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NDCV Urges FG To Honour Agreement With Ex-Militants, Calls For Decentralization Of Pipeline Surveillance Contract

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard, NDCV, has called on the Federal Government to consider a  decentralization of the new surveillance project to accommodate leaders of ex-militants in each state of the region for effective and efficient results.

The Group stated that there are plans by the Federal Government to re-award the pipeline surveillance contracts to some Ex-militant leaders in the Niger Delta region to carry out security monitoring of pipeline vandals, urging President Bola Tinubu to make sure that every ex- militants from the region benefits.

The Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard is a group of ex-militants who, under the Presidential Amnesty Program submitted weapons, and were granted pardoned in 2017 with a promise to be properly integrated into the Federal Government Amnesty program with all accrued benefits.

The Group established the Forest Camp in Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local government Areas of Ondo State, in which the Ilaje covers the entire 120kms coastline and 80% of the water ways in the State.

The Group in a statement by its President, General Job Omotuwa, said it is licensed to operate under a registered company called Steve Latcon Security Services (SLSS) and Niger Delta Coastaline Vanguard (NDCV) which has an impressive record of water way security within and outside the State over a long period of time.

It stated that it is on record that on 14th November, 2021 at Abereke, a riverine community in ilaje Local Government, about Eight persons were arrested in four boats loaded with drums of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) popularly called diesel, this arrest was carried out by our security service, the NDCV Patrol Team lead by me General Omotuwa in conjunction with the Anti-Vandal Unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Ondo State Command.

It added that in an earlier effort on 28th October, the same year, a vessel was equally arrested by the NDVC team when the suspects engaged in illegal dealings in petroleum products business on the high sea.

This is a feat many ex-militant leaders from Ondo state who have benefitted immensely from the Federal Government Amnesty Program have never recorded or achieved.

It added that NDCV remains the only disciplined, dedicated and law-abiding team that is committed to discharge its duties in collaboration and synergy with the federal government security agencies.

Moreover, the economic importance and advantages of decentralization as here canvased is to yield increased daily oil production output to meet the OPEC target of 2.2million barrels per day which has recently reduced to a ridiculous 1.6million barrels/day because of illegal oil bunkering activities by saboteurs. It will also create job opportunities, enhance the nation’s foreign exchange, encourage internally generated revenue and make act of sabotage that cause oil spill to be more risky and less rewarding for criminals who sabotage government economic policies by busting pipes in the region.

“As a critical stakeholder in the security service of the deltaic belt of Nigeria, we are therefore using this medium to send a strong appeal to Mr. President, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to consider Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard(NDCV) in the ongoing decentralization plan of the pipeline surveillance contract to handle the entire corridor of the South West littoral States (Ondo, Ogun, Lagos) in the project for equity, fairness and peace in the region.

“Also, for the Presidential Amnesty Commission to give full integration of this body into its plans, policies and program.

“It should be noted that Ilaje is the only local government that has oil wells and oil flow stations in the state that qualifies Ondo state as the No 5 among the 9 oil producing states in the Niger Delta region.

“Ilaje LG shares coastline border with Delta State from the Eastern flank and Ogun State from the Western flank.

It has more than 15 oil companies operating in both onshore and off-shore with daily output of over 80,000 barrels per day.

“The IOCs include but not limited to Chevron Nig. Ltd(CNL), Atlas Petroleum International, Conoil Nig ltd, Agip oil Services, Express oil Company, Conoco oil Services. The following oil fields are currently in active operations in Ilaje local government: Ewan oil field, Ororo oil field, Meren oil field, Opuakaba oil field, Malu oil field, Express oil field and Boga oil field is shared between Delta and Ondo State”.

The NDCV in the statement added that it has been actively engaged in rescue operations of kidnapped victims, the recent one being the one that involved four Chinese nationals in ilaje local government on 20th December, 2017.

That NDCV has been involved in so many ways to arrest and hand over to security agents for prosecution, criminals that are involve in pipeline vandalization and oil bunkering.

It is however appealing to President Tinubu to consider the followings for peace to reign in the region: Decentralization of the pipeline surveillance contract to accommodate NDCV to cover Ondo, Ogun and Lagos State littoral corridor.

