AFCON 2023: Why MultiChoice Made U-Turn On Beaming AFCON Tournament Live

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said the days of those politicians behind his continued blackmail are numbered as they will soon be exposed.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, who spoke while featuring on a Programme on Fresh FM Akure, said, “Mr governor has begged politicians to just play by the rules in a manner that would not threaten the peace and tranquility in the state.

“Some of them, those that want to contest for the governorship Election, have been following the rules, talking to party leaders and all that and we have also seen two or three aspirants that have not gone anywhere to talk to anybody, but the only meeting they hold is with their data boys and tell them to go and be writing stories on social media as if that is where the ticket of the party would be picked.

“We will continue to expose them and when the time is right, we would mention their names. We know them and if we do not know them, would not say that they held meetings a day before yesterday at a very popular hotel in this Akure, in ijapo for that matter. So we know them and know what they are doing, we know their names.

“Mr governor is two weeks old in office. They should allow him focus on what he is doing, even though he is not disturbed.

“All these blackmails and stories planted here and there would not give anybody the ticket of the party. Ticket of the party would be either by delegates or members of the party.

“They blackmailed him while he was the deputy governor, he defeated them, now he is the governor with the help of God and the people who saw that the battle against him was unnecessary and affecting the development of Ondo state and they stood by him.”

‘Don’t Spare Anybody Involved ’ – Obi Reacts To ‘Edugate’, Wants Comprehensive Investigation

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January 11, 2024

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi, has urged the government to ensure that all those culpable in the scandal involving the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ms Betta Edu are brought to book.

Obi said in a write-up in his X-handle platform that the government should go beyond the suspension of the Minister which he welcomes and carry out a comprehensive investigation into the matter by giving the problem of public sector corruption the severe urgency it deserves.

He expressed disappointment that a Ministry created in good faith to attend to the plight of the suffering masses is being turned into a conduit pipe to steal from the poor as seen in the current and previous Ministers of the Ministry.

“I like to add my voice with most Nigerians concerned about accountability in government and judicious use of public funds, to welcome the suspension of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Ms. Betta Edu, and subsequent directives for her investigation.

“While the action of the government is a welcome development, the investigation must be comprehensive so that all those culpable are brought to book.

The LP leader warned against taking the issue lightly “The suspension of the Minister should not be a window-dressing action but should be a peg to get at all those who are deserving of blame and punished just like the Minister.

“By a sad coincidence, the alleged fraudulent diversion of N585 million of public money by Ms. Edu broke almost at the same moment that the Minister who held the same portfolio in the last administration is being investigated for a whopping N37bn misappropriation. The Ministry may have been created by the system as a conduit pipe to siphon public funds while using the poor as a face.

“Equally worrisome and disgusting is the fact that the missing funds are meant for poverty alleviation in a time of severe suffering among the people.

“Unfortunately, the ruling elites can shamelessly convert, divert, or misappropriate such huge sums meant for the poor can be trusted to address the severe poverty ravaging the people. It is not only immoral but also insensitive for those entrusted with funds for public welfare to steal from the poor.

“I call on the administration to use these cases to initiate a thorough system-wide and systematic investigation of all reported cases of fraud and corruption among high government officials in the country. PO.

Why I Have Empathy for Betty Edu – Olufemi Pedro

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January 11, 2024

I first met Betty when she was introduced to me as a candidate for Women Leader of our party in Abuja in early 2022. Shortly after, she was in Lagos on a courtesy visit and I immediately liked her style, her carriage and comportment. She exuded confidence, was articulate, knew what she wanted and appeared to me as focused, determined and ambitious. She later won the election and became the Party’s Women Leader.

Betty worked very hard during the campaign. She was everywhere mobilizing women, campaigned with the Presidential Campaign team all over the country, and attended most of the events. We also traveled together to attend the Chattam House event where she was asked to respond to a question by our Candidate and she discharged herself creditably.

