South East Deserves Senate President – Orji Kalu

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March 28, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

As the South-east east and South-south drag the zoning of the President of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu has canvassed for the zoning of the position to south east.

According to him, this is one of the ways to guarantee peace in the region.

Kalu, who is Chief Whip in the outgoing 9th Senate, spoke in Abuja on Tuesday after a closed door meeting with President Mohammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock villa.

The former Governor maintained that despite the poor outing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southeast during the last Presidential election, the zone deserves the Senate Presidency.

The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, received the least number of votes in the Southeast during the Presidential election.

Speaking with State House Correspondents, Kalu said if the Senate Presidency is zoned to the region, the Southeast will bring peace and unity to the table.

He said that it is not the number of votes that counts, but the unity of the country should be paramount.

Bode George Remains Defiant, Says He Has No Regrets Supporting Rhodes-Vivour Over Jandor

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 28, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has disclosed that he had no regrets supporting Labour Party, LP, Governorship Candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour as against his Party’s Governorship Candidate, Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran popularly known as Jandor.

Speaking on Channels Television Politics Today, George said Rhodes-Vivour remains the best candidate at the just concluded Gubernatorial Election in Lagos that saw incumbent Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu re-elected.

The former Chairman, National Port Authority, NPA, added that he had no regret for not supporting the candidate of his party, Jandor, in the March 18 election.

George said he followed the decision of a group he belongs to which was to support the best among all the candidates irrespective of political affiliation.

He said, “If you say that I supported somebody from another party, it is not me as PDP. There is a group called Omo Eko Pataki and as bonafide Lagosians, we sat down, we took each of those candidates from (Governor Babajide) Sanwo-Olu to Jandor and others and we weighed them.

“And there was a new movement going on in the country and we said look, who has the capacity? Who has the best educational background? Who has the moral background to handle my state? As a PDP, the fellow who got the ticket was on another planet.

“No regrets whatsoever (not supporting Jandor). And let me tell you something, I said publicly to our Presidential Candidate that if they do not honour the South-West, I won’t vote for Atiku, I did not hide it.”

The PDP chieftain said the opposition party must come together and resolve its internal wranglings in order to move forward.

George also called on the party leadership to probe what made the aggrieved PDP governors also known as G5 governors and other elders withdraw their support for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

MC Oluomo Will Face Wrath Of Law If Found Culpable Of Breaking Law During Election – Hamzat, Deputy Governor, Lagos

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 28, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, has stated that the Chairman of Lagos Parks and Gardens, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly as MC Oluomo, would face the wrath of the law if found guilty of breaking law and order during the just concluded Governorship and State House of Assembly Election in Lagos State.

To that promise by Hamzat, many people have chorused ‘Amen’, and others, ‘that will be the day’, considering Oluomo’s power and influence in tye State. As a number of videos confirmed, Oluomo was seen in a couple of places, making hate speeches, and threatening a breach of the law in his efforts to scare non- indigenes away from voting.

MC Oluomo, a staunch supporter of All Progressives Congress, APC, and the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was seen in viral video threatening Igbos not to come out to vote if they were not ready to cast their votes for the APC, else, they will be dealt with appropriately.

Hamzat, while fielding questions against alleged violence that played out during the Governorship and State House of Assembly Election in the State during a Live appearance on Channels Television Sunrise Daily Programme Tuesday morning, said he was not calling for the arrest of anybody, he said the facts should be examined and “if in truth he (MC Oluomo) has broken the law, he must pay for it.”

The Deputy Governor was reacting to a video that made the rounds on social media during the governorship elections in the state, where MC Oluomo, who is also the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Works for Lagos State Council, was said to be threatening people of Igbo extraction residing in the State.

Hamzat said, “Well, I am not calling for the arrest of anybody, I am not a Police Officer, I am not a prosecutor, but people will look at the evidence.

“And in the case of MC Oluomo he has actually come out to say that he was referring to a woman, who also came out to say that she has known MC Oluomo for years and that he was referring to her, so I don’t know the facts. But people should examine the facts and if in truth he has broken the law, he must pay for it.

