Home Blog Page 1333

Imo Guber: Why Uzodinma Coasted Home Easily

November 18, 2023

By Henry Ekpe

The much expected Nov 11, 2023 Imo Governorship election has come and gone, at least, for now, while contestants who are not comfortable with the result head to Tribunal/Court.

Since January 14, 2020 Senator Hope Uzodinma dethroned Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha as the Imo State Governor, via the Court, it has been a tough journey on the seat.

Now, with the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC pronouncing him the winner of the Saturday Governorship election, Uzodinma can now beat his chest and say he has won his “Own Election” as he discards the vexatious tag of “Supreme Court Governor”.

He now waits for the inauguration and swearing-in which come on January 15, 2024.

To savour the next four years with him, when sworn-in, is his freshly-minted Deputy, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru, who replaces Prof Placid Njoku as the next number two Citizen of Imo State.

To arrive at the present position of a Governor-Elect, a lot of factors enabled Uzodinma to coast home to victory easily.

Easily because according to the INEC result, Uzodinma won in the entire twenty-seven (27) Local Government Areas of the State.

Such magic wand has never happened in the annals of Imo Governorship elections.

It also occurred in the last House of Assembly Election, where the APC cleared all the twenty seven Assembly Seats, but one.

However, that of Nov 11, Governorship election which Uzodinma clinched without much ado, was made possible through many happenings in the State.

First of all, nobody will take away the fact that Uzodinma, since his political career, has never campaigned such vigorously in any of his elections like the latest Governorship race.

He took the election so seriously that the Governor gave attention to every strategy, including meeting every Groups, as possible and as available.

From Vulcunizers Association to Clergy. Uzodinma met all but except the Media in Imo State.

One America President said that three things are important in politics, one, money, two, money, three, money.

Uzodinma deployed funds to his campaigns and the Election proper. No Election can become a success anywhere in the world without funding. He made financial resources available where necessary and needed, and the result is overwhelming.

Another factor that facilitated Uzodinma’s triumph was the gradual poaching of new followers.

The Governor kept recruiting possible allies till the day of the election.

Apart from decimating the vibrant opposition political parties, he courted all the political Big Wigs in Imo State that are worth their salts.

Before the election last Saturday, almost all the Big Men in Imo State were personally campaigning for Uzodinma’s return. From Okigwe to Owerri to Orlu Zones. Whatever was the magic he used to entice and retain these political Heavy Weights is best known to him.

The worst was that Uzodinma balkanized the major opposition political party in Imo State -Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The bubble burst when the entire Imo PDP State Working Committee, SWC, collapsed, leaving only the State Chairman, Chief Charles Ugwu, standing alone. These PDP decamped chieftains were immediately given positions by Uzodinma in his Government, making them drop all they got from PDP as political experience into Uzodinma’s political Bucket. They put all they have at Uzodinma’s disposal and this seriously depleted Imo PDP human resources.

The same crisis bedeviling PDP was also pursuing Labour Party, whose candidate, at last, Senator Athan Achonu was in Court days before the election.

Then, the Emeka Ihedioha factor cannot be over-ruled. Had Ihedioha contested the election, only God knows what would have been the final outcome.

The absence of Ihedioha left most Imo electorate the option to choose between “Uzodinma and others”. In the end, the electorate preferred moving on with the “devil they know, than the saints they can define”.

And again, the final straw was the late introduction of what APC called “Charter of Equity”. This political masterstroke enabled many agitating Imo citizens, especially those of Owerri Zone extraction, to take the final Uzodinma option, believing that “we will not die if he finishes Orlu’s four years and handover to Owerri”.

Therefore, those who were even partisan politicians voted for Uzodinma to round off twenty four years for Orlu, and allow other Zones test power like them.

The Uzodinma plethora of Appointees went to work. The Governor has over four hundred Special Advisers, SAs, who believed that at least their November to January salaries are dependent on their outputs in the polls. Some of them even paid high prices to return Uzodinma, as I know one whose entire House was vandalized for supporting Uzodinma.

So, these number of Appointees, though expensive to maintain at Government expense, worked for Uzodinma’s reelection.

Indeed, Uzodinma’s challengers also helped in handing him victory on a plate.

The signs appeared early on time that Uzodinma will easily demolish his fellow contenders.

Though Labour Party had more robust campaign, but it was not following the tempo till the end.

