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South East APC Recommits To Uzodimma’s Leadership; Governor says Party Cannot Afford To Fail The People

April 3, 2024

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in the South East to use their positions and influence to work in the interest of the generality of the people.

Governor Uzodimma spoke on a day the who is who in APC in the South East met in Owerri, the Imo State capital, to recommit themselves and the Party to his leadership following his recent appointment as the leader of the APC in the zone.

In the Governor’s remarks after listening to different leaders in APC from the zone cutting across those holding executive and legislative positions, Senator Uzodimma called on the stakeholders to open their hands and use their positions to help other Party members and the society at large.

Besides, Governor Uzodimma appealed to the APC faithful from the five States that make up the South East to “come together to serve the people of the zone and avoid the pull him down syndrome which is common among politicians.”

He expressed gratitude to the organisers of the Zonal stakeholders meeting, describing it as not only strategic but symbolic.

The Governor said that he was delighted over the turnout of the Party members to the meeting, saying it “shows new attitude and incremental awareness on the political demands of the zone.”

He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for understanding the precarious situation of the South East as a marginalised zone and for working with stakeholders to de-marginalise the zone.

The Governor said there is only one road to be part of what is happening at the Central Government, “which is the need to support Mr. President and his programmes,” adding that, “in other words, there is every need to stand behind President Ahmed Tinubu and the Party APC.”

Governor Uzodimma commended the new attitude and understanding on the need to integrate the South East into the National Political grid, noting that “Nigeria is practising partisan democracy, so to win an election and be in position, you must use a Political Party and the Party the South East needs now is All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Governor Uzodimma added that “what the South East requires is the support of the bigger zones and for the stakeholders to achieve that, they have to develop the spirit of togetherness, forgive each other to assure the future of our children and generation yet unborn. This requires our being our brother’s keeper.”

He pointed out that the Federal Government under the APC has supported State Governments substantially, especially through the palliatives and other supports.

He commended the contributions of members of the National Assembly from the zone, the ministers and other political office holders and emphasised the need for all to work as a team and join forces to achieve a greater South East.

On the prospects of the APC in the South East, the Governor informed that soon a Technical Committee will be set up whereby leaders will go round the five States to interface with all Party faithful, reconcile everyone and collectively embark on E-registration of old and additional members.

Governor Uzodimma commended the current leadership of the Party in the zone for achieving so much without much provisions and assured them of better encouragement and necessary support going forward.

As the leader and coordinator of APC in the South East, Governor Uzodimma assured that he will not allow the zone to languish because of anyone or gossips.

He insisted that the South East must “help Nigeria for Nigeria to help her,” reiterating that to be “a President from South East other zones must know you and trust you.”

Governor Uzodimma however bemoaned the sit-at-home order that has kept the South East economy and people on perpetual hardship and difficulty and urged the stakeholders to open their eyes to the realities on ground.

Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru whose message was delivered by the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obilar emphasised that APC needs one voice, needs to be focused and should be a team of brothers to achieve de-marginalisation.

She said that APC in the South East and the stakeholders need to put their houses in order and be their brother’s keeper, assuring that the women are ready to take over.

She added that Ebonyi State is committed to continue to support APC and the leaders in the South East.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benajamin Okezie Kalu who was also represented told the audience that President Tinubu, from available data and statistics, has done well with his programmes.

He highlighted the passage of the South East Development Commission Bill as an achievement of South East leaders in the National Assembly and commended the able leadership of Governor Uzodimma in the Party.

The Deputy National Chairman South, Emma Enukwu, who also represented the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Ganduje, informed that the National Chairman sent his goodwill messages and congratulations to the Governor of Imo State on his untiring efforts aimed at stabilising APC in the South East and ensuring that the zone is integrated into the National Political grid.

He said that the National Chairman has directed that the E-registration of APC members in all the States of the Federation, and that the Party should have offices in all the Local Governments and INEC wards in the country just as the stakeholders should embark on reconciliations for all hands to be on deck to win more States in the future elections.

On his own part, Enukwu expressed his gratitude and that of his National Working Committee members to Governor Uzodimma for all his assistance to the Party.

In their message of appreciation, members of the National Assembly through their spokesperson, Senator Osita Izunaso, and Ministers of the South East extraction through their spokesperson, Dr. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha (Minister for Labour and Employment) also expressed their gratitude to the Governor of Imo State for his leadership role in zone.

