APC’S PLAN TO ESTABLISH RUGA SETTLEMENT IN EDO STATE EXPOSED – NEHIKHARE

 Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu,governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo 2020.

“Truth is like fire; it cannot be hidden under dry leaves--African proverb.”

Chairman, Sub-Committee on Media and Publicity of Obaseki/Shuaibu Campaign Organization, Chris Osa Nehikhare, has accused the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate for the 29^th September, 2020 gubernatorial polls in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, of planning to establish a RUGA settlement in the state.

Nehikhare made this claim in a release made available to Edo Repots in Beni City, the Edo State capital.

According to him, the turbaning of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Tuesday 12^th August, 2020 in Auchi had finally exposed the plans of the APC and its candidate to establish a RUGA settlement in Edo State.

He noted that last year, an alarm was raised of plans by then APC government in Edo State to cede lands especially in the rural areas in the state for the establishment of the RUGA settlement, but Governor Godwin Obaseki, he said, denied it and promised Edo people that he would not cede their rights and lands to anybody. “The months that followed revealed the sincerity of the Governor,” he maintained.

Hear him: “The turbaning yesterday of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in Auchi has finally exposed the plans of the APC and its candidate to establish a RUGA settlement in Edo State.

“Last year, we raised the alarm of plans by then APC government in Edo State to cede lands especially in the rural areas in the state for the establishment of the RUGA settlement, but Governor Godwin Obaseki denied it and promised Edo people that he will not cede their rights and lands to anybody. The months that followed revealed the sincerity of the Governor.

READ ALSO: EDO BEST STATE IN NIGERIA TO INVEST, SAYS GOV OBASEKI

“The turbaning yesterday of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in Auchi has finally exposed the plans of the APC and its candidate to establish a RUGA settlement in Edo State.

“Last year, we raised the alarm of plans by then APC government in Edo State to cede lands especially in the rural areas in the state for the establishment of the RUGA settlement, but Governor Godwin Obaseki denied it and promised Edo people that he will not cede their rights and lands to anybody. The months that followed revealed the sincerity of the Governor.”

Nehikhare maintained that the fear of the Edo people concerning RUGA was brought back in Auchi on Wednesday at the turbaning of Pastor Ize-Iyamu in company of his godfather, Adams Oshiomhole; adding that Edo people were inundated with pictures of the Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu dressed like Miyetti Allah cattle breeders, whose pre-occupation was the welfare of Fulani herdsmen including securing lands for the pastoralists.

“We are aware that the pictures of the APC candidate dressed in that special attire was for confirmation of the deal initiated by Adams Oshiomhole in his desperation to win the governorship election at all cost.

We know that the APC candidate now has grand patron privileges for herdsmen and that they look up to him for land as they attempt to extend their conquered territories to Edo. With Ize-Iyamu as governor and the APC as the party, the task of the expansionists is close to completion and our farmers and their families are in danger!” Nehikhare added.

He said the APC candidate had demonstrated what would be his major concerns if he ever got to office...the interests of Fulani herdsmen and that of his godfathers. He noted that the title conferred on him in Auchi may mean one thing in Afemai language but the attire certainly had a covert message.

“We call on Edo people to reject planned ceding of their lands to marauders, who kill, maim and destroy.

“We commend Governor Godwin Obaseki for resisting such offer in the past to defend Fulani herdsmen and not Edo people. The resilence of the governor is highly commendable. We know that the governor will never cede an ounce of Edo land to anyone or group,” he said.