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Kano’s Multi-Million Naira Drug Contract: Gov’s Denial Indication He Is Not In Charge – APC

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress, APC, Kano State Chapter, appears not to be persuaded by Governor Abba Yusuf’s denial of any knowledge of the alleged award of the controversial multi- million drugs supply contract in the State.

The Source reports that a curious controversy had been sparked a few days ago concerning an alleged award of a drug supply contract to a relation of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The Multi-million contract is alleged to be for the supply of drugs and other medical equipment to all the 44 Local Councils of the State.

A Kano-based renowned skit maker had blown the lid off the alleged contract in a video clip that has since gone viral.

A statement jointly issued on Sunday  August 18, by the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Baba  Dantiye and Governor Yusuf’s Media Aide, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, disassociated the State Government from the said contract award.

It also announced that the State’s Anti-Corruption and Public Complaints Agency has been directed by Governor Yusuf to launch a full scale investigation to unravel the real status of the drug supply contract.

” Governor Abba K.Yusuf of Kano State has denied any knowledge of the contract said to have been recently awarded for the supply of drugs to the 44 Local Government Councils of the State.

The Governor has directed the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Agency PCACC to investigate the allegations immediately and report the outcome for further actions “the kano state Government state reads.

But the APC Kano is  not  convinced that all is well.

It has, therefore, beckoned on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, to rise to the occasion ,and carry out unfettered inquest into the controversial drugs supply deal.

In a statement issued on Monday August 19,2024, by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, the opposition party lamented that the drug supply scandal is yet another in the series of alleged reckless frittering of Kano’s common patrimony by the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, led administration in the State.

To avoid further fleecing of the state’s resources, under the guise of operating joint accounts ,the APC also called for the immediate freezing of the accounts of the 44 Local Government Areas of the State by the country’s anti-corruption Commission.

The APC noted that the admission of ignorance of the said drug contract, is an eloquent testimony that Governor Yusuf is truly not in charge of governance and or is not competent to lead the State .

The APC described as laughable the directive for  the state anti-corruption commission to investigate the controversial drug supply contract.

The APC  noted that given the partisan and compromised trajectories of the Head of the State’s anti-corruption agency, the commission lacks the political will to investigate a scandal allegedly involving the immediate family members of the Governor’s father-in-law, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Furthermore, the APC statement noted that before now, the State Government had been involved in the controversial award of N27 billion contract for the construction of two interchange. bridges at Danagundi and Tal’udu junctions within the Kano metropolis.

The said payments for the construction work is to be jointly made by the State Government and the Local Councils on 30/ 70 % ratio .

Abbas regretted that the latest development is coming at a time other past allegations are yet to be satisfactorily probed.

#EndBadGovernance Protests: CSO Demands Probe, Prosecution Of Organisers, Insurrectionists

By
Akinwale Kasali
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EndBadGovernance Protest

By Akinwale Kasali

“It was a coup plot luckily aborted by Security Agencies”

A week after the end of the #Endbadgovernance Nationwide Protest which rocked most parts of the country, a civil society organization under the auspices of Patriotism Awareness Forum, PAF, has demanded a probe of protest which resulted in wanton looting, torching of public and private properties, disruption and destruction of lives.

In a statement issued in Lagos signed by Nelson Ekujumi,

Convener, and Peter Claver Oparah, Co-Convener, the Group is demanding a probe and prosecution of the instigators and perpetrators of the insurrection disguised as a hunger protest by “unpatriotic, disgruntled and subversive elements whose main agenda, was the overthrow of a legitimately elected democratic government.”

It added that this intent “makes the so-called protest an attempted coup and a violation of the laws of the land.

“We wholly agree with the position of Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State that the protest was a coup plot. Being the Chief Security Officer of Kaduna State, which served as one of the few epicenters of the violent protest, we cannot but agree wholly with the Governor who revealed that huge amount of money and materials were deployed by unscrupulous politicians to mobilize and sponsor the protesters to unleash harm on lives and properties of government and law abiding citizens in order to procure an illegal change of government.

