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CBN: Emefiele’s Actions Fueled Insecurity-Tinubu

By
James Orji
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Emefiele Arrested By DSS

The Nigerian financial system became so rotten under the watch of the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor Godwin Emefiele, according to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

President Tinubu took a swipe against Emefiele in faraway France, his first direct attack on the former in the manner he handled the country’s apex bank before he was removed last month.

Tinubu accused the former CBN governor of using the country’s foreign exchange system to enrich a few rich persons while impoverishing a lot of Nigerians.

The president who was speaking with diasporan Nigerians said the system under Emefiele was used to frustrate them from sending home money due to the multiple exchange systems.

He said he has directed security agencies to get to the root of how the CBN was mismanaged under Emefiele’s watch, adding that the development fueled insecurity in the country.

“The financial system was rotten. Few people were making away with our money…that is gone now; the man (Emefiele) is in the hands of the authorities.

“We have security challenges in the country. Maybe that is how they are fuelling insecurity; we have to look at everything. We will change the financial system; it will work for you.”

The former CBN governor was suspended on June 10, 2023, and has since been arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, which is investigating him for alleged financial impropriety and terrorism-related offenses.

Imo: Angry Ohakim Fires: “I Know Those After Me; I am Committed To Uzodimma; He Is My Bosom Friend”

By
The Source
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Ikedi Ohakim and Hope Uzodimma

By Charles Igbo

A former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, has reacted robustly and angrily to the allegation, contained in a publication, that he is leading a revolt against the State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

The publication had claimed that Ohakim was fighting the Governor primarily because the Governor, allegedly, refused to recommend him for a Ministerial appointment to President Bola Tinubu, did not support him to go to the Senate, and, also, did not support him to be the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

But, “fiction”, said Ohakim in response to the allegations. Rather, he said nothing could come between him and Governor Uzodimma who he acknowledged as his “bosom friend”, and declared: “I am personally committed to his success.”

He said he knew those behind the publication carried on June 21, 2023, by a national newspaper, and indicted the Reporter who he alleged has a reputation for being used to carry out such unscrupulous businesses.

Said the former Governor: “In the instant case, it is no rocket science for me to know those behind it. I know those who sponsored Mr Uzoaru to write this fiction. But this will, perhaps, be my last open reaction to their shenanigans. Next time, we shall meet in Phillipi.”

Following is the full text of Ohakim’s response:

”My attention has been drawn to a report in the Daily Sun newspaper of Wednesday June 21, 2023 by one Stanley Uzoaru, wherein it was claimed that I am leading a “revolt” against Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma over his refusal to support my ‘bid’ for a ministerial appointment under the new administration of President  Bola Tinubu.

“The report further claims that I also hold grudges against the Governor for failing to support my earlier bids for the Senate and the office of the President-General of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.

“Space constraints would not permit to go into further details of the report more so as I believe that it must have been read by many in the widely circulated newspaper.

“Therefore, I think it is simply sufficient for me to state that the report was a figment of the imagination of the reporter and his sponsors.

“Let me also hasten to add that Mr. Uzoaru the reporter who I understand is a free-lance journalist based in Owerri, Imo state, has been used severally in the past by unscrupulous elements in pursuit of political vendetta.

“In the instant case, he merely took up a brief to further a carefully plotted campaign of calumny against me by my detractors and which culminated in the January 2, 2023, attempt to assassinate me, and during which I lost four of my security aides.

“Before now, the same people had sponsored a report in the social media in which I was accused of being the medium through which  Governor Hope Uzodimma – the same Uzodimma – channeled a whopping one million dollars to truncate the Governorship Primaries of the Labour Party in Imo State.

“Against this backdrop, let me then state as follows: I do not have any issue, whatsoever, with my Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, to say the least lead a “revolt” against him.

“Senator Uzodimma is a bosom friend of mine and a trusted politically ally. Apart from that, as a statesman and former Governor of our State, I am obliged to support any incumbent Governor or Administration who is moving in the right direction – at least in the interest of the State and its people. I am, personally, committed to see Governor Uzodimma, whom I have known for upwards of three decades, not only succeed, but also to excel as a Governor. Revolting against Governor Uzodimma would be tantamount to revolting against myself and nobody can revolt against himself. Or, am I that fool hardy to revolt against a fellow whose performance as a Governor has been quite overwhelming, and who is getting accolades daily from the good people of Imo State.

