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Be Weary Of “Unrepentant PDP Praise Singers;” Rivers APC Urges President Tinubu

March 29, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) has advised President Bola Tinubu to be weary of some ‘unrepentant PDP praise singers’ who are now trying to get closer to him.

Some chieftains of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) including former Minister of Transportation and leader of the Rivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abiye Sekibo, former PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, Celestine Omehia and former lawmaker, Austin Opara had on Thursday pledged loyalty to President Tinubu.

They also condemned the direction of events unfolding in Rivers state, asking the President to caution ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Chairman of Rivers APC, Tony Okocha, pointed out that it was laughable that people like Sekibo and Secondus, who once described the president with unprintable names in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election could be paying lip service to warm their way into his heart.

Okocha warned Tinubu that they are ‘unrepentant PDP praise singers’ who can never forgive him and Wike following the manner they made Atiku lose the last election.

“The undeniable fact remains that all those who lined up at that table are still ardent believers of Atiku Abubakar and lucidly introduced themselves as unrepentant leaders of Atiku’s 2023 Presidential Campaign in Rivers State.

“Even the flex banner behind the table they sat still carried the picture and name of Atiku Abubakar. It was deliberate and intentional.

“These persons can never forgive Tinubu, Wike and APC Rivers over the sin of their woeful electoral defeat. Of course, it follows therefore that anyone whose action or inaction contributed to their dangerous fall is inadvertently their sworn enemy.

“No wonder they are surreptitiously targeting to cut out a pound of flesh from the minister of the FCT.

“No sane host tolerates a guest who attempts to enter his house through the window when the door is open. We vehemently reject it.

“Nigerians know the scenarios that played out uniquely in five PDP-controlled states in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election and the aftermaths.

“This assembly of protesters did not only vehemently carry out excruciating campaigns against Asiwaju, they trumped up and funded hate speeches against Asiwaju.

“They promoted the devilish narratives that Tinubu was frail, extremely old, and incapable of presiding over Nigeria, mentally senile, defecates on himself, and so, wears diapers.”

Rivers: APC Labels Atiku’s Men’s Allegiance To Tinubu As Hypocritical, Challenges Fubara To Conduct LG Elections

Akinwale Kasali

March 29, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than 24 hours after some People Democratic Party, PDP, heavyweights in Rivers State pledged their loyalty and allegiance to President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has labeled their action as hypocritical.

The Stalwarts of the PDP who pledged their support to President Tinubu were one time loyalists to PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar prior to the February 25th, 2023 Presidential Election, prompting the APC to question their loyalty.

The APC said it is deeply concerned that those who said the most unthinkable things against Tinubu as its Presidential candidate in 2023, are now the same persons offering support, describing them as tongue-in-cheek politicians and mid-night pseudo lovers of Mr President.

It would be recalled that on Thursday, the former Director General of PDP campaign Council, Abiye Sekibo, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital said, rising from a meeting of the leadership of the former Rivers State PDP Presidential Campaign Council and members of the PDP in Rivers State, they decided to declare support for President Tinubu and Governor Fubara.

They however threw jibes at the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, asking the President to be wary of him and possibly sack him.

Tony Okocha, APC Chairman in Rivers State, while addressing the Media at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja said, “The undeniable fact of the matter is that all those who lined up on that table and signatories to the text in issue, are still ardent believers of HE Atiku Abubakar. Kindly take a look at the flex banner behind the table where they sat and see the picture/name of HE, Atiku Abubakar. It was deliberate and intentional. Res ipsa loquitor.

“ These persons can never forgive President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, HE Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and APC Rivers over the sin of their woeful electoral defeat.

“Of course, it follows therefore, that anyone whose action or inaction, contributed to their dangerous fall is inadvertently their sworn enemy. No wonder, they are surreptitiously targeting to cut out a pound of flesh from the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, His Excellency, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, GSSRS.

“ A spectacularly failed mission indeed. This wicked subterfuge cannot work under our watch.

“This assembly of protesters did not only vehemently carry out rigorous and excruciating campaigns against Asiwaju but they trumped up and funded hate speeches against Asiwaju. They and their ilk, championed the obscene and absurd denigration of Asiwaju in the media. They promoted the devilish narratives that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was frail and unhealthy.