At a point, the Labour Party candidate allowed himself to be distracted by the Uzodinma people, by joining issues with them, than executing his own plans as mapped out. This led Achonu to abandon the campaign train, and momentarily headed for Abuja.

On the final day, Labour Party lacked presence at the polling Units, as their Agents forgot that the Peter Obi election, which was like a Peoples Movement, was different from the Achonu Election. They had no “Logistics”.

For Imo PDP, since 1999 it started contesting Governorship election, the Nov 11 debacle is better forgotten.

PDP has remained a big “Shadow Government” in Imo State. Even when it loses Elections, it lost Big, as the ruling party would lick its wounds after a testy battle, escaping by the whiskers.

This election was the first time PDP did not win even one Local Government in Imo Governorship poll. It was tragic and disastrous.

No matter the story of intimidation or rigging, PDP always matched whatever ruling party with whatever they will bring to the battle front.

The contentious PDP Governorship primary battle resurfaced during the main election as PDP had lost many of its top members and financiers. Those still hanging in the party, just sat down, hands akimbo during the polls.

The candidate, Senator Sam Daddy Anyanwu could not even help matters, as he was confused whether to concentrate on the Governorship race, or retain his office as National Secretary of the party.

He also did not make any reconciliatory moves to bring the warring Groups together before the election, as he felt his “faction of followers” will deliver him.

In the end, Anyanwu came second with Eleven thousand votes. And before he could race back to Abuja, to continue as Secretary, that one was also lost. What a Loss!

Now, Governor Uzodinma should feel humble in victory and bring all Imo people together, and rein in those in his Government who see others as enemies. It is time to do away with brigandage and “bubuyaya” because nobody remains a Government Appointee forever. Let peace reign in Imo.

When sworn-in on January, Gov Uzodinma would be heading for his last term, which has to do with working for Imo people and a successor, even as no Governor in Imo State has succeeded in doing that yet.

He will also use the last term to leave legacies that will attest to his real achievements, and not that of his First term, which sychophants used to worm themselves into him. And second terms are usually shorter.

Uzodinma should ask Udenwa, Ohakim and Okorocha.

Ekpe, an accomplished Journalist, Columnist, Publisher, Trumpeta, is a Chieftain of the PDP

Ihedioha: “I Wrote No Story, It Is Fake, Fat Lie”

The Source

November 18, 2023

By Gideon Njoku

The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has dismissed as a lie from the pit of hell, a trending article in the Social Media, attributed to him (as the writer) titled “The Tragedy Called Imo State”

Ihedioha, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, declared the duly elected Imo State Governor by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the 2019 Governorship Election, had his tenure cut short by the Supreme Court after only about eight months in office. The judgment gave victory to the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Hope Uzodinma. He has just won a re-election for a second term in office in the off-cycle Governorship election held on November the 11th, 2023.

Since his unexpected removal from office, Ihedioha has hardly commented on the state of affairs in the State, preferring to carry on with his normal everyday life. He had planned to take another deserved shot at the Governorship seat in the run-up to the 2023 Governorship Election, but feeling betrayed by the Leadership of his Party which, it seemed, did not want to give him the right of first refusal as naturally expected given the manner of his removal from office, and sensing the obstacles being thrown his way, as well as some subtle idle talks, he pulled out of the race and literally withdrew, completely, into his shell, especially, as far as the politics of Imo PDP is concerned.

His withdrawal from the race took a toll on the Imo Party, as it sparked an unprecedented run in its membership. A number of high profile Party members abandoned the it. One day, in a shocking move, seven key members of the Party’s State Working Committee, not only quit their offices, but also quit the party. And, as if that was not enough, they defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and pledged loyalty to Governor Hope Uzodinma.

The crisis in the Party was worsened by Ihedioha’s indifference to its affairs. It is, also, one of the reasons the once solid Imo PDP performed abysmally in the just concluded 2023 Governorship Election in the State.

Now, surprisingly, on Friday, November 17, 2023, just about a week after the unprecedented loss of the PDP in the Governorship election, the article, bearing Ihedioha’s byline, surfaced in the Social Media, and went viral.

The article, now been dismissed as fake by Ihedioha, sought to knock his head against a group the fake writers identified as the “Nothern Islamic Oligarchy.” It expressed Ihedioha’s anger with the group which it said Ihedioha, allegedly, holds responsible for his removal from office on January 14, 2020. The write- up, also, alleged that Ihedioha is angry with the Imo political elite, and the Imo people in general, for their weak response to the Supreme Court judgment which removed him from office.