It stressed that the NDCV has the capacity, the required intelligence and human resources to collaborate with the federal government in the surveillance of pipeline and anti-bunkering activities in the area.

It added that the NDCV is familiar with the terrain for effective and efficient output, urging the government or agent of government not to impose someone from another region who does not belong to the ethnic nationality on us to sustain the existing peace in the region.

Ondo: Akeredolu’s Critics Are Behind Report Of Governor’s Incapacitation – Aide

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Critics and those sponsoring reports of Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s incapacitation are mainly those that are opposed to his stand on  national issues, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, declared on Friday.

Olatunde, who spoke in a Radio programme in Akure on Friday, stated “Keep in mind that there are individuals still opposing Governor Akeredolu’s roles in establishing Amotekun and advocating for a Southern Presidency. Consider these factors when evaluating these insinuations.

“Governor Akeredolu is not incapacitated. The Governor addressed this issue when he received the current National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

“The former Chairman, Adamu, didn’t contact the Governor during his treatment in Germany. It’s absurd to declare someone incapacitated without even attempting to communicate with them.

“The truth of the matter is that the Governor is fulfilling his constitutional roles. If anyone asserts otherwise, ask them what’s currently left undone in the state.

“Workers are receiving their salaries on time, and leave bonuses have been paid. Permanent Secretaries have received brand new SUVs as official vehicles. The state is thriving.

“Those claiming that Ondo state is in crisis are merely motivated by their interests. Don’t lend credence to their statements.”

This is the narrative of some individuals whose self-interest continues to drive their sudden media advocacy. What do they mean by ‘in crisis’? The people of Ondo State can attest that the government is operational and effective. How can they claim the state is in crisis? Is development halted? Are various government departments not functioning?”

“As of now, Governor Akeredolu’s administration is constructing the first-ever flyover in Akure, the state capital. Notably, no government has ever built a flyover in the state since its creation. In the past six years, this is the second flyover under this administration. The impact of the governor and the government is evident through projects that enhance people’s lives.”

“As part of the administration’s efforts to mitigate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, palliatives are being distributed across the three senatorial districts. Governor Akeredolu’s government has adopted innovative approaches to distribute these relief measures.

“After the Governor’s return from his medical vacation, he approved the recruitment of 150 staff for the state Internal Revenue Service.

“The recruitment process began at the Public Service Institute (PSTI) in Ilaramokin, featuring Computer-Based Tests (CBT) starting on October 9, 2023.

“The Governor also approved the construction of tax stations in Ondo and Ikare, as well as a revenue court in Akure. Progress is already visible on these projects.

“Don’t forget that it was after the Governor’s return that he signed the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) bill into law. He has also established a team to identify LCDA headquarters. Progress is being made on this front.”

Lawyer Threatens To Drag Ondo Govt To Court Over Refusal To Implement Report Of EndSars Panel

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

A legal practitioner, Tope Temokun, has observed that continued refusal of Ondo State Government to implement report of the panel on police brutality, popularly known as #EndSars amounts to waste of public funds on the Panels.

Temokun pointed out that under the Commission of Inquiry Law of Ondo State, the Governor has a duty imposed by law, after receiving the reports of commission of inquiry set up.

“The law is not for fun. Putting up such huge exercise by law is not also a joke. The duty imposed on the governor is a serious one. And it does not include keeping away or hiding such report from the public.”

In a statement on Friday in Akure the legal practitioner stated that

“And it does not include keeping away or hiding such report from the public. The duty includes the releasing of the report to members of the public.

“In this case, public fund was dissipated into that exercise and the poor victims, embracing hopes and trusting in the government, travelled distances from the various communities of the state to come and present their complaints.

“The panel had completed its historical and statutory role and had submitted report. Conscience had become clear that they have completed their job.

“This country bled for long under the disbanded SARS and the victims need the government to heal their wounds.

“So the purpose of that exercise was to ensure that justice was done to victims of police brutality, extra-judicial killings and infringement of the fundamental human rights of the people.

“Holding on to such panel report is illegal, immoral and it is an unpardonable sin against humanity. It is against good conscience to deny victims of hopes.