Izunaso underlined the fact that APC is the leading Party in the South East today with seven Senators out of 15 Senators from the five States of the South East while Onyejiocha, speaking on behalf of the Ministers from the South East, assured that they will not do any anti-Party activities or disappoint the stakeholders expectations.

In their messages the APC Chairmen of the five South East States–Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo – expressed confidence in a brighter future for Party in the zone.

Though the Chairman of Abia State lamented backbiting by supposed stakeholders in the State as a challenge his colleague from Anambra State painted a picture of a future that guarantees APC taking over in the State in 2025.

Enugu State Chairman said APC has come alive and that the Party is completely sanitised in Enugu while that of Ebonyi State assured that with the firm taproot of their Governor in Ebonyi the sky is the limit of the APC.

Imo State APC Chairman, MacDonald Ebere was full of thanks and appreciation to Governor Uzodimma whom he said his fatherly role in the Party in Imo State is second to none.

Ebere had earlier in his welcome remarks lauded the reason for the meeting and expressed satisfaction over the level of progress the APC has made both national, regional and in his State.

He thanked President Tinubu and the leadership of the APC for recognising the limitless capacity in Governor Uzodimma and said that the future of the Party in the zone looks very bright with Governor Uzodimma on the driving seat in the South East.

The National Vice Chairman South East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu in his opening address said that the Party has done well so far under their watch and congratulated Governor Uzodimma for his appointment as the Coordinator of APC in the South East.

He informed that the South East APC has made a lot of successes in the areas of Party discipline and supremacy.

He also thanked the Governor for all his assistance in funding the Party and highlighted that the South East zonal executive office is functioning with an annual operational deficit of N65 million and solicited assistance to off-set the bill.

Arodiogbu noted that the APC has high hopes in the off-season election coming up in Anambra in 2025 and that the zone has concluded arrangement to be part of the electronic registration planned for her members.

He then urged the stakeholders of the zone to remain steadfast in their support of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the APC administration and assured that President Tinubu’s policies are the right thing to do about the Nigerian economy.

Former APC National Auditor, Mr. Paul Chukwuma who spoke for the private sector said the economy is about stabilising with the dollar coming down and President Tinubu working tirelessly to achieve a better economy for the country.

Mr Chukwuma said that APC has all it takes to turn around the fortunes of the country and urged the South East faithful to be committed to the efforts to be the change agents the people require.

Highlight of the occasion was the presentation and the recognition of those who decamped from other political parties to APC in the zone.

Body Demands Swift Action Amidst Allegation Of Zamfara Mosque Abduction, Police Refutes Story, Govt Imposes Curfew

The Source

April 3, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The International Human Rights Advocacy and Awareness Centre IHRAAC has called on all relevant authorities to deploy all necessary steps to rescue several worshipers alleged to have been abducted early Tuesday morning at a mosque in Gusau the capital of Zamfara State.

In yet another display of braggadocio and unbridled audacity some elements suspected to be bandits had on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, allegedly stormed a Gusau popular Mosque at about 2 am and abducted a large number of Muslim faithful, observing the tahajjud ( midnight) prayers, a development which has since heightened tension, anxiety and security concerns in the already beleaguered state.

But it is an incident the Zamfara State Police Command has dismissed as not true.

Although efforts are said to be ongoing to rescue the kidnapped victims, the IHRAAC has demanded an urgent action from authorities at all levels to secure the safe release of the worshipers.

This is even as the international human rights body has strongly condemned the abduction which it descrbed as barbaric and inhuman.

In a statement on its official site ,IHAAC called on the Government to swiftly deploy security and other relevant personnel to free the kidnapped victims.

It also demanded heightened security measures around worship centres, schools, public institutions and other vulnerable spots in the country,with a view to halting the spate of attacks and abductions of innocent people.

It has also called for the institutionalization of a robust intelligence gathering network ,comprehensive support for victims of abduction, and strengthening of the country’s security architecture as some of the veritable means of curtailing the activities of bandits ,kidnappers and other criminal elements ,who are strongly believed to be at the root of the upsurge in insecurity particularly in the Northern Region of Nigeria.

While standing in solidarity with Zamfara people, families and loved ones of the victims,IHAAC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the safety and rights of the people.

