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“Aregbesola Nő Lőnger Member Of APC” – Osun Party Chairman, “We Repositioning Party”, Fmr. Minister’s Aide

June 6, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola may be on his way out of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), following declaration by Osun state chapter of the party that he is no longer with them.

Chairman of the State Chapter of the Party, Mr. Tajudeen Lawal, made this known in a communiqué after the stakeholders meeting at the state secretariat in Osogbo.

The Chairman explained that the former minister of interior has committed various anti-party activities, including forming groups that are working against the interest of the APC.

According to him, Aregbesola’s group, Omoluabi Progressives at the weekend ahead of APC’s planned electronic membership registration, started registering members at his ward in Ilesa.

He cautioned party members not to be deceived to register with the ex-governor because the group is not recognized by the party.

APC secretary in the state, Kamoru Alao, corroborating the Chairman said the party’s electronic membership registration will start on Thursday after National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje’s inauguration of the committee that will train the trainers at the local levels.

“We are discouraging our members who are loyal party members not to register with Aregbesola’s group because Omoluabi as a group is not a member of our party in Osun state.

“Aregbesola, as far as we are concerned, in Osun APC, he is no longer a member of APC. We have taken steps three times to notify the national secretariat of the distractions from Aregbesola and we expect the national secretariat to do the needful”.

But, the Publicity Secretary of Omoluabi Progressives, Abosede Oluwaseun dismissed the anti-party allegations levelled against Aregbesola, saying: “When Aregbesola left the affairs of APC to his successor, the structure of the party was intact but that cannot be said again years later.

“They have failed two times when they plotted to suspend Aregbesola in his ward in Ilesa East Local Government Area of Osun State. We are not distracted to reposition the party, APC so that we can reclaim the state from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2026”.

A former Osun State Deputy Governor Benedict Alabi speaking at the stakeholders meeting passed a vote of confidence on Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, saying, “Anyone who is calling for the sack of the Oyetola is only political, everyone knows that he is a silent worker and achiever.

“When you are having a new ministry, you need to put a lot of structures in place. I am sure that those who call for the sack of Oyetola under political gimmicks will have regret of what they have said when they see the outcome of what he has put in place”.

Alabi was Oyetola’s deputy during his tenure between 2018 and 2022.

Ekiti PDP Dividéd By Zoning Arrangement Of Party Offices, As Leaders Accusé SWC Of Sécret Agénda

Ayodele Oni

June 6, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Discordant tunes continue over zoning of party offices by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State as elders of the party described the decision as just mere joke.

The State Working Committee, (SWC) of the party, preparatory to the forthcoming Congress to elect State Executive Committee members, prepared a zoning arrangement for the party.

But, PDP leaders and stakeholders condemned the arrangement, released by the state public relations officer of the party after the SWC meeting on Monday, claiming “a non existent SEC meeting has ratified a non existent zoning.”

The leaders described such statements as very offensive to the spirits of diligent party members and called on the SWC members to withdraw the lies and apologize publicly for misleading party members through outright falsehood.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday, the leaders said that the claim made by the Ekiti State PDP SWC that the zoning done by them has been ratified by SEC meeting, which never took place, “is a case of classical fraud and therefore called on the leaders of the party at the National level to urgently investigate this level of decadence and bring the perpetrators to book.”

The leaders noted that “the SWC from the word go has no single power to zone positions and went further to ask why the level of desperation to the point that the SWC is presently struggling so hard to undermine the National body of the party, who has formally notified the state chairmen through a letter that everybody interested in contesting should be allowed. Who is the Ekiti State PDP SWC working for?”

The leaders further reminded the SWC that the national organ of the party has put zoning in abeyance through the official letter to the State Chairman from the NWC as described above and hence why this level of desperation from the SWC to the point of putting up blantant lies to mislead the party and the public.

“Within a spate of 2 days, the SWC has lied twice claiming SEC has been done, the first time the same SWC claimed through a communique that SEC meeting was held in Senator Duro’s house in Akure with Prof Eleka in attendance.

“One will wonder where Senator Duro suddenly derived emergency powers to call and chair SEC meeting of Ekiti State PDP in his house in Akure, Ondo state.”

The leaders expressed displeasure with the levels of desperation exhibited by the SWC, “which is presently populated by overambitious interested individuals, who have turned Ekiti PDP to a limited liability company, meant to be shared privately among these desperate personalities.”

They maintained that for Ekiti State PDP to rise again, all hands must be on deck to check political chalartans from sitting in judgements over party members who have come to equity with clean hands.