“We are forced to make this demand for a probe and prosecution of the #Endbadgovernance protests Insurrectionists not only because of the assault and violation of our constitution, but also due to the fact that the plot of unseating a legitimately elected democratic government by means other than through the ballot box by persons and interests who lost elections is gradually becoming a fad which is dangerous and is a threat to our democracy, peace and national security.

“We all witnessed a similar scenario in 2020 under the guise of #EndSARS protest of insurrection and anarchy with the ultimate aim of overthrowing the democratically elected administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari which had just secured a renewed mandate of the Nigerian people at the polls in 2019.

“Now, in 2024, just a year after the 2023 general elections, we are all witnessing same style of assault and violation of our constitution in the guise of the exercise of the fundamental rights to protest. This is condemnable and unacceptable”.

PAF went further to commend the “security agencies for their vigilance and professionalism in monitoring and foiling the coup plot right from the planning stage to the execution in the pretext of hunger protest by alerting Nigerians to be wary, which contributed in no small measure to the failure of the unpopular protest of insurrection.”

It, also, “congratulated the Nigerian people for their patriotism and unalloyed commitment to democracy by shunning en masse the protest of insurrection which attempted to make political capital out of their economic challenges Nigerians are facing and urged them to remain vigilant against the evil plots of agents of destabilization and anarchy.”

PAF charged the Nigerian Government and the security agencies “to do a thorough investigation of the coup plot disguised as a protest and ensure prosecution of indicted persons just like what was witnessed in USA with regards to the Capitol invasion in 2021 and only recently in the United Kingdom where perpetrators of violations of the laws of the land are made to face the music.”

“Stop Hiding Under The Shadows, Declare Ambition To Be Governor” – Abia Law Maker To Deputy Speaker

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Lawmaker representing Ikwuano/ Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon Obi Aguocha, has taken a swipe at the statement credited to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, to the  effect that Abia State Governor, Dr  Alex Otti, will be the last Governor of Labour Party, LP, extraction in the  State.

This is even as he challenged Kalu to be courageous enough to declare for the State’s top job and stop dropping the name and offices of the President.

The Source reports that in a viral video which has been in circulation since  Sunday, August 18, Rt Hon Kalu had also,

emphatically enthused that the All  Progressive Congress, APC, must capture and deliver Abia to President Tinubu  in 2027.

“This will be the last time that a Labour Party Governor will govern Abia State. I say it without mincing words. The next Governor of Abia State will be APC Governor.

“We are friends, and we work together, but I will not be the Number Six Citizen of the Country and another party will Govern my State.

“The next election in 2027, APC will be there. I have told him( Governor Otti) privately and publicly that the APC Governor will be next in Abia State. How it will happen, I don’t know, but it will happen”, Kalu boasted.

But in a statement issued on Monday August, 19, 2024, Hon Aguocha informed the Deputy Speaker that there will be no vacancy at the Abia State seat of power for him and the APC to  fill in 2027.

He noted that while the people of the South-east region appreciate the President for signing into law the South East Development Commission, just like for all the other geo-political zones in the country,  he, however, stated that none of the leaders of the other  zones, including the Speaker, Rt Hon Tajuddeen Abbas, have been heard or seen cajoling and mocking his people as Kalu has done.

“Rt Honourable, methinks we should elevate the noble ideals of demonstrable unity and stop chiding yourself by, each time, dropping President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s name in a manner suggesting that Dr Alex Otti is at war with the President.

President Tinubu and Governor Alex Otti had known each other spanning their various careers, for, at least, 20 years of their personal relationship.

“You have just arrived on the national stage in the last one year. So what is all this talk about “APC must take Abia to Tinubu?”, Hon Aguocha stated .

According to him, Governor Otti and the LP won the last election in the State, by a landslide with the APC only managing less than 4% of the total valid votes cast .

He maintained that  the Governor, ever since coming on board has positively impacted the people, and changed the hitherto ugly narrative of Abia .

“Abia people are still safe and will remain so with a high performing Alex Otti by 2027 and beyond. In the light of this, my sincere advice for you, my worthy and esteemed colleague should be to try a new political project if the position of the Deputy Speaker. and the no.6 in the country is now belittling to your status”, Aguocha stated.