But in a swift reaction, the Zamfara Police Command said that reports of a purported abduction of Muslim worshipers at a Mosque in Gusau, the state Capital ,early Tuesday morning are false.

Earlier reports had suggested the kidnap of a large number of Muslim faithful observing Tahajjud ( midnight prayers ) at about 2am on Tuesday April 2 2024 at a popular Mosque in the state capital by suspected bandits .

But a statement issued by the Command Spokesperson Yazid Abubakar, ASP, the Police said that the bandits rather came to kidnap one Ashiru, a businessman resident in the area, who was later killed by the suspected bandits for resisting to be abducted.

According to the Zamfara Police, the deceased’s wife and a male neighbour of Ashiru were taken away by the suspected bandits to an unknown destination.

The Police said although worshipers were not the target and were never attacked, they scampered to safety due to sporadic gunshots ,adding that many worshipers ran and escaped through various directions.

The Police authorities however, said they have commenced moves to track down the perpetrators ,and to ensure the rescue of the two kidnapped victims,

The Police also cautioned the people against the dissemination of fake news ,which it said tends to escalate the security challenges in the state.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Government has imposed a partial curfew on some parts of the State to stem the rising tide in abductions and other criminal activities.

Alhaji Manir Haidara the state commissioner of Information, on Tuesday said movements, particularly, travels along the state borders with Katsina and sokoto states will be restricted from 7.00 pm to 6.00 am .

This, he said, is to curtail high incidences of kidnappings within the Yankara border with Katsina and Bimasa border with Sokoto state .

The Commissioner who spoke after the State’s Security Council Meeting further noted that the move is to check abductions and kidnappings of travelers along Sokoto-Gusau-Funtua highway.

Kano Assembly Confirms Kwankwaso’s Son ,Three Others As Commissioners

The Source

April 3, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday, April 2, screened and confirmed as Commissioners Mustapha Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,son of the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP during the 2023 general elections and three others .

The Source reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf ,a protege of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso himself a former Governor of Kano, had earlier last week nominated the younger Musa Kwankwaso along side three others as Commissioner designate, a development which elicited mix reactions from kano residents and across the entire country.

Not a few condemned the action of Governor Yusuf ,who is widely believed to owe his office to the political machine of the National Leader of the NNPP,.

Many described the nomination of the younger Musa Kwankwaso as a gross act of nepotism..

While conveying the request for the confirmation of Mustapha Kwankwaso and the three others as commissioner, Governor had also requested for the approval of the legislative body for establishment of four new ministries ,namely – Humanitarian and Poverty Eradication, Solid Minerals Resources ,Power and Renewable Energy and Internal Security and Special Services.

The Majority Leader of the House ,while addressing the press shortly after the screening exercise, noted that Mustapha Kwankwaso, Adamu Aliyu, Abduljabar Umar Garko ,and Shehu Usman Aliyu have been found worthy and qualified to be appointed as commissioners ,have consequently been confirmed.

Resident Doctors In Ondo Teaching Hospital Protest Non Payment Of Entitlements

Ayodele Oni

April 3, 2024

Resident Doctors In Ondo Teaching Hospital

By Ayodele Oni

Just as Ondo State Government began recruitment of medical personnel to fill existing vacancies, members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, (UNIMEDTH) commenced 14 days warning strike action over non-payment of seven months salaries.

It was gathered that those being owed are newly recruited medical personnel. The striking ARD members staged a peaceful protest to press home their demands.

They carried placards with various inscriptions and vowed to ground activities at the hospital if their demands were not met.

President of the UNIMEDTH ARD, Dr. John Matthew, who spoke to journalists, said their members who joined the were yet to be paid.

Other reasons for the warning strike, according to Dr. Matthew, were non-payment of palliative to House officers since February, non-payment of February hazard allowance despite promise by the state government to pay two months, dearth of staff Due resignation of doctors from the institution.

He said there were only 26 members of ARD in the hospital against 150 members few months ago.

According to him: “We demand full payment of the arrears of salaries owed to our members and payment of February 2024 palliative to our House officers.

“Management should pay February hazard allowance to our members and urgently address the severe clinical manpower shortage in the institution. Our members work everyday. There are no staff due to japa syndrome.”