The party leaders reiterated the position of the national organ of the party that everybody is free to contest for any position of their choice and on this Ekiti PDP Progressives stands.

The statement by the leaders was signed among others by former acting Governor of Ekiti state, Tunji Odeyemi and 80 others.

“I’m Proud Of My Records, Pröbe, A Hätchet Jöb” – El-Rufai Fíres Back At Kaduna Law Makers

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 6, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Malam Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State has described the ongoing inquest into his administration’s financial activities by the State’s Lawmakers as a jaundiced probe, insisting that he complied with all extant laws in all his activities while in office.

The Source reports that the Kaduna State House of Assembly on Wednesday June 5,2024, while adopting the report of its ad hoc Committee earlier set up to examine the financial records of El-Rufai’s eight year reign as chief executive of the state ,asked the state Government to further investigate and possibly prosecute the former Governor and some of his top government functionaries for gross abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds .

Specifically ,the Lawmakers had requested the Kaduna state authorities to refer to the Country’s anti graft agencies for probe ,issues such as award of contract without observing due process, misappropriation of public funds and money laundering.

The House of Assembly in all, stated that about N423b of the state’s funds were either diverted and or misappropriated under the watch of El-Rufai.

They also noted that most of the loan facilities secured by the immediate past regime were not after all applied to their original purposes, insisting that Governor Uba Sani, should take steps to recover the funds.

But in a statement issued late on Wednesday by his Media Aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, the one time Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja, asserted that he served Kaduna State with all sense of responsibility and dedication.

“We are aware of news that the Kaduna State House of Assembly has adopted the report of the Ad hoc Committee it asked to probe El-Rufai Government.

“We have not been provided with a copy of the report ,to which we would respond robustly, whenever we obtain it.

“We affirm the integrity of El-Rufai Government and dismiss the scandalous claims being aired as the report of the committee .

“Malam Nasir El-Rufai is immensely proud of his record of governance and the legacies he left in Kaduna state. This record of consistent high performance in public and private offices cannot be altered by any malicious effort to use the auspices of a state legislature for defamation and undeserved smears.

“Many of the officials who served in the El-Rufai Government appeared before the ad hoc committee because of their confidence in the quality of their services and the rectitude in which they served” part of the statement reads .

“Smügglers Of Endängered Animal Species Läundering Money For Ärms, And Drügs Procürement” – Nigeria Customs Räises The Alärm

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 6, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Barely two weeks after it seized about N3.5 billion worth of donkey bones from a smuggling cartel, the Federal Operation Unit, FOU of the Nigeria Customs Service Zone B, Kaduna, has announced the interception of a consignment of Pangolin scale and derivatives within the Kebbi axis of the Zone.

Acting on credible intelligence, Operatives of the Unit, on Friday, May 24 2024, stormed a hideout, popular as Slaughter House, in the suburb of Zuru town in Kebbi State to effect the seizure.

Addressing the Media on Wednesday, June 5, in Kaduna, Comptroller Ahmadu Bello Shuaibu, said the team discovered and evacuated sacks of Pangolin scales which were subsequently taken to the Headquarters of the FOU Zone B in Kaduna .

He emphasised that the pangolin specie is one of the endangered species that is protected by the Convention on international Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flaura CITES.

The value of the seizure at the international market, Shuaibu stated, is about four billion Naira.

The FOU Zone B NCS boss also raised the alarm that those involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered species are using it as a smokescreen to launder money and smuggle in arms and ammunitions in to the country.

“You may recall that during our recent briefing on May 21,2024 ,we declared our resolve not to allow ,illegal trading in endangered wildlife species and other smuggling activities to thrive in the Zone.

“Between that time and today which is barely two weeks, our Operatives have upped the ante in the combat against smuggling of protected species and successfully intercepted a consignment of Pangolin scale and its derivatives within Kebbi state axis of the zone.

“Acting on actionable intelligence, the Operatives stormed a hide out known as Slaughter House in the suburb of Zuru town in Kebbi state at about 1600hrs .

“The team discovered and evacuated sacks of Pangolin scales which were transported to the HQ of FOU Zone B in Kaduna .

“After careful examination and counting ,the pangolin scales weighed 445.45kg.

“Let me, also, explain once again that the pangolin specie is one of the endangered species that is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flaura CITES.

“It is instructive to note that Nigeria is a signatory to the CITES Convention and all forms of trading in this species are clearly illegal.

