N7bn: Sharia Council Dares EFCC To Name Sponsors of Terrorism

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February 4, 2024

The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria, SCSN, has dared the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to publish the identities of the religious organization responsible for terrorism in the country.

The Council was responding to the EFCC claim last week that N7 billion was traced to the account of a particular religious body out of the N30 billion the commission said was stolen from the country.

The Executive Chairman of the anti-graft agency, Ola Olukoyede was quoted to have made the remark during a one-day dialogue tagged “Youth, Religion, and the Fight against Corruption.”

Olukoyede said “As I’m standing before you, there is a matter we are handling: a pyramid scheme that involves over N30billion fleeced from Nigerians.

“Along the line, some people died, some victims collapsed and all of that. We were able to trace over N7billion to a particular religious body, and I said, to write a letter to the leader of that religious sect, and we did.

“The next thing we saw was a restraining order. We got a restraining order restraining us from recovering the money. Meanwhile, people have died along the line. Money traced directly to your body, and that is what we are battling. Of course, we have appealed, and this is the situation that is facing us, religious leaders.”

Following the outburst that greeted the remark, the EFCC later said the religious organization was neither a church of mosque.

Reacting in a statement, the Sharia Council President and Secretary Sheik Abdularasheed Hadiyatullah , Malam Nafiu Baba Ahmad, said the gravity of the allegation was too serious for the EFCC not to mention the name of the religious body, adding that the alarm raised by the agency has created panic across the country.

The council, said: “The gravity of the situation calls for immediate public clarification of the group and decisive action to address the disturbing nexus between religious groups and Insurgency. Accordingly, we urgently call upon the EFCC to publish the list of all sponsors involved in criminal activities.”

Breaking: A Former Gov Dies In Saudi Arabia

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James Orji

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February 4, 2024

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Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a former governor of Yobe state has died.

The former governor was among the first set of governors at the return of Nigeria to democratic government in 1999.

He was in that position for eight years.

He had earlier served as governor in the northern state during the Gen. Ibrahim Babangida botched transition to civil between 1992 and 1993.

According to a family source, the former governor died on Sunday, February 4, in Saudi Arabia after a protracted illness.

Ibrahim was a very influential politician in the state during his time.

Apart from ruling the state as chief executive, he also served as a senator for two terms representing Yobe East Senatorial District.

The late politician was born in 1949 in Goniri, Gujba in the old Borno state.

Bayelsa: APGA Upset; Candidate Defeats Chief Whip

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James Orji

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February 4, 2024

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The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has created an upset in the one of the rerun elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the country on Saturday.

The party’s candidate Amakoromo Waikumo, has been declared winner of the of the Yenagoa Constituency II House of Assembly rerun held at the weekend.

The election was one of the court-ordered rerun election conducted by INEC across 26 states in the country.

The victory of Waikumo is considered a surprise considering that the state is a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stronghold.

Virtually all the elective positions in the oil rich state are controlled by the main opposition PDP, including the governorship, state and national assembly positions.

According to the results declared by the Mahmood Yakubu-led electoral umpire yesterday, Waikumo polled a total of 5,959 votes to beat his closest rival, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, of the PDP who scored 5,263 votes in the election.

Prof. Chris Onyema, the Returning Officer, and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke said the APGA candidate has satisified all the requirement to be declared winner of the keenly contested rerun election for Yenagoa Constituency II.

During the March 2023 state House of Assembly election, the APGA Candidate had scored 4,971 votes while the PDP candidate scored 4,593 votes.

The PDP candidate who was unsatisfied with the results, challenged the result at the election tribunal for alleged irregularities, after which the court ordered a rerun election in seven polling units in Gbarain and Ekpetiama.

The defeated PDP candidate was the Chief Whip of the assembly.

Finally, Abducted Ekiti Pupils, Teachers Released, School Bus Driver, Killed

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Ayodele Oni

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February 4, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for ensuring the release of abducted school children in the state.

Report revealed that the pupils and their teachers were left off the hook around 2.00am Sunday after five days in kidnappers den.

The driver of the school bus was, however, unlucky. He was killed by the kidnappers.

It was, however, not certain if ransome was paid. But another report stated that the sum of N7 million was paid by parents of the pupils.

A statement on Sunday by the Special Adviser, Media to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, stated that “the Governor wishes to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Security agencies and Ekitikete for their support which led to the timely release of the kidnapped pupils of Apostolic Faith Nursery and Primary school, Emure Ekiti.

