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My Release Will Bring Peace To South East – Nnamdi Kanu

March 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has said his release from the custody of the State Security Service, (SSS) will bring peace to the South East.

The IPOB leader vowed that those behind the violence leading to wanton killings of their fellow brothers and sisters and burning of properties under the guise of being IPOB members would not be spared.

Kanu told newsmen on Tuesday, immediately after the Federal High Court in Abuja denied him bail in charges bordering on terrorism slammed against him by federal government.

He noted that the violence persisted because he was being held in the custody of Department of State Services (DSS) and vowed that if released, there would be peace in the entire South- East region of the country.

According the IPOB leader, “Anybody committing crime cannot go free. I swear it. Anybody committing crime in the South East cannot go free. They are doing it because I am in the DSS custody. If I were to be outside, nobody can try that.

“I suspect that some people in government are complicit. They are making money with the insecurity.

“They know if Nnamdi Kanu is outside, in two minutes this nonsense will stop. Who is the bagger or idiot that will speak when I am talking. That I will give an order in the South East who is the idiot that I will give an order that will counter it ? Nobody can. I am Nnamdi Kanu. Rubbish!.

“Anybody involved in any form of violence in the East in the name of IPOB is a goner and they know it. Let me come out of this mess, only two minutes, there will be peace in the East.”

Earlier, Kanu, through his lawyer, Alloy Ejimofor had applied orally to Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja handling his trial that he be relocated out of the custody of the DSS to Kuje Correctional center, Abuja.

He alleged that the DSS operatives are infringing on his fundamental rights by interfering with his conversations with his lawyers and family members.

Under such a situation, Kanu said that he cannot have the opportunity of preparing himself for his defense in the terrorism charges brought against him by the federal government.

Justice Nyako however declined the request on the ground that, the court had earlier delivered a ruling on the application and rejected the request.

The Judge maintained that the best option opened to Kanu was to go the Court of Appeal to challenge the earlier ruling rather than coming back with the same application.

At this point, Kanu, in the alternative demanded that the court should issue an order to place him under house arrest in any part of Abuja as he is tired of being in DSS custody for some reasons, among which were that, his health challenges were not being properly managed.

In a brief response, Justice Nyako held that Kanu will be well secured in the custody of DSS and that if he has any issue against that, he should come up formerly since he is being tried in a court of record.

Meanwhile, the court refused to grant the fresh bail request made by the IPOB leader, through his lawyer on February 26.

In a brief ruling on the request, Justice Nyako said that a similar application seeking for bail had earlier been made and rejected by the same court.

Justice Nyako held that the only option opened to Kanu was to go to Court of Appeal to challenge the earlier refusal by the court.

The Judge also refused to give unfettered access to anybody to visit Kanu in the custody of the DSS for security reasons.

The Judge however said, if Kanu is not comfortable with the conditions attached to visitation by his lawyers to DSS office, he should apply for variation rather than bringing fresh application. The court adjourned trial till April 17.

Court Rejects Kanu’s Bail Application Request

Akinwale Kasali

March 19, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The hope of Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, IPOB, of securing freedom has been dashed by a Federal High Court, Abuja, as the Court dismissed the fresh application filed for him to be released on bail, pending the determination of the treasonable felony charge the Federal Government preferred against him.

Quashing the hope of his release, Justice Binta Nyako ordered accelerated hearing of FG’s seven-count charge against him.

Kanu’s Lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, had, on February 5, prayed the Court to grant him bail on “most liberal terms” owing to his deteriorating health.

Ejimakor argued that there was no dispute that the IPOB leader has a serious health condition which was confirmed by the Federal Government owned hospital.

Specifically, he disclosed that series of tests that were conducted on Kanu showed that he was suffering from hypertension and acute heart disease.

“Our humble submission is that the medical condition of the defendant speaks for itself and the health challenge persists, despite the treatment offered him by the detaining authority,” Ejimako added.

