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Police Killings: Arase Says CPs Found Wanting Will Be Sanctioned, Condoles IGP

March 24, 2024

The Police Service Commission has condemned in strong terms the new wave of killings of Police Officers on official duties stressing that these Officers are also Nigerians who deserve the support, encouragement and protection of the citizens.

“The Commission wishes to condole the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun on this unfortunate developments especially at a time when all hands are supposed to be on deck to rid the nation of militancy and banditry”, the Commission said in a statement by its Chairman, Dr Solomon Arase, signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations.

Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police, said the killings in some States across the Nation have become worrisome and called on the Inspector General to take another look at the capacity of State Command Leaderships in the Country.

Dr. Arase noted that there must be consequences for this avoidable incidents adding that any State Commissioner of Police found incompetent, derelict and operationally/tactically porous should be eased out to avoid these huge Police casualties.

He lamented that “we have had more than a fair share of these ugly developments in recent times.” He called for an integrated intelligence policing.

The PSC Chairman condoled the families of the slain Officers and said time has come for State Command Commissioners to rise up to the occasion.

He enjoined the serving Officers not to be demotivated by these ugly developments but to reenact their indomitable fighting spirit that the Force is known for to ward off this new wave of assaults.

Repeal Of Pension Law: Governor Otti Pursuing Personal Vendetta, Massaging His Ego – PDP Fires

The Source

March 24, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

“Governor Otti has not paid any of his predecessors a kobo as pension since he came on board. So, which Pension Law is he repealing and celebrating?” – PDP

The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has described the repeal of the Abia state Governors/ Deputy Governors Pensions Laws of 2021 as a pursuit of personal vendetta against perceived political foes,as well as a vain attempt at ego massaging by Governor Alex Otti.

The Source reports that the Abia State House of Assembly had, on Tuesday, March 19 2024, passed in to law a bill abrogating the payments of pensions to former Governors of the State, as well as their Deputies, citing the need to cut down on cost of governance as a major reason.

The repealed pensions law which has since been hailed by not a few, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as a step in the right direction ,was on Wednesday March 20 signed into law by Governor Otti.

But in a statement issued on Sunday March 24 by the Abia PDP Spokesperson Comrade Abraham Amah and made available to The Source ,the opposition party in the State ,said it has reasons to believe that Governor Otti is using his offices to pursue personal vendetta against the former Governors of the state as shown in this ” singular act which has not added value to the Abia treasury ” .

The statement noted that, it is on record that the present Government of Abia state has not paid any of the past Governors and their Deputies a dime since coming on board , and therefore ,wondered how an administration that has not paid pensions to its predecessors would quickly rush to repeal the law if not to massage its ego..

Below is the full text of the statement:

“The attention of the Abia PDP has been drawn once again to another attempt by the governor of Abia State, Alex Otti to resort to populism to draw undeserved attention to himself by repealing the Abia Pension Law for former governors, a law he has never obeyed since he assumed office as governor.

“Since the news made its debut, all the former governors through their spokespersons have come out to disclaim having received any pension from the State governor since he assumed office. So it beats our understanding why a governor who has not paid pension to his predecessors would quickly rush to repeal the law if not to massage his little ego and portray himself as a patron Saint when he is not.

“The Abia PDP has reasons to believe that Alex Otti is using his office to pursue personal vendetta against the former governors as shown in this singular act which has not added any value to the Abia treasury. Let us assume that the said pension law and some of its letters are outrageous as it is being portrayed in the public to buy cheap popularity, there is no evidence that the money saved from the non-payment of pension to former governors has been used to offset the pension arrears of Abia pensioners even many civil servants are still being owed. So what is the whole hullabaloo of the repeal of the Pension Law all about if not to shore up a popularity which many Abians have come to see as empty and an enterprise on the pages of newspapers and social media.

“It has become a penchant for governor Alex Otti to go into overdrive in his quest for vendetta and this has been displayed in reckless ways that do not even add any political value to his person. Ordinarily, a man of good conscience who means well for a society of humans would have amended the law to purge any section or sections of the said law which he deems outrageous or inordinate. By outright repeal, is Alex Otti telling Abians that a person who serves Abia State for either four or eight years in such high capacity and highly demanding position as governor and deputy governor does not deserve a pension, no matter how little, to take care of oneself in old age? Is Alex Otti more conscionable than the National Assembly that has allowed the pension of former Presidents to stay? Is he telling Abians that a governor should help himself enough while in office because the State would abandon him/her once he/she leaves office?