Said the article purportedly written by Ihedioha: “I was angry for two reasons. First I was angry with the Northern Islamic Oligarchy and her Feudal Lords who exploited the weakness of the Nigerian State and the gullibility of her institutions to manipulate and manufacture the tragedy that is Imo State today just to fulfil the feudal dreams of the Grand Madhi.”

The article, also said: “In four years of the impostors government, thousands of Imo youths have been ‘converted’ to Islam through government patronage and were sponsored to pilgrimage to Mecca with government funds.”

And much more. And worse.

In Ihedioha’s response signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Chibuike Onyeukwu, he dismissed the write-up as trash. The statement said the contents “are the products of the putrid imagination of its purveyors.”

The response reads in full:

REBUTTAL: MISCHIEF-MAKERS AT WORK

“The attention of the Media Office of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has been drawn to a mischievous story trending in the social media wherein an article entitled “The Tragedy Called Imo State” is being attributed to him. The piece of balderdash sent out in his name purports that he is angry with what the authors of the article called ‘Northern Islamic Oligarchy’ for removing him as the governor of Imo State. The forgers of the piece of cant also claim that he is angry with the Imo political elite and the generality of the people of Imo State for their docile response to the Supreme Court judgment of January 14,2020, among other infantile attributions.

“We state here, for the avoidance of doubt, and for the records, that the article in question was not written by Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

“The opinions and sentiments expressed therein are not his. Instead, they are the products of the putrid imagination of its purveyors. Associating him with the poisonous views expressed in that fairy tale is not only cheap and disingenuous, it is mischief writ large.

“As a Nigerian citizen who has had the privilege of holding leadership positions in the political space, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has not and can never descend into guttersnipes. He understands the meaning and value of good breeding. He is therefore not one to shoot irresponsibly into the public space.

“It is evident from the timing of this blackmail that the mischief-makers set out to exploit and cash in on the outcome of the just concluded governorship election in Imo State. The figment of their imagination must have led them astray, making them to believe, as they do, that Rt. Hon.. Ihedioha has an axe to grind with the election and its outcome. This poor reasoning can only emanate from tainted minds scavenging desperately for mischief. But they got it all wrong.

“It is on record that Rt. Hon. Ihedioha has never made any inflammatory or incendiary remark since he was removed as the governor of Imo State. His dignified silence is for a reason. He is a firm believer in constitutionality and the rule of law. He detests self-help. That was why he never went outside the purview of the law in his quest for justice and people-centered democratic order.

“It should be pointed out as well that the attempt to portray him as someone who harbours anti-northern and anti-Islamic sentiments is an act of bad faith. It is intended to put him on collision course with the northern political and religious establishment. But the mischief has failed disastrously. In his political journey over the years, Rt. Hon. Ihedioha has had a healthy association with Nigerians of various religious and political shades.

“At no time has he been associated with bigotry of any sort. Seeking to impose one on him smacks of bad blood on the part of its promoters. Nigerians who have associated with him both at national and sub national levels can attest to his centripetal disposition to national issues.

“We, therefore, call on well meaning Nigerians as well as men and women of goodwill the world over to disregard the piece of blackmail being woven around him. Rt. Hon. Ihedioha never authored or authorized to be authored any article in the mound of that being imposed on him by agents of mischief. The purveyors of the blackmail should be seen for who they are- loathsome mischief makers.”

Since 2020, Imo State holds the gold medal as the headquarters of “fabrication and forgeries of stories”, including the cloning of whole front pages of National Newspapers with fake lead stories.

President Tinubu Stops 40 Per cent Deduction From Varsities’ IGR, Says Policy Ill-timed

Ayodele Oni

November 17, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Bowing to public outcry, President Bola Tinubu has announced the cancellation of the automatic deduction of 40 percent from federal universities’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The president spoke through the Minister of education, Tahir Mamman, at the 75th Founder’s Day ceremony of the University of Ibadan (UI) on Friday.

The Ministry of Finance had informed academic institutions in the country about its intention to automatically deduct 40 percent from their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

This move, generated mixed reactions, especially from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and other stakeholders.

Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU national president, had in a statement explained that universities were not revenue-generating agencies, saying that the obligatory fees paid by students were to provide the necessary tools for them to be properly educated.

The Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities expressed their objection to the Federal Government’s plan in a protest letter, urging a reversal.