I wasn’t surprised when she eventually became a Minister. Honestly, if I were the President, I would not have hesitated to also appoint her as Minister because she’s not too young to serve as Minister, she’s a qualified medical doctor, experienced enough as a former commissioner and women leader of our party, and has demonstrated drive, passion, and loyalty to qualify as a Minister. This is where I disagree with those who are tagging her as too inexperienced, too young, and too green to be appointed Minister.

We have all read about her wrongdoings and her suspension by the President and questioning by the EFCC. This is as it should be. I hope and pray that at the end of the day, she would have learned a hard lesson on how to conduct herself as a public officer and navigate the banana peels in the corridors of power.

Betty Edu is like a daughter to me and I feel really sorry for her for the mess she finds herself in. I asked myself what if she’s my daughter? Would I disown her? She’s a promising bright star who could have served this nation in higher capacities. The nation needs more young people in public service and I hope her misadventure will not discourage others in her age bracket.

My candid advice to all young people who are called to service in public office is to seek out a mentor of a public officer serving or retired with some measure of credibility and good pedigree who will guide and mentor them on how to navigate the murky waters of public office.

To us critics and commentators, I get it that we are genuinely shocked and angry as to the level of malfeasance we are witnessing in public service, but be aware that we should rather learn from her mistakes rather than laugh at her. What happened to her could have happened to many of us whether by omission or commission. Public service is a serious and sensitive business where your actions or inactions could have serious consequences for millions of citizens that you’ll never meet personally. Temptations, greed, and indiscipline could easily be your undoing especially if you are young, carefree, and with no one mentoring and guiding you.

There are still many young, smart, focused, and dedicated young men and women out there who are interested in public service at the leadership level not because of the attraction of free money and power but for the genuine desire to serve the country and the people. I urge you not to be discouraged but to continue to pursue your dream. The nation needs you.

Pedro was one of the three Deputy Governors in Lagos under the Governorship of now President Bola Tinubu

2023: Peter Obi, Edeoga Greatest Casualties Of Electoral Fraud In Nigeria

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January 11, 2024

Edoga Laments: “I’ll never come to terms with the final judgement against me”

National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, has identified its Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Election, Peter Obi and Enugu state Governorship Candidate, Chijioke Edeoga, as two biggest casualties of the flawed electoral act.

The Labour Party chairman also appointed Chijioke Edeoga into the team of party’s committee that will work for the reformation of the nation’s electoral act.

The Enugu State Governorship Candidate on Wednesday paid a ‘Thank You’ visit to the National Headquarters of the Labour Party where he gave account of how he contested but was rigged out in the March 18th 2023 election by the collusion of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and Enugu state government.

Edeoga who said that he is yet to come to terms with the final judgement against him even with the obvious evidences that supports his victory however pleaded with the Party to support electoral act reform.

He said, “The electoral brigandage and vote rigging are the most dangerous things that can happen in a democracy. Because the people who vote are voting on the basis of their prayers, based on their frustrations, based on their expectations but as soon as they cast their votes, the votes disappeared. So, anything we can do to protect the sanctity of votes, we should do it. The votes means someone’s approval for a candidate. It is more than a physical act. It is not just a symbolic act, it has a spiritual dimension.

“After the Supreme Court judgement, many people have not come to terms with it. A lot of people are facing one ill health or the other. The judgement threw Enugu into a mourning condition. I have not come to terms with it and I will never come to terms with it. But I have to come here to tell you that the ticket you gave me, I did not play with it, I did not trade with it, I did not bargain with it. I knew that my people entrusted their mandate to me but it was not my fault, I tried my best. I came to say thank you. I came to say, I am here send me to continue the work of national redemption.”

In his response, LP National Chairman, Abure while appointing Edeoga in the electoral reform committee said, “It is very clear that they robbed us of that election. It was done in collusion with INEC officials and PDP government in Enugu state. The whole world is aware of it. Even before you spoke about electoral reforms the party has decided since last year that we are going to pursue electoral reforms in Nigeria. And that what happened to us in the general election will never happen to us again.