“The report claims that I led my group to a meeting in Anambra state where we perfected our plans. Fortunately for me, I have not been to any part of Anambra state in the last four years for any reason, whatsoever.

“That I am not bidding for a Ministerial appointment under the present administration. But even if I am, am I not intelligent enough to know that Ministerial appointments are not secured through leading or participating in a revolt against a sitting Governor or anybody whatsoever. Besides, Ministerial positions are not bided for neither are they contested for.

“In any case, the report under reference claims that among the people I am said to be leading in the revolt is “a popular politician from Okigwe zone…” who is also bidding for a Ministerial appointment. So, how can I be bidding for a Ministerial job and at the same time leading another fellow from my zone (Okigwe) to bid for the same thing? Am I that naïve?

”I decided to abort my Senatorial bid the other time entirely on my own volition after taking certain things into account and for reasons that had nothing to do with Governor Uzodimma.

“It is, however, interesting to note that in the report under reference, an allusion was made to “those powerful forces” in my zone “still there to scuttle other ambitions he may have”.

“The point, therefore, is that if there are, or were “powerful forces” that scuttled my senatorial ambition, and I know them, I couldn’t at the same time be holding the governor responsible.

Therefore, the allusion to “powerful forces” against me is an inadvertent admission that it is the same powerful forces that are behind the fictitious report under reference.

“I never nursed the ambition of becoming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. It is common knowledge that I was at the forefront of the move to stop some unscrupulous elements from truncating the January 2021 Ohanaeze election that ushered in the immediate past President-General, the late Professor George Obiozor. I personally took a Court action against the decedents. The issues are yet to be completely resolved, and if anything, I see myself better working from the outside to ensure that every crack in Ohanaeze is smoothened.

“The report alluded to a “dying political career” apparently in reference to me. My dying political career? Nothing can be more fallacious. My political career, which started in 1979, is currently at its peak. My political career has taken me through being a Party Executive,

State commissioner, Chairman of Nigeria’s National Gas Masterplan, a Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrol Chemical Company Ltd, a State Governor, etc.

“At the risk of sounding immodest, I can state without any fear of contradictions that it is not possible to draw a list of one hundred successful Nigerians – in a country of more than 200 million people – and Ikedi Ohakim is not there.

“It is nothing but the figment of the imagination of the author of the report and his sponsors to say that my political career is dying. My political career cannot die.

“My political career is alive and is kicking.

“Here in Imo State, I am the only former Governor who can walk the streets of Owerri and get applause.

“Let me state that this rebuttal is not aimed at getting even with the young reporter who, by all indications, is merely struggling to eke out a bare existence.

“I have been meant to understand that his only defense is that he made no mention of my name in his report, but his reference to a “former governor from Okigwe zone” needs no further explanation since I am the only living former Governor from that part of Imo state.

“Even though I have made my feelings known to the Management of Sun Newspaper he is stringing for, my major interest is to seize this opportunity to once again join in cautioning against the penchant of our people, Ndigbo, to self destruct(Nshiko mentality).

“We drag each other down. We destroy ourselves whereas other sections of the country try to support each other for the good of the generality of their people.

“I am, of course, not the only  victim, but I have personally come to the conclusion that I will henceforth do everything in my powers to stop any attempt from any quarters to damage my reputation.

“In the instant case, it is no rocket science for me to know those behind it. I know those who sponsored Mr. Uzoaru to write his fiction but this will perhaps be my last open reaction to their shenanigans. Next time, we shall meet in Phillippi.”

Asari Dokubo: Tension, Anger Rise Over His Threat Against The Igbo

By
The Source
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Asari Dokubo and Kayode Egbetokun

By Gideon Njoku

The tension is so thick a knife could cut through it. And so is the anger. Both stemmed from one of the reckless statements made by a Leader of the Niger Delta Militants, Asari Dokubo.

Dokubo had, especially, recently, developed diarrhoea of the mouth with very offensive and obscene statements targeted against the Nigerian Military, and especially, the Igbo.

While he dismissed the Military – the Army and the Nigerian Navy – as Oil thieves, he also dismissed the whole of the Military as cowards, claiming responsibility for securing the Abuja-Kaduna  express way and some States in the South. He claimed to be the person providing security in all of the areas he mentioned.

Inexplicably descending on the Igbo, he threatened he could kill all of them, and if he had his way, would be selling them into slavery as, according to him, his forefathers did.