“ Infact, they played God by promoting that Asiwaju was on the departure lounge and will pass on in a bit.

These protesters raised the issue of the political crisis in Rivers State and made attempts to link the Honourable Minister of the FCT to the fray. What a puny logic they espoused!

“It is so shameful that those champions of the slogan “serving son after father “, when Sir Siminalayi Fubara emerged in the PDP Governorship Primary, are now the ‘errand boys’ of the son they despised.

“Rivers State is more than drifting to a pariah state, to atrophying into abysmal oblivion to say the least.

“How does it concern the Honourable Minister of the FCT serving under our beloved APC-led Federal Government, who had long left the rostrum of power in Rivers State Government House?

“ If the protesters feel concerned, shouldn’t it be honourable for them to look inwards to seek solutions to the problems than constituting themselves as snitches and fifth columnists and crisis merchants and so to justify their lucre, cast aspersions on the Abuja transformer and reformer, Honorable Minister E. N. Wike?

“Why do they want to further insult Mr. President and APC by telling him that he as leader of APC, appointed a kleptocrat into his cabinet as Minister?

“When have they repented and withdrawn their suits in court, challenging the powers of Mr. President to mediate in the political crisis in Rivers State?

“Have they repented from emboldening Governor Fubara to disrespect Mr. President by refusing to implement all the indices on the 8~point Presidential Proclamation, as panacea to the political crisis in Rivers State, which, by their actions, they have continued to fuel?

“If they have respect for Mr. President as they mouth, why would they publicly condemn and refer to as illegal, a proper Assembly made up of 27 members out of now 30 (note that the Rivers State Assembly seats are 32, One member died and one claims to have resigned), who are all members of the APC, even when Mr. President in index – 6 of the Presidential proclamation, recognized them as the legitimate Assembly in Rivers State and instructed Governor Fubara to present the 2024 State budget to the legitimate Assembly led by Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule?

“ Why are they calling out and trolling Mr. President, the leader of our Party in such a derogatory manner?”, Okocha queried.

APC Chieftain Reveals Role Of Party In Funding Tinubu’s Election

Ayodele Oni

March 29, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Former Vice Chairman’s of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North West Region, Salihu Lukman, has adduced reasons behind the enormous power being enjoyed by President Bola Tinubu over running of the party.

Lukman who appeared in a viral video shared by the AIT, stated that failure of the APC to give financial support to Tinubu during electioneering has given the President enormous power.

Lukman claimed that despite substantial mobilization of funds, amounting to over N30 billion, the party did not allocate financial support to its Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu, or any other candidates during the election period.

He attributed the financing of Tinubu’s campaign to the candidate himself. This self-funding, Lukman opined, has led to Tinubu acquiring considerable sway within the APC.

The financial autonomy reportedly enjoyed by Tinubu has, according to Lukman, diminished the party’s leverage over his actions.

“Even when we mobilized more than N30 billion throughout the election season, we didn’t contribute a dime to Tinubu or other candidates of the party during the election.

“Let anybody come and dispute it. President Tinubu almost single-handedly funded his campaign which is what earned him the authority he has now in APC to the extent that almost everybody in the party is weak in terms of influencing his conduct because the party didn’t earn its space.”

How 20 Years Old Kidnapper Abducts, Kills Son Of Police Officer

Ayodele Oni

March 29, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Bauchi State Police Command, has arrested a 20-year-old, Rabi’u Adamu, for allegedly kidnapping and killing 12 years old Christopher Bala.

The suspect, resident in Magama-Gumau of Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, allegedly abducted and murdered 12-year-old Christopher Bala.

The victim was a son of ASP Bala Yarima serving in Gumau Police Division under Bauchi State Police Command.

According to the Police, the suspect had collected N200,000 as ransom, but later decided to murder and bury the victim in a shallow grave for fear of being caught.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Muhammed Wakil, said detectives attached to Toro Police Division tracked and arrested the suspect.

Further inquiries uncovered disturbing details of extortion and a blood relationship between the suspect, the victim, and the victim’s family.

“Adamu eventually confessed to the kidnapping and the tragic murder of young Christopher. He admitted to having extorted N200,000 ransom from the victim’s father, ASP Yarima.