“The value of this seizure at the international market is three billion, nine hundred and ninety six thousand Naira .

One suspect was arrested in connection with this seizure ,while the main suspect is currently at large .However, the Unit in collaboration with other sister agencies will not rest on its oars until the main suspect is arrested and brought to book.

From empirical evidence ,we make bold to say that those involved in the illegal trafficking of endangered Species are hiding under it to launder money used in procuring drugs ,arms other illegal merchandise .

You can imagine the havoc this may have caused if it had escaped the eagle eyes of our operatives Comptroller Shuaibu noted .

House Of Reps, Military High Command Move To Unravel Circumstances Surrounding Soldiers’ Kílling In Abia

Suleiman Anyalewechi

June 5, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, mandated its standing Committee on Defence to liase with the Armed Forces to carry out a thorough inquest into the gruesome murder of five soldiers ,while on lawful duties in Abia State.

The Source reports that the five Soldiers were, on May 30, murdered by some, allegedly, suspected Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, sit-at-home enforcers at a military check point at Obikabia junction in Obingwa Local Council of Abia State

The House of Representatives resolution followed the unanimous adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored and moved by Hon Abubakar Makki Yalleman .

The House Committee on Defence, according to the House resolution, is to, among other things, unravel the circumstances surrounding what it described as the gruesome, heartless, and despicable killings of soldiers on lawful duties ,by some unknown gunmen.

Earlier, while presenting the motion, Hon Yalleman had decried the heartless and condemnable killings of soldiers on a peace mission.

He noted that the House, as a matter of urgent importance, needed to wade in and investigate this recent killings of security agents ,adding that the ugly development has gradually become the norm in the country.

According to him, in most cases, the soldiers are first ambushed and attacked either at check points and/or military facilities.

This is even as he lamented that those on routine patrols are not spared of the orgy of surprise attacks.

Hon Yalleman insisted that there is no justification for some gun wielding elements to kill the five soldiers in Abia State, at a time they were on a peace mission in the service of their fatherland .

He argued that failure by the House, and all other relevant authorities to probe the Abia killings of security personnel in the Southeast, and other parts of the country has the potentials to negatively affect the morale of Security Operatives.

He, therefore, called for an immediate and thorough investigation to fish out and punish the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Besides, Hon Yalleman fears that failure by concerned authorities to act might provoke retaliatory actions which may in turn lead to a huge loss of lives and property.

House Committee Chairman, Hon Babajimi, in his contribution, appreciated President Bola Tinubu for the steps so far taken by his administration in handling the matter.

He, however, reiterated the urgent need for an investigation, noting that killing of security agents while on lawful duties ,have become a daily routine .

“The act of killing our military officers ,the police and other security agents on duty is becoming a daily occurrence and therefore there is the need for a thorough investigation.”

PDP Says Merging With Any Political Party Not On Drawing Board

The Source

June 5, 2024

Debo Ologunagba - PDP Publicity Secretary

By Ayodele Oni

The National Working Committee, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has declared its position on rumoured merger with any political party, including Labour Party (LP) preparatory to 2027 general election.

PDP, through a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Wednesday, after its 587th meeting in Abuja, reiterated that the PDP is not in any merger or amalgamation talks with any other political party.

The statement read in part “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party after its 587th meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, restates for the umpteenth time that the PDP is not engaged in any merger, fusion or amalgamation talks with any other political Party or interest.

“While the PDP, as a truly people’s party, is open and welcoming to all Nigerians including our former members who left for other parties, we state that our party remains strong and formidable, capable of winning elections in a free, fair, and transparent electoral process in our country.

“The NWC acknowledges the influx of millions of Nigerians into our party in the ongoing party membership drive in all the electoral wards across the country; which further confirms that the PDP remains the party of choice for the majority of Nigerians.

“The public, teeming members of our great party, democracy institutions, and of course the international community should therefore disregard any report suggesting any form of merger between the PDP and any other political party as such is not in the contemplation of our great party.”

Rumours of possible merger followed interaction between presidential candidates of LP, Peter Obi and that of PDP, Atiku Abubakar in recent times.

Both agreed to work together and take over the country from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fmr. APC Gov Aspirant, Gbenga Edema, Dümps Party, Emerges Candidate Of NNPP

Ayodele Oni

June 5, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Olugbenga Edema, one of the allies of late former Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during April primary, has dumped the ruling party.

Edema, a former chairman of Ondo State oil agency, OSOPADEC has been selected as the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate for the Ondo State gubernatorial election on November 16, 2024.

