Gov Obaseki, Deputy, Shuaibu Rift Ends, As Leaders Of Thought Intervene, Court Case Withdrawn

By

-

September 5, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Peace seems to be lurking between the embattled Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu, and Governor Godwin Obaseki. It would, thus, end weeks of cold war between two leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.

There were indications to this on Tuesday as the Deputy Governor announced the withdrawal of the suit he filed at the Federal High Court to stop alleged plots by Governor,Obaseki, to remove him from office.

Shaibu, in a circular dated September 5, 2023, cited the case with Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1027/2023 which named the Inspector General of Police, State Security Service, the Governor of Edo State, and the Chief Judge of Edo State as defendants.

The Deputy Governor explained that the decision to withdraw the suit came after series of meetings involving himself, Obaseki, and well-meaning citizens of Edo and Nigerians, including party leaders, traditional rulers, and the Archbishop, Benin Archdiocese of the Catholic Church.

Sensing his possible impeachment by the State Legislature, Shuaibu had rushed to the Federal High Court to file a suit restraining interested parties including the Governor from impeaching him.

The Assembly and Obaseki had since denied any move to that effect.

The Deputy Governor had however been subjected to various humiliations including his public blockage from meeting the Governor and relocation of his office to outside the Government House, Benin.

Shaibu’s interest to have a shot at the Governorship of the State is said to be one of the reasons behind the strained relationship with Obaseki.

In a letter of withdrawal, cited on Tuesday, Shuaibu stated that “With due respect to these eminent personalities and leaders, whose persuasions and persons I cannot ignore, I, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, have authorized and instructed my Solicitors to withdraw the Suit forthwith.

“I wish to sincerely thank and appreciate these well-meaning Nigerians, Party Leaders, Traditional Rulers, and my Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Augustine Akubeze for their kind words, advise and encouragement thus far in ensuring peace and unity in our dear State, Edo.”

Ondo NLC Warns HoS Over Attempt To Frustrate Ongoing Strike

By

Ayodele Oni

-

September 5, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

Organized Labour in Ondo State has warned the State’s Head of Service, (HoS) Kayode Ogundele, to steer clear of the ongoing two- day warning strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The State NLC accused the HoS of attempting to lure workers to work in a viral video, in an attempt to frustrate the strike.

In one of the bulletins issued on Tuesday while the strike was on-going, the NLC stated that “It has come to the notice of the Organized Labour in Ondo State that the State Head of Service, Mr Kayode Ogundele is trying to cause industrial crisis in the State with his viral video.

“In the viral video, the HoS was said to have threatened workers to ignore the two- day warning strike called by the NLC.

“We wish to direct our members and workers in the State to remain at home as directed by the NLC. The Congress will put Mr Ogundele at appropriate position at the right time.

“Labour Unions under NLC shall take on the HoS and calling on the Acting Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the SA on union matters & Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye to call Mr Ogundele to order before he truncates the existing Labour harmony in the State.

“We maintain that the reason for the strike is justified considering the hardship caused by the fuel subsidy removal.

“The HoS should not cause avoidable industrial unrest in Ondo State. We wish Mr Ogundele is called to order immediately.”

Four Persons Killed As Task Force, Touts Clash In Mile 2 Lagos

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

September 5, 2023

0

By Akinwale Kasali

There is tension in the Mile 2 Area of Lagos following a serious clash between officials of the Lagos Task Force, Touts and Tanker Drivers.

The clash it was gathered has led to the alkeged death of four persons, and several injured.

Eyewitness accounts said that the clash happened at the Mile 2- Oshodi bridge, and as a result, the bridge has been barricaded, forcing motorists to seek alternate routes.

In a video shared on social media, it was narrated that the area is currently shutdown and should be avoided by commuters as angry mob may retaliate by attacking anyone seen around.

Riot fire was also seen in the video, passing a signal that no movement can be done in the area at the moment.

According to Vanguard Newspapers, it received a distress call from a stranded passerby who identified himself as Mr Richard Igbe, who explained that there was a fight on top of the Mile 2-Oshodi bridge.

Igbe told the publication that they had barricaded the bridge blocking the access road.

Although the actual cause of the fight is yet to be ascertained, at the time of the call, Igbe claimed that four persons were dead from gunshots.