In response, a couple of Igbo historians has put a lie to Dokubo’s claim, insisting that Dokubo, indeed, is Igbo as his forefathers were Igbo slaves.

Dokubo’s provocative statements, for the records, were made after he visited President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa for a closed door meeting.

Not a few Nigerians are, at once, shocked and taken aback by Dokubo’s brazen insults at the Military and the Igbos. But more shocking to them is the collective silence of Security Agencies to Dokubo’s atrocious utterances, and, more especially, as in the video, he was flaunting an AK47 Rifle and other high calibre weapons.

The silence of the Igbo Leadership, as represented by the Governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo also has also surprised watchers of the dangerous situation and threat.

However, a Nigerian of Northern extraction, Alhaji Faruq Musa Muhammad, an Abuja based business man and Chief Executive Officer of Dattijo Multi-Purpose Business, outraged by Dokubo’s threat to kill the Igbo, has petitioned the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, against Dokubo.

The petition,  dated 21st June, 2023, is entitled, “FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST ONE MR. ASARI DOKUBO FOR THREATENING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AS HE WAS SEEN IN A 1 MINUTE 30 SECONDS VIDEO CLIP: ILLEGALLY SHOWING UP HIS AK 47 RIFLE WHILE PROMOTING VIOLENCE AND CIVIL WAR IN NIGERIA AS HE WAS ALSO SEEN CONDEMING AND THREATENING IGBO PEOPLE WITH THAT AK 47….”

Also, the Youth Wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, numbed in shock at Dokubo’s utterances, has given the Department of State Services, DSS, a 48-hour ultimatum to arrest Dokubo over his threats to kill the Igbo.

Alhaji Muhammad’s petition to the IGP reads:

“Sir, I am writing you this formal complaint as a concerned and patriotic Nigerian who always has a zeal and motivation of making our Dear Country, Nigeria a better place as I have soundly and reasonably learned that Mr Asari Dokubo is presently plotting to create the breakdown of law and order in our society.

“Please find the attached of a disk (marked as Exhibit: A) Containing the said 1 minute and 30 second video clip: where Mr Asari Dokubo was seen wearing a red T-shirt, speaking in pidgin English as he partly, says: “…..you (Igbo people) will do video to sell that Alhaji (Dokubo Asari) has run away, you dey see me: I don’t run….”

“Then at this point he picked up an AK 47 Rifle from his left side-indicating that he’s ready to face them (Igbo people) with that weapon.

“Presently, the video is trending on the social media platforms and it’s sending a wrong message against our National Security: because Mr Dokubo was trying to send a message to the general public that he is above the law.

“Here, I want the Inspector General of Police to send an “Open Invitation Letter” to Mr Dokubo Asari and ask him to report to the Nigeria Police Force so that he would clear himself on that video clip. And if the policemen have found him, breaking the law of the land in respect of that video, thus I want him to be charged to the court of law please. Thank you.”

The 48-hour ultimatum, given by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council,  signed by its National President,  Comrade Igboayaka  Igboayaka, reads as follows, in part:

“Recall that in a recent video clip that has gone viral on social media, the notorious ex- militant, Asari Dokubo was seen threatening to kill, exterminate and murder all Igbos wherever they are found just few days after being hosted, at Aso Rock villa, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“As we have waited patiently after 48 hours of Asari Dokubo’s threats to kill the Igbos with fierce ambition as displayed in the said viral video with AK-47 riffles, it is most unfortunate that the said Asari Dokubo is yet to be apprehended and/or prosecuted by the State Security Services (DSS).

“Without mincing words, Ndigbo are quite convinced that Asari Dokubo’s visit to Aso Rock villa is an orchestrated meeting to further the ugly marginalisation of the Igbos and subsequently stamp them out of existence as well as ensuring that every “perceived political opponent” is eliminated,” Igboayaka revealed.

“It’s obvious that the effrontery and/or the boldness of Asari Dokubo to have threatened the Igbos while brandishing hard military wares and/or weaponry like Ak-47 rifle is clearly smacked of a strong secret approval of Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The above is a vivid signpost to a secret agenda by Mr. President against the Igbo Christians through the clown called Asari Dokubo.