He maintained that Kanu’s continued detention by the Department of State Services, DSS, posed a threat to his life, adding “the freeing of the defendant on bail would enable him to effectively prepare his defence to the charge.

Besides, Ejimakor alleged that the seeming delay in the prosecution of the case was the fault of the Government which he said had repeatedly amended the charge.

On the Court ’s observation that Kanu once jumped bail, Ejimakor argued that the development had become academic in view of findings and judgements of various courts on the issue.

Federal Government’s Lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had opposed the bail application, insisting that there was no guarantee that Kanu would make himself available for trial once released from detention.

He told the court that the security agency had been diligent in protecting Kanu’s life.

He urged the court to reject the bail request and order accelerated hearing of the case.

According to the prosecution counsel, Section 161 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, stipulated that the defendant must prove that the authorities failed to grant him access to quality healthcare at his detention center.

The senior lawyer further contended that there was nothing tangible that was brought before the court to establish an exceptional circumstance that would warrant Kanu’s release on bail.

He said the court had earlier revoked the defendant’s bail after he violated the conditions attached to it.

“There is no evidence before the Court that Kanu will not jump bail again,” Awomolo insisted.

The IPOB leader who was first arrested by security agents in Lagos on October 14, 2015, has been in detention since June 29, 2021.

Trial Judge, the Honourable Justice Nyako had on April 25, 2017, granted him bail on health ground, after he had spent about 18 months in detention.

Upon the perfection of the bail conditions, he was on April 28, 2017, released from the Kuje prison.

However, midway into the trial, the IPOB leader escaped from the country after soldiers invaded his country home at Afara Ukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, an operation that led to the death of some of his followers.

Kanu was later re-arrested in Kenya on June 19, 2021 and extraordinarily renditioned back to the country by security agents on June 27, 2021.

Following the development, the trial court, on June 29, 2021, remanded him in custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, where he remained till date.

On April 8, 2022, the court struck out eight out of the 15-count charge that FG preferred against him on the premise that they lacked substance.

It would be recalled that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on October 13, 2022, ordered Kanu’s immediate release from detention even as it quashed the charge against him.

The appellate court said it was satisfied that FG flagrantly violated all known laws, when it forcefully rendered Kanu from Kenya to the country for the continuation of his trial.

It held that such arbitrary use of power by the Nigerian government, divested the trial court of the jurisdiction to further try the Appellant.

Dissatisfied with the decision, FG took the matter before the Supreme Court, even as it persuaded the appellate court to suspend the execution of the judgement, pending the determination of its appeal.

While deciding the appeal, the Supreme Court, on December 15, 2023, vacated the judgement of the appellate court and gave FG the nod to try the IPOB leader on the subsisting seven-count charge.

Zenith Bank Names Umeoji First Female GMD; Onyeagwu Tipped As Holdco CEO

James Orji

March 19, 2024

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive with effect from June 1, 2024, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024, after a very successful tenure. Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within.

Umeoji’s Profile

Prior to her appointment, Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016 and has close to thirty (30) years cognate banking experience of which twenty-six (26) years has been with Zenith Bank.

She is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a First-Class honors in Law from Baze University, Abuja. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar, and also has a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.

The new GMD holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA, and has attended various management programmes in renowned Universities around the world including the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA. She also attended the executive program in Strategic Management, and has a Certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA.

Umeoji is a fellow of notable professional bodies including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Credit Administration, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria among others.

In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honored Dr. Umeoji with Officer of the Order of the Niger, as a recognition of her contributions to nation building. She is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC).

She has impacted many lives through her philanthropic and humanitarian activities through her NGOs; Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and the Adorable Foundation that educates, caters for Cancer patients and indigent children education especially the Girl-Child. Her contribution to humanity was recognized by the Sun Newspaper which recently bestowed on her the Humanitarian Service Icon Award for 2023.

