Osun Staff Audit : It’s Sign Of Failure – APC; You Are Anti-Workers – PDP

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July 8, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The directive by Osun State Government for an audit of the State workforce has set the two leading political parties against each other with the opposition All Progressives Congress, (APC), saying it is a sign of early failure by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP in its reaction declared that “The statement by the APC in Osun state was the latest in the party’s deceptive plot to hoodwink workers into believing it actually cares for them.”

The APC also stated that it sympathized with the Osun civil servants in the way that they were treated by the consultant handling the audit exercise.

A statement by the state Chairman of the APC, Tajudeen Lawal, in Osogbo, wondered why the state governor could not successfully conduct a staff audit, claiming that it was bungled because Adeleke is bereft of what is required to excel in the office as a governor.

“Successive events at the corridor of power in Osun State from November 27, 2022 to date are pointers to the fact that Governor Adeleke has nothing to offer the state but he is only interested in the glamour of the office of the governor at the expense of the improved fortune of the state.

“Has Governor Adeleke forgotten that he promised to pay all the accumulated pensions, gratuities and salaries of pensioners and active workers within six months of his administration during the governorship campaign?

“It is worthwhile to make a remark that with the promise and fail attitude of Governor Adeleke to the request of the active government workers and the pensioners, the immediate-past Governor Gboyega Oyetola has been vindicated as it’s on record that the former governor would never promise what he wouldn’t be able to provide or achieve.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), lashed out at the Osun APC, alleging that the party wants to use the minor disagreement to launch itself back into the reckoning of the people.

In a statement by the state Chairman, Sunday Bisi, the PDP which stated that the APC’s sympathy was fake, noted that their record on civil servants’ management was replete with disaster.

Bisi while defending the governor added that Adeleke is committed to improving the situation of workers in the state.

He maintained that the PDP-led government will continue to pursue initiatives that will improve efficiency and accountability in the public service.

“The statement by the APC in Osun was the latest in the party’s deceptive plot to hoodwink workers into believing it actually cares for them.

“But the truth, which is well inherent in its record, is that historically, APC has never served the wellbeing of the civil servants, as the history of pains and anguish it had caused them over the years can never be forgotten.

“For the umpteenth time, the APC must stop pretending to be what it is not, because it can only deceive itself, not the ever intelligently vigilant workers in Osun, who have suffered a series of inhuman treatment in its hand over the years.

“Osun people, and indeed of the genuine efforts that Governor Adeleke’s administration has put in place to improve the state’s workforce service delivery which the ongoing audit will also compliment.”

Biafra:You Can’t Tell A Man To Quit His House, Igbokwe Replies Dokubo

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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July 8, 2023

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Joe Igbokwe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos state, has dismissed the suggestion that Igbo want to leave Nigeria.

Igbowe’s reaction comes on the heels of the call by a repentant Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo that the south-east should be allowed to leave the Nigerian entity as being clamoured by the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

According to a viral video released by Dokubo on Thursday, the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, NDVF, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to lead a constitutional amendment process that will make it possible for the Igbo to have a country of their own.

Dokubo said he’s prepared to gather one million signatories to make this possible, adding that the country has nothing to lose if they secede from Nigeria.

The former militant who has been under fire recently for the hate comments against the southeast, stated that peace will continue to elude the country so long the southeast remains part of the Nigerian entity.

He said, “Please, in the name of God, why do we allow this vicious cycle of irritation of people who claim to be victims when they are the oppressors and the people offending others? Let the Igbo go so that there will be enough resources for other people to manage.

“They don’t even need a referendum. The President and National Assembly should meet and someone courageous enough should sponsor a bill at the National Assembly. There should be a constitutional amendment. The five Igbo states and any group of people who want to join them should go.

“We have a lot to gain if we let these people go and turn their country into heaven on earth. Please, National Assembly, President Bola Tinubu, I am begging you, let the Igbo go so that we will rest and they too will rest and they should be barred from coming into our country.”