“He admitted that fearing that the murdered Christopher recognized him, he went ahead to strangle the 12-year-old victim and buried the body in a shallow grave at Bazale village hill.”

He noted that having followed established procedures, the Police Command exhumed the victim’s remains, adding that a postmortem examination conducted at the General Hospital Toro confirmed the cause of death as strangulation.

“Subsequently, the case has been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, following a directive by the State Commissioner of Police.”

Ekiti: Persons With Disability Demand Access To Public Buildings, Healthcare

Ayodele Oni

March 29, 2024

By odele Oni

Persons With Disability, (PWD) in Ekiti State have cried out over their neglect by Government in the areas of access to healthcare, inability to enter public buildings and education above secondary school.

The demands by the PWDs were put forward at a forum in Ado Ekiti organized by Ekiti state chapter of Justice Development and Peace Initiative, (JDPI), of the Catholic church.

The Director of JDPI in Ekiti State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Akingbade who briefed participants at the forum, said discussions centred on how to enhance the rights of PWDs within Ekiti State and validation of citizens agenda.

“We have been able to get from the PWDs that free healthcare is an area that needs attention to them, for them it is zero percent and again education is another area that the government also needs to pay attention to.

“They gave kudos to government for free education up to the secondary schools in special schools. So what happened to PWDs in other public schools, government equally needs to pay attention to this.

“They also gave kudos to the government as regards participation in people and also the people of Ekiti state for allowing them to come out to vote and they are prepared to ask for our votes when they come out for positions.

“Accessibility of public premises and building which is a particular right for physically challenged people, visual impaired and hearing impaired is also another area that is a red area because attention is needed.

“For them their experiences have not been very palatable eg banks, public places, no consideration for PWDs, no facilities for PWDs and so we have been able to look at this and we will be urging all of us to treat PWDs like human like us and give them their due rights.”

Rev Akingbade tasked residents of the state to accord equal rights to Persons With Disabilities, as their protection is fully enshrined in the statute.

He said: “Today’s meeting is for PWDs within the context of their right. This is not the first time we are meeting with them, this meeting is for us to consolidate on early conversations we have had with them.

“Today we have been able to validate citizens agenda as it affects PWDs. We administered questionnaires first to 1702 persons in Ekiti State from the 16 local governments and 78 were PWDs. Secondly, we carry out interviews with 337 persons, 47 were PWDs and so we have started the process of validation of citizens agenda which is basically to ask people on what government can do for them.

“The meeting today was to interact with them on what they want government to do for them with regards to the rights enshrined in the law, Persons With Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018 and Law for the Ekiti State 2020.

“To the glory of God the conversation has been very successful. We have been able to get from the PWDs that free healthcare is an area that needs attention to them, for them it is zero percent and again education is another area that the government also needs to pay attention to.”

Falana Faults Declaration Of Eight Suspects Wanted Over Murder Of 17 Soldiers Illegal, Warns Army

Akinwale Kasali

March 29, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

A senior Lawyer, Femi Falana, has said the declaration of Eight Persons wanted in connection to the killing of 17 Soldiers in Okuama Community, Delta State, by the Nigeria Army is illegal. He has urged the Army to withdraw the declaration.

In a statement on Thursday Falana said: “ The decision of the Defence Headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal. Let the Federal Government direct the Defence Headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers. It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a military offence to warrant investigation by the Defence Headquarters. If the Federal Government fails to call the Defence counsel to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled”.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday promised to punish perpetrators of the heinous crime, and advised the elders and chiefs of Okuoma to help the military in fishing out the gunmen who committed the barbaric crime.

But Falana warned the Military not to bungle the case of the slain soldiers by publishing names of suspects that it had declared wanted.

He said: “The authorities of the armed forces should be made to realise that the Military cannot arrest, detain, investigate and charge civilian suspects with any offence whatsoever.

“In Dr Issa Perry Brimah v Nigerian Army, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu held that “It must be stated here without equivocation that the defendant [Nigerian Army] has no right to declare the plaintiff wanted without following the appropriate procedure.

“The Judge further said that the defendant cannot arrest the plaintiff arbitrarily without making a formal report to law enforcement agency with the mandate to enforce law and order. Otherwise, it would transmute to self-help. The duty of the defendant is to make a formal report to the appropriate authority like the police and await the outcome.