As a result of her passion for promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr. Umeoji, OON founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria , CBAN, a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.

She is a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and was awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.

Meanwhile , the financial behemoth is set to name the outgoing GMD, Ebenezer Onyeagwu the chief executive of its holding company in line with the tradition in the sector.

Onyeagwu has been appointed Chairman of the board of Zenith Bank United Kingdom.

Countdown To Edo, Ondo Gov Elections: INEC Urges Political Parties To Avoid Infractions That Can Cause Litigations

Ayodele Oni

March 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has announced that 16 out of 19 registered political parties have indicated interest in contesting this year’s November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

He was speaking at the first regular quarterly Consultative meeting with political parties for 2024 held in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Prof Yakubu said, “for the Ondo State Governorship election, party primaries begin in the next two weeks on 6th April 2024 and ends three weeks later on 27th April 2024. So far, 16 out of 19 political parties have indicated interest in participating in the election.

“I urge political parties to adhere strictly to your proposed dates and modes of primaries. Frequent changes as we witnessed recently during the Edo primaries are not only disruptive but costly.

“The Commission cannot mobilize, demobilize and remobilize our officials for the monitoring of party primaries at the convenience of political parties. Parties should stick to their proposed dates and modes of primaries for certainty and optimal deployment of resources.”

The quarterly consultative meeting, which is first meeting since the election of a new leadership for the umbrella body of political parties in Nigeria, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), was attended by the new executive of IPAC, under the leadership of Chairman of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Yusuf Dantalle.

On the Edo State Governorship election, which holds on Saturday 21st September 2024, Mahmoud urged political parties to adhere strictly to schedule of activities and avoid last minute rush that may undermine your ability to successfully nominate your candidates.

“There will be no extension of time beyond the deadline already published in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election, to enable us publish the personal particulars of candidates (Form EC9) on 31st March 2024 as required by law.”

He urged political parties to avoid acrimonious primaries as conduct of parallel primaries and the emergence of multiple candidates has become a frequent occurrence.

“So too is the tendency to grant waivers to candidates who were a few days earlier card-carrying members of other political parties and nominating such persons to the Commission as their candidates for election.

“Some of these infractions lead to unnecessary litigations among party members in which the Commission is always joined as a party. The legal fees and cost of producing Certified True Copies (CTCs) of documents can be used more productively in other electoral activities by both the political parties and the Commission. We must find a solution to this situation.”

Praises As Uzodimma Seals Deal With Four Development Partners On Imo Economy

The Source

March 19, 2024

Commendations have continued to pour in for Governor Hope Uzodimma following the recent deals he sealed with four development partners on how to boost the economic profile of Imo State, open the South East to the outside world, and create employment for the teeming youths.

Across the entire demography of Imo State, Governor Uzodimma is receiving accolades from the citizens who give gratitude to God for the selfless service they are getting from their Governor.

Last week, Governor Uzodimma was in Cairo, Egypt, to meet with four development partners – Hassan Allam, Elsewedy Electric, Orascom and ADES – before rounding off the meetings with the President of Africa Export-Import (Afrexim) Bank, Prof. Benedict Oramah, where a $1.5 billion investment agreement deal was struck.

Deputy Chairman of Imo State Elders Council, Prince Lemmy Akakem congratulated Ndi Imo in advance for the investment potentials, saying he is “proud of Governor Uzodimma for connecting Imo to the national grid with his giant strides in projects such as this.”

Prince Akakem added: “I know and trust that by the grace of God, he will take Imo to a greater height because God has blessed us with a passionate and hardworking Governor.”

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Sir MacDonald Ebere did not just describe Governor Uzodimma as a visionary and wise man, but a leader who has taken his time to “study the Imo economy and has identified the key economic levers to move the State forward.”