“We call on the government of Ondo Sate to purge itself of this sinful act and release the report to the public and implement same. We shall approach the court to enforce this if the government fails to heed.”

The Federal executive Council, in its meeting held on Friday, 16th October 2020, directed state governors to put in place panels of inquiry to look into rampant cases of police brutality.

This led to inauguration of various panels were across the states of the federation.

In Ondo State, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, pursuant to the powers vested on him under section 2 of the Commission of Inquiry Law, Cap. 32 Vol. 1 Laws of Ondo State 2006, constituted an eight-man panel of inquiry to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality or related judicial killings by the police in Ondo state.

The panel was also mandated to recommend compensation and other remedial measures for victims. The eight-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry, headed by retired Hon. Justice Adesola Sidiq, was constituted on October 20 2020.

After hearing about 77 petitions from members of the public who have suffered one degree of brutality or the other in the hands of the police in Ondo state, on Wednesday the 28th of April 2021 the panel submitted its recommendation to the governor.

It recommended among others, payment of compensation of N755million to victims. Justice Sidiq panel did not only recommend payment of monetary compensation but also recommended publication of apologies in national dailies in deserving cases.

Anambra: My Tribunal victory, Validation Of The Will Of The People, Grace of God –  Ogene

By
James Orji
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0

Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Afam Victor Ogene, has described the National Assembly Election Tribunal verdict that declared him as the authentic winner of the February House of Representatives election in Ogbaru, as a “true validation of the will of the people and the undeniable grace of God.”

The Tribunal sitting in Awka, Anambra state capital, on Friday, October 20, affirmed the victory of the Labour Party candidate, Ogene, against the petition of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Chukwuka Onyema, who was defeated at the polls by Ogene according to the results of the election released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on April 15, 2023, after a supplementary election in the constituency.

INEC records indicated that the LP candidate scored 10,851 votes of the total votes cast, followed by the candidate of the PDP who polled 10,619 votes, while the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Arinze Awogu, came third with 10,155 votes.

The election in Ogbaru Federal Constituency was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, after the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

As a result, a rerun election was held at the constituency on April 15, but unsatisfied with the result, Onyema, who had held three tenures of office, proceeded to the tribunal to challenge Ogene’s victory.

Speaking after the judgment, an elated Ogene expressed gratitude to God for the victory and grace to represent his constituents at the House of Representatives. He also thanked Ogbaru people and his teeming supporters for their selfless support, encouragement and prayers, adding that this special victory would further energise him to continue to provide quality representation for the people. He extended hands of fellowship to the PDP candidate, and urged him to avoid the temptation of further judicial brickbats.

Ogene said further: “I want to specially appreciate God for His faithfulness in always ensuring that the light which He lit for the people would never be extinguished by the shenanigans of those who seek to exalt themselves against His will and His divine agenda for ndi Ogbahu.

“I also want to sincerely appreciate the entire Ogbahu people, irrespective of political or social divides, for their steadfastness in working and praying for the good of Ogbahu.  We  are remarkably a peaceful people, and should not allow politics or personal interest of the political class or politically exposed people to divide or destroy us.

“Ogbaru Federal Constituency is not a private estate of anyone or group of individuals. Leadership positions are entrusted to individuals at a time, to work for,  and protect the interest of the people. It should never be a do or die affair, because it is only God that determines who should lead the people at any given time.

“I have won election in the past. And I had also lost election in 2015 as an incumbent representative. But I just moved on and waited for God’s own time. I didn’t take my opponent to the court, because I considered that doing so would hurt the interest of Ogbahu as tribunal distractions would impact adversely on the quality of representation that the people deserve. It is in this light that I pay glowing tribute to my brother and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA candidate in the election, Comrade Arinze Awogu, for electing to align with the people’s will, by refusing to go to the Tribunal.

“Ogbaru deserves the best and should demand for the best, but such legitimate aspiration would be jeopardised, should we continue to allow politics of acrimony to erode our oneness and the political space.

“Once again, I congratulate the good people of Ogbaru, because with this vital victory, we shall now concentrate fully in the service of the people, in the true sense of representative democracy. I also say kudos to the judiciary, whose judgment remarkably aligns with the will of the Ogbaru electorate.