“But my point which I want to make is that we all diminish this country when we actually exaggerate what happens. We have an election where you have this number of polling units and you have less than one per cent that had a problem and we now make it look like that one per cent is more important than the 99 per cent.

“I think that it is just outrageous and we should not diminish our country by saying the election is bad. No, this was a great election. Atrocities were committed an people should pay for that.”

Hamzat said the State Government has been accommodating all tribes and religions in the State, adding that Lagos is the only sta3te that has other tribes in its State Assembly.

Hamzat, however, added, “There will be people that will always try to break the rules and we must punish them. When you punish them they serve as deterrent to others so they know that is not the way to go.”

Former Minister Maku: “APC, PDP, Underestimated ‘Obidients’ Movement”; Says Obi Has Shaken Nigeria

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 28, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Minister of Information and Orientation, Labaran Maku, has said that the Labour Party, LP, performance in the just concluded Presidential, National Assembly, Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections should applauded.

According to Maku, many in the camps of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, underestimated the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and his supporters known as the ‘Obidients’.

Maku, a PDP chieftain from Nasarawa State, further said that the two main parties underestimated Obi and his supporters because they thought he lacked political structure and would not be able to do much, but were surprised by the outcome of the 2023 Presidential Election, which showed that “the youths were not joking.”

The former Minister said this while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme about the outcome of the 2023 elections.

According to him, “What happened in the presidential election, as you could see, was that there was this wave of young people, the ‘Obidients’ that we all took for granted and we were thinking Peter Obi was a joke. Where would he go?

So, both PDP and the APC, we were thinking ‘This man does not have structure. He will not be able to do so much’.

“But the young people seized the initiative from the politicians. And for the first time – what we saw in Nasarawa, Edo, several other places, and in Delta State where the PDP vice presidential candidate comes from – we saw that young people were serious about what they were doing and they took advantage of social media to project a programme which has shaken the nation.”

While admitting that his party lost the Presidential election in the state to the Labour Party, he claimed that the ruling All Progressives Congress’s win in the Governorship poll was faulty.

Ayu’s Suspension: Factional Ward Exco Disowns Those Behind Vote Of No Confidence

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Ayodele Oni

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March 28, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

With an order by a High Court hanging on his head, the national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Iyorcha Ayu who is still battling to vacate the order got a morale booster from his Ward as another faction of the party executives passed a Vote Of Confidence On him.

The faction, led by the Deputy Chairman, Mrs. Ortese Hellen and 15 others, disowned the earlier resolution describing those behind its passage as mischief-makers.

Addressing the media on Sunday, on behalf of Kashi Philip, the Ward Chairman, the Ward Secretary Mr. Vangeryina Dooyum explained that Dr. Ayu was suspended by the Executive for alleged anti party activities.

Reading from a text signed by 12 out of the 17 member Ward Executive, the Secretary stated that the decision to suspend the National Chairman was reached after the leadership reviewed his conduct at the end of the just concluded general elections.

Reacting to his suspension on Monday, the Embattled chairman described those behind his suspension as illiterate members of the the executive.

The statement came before a High Court in Benue state restrained Dr Ayu from parading himself as national chairman of the PDP.

The Executives Committee members of Igyorov Ward in Ipav, Gboko local government area of Benue state, again on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the PDP National Chairman.

The Ward Executive, led by Deputy Chairman and 15 others, also disclaimed the purported suspension of the national chairman, saying at no time did the members meet to discuss any matter concerning the national chairman.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Ward Executives said they have no knowledge of the letter or its contents, and have never authorized anyone to “generate such a mischievous letter.”

The letter signed by the 16 Exco members reads in part: “The Executive Committee have never discussed in any of our meetings prior to election or post-2023 general election about the conduct of the national chairman.

“The Executive Committee members have stated clearly that they have no knowledge about the letter and have not authoriszed anybody whatsoever to generate such a mischievous letter on behalf of the Executive Committee.”

“The purported signatures on the letter are forged and no member of PDP Committee of Igyorov Council Ward have signed that letter nor caused to be signed on his or her behalf.

