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Sokoto Customs Declares

April 20, 2024

With the recent re-opening of all land borders between Nigeria and its neighbours ,the Niger Republic ,the Kebbi/Sokoto Area Command of the Nigeria Custom Services has reiterated its commitment towards protecting the country’s national interests through combating of smuggling and other unwholesome activities.

This is just as the Comptroller Ernest Iheanacho Ojike has lauded the resilience, and courage of officers and men of the command in making the kebbi/ Niger border posts a no go area for unscrupulous business actors and smugglers .

Ojike who spoke at a press briefing in the Kebbi state capital Birni kebbi on Friday ‘April 19 2024 said within the last 2 months ,the Command recorded tremendous successes in its anti smuggling fights, with the seizure of contraband items valued at over N126 million.

According to him ,some of the items seized include,thousands of litres of premium motor spirit ( petrol) ,bags of foreign rice ,several bales of used clothings ,hard and expired drugs and essential commodities .

However ,the Comptroller noted that owing to the re opening of the Kamba border in kebbi ,the command could not make much impact in revenue generation during the period under review ,as it was only able rake in N7 million ..

While handing over the seized hard and expired drugs to officials of the National Agency For Drugs Administration And Control NAFDAC and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA who were part of the media briefing.,Comptroller Ojike ,lauded the cordial working relationship that is existing between other sister security agencies and the Kebbi/Sokoto Customs Area Command .

In his remarks,the coordinator of Kebbi/ Sokoto zone of NAFDAC, Alhaji Muyideen Suleiman while appreciating the Customs Command for its collaborative efforts, assured that the seized drugs and other items will be handled in line with extant laws

Band Classification: Consumers Will Not Be Over-billed – EEDC

The Source

April 19, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, has assured that it will enthrone a regime of transparency and fairness in its implementation of the recent classification of electricity consumers by the National Electricity, Regulatory Commission NERC in bands.

EEDC Deputy Managing Director, Dr Ernest Mupwaya, who disclosed this on Friday, April 19, 2024, in Enugu at the ongoing Customer Complaints Resolution Parley with Southeast power consumers, said the power distribution outfit will strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of the NERC bands Classification.

The Source reports that the Nation’s power regulatory body, NERC, had recently unveiled different bands for electricity consumers across the country with the maximum band A capturing those that will enjoy daily power supply up to 20 hours and ,the minimum Band E for consumers with at least four hours power supply daily.

The EEDC Deputy Chief, promised that in addition to being treated fairly, the power distribution company has put mechanisms in place to ensure that its customers get values commensurate with their expenditures.

In rendering services to all customers within its 44 Feeders that fall within the band A NERC- Classification,Dr Mupwaya also ruled out the possibilities of over billing of consumers .

He noted that plans are a foot to supply pre paid metres to about 12,381 Band A customers within the next three months ,in its unwavering commitment to ensure fairness in service delivery and payments systems.

While appealing for understanding and patience from the Consumers,he assured of an improved power supply ,adding that all relevant stakeholders are working in concert to energize the industry.

According to the EEDC Deputy Managing Director every observed shortfalls in the power distribution chain are not peculiar to it ,noting that they are hiccups from the general system .

“Before the recent shortfalls in supply and band classification by the NERC,you customers can agree with me that some customers used to enjoy over 20 hours power supply daily. By the Grace of God ,we will soon return to that era ” Dr Mapwaya assured

Explaining the rationale behind the parley, NERC Commissioner in charge of Consumers Affairs ,Mrs Aisha Mahmood said it is to sensitize consumers on their rights and obligations under the new dispensation,assuring that the power regulatory agency will ensure that consumers are not fleeced .

Under the arrangements, she stated ,all necessary machineries have been put in place for consumers/ operators conflicts resolutions within the industry.

Efforts To Create Misunderstanding Between President Tinubu/Ganduje Will Fail – APC Kano

The Source

April 19, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The spokesperson for the All Progressive Congress APC, kano state, Alhaji Ahmad Aruwa has raised an alarm that some people who have committed substantial resources to destroy the cordial relationship, understanding and mutual respect between president Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ,will stop at nothing until they achieve their evil motive.

