- Visits family of late Uwaila, UNIBEN student gruesomely murdered in Church
By Hillary Asemota
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that he will not negotiate behind the party leaders as the 2023 general elections draw near.
Obaseki gave the assurance during a get-together for party leaders in Benin City, Edo State.
Meanwhile, governor has visited the family of late Miss Uwaila Omozuwa and some orphanages, urging residents to take advantage of the Christmas season to show love to the less privileged in the society.
The late Uwaila, a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and a 100 Level Microbiology student of the University of Benin was gruesomely murdered in a church building while she went to read in 2020.
He said: “Politics will soon start again as we are heading towards the national elections. We will sit together and decide what we want in Edo.
“I will not negotiate behind you or on your behalf. We will do it together as we are good enough to govern Nigeria. Our target in e-registration is one million and we have over 220,000 members and the more people we can register, the more impact we will have in the election.”
The governor commended leaders of the PDP across the 18 local government areas of the state for their role in the harmonisation of the old and new structure of the party, noting, “We have harmonised the party in the state. PDP is the ruling party in Edo State and will continue to be, as some people find it difficult to believe. The party is large enough to accommodate everybody as our umbrella is big enough for all.
“We have a strong party united at the base as the harmonization was done from the ward level. People will come and go, but the institution will remain.”
He continued: “Looking into the future, we must open up the party, bring youths into the party as well as more women to participate in the party’s activities. Edo people are one and united as they don’t want division in the state.
“It is only the people that can give you political power; no one outside Edo State can do that. Anyone hoping for people from outside the state to give them political power is mistaking. The politics of the future should be structured to benefit not only ourselves but our people. Let’s be strategic in our politics.”
According to him, “Obaseki is not Edo. I will come and go, but Edo will remain. We should not personalize politics. We don’t talk or praise ourselves. We don’t commission projects but our people do it for us.”
“I am working with some agencies to conduct a census and at the end, we will give identification to our people as we can’t wait for the federal government.”
In his address, the Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the PDP, Anthony Aziegbemi hailed the governor for organising the party.
On the gruesome murder of the UNIBEN student, he said: “Uwaila did not die in vain. The federal and state governments have taken stiffer actions against gender-based violence. We are here to continue to celebrate her life as we continue to fight against gender-based violence.
“Her death was the reason for the establishment of gender-based violence committee. The Edo State Government has put mechanisms in place to fight gender-based violence related offences.
“Her death led to the promulgation of the Violence Against Persons (VAP) law in the state and people are now aware of the crime.”
Speaking on the Christmas celebration, Obaseki urged Nigerians to continue to show love during the period of the celebration, noting, “At this time when we are celebrating Christmas, I think emphasis should be placed on the vulnerable and those who are not strong. We should extend a hand of fellowship, extend happiness to those who are not fortunate as us.”
“That is why we are going round to do as much as we can to physically visit orphanages and people who have challenges, at this time of the year. Through the Data to MEGA, we now have a database of ten thousand vulnerable persons and we are sending them gift items across the state.”
Earlier, the father of late Uwaila, Mr. Johnson Omozuwa, commended the Edo State Government in the fight against gender-based violence in the state, adding that the assistance provided by the state government has helped to heal the pains of Uwaila’s death.