Reacting, Igbokwe, the Special Adviser to the Lagos state governor on Drainage said Igbo are not prepared for secession, noting that the agitation by a few disgruntled elements from the region is not a representation of the entire Igbo race.

He explained that his people have invested so much in the country as major stakeholders in the Nigerian project, noting that what the south east is demanding is justice as it would be wrong to “tell a man to quit his house.”

“Asari Dokubo doesn’t speak for us and if we need people to speak for us then it’s certainly not Dokubo. It’s we the Igbo that will speak for the Igbo people and most of you know our stance. The Igbo are not for secession because a lot is at stake. We are a critical stakeholder in Nigeria,” Igbokwe said.

He added, “We have made humongous investments across this country and we belong to Nigeria. You can’t tell a man to quit his house. All Igbo people want is social justice, equity and fairness and we have been talking about this since. The Igbo have the least number of states in Nigeria, the least number of commissioners and senators, and local government areas.”

APC’s Protest Against EU Report, National Embarrassment – Labour Party

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The Source

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July 7, 2023

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Julius Abure - Labour Party National Chairman

The Labour Party says its attention has been drawn to Friday’s protests by some, alleged, All Progressives Congress, (APC) hirelings at the premises of the European Union Mission in Abuja and views such protestation as a huge national embarrassment. By that action, the LP says it shows how antithetical the APC is to truth and measures that will grow and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

The protesters were demanding that the EU should withdraw its final report on Nigeria’s 2023, general election held on 25 February and 18 March 2023, because as they claimed, the report was capable of setting the country on fire.

Said the statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifo:

“Labour Party finds it counter-intuitive, awkward and very difficult to comprehend that if after the electoral brigandage of the APC in cahoot with the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), on February 25, Nigeria did not go on fire because of the non-violence disposition of our standard bearer, Peter Obi, it is now that APC thinks the stark truth coming from an unbiased independent body like the EU will set Nigeria on fire.

“What the Labour Party expected the APC to do is to lavishly appreciate the European Union for their continued yeoman contributions to the growth of democracy in our country through needs assessment missions and consequent financial, technical, and logistical support, which the 94-page report further underscores.

“What the APC government should have done even standing in their epileptic’s position is to borrow a leave from late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who in 2007, after winning the Presidential election perceived by international observers as not sufficiently credible, accepted to make amends by promising to reform the electoral system.

“It was the reform of the electoral system started by Yar’Adua and continued by his successor President Goodluck Jonathan after his death that facilitated the victory of an opposition APC defeating an incumbent Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2015.

‘It’s the height of ingratitude and lack of sense of history for the same APC to be protesting against the same EU that had never failed to issue its observation reports after every election since 1999 and shouldn’t have looked away at the worst and most egregiously conducted elections in the history of Nigeria.

“What the Labour Party expects the ruling party to do if they can is to discredit the report point by point but where they can’t, they should accept the fact that they are in possession of a stolen mandate, a reality known to all and sundry.

“It’s not difficult to understand why such an unbiased forthright report is so discomforting to the ruling party to the extent of hiring protesters because no thief likes to see or hear from anybody coming with evidence that will expose him.

“What Nigeria and indeed lovers of democracy globally should do, is to appreciate the EU for its persistent role in growing democratic principles in our land and refusing to be frustrated despite the anti-democratic attitude of our politicians and leaders. Finally, APC should understand fully, that seeking to represent Nigeria with a stolen electoral mandate at various African and international fora, where representatives of smaller countries that were able to conduct credible elections with broadly accepted outcomes are present, will always remain an albatross for our country. As much as the APC may excoriate the EU, its unvarnished report is universally available and cannot be redacted or suppressed.

Supreme Court Slams EFCC, Accuses It Of Malicious Prosecution Of Senator Nwaoboshi; Frees Him From Jail

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Adesina Soyooye

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July 7, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

The nightmare is over for the former Senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaoboshi.