Furthermore, Hon Aguocha advised the Deputy Speaker to be bold enough to declare for the gubernatorial race, if his ultimate ambition is to be Abia state Governor.

“If your ambition is to become the Governor of Abia state by 2027, it is your right, but make it plain rather than hiding yourself in the shadows of discontent and display of insincerity and intemperate political culture.

“But I assure you that as you want Abians to repay Tinubu for his good works ,so shall Abians repay Alex Otti for his mammoth achievements come 2027”.

Retirement Age: IGP Egbetokun’s Fate Hangs In The Balance

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Kayode Egbetokun - IGP

By Akinwale Kasali

In the next 16 days, Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, IGP, will attain the compulsory retirement Age of 60 Years. He is expected to bow out of service at 60.

Egbetokun was appointed Acting IGP on June 19, 2023. The Police Council confirmed him on October 31, 2023 as the substantive IGP.

He could, however, remain in the saddle as the Police Boss if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his tenure, courtesy of the New Police Act.

The Executive Bill passed by the National Assembly in July 2024 allows the President to extend the IGP’s tenure beyond 35 years of service or 60 years of age. That would enable the IGP to complete a four-year term in office.

Since the President has yet to sign the bill into law, tension is mounting within the Police High Command.

But the possibility of his tenure being extended looks decisive, following the recent trip of President Tinubu to France on a brief work stay, with uncertainty surrounding when he would return to the country.

Investigation has revealed that some officers are concerned and praying that President Tinubu does notbextend Egbetokun’s tenure, as this will impede their career progression.

At the moment, there are eight Deputy Inspector General, DIGs, 46 Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIGs, and 125 Commissioner of Police, CPs. Four DIGs are set to retire between September 2024 and December 2025.

Egbetokun’s future however hinges on the President’s decision regarding the amendment.

It would be recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Usman Baba as IGP, despite the fact that his retirement date preceded his tenure in office.

This was contrary to the Police Act, 2020, which stipulates a four-year tenure for an IGP. Buhari appointed Usman Baba, on April 6, 2021, while he (Baba) was expected to retire from the police on March 1, 2023, when he clocked 60 years of age.

Baba took over from Mohammed Adamu, whose tenure Buhari extended for three months on February 4 2021.

During Baba’s tenure, the FG, through the then Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, in January 2023, said Baba would not be retiring when he turns 60 on March 1, 2023.

Dingyadi’s comments followed concerns about the IGP’s possible retirement amidst the 2023 elections.

Baba turned 60 on March 1, 2023.

Ondo Sets Up Special Security Unit To Protect Farmers, Travellers Against Attack By Herders

By
Ayodele Oni
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Amotekun Rangers Security Outfit

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government is contemplating on setting up special security unit to protect farmers from incessant attacks and destruction of their farms by Fulani herdsmen.

Already, Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the setting up of Amotekun Rangers in the state forests to put an end to incessant killings of farmers by suspected herdsmen as well as prevent kidnapping at border towns and roads in the state.

The Commander of the State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye disclosed this to newsmen in Akure on Monday, while parading nine suspected criminals.

According to him, training of Amotekun Forest Rangers has commenced as directed by the Governor and they will be deployed to strategic locations within the state.

Adeleye said the ‘AMOT RANGERS’ was established in line with the Ondo State Livestock Rearing and Grazing Regulation and Ranches Establishment Law of 2021 (as amended).

He assured residents of the state that the new Amotekun unit would focus on addressing the current security threats posed by influx of criminal elements especially in the forests in and around communities in Akoko/Ose/Owo areas and other black spots across the state.

Adeleye noted that the AMOT Rangers would be residing and working in the border towns with Kogi, Edo and Ekiti states as well as forest reserves in the state.

On the nine suspects paraded, the Amotekun Commander explained that two of them were apprehended for attempting to kill private security guards with guns during robbery and others were nabbed for snatching okada.