“ In Miss Grace Anita Paul v. The Chief of Army Staff, the Army, Inspector General of Police & the Nigerian Police Force the Federal High Court where held that the Nigerian Army lacks the power to arrest, investigate and hold in custody, anyone who is not subject to the Armed Forces Act or any other military law.

“Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on Wednesday, warned the military not to usurp the powers of the Nigerian Police under Sections 4 and 84 of the Police Act which empowers the police to detect and investigate crime.

“ We have also read the 8 people alleged to be involved in the cruel murder of the soldiers have been declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters it is trite law that the police and security agencies lack the power to declare any suspect wanted without a court order.

“In Benedit Peters v Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, a high court in Abuja ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lacks (EFCC) the powers to declare anyone wanted without obtaining a court order or charging the suspect with an offence.

“The presiding judge, Justice Othman Musa ruled that though the EFCC could declare as wanted persons who fail to honour its invitation for investigation, it could only do so if it obtains a court order for that purpose. So, the decision of the defence headquarters to declare the murder suspects wanted is completely illegal.

“Let the Federal Government direct the Defence Headquarters to hand over the investigation of the suspects involved in the gruesome murder of the 17 officers and soldiers. It ought to be pointed out that murder is not a Military offence to warrant investigation by the Defence Headquarters.

“If the Federal Government fails to call the Defence Headquarters to order, the case concerning the tragic murder of the soldiers will be completely bungled.”

Kaduna Governor Offers Scholarships To 137 Abducted Freed Children, N10m To Family Of Dead Teacher

The Source

March 29, 2024

Kuriga Students Released from Kdinappers Den

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The recently freed 137 abducted School children from kuriga Government Secondary School and LEA primary school on Thursday March 28 2024 formerly reunited with their parents and guardians.

But they did not return empty handed . They returned with a scholarship offer from Governor Uba Sani Foundation, and a firm promise that their schools will receive a face lift from the Kaduna state Government.

However , the school children returned without one of their teachers – Malam Abubakar – who lost his life in the abductors’ den owing to some complications in his health conditions.

Governor Sani of Kaduna who disclosed this at the Government House before handing over the school children to their wards announced the donation of the sum of N10 million to the immediate family of the deceased teacher in addition to a promise of over seeing the education of his children.

The Kaduna Governor who was visibly elated by the safe return of the school children from captivity, reiterated his commitment to ensuring their wellbeing and educational pursuit, adding that his administration will take all steps necessary to return normalcy to Kuriga which he said is known for its peaceful nature.

Governor Sani noted that the State Government, before handing over the school children provided adequate psychological assistance through counseling and series of therapy sessions ,with a view to canceling out the trauma and psychological torture which they must have passed through while in captivity.

The Governor, however, insisted that no ransom was paid to secure the freedom of the school children,noting that the federal Government through the Minister of Information Mohammed Idris had earlier denied any suggestion of payments to the abductors .

The school children were rescued last Sunday March 24 ,after spending about 16 days in the abductors’ den in Zamfara State ,having being whisked away from their schools on Monday March 7 2024.

LP Declares Ejiofor, BoT Chair Impostor Amidst Deep-seated Crisis

James Orji

March 29, 2024

Julius Abure - Labour Party National Chairman

The Julius Abure-led Labour Party has dismissed the existence of a Board of Trustees in the party.

The party’s position followed an earlier claim by its BoT chairman, Sylvester Ejiofor that he had taken over the party after the expiration of Aburi’s tenure.

Abure was on Wednesday re-elected in a controversial National Convention of the party in Anambra state.

Some key stakeholders in the party, including its presidential candidate in the last election, LP caucus in the House of Representatives, amongst others did not take part in the convention over unsettled matter with the party’s National Chairman.

On Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, said it did not recognize the congress because the umpire did not monitor it as required by the law. LP has dismissed the suggestion, stating that it’s within its power to organsie the congress.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, described Ejiofor as an impostor who is not known to the party.

He said Ejiofor no longer hold a significant position in the party having resigned 20 years ago, and has stopped attending the party’s meeting for years.