They emphasized that it was inconsistent for the government to demand 40 percent of universities’ Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) while withholding autonomy.

To address the concerns raised, the president noted that the policy implementation is ill-timed.

He said: “The 40 percent IGR automatic deduction policy stands cancelled. This is not the best time for such a policy since our universities are struggling.”

Uzodinma: “My Competitors Swam Against The Tide”, Receives Certificate Of Return, Says “I Worked Hard For My victory”

The Source

November 17, 2023

Re-elected Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma and his running mate, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru on Friday received their Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with Governor Uzodinma saying that he worked very hard to earn his re-election.

“I am glad to say that I deserve this victory because I strategised and worked very hard for it,” Governor Uzodimma remarked before officials of the INEC and others who turned out in their numbers at the Rockview Hotel Owerri after he had collected his Certificate of Return from the Electoral Umpire.

In her welcome address, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner for Imo State, Prof. Sylvia Agu, congratulated Governor Uzodimma and Lady Ekomaru for their resounding victory in the Saturday, November 11 governorship election in the State which she dubbed “generally peaceful,” and lauded all those who contributed in one way or the other in making the exercise worth the while.

Prof. Agu who thanked the 18 Political Parties for playing by the rules as set in the Electoral Act 2022, specifically appreciated the security agencies, the Civil Society Organisations, the Women groups, the Men groups, the Media, the Physically-challenged among others, who through their different engagements with the INEC, helped to make the exercise free, fair and credible.

She said the off- cycle election in Imo brings to an end INEC elections in 2023 in the State and assured of the preparedness of the body to serve the society creditably whenever the need arises.

After handing over the Certificate of Return to Governor Uzodimma and Lady Ekomaru, the INEC National Commissioner supervising the South East, Hon. Kenneth Ukeagu, thanked Imo people for the peaceful conduct of the election and lauded the partnership that existed between the body and different agencies in and outside the State that helped to make the process hitch-free.

Ukeagu reiterated the independence of INEC and its willingness to deploy technology to conduct elections for the benefits to the society.

Governor Uzodimma in his acceptance remarks, expressed his deep feeling of appreciation to God and Imo people, both of who made it possible for him to be re-elected for second and final tenure in office.

It was also an opportunity he used to reiterate that power will shift to Owerri zone when his tenure ends in 2027.

“Under my watch, Owerri zone will produce the next Governor,” he said and invited those who contested with him to join him to make Imo State a better place for all as his victory is the victory of Imo people.

Governor Uzodimma’s acceptance remarks read in full:

“A few minutes ago, I received the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the duly elected Governor of Imo State for my second and final tenure. I did so with a deep feeling of appreciation and gratitude to God almighty who made it all possible.

“I congratulate Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Deputy Governor-elect of Imo State, who has also received her Certificate of Return, making her the second female deputy governor of Imo State since the creation of our state in 1976.

“In my thank you address, which I gave shortly after I was declared the winner of the election, I acknowledged the contribution of all segments of the Imo society who worked hard for my victory. I also dedicated the victory first to God, from whom all powers come. I equally dedicated my victory to Imo people, including those who massively voted for me and those who voted for other candidates.

“Let me once more congratulate the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting the freest, fairest, and most peaceful election in the history of Imo State on November 11th, 2023. With the assistance of the security agencies, INEC delivered what has been widely adjudged a credible poll, whose integrity can not be questioned.

“By upholding the sanctity of our electoral process, INEC has deepened our democracy with the assurance that our votes will always count. I therefore commend INEC for a job well done. I equally commend the security agencies and all those who worked tirelessly to ensure that the election held peacefully throughout the 27 local government areas of the state.

“I am aware that some cynics and naysayers have been stunned by my overwhelming electoral victory, which saw me receiving the majority of the votes cast in all the 27 local government areas of the state. As usual, these critics have been weaving their conspiracy theories without taking into consideration the factors that shaped my victory.

“I am glad to say that I deserve this victory because I strategized and worked very hard for it. This is the only way to guarantee victory in a democratic election, especially in a state like Imo where the people are mostly literate, republican and politically aware. This means they can separate the wheat from the chaff.

“Having said this, it is pertinent to highlight two issues that I believe propelled me to a clear and outright victory. One is my sterling performance as the governor in the last four years, and the second is the Imo Charter of Equity, which prescribes the orderly transfer of gubernatorial power from one senatorial zone to the other.