Like Ganduje, Uzodinma Denies 2027 Presidential Campaign Posters

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Ganduje abd Uzodinma Presidential Posters,

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Imo State Government has dissociated Governor Hope Uzodinma from a poster purporting him to be interested in the Vice Presidential slot.

In the last two days, the social media had been inundated with a 2027 campaign poster, pairing the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje with Governor Uzodinma for the 2027 presidential race.

The APC National Chairman has since distanced himself from the posters.

In a statement by his media aide Edwin Olofu, in Abuja on Sunday, August 18, Dr Ganduje, described the circulation of the posters as the handiwork of detractors and mischief makers out to cause disaffection between him and President Bola Tinubu.

He enjoined the public to treat the development for what it is – a deliberate falsehood.

Similarly, a statement on Monday August 19 ,2024 ,by the Imo state Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, also, said the circulation of the posters is mischievously intended to cause a division between Governor Uzodonma and President Tinubu.

The Commissioner insisted that there has never been anytime the Imo State Governor ever contemplated running for the office of the country’s Vice President.

“Everyone in Nigeria is quite aware that Governor Uzodinma is one of the fiercest supporters of President  Bola Tinubu, and has canvassed national support for him to succeed in his assignment” the statement noted.

Emelumba domiciled the blame for the propagation of such falsehood on the door steps of political opponents who are scared and bent on creating discord between the president and his core loyalists and supporters.

The statement noted that with the failure of the recent nationwide protest to achieve the mischievous motives of some political elements, they have turned to yet another ploy to try their luck.

However, the Imo state Commissioner for Information cautioned the purveyors of such deliberate falsehood to retrace their steps to avoid plunging the country into needless tension and crisis.

Isese Day: Lagos And Ogun Declare Tuesday As Public Holiday

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Babajide Sanwo-Olu

By Akinwale Kasali

In giving every religion a sense of belonging, Lagos State Governor, Babajide  Sanwo-olu has declared Tuesday,  20th August, 2024, as a work-free day for all Public Servants in the State, in celebration of the Isese Day.

Traditional Worshippers usually have their celebration on this day annually, but, this would be the first time that the Lagos State Government has declared the Day a Work Free Day.

This is coming after several appeals had been made to the State Government to declare the Day a work free day, so as to allow the Traditional Worshippers have a sense of belonging and also recognized like every other religion.

In the same vein, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State also declared Tuesday, August 20th, as public holiday to celebrate this year’s Isese day, in line with his administration’s firm belief in religious inclusivity.

According to a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, the work-free day will allow traditional worshippers across the State to commemorate their special day.

The statement added that Ogun State remains an exemplary federating unit with enviable level of religious cohesion and harmony, even in the face of diversity.

It, therefore, urged traditional worshippers in the state to celebrate in moderation and respect the right of other religions in the course of celebration, so as to sustain the inherent culture of religious tolerance in the State.

The statement also charged the adherents to use the special festive period to pray for peace and economic advancement in Ogun State and Nigeria at large, adding that prayers contribute immensely to the success of every nation.

Following the development, work would resume in all public offices including courts, across the state on Wednesday, allowing traditional worshippers celebrate their day.

National Boundary Commission Moves To Resolve Dispute Between Ekiti, Kwara, Meets Experts

By
Ayodele Oni
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Director General of NBC - Adamu Adaji

By Ayodele Oni

The National Boundary Commission, (NBC) has moved to resolve the lingering border dispute between Ekiti and Kwara states to ensure lasting peace.

Declaring open of a technical meeting of experts on the Ekiti/Kwara states in Abuja on Monday, the Director General of NBC, Adamu Adaji noted that the boundary has received intervention from states and the commission overtime.

He pointed out that the legal instrument has some ambiguities which have made it difficult to trace some of the affected borders.

According to him, some of the identified boundaries where there are currently disputes, are better resolved by state boundary commissions which are closer to affected communities.

The Director General commended the efforts of the deputy governor’s of the two States of Ekiti and Kwara towards resolution of the interstate boundary dispute and encouraged them to do more.

The director, internal boundary department, Emmanuel Bulus urged participants to find practicable solution for the resolution of outstanding issues on the boundary.