“The children and their teachers were released in the wee hours on Sunday, February 4th, and brought to the Elemure Palace around 4am.

“However, the driver of the school bus was reportedly, killed in the custody of the kidnappers.

“The Governor while congratulating the children and their families, expresses his profound appreciation to President Tinubu for giving specific directives that put the search and rescue mission on top gear.

“He also thanks the security agencies for their collaborative efforts during the search for the students, just as he extends appreciation to Ekitikete home and abroad for their support during the security situation experienced last week.

“Noting the traumatic experience of the children in the kidnappers’ den, Governor Oyebanji has directed the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani to take the children to the state Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti for proper medical treatment and post trauma therapy.

“The Governor, who kept vigil with Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele till 3.00am to ensure the release of the children, acknowledges the solidarity shown by his colleagues Governors, former Governors of the State as well as Religious Leaders and Traditional Rulers.

“He also thanks members of the Ekiti State Caucus in the National Assembly and members of the State House of Assembly for their support. And more importantly, we thank God for everything.”

Governor Oyebanji also restated the determination of his administration to stamp out crime and criminality from the State by making the environment unbearable for criminals operating under whatever guise.

Similarly, the Governor says killers of the two Ekiti Obas would be fished out and made to face the maximum weight of the law.

He urged the people of the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities to the authorities.

“APC And PDP Are Evil” – Lamido, Says Tinubu’s Economic Policies Make The Rich, Poor Cry

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Ayodele Oni

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February 4, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has said the two leading political parties, in Nigeria, All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are evil, but described the PDP as a better evil which Nigerians can bear.

Lamido, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs who spoke on Arise TV political programme pointed out that Nigerians can now choose between the lesser evil and dangerous species if only change is required in the Country.

Lamido, who criticised the Federal Government policies on economy, which make both the rich and poor to be crying, insisted Nigerians can not afford to remain in the hellish situation created by the APC.

Lamido noted that the unifying factor among Nigerians currently is hardship.

“I think the choice is very narrow. You either join the PDP or you remain in your own hell. You see no matter how you analyze, what we have stolen, how dirty we are, we are better evil than the APC.

“Therefore, the choice of Nigerians are two evils- a very dangerous evil which is the APC and maybe a very saintly evil, the PDP.

“I was vilified, humiliated and called a devil. I went through all kinds of agony simply because I was trying to tell Nigerians about the APC and now, they are in power now and they are saying what.

“I always say this. Nigeria is a country so blessed and well endowed by God with the human population which is a huge asset.

“But then, somehow, there is something missing in us. In the last eight years of APC government, we have been through hell and we have been overwhelmed and now being pushed to the extreme.”

Kano: Police Arrests Several As Violence Mars Re-Run Poll

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The Source

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February 4, 2024

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Alhaji Mohammad Husseini Gumel - Kano CP

By Daniel Maduka

The Kano State Police authorities have arrested a large number of suspected political thugs, allegedly hired by some political actors to disrupt the Saturday February 3 House of Assembly re-run elections in the State.

The State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Husseini Gumel, who disclosed this at an interactive session with the media, said most of the suspected thugs were arrested in Kunchi/Tsanyanwa, one of the areas where the re-run elections was scheduled to take place in the State.

Alhaji Gumel said that some of the arrested thugs have confessed to being hirelings of one of the contestants in the elections.

As a result of the violence, disruption of electoral process and the snatching and abduction of electoral materials and some Independent National Electoral Commission INEC officials, the elections were suspended in all the 10 polling units, where elections were supposed to be conducted in Kunchi/ Tsanyanwa.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, on Saturday ,accused its arch rival the All Progress Congress APC of being behind the orgy of violence and attacks on innocent voters during the re run exercise.

The NNPP in a statement issued by its Kano State Chairman Dr Hashim Suleiman Dungurawa, said it is dismayed by the sporadic attacks on unsuspecting voters by APC hired thugs ,with the aim of disenfranchising them.

“We sighted the deployment of thousands of thugs on Friday February 2 by the APC for the purpose of disrupting the election process on Saturday,.” Dr Dungurawa alleged.

The Chairman Kano NNPP , however appreciated the efforts of the state police authorities and other security agencies in protecting the lives and property of innocent residents and voters.

As at the time of reporting on Sunday February 4 ,the APC was yet to officially respond to its alleged involvement in the disruption of the elections.