“Mile 2 is on fire. The task force, tanker drivers, and touts are fighting seriously. I don’t know what caused the fight, but I am just hiding at Fagbems Filling station at Mile 2 and watching.

“I am going to work, but I am stranded as they barricaded the whole of Mile 2 that nobody will pass”, the eyewitness reportedly said.

Security Operatives have, reportedly, stormed the area to restore peace.

“Nigeria’s Democracy Is Government Of The Judiciary, By The Judiciary, For The Judiciary” – Bode George

By

Akinwale Kasali

-

September 5, 2023

0

By Akinwale Kasali

As the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, PEPT, prepares to give its verdict on the February 25th, 2023, Wednesday September 6th, 2023, Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has raised concerns over the role of the Judiciary in determining election winners in Nigeria.

George said it is inappropriate for the Judiciary to determine election winners as it pitches it against the people as it takes away the right of the people to determine poll winners.

He raised the concern at a press briefing held in his office in Ikoyi on Monday following the announcement by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja that it would deliver judgment on Wednesday.

There petitioners – mainly, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the Labour Party, LP, and its Candidate, Peter Obi –

are challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the winner of the Presidential Election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

George, however, questioned why the judiciary had been making pronouncements to determine election winners rather than order INEC to re-conduct the elections to aid the emergence of real winners.

He said, “Our country has been doing very little positively and very much negatively. In the last few days, I have been thinking as a former Military Officer and as a civilian since I have served five presidents.

“Our electoral process is shambolic, nonsensical and makes the country nosediving. It is the manipulation of the system.

“A glitch on the day of the election is unforgivable but the INEC chairman told us they were ready but with what happened, generations to come will never forgive him.

“The most contentious issue in Nigeria today is the Judiciary. It is one of the pillars of government. Is it right for the Judiciary to tell us who won or lost the election? What we understand by democracy is Government of the people by the people and for the people but in our own case it shouldn’t be Government of the judiciary by the Judiciary and for the Judiciary. Is that democratic?

“It is the will of the people that should prevail. If you discover any wrong, ask them to go back and conduct a fresh election even if it takes a hundred times. The job of the judiciary is not to tell us who lost or who won.”

NNPP NEC Expels Presidential Candidate, Kwankwaso

By

Ayodele Oni

-

September 5, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

Still battling with the suspension clamped on him by the leadership of his party, the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) Rabiu Kwankwaso, has been expelled.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party explained that Kwankwaso’s refusal to appear before the its Disciplinary Committee led to his expulsion.

Kwankwaso was suspended by the party’s leadership at the National Convention on August 29 in Lagos, following allegations of gross anti-party activities and mismanagement of party/campaign funds.

Apart from his initial lobby to be appointed as a Minister by President Bola Tinubu, Kwankwaso has also been holding meetings with some top leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) including its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The NEC had set up a Disciplinary Committee and directed it to invite Kwankwaso to defend the allegations within five days.The Committee reportedly sat on Thursday, August 31, but Kwankwaso did not appear.

In a fresh twist to the crisis in the party, the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Abdulsalam Abdulrasaq, in a statement on Tuesday, said the NEC has expelled Kwankwaso with immediate effect.

“The NEC met in an emergency session on Friday, September 1 and resolved that following the refusal of Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to appear before the disciplinary committee which sat on Thursday, August 31 after being duly invited in writing, he is hereby expelled from NNPP with immediate effect.

“That the erstwhile presidential candidate, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso will be reported to appropriate quarters to answer questions on financial impropriety relating to mismanagement of public funds.”

The post election crisis within the NNPP started when the NWC loyal to Kwankwaso, announced the suspension of the NNPP founder, Dr Boniface Aniebonam and the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Agbo Major, on August 24.

The suspension was in response to the expulsion of Kwankwaso’s loyalists from the Party.

Customers Storm ATMs As Bank Workers Join NLC Strike

By

James Orji

-

September 5, 2023

0

Bank workers under the aegis of Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees, NUBIFE, have shut down services in all the banks across the country as part of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC strike that started on Tuesday.

Some customers who spoke to the magazine on Tuesday said they were not allowed into the banking halls, lamenting how the two-day strike will affect their businesses.