He was chosen as the party’s standard-bearer during a substituted primary election held in Akure on Wednesday.

The election was conducted to replace Ayeni Oluwatosin, the former NNPP candidate, who voluntarily withdrew from the race.

NNPP State Chairman, Mr. Peter Olagookun, confirmed Oluwatosin’s withdrawal, stating that it was done to pave the way for a stronger candidacy. Olagookun expressed confidence that this change would enhance the party’s chances of victory in the upcoming election.

After being named the NNPP candidate, Edema stated his commitment to leading the party to win the election.

Edema said, “I offer myself as your candidate and standard bearer for the Ondo state gubernatorial election coming up on the 16th November 2024. I accept the challenge, I accept the mandate freely and willingly granted to me today, and I promise not to ever look back.

“I have carefully studied the manifesto of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) which have been skilfully put together by some great minds.

“I have found out that a great deal aligns with our vision as encapsulated in the Igbega Ondo manifesto which has been put together by our team for taking Ondo State out of the woods and setting it on the consolidation and sustainability lane for total development.

“One of the most important aspects of our democratic process is the issue of internal democracy in the affairs of the political parties.

“The issue of internal democracy manifests in the manner that parties conduct their election processes which must be predictable, transparent and in compliance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, (1999) (as amended); the Electoral Act, 2002; the Constitution of the various parties and their rules guiding the conduct of their elections.

“It is in the public domain that the purported primary election conducted by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on 20/04/2024 for the selection of its gubernatorial candidate for the 16th November 2024 election is lacking in these attributes and as such cannot be described as democratic.

“This act of impunity should not be supported and be allowed to continue in our polity. It is trite that you cannot give what you do not have.

“And as the saying goes ‘a house built with spittle will certainly collapse under the early morning dew.’ The demise of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is just around the corner like its sister, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from which it took over the reign of power.

“It is on this note that I hereby formally announce my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) forthwith.

“I hereby pitch my tent with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), a truly progressive and people-oriented party. This is a party for the immediate future. I don port o!”

Keem The Dream: Now A Senior With Much Grace And Equanimity

The Source

June 5, 2024

By Steve Osuji.

Shall we call it ‘time and chance’ that I ‘happened’ upon Hakeem Olajuwon a few days ago.

My former boss, a mentor and strong influence, Alhaji Salihu Abubakar Ehimeakhe, had shared beautiful photos and stories about Hakeem.

“Wow, wow, wow,” I replied to his chat, sounding like a siren, wondering where he found this gem of a fellow. It happened that he had for years, struck up friendship with Hakeem in Houston, Texas.

On a recent visit, Hakeem had invited Alhaji over for lunch at his expansive ranch and farm settlement.

Alhaji Ehimeakhe, who himself is a well-heeled and sturdy gentleman was truly awed, both by the gesture and the breathtaking ranch. It turned out a meeting between a legend and a statesman.

The country home is indeed an enchanted abode (see photos) as reported by Ehimeakhe who is often stoic of disposition and quite unflappable.

For those who may not remember, Alhaji Ehimeakhe had a pace-setting career in Barclays Bank, later named Union Bank. He was a colossus in the board rooms and is well regarded for his integrity and relentless pursuit of excellence.

Ehimeakhe is perhaps the last of Nigeria’s eminence grise in banking and management.

Hakeem, the superstar’s story needs no retelling. A member of my generation growing up in beautiful Lagos of the 70s and 80s… schooling and enjoying the great opportunities that came with a strong petro-dollar economy in which Nigeria’s naira was stronger than the US currency.

That was how Hakeem ( then known as Akeem), a Surulere boy who attended Muslim Teachers’ College was scouted and shipped to America.

Enrolled in University of Houston, he was soon to light up the University basketball team, Houston Cougars, with his rare talent.

In the 1984 NBA draft, Houston Rockets was to select Hakeem first overall ahead of Michael Jordan who was selected 3rd overall by the Chicago Bulls. That was how electrifying he was for a lad who started playing BB at about 15 years.

Through exceptional work ethic and uncommon discipline, Hakeem led the Rockets to back to back NBA triumphs in the 1994 and 1995 seasons. It’s a measure of his prowess that he was the first player in NBA history to be named Defensive Player of the Year, (1994).

He was also MVP (Most Valuable Player), back to back these glorious seasons leaving in his wake unprecedented honours for the Rockets and a haul of personal records in the annals of basketball in America.

