Ondo: Akeredolu’s Deputy Schemes To Erode Legacy

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June 26, 2023

Lucky Aiyedatiwa - Deputy Governor of Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State is currently experiencing intrigues and political realignments as the State is moving nearer to another Governorship election.

The second term of incumbent Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is itching towards completion of two years.

It is the general belief that when an incumbent administration spends two to three years, the remaining period is for politicking whether it is returning to power or not. But the current power play in Ondo State is principally due to the absence of Governor Akeredolu, who is on medical leave.

He had forwarded a letter to the State House of Assembly on June 7, 2023, seeking a leave to help him attend to his health challenges. This is not the first time that Akeredolu will be going on leave and transmit power to his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, which confers power on him as the Acting Governor.

However, since he started to act as a Governor, the State has been engulfed in a series of power play, which is seen by some as an attempt by Aiyedatiwa to edge out his boss and make it difficult for him to possibly get grip of the Government on his return.

Aiyedatiwa, has been accused, among others things, of trying to force civil servants to disclose to him some financial dealings of the Governor when he is away. A reliable government source, who spoke disclosed that the Deputy Governor has demanded unrestricted access to the State treasury.

The source alleged that aside from his regular monthly allocation, Aiyedatiwa has insisted on receiving the Governor’s allowance and other benefits associated with the office.

It was further alleged that the Deputy Governor has been interrogating government officials about the governor’s earnings and expenditures.

According to a source, “We are not concerned about the political turmoil within the Government. Our priority is ensuring due process. The Governor’s office does not directly instruct us to release funds.

“There are established procedures for financial disbursements in the government, and all approvals must go through the Ministry of Finance.

“Aside from the running grant accruing to the deputy governor’s office monthly, he has also demanded that the governor’s running grant and other emoluments attached to the Office of the Governor be handed to him as Acting Governor.

“In the past week, the Deputy Governor has summoned and threatened two of our officials. He has inquired about the Governor’s spendings and demanded to know how funds allocated to the Governor’s office are disbursed.

“He believes he is entitled to two streams of funding, insisting that the Governor’s office allocation should be included as part of his role as Acting Governor.

“During the encounters with our officials, they kindly explained that even the Governor’s office routes its approvals through the Ministry of Finance.

“However, the Deputy Governor remains obstinate, repeatedly demanding immediate funds. Despite our attempts to educate him on proper financial protocols and the responsible use of public funds, he persists.

The Acting Governor is also reported not to be interested in attending assignments within the state but prefers those ones outside to enable him collect allowances.

To all these allegations, Aiyedatiwa has remained silent, preferring to state his own side of the case to those that are very close to him insisting that he has nothing against his boss and that he has even organized a prayer meeting to seek God’s intervention in the health condition of Mr Governor.

There are also some top aides of Governor Akeredolu that did not take these buddies serious as they believe they are meant to unnecessarily heat the Polity and possibly create a gap between the ailing governor and his deputy.

One of them, a Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Doyin Odebowale, described the allegations against the Acting Governor as a ruse.

Odebowale, while hitting hard on those taking the absence of Mr Governor to disparage him and cause confusion within Government declared that “While the people of the State, from diverse socio-political backgrounds, pray, fervently, for the Governor to come back and resume, in order to continue to discharge his service to the people of the State, these meddlesome hustlers are bent on causing confusion for their benefits.

“These rootless politicians, ostensible representatives of the people without followers, believe that the best way to portray the current health challenge of the Governor is to spread falsehood against those perceived as impediments to their prebendal predilections.”

There is another Group which sees the current undercurrent war in the state as an attempt to push the acting governor aside scheme of things and has risen in his defence.

Made up mainly of people from Ondo south, where the acting governor comes from, one of them, a lawyer, Allen Sowore believed that some cabals within government are behind various plots to put the acting governor in trouble.

“This surreptitious sponsored blackmails to smear and besmirch the reputation of the Acting Governor in some sections of the media should not be allowed a breath in a sane society. Not even a state prided as the intellectual plinth of South Western Nigeria.