The NLC President Joe Ajaero had directed its members across the country to abandon work to press home their demands on the federal government end the sufferings Nigerians are going through due to the removal of fuel subsidy.

On Monday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong made a last-ditch effort to stop the strike by appealing to the union. NLC however accused the minister of dictatorship in the manner he has managed the crisis since becoming minister.

What this means, according to those monitoring the situation is that customers will not be allowed into the banking halls of the over 20 deposit money banks, DMBs, and other financial institutions, OFIs, to carry out their transactions for 48 hours.

Customers will however be able to perform self-services by using the ATM and other digital banking services for cash withdrawal and transfer for the period of the warning strike, sources in the banks said.

The strike which has already commenced today will continue on Wednesday except the NLC and federal government reached an agreement.

According to a statement signed by NUBIFE President Mohammed Sheikh, and the union general secretary on Monday, bank workers joined the strike because they are suffering like other Nigerians because of the current economic situation in the country.

The Union said the federal government should make concerted efforts to tackle the problems instead of meddling in the affairs of labour unions.

NUBIFE said, “In line with the communique issued after the meeting of National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held on Thursday 31 August 2023 that all affiliates should direct all its members to commence two days’ withdrawal of services from Tuesday September 5 and Wednesday September 6, 2023.

“The directive is imperative to get the needed attention of the government and warn it of its new found love of meddling in the internal affairs of unions rather than address the punishing economic circumstances we find ourselves in.

“We hereby direct all our organs to comply with this directive by ensuring all our members stay off duty for the two days.”

Appealing to the organized labour on Monday Lalong said, “It has become pertinent to appeal to the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to suspend its intended two-day warning strike, as such action would be detrimental to the gains already being recorded on our course to securing a greater future for Nigerian workers and citizens at large.

“Furthermore, I would request that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress gives this government some time to settle and address the issues on the ground holistically.

“It should be realised that the cabinet of this administration was only recently sworn in by Mr. President and all cabinet members have hit the ground running by receiving briefings from their MDAs.

“Therefore, the issues raised by the leadership of the NLC are some issues that I and the Hon. Minister of State for Labour and Employment are being briefed upon. In the next few weeks, we intend to address them holistically.

“Consequently, I use this opportunity to reassure Nigerian workers that this government would never take them for granted nor fail to appreciate their support and understanding.

We shall continue to pursue policies aimed at massive employment generation in all sectors of the economy as well as look into immediate challenges that have emerged from the policies of the government. We cannot do this in an atmosphere devoid of industrial peace,” the minister said.

Ekiti: Senator Adaramodu Floors Olujimi At Election Tribunal; Fmr Gov Fayose Lauds Tribunal Over Judgement

By

Ayodele Oni

-

September 5, 2023

0

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has congratulated the Senator representing Ekiti South, Yemi Adaramodu, on the Election Tribunal judgement, validating his electoral victory.

The former Governor, who described the victory as well-deserved, urged him to deliver on his electoral promises and learn from what lead to his victory and the fall of his opponent.

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, on Monday, in its unanimous judgement dismissed the case filed by Senator Biodun Olujimi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the victory of Yemi Adaramodu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). For the records, Senator Olujimi was Fayose’s Deputy during his first term as Ekiti State Governor.

The case was filed by Senator Olujimi against Adaramodu, winner of February 25th, 2023, Ekiti South Senatorial District election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Adaramodu the winner of the poll with 77,621 votes, while the opposition PDP candidate and former Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi polled a total of 53,741 votes.

Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs in his immediate reaction to the ruling says ” I give God the glory over my victory at the Tribunal today “

Fayose called on politicians to always accept defeat where necessary, in the interest of democracy, adding that election is like a game of football, one team will always win, while the other will lose.

“The judiciary has done nothing but justice and I hail the judgement as it validated the wish of the people who voted for Adaramodu.

“To me, politics should not always be about party and individual’s interests, it should be about service to the people.

“Most importantly, we don’t all have to go to court after an election. But if we have gone to court, we should also be fair enough to accept the outcome. More so that there is still an opportunity to go the appeal Court.

“Therefore, on behalf of myself and my supporters, I congratulate him and urge him to remain faithful to his promises to his Constituency.”

But Olujinmi, in her reaction stated that “Another Day in Democracy. Today is another watershed in our quest for justice in democracy.