“In our experience and to our knowledge that Asari Dokubo is a muslim like Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the fears of muslim-muslim tickets by the Christians is, actually, for the avoidance of elimination of Igbo Christian which Mr. President, instead of assuaging such fears, has rather commissioned Asari Dokubo, with all the paraphernalia and/or requisite protection of the federal government, to intensify the fears and murder the Igbos, Comrade Igboayaka asserted

“If Ndigbo wait for another 48hrs without Asari Dokubo being arrested and/or prosecuted for acts of terrorism and be jailed, Ndigbo would be constrained to have no other options than to gather all forms of sophisticated weaponry for their self-defence to avoid being stamped out of existence in their prime by agent of darkness called Asari Dokubo at the support and/or behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

There has been no response either by the Presidency or Security Agencies.

Tinubu’s France Trip Good For Nigeria, Africa – Prof Bolaji Akinyemi

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Reactions have continued to trail the first international engagement of President Bola Tinubu since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

The President is presently in Paris, France, where, along with other world leaders, attending a high level Summit for New Global Financing  Pact.

A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, described the outing as good for the country and lauded President Tinubu for his presence at the Paris Summit.

Akinyemi who spoke during an interview on Arise TV. said it is a signal that Nigeria is ready and prepared for real business.

The President had told investors on Thursday in Paris that ongoing reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rate, will be sustained for a more competitive economy that attracts Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

“We are ready for business, prepared to welcome investments,’’ he said, while receiving President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim), Prof. Benedict Oramah; and President of European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud–Basso, in separate meetings, on the sidelines of the Summit for New Global Financing Pact.

Tinubu also assured the delegation of Afreximbank Executives that the Federal Government will continue to stimulate the economy with policies that support investments in areas of Nigeria’s competitive advantage, particularly agriculture.

In his analysis, Prof Akinyemi revealed that most of these organisations are interested in Nigeria due to the economic policies detailed by the Nigerian President, as evidenced with his actions in the first few weeks of his tenure.

“There is no doubt that the World Bank and the IMF need to be restructured in order to reflect responses and issues facing the world economies.

“There is a need for a new school of thought. I am glad for the presence of Tinubu because this signals that Nigeria is back.

“All these organisations such as AfriExim show that they are interested and vested in Nigeria.

“He must have showed them the economic policies to be instituted; it was a good outing for Tinubu and for Africa, at large.”

Consumers Will Suffer Increase In Electricity Tariff- MAN

By
James Orji
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BEDC

Consumers will bear the brunt if the federal government goes ahead to increase electricity tariffs, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN.

The warning comes a few days after the government proposed raising tariffs paid on electricity by 40 percent.

The increase is to commence on July 1, the government said.

But speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Director General of MAN any increase in tariff will lead to higher costs of production, lower profit margins, a decline in manufacturing activities, and downward revenue remittances to the government.

He explained that manufacturers are already spending huge amounts on sourcing alternative energy, noting that close to N145 billion was spent in 2022, an increase of 87 percent as compared to the N77.22 billion spent in 2021.

What the government should be doing, he said, is to increase investment in critical infrastructure in the power sector to make energy more available at a low cost.

According to him, “Already, we have power constituting between 28-40 percent in the cost structure of manufacturing industries.

“You can imagine the impact on manufacturing industries that are energy-intensive such as metal processing, heavy machinery, and chemicals manufacturing.

“A spike in the electricity tariff will erode the profit margin of the manufacturers and reduce their ability to expand operations and create new jobs.

“Manufacturers will ultimately pass on the additional cost to the consumers of their products and this will increase the cost of the products in the market and complicate the rising inflation rate in the country.

“Also, the sector’s competitiveness will definitely worsen as the high cost of the products will make locally produced items less competitive when compared with imported alternatives.

“As it is today, the manufacturing sector, which is the engine of growth, is still struggling as a result of the inclement production environment in Nigeria.

“The expectation is that government will engage in extensive and intensive consultations with the manufacturers; focus on measures that will salvage the sector and halt the trend of shutdown of factories, knowing the implications and the multiplier effects on employment and the economy.

“Care should be taken to avoid introducing burdensome measures that will further strangulate the manufacturing sector and the whole economy.”

Borno: Boko Haram On Killing Rampage

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

It was a sad Thursday for residents of Mafa and Jere Local Government Areas of Borno State as Boko Haram insurgents were alleged to have killed eight youths in the Community.

It was gathered that four of the slain Youths had gone out to fetch firewood in Tamsu-Ngamdu, two in Baram-Karuwa and one in Shuwari, all in Mafa LGA while one was killed in Muna, Jere LGA.