“It is very easy to read through Alex Otti’s desperation for self glorification because there are other more pressing issues he should address to show that he is interested in good governance. The Abia PDP challenges Alex Otti to obey the Local Government Autonomy bill passed by Abia House of Assembly. Why is he more interested in repealing the Pension Law when he has since seized the Local Government seals and centralized inflows from Local Governments? Why did he change the nomenclature of Local Government Chairman to a non-constitutional Mayoral system? Why has he not constituted the House of Assembly Service Commission? His inability to focus on these indicates that he is chasing personal glory at the expense of collective good of the masses.

“Some of his hastily thought out laws and policy statements point to the fact that there are some hidden motives which are not altruistic but are churned out to persecute known and unknown enemies and opponents of the governor. About a month ago, governor Alex Otti went on national television, Channels TV to be very precise, to tell the world that Abia State government had no equity participation in the Abia Geometrics Power Plant, days after the promoter of the business, Prof. Barth Nnaji had written him officially to state that the Abia government had subscribed to 3.5% shares in the concern, amounting to N1.4b as at the time it was paid for and currently valued at about N27b with the prevailing naira to dollar exchange rate. What was the blatant denial with executive lie for?

“Abia PDP appreciates the little efforts governor Alex Otti is making to deliver good governance to Abians by building on the foundations laid by his predecessors. What is unacceptable is his efforts to rubbish the honest intentions and best efforts of his predecessors by acting in a manner that suggests that he is the one that is building Abia from scratch. That is an eminent falsehood which is being consciously patterned into a destructive myth by his horde of media merchants and the good people of Abia should not allow that to stay.

“Worst of all is the perception being spread by the same merchants that it is an anathema, a disservice and a crime against Abians to hold Alex Otti to account. The first step to authoritarianism is the destruction of the truth and the building of walls of perfection around a leader who pounces on such fantasies to emasculate contrarians and push the estate into totalitarianism. That is what is happening in Abia and all well meaning Abians should resist it.

“The only way Abians can keep our democracy safe is to hold our governor and his operators to account at all times and push down the walls of infallibility being built around his government.

“We also call on the good people of Abia State to desist from chorusing non-existing performance of Alex Otti, give him accolades for things he has done well and knock him constructively when he errs. No human is infallible.”

Ondo: Fmr Reps Member Kicks Against Move By ‘Aborigines’ To Impose Gov Candidate On APC

Ayodele Oni

March 24, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

A move by some old members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state to impose one of the aspirants as governorship candidate in the November poll is causing ripples within the party fold.

A Former House of Representatives member, Afe Olowookere, condemned the action of the so called ‘aborigines’ who abrogate to themselves power to impose a candidate on the All Progressives Congress APC in the state.

Olowookere said that, members of the group are those who have been given problems to the party before now and are still bent in continuing in the act.

In a statement on Sunday, Olowookere pointed out that “Recently, a group of individuals emerged in the Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and called themselves “the Aborigines” of the party in the state.

We recognize the fact that it is a normal development to have tendencies within a large political organisation. But we find it worrisome to see a few individuals arrogating to themselves the absolute right of ownership of the APC in the state.

“Members of this group, in their self-conceitedness, have decided to impose a governorship candidate on the APC in Ondo state even before the conduct of the party’s shadow election which has been slated for April 25, 2024.

“Media reports said they had set up a committee to screen aspirants for the ticket of the party and that the committee had shortlisted three among the contenders. The reports added that the group would make its report public and announce its preferred aspirant this week.

“What gave rise to this intervention is the gusto with which members of this divisive group advertise their “aboriginal” right and the putrid smell of discrimination in their language and disposition.

“We see it as an insult to the sensibilities of other members of the APC in Ondo state for members of this group to arrogantly claim membership superiority. If we may ask, what exactly does the group mean by the “APC aborigines?” It needs to explain its concept of the term.

“We would like to warn that the claim of sole ownership of the APC and the unwarranted sense of entitlement of members of this group is unhealthy and dangerous for a political party that cherishes cohesion and national unity on a daily basis. It is, no doubt, that these people have been consistently disrupting the peace of the party.

“It is no more a secret that members of the group like Ambassador Sola Iji, Senator Ajayi Boroffice and Hon. Bola Ilori have identified with the aspiration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. They have openly declared their support for the gubernatorial ambition of the governor.

“Given this fact, we wonder if they have not lost their neutrality in the issue of the party’s governorship candidacy in the state.

“It is our belief that these few diaspora individuals only want to use Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s gubernatorial ambition to create underserved political image for themselves and thereby gain from the largesse that would be sourced from the state coffers to fund the election of Mr Governor.

