The Edo people are suffering and there is despair in the land. Governor Igbinedion has created a frustrating, social and economic environment in Edo State. Workers groan in misery, young people have no confidence in the future, pensioners wallow in penury neglect and disrespect.
Edo people's cherished values and culture have been subverted and the good name of Edo State tarnished. Public utilities have failed, no water no road, and no light, no job.
Given the rich natural environment of the state, nobody ought to lack the means to a good livelihood, our present problems area direct result of insincere, selfish environs and ill motivate leadership.
The time for change is now and we have a compelling duty to institute the processes, the functions and erect structures that would ensure the general good of all people.
The long suffering populace of Edo can not afford any longer to give power to or leave power in the hands of mediocre, inexperienced, ill-motivated Lucky Igbinedion. To do is, will place the fate of our people in the grave danger, which is turn, is a prelude to anarchy.
The present situation in Edo State dictates that only credible knowledgeable and properly motivated leadership can arrest the present dangerous trends of events and move our society forward.
The will of the people, the good of the people is the supreme law adding that his antecedents in command, managerial, administrative and political activism are a matter of common knowledge and interest.
Governor Igbinedion's actions are contrary to section 182 of the 1999 constitution. Which stipulates the following:
Disqualification Section 182
No person shall be qualified for election to the Office of governor of a State if -
(h) he is a member of any secret society, or
(i) he has been indicted for embezzlement or fraud by a Judicial commission of Inquiry or an administrative Panel of Inquiry Act, or a Tribunal of Inquiry Law or any other law by the Federal or State government of competent jurisdiction or
By virtue of section 6 of the ICPC Act 2000 which states the following inter-alia.
The corrupt practices and other related offences (anti-corruption) Act, 2000, stipulates in section 6 that "it shall be the duty of the commission -
(a) where reasonable grounds exist for suspecting that any person has conspired to commit or has committed an offence under this Act or any other law prohibiting corruption, to receive and investigate any report of the conspiracy to commit, attempt to commit or the commission of such offence and, in appropriate cases, to prosecute the offenders;
(b)To examine the practices, systems and procedures of public bodies and where, in the opinion of the commission, such practices, systems or procedures aid or facilitate fraud or corruption, to direct and supervise a review of them;
(c)to instruct, advise and assist any officer, agency or parastatals on ways by which fraud or corruption may be criminated or minimised by such officer, agency or parastatal.
(j)he has presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission
The implication for Governor Igbinedion and Edo people at large is dire. The Anti Corruption commission has acknowledged my petition against Governor Igbinedion. They have also confirmed that he is under investigation.
Secondly, the contentious issue of his educational qualifications has to be resolved. Governor Igbinedion told the whole world in 1987, before he was elected as Chairman of Oredo Local government, that he has a BBA degree and an MBA from America Universities. Most crucial that he did his National youth Service.
To our knowledge, he presented a primary 6 certificate to INEC in 1998 screening exercise.
The implication here is that he does not have the degrees, he claimed to have acquired. Clearly, if he actually did the National Youth Service, he committed a criminal offence contrary to the Criminal Penal Code. For ease of reference, listed below are the institutions Governor Igbinedion listed in Newswatch who is who, and the US State Department records.
Biographies of Nigerian Governors as recorded in the US State Department
EDO STATE: Governor Lucky N. IGBINEDION (EE-GBEE-NEE-DEE-ON), elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Born May 13, 1957 in Oredo, trained at Crookham Court, England, 1972-74; the Mill School, England, 1976-78; Stevenson College, Scotland, 1976-78; University of Wyoming, 1978-82 and Jackson State University, 1982-84, U.S.A. He was Operational
Director, Okada Airline from 1984-87; Chairman, Oredo Local Government Council, 1987-89; He is Member of Advisory Council of Civil Aviation Training Center, Zaria. He holds a traditional title Egbof Jefume of Ekpoma.
He omitted this part, however, his academic failure at Edo College should be noted. He attended Edo College from-1970 - 1971. He failed in his first year and was sent to the UK by his father. Edo College is located in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Crookham Court, England, 1972-74.Crookham Court is a junior school for girls in Fleet Hampshire, their telephone no. is 01252617644
The Mill School, England, 1976-78 Middle School, (920) 648-2762. England
Stevenson College, Scotland, 1976-78 - Stevenson College in Edinburgh is the fifth largest further education college in Scotland.
Address
Information Centre
Stevenson College
Bankhead Avenue
Edinburgh EH11 4DE
Tel: +44 (0) 131 535 4700
Fax: +44 (0) 131 535 4708
Email: info@stevenson.ac.uk
University of Wyoming, 1978-82
University of Wyoming Office of the Registrar
P.O. Box 3964, Laramie, WY 82071.
Education Provider Description:
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 80271-3274, US
Time Zone: MT
Phone: 307-766-4300
Fax: 307-766-3445
Jackson State University, 1982-84, U.S.A
1400 John R. Lynch Street
Administration Tower
Jackson, MS USA
39217-0280
The pattern is a two-year gap at every institution Gov. Igbinedion claimed to have attended.
The people of Edo can no longer be fooled. It is time to wake up to reality of the likely removal and possible jail term for fraud and deception by Gov. Igbinedion.
These are serious allegations that deserve exposure, I have taken the pain to contact every institution Igbinedion claimed to have attended. There is one underlining factor, no record of him by all the institutions contacted.
Their various addresses have been published for anyone to collaborate the above.
If by the year 2002, Edo State is governed by a semi uneducated man. We indeed have a long way to go.
Igbinedion can never seek legal action because he will be exposed publicly. Under normal circumstance, he would be investigated and prosecuted by the police.
Dr. Efe Igbinosa
Co-ordinator Good Governance for Edo state
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