Convicted and jailed after what seen as a successful prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, mother- luck shone on him Friday when the Supreme Court ordered that he be released from jail immediately.

While quashing Nwaoboshi’s conviction over an allegation of fraud and money laundering to the tune of N805 million against him and two Companies- Golden Touch Construction Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd – the Supreme Court slamned the EFCC over what it described as the malicious prosecution of the Senator and the Companies on offences unknown in law.

It, therefore, in a split decision of 4-1, ordered the immediate release of Nwaoboshi from the Ikoyi Correctional Centre where he was serving a seven- year jail term for alleged fraud and money laundering.

The Supreme Court set aside the July 1, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which overturned their discharge and acquittal by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

In the lead judgment read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court held that Nwaoboshi and the two companies “were unjustly and maliciously prosecuted by the EFCC for committing no offences known to law.”

It slammed the anti-graft Agency for “subjecting them to needless criminal trial in relation to civil transaction.”

Recall that the EFCC had accused Nwaoboshi and his companies of illegally acquiring a property – Guinea House on Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos – for N805 million. The property, the EFCC revealed, belong to the Delta State Government.

It was claimed by the EFCC that part of the money paid for the property “was transferred by Suiming Electrical Ltd. on behalf of Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd, and insisted that “the funds are products of their fraudulent activities.”

Senator Nwaoboshi was the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Scrap SERVICOM, No Longer Relevant – Abuja Based Lawyer, Olajengbesi

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Ayodele Oni

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July 7, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Service Compact With All Nigerians, (SERVICOM), an agency floated by the federal government to serve as ears and eyes for the people on activities of public establishments is no longer effective according to an Abuja based legal practitioner, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi.

He has therefore asked the Federal Government to immediately scrap the agency on the ground that it has failed to serve its purpose.

The lawyer warned that the Federal Government should stop the tax payers money from being used to fund a moribund organization like SERVICOM, which he claimed, is no longer serving any useful purpose.

Addressing a Press Conference on the state of the Nigerian nation on Friday in Abuja, the legal practitioner recalled how in 2004, Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief with the emergence of “Service Compact With All Nigerians” popularly known as SERVICOM.

“The agency was established to promote effective, quality and efficient service to the people of Nigeria as well as empower public officers to be at alert to their responsibilities in providing improved, efficient, timely and transparent service across governmental ministries, departments, agencies and parastatals.

“The body is supposed to be a mechanism through which Nigerians can lodge complaints against tyrannical and errant public officers whose conducts fall below the standard required of a public and civil servants.

“Upon its take off, the body customarily had offices in all Federal Government agencies, taking complaints and ensuring efficiency, justice and fairness in all government agencies.

“Unfortunately, the body has now failed to uphold the purpose of its establishment. The agency no longer addresses complaints and has now become very ineffective.

“The organization leadership and modus oparandi has accordingly encouraged abuse of official duties on the one hand as well as precluding victims of these errant officers from accessing appropriate remedy within the administrative system.”

As a way out, the lawyer advised that the Federal Government should either inject a new lease of life into the agency or scrap it with immediate effect so as to stop wasting scarce resources on unproductive ventures.

The counsel lamented while the organization had gone down the drain, its workers have continued to draw salaries from the Federal Government coffers without doing anything to justify the pay.

“Go to virtually, all agencies of the Federal Government where SERVICOM is supposed to be feasible and productive by keeping service providers on their toes, you will hardly see their traces in anywhere whereas the workers are still drawing pays from the federation account.”

Oyo: Makinde Says Ladoja Will Fail, As He Presents Staff Of Office To Coronet Obas

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James Orji

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July 7, 2023

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state, has urged those planning to go to court to upturn the crowning of some coronet obas in the state to have a rethink.