Tinubu Faces Atiku, Obi, APM Monday At The Supreme Court Over His Election As President

By
The Source
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0
Bola Tinubu-Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

By Gideon Njoku

In a move to overturn his victory at the February 25, 2023 Presidential polls, the Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku  Abubakar, and that of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi, will face President Bola Tinubu at the Supreme Court on Monday, October 23, 2023. They are joined by the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, in their bid to unseat Tinubu who was the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC,  in the Election.

All the Parties had lost to Tinubu on September 6, 2023, at the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, which dismissed their suits against the President, and affirmed his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the duly elected President of Nigeria.

They rejected PEPC’s judgement, and proceeded to the Supreme Court which is the final arbiter.

They filed their appeals within 14 days of PEPC’s ruling.

All the appellants have the same grudges, almost, against Tinubu’s declaration  as President by INEC. The grudges range from alleged non-qualification of Tinubu to participate in the Election, alleged forgery, non-conformity with Electoral Act (IREV, BVAS), brazen intimidation and disenfranchisement of voters and alleged massive rigging.

A source within the Supreme Court disclosed on Thursday that the appeals will be heard on Monday, unless there is a change of plans.

The Supreme Court is the last bus stop for Obi, Atiku, APM and Tinubu. Whatever the Justices who will be on the Panel decide, will be binding on them and their Political Parties.

It is not known if the ruling will be given same day.

However, serious as the suits seem, Nigeria does not have a history of the Supreme Court, or any other Court for that matter, overturning the election of an already sworn-in President of the Country.

OPINION: Making of A Better Society

By
The Source
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Azu Ishiekwene

By Azu Ishiekwene

I grew up thinking that a judicious mix of crime, sex and money might not only help a publisher turn a good profit but could also be the catalyst for a better society. But my friend, the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of NaijaTimes, Ehi Braimah, subscribes to a slightly different model.

When he sent me a collection of the editorials by the online newspaper to review, it was obvious that he believes it is possible to change society – for the better – by using a genre different from my old, familiar mix. Which is a bit of a surprise because in his former life, Ehi was old school.

He has had such an extraordinarily buoyant social life as a younger man, he appears to be afraid of getting old. That’s probably why instead of reproducing the old school journalism that extolled sex, money and crime, he is charting a different pathway for a better society, as you would find in the new book from the stable of NaijaTimes.

My first impression of the book, ForA Better Society – A Compilation of Editorials Published in NaijaTimes from September 2020 to July 2023, published by Bookcraft and released this year, is that it reflects the importance the author puts on newspaper commentary with the notion that it holds a crucial place in the overall objective of news production.

The numbers

Newspapers – print and online alike – use the weight of their editorials to achieve any or all of these three objectives: 1) influence public opinion, 2) promote critical thinking, and 3) cause people to take action.

Perhaps it might be useful to give a sense of the analytics of the NaijaTimes website. According to open-source statistics of the site as of October 13, 2023, it currently ranks 1,142,571 globally, with a country ranking of 12,882 and trending up.

That’s not bad, considering that the brand is still in its infancy. Ten percent of its users, which is the highest percentage, comes from Nigeria; 7.56 percent from Antigua and Barbuda; 2.72 percent from the Maldives; 2.46 percent from the United States; and 2.39 percent from Jersey. Other parts of the world, combined, account for 74.79 percent.

Perhaps a far more relevant statistic would be the demographics of the users of NaijaTimes, especially those who read its editorials. Unfortunately, since I’m not a staff, I’ll need to use a hacker’s ingenuity to reach the backend, a skill that is obviously against the ethos of a better society!

We can argue that traditional newspapers with both hardcopy and online presence appear to stick more to publishing daily editorials as part of their content. Many strictly online news platforms do not dedicate much energy and time to editorial publishing for reasons ranging from mode of operation, a lack of proper editorial board, the virtuality associated with content production, and a lack of commitment. The ones that do, publish editorials at intervals – say, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

Not NaijaTimes!