Ebere said: “I have no doubts that the development of the Urashi project will revolutionise the Imo economy and transform its business ecosystem. The project will open the Imo economy to the world. I am not surprised that the Governor has embarked on this laudable project with every sense of dedication and pragmatism. The recent endorsements from Egypt speak volumes. The coming on board of the Afrexim bank–a true and significant African financial institution–means a lot to the project. We are excited about the developments and very hopeful for a better Imo.”

Speaking in the same vein, former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Commissioner-designate, Mrs Nkechi Ugwu said that the “Imo women are elated for the prospect of improved energy and the creation of jobs for us, our husbands, our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. Kudos to our Governor. We are proud of you. Imo adigo mma.”

Also, the immediate past Imo State Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria ( ALGON), Mr. Willie Okolieogwo said that “Imo people will continue to thank God for His infinite wisdom in giving us Senator Hope Uzodinma as Governor of Imo State at this perilous economic times. May he remain Blessed!”

From the stable of the Traditional Institution, the Chairman of Council of Traditional Rulers, Orlu Zone, HRH, Eze Thomas Obiefule, said with the effort Governor Uzodimma is making today to develop Imo, ” the State will be like Lagos if not better than Lagos in years to come.”

Eze Obiefule added: “I am grateful for what is happening and Imo people are very happy and even more grateful to God for giving them Hope Uzodimma now. When Urashi River is fully dredged and operational, people who don’t have jobs will have jobs, economy will be boosted and Imo State cannot be the same again.”

To the Associate Prof of Law at the Imo State University, Aloy Ojilere, “Governor Hope Uzodimma comes to me as a man who knows what to do at any given time and I must salute his courage to embark on projects and programmes that will make Imo State more economically viable from what it is currently. And for the instant case with development partners, I think the people will be better off and Imo State better positioned on the long run if the investment potentials are properly harnessed.”

It was Governor Uzodimma’s bid to ensure a robust economic growth for Imo State that he met with the multinational firms in Egypt.

The meeting considered, among other things, the dredging of the Urashi River that will open the South East to the outside world with the consequent development of the industrial cluster at the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, the setting up of fertilizer plant and uninterrupted electricity supply chain plant using gas deposits in the area.

Just as Imo people are excited about the meetings, Governor Uzodimma himself is confident that the meeting has so far yielded an investment portfolio valued at 1.5 billion United States dollars and that after completion the projects will result to massive job creation, boosting of the economic profile of Imo State as well as align the South East economy with that of the global economy.

The Imo State Government under Governor Uzodimma flagged off the dredging of the Urashi river to the Atlantic ocean last year to boost the economic fortune of the State.

The project is dear to Governor Uzodimma as he believes it will bring industrial revolution to the South East region when completed.

Having also secured an Oil and Gas Free Zone status for Urashi, there was need for the Governor to woo investors, hence the investment meetings with Chief executive and directors of Afrexim bank and other willing development partners in Cairo, Egypt.

LP Attack On Reps Caucus Tactless, Uncharitable

James Orji

March 19, 2024

The media attack against the House of Representatives Labour Party caucus, by the yet to be confirmed Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, has been described as tactless, unprofessional, devoid of emotional intelligence and unbecoming of a party official who is still on an acting capacity.

This was contained in a statement by Edward Dibiana, Media Adviser to the House of Reps Labour Party caucus Leader, Afam Victor Ogene, in Abuja, on Tuesday, in response to the earlier statement by Ifoh.O

gene had on Sunday called on the LP leadership to postpone the proposed national convention of the Party, which was scheduled for month end, in order to allow room for wider consultations and proper planning, given the internal bickering among the leadership and the fact that many stakeholders, including the lawmakers, were not carried along in the processes leading to the choice of date and venue for the convention.

However, rather than respond to the call for further consultations and proper planning raised by Hon. Ogene, Ifoh, strangely went on a disgraceful tirade, accusing the caucus Leader of lying to the public that the caucus was not informed about the contentious convention and “Rushing to the press to misinform” members of the party. He also referred to the lawmaker as “Unknowledgeable as it relates to the constitution of the party under which he was elected.”