“When people speak of incumbency factor in aiding the re-election of a sitting governor, they misconstrue it to be the use of power and state resources to confer an unfair advantage to the candidate. For me, that is not the case. Rather, it means leveraging on one’s performance as a marketing tool in an election. For example, Imo people will readily attest to the fact that there is no community, no ward, and no local government that has not been impacted positively by my government.

“In the area of infrastructure, especially road infrastructure, I have made the difference. In all the sectors of the economy, our people have felt the positive impact of my administration. As various groups, including trade unions, were endorsing me for re-election some, people dismissed it as a political gimmick. But those who endorsed me have walked the talk with their followers.

“The result of their efforts is this resounding victory. The beneficiaries of our 3R mantra of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery showed me appreciation through their votes. The same is true with the thousands of youths whom I have trained and empowered. My opponents failed to provide an alternative blueprint for better achievements than mine, so there is no way I couldn’t have won.

“The second factor, like I mentioned, is the Imo Charter of Equity, which the Elders Council, traditional and religious leaders promoted to enthrone peace and order in the transfer of power in the state. Since I am from Orlu, these leaders endorsed me for a second and final tenure. They made an appeal to Imo people that only those from Orlu zone should contest the last election.

“Because the Charter does not abridge the constitutional right of anybody, our brothers from Owerri and Okigwe still contested. But they were rejected because they swam against the tide which the Charter represents. In other words, apart from my superlative performance, the Charter played a key role in my reelection.

“People voted to support the Charter so that going forward, our electoral process in the state will be rancour free and less expensive. The first takeaway from the Charter of Equity, going forward, is that under my watch, Owerri Zone will produce the next governor of Imo State in 2027.

“Now that the election is over, I renew my call to my brothers, who contested with me to join hands with my administration to continue to offer quality services to the people of Imo State. My appeal is that we should put the interest of the state and her people above our personal consideration. There is still time for everyone to buy into the Charter of Equity.

“As always, I am committed to running an inclusive government where the interest of every Imo man and woman will be accommodated. My desire is to leave a legacy of a tradition of rancour-free politics that guarantees all zones a realistic entitlement to the governorship of the state.

“Finally, I once again extend an olive branch to all aggrieved persons and groups and invite them to join hands with me to work to grow our state and make it the envy of other states.

“Thank you all, and God bless Imo State.”

Different individuals, groups and political parties who witnessed the handing over of the Certificate of Return to Governor Uzodimma and his running mate include former INEC National Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, members of the Inter Party Advisory Council, Traditional Rulers, members of the Clergy, politicians, business moguls, among others.

President Tinubu Leaves For Berlin, Attends G20 ‘Compact With Africa’ Conference

Ayodele Oni

November 17, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Two days after returning from Saudi Arabia, President Bola Tinubu will, on Saturday, depart Abuja for Berlin, Germany, to attend the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Conference.

The conference, being hosted by German Chancellor af Scholz, begins on November 20.

During the conference, President Tinubu is expected to join other Heads of State and Government of CwA member countries, bilateral partners, as well as Heads of International Organizations to deliberate on the immediate enhancement of economic and business cooperation.

This is with a view to outlining concrete measures to boost investments in critical areas such as energy, trade, infrastructure, and new technologies, among others.

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngalele, in a statement on Friday, explained that the G20 CwA Conference will be taking place alongside the Fourth G20 Investment Summit, co-hosted by the German government and German business associations.

The statement added that “In view of President Bola Tinubu’s globally recognized drive for foreign direct investment in Nigeria, the President will sustain the momentum and advance the mission further as he leads Nigeria’s delegation to participate in the investment summit.

“This visit also affirms President Tinubu’s commitment to diplomatic reciprocity as the invitation to Germany from the German Chancellor is being honoured following the visit of the German Chancellor to Abuja and Lagos, Nigeria, from October 29 to October 30, 2023.

“Leveraging on the opportunity presented by the Fourth G20 Investment Summit, the Nigerian delegation will follow up on productive meetings previously conducted with high-ranking representatives from German business organizations, who were part of the official delegation of the German Chancellor to Nigeria.

“In his discussions with Chancellor Scholz in October, President Tinubu highlighted the imminent need for more German companies to invest in the Nigerian market across multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy, such as transportation, mining, and energy, all while noting that Nigeria remains Germany’s second largest trading partner in Africa.

“Nigeria and Germany, being the largest economies in Africa and Europe, respectively, recorded an increase in bilateral trade volume from two to three billion Euros between 2021 and 2022.