The governor’s admonition, some say, is a veiled reference to Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of the state who has vowed to challenge the state government’s decision to crown some coronet obas in Ibadan, as approved by the Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun.

Ladoja, one of the aspirants to the stool of Olubadan had kicked against the appointment of coronet obas since the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration first introduced it, and has vowed to press on with opposition to the policy.

The former governor, appointed as one of the 11 coronet chiefs recently appointed has refused to be crowned, saying his aim is to become Olubadan, that he cannot be crowned twice as a traditional ruler.

The aggrieved Ladoja wants the matter settled in court.

But speaking during the crowning of the chiefs at the Olubadan palace on Friday, Governor Makinde urged those planning to go to court to perish the thought, saying they will lose the case.

The governor said it was the Olubadan that crowned the obas, that he was only at the inauguration to present staff of office to them.

Meanwhile, Oba Balogun has assured the people of the metropolitan city that the crowning of the chiefs will not alter the Ibadan Traditional system.

Oba Balogun gave the explanations in an address during the crowning of the chiefs as members of Olubadan-in- Council at Mapo Hall, today.

The traditional ruler spoke through Tajudeen Aremu, a former Head of Service in the state.

According to him, “We have a unique system in our traditional set up in Ibadan which continues to evolve, responding to dynamics of demand as occasions may dictate and this has been confirming the agelong aphorism that the onky thing permanent in life is change.

“In our responses to the changes over the years, there had always been issues on forging consensuses as arguments for and against always ensue which makes the ongoing controversy on today’s event a welcomed one being our familiar pattern and style in Ibadan.

“In short, whatever we are today in Ibadan as far as our traditional system is concerned are products of periodic changes we have passed through and there is no shying away from making this our own contribution to the system with the conviction that posterity will record us rightly.

“Just like the previous exercise generated controversy, our gathering here today has not been spared as well with arguments for its propriety or otherwise. The fact that the issue refused to die despite the controversy that trailed it up to the point of my coronation last year means it is an idea that has some merits in it which is worthy of embrace.

“Another notable observation worthy of public clarification has to do with the fear of the stool of Olubadan losing respect, honour and prestige because of the elevation of the High Chiefs to Beaded Crown-Wearing Obas as Royal Majesties. I don’t think it can happen or I don’t see it happening because the stool of Olubadan is a sacred one that nobody dares desecrate for whatever reason or purpose.

“What’s more, today’s High Chiefs are tomorrow’s Olubadans and the law of what you sow, you will reap or the admonition of our forefathers that when you want to go and bury your senior brother nakedly, take along your younger brother (Eni to ba fe lo sin egbon e ni ihoho, ko ranti mu aburo re lowo) should remain our guide.”

Before coming to office in 2015, Governor Makinde was among those who opposed the decision of then Governor Ajimobi administration’s to elevate the palace chiefs of Olubadan to beaded-crown wearing Obas.

The governor says he now has a better understanding of the issue.

Tinubu Set Up Committee To Drive Tax Reform

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James Orji

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July 7, 2023

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President Bola Tinubu appointed Taiwo Oyedele as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

Oyedele’s appointed coincided with the establishment of the Committee, which the government said would assist the federal government in its tax reform policy.

Oyedele, according to a statement by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Communication and Special Project, until his appointment was a Fiscal policy partner and Africa tax leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, PwC.

His appointment also came barely 24 hours after President Tinubu signed an Executive Order suspending five percent tax on telecommunications services, some locally manufactured goods, amongst others.

The Presidency said the suspension was necessary to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians following various belt- tightning measures introduced by the government.

In a statement signed by Alake on Friday, the committee will comprise experts from both the private and public sectors and be responsible for various aspects of tax law reform, fiscal policy design and coordination, harmonisation of taxes, and revenue administration.

The committee’s primary objective, he explained, is to enhance revenue collection efficiency, ensure transparent reporting, and promote the effective utilization of tax and other revenues to boost citizens’ tax morale, foster a healthy tax culture, and drive voluntary compliance.