An eyewitness who was with the slain Youths was spared by the killers to go and report the story, said those killed all had their hands tied at the back and shot.

Commiserating with the families of the deceased and the Communities where the unfortunate incident took place, Governor Babagana Zulum, on Friday assured people of the Communities and State that the Government would not be deterred in its efforts to end insecurity in the state.

“Government is refining strategies at combating insecurity to facilitate the undertaking of farming and other economic activities.

“Farmers should, however, also augment the government’s efforts and design their respective community strategies for fighting insecurity,” Zulum said.

He urged security agents to be undeterred by the resurgence of terror activities, and asked all farmers go to the farms by 6 am and close by 5 pm.

It would be recalled that Suspected insurgents had on June 15 killed about 15 farmers in Molai and adjacent communities in Konduga LGA of the State.

Protest In Ambrose Alli University Over 300 Percent  Tuition Fee Hike;  NANS Knocks Institution

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Tension has gripped the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, over  alleged 300 per cent hike in tuition fee. The students have lined-up in protest.

Backing the protest, the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, on Friday, June 23rd, 2023, condemned the University’s action.

NANS, in a statement by its Chairman, Caleb Ediale, described the hike as “outrageous” and called on the State Government to reverse the new fee regime.

“NANS condemns, in totality, the outrageous over 300% increment in tuition fees by Edo State Government in Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma. We condemn the attitude of the State Governor towards tertiary education in the state and his ambition of wanting to take education beyond the reach of the poor and average citizens of Edo and Nigeria in general. That this current state government has not laid a single building foundation in the foremost State owned university is shocking.

“The last three years in the University have been about victimisation of staff and students, intimidation and threats to who ever dares to speak up against the non-conforming and anti-educational policies of Edo State Government aimed at full indirect commercialisation of State owned tertiary institutions.

“NANS is aware of the draconian style of the management in wanting to impose the outrageous school fees on the newly admitted students and we want to use this medium to tell all the prospective students and their parents not to subject themselves and children to the deadline threat by the management of the university. We urge parents not to be excited by the admission offers to the point of hurriedly paying the outrageous cost that they may not be able to sustain till the end. Parents should remember that accommodation, feeding and other expenses are also there for them to pay alongside.

“To this extent, we are passionately appealing to parents and prospective students who are financially enabled enough not to encourage the new fee regime by hurriedly paying in line with the heartless deadline by the university management. In solidarity, as we plan an all out engagement with the school management, we are appealing to parents and prospective parents to show solidarity by staying away from paying the outrageous fees.”

Lagos Blue Rail Line To Commence Operations 8 Months After Commission

By
James Orji
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The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA. Will commence passenger operations in August, 2023 according to Abimbola Akinajo.

Akinajo, the agency’s managing director, disclosed this at the LAMATA business/investor forum, according to a statement on Thursday by Kolawole Ojelabi, the authority’s corporate communication consultant.

On January 24, 2023, Nigeria’s immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the first phase of the blue line rail project in Lagos.

Prior to the inauguration, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, launched a test run of the project which is designed to run from Mile 2 (on the mainland) to Marina (on the island).

According to the statement, Akinajo said the test run activities would soon close, allowing for passenger operations to commence.

“I am happy to inform you that we are rounding off all testing processes for the commencement of full passenger operation in August this year. Details of the operations will be announced soon,” Akinajo said.

“The first phase of LRMT red line (Agbado to Oyingbo) is also nearing completion and we intend to commence testing and passenger operations about August 2023.”

The LAMATA boss said a wide range of transport infrastructure has been offered to investors for branding and out-of-

homes advertising.

This, she said, was in a move to shore up revenue for the sustainability of the state’s transport network.

Akinajo said opportunities exist for investors in bus and rail advertising as well as in infrastructure such as pedestrian bridges, bus shelters, bus terminals, interchanges, and megacity bus terminals.

The managing director explained that the forum was held to call the attention of the business community to the need for a “sustainable partnership on the use of transport infrastructure for the prosperity of their businesses and for the government to earn income to strengthen transport infrastructure and provide more”.

On his part, Osa Konyeha, technical adviser on corporate and investment planning at LAMATA, said the state government was seeking investors in the development of the Abule Egba-Sango tollgate BRT corridor, a 7.6 kilometre bus route with a daily projected ridership of over 63,000 passengers.

“Also available is the Oworonsoki-Apapa BRT, a 28 kilometre route with a projected daily ridership of about 430,000 passengers,” he added.