According to Dibiana, Ifoh has by this “Unprofessional, tasteless and infantile outburst – which is fast becoming his trademark – failed to represent his party in a manner that supports a capacity, strategic thinking and emotional intelligence disposition that the position of a party’s spokesman demands.”

He said further that, “The job of a party spokesman, like that of every other public communications expert, is not only to issue press statements, but essentially, to help promote the image and integrity of the party, through application of sense of propriety in conduct and delivery of information of public interest, in a manner that would attract support and goodwill for the party across party lines and beyond, rather than embarrass the party at every turn by making a joke of the responsibility of a publicity secretary and creating more problems for the people you serve, by always playing to the gallery, in the name of “I was directed.”

“Ifoh claimed that the caucus was informed about the convention, but it would be good for him to support such allegation with any official document, communicating same to the lawmakers. A side gossip and official communication are never the same.

“It is also very insensitive and disappointing for Ifoh, who was only hurriedly brought in to fill in a gap in an acting capacity to dismiss the call for “proper planning and wider consultations”, by the Labour Reps as “a mischief taken too far.”

“One of the distinguishing factors between a trained, ready and independent mind and someone who refuses to rise to the occasion even when opportunity comes on a platter, is public conduct. If, for the sake of argument, one is to believe the argument that Ifoh was ‘directed’ to issue such infantile statement by his masters, civility and candour requires that he ought to go on such ill-advised errand with the decorum and tact of a professional.

“Ifoh, perhaps, would understand the intrigues and politics of beat reporting, than the finesse of public communication and would most certainly not understand Hon. Ogene’s “kind of politics,”.

“For instance, as Leader of the Labour Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Ogene needs to balance the strategic interests of his constituents, his colleagues in the House and other Stakeholders, whilst Ifoh only owes responsibility to his paymasters, for whom he solely functions as an destructive agent against the party and its stakeholders, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who he also attacked recently.

“Was it not the same Ogene who galvanized the caucus members in support of Barrister Julius Abure, when he was arrested and dehumanised like ordinary criminal last month?

“For starters, Ifoh cannot possibly address himself as National Publicity Secretary, having not been elected to any such office. Or has he procured a back door confirmation of the position that he now addresses himself as a substantive National Publicity Secretary?

“Who would even take the Labour Party seriously when less than two weeks to the unilaterally fixed convention, no planning committee has been empanelled, no delegates have been named, and know one knows who is running for what office, and worse of all, party members remain in the dark? Yet Ifoh and his enablers are fixated only on those they feel are not respecting Abure. Enough of this charade.”

“It’s Illegal To Engage An Underaged As Domestic Worker, Punishment Is Seven Years Jail” -NAPTIP

Akinwale Kasali

March 19, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

It has been declared illegal for anyone to engage or employ any underaged as domestic worker. This was declared by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. NAPTIP.

Anyone who goes contrary to this stipulated law risks a seven-years jail term.

NAPTIP read this riot act following the increase in the engagement of the Underaged as Domestic Workers, and describes it as an abuse on the fundamental rights of the Children.

The new law was made known by the Agency’s Director of Legal and Prosecution, Hassan Tahir in Abuja, following recent reports of employers inflicting injuries on their domestic workers.

Tahir said section 23 of the Trafficking In Persons, TIP, Act condemns the employment of a child as a domestic worker.

He quoted the section as stating that “any person who willfully employs, requests, recruits, transports, harbours, receives or hires out a child as a domestic worker commits an offence and is liable to conviction of imprisonment for a minimum term of 6 months, and not exceeding 7 years”.

He advised those willing to employ house helps, regardless of their age, must ensure that they are treated fairly and equally.

Tahir explained that the help must be sleeping in the same room with the kids of the master, and must be attending the same school with the kids of the boss.