Also speaking on the committee’s establishment, Special Adviser to the President on Revenue Zacchaeus Adedeji, said Tinubu recognises the importance of a sound fiscal policy environment and an effective taxation system for the functioning of the government and the economy.

He said the aim of the tax reform is to provide the government with revenue for sustainable development, adding that past efforts to improve the nation’s tax system did not yield good results.

According to Adedeji, ”Nigeria ranks very low on the global ease of paying taxes while the country’s Tax to GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the world and well below the African average.

”This has led to an overreliance on borrowing to finance public spending which in turn limits the fiscal space as debt service costs consume a greater portion of government revenue, annually resulting in a vicious cycle of inadequate funding for socio-economic development.

”While some incremental progress has been recorded over the years, the outcomes have not been transformative enough to change the narrative.

”Our aim is to transform the tax system to support sustainable development and achieve a minimum of 18% Tax to GDP ratio within the next 3 years without stifling investment or economic growth,” the special adviser said.

”It should be noted that this committee will not only advise the government on necessary reforms, but will also drive the implementation of such recommendations in support of the comprehensive fiscal policy and tax reform agenda of the current administration.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians have applauded the president for suspending the five percent tax on locally manufactured good and telecoms services, saying the action will bring relief to many Nigerians who are already overburdened with tax by various levels of governments.

Gbenga Daniel Asks Governor Abiodun To Suspend His Pension, Allowances

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Adesina Soyooye

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July 7, 2023

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By Adesina Soyooye

A former two-term Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has asked the State Government to suspend the payment of his pension and all allowances due to him as a former Governor.

Daniel, now the Senator, representing Ogun East Senatorial District, made this request in a letter dated June 14, 2023, addressed to the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

In the letter titled Request To Suspend My Monthly Pension And Allowances, Daniel said he made the request for the suspension in good conscience, moral principles and guiding ethics.

He explained: “After my inauguration at the Senate, I wrote to H.E. Prince Dapo Abiodun, MFR, CON, on June 14, 2023, to notify him of my decision to have the monthly payment of N676, 376. 95 kobo being gross payment for my pension and allowances as former Governor of Ogun State suspended immediately.

“This decision I made in good conscience, moral principles and guiding ethics.

“It is also important to State that this is the only payment and package I get from the State Government as a former Governor.”

His letter to Abiodun reads:

“I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of N676,376.95 (gross), (Six hundred and seventy six thousand, three hundred and seventy six Naira, Ninety Five Kobo), being paid as a former Governor of Ogun State.

“The request is in compliance with my conscience, moral principle, and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hitherto was a former State Governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such State.

“It would be recalled that on Tuesday, 13th June 2023, I was, with other elected Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, inaugurated as Member of the 10th National Assembly.

“It is important to also have it on record that since I left the office in 2011, I have not benefitted from any welfare packages, be it Medical, Furniture, transportation, etc.

“Thanks in anticipation.”

The question of former Governors elected to the National Assembly, and still receiving pensions/allowances from their States has been a nagging one, seen by not a few people as fraudulent, which ought to be stopped, short of asking those who have been receiving same to refund to the treasuries of their individual States.

Osun: Adeleke Nominates One Woman, Aregbesola’s Loyalists, Namesake, Commissioners-Designate

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Ayodele Oni

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July 7, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Women have been seriously short-changed in the list of Commissioner-nominees sent to the Osun House of Assembly by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Out of the 25 names forwarded by the Governor, only one woman was included. Included also, to confirm his good working relationship with the All Progressives Congress, APC faction of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, are two loyalists of the former Governor.

Another nominee, Ademola Adeleke, a namesake of the Governor, is also, among thee 25 nominees whose names were made public on Friday by Osun State House of Assembly.

Governor Adeleke had announced last week that the names of his Commissioners were already with the Assembly, which members were then on recess after their inauguration.