“The names of the Executive Committee members are wrongly written and spelt which show the desperation of the mischief-makers.”

On the letter’s error that all the elections were held in March 2023, the statement explained that this was proof that the letter was written in advance, and only given to some people to sign.

The Executives then passed on vote of confidence on Ayu and urged the public to disregard the so-called letter purporting to suspend him.

Those who signed the letter include: Deputy Ward Chairperson, Mrs. Ortese Hellen; Treasurer, Saawuan Terlumun; Organizing Secretary, Atema Iorde and Legal Adviser, Uko Injabo.

Others are: Woman Leader, Mrs. Tse Nguveren; Jooji John, Elected Councillor and former Ward Chairman, David Atime.

A copy of the letter has been copied the Benue state Governor, the State Chairman, the national chairman, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Caucus, among others.

PDP Gets Acting National Chairman

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The Source

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March 28, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national working committee (NWC) has named Iliya Umar Damagum as the acting national chairman.

Until his appointment, Damagum was the PDP national deputy chairman (north).

Debo Ologunagba, the PDP spokesperson, made the announcement on Tuesday at a press conference in Abuja.

The appointment follows a high court order restraining Ayu from parading himself as the party’s national chairman

Breaking: Ayu Steps Aside As PDP Chairman

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 28, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has stepped aside from his position.

He made the announcement at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja, the Nation’s Capital.

This is coming hours after a Makurdi High Court presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi issued an interim order restraining Ayu from “parading himself as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.”

The order of the Court issued Monday followed an ex-parte motion brought before the Court by a PDP stalwart, Conrad Utaan against Ayu and the PDP in a suit No MHC/85/2023.

The application was supported by a-15 paragraph affidavit and three exhibits including the applicant’s PDP membership card, receipt of payment of dues and a copy of the resolution of the PDP Executive of the Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko Local Government Area, LGA, suspending Dr. Ayu.

The plaintiff in the application argued that the National Chairman should cease to operate in that capacity “having lost membership of the party, pending the hearng and determination of Motion on Notice already filed.”

In his ruling, Justice Kpochi held that the court, after listening to the plaintiff’s counsel move the application “and upon a dispassionate consideration of the facts placed before me in the pool of the affidavit evidence, and again, upon the consideration of the issues distilled in the written address by the plaintiff’s counsel, it is my candid view that this is a proper case to grant the interim injunction as craved. Consequently, this application Is hereby granted in terms of the reliefs captured in the motion papers as herein before reproduced. It is so ordered.”

Justice Ikpochi adjourned the matter to April 17, 2023 for hearing.

Speaking shortly after the ruling, Utaan explained that he approached the court to have Ayu removed from office because “we naturally expected that out of the performance that we have just recorded as a party in Benue we expected Dr. Ayu, like it is done in saner climes, to step aside honourably because he was not able to lead the party to victory; and allow the party to move on without him.

“Unfortunately he has refused to show or display that kind of honour and I thought it wise to approach the court to to see how to agree with the position of his ward who only 24 hours ago, suspended him from the party.

“Our expectation is that you cannot be the National Chairman of a party that you are not a member of”.

It would be recalled that last Sunday, 12 out of the 17 member Executive of Igyorov Council Ward of the PDP in Gboko LGA Sunday suspended the National Chairman from the party after passing a vote of no confidence on him over alleged anti party activities.

Details Later…..

Can CBN Stop NLC?

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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March 28, 2023

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Barely 24 hours to the deadline set by the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, to embark on a nationwide strike, not a few Nigerians are watching whether their demand will be met.

The Chris Ajaero led NLC, last week, directed it members to abandon work if the CBN failed to resolve the cash scarcity affecting the country by the middle of this week.

Within the period of the strike, all CBN offices across the country will also be picketed the union said.

The workers’ union had urged Nigerians to join them in the strike slated for Wednesday to protest the suffering of Nigerians due to the Naira crisis that arose from the CBN cash swap policy.

Businesses have suffered due to unavailability of cash, while many Nigerians are finding it hard to purchase essential commodities for the welfare of the families.