“Many of us who have been around Ondo state for years are aware that many of these few individuals, who have proclaimed aboriginal rights in the state chapter of the APC, live outside the state and have not made any known investment, both human and financial, to the party in the last five years and above.

“Let these diaspora political lords tell the APC leaders and members in Ondo state their impact in the recent bye election we had in Ondo state and the 2023 elections.

“One of the things that promote democracy and enhance participation in its process is inclusiveness. That, of course, would explain the reason the APC national leader and president of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is running a government of national unity.

“If President Bola Tinubu could accommodate former Governor Nyesom Wike, Senator Dave Umai and other individuals who are not even members of any political party as well as support Godswill Akpabio to be Senate President, claiming to be aboriginal members in a party that desires inclusiveness is fraudulent and anti progressive. It also smacks of direct attack on the liberal political principle of President Tinubu.

“In Ondo state, leaders and committed members of the party could testify to the effort of some individuals who recently joined the APC. They have not only invested their resources, but they have made productive efforts to mobilize for the APC.”

Return Funds Recovered From Bank Frauds – NDIC To EFCC

Ayodele Oni

March 24, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Hope has risen for depositors that felt they had lost their funds in banks as a result of frauds. The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to return funds recovered from banks’ fraudsters to its coffers.

A statement on Saturday by its spokesman, Bashir Nuhu, informed that the Managing Director of NDIC, Bello Hassan, spoke when he visited the Commission ’s Headquarters in Abuja.

Hassan assured the EFCC of his commitment to ensuring that those responsible for the failure of banks were properly investigated and prosecuted.

The statement reads in part:

“The NDIC boss called for enhanced collaboration in the recovery of depositors’ funds to ensure that liquidation dividends are paid to depositors, whose monies were lost as a result of bank failures.

“He, therefore, solicited for the return of recoveries made by the EFCC on behalf of the NDIC to the Corporation’s coffers to facilitate the timely reimbursement of depositors.”

Hassan explained that the NDIC played a critical role in combatting financial crimes within the banking sector through its mandate, which includes bank supervision and liquidation of licensed banks.

The NDIC boss stated that the ultimate objective of the corporation was to protect depositors’ funds and ensure the stability of the financial system.

Hassan commended the EFCC for its relentless efforts in the fight against corruption and financial crimes and its role as a key member of the task force on the Implementation of the Failed Banks Act chaired by the NDIC.

Hassan said the existing partnership between the two organisations, which led to 10 high-profile cases referred to the Commission currently under investigation, should be strengthened.

In his remarks, the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, stressed the interconnection between criminal activities and bank failures, urging NDIC and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to intensify oversight to prevent the risk of bank failure.

He pledged the EFCC’s commitment to deepening collaboration and synergizing efforts in combating financial crimes, thereby safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s banking sector.

How 300 Abducted Kuriga ,Kaduna School Children Finally Regained Freedom, President Tinubu Hails Release

The Source

March 24, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

It was a comic end to an otherwise tragic episode early Sunday morning March 24 2024 ,following the announcement of the release from captivity of about 300 school children. They were abducted by bandits in the Kuriga area of Chikun Local Council Area of Kaduna State. The announcement of their release was made by a relieved Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.

The release of the hapless pupils/ students of LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School Kuriga is coming after 16 days in the kidnapers den. They were whisked away early morning of Monday March 7 2024.

The Kaduna state Governor did not mention at what cost, human and/or material their freedom was secured .

Neither were Nigerians and the global Community informed about the eventual role played by the self acclaimed banditry and kidnappings negotiator ,Sheikh Abubakar Gumi in securing the freedom of the abducted school children.

However, Governor Sani thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment and dedication to securing the release of the school children unhurt.

In a statement which he personally signed, the Governor paid tribute to the National Security Adviser NSA ,Malam Nuhu Ribadu whom he said spent several sleepless nights coordinating activities that eventually culminated in securing freedom for the school children.

The statement which was posted on his official site ,also, acknowledged the patriotic and professional roles of the Nigerian Army and other Security Agencies in ensuring the safe release of the abducted school children,while also appreciating all Nigerians whose fervent prayers contributed to the rescue operation.

Although released, the audacious and brazen Kuriga abductions have re- awaken in not a few Nigerians and in deed ,the civilized world, the sad memory of the infamous kidnap of the Chibok School girls during President Good luck Jonathan’s administration. Many are questioning the real motives, as well as when Nigeria will see the last of such barbaric expeditions.

