2023 Poll: Obaseki hails Edo people for peaceful conduct, says result of presidential election unacceptable

*_…says PDP’ll seek redress, calls for calm_*

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has saluted Edo people for their peaceful and orderly conduct during Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections, noting that the outcome of the poll was unacceptable.

In a statement, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, said the governor urges Edo people to remain calm and not take any action which will undermine security and lead to the destruction of property.

Nehikhare noted, “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, thanks the good people of Edo State, for the peaceful and orderly conduct during the general elections held on February 25.

“The result of the election is unacceptable to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and we will duly seek redress through legal means, as outlined in the Nigerian constitution to ensure that wrongs perpetuated in the electoral process are righted.

“Just like the PDP, most of our people are unhappy with the outcome of the election and we have every right to be, but we plead for calm and restraint and urge that you do not take any action that will worsen the current situation.”

He further noted, “We must not take any action which will undermine our security and lead to the destruction of property.

“As responsible citizens, let us be calm and work collectively towards the development of our state. We thank you for your sustained support, as always. God bless Edo State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

[3/1, 11:14 PM] Oga Pedro: *Edo begins payment of arrears owed local council pensioners from 1984 to 2021*

The Edo State Government has commenced the payment of pension arrears owed retired Local Government workers between 1984 and 2021.

In a statement, the Edo State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Monday Osaigbovo, said the payment will be in batches.

He said the payment is in furtherance of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration’s commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees in the state.

Osaigbovo noted, “In line with the Government promise in our earlier letter dated 20th January 2023 (LGSPB/469/T1/91), the Local Government Staff Pensions Board has started the payment in batches of the huge pension arrears owed to her retired Local Government workers in the state between 1984 and 2021.”

The government’s commitment to the retirees is in line with the ongoing revamp of the state’s civil and public service, engendering responsive and technology-driven service delivery and governance models, thereby impacting greatly on the lives and productivity of the state’s public workers.

The Governor Obaseki-led state government has expended over N25bn in clearing the pension arrears of pensioners in the state.

The Edo state government has also implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme, as against the Derived Benefits Scheme. This ensures that civil servants are well-catered for after their active years in service. The state has further initiated a Group Life Insurance Policy for its civil servants and has paid over N500m to families of deceased civil servants.