”Its a sharp contradiction, to accuse an Acting Governor of “undermining the authority of the governor’s office”. How can the Acting Governor undermine the authority he is exercising?

“Ridiculously, as expected though, the Cabal complained bitterly in their infamous write up about the functions of the Acting Governor.

”They don’t want the Acting Governor to feature, attend or even appear at any serious state function outside the state. They want to cage him so that he will not have national connection and recognition as the Acting Governor.

“Truly, I will not advise or counsel the Acting Governor to sack or terminate the appointment of any public office holder in the state like the then Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo did to the former Director General of State Security Service, Lawal Daura. He will be playing at the gallery.

“Appropriately, a cabinet reshuffle and rejig of the State Cabinet may be desirable to ensure the requisite unity of command in the instant circumstance.

“As critical stakeholders, we simply can not afford to look away while the state skid into full anarchy and mobocracy.”

Aiyedatiwa became Deputy to Governor Akeredolu, following resignation of the former occupant of that position, Agboola Ajayi. He resigned after relation between him and Akeredolu became that of cat and rat. One of the factors which made Aiyedatiwa towered above others that were scheming for the position was his unalloyed loyalty to Akeredolu.

What could have transpired to make him wish his boss dead? Definitely, activities of some fifth Columnists cannot be ruled out and especially build up to the next governorship election.

CNPP, CSOs Allege Plots To Hijack Planned Protest Against INEC Chairman Yakubu, Suspend Action

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The Source

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June 26, 2023

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Conference Of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and civil society organisations (CSOs) under the aegis of the Coalition Of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have said that their planned action against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to force him out of office has been suspended.

The CNPP and the CSOs had two weeks ago issued a 14-day ultimatum to Prof. Yakubu to step aside or be democratically and legally forced to do so.

In a statement jointly signed by the CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu and the National Secretary of the CSO Coalition, Alhaji Ali Abacha, they explained that the suspension followed intelligent report that certain interests have mobilised hoodlums to disrupt the groups’ protest action.

The political parties and the civil society groups said they have opted to get answers to their questions through other means.

In the statement, they explained that “there are credible intelligence that certain interests are working to hijack our initial actions against the Commission.

“Even though the plots against our action were not traced to the Commission itself, there are interests within the polity willing to cause havoc.

“It is therefore our resolve to suspend the protest action to avoid imminent bloodbath and explore other legal and democratic means to engage the electoral body.

“The CNPP and the CSOs are therefore opting for alternative means of dealing with the issues we have raised without endangering the life of any citizen”, the statement noted.

Warning: “Stay Indoors For Next Three Days Over Expected Hostile Environment Thunderstorms – NIMET Warns Nigerians

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Akinwale Kasali

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June 26, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET, has warned Nigerians to stay indoors for the next three days or more due to envisaged hostile environment and thunderstorms.

NIMET stressed that residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are best advised to adhere to this directive in their own interest.

The Agency said that there would be thunderstorms, strong winds, and these are likely to precede the rains and as such, trees, electric poles, unsecured objects and weak buildings may collapse.

The Agency listed States from the Northern Region of the country, the FCT, Middle Belt States and some Eastern States as target areas.

The States which are on high risk of the harsh weather conditions includes Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Taraba, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi States. So are parts of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross Rivers States.

NIMET stated that the aforementioned States have prospects of thunderstorms and it envisages sunny atmosphere Tuesday morning, with patches of clouds over the Northern region, where it says there would be thunderstorms over parts of Adamawa, Taraba and Kaduna States later in the day.

“Cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is anticipated over the North Central Region with prospects of morning rains over parts of Niger, the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, Benue and Kwara.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms with intermittent rains are expected over parts of Plateau, Benue, Kogi, Kwara and Niger States”.

The Agency, therefore, stated that for residents of the States mentioned, it is best for them to stay indoors as much as possible.

“Cloudy skies are expected over the inland and coastal cities of the South with prospects of morning rains over parts of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross Rivers”, it added, while for Wednesday, sunny skies with patches of clouds over the Northern Region with prospects of morning thunderstorms over parts of Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Adamawa are to be expected.