Speaker of the Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, during plenary, announced the names of the nominees and Special Adviser-nominees as forwarded to the Assembly by Governor Osun State Adeleke.

The Speaker read the Governor’s letter containing the nominees to Members of the House of Assembly at Plenary on Friday, 7th July, 2023.

It could not also be assertained whether the nominee, that shares same name with the Governor is his relation.

Two members of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s cabinet, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, who served as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Mr. Biyi Odunlade, who was Special Adviser and later Commissioner for Sports were also included in the list.

This further affirmed the loyalty of the former Minister’s faction in the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during last year’s election.

The Nominees are: Barr. Oladosu Babatunde, Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe, Mr Sesan Epharaim Oyedele, Barr. Kolapo Alimi and Mr Soji Ajeigbe.

Others are Mr Moshood Olalekan Olagunju, Hon. George Alabi, Hon. Sunday Olufemi Oroniyi, Mr. Abiodun Bankole Ojo, Dr. Basiru Tokunbo Salami, and Mr Morufu Ayofe.

Also in the list are Mr Sola Ogungbile, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, Mrs Ayo Awolowo, Barr. Wole Jimi Bada, Hon. Dipo Eluwole, Alh. Rasheed Aderibigbe, Prof. Morufu Ademola Adeleke, Mr Adeyemo Festus Ademola, Mr Olabiyi Anthony Odunlade, Barr. Jola Akintola, Hon. Mayowa Adejorin, Mrs Adenike Folashade Adeleke, Mr Tola Faseru and Alh. Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa.

The House of Assembly has also set up an Ad-Hoc Committee to conduct preliminary screening of the nominees before they will appear before the House for full screening and confirmation.

The process will be completed in good time.

Kano: More Troubles For Ganduje

By

James Orji

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July 6, 2023

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Embattled former governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje appears to have finally entered ‘one chance” with the state government.

On Thursday, the state Anti-corruption agency invited him to explain his involvement in an alleged bribery to a state government contractor while he was governor.

Recall that in 2017, Daily Nigeria, an online publication released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting ‘dillar’ kickbacks from contractors in the state.

The video which went viral at the time affected the former governor’s reputation, but he denied the allegation claiming that the video was doctored.

Apart from sacking the state’s Anti-corruption corruption boss at the time, Ganduje also got an order restraining the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from investigating him.

The new administration of Governor Abba Yusuf has since reinstated the Anti-graft boss, who has now invited the former governor for questioning.

His invitation comes barely few days after three commissioners in Ganduje’s administration were arrested by the Anti-graft agency.

It’s indeed, a difficult time for the former All Progressives Congress, APC, governor as the incumbent has insisted on the probe of his administration, watchers of Kano politics say.

Things started falling apart for the former governor barely a month after exiting office, as properties belonging to him and his cronies were seized, and other structures allegedly acquired illegally by him and his family members in some parts of the state, demolished.

Ganduje has blamed his predicaments on predecessor, former Governor Musa Kwakwanso, regarded by not a few as the godfather of the current governor, who is his son-in-law.

The invitation on Ganduje by the Anti-graft agency, is seen by many as a ploy to further rubbish the former governor.

Speaking on Channels television on Thursday, the Chairman of the agency Muhyi Magaji said he has sent an invitation to Ganduje to appear before it next week.

He said, “I just signed an invitation letter for him (Ganduje) to appear next week because this is what the law says.”

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the APC has insisted that the former governor will not honour the invitation, describing the probe as politically motivated attempt by the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, administration in the state to embarrass the former governor.

In a statement on Thursday co-signed by the Chairman of the party in Kano, Abdulahi Abbas; and APC Secretary, Zakari Sarina, the party said the matter is already in court.

“The detractors are engaged in this campaign of calumny to draw a wedge between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ganduje, one of the President’s strongest allies in the North,” the APC in Kano said.