There’s no doubt that the tribunal sitting in Ilorin has given its verdict.

“There’s no cause for alarm as God is on the throne. I appreciate all the wonderful people that have prayed, travelled, journeyed back and forth. May God reward your labour of love. The lawyers were wonderful.

“I thank them for their insights and strong arguments. To my leaders and friends, I appreciate your concern and selflessness. The future is bright.

“Let me assure you that God is firmly on the throne. We will triumph!! Thank you all.”

Oyetola Promises To Tackle Ports’ Congestion; Connect Rail

By

James Orji

-

September 4, 2023

0

Gboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has disclosed that all will his efforts will be channeled towards revamping the country’s maritime sector under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The minister, according to his media office made this known when he paid a working visit to the management and staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, on Monday.

He also used the occasion to inspect facilities at the country’s major seaports in Tin Can and Apapa.

Oyetola said there’s an urgent need to renew the infrastructure in the seaports across the country, which he claimed are on the verge of total collapse.

He also assured that enough scanners would be deployed to the ports to avoid unnecessary delays, noting that where the scanners already exist, he would interface with concerned government agencies to ensure their proper usage for efficiency at the ports.

Oyetola said he’s in a hurry to leave a lasting legacy in the sector “for generations to come.”

He said, “I, therefore, enjoin you to be good ambassadors of this newly created ministry by displaying the highest level of character at your respective duty posts. Your attitude to work must change. We must imbibe the ethos of hard work, discipline, decency, and selflessness as this is the only way we can deliver on Mr. President’s renewed hope agenda.

“Nigerians expect a lot from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. We must not fail them. We must increase our contribution to the country’s GDP. We have identified some of the low hanging fruits that will make an immediate impact. We shall vigorously pursue them. I am in a hurry to make an impact.

“U have no business heading the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry if I can not make an impact. I want to make an impact. But I can not do it alone. I need your cooperation. I need your support. We have the potential to grow our economy and create more jobs through this novel ministry. We must put everything to work to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President”.

He added: “We fully understand the crucial importance of our ports to the nation’s economic development and international trade. We will work towards improving the operations of our ports. Some of the access roads to our ports are in bad shape.

“We shall liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure some of these roads are fixed in no distant time to ease our operations at the ports. We shall very soon commence the infrastructure renewal of our ports, including pursuing the rail to port project as part of efforts to decongest our ports.”

Oyetola, a former governor of Osun state was initially appointed as the Minister of Transportation by President Tinubu but was later reassigned to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Meanwhile, not a few analysts in the maritime sector are watching him keenly to see whether the minister will succeed in decongesting the ports as he has promised, because all his predecessors have seemingly failed in this direction.

Sanusi Says ‘Nigeria Led A False Life’ Under Buhari

By

James Orji

-

September 4, 2023

0

Deposed emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has slammed former President Muhammadu for borrowing N30 trillion from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The former traditional ruler said “Nigeria led a false life” under President Buhari, who he said refused to listen to experts’ advice on how to handle the economy.

Sanusi, a former CBN governor made this known on Monday, accusing the former administration of mismanaging the economy through its outrageous local and foreign debt.

He said the economy was run aground and was almost collapsing in the eight years that Buhari was in power, noting that “no country can grow” in the manner that the immediate past administration managed the economy.

The former CBN boss urged Nigerians to be patient with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he is trying to revamp the economy.

According to him, “the last eight years, Nigeria led a false life, the government borrowed from within and without. About N30 trillion was borrowed from the Central Bank.

“All the revenue the country generated in the last few years couldn’t service debt. Debt service exceeded 100 percent. The government borrowed to service debts. No country can grow this way. The time will come when one cannot borrow anymore. Additionally, there will be nothing to pay debts.

“Those writing, demanding that we speak on the current situation in the country; this is not the right time for me to speak. It was like a driver on the road driving recklessly despite a wise counsel telling him of a crater ahead. What will you tell after plunging the car into the hole?

“People refused to listen to us then. We will only now advise them to be patient. I will never say Tinubu has pushed Nigeria into difficulty. I am not saying he is flawless or flawed. We will speak when he goes astray. The government can’t pay subsidies since it doesn’t have the means.

