CONCORD ONLINE NEWS

  Isibor  Hendrix Oliomogbe  A group, Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has vehemently condemned the mishandling of the recent protest, that rocked the university town of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area and environs, by the state government. In a statement Tuesday in Benin City by the national president, Dr. Samson Isibor, after it first meeting in 2026, he called for the immediate release of the protesters, mostly students, who were clamped into the Nigeria Correctional Service cells for demonstrating against the state of insecurity. He said: "We condemn the mode of arrest of students in their various hostels by the security agencies. "We also condemned the hijacking of the peaceful protest by hoodlums who turned the peaceful protest to violent, destruction of properties of innocent citizens particularly the Enogie of Ekpoma Palace. It is condemnable and unwarranted." The group however blamed the style of governance by Governor Monday Okpebholo fo...

HOSTCOM Executive with HRH Omokhape of Fugar  Hendrix Oliomogbe  As part of his ongoing sensitization tour to the various oil and gas producing host communities in Edo State, the chairman of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Mr. Kenneth Aduwaye has solicited the support of the Omokhape of Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, His Royal Highness Itepu Jerome Jerome.  Mr. Aduwaye, who led a delegation of the association during the weekend on a courtesy visit to the monarch, said that HOSTCOM is out for peace and ensure a good working relationship among critical stakeholders in the oil and gas sectors of the nation's economy. He assured the royal father of HOSTCOM's determination to synergize with traditional institutions and the state government to create an enabling environment for the oil and gas companies and other stakeholders. The chairman, who inaugurated six local government exco for Edo North urged them to commence their job imm...

Okpebholo, Igbafen  Hendrix Oliomogbe Over one year after some guntotting kidnappers whisked him away in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, a university don, Prof. Monday Igbafen has appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene and order the police to reopen the case for further investigations. Prof. Igbafen of the Department of Philosophy, Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma and the Benin Zonal Coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was abducted on September 28, 2024, dispossessed of his car and other valuable items by unknown gunmen. In what seemed like a scene from a melodramatic Nollywood movie, the lecturer, who was kidnapped while driving into his home at Ekpoma in the night and taken to an unknown destination inside his ash colour Toyota Highlander Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked ABJ 180 JQ, however escaped from the den of his captors two days later. The university town has lately been in the news, following an upsurge o...

Omoruyi (l) and an aide at the press briefing  Hendrix Oliomogbe A member of the House of Representatives for Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency, Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking with journalists Tuesday in Benin City, Mr. Omoruyi pledged his full commitments to working with party leaders, coalition partners and stakeholders to advance the cause of good governance and effective representation. The lawmaker declared that his decision to become a member of the ADC coalition followed his resignation from the Labour Party. He said: “My joining the ADC coalition today is sequel to my resignation from the Labour Party in a letter to my ward chairman, Ward 10, Egor Local Government Area, on the 30th of December, 2025, which has since been accepted. "Together, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and ensure that the voices of ordinary Nigerians are heard and respected."  While noting that he had all along ...

Omoruyi: Waves bye to LP Hendrix Oliomogbe  A member of the House of Representatives representing Egor/ Ikpoba-Okha, Edo State, Mr. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi has resigned from the Labour Party (LP). In a letter of resignation addressed to the Chairman, Labour Party Ward 10, Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, a copy of which was made available to journalists in Benin City, the federal lawmaker wrote that his decision to exit the party was with immediate effect. Dated 30th December 2025, the letter read in part: "You will recall my consistent commitment and loyalty to the party over the years, even at a time when majority of members particularly those elected alongside me, had exited the party. "My decision to remain steadfast during that period earned me the sobriquet, "The Last Man Standing", a testament to my belief in the ideal and vision the party once represented." Mr. Omoruyi continued: "Due to prolonged internal crises, leadership division, and unre...

Aduwaye (m), Abumwere (2nd left), Isibor (Ist right) and others at the inauguration ceremony  Hendrix Oliomogbe  With a solemn pledge to be a bridge between the Benin and Ijaw people in oil bearing communities in Edo State, Mr. Kenneth Aduwaye was  inaugurated as the Edo State chapter of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and A Gas  (HOSTCOM) during the weekend in(m)) Benin City. At the crowded ceremony which was held at HOSTCOM secretariat, Prince Odion Abumwere and other members of the executive council were also sworn in by Barrister. Osayi Ehiorobo, at the event which was supervised by Dr. Osasu Isibor. Mr. Aduwaye, an Ijaw from the riverside community of Gelegele, Ovia North East Local Government Area, who took over the reins of power from, Comrade Andrew Oyegue, following the election of December 13, 2025, is scheduled to pilot the affairs of the group in the next four years. In his inaugural address, shortly after he was administered the oath of off...

Rev. Omobude on arrival at the Benin Airport  Hendrix Oliomogbe  Fresh from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land of Israel, the chairman, Edo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, Rev. Frank Omobude has called on intending Christian pilgrims to leverage on the unprecedented record of good performance by Edo State pilgrims in 2025. The next pilgrimage to the Christian sacred places in the Jewish State is scheduled for January 2026. Briefing journalists at the Benin Airport shortly after his arrival from pilgrimage to Israel, Rev. Omobude said that he traveled to Israel to strengthen relationship with the authorities of the Middle Eastern country so as to pave way for Edo State contingent to the Holy Land. The Pilgrims Welfare Board chairman said the Israeli authorities have perfected plans to warmly receive Edo State contingent in January 2026 during the visit. The visit to the Holy Land of Israel in conjunction with chairmen of the board from other states of the federation and th...