Meanwhile President Tinubu on Sunday hailed the released of the abducted Kuriga School children, promising to ensure the safety of the country’s school environments

In a statement issued by his Spokesman Ajuri Ngelale , the President emphasized the need for collaborations between the Federal Government and State authorities in periods of challenges for maximum results. He, also, appreciated the efforts of the Kaduna State Government and the National Security Adviser for their commitment to the safe return of the school children.

The President also acknowledged and appreciated the release of the 19 Tsangaya school children in Sokoto State.

NDDC Condemns Vandalization Of Electricity Transformers In Ondo Community

Ayodele Oni

March 23, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Efforts to reconnect some communities in Ondo South to national grid after 15 years of power cut, has suffered a setback following the vandalization of some newly installed transformers at Igbokoda in Ilaje local government.

The Commissioner representing Ondo State on the Board of Niger/Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Otito Atikase, while giving anupdate on the electrification project said it would be ready for commissioning next month.

However, a report on Saturday stated that some of the transformers already installed at Igbokoda have been vandalized.

A statement by media aide of the commissioner, Rotimi Oyeneyin, said “The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) expresses grave concern over the recent vandalism of electric transformers in Igbokoda, as part of the ongoing electrification project aimed at enhancing the lives of residents in the region.

“This wanton act of destruction not only undermines the progress of the electrification project, but also poses a significant setback to the socio-economic development of the community.

“The transformers, recently installed by the NDDC, were meant to bring much-needed electricity to Igbokoda and its environs, thereby improving the living standards and economic prospects of the residents.

“However, the senseless act of vandalism threatens to deprive the community of this vital infrastructure, which was implemented at a significant cost to the commission.”

The NDDC Commissioner called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun security outfit, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant security agencies to intensify efforts in protecting critical infrastructure facilities across the region.

“We urge these agencies to collaborate closely with local communities and stakeholders to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime.

“It is imperative for the Ilaje communities to understand the grave implications of such dastardly act. While Okitipupa town and its surroundings would continue to revel in consistent and uninterrupted electricity, Igbokoda town would remain entrenched in perpetual darkness.

“Without adequate protection of infrastructure, the goal of bringing light to these communities will remain elusive, hindering progress and development.

“The NDDC remains committed to the electrification project and calls upon all stakeholders, including community leaders and residents, to join hands in safeguarding the infrastructure that is crucial for the well-being and prosperity of the region.”

Kano’s Ramadan Feeding Exercise A Sham – APC, Flag’s Off It’s Palliatives Distribution To Members

The Source

March 23, 2024

Abba Kabir Yusuf - Governor of Kano State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Amidst complaints of low quality food being served beneficiaries and shoddy administration of the Kano Government free Ramadan Feeding Programme, the Kano State Chapter of the All progressive Congress APC has asked the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, controlled State Government to account for the about N6 billion budgeted for the exercise.

At Dawakin Kudu Local Council on Saturday, March 23, 2024 for the flag off of distribution of palliatives to its members across the State, the Kano State APC Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas described the ongoing Kano State government sponsored Ramadan feeding programme as a sham.

According to him, since the state generously benefited from palliatives’ gestures from the Federal Government, Dangote Foundation, BUA and others ,the Kano State authorities should be getting set to explain to the good people of kano, what they are spending N6 billion on.

The Chairman noted that the palliatives/ Ramadan gestures the APC is extending to its members were procured through individual and collective efforts of the likes of the National Chairman of the APC, the immediate past Governor of Kano State ,Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje , the Deputy Senate president Senator Jibrin Barau , APC Gubernatorial Candidate and his Deputy in the last General Elections Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and Sule Garo respectively, as well as many other party stalwarts.

According to the Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Malam Mohammed Garba who stood in for his boss at the flag off ceremony, all the party members in all the 484 wards of Kano are targeted by the palliatives distribution.

He noted that since the APC is not in power in the State ,its leaders and chieftains had to come together to see how the Party could intervene to ameliorate the challenges of the people.

Malam Mohammed who was also the immediate past Kano State Commissioner for Information assured APC followers and all the good people of the State of continued support from the Party’s top hierarchy.

Edo: Exit Bell Tolls For Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu

The Source

March 23, 2024

By Gideon Njoku

Months before he officially leaves office as the Deputy Governor of Edo State, the exit bell is tolling for Philip Shaibu the Deputy Governor of Edo State.

If things work out as planned by the Edo State House of Assembly, with, allegedly, the full support of the Governor, Godwin Obaseki, Shaibu would be out of office soon.