This is even as he has distanced, himself from the content of a viral video in which he was purported to have accused some presidency forces as being behind the suspension of the National Chairman last Monday by some self acclaimed party elders from the Ganduje ward in Dawakin Tofa Local council of Kano state .

He however asserted that those who are uncomfortable with the APC ,its National Chairman and President Ahmed Tinubu are on political journey primed to fail from inception.

Alhaji Aruwa who addressed the press on Friday April 19 2024 in kano ,emphatically denied ever accusing and or even insinuating that the presidency is stoking the raging conflict and crisis between the National Chairman and some elements in Kano

He insisted that he was completely quoted out of context by those who are perceiving the good working relationship between president Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party as a big threat to their frivolous and unbridled political ambition .

The Kano APC Publicity Secretary,however stated that all those working to collapse the President Tinubu/ Ganduje relationship on one hand and disintegrate the party on the other ,are in for the greatest disappointed of their lives.

“We want to declare that our leader and National Chairman of our great party Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is committed and remains loyal to the President regardless of whatever anybody may want to orchestrate .

No amount of plot will divide the mutual relationship between the president and Ganduje

On our part in kano APC we have high respect for our president and leader Tinubu,and he remains our choice . We demonstrated our commitment to the political ambition of president Tinubu during the last general elections and we are ready to do it again in subsequent elections” the Kano APC Spokesperson stated

The Source reports that on Thursday April 18 ,the social media was awash with reports quoted the kano APC Publicity Scribe as accusing the presidency of behind Dr Ganduje’s travails in kano political developments in the last few weeks.

Group Describes Ondo APC Primary Election Committee Unconstitutional

Ayodele Oni

April 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Few hours to the commencement of the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) a group has faulted the composition of the committee saddled with the conduct of the election. The election comes up on Saturday.

The group Ondo APC Stakeholders announced that membership of the seven man committee, headed by the Kogi state Governor, Ododo was unconstitutional.

It stated that the inclusion of one Mr. Niyi Akinsiju in the Electoral Committee for the April 20th primary election of APC in Ondo State runs foul of the party’s constitution.

In a statement in Akure on Friday, the Chairman of the group, Chief Bamidele Alomaja, quoted the APC guideline, which prohibits the inclusion of an indigene in the primary election committee of APC.

“We are surprised that despite the position of APC and its guidelines that prohibit inclusion of indigene in the primary election of APC, Mr. Niyi Akinsiju is included as a member of the Ondo primary election committee. This is a clear departure from the election guideline.

“Mr. Niyi Akinsiju is an indigene of Idanre local government area of Ondo state. By the reason of his indigeneship and as defined in our party guideline, he is not supposed to be included in the election committee.

“We presumed this to be a deliberate effort to rig or invalidate the outcome of the election.”

The group called on the leaders of APC to correct the rape on the election guideline, to avoid creating unnecessary encumbrances.

“EFCC Misinformed Nigerians On Gov Ododo’s Role In Escape Drama Of Fmr Gov Bello” – Commissioner

Ayodele Oni

April 19, 2024

Ododo Visits Yahaya Bello House in Abuja

By Ayodele Oni

Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has risen in support of Governor Usman Ododo over his role in the drama which ensued while the officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to arrest former Governor Yahaya Bello at his residence in Abuja.

The Commissioner who also served under Bello explained that Governor Ododo did not help his predecessor, Bello, to outsmart security operatives who wanted to arrest him.

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had laid a siege to Bello’s Abuja residence, where they wanted to arrest him.

But Ododo arrived at the scene and hours later he drove out, fueling reports that Bello had sneaked out with him.

Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Fanwo stated that Ododo is committed to upholding the laws of the country, including respecting its legal processes.

“Governor Ododo did not assist in Bello’s departure from his residence; the EFCC’s claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives.

“Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights.”

Fanwo rejected the anti-graft agency’s claims, describing them as baseless and product of an organized disinformation campaign.

He argued further that the ex-governor is not attempting to avoid arrest, referring a state high court injunction that protects Bello from harassment by the anti-graft agency.

The Commissioner, therefore, criticized the Commission’s allegations even as he questioned the agency’s certainty about Bello’s whereabouts.

He added that Governor Ododo remained a law-abiding leader who respects the rule of law and the Constitution of the Country.

The Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, had described Governor Ododo’s action who used his immunity to prevent Bello’s arrest on Wednesday as ‘disquieting’, adding that ’embarking on a temporising self-help and escapism that can only put Nigeria in bad light before the rest of the world is not the way to go.”

The Campaign for Democracy, (CD) while reacting to Governor Ododo’s role in the escape drama of Bello maintained that judging by the role of the governor in the drama, which trailed the arrest of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ododo is not the right person to superintend over the governorship primary election in Ondo state.

HRM Banigo Makes History, Resigns As King Of His Okpoama Kingdom

The Source

April 19, 2024

By Gideon Njoku

His Royal Majesty, King Ebitimi Emmanuel Banigo, has done the unprecedented. He has resigned as the King of his Okpoama Kingdom, Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State.

With effect from July 31st 2024, King Banigo said in a statement, he would cease to be the Okpo XXI Ibenyanaowei of Okpoama Kingdom.

Citing health challenges, he said he was no longer in a position to listen to the everyday problems of his subjects and help in solving them due to his long absence from home. In the letter which he personally signed, and titled: PROCLAMATION OF THE RETIREMENT OF THE IBENYANAOWEI OF OKPOAMA KINGDOM, he said: “We are today faced with the worst economic crisis in recent history. The attendant excruciating poverty, hunger, insecurity and governance issues have made it imperative that I spend time at home. Unfortunately, I have been contending with health challenges which has not made this possible and which increasingly require long absence from the Kingdom for the foreseeable future.”

“Based on that, he said, he has decided to retire as the King of Okpoama Kingdom with effect from July 31st.

The full text of his Proclamation reads:

“Warm greetings to my dear people of Okpoama Kingdom.

“We are today faced with the worst economic crisis in recent history. The attendant excruciating poverty, hunger, insecurity and governance issues have made it imperative that I spend time at home. Unfortunately I have been contending with health challenges which has not made this possible and which increasingly long absence from the Kingdom for the foreseeable future.

“Consequently, I have taken the decision to retire as Ibenyanaowei of Okpoama Kingdom with effect from July 31st 2024. The election of a new Ibenyanaowei from the Ruling Houses is to commence immediately in accordance with our tradition to be crowned as OKPO XXII, Ibenyanaowei of Okpoama Kingdom.

“The Government of Bayelsa State and the relevant authorities will be notified accordingly.

“My dear Okpoama people, I thank you for the honour of being your King. I thank God for this privilege of ruling over our ancient Kingdom of highly endowed beautiful territories, the lands and creeks, and the remarkable people that God has bestowed to us through our ancestors.

“I will continue to contribute to the development of Okpoama Kingdom and the preservation of our culture as I did before I ascended to the throne.

“By the grace of God and working together we can collectively develop Okpoama to the land of our dreams.

“God bless Okpoama people.”

King Ebitimi, a banker before he ascended the throne was the Chief Executive Officer of International Merchant Bank of Nigeria from 1981 to 1986. He was Nigeria’s Minister of Science and Technology between 1999 and 2000.

In 2012, he became the King of his Okpoama Kingdom in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Ondo APC Governorship Primary Election: CD Expresses Doubt Over Gov Ododo’s Competence As Committee Chairman

Ayodele Oni

April 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Campaign for Democracy, (CD) has expressed doubt over the competence of Kogi state Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to conduct a credible governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state.

CD maintained that judging by the role of the governor in the drama which trailed the arrest of his predecessor, Yahaya Bello by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ododo is not the right person to superintend over the governorship primary election.

The leadership of the APC had appointed Ododo as chairman of the primary election committee of the APC on Ondo state which comes up on Saturday.

The governor has been accused of using his immunity to block arrest of Bello, who is being accused of money laundering while in office.

A statement on Friday by CD president, Pastor Ifeanyi Odili stated that “Governor Ododo of Kogi State cannot supervise a credible primary election in Ondo State.

“It is no longer news that Ododo has been preventing the EFCC from arresting one of the suspects over an alleged #80.2b fraud.

“It is widely reported that up till this moment, Ododo is hiding former Governor Yaya Bello, his predecessor inside his convoy and Government House, with a view to preventing the Anti-Corruption agency from arresting him.

