Oshiomhole Absent As APC, PDP Chieftains Honour Oyegun At 80

By Ayodele Oluwafemi

Dignitaries from across the political divide on Tuesday graced the thanksgiving mass for the 80^th birthday celebration of the erstwhile national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC Chief John Odigie-Oyegun with the notable absence of his successor as party chairman and governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Odigie-Oyegun was also the first civilian governor of Edo State where Oshiomhole acted as governor for two terms between 2008 and 2016.

In his absence and lack of representation, political actors from the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP including Governor Godwin Obaseki, former governor of the state, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion alongside his father, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion were present.

Other dignitaries that graced  the church service to celebrate with Chief Odigi-Oyegun were Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki; Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his wife, Betty Akeredolu; Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu; the Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye; the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe Ikponmwen and Minister Designate, Dr. Osagie Ehanire.

Also present were Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie Esq; National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus; representatives of the Benin Monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II; former Edo State Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion; Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, Esama of Benin Kingdom, Commissioners, members of Edo State House of Assembly, among others.

The absence of the APC national chairman was undoubtedly connected to the faceoff between the two men that has seen their proxies exchange words in the public space.

Oshiomhole’s NWC had blamed Odigie-Oyegun for the problems of the party saying that they were planted during the immediate past administration of the party.

The two men have also taken opposite positions in the crisis in the Edo State chapter of the party with Odigie-Oyegun backing the governor against Oshiomhole.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Obaseki said:

 “Today we are here to celebrate our own Chief Odigie-Oyegun. On behalf of the people and Government of Edo State, I want to congratulate you on your 80th birthday,” Obaseki said.  

The governor announced that the state government has named the soon-to-be-completed Civil Service Training Center after Chief Oyegun, for his contributions to the development of the state and the country at large.

“For your contributions and what you have done for our dear state, I have decided to name the public service academy, which is under construction, after you. We know your passion for public service; we know and acknowledge the contributions you made to public service in Nigeria. Therefore, we have decided to name this edifice which will be completed within the next 60 days, by the grace of God, after you. President Muhammadu Buhari will come and commission the academy, with you standing beside him. It will be known as the John Odigie-Oyegun Institute for Public Administration.”

The Institute, according to the governor, is on “three floors and is made up of large training rooms that will host 220 people. Two halls hold 118 people each. There are seven training halls that will host 58 people each.  There is a library, a sick bay, a cafeteria and 12 offices. This facility at any point in time can hold and train a minimum of 900 people. It will be the largest facility for training public servants in Nigeria.”

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