After months of squabbles between him and Obaseki which has led to Shaibu’s public humiliation of him by his principal, attempted moves to impeach him, the chicken is, finally, coming home to roost.

Having failed in the Courts to stop the impeachment process by the House of Assembly, Edo Chief Judge, the Honourable Justice Daniel Okungbowa constituted a panel to probe Shaibu.

Following Tuesday’s resolution by the House, Chief Judge Okungbowa set up the seven-man panel to probe the petition against Shaibu.

Shaibu was served the notice of impeachment by the House on March 6, 2024. He is accused of alleged misconduct and perjury and was given a seven-day ultimatum to respond to the petition.

When, according to the House, Shaibu avoided to be served, the notice, it was served by a substituted means through the Observer Newspaper, owned by the Edo State Government and the Vanguard Newspapers.

The notice was published on March 12, 2024.

Members of Panel include the Honourable Justice

S.A. Omonua (Rtd) as Chairman, Professors Violet Aigbokhaevbo, Faculty of Law, UNIBEN, Boniface Onomion Edegbai, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, UNIBEN, Theresa Akpoghome, former Dean, Faculty of Law, Benson Idahosa University,

Surveyor Andrew Oliha, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu and Idris Abdulkareen.

Shaibu and his Principal, Obaseki, fell out over Shaibu’s ambition to run for the office of the Governor so as to possibly succeed Obaseki in office. The Governor refused to support him and asked him to stand down. He never did. He participated in the Primary in which he claimed victory while another aspirant, who had the Governor’s support, Asue Ighodalo was declared the duly elected candidate.

Shaibu has since gone to Court to ask that he be given the ticket, claiming he won it.

As Signatory To APC Merger Document, I Can’t Quit Party – El Rufai, On Visit To Opposition Members

Ayodele Oni

March 23, 2024

Mallam Nasir El Rufai at SDP secretariat

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has clarified that recent visits to some members of the opposition political parties were personal.

The former governor had visited the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) where he was received by the Chairman and other members of the executives.

El Rufai’s clarification was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye.

According to the statement, “Malam El-Rufai is known for being open and forthright. If he had any political decisions to make, it would not be in character to let them be subject to speculation.

“Unfounded speculations about Malam Nasir El-Rufai have become an industry that has delivered tons of lies and clickbait in the last 18 years.

“This is unlikely to abate anytime soon, given the persistent obsession of its purveyors who relish in negativity and their tireless indulgence in conflating assumption with fact.

“A recent instance was when he visited former presidents late in 2023 to explain his Nigerian governance study book project covering each of their tenures, the speculators said it was about politics! That is why it is sometimes necessary to clarify matters lest the unwary be taken in.

“People have personal histories and relationships that predate political affiliations. It cannot be a hallmark of civilization to have friends from within only your political party.

“When people visit each other or mingle across party lines, it is because human relationships exist, distinct from the political or the partisan.

“Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is a senior member of the APC one of the signatories to its merger documents, and a significant contributor to the party’s demonstrated viability.

“These contributions do not require that he treats friends as anathema on account of politics or maintains an antiseptic distance from them.”

Anambra First Lady Ascribes Feat In Education To Effective Policy

Ayodele Oni

March 23, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The wife of Anambra State Governor Mrs Nonye Soludo, has celebrated the ranking of the state as the lowest with number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, from ages 6 to 15, ascribing the feat to priority accorded education by the present administration.

She explained that the present administration is very deliberate in achieving the most effective education policies in the country.

Mrs Soludo was reacting to the latest data released by The Cable Index, a data, policy and research arm of The Cable Nigeria, which ranked Anambra as the state with lowest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, from ages 6 to 15.

In the released data, Anambra State picked up 2.9% among the 36 states and FCT to emerge the state with the highest number of children in classrooms in Nigeria.

In a statement released in Awka, Mrs Soludo explained that her husband’s administration prioritizes education at all levels and has initiated strategic policies to make learning accessible, quality, and even.

She pointed out that the current free basic education policy, coupled with the recruitment of 8,000 qualified teachers, has strengthened the state’s education system and provided the needed variables for the attainment of sustainable development goals on education for all.

The Anambra first lady also stated that part of her husband administration’s blueprints is to boost the infrastructural energy of schools, improve learning, and ensure that every child in Anambra State gets the best of basic education.

Mrs Soludo also noted that since the introduction of the free education policy, there has been increased enrollment of pupils and students in public schools across the state, while the government is currently pursuing comprehensive enrollment of every school child living in Anambra State into the classroom.

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