“If they add tax, we have to pay since borrowing is impossible. If the CBN printed more naira, the dollar would jack up to N1,500. We must suffer. When I was the CBN governor it was N150. Today it’s somewhere around N900.

“They treated the economy the way they wanted and refused to listen to experts. In the last eight years, only sycophancy succeeded. The sycophants bought dollars at N400 and sold N540. An inexperienced boy who had never worked anywhere owns a private jet.”

The former president has received serious criticism over his government’s huge borrowing from the CBN vis a vis the Ways and Means, W&M which was unprecedented in the country.

“Restore Your Dignity”, Bishop’s Wife Urges Judiciary; “Support My Husband’s Re-election”, Uzodimma’s Wife

By

The Source

-

September 4, 2023

0

By George Best Okoroh

Nigeria’s Judiciary has been advised to rise up to the challenges facing it especially the restoration of its dignity and image.

The wife of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Egbu, Mrs. Chioma Okorafor gave the advice in her address at the 28th Diocesan Women Conference held at the Christ Anglican Church, Awaka, Owerri North LGA, Imo State.

Referring to the 2023 General Elections, Mrs. Okorafor said the elections described by local and international observers as the worst in the annals of Nigeria’s elections has “put the Judiciary on a tall assignment”.

She stated that while posterity will judge all those who went ahead to announce the results of the elections, despite national and international outcry, the Judiciary has the responsibility to prove its worth as the hope of the common man.

“A lot has been said on the election. We leave it to posterity to judge. The Judiciary is expected to restore its dignity and image which seem to be having some iota of doubts”, the Bishop’s wife said.

Mrs. Okorafor condemned the manner tribalism, ethnicity and religion have negatively robbed off into politics in Nigeria, adding that there is nothing to make one a proud Nigerian, except perhaps “in the area of sports, if only it will last. Our politics is tribalistic sectional, ethno-religious. We do not give considerat canion to a person that will take Nigeria to her promised land. Emphasis is on tribe, ethnic background and most unfortunately religion”, she said.

.Mrs. Okorafor observed that Nigeria will celebrate its 63rd Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2023, with many of her citizens suffering under all manner of evils, hunger, pains and discomfort.

She bemoaned the hardships being suffered by the masses as a result of the fuel subsidy withdrawal and the present insecurity in the country, noting that many people have lost their lives, homes and property.

The Bishop’s stated that the nation can successfully fight insecurity in the country, if there is seriousness on the nation’s leadership. “If the nation decide’s to fight insecurity, it will achieve it. We call for more seriousness”, she said.

The wife of the Bishop who is also the President of the Mothers’ Union, Women and Girls’ Guild pointed out that the hardship inflicted on Nigerians by the hike in the price of fuel is unbearable.

She noted that the conference theme “Coming To God In Our Pain–The Gate Way To Our Solace” indicated that at different times in the Scriptures individuals, peoples and nations have passed through hardships and difficult times. She charged Nigerians to emulate Hannah, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Israel in Egypt, David, Job, Peter, Paul and Silas who through prayers to God found a gateway to their solace.

Mrs Okorafor opined that prayers embedded with brokenness, praise and worship, sacrifice and offering with deep understanding of the Scriptures can effectively be applied in challenging any situation confronting any individual, peoples and nations.

Meanwhile the wife of the governor of Imo State Barr Mrs Chioma Uzodimma ably represented by the wife of the immediate past Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly,. Mrs Ijeoma Nduka, called on Anglican Women to lend their support to her husband, Senator Hope Uzodimma in the fast approaching November 11 Gubernatorial election saying that their support will spur the Governor more in his developmental strides in the state if re-elected.

The Governor’s wife made the appeal while delivering her keynote address at the 2023 Egbu Diocesan Women’s Conference Thanksgiving service on Sunday held at Christ Anglican Church Awaka. She said that if not for anything, the women should look upon the reconstructed road leading from Egbu down to Umuahia which for a very long time have been in a very bad condition until the governor listened to the yearnings of the people and decided to work on the road.

She assured the women based on the theme of the conference ” Coming to God in our pain- the gateway to our solace” 1 Samuel 1 saying that they should always remember the story of Hannah anytime they are in trouble, addng that God must surely answer when called with a clean heart.