“Whereas, under “Section 38(2)(a(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act it is clear that it is an offence to prevent officers of the commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

“This section of the EFCC establishment acts awards anyone found preventing the EFCC from carrying out its lawful duty as in the case of former Governor Yaya Bello, a five-year jail term.

“In the circumstances therefore, Governor Ododo of Kogi State is a suspect according to the EFCC acts Section 38(2)(a(b).

“Consequently, he is not reliable, responsible and not qualified to supervise any election in any part of Nigeria thereof, unless he willingly turns in his predecessor, former Governor Yaya Bello to EFCC to clear all the allegations of fraud leveled against him.”

Ondo Govt Confirms Ongoing Probe Of Previous Administration By EFCC

The Source

April 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Ondo State, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo SAN, has confirmed that anti graft agencies are currently probing into operations of previous administration’s in the state.

This confirmation followed the recent announcement by the anti-graft agency declaring Mr. Wale Akinteriwa, a former commissioner for finance and aspirant in Saturday Governorship Election wanted.

Ajulo emphasized that the State Government will not interfere with the operations of agencies such as the Police, EFCC, ICPC, and the Ondo State Public Complaint, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission.

He further stated that some of the petitions are about the State’s resources of which the State Public Complaint, Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Commission, by the extant law in operation is empowered to look into.

The commissioner disclosed that there have been influx of petitions to his office, originating from citizens, civil society organizations, and even international entities, which raise concerns about past government activities.

“Some petitions specifically implicate former government officials and associates, alleging misappropriation and signature forgery during the tenure of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.”

He also stated that various issues have emerged regarding alleged fraud committed using the name, approvals, and signatures of the late Governor Akeredolu by past and some present government officials.

“One particular focus of these petitions revolves around a youth empowerment programme involving artisans and market women, as well as the use of unauthorized agreements to defraud the government of Ondo State.”

Ajulo emphasized that the Ondo State Government operation is based on laws and regulations, and entering into agreements with the government requires proper authorization and approval. “When such authorization and approval are lacking, it raises serious concerns.

“I discourage media trials. Naming names serves what purpose? The law applies to everyone, and at the appropriate time, if necessary, names will be revealed.

“The investigations must be thorough and unbiased. We are not concerned with names of who is being investigated, but we are concern that the law must take its course in whatever we’re doing.

“We cannot obstruct any law enforcement agencies from conducting inquiries, as the Ondo State government is committed to upholding transparency and accountability in governance.”

Invasion Of LG Secretariat: Ekiti CP Cautions Community Against Reprisal Attack, Assures Investigation

Ayodele Oni

April 19, 2024

Adeniran Akinwale - Ekiti Commissioner of Police

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti state commissioner of police, Adeniran Akinwale, has ordered that adequate security measures should be put in place at Eda Oniyo community to forestall further attack.

The order was sequel to Tuesday invasion of the community by hoodlums from neighbouring Obbo Aiyegunle in Kwara state, during which they destroyed the secretariat of Ilejemeje local government and vehicles.

Also during the attack, some indigenes of the community returning from their farms were beaten up mercilessly with some of them still on admission.

Motive behind the attack remains unknown as it continued on Thursday with attack on people in their farms, while crops were also destroyed.

Speaking during visit to assess extent of damage, the police boss, assured the people to remain calm as security agencies were on ground to protect them and their properties.

He described the Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Julius Awolola as a peace loving monarch by ensuring that his people did not embark on a revenge mission.

Akinwale stated that his visit to the community was part of efforts by the state government to restore peace and harmony in Eda Oniyo Community and it’s neighbour in Kwara state.

In a reaction, Oba Awolola thanked the State Government for the quick intervention in the incident and stressed the need for a police station in the community as a local government headquarter and a boundary community.

Also Eda Oniyo Progressives Union (EPU) while reacting to the attack described it as barbaric and urged security agencies to act swiftly to prevent repriesal attack.

A statement by EPU President, Dr Rufus Ajayi demanded for Justice On the invasion, and destruction Of Ilejemeje council Secretariat.

The statement reads “Eda Oniyo Progressives Union, (EPU) wishes to strongly condemn the invasion of Ilejemeje local government secretariat by some terrorists in the early hours of 16th April, 2024.