Pan Yoruba Group Says Attack On South East Bound Bus Was Allegedly Carried Out By Herdsmen

Akinwale Kasali

April 3, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Pan Yoruba Group, Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, has alleged that the attack and burning of a Luxurious Bus travelling from Lagos to Eastern Nigeria may not be unconnected with armed herdsmen operating in Yoruba territories.

The Group said that the attack may have been designed to score political goals being part of a grand plot to stir conflict between Yoruba people and the South East.

The Bus, Ifesinachi Transport Limited, had left Lagos on Saturday but was attacked around Ijebu-Mushin in Ogun State.

The passengers were stripped naked, robbed while the Bus was set ablaze.

In a statement AYDM, a coalition of 130 Yoruba and Itsekiri community based groups, asked the Police to extend its dragnet to the armed herdsmen operating in South West forests.

In the statement signed by General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi the Group said while robbery is not alien to the South West, attacking Luxurious Buses and burning down the bus after looting the vehicle and stealing from the passengers are very strange.

The AYDM warned that more horrific attacks driven by vested political interests to destabilise the country may occur in the future unless effects are made to identify the sponsors and deal decisively with them.

Ajayi said, “We suspect this is the handiwork of an organised crime with political motives. That is the only thing we can read to the burning of the vehicle after looting and stealing of propery” AYDM said

The coalition said the burning down of the vehicle raises the prospect of political motives.

AYDM said Armed Herdsmen continue to operate in forests across the South West warning that the Yoruba State Governors appear not to realise the grave dangers their control of the forest pose to regional and national security.

“We hope it was not politically motivated as part of the plot to destabilise Nigeria and in pursuant of the agenda of a bloc from President Bola Tinubu’s successor, in collaboration with others, who reluctantly handed over and have been looking for ways and means to bring the government down or set Nigerian ethnic groups against each other in order to upturn the country.

Popoola said Nigeria has seen politically motivated crimes in recent months, recalling the kidnap of 280 children in Kaduna State, the kidnap of children of Apostolic School in Ekiti State and the killing of three Yoruba traditional rulers.

It added that the savage attack on a bus going from Lagos to Eastern Nigeria is unacceptable.

“These are very suspicious developments that may not be isolated from the plot of some politically exposed persons.”

He said the choice of a South East bus being attacked on Yoruba territory is suspicious more importantly that the bus was burnt down.

“This might be a conscious attempt to create conflict among ethnic groups in the South. This is why it is very important for the police to do diligent work to expose and punish the criminals.”

Speaking on the incidence, the Ogun State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola said “It happened in Oke Ado junction at Ijebu Mushin. A luxury Mercedes Benz bus was burnt down. The vehicle was coming from Maza Maza before it encountered the hoodlums. No reference to gun was made.They (the hoodlums) wielded cutlasses.”

Chude Nnamdi, a passenger in the bus said

“Ifesinachi Motors, we were travelling in the night to come back to the East for Easter celebration, and criminals attacked us in Ijebu Ode along Ore-Benin Expressway.

“They robbed us of everything we had, some they stripped half-naked. They locked us inside the 59-seater luxury bus and set it ablaze. We thank God that we later escaped; nobody died, but everything we had was collected.

“We thank God that we didn’t lose anyone but we lost everything we were travelling with and some sustained injuries.

“This is Ifesinachi Motors that we are travelling with on Friday night and this attack happened around 2am.

“They stripped us half-naked. You can see it; the people in the vehicle are completely stranded. There are some people who were macheted and some who broke their legs. We have children among us”, he recalled.

No Mega Party Can Stop Tinubu, APC Chieftain Replies Atiku

James Orji

April 2, 2024

A former Deputy National spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Yekini Nabena says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would spend eight years maximum in office.

The president is barely one year in office, but his supporters have started campaigning for his second term in office.

According to the Constitution, a sitting president has the right to seek re-election.

Amidst whether Tinubu would seek another four years in office, Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president recently called for political parties in the country to join forces to unseat the incumbent in 2027.

Atiku had cited the case of Senegal where Diomaye Faye recently won the election with the support of many opposition parties which came together to defeat the ruling party.

Speaking, Nabena in a statement on Tuesday, said Tinubu must complete his two terms in the presidency.

President Tinubu must complete eight years for the south after Muhammadu Buhari served out for the North.