As the strike deadline approaches, the CBN, on Monday, took what some have described as a critical step to stop NLC from embarking on the strike.

Godwin Emefiele , the CBN Governor begged the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige to intervened on the issue during a meeting he held with the minister and the NLC representatives led by its president, Chris Ajaero.

The CBN warned that if the workers are allowed to go on strike it will affect the country economically, apart from the effects such strike will have on the operation of the apex bank.

Daily Trust quoted some sources who attended the meeting to have said that the CBN Governor promised to make more cash available before the first week of April.

More cash will be released to commercial bank across the country, Emefiele was quoted to have said in his last ditch effort to stop the strike.

The source said, “You would notice that the CBN had since last Friday directed commercial banks to open during weekends so as to ease the issue of cash crunch. The governor (Emefiele) was here to talk to the Minister in order to prevail on the labour leaders.

“He (Emefiele) said the protest will disrupt a lot of things in the bank, hence his reasons to heed the minister’s call who is a Chief conciliator.”

The NLC president is expected to brief the media today on the outcome of the meeting, according to sources in the union who spoke on condition of anonymity.

AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Redeem Image, Record Slim Win Over Guinea Bissau

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 27, 2023

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Super Eagles vs Djurtus of Guinea Bissau

By Akinwale Kasali

A 30th minute strike from the Penalty Spot by Moses Simon was all the Super Eagles needed to register a 1-0 win against the Djurtus of Guinea Bissau in the return leg of the 2023 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Guinea Bissau had shocked the Super Eagles three days ago at the Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola Stadium, Abuja, by the same score line, to go top of the Group.

But the victory by the West African giant has changed the table as the Nigeria team has retaken the top spot with nine points from four matches.

The Djurtus are second with seven points while Sierra Leone has five points and São Tomé and Principe with one point from the same number of matches respectively.

Coach Jose Peseiro made five changes from the team that started the first leg with Kenneth Omeruo, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Moses Simon, Frank Onyeka and Terem Moffi starting the match.

Frank Uzoho retained his position in goal , with Bright Osayi, Zaidu Sanusi retaining their positions in the defense line.

Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen leading the attack.

The Super Eagles took the game to their host from the blast of the whistle making several attempts to register a goal.

These did not result to any leap for the Super Eagles, until in the 28th minute when Osayi was fouled in the 18 Yard Box to give Nigeria a deserved penalty that was coolly converted by Simon.

Osimhen’s shot hit the bar, while Joe Aribo forced the Guinea Bissau goalkeeper to make some brilliant saves.

Nigeria has two matches to play against Sierra Leone in Agadir, Morocco and a home game against São Tomé and Principe.

Benue Court Sacks Ayu As PDP National Chairman

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The Source

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March 27, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

A Benue State High Court, on Monday, 27th March, 2023, sacked the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, from office.

The Court stopped Ayu from parading himself as the National Chairman pending the determination of the substantive suit which was adjourned to April 17, 2023, for hearing.

In a repeat of the process which led to the sack of Ayu’s predecessor in office, Prince Uche Secondus, Ayu was first suspended by his ward for alleged anti-party activities on Sunday.

The suit to sack Ayu was filed by a PDP member, Terhide Utaan. The Judge, the Honourable Justice W.I. Kochi, granted Utaan’s request, and stopped Ayu from parading himself as National Chairman, pending the substantive case.

In reaction to the ruling, Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, the mastermind of Secondus’ sack, and an arch political enemy of Ayu, lauded the Court ruling.

He said: “I am not from Benue State, but I am happy. And now that Benue State has done it, we would now come out and say we are in support of this.”

Wike had asked Ayu to vacate from office as a condition to support the PDP and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

When that was not done, he and his G5 Governors – Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, Seyi Makinde, Oyo – worked against the PDP.

For the first time, the PDP lost Rivers State to APC. It also lost Oyo and Benue States.

Not a few people allege that Wike is behind the suspension of Ayu by his ward in Benue State, which has now led to the Court stopping him from parading himself as the National Chairman of the PDP. “It is the same Secondus’ story”, they chorus.