“Taking advantage of porous borders, some hoodlums from neighbouring Obbo Aiyegunle in Kwara state attacked the secretariat of Ilejemeje local government, Eda Oniyo in Ekiti state on that Tuesday.

“They still continued on Thursday, 18th April in the morning by invading farms belonging to Eda Oniyo Indigenes and started destroying their farm crops, while they shot sporadically into the air. This is the height of insults for foreigners to be attacking natives on their own soil.

“During the terrified invasion, the terrorists unleashed series of hardship on the innocent workers by shooting sporadically to the secretariat building.

“In the course of doing this, the building was seriously damaged, while those workers that had reported for duty managed to escape.

“Some innocent persons, in the course of searching for their daily bread in their farms, were seriously beaten to stupor, while their means of transportation, motorcycle and a Honda car were damaged and burnt beyond repairs.

“We strongly condemn this act of hooliganism by these Obbo Aiyegunle miscreants whose mission to Eda Oniyo remains unknown. The community has been living in peace with her neighbours, while few issues are resolved without any rancour.

“The attack had buttressed our call for a permanent Police Station in Eda Oniyo. Apart from being a local government headquarter, it is a boundary community between Ekiti and Kwara state.

“It has become a route for economic saboteurs that cart away our farm produce without paying necessary levy to the state government coffer. Kidnappers too have turned the place to an escape route.

“It is in view of this that EPU renews its call for a permanent Police Station in Eda Oniyo to curb the excesses of these hoodlums, especially from neighbouring Obbo Aiyegunle community. A stitch in Time Saves Nine.

“EPU also appeals to security agents especially the state Police Command to unravel those behind this destruction and make them pay for it and face the law.

“This is the only way the community will guarantee peaceful coexistence with our neighbours. To the victims of the attack, and the youths, the Union appeals for calm to enable the police carry out its duty and fish out the miscreants.”

Those That Will Elect Ondo APC Gov Candidate: 272,922 Members From 203 Wards

Ayodele Oni

April 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

All is now set for the conduct of the Governorship Primary Election of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state.

Sixteen aspirants will be slugging it out to Garner votes from 272,922 party members that will be participating in the governorship primary.

The primary will hold across the 203 political wards.

Already, the party has adopted direct primary to select its standard bearer ahead of the November governorship election in the state.

The 16 aspirants already cleared by the APC Screening Committee include, the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), Wale Akinterinwa, Isaacs Kekemeke, Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Folakemi Omogoroye, Olusoji Ehinlanwo, John Odimayo, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, and Oladiran Iyanjan.

Others are, Mayowa Akinfolarin, Olugbenga Edema, Prof. Adedayo Faduyile, Brigadier-General Felix Ohunyeye,(rtd) Morayo Lebi and Ifeoluwa Oyedele.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured of its readiness to be part of the exercise.

Mrs.Oluwatoyin Babalola, told journalists in Akure that the APC has notified the commission of intentions to participate in the November election and the date of primaries with the direct mode of the exercise.

The REC noted that the exercise will be monitored by the commission as stipulated by the constitution, and reports will be given based on its observation.

“Basically, the conduct of primary is the responsibility of political parties, and as electoral body, ours is to monitor the activity to ensure they conduct the party’s primary in accordance with the provisions of the electoral law and party’s constitution.

“As regard the APC primary coming up on Saturday, we are ready for the monitoring as the party has adopted the direct mode of primary and we will report based on what we observe.

Speaking on the security arrangement towards ensuring a hitch-free primary election, security chiefs in the state expressed readiness to ensure that the exercise is conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

The State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Oladipo, promised that hands are on deck to ensure a free and fair primary election.

The CP who spoke through the state state command spokesperson, Fumilayo Odulami -Omisanya, warned politicians against any act of violence before, during and after the exercise.

“This is not the first time we will be doing primaries and we have improved on so many things.

“We are well acquainted with the electoral law, so we know what to do, and our men are properly trained.

“The major issue should be contestants talking to their people. They should all embrace the spirit of sportsmanship. After the whole primary election, if anybody is not comfortable with whatever happens there, that is why there is a tribunal.

“They should employ only legal means. They should not take to the street or cause trouble in the state. So, the aspirants should talk to their people.”

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