“We believe that the starting point is to begin early enough with the pursuit of electoral reform because we saw all the antics that played out between the national assembly and the presidency in the past electoral reform. And as I speak with you, we are already constituting the committee that will give us the framework for the review. We also decided that Labour Party will not be a spectator and that we will be the drivers of that processes.”

He said that the only people that can pursue electoral reforms are those who are victims of the process. “I have made it clear that the major victim of the 2023 general election is the Labour Party. And therefore we cannot be seen to take back seat in the pursuit of electoral reform and in defence of our votes. And since you are a major victim, one major victim after Peter Obi of electoral fraud in Nigeria, you will be in the best position to help the party and the Nigeria generally to resolve this crisis in our hand,” he said.

Polaris, Union, Keystone Get New CEOs; Titan Trust Bank Left Out

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January 11, 2024

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has appointed new chief executives for three commercial banks whose managements were sacked on Wednesday.

The apex bank yesterday wielded the big stick on the boards of Union, Polaris, Keystone and Titan Trust Bank citing various infractions.

A statement released by the bank said the decision by the Yemi Cardoso-led CBN to sack the banks’ management was in line with its extant powers.

According to a statement released by the acting Director of Corporate Communications, Sidi Hakama, on Thursday morning, the CBN said it has appointed Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola as the Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank and Chris Ofikulu as its Executive Director.

Yetunde Oni as the chief executive of Union Bank, while Mannir Ubali Ringim was selected as the Executive Director, while Hassan Imam has been appointed chief executive, and Chioma Mang as Executive Director.

The statement read, “Following the dissolution of the Board and Management of Union Bank, Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank on Wednesday, January 10, the CBN has appointed new executives to oversee the affairs of the banks;

“Union Bank: Yetunde Oni – Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Mannir Ubali Ringim – Executive Director

“Keystone Bank: Hassan Imam – Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer Chioma A. Mang – Executive Director

“Polaris Bank: Lawal Mudathir Omokayode Akintola – Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer Chris Onyeka Ofikulu – Executive Director

“The appointments take immediate effect,” the CBN stated.

Meanwhile, the apex bank has yet to appoint a new management for Titan Trust Bank whose management was removed alongside others on Wednesday.

Atiku’s Man, Bwala Heads For APC

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January 11, 2024

Daniel Bwala, a spokesman for the Atiku Presidential Organisation is headed for the All Progressives Congress, APC, after vehemently criticizing the ruling party.

Bwala had left the APC ahead the 2023 presidential election for the PDP to support the aspiration of Atiku Abubakar, its presidential candidate, citing the muslim-muslim ticket of the APC.

The APC won the presidential election, and Bwala has now made a u-turn back to the ruling party, making tongues to wag on his intension this time around.

Why did Bwala join the party he has trenchantly criticized in the last few months, as one of it spokesperson?

According to him, what motivated him are some critical decisions recently taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the suspension of Beta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation over an alleged fraud.

Recall that embattled Edu was suspended earlier in the week by the president after report went viral that she issued a memo to the Accountant General of the Federation, to pay close to N600 million to a private account. She is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Aslo, Bwala cited the decision, on Wednesday, by President Tinubu to cut the number of travel entourage of federal government officials to local and international events, including that of the president and vice president.

Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President On Media and Publicity said the president took the action to reduce the cost of governance in the country.

Though Bwala has not indicated whether he has dumped the PDP, he however told journalists after meeting with President Tinubu in Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power that if supporting Tinubu means joining the ruling party so be it.

Part of what Bwala said in Aso Villa: “Some of his ministers that were allegedly reported to have committed infractions, instead of protecting them, asked that the law should have its own course and suspended somebody without wasting time. That, to me, is impressive because it’s about the people.