According to the statement Ejiofor “is not even known in his ward and has not paid a single dime as membership dues which qualifies him as a member. It is surprising that after he was ‘visited’ by some leaders of NLC, he suddenly woke up from his slumber.”

“The point here is that the Labour Party is not aware of the existence of any Board of Trustees. Recall that NLC has continued to propose for the reconstitution of the BoT as well as the convocation of the national convention.

“Over 90 per cent of persons being suggested to form membership of the proposed BoT have since left the party to join other political parties, some even contested various political positions on the platform of other political parties while some others featured prominently in the presidential campaigns of the other political parties even when Labour Party equally featured a candidate in the 2023 general election.

“This is what desperation in the ranks of the NLC can cause. Why not let the man enjoy his retirement? Why drag him into your mess? Let Ejiofor show evidence of one meeting he convened in the last one decade of his so-called BoT.

“Enough of all these political muscles flexing, Julius Abure has just been elected by the convention for the first time as the national chairman of the Labour Party. We urge our detractors to please sheathe the sword and join us to salvage the nation.”

The magazine reports that some leaders of the party, including its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi has dumped Abure and are now searching for his replacement.

Tinubu Appoints New CCB Chairman

James Orji

March 28, 2024

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a new chairman for the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB.

His name Dr Abdullahi Usman Bello, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Thursday.

Bello, according to the statement is a consummate baker with vast experience in law enforcement and consultancy.

The new appointee, the president was quoted as saying would lead the CCB with integrity and turn the agency around for good.

The statement said: “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Usman Bello as the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

“Dr. Bello is a consummate professional with more than 25 years of work experience in consulting, banking, law enforcement, financial services, and academia.

“The President anticipates that the new Chairman, upon confirmation by the Senate, will lead the Bureau with utmost integrity toward the realization of its mandate of maintaining high standards of public morality in the conduct of government business and ensuring that the actions and behaviour of public officers conform to the highest standards of morality and accountability.”

Tinubu $1trn Economy: CBN Sets Deadline For Bank To Recapitalise

James Orji

March 28, 2024

In line with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to enlarge the country’s economy to $1 trillion, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has directed all banks to increase their capital base.

In the new regime, commercial banks, merchant banks, non-interest banks, and others are expected to increase their capital base to the maximum of N500 billion and minimum of N10 billion as the case may be.

The move represents one in the series of the Yemi Cardoso-led CBN to catch up with the ambitious plan of President Tinubu to enlarge the country’s economy to $1 trillion from the current figure of less than $400 billion, analysts say.

Nigeria is currently the second biggest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of $395 billion, South Africa comes top of the table in the continent with a GDP of $401 billion, while Egypt ranks third with a GDP of $358 billion, according to checks by the magazine.

President Tinubu after taking office last year said the country has more potential and resources to double the economy within a decade.

Delivering the opening address at the 29th edition of the Nigeria Economic Summit, NES, held in the nation’s capital, Abuja last November, Tinubu said his government planned to enlarge the economy to $1 trillion by 2026, adding that a $3 trillion economy is possible within 10 years.

He said: “Distinguished ladies and Gentlemen, a $1 trillion economy is possible by the year 2026 and a $3 trillion economy is possible within this decade. We can do it.

“We’ve done double-digit inclusive and sustainable competitive growth. This is our agenda and I’d like to charge you- the captains of industry here present, to commit yourselves to and redouble your effort to our vision of a renewed hope.”

The CBN governor had also recently hinted the banks to prepare for recapitalization in other to enlarge and strengthen the nation’s financial system.

The last time the banks recapitalize was in 2005 when Charles Soludo was the CBN governor.

According to a circular signed by the Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, Haruna Mustafa, to all commercial, merchant, and non-interest banks the CBN said this must be achieved in 24 months starting from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026.

Also, the apex ban stated that the directive is applicable to promoters of new banks in each category.

Hakama Sidi Ali, CBN spokesperson who later spoke on the matter gave the breakdown as its affects all classes of banks.

Ali said the new minimum capital base for commercial banks with national authorisation has been raised to ₦200 billion, while the new requirement for those with regional authorisation is ₦50 billion.

She added that the new minimum capital for merchant banks would be ₦50 billion, while the new requirements for non-interest banks with national and regional authorisations are ₦20 billion and ₦10 billion, accordingly.

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