He noted that there has been a long gap in interstate boundary activities with the last action held in 2013.

The meeting agreed that background information on the grey areas should be extracted through research activities to determine root causes of boundary disputes.

Surveyor Generals of Ekiti and Kwara states agreed to meet, sensitized aggrieved communities and work towards resolution of the dispute before the end of the year.

Ondo Community Hires 30 Lawyers To Recall Reps Member Over Non Performance

By
Ayodele Oni
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Abiola Makinde

By Ayodele Oni

A Community in Ondo State has secured the services of 30 lawyers to assist in legal processes to recall a member representing the people at the lower chamber of the House of Representatives.

The people of Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency pointed out that the move became necessary in view of the continued absence of Abiola Makinde from his legislative duties.

The constituent, under the Ekimogun Roundtable, alleged that Makinde, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) has abandoned its legislative duties for several months and relocated abroad for unknown reasons.

The group, in a statement by its Acting Secretary,  Ms Christiana Ayodele, made available to newsmen on Monday in Akure, alleged that the National Assembly office of the lawmaker has been under lock and key, while the constituency has being without any representation at the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

According to the statement, the 30 legal practitioners have agreed to offer free legal services to challenge the action of the lawmaker.

The statement reads, “In a massive show of solidarity to what they described as audacious leadership and legislative accountability project embarked upon by the Ekimogun Roundtable aimed at strengthening the country’s struggling representative democracy, 30 legal practitioners from across the country have indicated interest to offer free legal services to the Roundtable in order to assist in legislative enquiry and likely judicial processes.

“The Ekimogun Roundtable, a socio economic group of all Ondo indigenes from across the world, alleged that Honorable Abiola Makinde, the House of Representatives member representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency in the 10th National Assembly abdicated his legislative duties for months.

“He has relocated abroad with his National Assembly constituency office under lock and key, thereby rendering the entire constituency without representation for the period under review.”

The Roundtable further alleged massive disparity in constituency fund/projects allotment to the constituency on paper and actual physical projects execution.

“This has further put question marks on the integrity of those around the community’s constituency projects procurement process at the green chamber of the National Assembly.

“The Ondo East/West Federal Constituency has never had it this bad in terms of legislative performance since the advent of democracy such that critical issues of great national importance like the National Budget, the National Anthem Act, among others will be discussed at the hallowed chamber without the input of the good people of the constituency.”

The statement added that the group has written to the National Assembly requesting the plenary attendance record of Makinde to ascertain his compliance with the relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the House of Representatives Standing Rules on plenary attendance.

#EndBadGovernance Protest: Sowore Talks Tough, Plans Fearless Protest In October

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Omoyele Sowore

By Akinwale Kasali

Omoyele Sowore, one of the major organizers of #EndBadGovernance Nationwide Protest which rocked the country from August 1-10, over hunger,  Sufferings and Bad Governance has disclosed plans by the protesters to come out en-masse for another round of protest scheduled for October.

The protest is connected to what Sowore described as President Bola Tinubu’s alleged failure to address the demands of the protesters.

The Presidential Candidate of African Alliance Congress, AAC, at the 2023 Presidential Election said  the #EndBadGovernance protesters, who were majorly asking the FG to reverse some policies that led to the high cost of living, including the controversial fuel subsidy, made at least 15 demands.

Among other things, the protesters asked the Government to “Toss the Senate arm, keep the House of Representatives and make lawmaking a part-time endeavour.

“Pay Nigerian workers a minimum wage of nothing less than N250,000 monthly.

“Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and demilitarize the South East. All ENDSARS and political detainees must also be released and compensated.

“End banditry, terrorism and violent crimes. Reform security agencies to stop continuous human rights violations.

“Massive shake-ups in the Nigerian judiciary to remove cabals of corrupt generations of Judges and Judicial Officers that continue denying citizens access to real justice.”

He added that unlike the August protest, the planned October demonstration tagged #FearlessInOctober would be prolonged.

On the rumoured ongoing dialogue with the FG, Sowore said, “I am not part of any negotiations. We are all working on our next set of prolonged protests tagged #fearlessinOctober”.

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