In 35 months, NaijaTimes published 115 editorials broadly covering nine areas, each of which constitutes a chapter in this book – governance, politics, economy, education, security, health & environment, international affairs/diplomacy, sports and tributes/obituaries.

The major events that define the periodcovered by this book are: COVID-19, the #EndSARS protests, the 2023 general elections, and the state of the Nigerian economy. And, maybe we should add notable deaths around the world, and the FIFA World Cup in Qatar to the mix?

#EndSARS and all that

You don’t have to travel far into the pages of For A Better Society before we are thrown right into one of the most defining moments in our recent history. On Page 4 of the book, the editorial: “End SARS protests: Time to address the hard facts,” published on October 18, 2020, the newspaper draws readers’ attention to perhaps why the massive protests eventually yielded little.

It reads: “While those in the South are in support of a complete disbandment of SARS, those in the North are not; rather, they are calling for a comprehensive reformation of the squad… Of course, this kind of argument is expected in a plural society like ours, but we call for caution so that the differences in approach do not distract from the essence of guaranteeing the rights and privileges of members of the society and saving them from the brutality of security agencies.”

In Chapter Six, four out of the nine editorial publications under the Health and Environment dealwith the COVID-19 pandemic. No single event highlighted 2020 like the pandemic, and because NaijaTimes itself was launched just around the peak of it, the newspaper rightly uses it as the peg of its evaluation of the year.

The other editorial “Crisis in APC and PDP: Do Nigerians need an alternative in 2023?”, published on August 15, 2021, captures the exasperation with the two dominant parties, which set the stage for the emergence of Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Obi’s eventual performance as the best third-place finisher in decades in the election was probably a vindication of the newspaper.

One of the most controversial issues in Nigeria’s economy has been the removal of subsidy on petrol announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his inauguration speech on May 29, 2023. The newspaper supports the call for subsidy to be removed and for the government to speedily deregulate the oil and gas sector to allow “free but monitored market interactions to determine exploration, exploitation, processing and supply of petroleum products in the country.”

You know the rest of the story: Subsidy is gone! Subsidy is back!

Mind your language

Perhaps it would be useful to talk briefly, at this point, on the use of language. In my experience, apart from their general staleness and lack of authority, one of the other reasons why a number of readers tend to ignore editorials is the use of ponderous language, like the one I have just used – ponderous!

You may say this collection of editorials looks at the government of Tinubu with rose-tinted glasses. But you cannot say its language is ponderous or ambiguous. It adopts clear, straightforward language and examples in making its case for a better society.

Tribute editorials, for which global brands such as the Times of London and The Economist, are well-known appear to be going out of fashion in our province. Chapter Nine, the final chapter of this book, has a rich array of tributes and obituaries not only because many iconic personalities coincidentally died within the time of its compilation, but also because there is the consciousness to document their journey. From JP Clark to Jerry Rawlings, Diego Maradona to Pele and Queen Elizabeth in-between, For A Better Society got them all covered.

Except, of course, for brevity and uniformity of length, the book is a compilation of what an editorial should be. The newspaper set for itself, the lofty goal of seeking a “better Nigeria with strong institutions, respect for the rule of law and defending the public interest.” This is not a three-year goal, never mind one that can be achieved easily in a society where almost everyone is talking, few are listening, and fewer still are doing right.

A good editorial

But let me borrow the words of Singh A. and Singh S. (2006), in their book,What Is A Good Editorial?  “A good editorial should express an opinion without being opinionated. It should teach without being pedagogic. It should transform without being evangelical. It should engulf without drowning. It should motivate to action without making you dictatorial. It should enlighten without getting you dogmatic, prejudiced and egotistical.”

This book is a solid reference material for policymakers and those who seek knowledge in various fields or those who simply want to read balanced and informed commentaries about specific topics.  And it doesn’t matter whether you’re the old school of Ehi’s variety or a product of the Arab spring!

And when Ehi has made his money, he should not forget to pay tithe to Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, whose newspaper, Champion, has the proprietary right of the mantra, “Towards a better society!”

Ishiekwene is Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP

Imo Governorship: Uzodimma Pledges Free And Fair Election

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma - Imo Civil Servant Promotion

Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured the electorate in Imo State that the November 11, 2023 governorship election will be free, fair, credible and transparent.