“The President will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar; the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; and the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu.”

Ekiti Disburses N500m To Pensioners, Oyebanji Urges Public Servants To Await Subsidy Fallout

Ayodele Oni

November 17, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has told public servants in the state to be patient as his administration is still working on reasonable amount to cushion the effect of subsidy withdrawal on petroleum.

Some States have commenced the implementation of palliatives between payment of N25,000 and N30,000 to workers, as well as provision of transport facilities to convey workers to and from work.

In Ekiti State, Government has made provision for buses to convey the workers while bags of rice were also distributed to them and other groups.

Governor Oyebanji said on Thursday that his government was already working out a scenario where workers would be taking care of to cushion the effect of subsidy removal on them, but would not rush to give a figure government would not be able to sustain.

He pleaded with the citizens of the state to be patient with his administration as government is also working out formalities that would take care of those in informal sector of the economy as he assured all of good policies, interventions and infrastructural development that would enable government perform its responsibility to all without prejudice.

“Also on what the labour leaders refer to as wage award, I will not rush and promise you something that I will start and I won’t be able to sustain.

“If I want applause, I can award too and when it is no longer sustainable, we start dragging it, that is not my style because I promised to deal with you in truth.

“So, we are looking at the numbers, they’re working out the scenarios, and whatever we promise we are going to do for you sure it is something that we can carry. I don’t want to do something I will stop mid-way.”

Governor Oyebanji stated this on while presenting cheques worth N500 million to about 140 benefiting retired state pensioners in Ado- Ekiti.

He assured pensioners in the State that his administration would not relent in the drive to clear the backlog of gratuities in order to guarantee their welfare at their old age.

The Governor added that Government was not unaware of the hardship caused by the subsidy removal on the senior citizens, who had served the State meritoriously for the better part of their lives, assuring that government would always look for avenues to cushion the effect of the economic situation.

While disclosing that efforts were in top gear to work our modalities on how to clear the backlog of all gratuity arrears, Governor Oyebanji said his administration would also consider the demand for monthly payment of gratuity to Pensioners.

“On all outstanding issues, we are working so hard to ensure that we crack those nuts, I’m aware of all the arrears of pensions and check-off dues and a lot of things that are still due to our people.

“Our intention is to come to a point where we reach appreciable number of the pensioners, and you know that a committee has been put in place and very soon discussion will be concluded on it.

“We are trying to get the best deal for our people. What will gladden my heart is to sit down and see that we are doing N20 Billion and it feasible, it will get to a larger number.”

The Head of Service, Sunday Komolafe commended the Governor in the drive to ensure careful implementation of his administration’s cardinal programmes and policies to impact positively on the lives of the people, saying the various disbursement he had done for pensioners in the state laid credence to his resolve to make life meaningful and worthwhile for the people.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) Kolapo Olatunde, and his counterpart from the Trade Union Congress, (TUC) Sola Adigun, opined that the narratives had changed concerning the issues of pension and gratuity payment in the state since the inception of the present administration.

Presidential Aide Asefon Lists Students Benefits In Renewed Hope Agenda

Ayodele Oni

November 17, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

As the world observes Friday November 17, as this year’s International Students’ Day, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Sunday Asefon has assured the commitment of the administration to ensure access to education.

In a statement to mark the day, Asefon, said that the free shuttle buses for students, access to loans and appointment of youths into positions are some of the incentives of the administration to encourage the.

“Following the global adoption and domestication of this day, I extend the warm regards of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an education loving President, a champion of unconditional full and free Access to Tertiary Educational, a passionate lover of Students and Youth, whose administration has placed an unprecedented and premium value on education, and Youth development.

“Indeed, it is a blessing to the Nigerian student community that the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed an uncommon priority on education and fostering Youth development which is evident in the programs and actions of the administration so far.

“These programs and initiatives are not limited to: Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023, Approval of CNG Buses for Student Union Governments and National Students bodies.

“Presidential Directive on No increase in school fees by Federal Institutions, Appointment of an erudite scholar with highest education qualifications ‘Professor’ to mount and supervise education ministry among others in six month into the administration and Appointment of young, qualified Nigerians as Ministers to oversee the Youth ministry.

“These are unprecedented and a practical demonstration of commitment beyond mere Promises which symbolized a renewed sense of hope and a fresh beginning, emphasizing enhanced welfare, inclusivity, and the establishment of a more supportive environment for Nigerian Students.