“Thunderstorms are expected over parts of Bauchi, Adamawa, Taraba, Katsina, Kano and Kaduna States during the afternoon and evening hours.

“Cloudy atmosphere with sunshine intervals is anticipated over North central region in the morning hours with prospects of thunderstorms and intermittent rains over parts of Federal Capital Territory, Plateau, Kwara, Benue and Kogi state later in the day.

“Cloudy skies are also expected over the inland and coastal cities of the South with prospects of moderate rains over parts of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and Lagos states.

“So the public is advised to be cautious. Stay indoors especially during heavy rainfall to avoid being struck by lightning.

“All Airline operators are advised to avail themselves of weather reports periodically from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Moderate to heavy rainfall could lead to flash flood. The public is advised to take necessary caution. Disaster risk managers, agencies and individuals should be proactive to avert loss of lives and property during rainy season”, NIMET stated.

Sokoto: MURIC Condemns Killers Of Prophet Muhammad Blasphemer

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 26, 2023

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The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has condemned the killing of Usman Buda, who was mobbed to death in Sokoto state by Islamic extremists.

Buda died in the hospital from the serious injuries he sustainable from the beaten he received from the extremists, according to the state police command.

Not a few Nigerians, including the governor of the state have condemned the killing, describing it as a jungle justice that must not be tolerated in a decent society.

Reacting, MURIC chairman in the state, Muhammad Aliyu in a statement in Lagos, urged the Muslims to stop taking the law into their hands each time there was an alleged blasphemy.

He said Islam abhors jungle justice because it leads to the killings of innocent people.

For instance, some business associates of Buda were said to have been beaten by the irate mob who inflicted first degree injuries on them while trying to save the deceased.

Citing various Verses in the Quran to support its position, MURIC said blasphemers should be handed over to law enforcement agencies, while the court must be allowed to pronounce them guilty.

MURIC said, “The good people of Sokoto woke up and learnt about the murder of one butcher called Buda over an alleged blasphemous comment against our noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

“Sources revealed that some of the victim’s closest business associates at Sokoto abattoir made frantic efforts to rescue him but they equally sustained injuries and have been admitted to the hospital due to the attack.

“We assert that Islam abhors jungle justice because it will lead to taking innocent lives and destruction of the property of persons unjustly.

“Islam does not allow people to do what they like or take laws into their hands as they deem fit.

“This position can be found in many Qur’anic verses like Qur’an 4:65, 6:57, 12:40and 43:10.

“It is not in dispute that Islamic law provides a death sentence against anybody, who insults, defames or brings disrepute to the Prophet of Islam Muhammad.

“However, Islamic law does not leave the killing open in the hands of private individuals as it happened in the case of Buda.

“In fact, Islamic law stipulates that the offence of blasphemy like other offences should be established through evidence by witnesses before a court of law.

“Finally, while we condemn the murder of Buda, we also in the strongest term, urge Muslims to stop jungle justice and allow the law to take its course.”

The northern part of Nigeria is notorious for jungle justice against blasphemers.

Lagos: Gas Explosion Leaves One Dead, Four Severely Injured

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Akinwale Kasali

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June 26, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

There was tension in Agege area of Lagos State, as a Gas Explosion from a Gas Shop left one person dead. Four persons were severely injured by the explosion.

It was gathered that the explosion was caused by one of the Cylinders which had a leak.

The Gas Shop is beside an Apostolic Church in Agege. People scampered for safety following the fire which accompanied tye explosion.

It was gathered that residents in the area were able to contain the ensuing inferno from escalating and affecting houses within the area.

Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said those that suffered second degree burns were taken to the hospital for treatment, while a life was lost.

He added that rescuers were able to contain the ensuing inferno from escalating to adjourning shops and nearby buildings.

Protest Rocks Kano Over Demolition

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Ayodele Oni

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June 26, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Following the decision by the State Government to continue with demolition of illegal structures, hundreds of protesters on Monday hit Kano streets to express their displeasure with the ongoing exercise of the State Government.

The Government has pulled down some structures, while several others have been marked for demolition.

The Government premised its action because the land upon which the affected structures were erected was “illegally” allocated by the immediate past government.