However, he urged the voters to defend their votes after casting their ballot in order to guard against manipulation.

Governor Uzodimma spoke at the formal inauguration of the Imo Progressives Movement (IPM), an organ that the Convener, the House of Representatives member for Ohaji/ Egbema/ Oguta/ Oru West Federal Constulituency, Hon Eugene Dibiagwu said was initiated to support the reelection of the Governor and chat a new political paradigm for the State.

The Governor reassured the electorate, particularly the Imo youths that the environment would be made conducive for them to cast their ballot.

Besides, the Governor told the Imo youths that he will also “create a conducive environment that will guarantee wealth creation, poverty alleviation, provision of scholarship, provision of standard education where civil servants will receive their salaries, infrastructure will be provided and Imo people will make money, prosperity and development achieved.”

Responding to his endorsement for a second tenure by the IPM members, the Governor thanked the group for its wonderful support,  noting that “the march for a new Imo and the road map is largely dependent on the members of the IPM.”

He reiterated that he will continue to serve by way of providing tangible and intangible dividends of democracy and expressed gratitude to members of IPM for their show of support, assuring that he will not take such support for granted.

The Governor used the opportunity to bemoan the opposition for sponsoring killings, thereby stopping people from going to farm, going to market, attending to their trade and work places and asked the sponsors of insecurity to remember that God is at work.

He also beckoned on the youths who are still living in the bush to come out “because the work they are doing from there is that of the devil.”

He assured that he is ready to reintegrate them, counsel and rehabilitate them and make them become human beings again.

Governor Uzodimma enjoined Imo citizens to go out on the day of election and cast their votes, monitor the process, stay within their booths and ensure their votes are counted and moved to the situation room without fear or favour.

He assured that “there must be free, fair, credible and transparent election in Imo State” and that his administration “will guarantee the safety and security of all that will participate in that election.”

Governor Uzodimma expressed absolute trust on INEC, noting that the body had recorded successes in the past in Anambra, Edo and Osun States, and noted that the INEC will do the same in the November election of Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States.

He reiterated his believe in the unity and oneness of Nigeria and emphasised that he stands in the unity of Nigeria.

In his address, the Convener of Imo Progressives Movement (IPM), Hon Eugene Dibiagwu said that the essence of the formation of the organization is to support the Governor’s reelection through quality political education, to identify successes in governance and how to inspire people to vote in the right direction.

Also, he said the idea was to stop persistent campaigns of calumny targeted at destroying the legacies of the Governor and to ensure that the retrogressive kind of politics is forever destroyed in Imo State, noting that “Imo politics must be issue-based, refined, result-oriented and morally astute.”

Again, he informed the mammoth crowd that the “political platform cuts across diverse political interest with a defined mandate to support and facilitate the reelection of Governor Hope Uzodimma.”

“Imo Progressive Movement are working with the other similar organisations as fishers of voters and supporters and promoters for the reelection Governor Hope Uzodimma in the November 11 2023 governorship election in Imo State,” he said adding that the IPM remains the eternal compass as they surgeon together for the Governor of Imo State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr Ikedi Ohakim, a former Governor of Imo State, described the inauguration and campaign flag-off as “the grand finale of all endorsements and campaigns.”

He commended the Governor for his good works that have made the work of those following and campaigning for him easy and seamless and informed that “the IPM is made of over 40 supports groups.”

He reminded the gathering that the Charter of Equity is real and cannot implement itself “but through somebody and that person for now is Governor Hope Uzodimma.”

He used the opportunity to caution against scuttling the good intentions of the Charter of Equity.

Introducing the essence of Imo Progressives Movement, the Director General,  Comrade Jeff Nwoha said that the different groups, after considering all options to the stake at the Douglas House, narrowed down their choice to Governor Uzodimma “considering his fairness, developmental strides, infrastructural development, youth empowerment and all inclusive administration.”

He said they all decided to endorse him as one and only governorship candidate for the November, 11 2023 elections and promised that the movement will continue until the mandate is achieved.

The event was attended by key stakeholders in the Imo State politics.