“I encourage Nigerian students to stay optimistic, resolute, and dedicated to the renewed Hope agenda, as this government remains committed to supporting students and fostering the optimal educational environment in Nigeria.

“Let me also use this medium to announce to Nigerian Students that to further demonstrate the practical dedication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to education and Student development, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement will soon launch the Renewed Hope Academic Excellence Reward Scheme in collaboration with key stakeholders.

“This initiative aims to recognize and encourage the top graduating students annually from every tertiary institution in Nigeria, further details to be provided later.

“I therefore call on Nigerian Students, leaders and cadres of Student movements across Nigeria to join hands and support the Renewed Hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by maintaining peace and order in all their campuses while the government navigates the path to a prosperous Nigeria as contained in the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Appeal Court Sacks Kano Gov, Upholds Bauchi Gov Election

Tosin Olatokunbo

November 17, 2023

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State.

Governor Yusuf had earlier been sacked by the state Election Tribunal on September 20. The governor appealed the ruling, which has now been affirmed by the appellate court.

The situation is however different in Bauchi state where the Court of Appeal has affirmed the election of Governor Bala Mohammed.

In the case of Kano, the lower court had declared 165,663 votes of Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP invalid citing that they were not signed or stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The governor’s votes were then reduced to 853,939 while those of Nasir Ganuwa, of the All Progressives Congress, remained at 890,705.

More to come…..

Vote Of Confidence: Gov Akeredolu Days In Office Numbered – Ondo PDP

Ayodele Oni

November 17, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has described as meaningless the vote of confidence passed in Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu by 33 out of 35 cabinet members.

Two cabinet members that did not sign the confidence document have described the action of their colleagues as overzealousness.

In a state in Akure on Friday, the PDP spokesman, Kenedy Peretei, noted that things have so deteriorated in Ondo state to the extent that the whereabout of the governor is not known for 65 days.

To make things worse, according to the party, the governor’s son, Babajide has now assumed the role of Chief executive of the state, as the deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa that is constitutionally empowered to assume the role is battling to save his job.

“Keen watchers of Ondo State politics may have been wondering how the State arrived at this sorry state of affairs. Where the ship of the state is just floating on the high sea, no captain, no direction and about to hit a dangerous cliff any time soon.

“While concerned opinion leaders in the state are still in the process of proffering solutions to the present political logjam, the State Executive Committee came up with a meaningless communique passing a vote of confidence on their boss whose whereabouts have been unknown for more than 65 days.

“As if to shred whatever was remaining of the Akeredolu administration, two State Commissioners ridiculed the purported communique as ‘senseless’ and of ‘no effect’.

“Last week, Babajide Akeredolu, the Governor’s heir apparent was seen in Oke-Ijebu area of Akure, inspecting government projects with the full compliment of the Governor’s convoy and security apparatus.

“Things have never been this bad in Ondo State. Who voted for Babajide as Governor, or his mother, Betty, both of whom have held the state by its jugular?

“Now that the State Executive Committee has decided to come and dance in the market place naked, it is clear the days of this government are numbered.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter wishes to advise Akeredolu’s appointees to be honourable in the discharge of their responsibilities instead of making a mockery of themselves in the eyes of the people.”

Emefiele Remanded In Kuje Prison

Akinwale Kasali

November 17, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele has been remanded in Kuje Prison, Abuja, the Nation’s Capital on the orders of Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Justice Muazu said the former Governor of the Apex Bank should be remanded in prison pending the determination of his request for bail.

Emefiele will remain in prison until November 22, when the court will deliver a ruling on his bail motion.

His lead counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN, moved the application for bail which Rotimi Oyedepo vehemently opposed on behalf of the Federal Government.

After taking arguments for and against the application, Justice Muazu said a bench ruling could not be delivered in view of the plethora of authorities cited by the two parties.

The Judge said he needed a little time to study the authorities and peruse through the exhibits supplied by Emefiele to support his request for bail.

Emefiele was in custody for 151 days after his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu in June, 2023. He was first detained by the Department of State Services, DSS, then the EFCC. After 151 days, he was given what has now turned out to be a temporary bail by a Federal High Court. In Abuja on Friday, he was again taken into custody when he was remanded in the custody of Kuje prisons pending a decision, again, on his bail application. A new CBN Governor has since been appointed.

1...1,3321,3331,334...2,904 Page 1,333 of 2,904