While the Government has insisted there is no going back in its resolve to “restore” the Kano Urban Development Masterplan, which includes removing structures erected on public spaces, the protesters that hit the streets early Monday demanded that the government rescind its decision.

With posters like “Gov Yusuf, your action is sending away investors,” “Don’t bring insecurity to our state, Mr Governor,” and “Let the law takes its cause” among others, the protesters after converging at the demolished Daula Hotel, proceeded to the police headquarters to register their grievances.

Immediate past Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, had threatened to slap the Governor over the demolitions.

Skit Maker, Adisa, Appears In Court, Denied Bail

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Ayodele Oni

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June 26, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Abdullahi Maruff Adisa, aka Trinityguy, will remain in prison following denial of bail for him by a Magistrate Court in Ibadan, Oyo state, on Monday.

Also remanded along with Adisa is the parent of the little girl he used in an obscene viral video.

This is pending legal advice from the State Ministry of Justice.

The Court ordered the remand of Trinityguy in prison over allegations of using a minor in an immoral viral skit video.

The Nigerian Police, through Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had called for the arrest of Trinity guy following a viral video of his dangerous pranks.

Oyo State Police Command on Friday, disclosed that the skit maker and parent of the little girl in the viral video were quizzed by the Command and would appear in court Monday.

Counsel to Adisa, Olúdáre Adebayo, who was brought before the Magistrate by the Police, urged the court to grant his client bail.

Magistrate P.O Adetuyibi, while denying the bail application, stated that the allegations against the Skit maker is currently receiving attention of the state Ministry of Justice.

It’s Wicked, I Am Not Contemplating State Pardon For Convicted Proprietor Of Oduduwa University – Osun Gov Adeleke

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Ayodele Oni

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June 26, 2023

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Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has cried out over an alleged move to link him with the convicted proprietor of Oduduwa University, Rahman Adedoyin.

Adeleke said there are rumors on social media that he is plotting to subvert the death judgement on Adedoyin, affirming that there is no plan to use state apparatus to pardon the proprietor of the Oduduwa University.

Adedoyin and some of his workers were condemned to death over the gruesome murder of a postgraduate student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) that lodged at his hotel in Ile Ife.

He has, however, appealed against the verdict of the Osun State High Court.

Reacting to the growing rumour of possible state pardon for the businessman, Governor Adeleke said that his administration has never, and will never intervene in the judicial process, labeling those behind the fake news as public enemies.

“Those who concorted the fake news are evil minded political operatives who are merely grasping at straws in their desperation to blackmail the state Governor.

“Governor Adeleke has not and will never contemplate exercising the prerogative of mercy or whatever the report calls it, on a matter under adjudication which has generated deep interest among local and global communities.

“It is important to clarify that neither the State Governor nor his political party has any hidden plot on the said murder case other than a public interest agenda to see culprits in the dastardly act face the full wrath of the law.

“That explains why no PDP member is involved as counsel for any of the convicted individuals and why the state judiciary enjoys and exercises its full independence in the hearing and judgement of the case.

“It is uncharitable for political enemies and their paid agents to attempt any linkage between the convicted businessman and the state Governor.

“We affirm with all sense of responsibility that Governor Adeleke is not at any material time a friend or partner of the owner of Oduduwa University and did not interfere, intervene or manifest any untoward agenda in the arraignment, hearing and sentencing of the accused.

“We therefore urged the members of the public to ignore the repeated rumors of state pardon by Governor Adeleke for the convict and the watery push to link service records of a state judicial official to a popular verdict on the gruesome murder of a postgraduate student.

“Those peddling such lies are agents of darkness acting on behalf of disgruntled, dark political elements. They are better ignored.

“We convey appreciation to men and women of goodwill who have put up spirited defense for the Governor in the face of this orchestrated falsehood.

“The undiluted truth is that neither the State Government nor the state Governor is interested in the subversion of the wheel of justice.”

Sokoto Gov Speaks Against Mob Justice For Blasphemers Of Prophet Mohammed

By

James Orji

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June 26, 2023

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Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto state has vowed to deal decisively with anyone who blasphemes Prophet Mohammed.