He said: “If former President Muhammadu Buhari could complete his eight years in office, by the grace of God Almighty, the incumbent President Bola Tinubu will do the same, not even the talk of mega party or merger can stop him,” the statement reads.

“The south must also complete the eight years political arrangement and President Bola Tinubu will do that for the south.

“The south will not fight each other again for other regions to benefit, the era of division in southern Nigeria is gone for good. The Almighty God will perfect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health and grant him wisdom to take the country to the promised land.”

Foreign: Senegal: From Prison To President; The Faye Story

James Orji

April 2, 2024

Senegal’s once jailed opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye was sworn in on Tuesday as the West African nation’s fifth and youngest president ever, promising to restore stability and bring economic progress.

The 44-year-old former tax inspector defeated Amadou Ba, the candidate of outgoing President Macky Sall’s ruling coalition, by a landslide in the first round of voting, reflecting high hopes for change in the country of around 18 million.

“The results of the election showed a profound desire for change,” Faye said after taking the oath of office at a ceremony he attended with his two wives.

Over a dozen heads of state and regional representatives attended the inauguration, including Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The military juntas of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger also sent representatives.

The smooth transition was a welcome boost after three years of unprecedented political turmoil in Senegal that had raised concern about democratic backsliding in the coup-prone region of West Africa, where juntas have seized power and cut ties with traditional Western allies in favour of Russia.

“Senegal will be a country of hope, at peace, with an independent justice system and a stronger democracy,” Faye said, promising to manage affairs ethically and to build the economy.

Millions queued for hours to cast their ballot in an election that eventually took place on March 24 after unsuccessful attempts by Sall’s government to postpone it from February to December, then June.

FRUSTRATION

The move stoked frustration against Sall, whose popularity dropped over the course of his second mandate due to economic hardship, a crackdown on dissent, and concerns that he would tamper with the constitution to run for a third term.

Anger crystallised around the prosecution of firebrand opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who came third in the 2019 election but was barred from running again due to a defamation conviction. He denies wrongdoing.

“I will work towards preserving peace and national cohesion and make sure we preserve our most cherished resource, our national stability,” Faye said.

Sonko backed his right-hand man Faye from jail after his candidacy was rejected. Faye was also in detention at the time on charges, including defamation, which he denies.

The two were released days before the vote, sparking mass street celebrations, and joined the campaign trail as a crowd-pleasing duo under the slogan “Diomaye is Sonko”.

Expectations are high as Faye, relatively inexperienced in government affairs, becomes president of a young population frustrated with rising living costs and a lack of jobs in a country set to become an oil and gas producer this year.

The new president has vowed to tackle corruption and introduce a series of economic reforms to prioritise national interests, including the re-negotiation of oil, gas and mineral contracts with foreign operators.

He has not yet said what role Sonko, who has been at his heels and joined a meeting between Faye and Sall last week, might play in the new government.

Reuters

Zenith Bank Emerges Nigeria’s Best Bank For Fourth Time

James Orji

April 2, 2024

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2024, winning the award for the fourth time since 2019. The Bank was among other banks from 36 countries in Africa recognised as the prestigious Global Finance announced its 31st Annual Best Bank Awards Winners.

The editors of Global Finance made the selections after extensive consultations with corporate financial executives, bankers and banking consultants, and analysts worldwide. Factors considered in selecting the top banks ranged from the quantitative objective to the informed subjective. Objective criteria considered included: growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development and innovation in products. Subjective criteria included the opinions of equity analysts, credit rating analysts, banking consultants and others involved in the industry.

Commenting on the award, the outgoing Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu said: “This award serves as a powerful affirmation of our resilience and tenacity despite headwinds and a very challenging macroeconomic environment. Indeed, it is a testament to our status as the leading financial institution in Nigeria, dedicated unwaveringly to delivering exceptional value to our stakeholders”. He expressed profound gratitude to the founder and chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his exceptional vision and foundational role in establishing a resilient and enduring financial institution. He also lauded the board for their astute insights and exemplary leadership, the staff for their steadfast commitment and unwavering dedication, and the customers for their staunch loyalty to the Zenith brand.

Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher and editorial director of Global Finance, said: “Banking has reached another watershed moment with the debut of generative artificial intelligence, which promises to rewrite the industry playbook,” He added that: “In this ever-changing environment, the Best Bank Awards recognize the financial institutions that offer the broadest range of services, long-term reliability, and technological innovation.”