PSC Denies Recruitment Of Criminals Into NPF, Says New Kano Constabulary Not Regular Police, But Recognized By Law

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Solomon Arase

By Ayodele Oni

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has cleared the air on the  recruitment of 50 repentant thugs as Special Constabularies in Kano State. The PSC in a statement said the recruits are not police officers, but recognized by law.

Report indicated that 50 out of the 222 repentant youths had volunteered to help police fight crime, after de-radicalization, reformation and comprehensive profiling.

The statement issued on Thursday by Ikechukwu Ani Head, Press and Public Relations, of PSC, stated that Special Constabularies are not Police men.

The Statement reads: “The attention of the Police Service Commission has been drawn to the operations of the Special Constabulary in Kano state, especially the issue of a repentant criminal said to have been recruited into the organisation.

“The Commission wishes to state categorically that the Special Constabulary are not Police men and not recognized as such by the Commission and Government.

“The Commission, however, notes that the Constabulary operations are covered and recognized by the Police Act and are readily useful and needed now that the nation is fighting to end the siege of criminals across the country.

“The Commission is in touch with the Kano State Police Command and is aware that the use of the Constabulary is to support the Police in building a crime free Kano State.

”It is necessary to state that the men and women recruited as Special Constabulary are posted to work in their locality where they will be in a better position to fish out the criminals terrorizing the place.

”Some of the repentant influential youths previously used in the past as political thugs and abandoned have realized that crime does not pay and have voluntarily offered themselves to assist fight for a crime free state.

”The Commission is also aware that the Kano Special Constabulary has received adequate training and are working in their Local Government areas as required by law but under strict supervision of the State Police Command.

“Their engagement is obviously for visibility and to promote Sustainable peace, economic growth and development of the state.”

The statement added that “Chairman of the Commission, Solomon Arase, CFR, former Inspector General of Police says the Commission will continue to partner with the Police to ensure an improved security of lives and property in the country.

“Arase noted that security is not only a government responsibility but that of every Nigerian and called for a citizen based approach to security in Nigeria.”

He, however, disclosed that the Commission in consultation with the Inspector General of Police will ensure that the uniform of the Constabularies are clearly differentiated from that of the Nigeria Police Force to avoid cases of identity crisis and also define their specific roles in the security architecture of the nation.

Tinubu Removes Newly Appointed FERMA Chairman, Imam

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

In response to public criticisms over his appointment, President Bola Tinubu has directed the withdrawal of the nomination of Engr. Imam Kashim Imam earlier appointed to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

There have been outcry over Imam heading such a sensitive agency, citing his age and experience. He was 24 years old, and one year post-NYSC.

The removal is coming less than two weeks after he, along with other board members, were named

Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, explained in a statement on Thursday that the removal is with immediate effect.

The statement reads “The President’s withdrawal of the above-mentioned nomination is directed with immediate effect.

“All other appointments to the Board and Executive Management team of FERMA are not affected by this directive.”

Supreme Court Hears Obi’s Case Against Tinubu’s Presidential Victory Monday, October, 23, 2023

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The much expected hearing of the appeal filed by Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, against the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, which affirmed the victory of Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s President will, all things being equal, come up on Monday, October 23, 2023 at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Tinubu, the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election, winner.  But both Obi and the Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar,  cried foul, and filed a case before the PEPC, seeking to overturn the declaration of Tinubu as President.

However, a couple of weeks ago, PEPC dismissed the cases of both Candidates as without merit, prompting them to appeal to the Supreme Court.

A source within the Supreme Court disclosed on Thursday that Obi’s appeal will be heard on Monday, unless there is a change of plans.

The Supreme Court is the last bus stop for Obi, Atiku and Tinubu. Whatever the Justices who will be on the Panel decide, whether any of the three of them likes it or not, will be binding on them and their Political Parties. It is not known yet when Atiku’s appeal will be heard.

Obi and Atiku cited many issues on which they are appealing Tinubu’s victory, including alleged certificate forgery, rigging, nationality and other sundry issues.

Nigeria does not have a history of the Supreme Court, or any Court, overturning the election of an already sworn-in President of the Country.

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