Konyeha said the government was ready to partner with investors in the refurbishment of 300 buses that are currently non-operational and the decarbonisation of the existing fleet and transition to cleaner energy.

“In rail transportation, the government is seeking partnerships in the management of advertising and out of homes (OOH) concessions within the stations, construction, and management of multi-level car parks, skywalk bridges at Ikeja and Marina while also looking forward to concessionaires for the green and purple lines which have a combined distance of 133 kilometres,” he added.

“Investors would also have the opportunity to bid for the upgrade of bus shelters, rehabilitation and construction of the Oyingbo bus terminal, construction of Ikorodu and Maryland terminals and transport interchange facilities at Iju, Mushin, Ajah, Agege, LASU-Iba as well as Megabus terminals at Ojodu Berger, Odogunyan, Sango-Ota, Epe and Agbara.”

Lagosians have been expecting the rail service to commence after  President Buhari, officially, commissioned the first phase of the Lagos Blue Line Rail system from Marina to Mile-2 axis of the state.

Ondo: Kinsman Alleges Plan To Frustrate Acting Governor

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa - Deputy Governor of Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

A legal practitioner, Allen Sowore, has alleged that there are moves to frustrate the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa by some people within the State Cabinet.

Aiyedatiwa became the Acting Governor early this month following Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s request to proceed on medical leave to enable him attend to his health challenges.

Aiyedatiwa’s status as Acting Governor came barely three weeks during which the whereabout of the Governor was unknown and opposition parties were condemning the unnecessary vacuum.

Sowore, a kinsman of the Acting Governor, in a statement entitled, “Akeredolu’s Medical Leave: Before Ondo State Skids Into Full Anarchy And Mobocracy,” said that the activities of the cabals have been frustrating the Acting Governor’s smooth running of Government since the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, transmitted power to him.

According to Sowore ”Section 190 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) is apposite:’Whenever the Governor transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office until he transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the Deputy Governor as Acting Governor.”

“Therefore, it is instructive and behoves all the State Government officials – political and civil servants – to report and take orders from the Acting Governor the manner and way they would have done to Mr Governor. Anything to the contrary is tantamount to an act of insubordination.

“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.”

Commissioner-Nominees Must Face Thorough Screening; Ekiti Gov Oyebanji Charges Assembly

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor,  Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has charged the State House of Assembly to screen and access Commissioner- nominees whose list is expected to be forwarded before the end of next week.

Oyebanji gave the charge in Ado Ekiti when he received members of the Seventh Assembly.

The meeting is coming against the back drop of rumour that since majority of the legislators are nominees of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, they may not be loyal to the incumbent Governor.

He told the Lawmakers that the list of his Commissioners would be forwarded to the Assembly next week for screening and confirmation.

He, however, urged the Lawmakers to ensure a thorough  screening of the Commissioner designates, stressing that asking them to “ take a bow and go” would not bring out the best from the exercise.

Governor Oyebanji also noted that legislature is critical to the ability of any government to deliver on its promises and enjoined members to be above board and discharge their duties without fear, favour or interference and avoid unnecessary disputes that could affect their legislative assignments.

“I have listened to Mr Speaker and I agree with you that this is one government and I share your legislative agenda of responsive and responsible legislature and that speaks to our own mantra of shared prosperity.

“And I keep telling people this is one government and graciously we are all Ekiti and our people brought us here for a purpose and for that purpose to be realized we just have to work together in the interest of the people”.

“I am not unmindful of the fact that there could be moment of strains and stresses and that is the beauty of democracy.

“It is not every time that we are going to agree like this and the beauty of democracy is in the period of strains and stresses, if it offers a platform for discussion, we will still come back like this, we will argue, we will shout and we will resolve.

“The assurance I can give to you from the Executive Council that I lead,  I can assure you of our readiness to partner with you, to give you necessary support without impinging in your freedom.

“We will give absolute respect to the legislature as a different arm of government.”

Oyebanji charged the newly inaugurated Ekiti State House of Assembly members to always prioritize the interest of the people of the state while discharging their duties as lawmakers.

Earlier in his remark, the Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye said the purpose of the meeting was to familiarize themselves with the Governor and members of the State Executive Council and to inform the Governor of their readiness to collaborate with the Executive arm of Government.

Aribasoye assured the Governor that the 7th assembly is fully prepared to have a responsive and responsible legislature in order to keep Ekiti working towards shared prosperity.

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