meant for the people, not individual enrichment. The governor detailed how an investigation into questionable spending, including a mysterious “Environmental Security funding” item totaling N800 million monthly, uncovered the massive diversion. Despite repeated requests, the suspended chairmen failed to provide accounting records, prompting the governor to involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)...