Meanwhile ,the INEC has declared the NNPP as winner in the two state Constituencies of Kura/ GaruMalam and Rimi Ga do/ Tofa rerun which held on Saturday,.

.The electoral umpire said the fate of Kunchi/ Tsanyawa will be made known later.

APC’s Laguda Succeeds Gbaja, Trashes PDP, LP Candidates, Wins Surulere Federal Constituency Bye-Election

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Akinwale Kasali

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February 4, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Candidate at the Surulere Constituency 1 Bye-Election, Kayode Laguda has been announced the winner of the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, announced that there were a total of 11,801 valid votes, 138 rejected votes and a total vote cast of 11,939.

Out of the total votes cast, Laguda obtained a total of 11,203 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Jerry Afemikhe of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who garnered 278 votes.

The Candidate of the Labour Party, Adeola Adebanjo, had a total of 240 votes.

Prof Adebayo Oladipo, INEC’s Returning Officer for the Bye-Election in the Constituency, announced that Laguda won in all the polling units.

He said, “I hereby certify that Fuad Kayode Laguda of APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner and is returned elected.”

With this victory, Laguda, a former Chairman of the APC in the Surulere Local Government will replace Femi Gbajabiamila who was appointed Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Below is the breakdown of the votes as released by INEC.

Ward 04 Akinhanmi/Cole

Total registered votes: 27917

Accredited Votes: 2190

Total Valid votes: 2170

Rejected votes: 20

Total votes cast: 2190

APC: 2099

PDP: 29

LP: 27

Ward 05 Yaba/Ojuelegba

Total registered votes: 19558

Accredited Votes: 1710

Total Valid votes: 1689

Rejected votes: 21

Total votes cast: 1710

APC: 1615

PDP: 38

LP: 23

Ward 06 Igbaja/ Stadium

Total registered votes: 23060

Accredited Votes: 2234

Total Valid Votes: 2209

Rejected votes: 25

Total votes cast: 2234

APC: 2102

PDP: 46

LP: 48

Ward 07 Shitta/Ogunlana Drive

Total registered vote 32414

Accredited Votes 3157

Total Valid Votes 3119

Rejected votes 34

Total votes cast 3153

APC: 2966

PDP: 84

LP: 50

Ward 08 Adeniran/Ogunsanya

Total registered vote 21586

Accredited Votes 1519

Total Valid Votes 1502

Rejected votes 19

Total votes cast: 1519

APC 1373

PDP 57

LP 61

09 Iponri Housing Estate/Eric Moore

Total registered vote 15842

Accredited Votes 1133

Total Valid Votes 1112

Rejected votes 21

Total votes cast 1133

APC 1048

PDP 24

LP 31

Osun: Gov Adeleke Identifies External Influence As Reason Behind Communal Clashes, Raps Feuding Communities

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Ayodele Oni

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February 3, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has initiated moves to resolve the inter communal crisis between Ilobu and Ifon communities with a view to find lasting solution.

Adeleke at the weekend embarked on marathon peace consolidation efforts among the communities by interacting separately with them during town hall meetings.

The Governor was accompanied by heads of security agencies and top administration officials to Ilobu, Ifon and Erin Osun.

The Governor reviewed the outcome of the previous security meetings with the royal fathers and community leaders in the affected towns.

In each of the towns, the traditional leaders submitted their own version of the stories and their preparedness to submit a list of members of the peace committee set up at the State Security stakeholders meeting.

The interactive session further provided the state government with clearer perspectives on the conflict and further equipped the state security leadership with better insights into conflict de-escalation and ongoing peace building among the communities.

In separate addresses at each of the town hall meetings, Adeleke harped on peace as a condition for development, reaffirming the resolve of his administration to find a lasting solution to the recurring conflict.

The Governor reassured the communities that he has identified several factors responsible for the confrontation namely lack of trust among the community leaders, non- existence of inter-communal peace structures, involvement of criminal elements and infiltration by external forces from within and outside the state.

The Governor further told the local leaders and people that he is committed to the implementation of the resolutions reached at the stakeholders’ meeting and challenged all signatories to abide by the conclusions.

According to Governor Adeleke, the resolutions and other political strategies already adopted by his administration would tackle the root causes of the clashes, repeating his resolve to deal harshly with those behind the communal unrest.

“I am here to preach peace as a condition for development and better lives for our people.