“Secondly, there has been this outcry that the government is bloated, and for the rest, yesterday he introduced a policy that reduced the cost of governance, and today he told me it is just the beginning.

“There are many more government decisions that will reduce the cost of governance.

“What have we been talking about as citizens if you don’t have personal grudges against someone if it is a policy issue? When policies are going correctly…and what I’m saying apart from today that I’m talking here, you all need to visit my Twitter page.

“In the last few days, I have been expressing my surprise and appreciation to the President for the decisions he is taking. So this is not about political parties. And you need to know that, like I said, I was with him before I left. And I was doggedly committed to him.

“I told him today that I am committing to play my part to support your administration, and I have no apologies to anybody.”

Stop Harassing And Intimidating Supreme Court NNPP Warns Kano APC

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January 11, 2024

Abba Kawu Ali - NNPP Acting National Chairman

By Daniel Maduka

The National leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP has called on President Bola Tinubu to rein in the leadership of the Kano All Progressive Congress APC over what it has described as an attempt to harass and and blackmail the Judiciary. It added adding that all well meaning Nigerians and lovers of democracy should also rise to condemn the act.

The Party in a statement issued on Wednesday January 9 2024, and signed by its Acting National Chairman Alhaj Abba Kawu Ali, noted that the recent printing and distribution of various souvenirs like T-shirts and others by the APC in the State are indicative of the celebration of victory in the yet-to-be delivered judgment of the Apex Court of the land.

According to NNPP National Leadership, such brazen display of triumph by the APC in kano is, at best, targeted at cajoling and intimidating the court to deliver judgement in their favour.

“It is the standard norm the world over that when a matter is before the court, no party in the suit should do anything to influence the outcome by whatever means.

“Without doubt , this action by the APC Kano State tantamounts to harassment and blackmail of the Judiciary .

“And, this act should be roundly condemned by all well meaning Nigerians.” the statement stated

The NNPP warned that the desperation of APC Leaders in the state which has reached the crescendo, if not checked could plunge Kano , the Northern region and the entire Country into a crisis of monumental proportion.

“it is in view of the danger posed by the activities of these APC leaders that we are calling on the president to call his party leaders in Kano to order .

“It is very visible even to the blind that the APC was roundly defeated by the NNPP in kano in the last general elections . They are only trying to get what they couldn’t get at the polls through the back door .

“We are using this opportunity to once more express our unflinching confidence in the abilities of the supreme court to dispense justice.” Ali stated.

While calling for calm and peaceful conducts, the NNPP assured its teeming supporters , that nothing will happen to the mandate which they have freely given out to the party and its flag bear Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, adding that they will continue to keep faith with their electioneering promises.

The Source news magazine reports that the Supreme Court is set to deliver its verdict on Friday Jan 12 2024 in the appeal filed by Governor Abba Yusuf challenging the nullification of election ,and the subsequent declaration of his APC rival Dr Nasiru Gawuna as the duely elected governor of Kano State

CBN Sacks CEOs, Boards Of 4 Banks Linked To Emefiele

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January 10, 2024

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has dissolved the Boards and managements of four commercial bank in the country.

The Deposit Money Banks upon which the apex bank wielded the big stick are Titan Trust Bank, Polaris Bank, Union Bank and Keystone Bank.

Sources in the bank informed the magazine on Wednesday that the Yemi-Cardoso-led CBN sacked the board of the banks in line with its regulatory powers.

The magazine however learnt that the sack of the boards of the banks may not be unconnected with the report of Jim Obazee, the Special Investigator on CBN.

Obazee was appointed last year to investigate the Godwin-Emefiele-led CBN, and has submitted a scathing report last December to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to those privy to the report, one of the recommendations made to the president, is the sack of the boards of the four banks in which Emefiele allegedly has interest.

Recall that the embattled former CBN governor was alleged to have used proxies to acquire the four banks. He has denied the allegation.

More to come..

Zenith Bank CEO Not Arrested By EFCC-Mgt

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January 10, 2024