“The domestic worker must attend the same school with your children, eat the same food with your children, wear the same cloth with your children, he or she must be treated equally with your children,” Tahir said.

“There could be a situation whereby you employ a child and at the same time inflict injury on him or her. If you want to violate their right, please don’t do that, and if certainly you do, NAPTIP will do the needful.

“NAPTIP has been sensitising the general public, creating awareness, educating people about use of humans for trafficking, particularly on the issue of employing somebody as a domestic worker.

“Employment of an underage as a domestic worker is a serious offence, violators risk going to jail for 7 years. That is the position of the law, that is the position of the trafficking Act.”

He urged States yet to adopt 0the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act to do so, adding that several States are yet to domesticate the law.

According to him, domestication of the VAPP Act by all States will ensure the country presents a common front in the fight against domestic violence in the country.

He called on Nigerians experiencing domestic violence to report same to NAPTIP, as the doors of the agency are always open.

Call Off Warning Strike, FG Urges SSANU, NASU

Akinwale Kasali

March 19, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government has appealed to the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, and Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, to rescind their decision and call off their seven-day warning strike which began on Monday.

Prior to the commencement of the seven-day warning strike, the Unions had warned the Federal Government to do the needful and address the situation earnestly before they embarked on the warning strike.

The Union were lamenting over their four-month salaries withheld by the FG.

However, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Minister of State, Labour and Employment has made an appeal to the Unions to quash their decision.

In a statement signed by Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, Onyejeocha expressed displeasure at the action of the unions, which she described as a total disregard of Federal Government’s concerted effort to address the concerns of the unions.

According to her, the Ministry was not officially notified by the Unions of their intention to proceed on a seven-day warning strike.

“”This is contrary to the provisions of section 18 of the Trade Dispute Act.

“The Ministry got wind of the intended warning strike and it reached out to the leadership of the unions for an emergency meeting in order to avert the strike.

“Unfortunately, a physical meeting could not be arranged between the Unions and the Federal Government, but a tele-discussion took place between their leadership and the Ministry,” she said.

Onyejeocha said that consequently, the Ministry suggested another date, Monday 18th March, for a proper conciliation meeting.

She added that this was in the belief that on the basis of that discussion, the intended strike would be put on hold pending the outcome of the meeting; but this date was rejected by the Unions.

The Minister, however, maintained that strike did not serve any useful purpose and should only be resorted to as a last option after exhausting every conciliation effort.

Onyejocha appealed to SSANU and NASU to step back from their hard-line stance and meet the Federal Government at the table for conciliation.

She appealed to all Nigerians to always take steps that were beneficial to the well-being of the country and the citizens.

Ondo PDP Consensus Arrangement Fails As Aspirants Pick Nomination Forms

Ayodele Oni

March 19, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Attempt by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State to arrive at picking consensus candidate for the November governorship election may have hit the rock.

This is just as three governorship aspirants on the platform PDP on Monday, bought their Expression of Interest and Nomination forms in Abuja.

The three aspirants, who bought the N5m Expression of Interest form and N35m Nomination form on Monday were Adeolu Akinwumi, Olusola Ebiseni, and Otunba Bamidele Akingboye.

The sale of forms, according to guidelines released by the party, began March 7 and will end on March 21. Aspirants have a March 25 deadline for the submission of completed forms.

During a recent meeting with party stakeholders and aspirants for the Ondo State governorship election, the PDP National Working Committee discussed the possibility of consensus and zoning, urging everyone to continue the discussion.

A former National Vice Chairman of the South-West PDP, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, disclosed that the attempt to select a consensus candidate had failed.

He emphasized that all contenders for the Ondo State governorship position believed they possessed the necessary qualifications and skills.

According to him, securing the PDP ticket won’t be achieved through shortcuts, highlighting the competence of all candidates and added that the decision rested with the delegates.