“I am here to warn that there is no room for war mongers and sponsors of violence. It is in everybody’s interest for peace to reign permanently in these communities.

“If you don’t know, your needless confrontations are scaring investors away from Osun. Don’t allow yourself to become agents of under-development. Let us jaw-jaw instead of war.

“I charge you all to sheath your swords and embrace dialogue. Instead of blood shedding and destruction of properties, why not join hands to build a prosperous society. Our administration will reinforce and sustain peace at all costs. Join the Imole peace move now.”

Imo at 48: “Forward Ever, Backward Never” – Governor Uzodimma

By

The Source

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February 3, 2024

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Governor Hope Uzodimma has said that Imo State is moving forward at 48, and that his administration is working tirelessly to fulfil the dreams of the visionary founding fathers who laid the foundation of the State.

Imo State was created on February 3,1976 by late General Muritala Mohammed, who named late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu as the maiden Military Administrator.

The 7th leader of Imo State since her creation, Governor Uzodimma, said in a statement he wrote on his social media platform that at “48 Imo State is moving forward.”

The Governor did as he reflected on the visionary leaders who laid the foundation of Imo State with objectives centring on unity, progress and shared prosperity.

Governor Uzodimma’s statement read in full:

“On this joyous occasion of our beloved State’s 48th anniversary, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every citizen who has contributed to the growth and prosperity of Imo State. As we celebrate this milestone, let us reflect on our Richmond history, forged by visionary leaders who laid the foundation for our great state with objectives centered on unity, progress and shared prosperity.

“Our journey began with the dream of building a State that embodies the spirit of brotherhood and resilience. Today, we stand united, showcasing our resourcefulness, patriotism and unwavering commitment to the collective progress of our dear State and our great nation.

“In commemorating our anniversary, let us take pride in the achievements of our fellow citizens, who exemplifies the dedication and excellence that characterize Imolites. Their contributions on various fronts reflect the spirit of Imo and inspire us all to reach greater heights.

“I commend our active participation in the present-day governance of Imo State, a testament to the success of our all-inclusive Government. Your dedication fuels our efforts to create an environment of sustained development, ensuring the security of lives and properties, and paving the way for prosperity for all.

“At 48, Imo is moving forward and I assure you that my administration is tirelessly working to fulfill our promises. Let us stand united, build on our achievements and forge ahead in transforming Imo into the State of our dreams. Together, we can create a legacy that future generations will be proud of.

“Happy anniversary, Imo State! Forward ever, backward never.”

LASG Clears Illegal Squatters from Ijora Under Bridge Over Environmental Concerns

By

Akinwale Kasali

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February 3, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

Following the expiration of the quit notice given to squatters at Ijora Under Bridge and its environs, and in a decisive move to halt further environmental violation in the area, the Lagos State Government has commenced the dislodgement of illegal squatters residing under Ijora Bridge.

The action which was carried out by the enforcement team of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, followed a one-week ultimatum earlier issued by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

Wahab noted that the exercise was aimed at addressing issues of gross environmental abuse, perpetrated by the illegal squatters, adding that the state government would leave no stone unturned in restoring sanity to the environment across the metropolis.

He said, “The dislodgement exercise under the Ijora Bridge is a continuation of our unwavering commitment to restoring environmental sanity across the state. These illegal settlements not only pose serious health and safety risks but also contribute significantly to the littering and defacement of public spaces. We will not tolerate such disregard for the environment and the well-being of residents”.

He stressed that the exercise served as a strong warning to others who might be considering similar actions, noting that the state government would not hesitate to take decisive measures to protect the environment and ensure the well-being of all Lagosians.

“The state governor took an oath of office to safeguard lives and properties of over 22 million Lagosians. Hence the law has to be enforced without fear nor favour. At the end of it all, we are all the better for it. The state cannot fold its arms and allow the economic gain of a few to override the beneficial interest of the rest. It is about the larger picture. It is a zero tolerance to all forms of infraction”, he said.

LAWMA Managing Director/CEO, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the Authority would continue to place premium on establishing a cleaner and healthy environment, adding that the dislodgement of illegal squatters under the Ijora Bridge was a step towards addressing environmental concerns in the area.

“We are committed to ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all residents of Lagos. The enforcement action under the Ijora Bridge is a crucial step in achieving this goal. We will continue to identify and address environmental challenges across the state, working tirelessly to make Lagos a cleaner, more sustainable city”, he said.