The governor however stated that jungle justice will not be allowed for those who committed blasphemy against the Islamic prophet.

The governor spoke after some extremists, on Sunday, mobbed to death Usman Buda for allegedly blaspheming the Muslim prophet.

Buda, a trader in the state was brutally killed in the presence of other traders who tried to save him from the mob.

Some traders who tried to rescue him, according to Ahmad Rufai, Sokoto police spokesperson, were injured by the mob, and are now in critical condition after sustaining serious injuries.

This is not the first time somebody will be killed for abusing the Prophet in the Muslim-dominated state.

Recall the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, in May 2022 by her irate schoolmates for allegedly blaspheming Mohammed.

Reacting to Buda’s murder, Governor Aliyu said anyone who abused the prophet will be dealt with appropriately, saying such acts would not be tolerated.

He said in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, that “degrading the personality of Prophet Muhammad SAW, especially in a state like Sokoto, which is predominantly a Muslim-dominated community,” will not be allowed in the state, urging the residents to respect and protect the prophet’s dignity and personality.

The statement read, “Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has called on the people of the state to remain calm and law-abiding at all times. The governor cautioned the people against any act capable of degrading the personality of Prophet Muhammad SAW, especially in a state like Sokoto, which is a predominantly Muslim-dominated community.

“Dr Aliyu said that Sokoto people have so much respect and regard for Prophet Muhammad SAW, hence the need for all the residents to respect, protect his dignity and personality.

“I want to call on the people of Sokoto State to avoid taking laws into their own hands and instead report any alleged crime or blasphemy to the appropriate quarters for necessary action.

“Our religion does not encourage taking laws into one’s hands, so let us try to be good followers of our religion,” he appealed.

Kano: Ganduje Gets Reprieve As Court Stops Demolition Of His Properties

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James Orji

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June 26, 2023

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Former Governor Abdullahi of Kano state has finally got a reprieve over the demolition of his properties and those of his proxies by the incumbent, Abba Yusuf.

The reprieve for the former governor came a few weeks after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention on the matter failed.

The former governor has blamed his predecessor, Musa Kwakwanso for his predicament, and the duo was summoned to Aso Rock by President Tinubu for a reconciliatory meeting recently.

The meeting did not succeed as Governor Yusuf continued the demolition of structures owned by the former governor and other former government officials, whom the governor accused of acquiring state properties, illegally.

But Justice S.A Amobeda has now directed the demolition to stop. He made the order after granting a motion ex-parte, filed by Saminu Muhammad, which prayed the court to restrain the government and its agents from demolishing some buildings on BUK road.

The judge also ordered the state government to stop plans of demolishing the applicant’s property at No. 41 and 43 Salanta, on BUK road.

Attorney-general, solicitor general, governor, government, and Kano State Bureau for Land Management are respondents in the suit.

Other defendants include: Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, inspector-general of Police, Police, commissioner of Police, commandant general of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The court, after listening to the motion by the applicant’s counsel, Prof. Nasiru Aliyu, ordered an accelerated hearing of the case and adjourned to July 10.

Justice Amobeda said “Order of this court is hereby made in the interim restraining the respondents by themselves, agents, servant or proxies whatsoever called from encroaching, trespassing, entering, invading, demolishing or revoking the applicant’s titles or doing any other act in respect of the applicant’s property, No. 41 and 43 at Salanta, on BUK Road, Kano, covered by Certificate of Occupancy No. KNMLO8228 and Certificate of Occupancy No. KNMLO8229 pending hearing and determination of the originating motion.

”That Order of this Honourable Court is hereby made granting leave to the bailiff of this Court to serve the 3rd, 4h, 5h, and 6th Respondents with all processes and all subsequent procedings.”

Not a few Nigerians insist that Governor Yusuf is on a revenge mission against his predecessor for betraying Kwakwanso, the leader of the Kwakwansiyya group, which Ganduje rode to power in 2015, but later dumped following a fierce political struggle with his predecessor.

Governor Yusuf is a son in-law to Kwakwanso, a former governor and Minister of Defense.