Global Finance’s “Best Banks Awards” are recognised amongst the world’s most influential banking/finance and corporate professionals as the most coveted and credible awards in the banking industry, with winners chosen in 150 countries and territories across Africa, AsiaPacific, the Caribbean, Central America, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.

Founded in 1987, Global Finance regularly selects the top performers among banks and other financial services providers, and the awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community.

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has earned the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as the Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023, being listed in the World Finance Top 100 Global Companies in 2023; being recognised as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 14th consecutive year, in the 2023 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022 and 2023; Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for four successive years from 2020 to 2023, by the Ethical Boardroom; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.

Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021; Bank of the Year 2023 and Retail Bank of the Year for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Similarly, Zenith Bank was named Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

Despite Warnings: Ondo APC Elders Pick Aiyedatiwa As Preferred Gov Candidate

Ayodele Oni

April 2, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The pioneer leaders of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Ondo State, known as APC Aborigines, have announced Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as their preferred candidate ahead of the Party’s Primary and November Governorship Election.

A statement on Tuesday by Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor stated that the endorsement came during a meeting of the group led by Sola Iji, former Ambassador to Togo, in Akure, where the group adopted the candidacy of the Governor.

Some members and aspirants of APC have earlier warned against this move, which they believe could cause rancour within the party.

Leaders of the party at the event include former Deputy Leader of the Senate, Prof. Ajayi Borrofice, Chief Tokunbo Ajasin, Dr. Taiwo Malumi, Mrs Grace Animola, Alhaji Yinusa Adeola and Hon. Akinsehinde Awodeyi-Apata.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Ambassador Iji said following the establishment of a nine-member committee, three aspirants were recommended after screening and out of the three, Governor Aiyedatiwa scored the highest mark and thus adopted as the preferred candidate of the group.

He explained that the leadership unanimously agreed to select Aiyedatiwa based on the set criteria including popularity, acceptability, financial capability, character, integrity, loyalty, commitment, educational background, and assessments by prominent leaders.

“After thorough discussions and careful consideration, the leadership collectively agreed to extend their endorsement to Governor Aiyedatiwa.

“This decision was not made lightly; rather, it was the culmination of a comprehensive assessment. This rigorous evaluation process underscores our commitment to selecting the most qualified candidate to lead us forward.”

In his remarks, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming endorsement of his candidacy for the upcoming gubernatorial election, thanking the party leaders for their commitment to the development of the party.

Highlighting the significance of their endorsement in line with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Aiyedatiwa emphasized the importance of continuity to uphold the legacy of former Governor, Late Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu.

The Governor stated that he accepted the endorsement with humility and a sense of responsibility, vowing to rededicate himself to the collective goal of building a more prosperous Ondo State.

“Let me say that your open, transparent and credible endorsement of my candidature is an honour, not just for me, but also for fellow contestants and the APC family in Ondo State.

“What you have done is to put our great Party on the path of victory in the impending gubernatorial election in our Sunshine State.”

Katsina: Bandits Strike Again, Abduct 30 Children

James Orji

April 2, 2024

Notorious bandits have struck again in Katsina state, this time, kidnapping no fewer than 30 children after attacking Kasai village in the Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

The incident happened in the wee hours of Monday, according to those privy to the attack by the bandits on the community.

The state ranks as among the epicenters of banditry in the country, second to neighbouring Kaduna state which have witnessed a wave of kidnapping in recent times.

Two weeks ago, 137 students of the Government Secondary School, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state kidnapped by bandits were rescued by security agencies.

Speaking of the latest abduction in katsina state, sources said the children were seized by the criminals when they went to fetch firewood for their parents early yesterday.

One of the sources said, “The children, numbering up to thirty, went behind the Kasai village to secure firewood, which their parents would use to cook food for them.

“Unfortunately, some suspected bandits intercepted them and took them to an unknown destination.

“We do hope and pray that peace and security will be restored in our state.”

Meanwhile, experts told the magazine that children have become the prime target of bandits because the criminals know the backlash that usually greet the abduction of minors across the world.

“The United Nation’s does not take the abduction of children lightly. That’s why the government will do everything to ensure that they are rescued whether through kinetic or non-kinetic method.

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