Olafeso explained, “I met with all aspirants from the Southern Senatorial District on Friday, despite our appeal to them for consensus and to reduce the number, nobody has substantially shown interest in consensus.

“And the constitution of the party stipulates that people should be allowed to compete in that direction.

“The proposed consensus has failed to work because they all see themselves as competent and qualified. However, the delegates’ votes will determine who will get the PDP’s ticket.

“This will not divide the party. If the leadership is not divided. If the primary is free, fair, and credible whoever loses, and whoever wins, wins. For us the leaders we are very united.

“They will have to work very hard. No shortcuts today, let them compete for delegates’ votes and show that they can change our state from the state it is today due to the lacklustre performance of the APC government.

“If we work very hard it is not impossible to win. This election is November, and I think Nigerians have seen a lot of APC, but it depends on how coordinated and how hard-working we are.”

On his part, one of the aspirants, Akingboye, shortly after obtaining his forms in Abuja, on Monday, confirmed that the consensus advocated by the leadership of the party had failed.

“It was suggested by the leaders and elders of the party that since the party has decided to zone to the Southern Senatorial District, and nine of us have indicated interest in the same election, they suggested that we should go back home and discuss with each other and see if we can prune the number of aspirants.

“We have tried it but sincerely, I don’t think that it is going to work out because every one of us believes that he is the best person to do the job.

“The truth is that if you are not tested or trusted, I don’t think that Ondo State is ready to entrust the mantle to someone who will not be able to carry the load at this particular time. So, by implication, the consensus advocated by the leadership of the party has failed.”

The PDP has fixed April 25 for the primary where its governorship candidate will emerge ahead of the November 16, 2024 governorship election.

Abia: Otti Assures On March Dateline For Payment Of Over 40 Months Salary And Pension Arrears

The Source

March 19, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Barring any last minute change of mind and/or policy direction, the Abia State Government is set to resolve the festering problems of a mountain of salary and pension arrears of the State workforce.

Governor Alex Otti on Monday, March 18, during a Media parley at the Government House Umuahia assured that his administration will put the issues of salaries and pensions arrears behind it by the end of the month.

The Source reports that Governor Otti had, on assumption, of office in May 2023, announced the inheritance from previous administrations salaries and pensions arrears running into between 40 and 45 months mostly across parastatals .

During the count down to the 2023 general elections, Otti, as the Labour Party LP gubernatorial flagbearer, had made the payments of the arrears the fulcrum of his campaign, promising to offset same within the early life of his administration.

While mounting the saddle on May 29, 2023, Governor Otti gave December of the same year as the dateline ,.

But in a New Year broadcast on January 1 2024,he apologized for his administration’s inability to keep faith with its earlier promise, citing the humongous amount involved as a major reason.

He, however, assured that the issues will be laid to rest on, or before the end of the first quarter of 2024,even if it means approaching the State House of Assembly for a Supplementary Budget.

Speaking Monday night, Governor Otti affirmed that the March ending dateline for the payments of the salaries and pensions arrears remains sacrosanct, and noted that his administration is on the verge of “putting an end to the lingering pensions and salaries arrears issues in the State.

“By the end of this month, we are going to resolve this long arrears issues. At the Executive Council meeting today (Monday, March 18) ,we had some approvals and they are guaranteed.

Very soon the pensioners will hear from us ” Governor Otti stated.

However, an impeccable source, have revealed that the pension and salary backlogs may not be cleared at once,but in batches due to the huge amount required for the exercise.

It will be recalled that in shelving the initial dateline of December 2023, the Governor had explained that the amount needed far outweighed government projected figure and as such needed some time to put things in proper perspective.

The Source Magazine was informed that much as the March ending dateline appears realistic, the possibilities of the entire arrears ,which covers about 40 months on the average being cleared at a go ,remains remote.

Nevertheless, the long pauperized workforce and the legion of beleaguered pensioners will welcome any measure, whether in full and or half that seek to ameliorate their ordeal..

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