He holds NBA’s all-time record for blocked shots (3830) and the only player to record more than 3000 blocked shots and 2000 steals in a career. The ‘Dream Shake’ is an exclusively Hakeem offensive tactic which NBA players still seek after years after he’s left the game.

He capped his career with his selection as part of the hay-making, gold-winning US Dream Team at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

A great athlete and a gentleman, Hakeem is now a senior citizen and a citizen of example. A devout Muslim, he is not afflicted by celebrity syndrome as noticed even in lesser stars. Devoted to things of his faith, he’s seen mainly at Masjid. He dotes on his family and mainly tends to his business these days.

He’s a hard-nosed businessman, having begun investing in real estate while still a player. A quiet philanthropist, he would rather do charity away from the glare of lights. He had of course, lifted his alma mater in Surulere, Lagos, but Hakeem is onto an exponential project in Nigeria with a slant in agric and top range skills development.

Though the project has been delayed by bureaucratic red tape for a while, he has not given up on his dear country, Nigeria, nor on his dream.

Since Hakeem retired 22 years ago, he has remained a model citizen, a universal mentor and the go-to legend for budding basketball stars who trust him for his magic touch on the courts and famed emotional stability.

His NBA standard court at his remote ranch has become the ultimate clinic for some of the best of hoopers today.

Lastly, it’s good to know that one of Nigeria’s greatest athletes and superstar who once dominated the imagination of America and the world at large, is greying most gracefully and influencing his environment long before social media discovered ‘influencers.’

Osuji, an accomplished Journalist, Columnist, former Editorial Board Member, The Nation, was Media Adviser to former Imo State Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha

Akwa Ibom Sets Date For LG Polls

Ayodele Oni

June 5, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Akwa Ibom State Government has taken steps to democratize Local Government. It has, therefore, set plans afoot to conduct Local Government Elections in the State in October.

Governor Umo Eno disclosed this at a stakeholders meeting organized by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) in Uyo.

Represented by Mr Frank Archibong, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Eno said that the meeting was in preparation for the council polls.

According to him, Council Chairmen that would emerge from the exercise would be sworn-+in on December, in compliance with the state’s electoral plan.

Eno who also presented the election plan to political party representatives at the meeting, urged them to prepare for elections.

“This engagement is a precursor to all of the electoral activities that will ultimately lead to the 2024 Local Government Elections.

“The council poll could not hold in 2023 because of shortness of time, remember that we assumed office in May 29.

“That is the reason we still have caretaker committees at the local governments. I see nothing stoping us from having the elections this year.”

Earlier, the Chairman of AKISIEC, Mr Aniedi Ikoiwak, explained that the meeting was to brief stakeholders on the preparations for council polls in the state.

“So this meeting gives stakeholders the opportunity to interrogate the electoral process as planned.”

He said that the Commission would ensure adequate deployment of electoral and security personnel during the exercise and urged political parties to conduct their primaries between July 22 and Aug. 26.

From the timetable, campaigns would start on Aug. 26, 2024.

Kaduna Assembly Says El Rufai Misäppropriated N423 Billion, Invitës EFCC, Recommënds Finance Commissioner For Suspënsion

Ayodele Oni

June 5, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El Rufai’s administration will be probed, according to the State House of Assembly.

The Assembly constituted an ad hoc committee to review all funds, loans, and contracts given under previous Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and has presented its findings to the House.

The Chairman of the ad hoc Committee, Henry Zacharia, presented a report during plenary on Wednesday.

The report found out that most loans obtained under El-Rufai’s administration were not used for their intended purpose, and that due process was not, allegedly, followed in some cases.

Receiving the report, Yusuf Liman, Speaker of the Kaduna House of Assembly, stated that the El-Rufai Government took a total of N423 billion, and left the State with huge liabilities.

As a result, the Committee recommended that El-Rufai and other indicted members of his cabinet be investigated and prosecuted by security and anti-corruption agencies for abuse of office through the award of contracts without due process, diversion of public funds, money laundering, and plunging Kaduna State into deep debt.

The Committee recommended the suspension of the State Commissioner of Finance Shizer Badda, who also served under El-Rufai’s Government, and the Head of the State Universal Basic Education board.

It also called for a comprehensive inquiry of several key appointments of the previous government by competent law enforcement and anti-corruption authorities.

The Committee set up by the State House of Assembly was tasked with examining loans, grants and projects implementation from 2015 to 2023 during which El-Rufai served as governor of the State.

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