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LASG Condemns Movie, ‘Gangs Of Lagos’, Says “It Is Mockery Of Our Heritage”

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Government has criticized Jide Osiberu’s new movie, ‘Gangs of Lagos’, saying it is a mockery of the State’s heritage a d what it stands for.

LASG also expressed its displeasure with the promoters and producers of the movie over what it described as “cultural misrepresentation” as well as portraying the culture of the state in a derogatory manner.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the Ministry, being the regulatory body and custodian of the culture of Lagos State, viewed the film/series as a mockery of the Heritage of Lagos.

It would be recalled that a few days ago, Prince Uthman Shodipe-Dosunmu, the Apesinọla Ẹyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa Ọkalaba Ẹkun, a cultural group, had condemned the film, calling for its immediate withdrawal.

He had stated that the film depicts ethnic profiling, sacrilegious and outrageous trash.

Akinbile-Yusuf expressed disappointment with the promoters of the film, Jade Osiberu and Kemi Akindoju, for portraying the Eyo Masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while adorning the full traditional regalia.

Instructively, the Eyo Festival is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs and eminent Lagos Indigenes while the Eyo Masquerade is used as a symbol of honour for such personalities and remarkable historical events.

According to Akinbile-Yussuf, “We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos.

“It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the State”.

The State Government maintained that “the Adamu Orisha, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for Obas, revered Chiefs and eminent Lagosians.

Akinbile-Yussuf, stressed that “the Eyo Masquerade is equally used as a symbol of honour for remarkable historical events.

“It signifies a sweeping renewal, a purification ritual to usher in a new beginning, a beckoning of new light, acknowledging the blessings of the ancestors of Lagosians.”

In an earlier reaction via a statement, Shodipe-Dosunmu, described the film as a reckless, disgusting distortion of the sacred illustration of Lagos culture.

According to him, “There is a film presently being promoted by one Jade Osiberu and another character called Kemi Akindoju. The so called movie is an ugly, hate filled mockery of the Lagosian heritage.

“In their reckless, disgusting distortion of the sacred illustration of the Lagosian culture the film makers reduced the Eyo masquerade into a gun toting killing machine, clothing their misfit actors in the full regalia of the Eyo and with the Aga depicting some Conclaves.

“This is a total abomination. It is not only a distortion of our culture, it is a dark insidious profiling of our people as criminals and murderers rampaging across Lagos.

“The Adamu Orisha is a treasured cleansing ritual, a sacred rite performed on the passage of an Oba or for their coronation.

“It is also used to honor distinguished Lagosians as their final rite of transition.

“Since Ejilu and Malakin, the brothers of Olori Olugbani first initiated the Eyo rite in celebration of Oba Ado Keme, the Adamu Orisha has become a sacred ancestral heritage celebrated with awe and deserving adoration.

“It signifies a sweeping renewal, a purificational ritual to usher in a new beginning, a beckoning of new light, acknowledging the blessings of our ancestors.

“To use the sacred Adamu Orisha Masquerade as an object of terror and loose criminality is to savage and despoil the Lagosian tradition.

“It is vile, evil, perverse; an utterly sadistic mangling of who we are as peace loving, accommodating and enlightened people.

“We demand an immediate withdrawal of this sacrilegious and outrageous trash.

“We demand that the National Film and Video Censors Board and all appropriate authorities to ban this blatant mockery disguising as cinematography and impose the most punitive sanctions on the sponsors of this venomous ethnic profiling.

“We also appeal to the Lagos State Government, the Oba of Lagos Alayeluwa Oba Rilwan Akinolu, all the custodians of our tradition including the Alaworo of Adamu Orisha and Akinsiku Chief Ademola Dosunmu to rouse up in protective defense of our tradition against the ravages of these agents of condemnable pollution of all that we cherish in this sacred soil of Oba Ado Keme.

“Ethnic profiling is recognized as a crime against humanity by the International Court of Justice.

“This provision can also be invoked against these sacrilegious hate baiters.”

EKSG Partners US Agric Dept On $22 Million Cocoa Ecosystem Project

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Government has announced its partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the Traceability and Resilience in Agriculture and Cocoa Ecosystem (TRACE) project.

Special adviser, media, to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, in a statement on Thursday, explained that the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) has been awarded funding under the USDA’s Food for Progress programme to implement the project and strengthen the cocoa value chain in Nigeria.

he project will be implemented in collaboration with the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), C-Lever, and Econometrica.

It stated that a delegation of the Ekiti State Government, led by the Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, his counterpart; on Investment, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Tayo Adeola; and senior officials of Ministry Agriculture/Forestry Commission recently met with the TRACE delegates, led by the Deputy Chief of Party, Mr. Wale Awoyemi, and the CRIN team, led by Dr. Moses Ogunlade.

The meeting was held to discuss baseline studies on cocoa production in the state.

It added that Ekiti State Government team reiterated its commitment to provide enabling environment and policy support for the successful implementation of the TRACE project.

The state has a reliable database of farmers and access to land in the cocoa-producing belt that is suitable for production.

LWR’s partnership with the Ekiti State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will deliver sustainable programmes that will expand the state’s access to competitive markets for cocoa trade, potentially earn revenue, and move smallholder farmers out of chronic vulnerability and poverty.

The TRACE project is a significant step towards improving traceability and resilience in agriculture and the cocoa ecosystem in Nigeria.

According to the statement, Ekiti State Government looks forward to a successful collaboration with the USDA, LWR, CRIN, IITA, C-Lever, and Econometrica to achieve the set goals of the project.

The project, which is worth approximately $22 million, covering six states of Ekiti, Ondo, Osun, Cross River, Abia and Akwa Ibom states and will be implemented over the next five years.

Obasanjo Leads WAEF Pre-election Mission To Sierra Leone

By
The Source
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0
Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo

The West African Elders’ Forum (WAEF) has deployed a pre-election fact-finding mission to Sierra Leone, ahead of the country’s general elections scheduled for June, 2023.

The WAEF team which is led by former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo also has former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President of The Gambia Fatoumata Tambajang as members, would be interfacing with major political leaders and other key stakeholders in Sierra Leone as a means of deepening the confidence and trust of the citizens in the electoral process.

The two-day mission in support of inclusive and peaceful general elections is billed to begin on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

Members of the Missions would hold consultations with the country’s political actors and stakeholders, including the civil society and the Diplomatic Corps, the Electoral Management Bodies and Agencies in a bid to ascertain the level of preparedness towards conducting free, fair and credible elections.

A statement from the  Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, hosts of WAEF, stressed that the Mission to Sierra Leone is in line with the Forum’s objective of promoting preventive diplomacy as a means of reducing electoral-related tension and violence in Africa.

WAEF was founded in 2020 to promote peace, democracy and good governance, had carried out preventive diplomacy missions to many countries including Gambia and Nigeria. Beyond its engagements in Sierra Leone, WAEF is scheduled to carry out a similar mission to Liberia, two nations that hold general elections in 2023.

Soon after Nigeria’s February 25, 2023, Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria, WAEF deployed a team of former Presidents to hold consultations with some of the presidential candidates and other key stakeholders, taking to them the message of peace in order to ensure that there was no post-election violence in the country.

Sierra Leone’s  2023 elections will be the country’s sixth democratic election and the fifth since the end of the civil war in 2002.

Wealth Dickson Ominabo
Communications Officer, Goodluck Jonathan Foundation
12/4/2023

“Why Wike Needs Pity And Prayers – Momodu; Says  Nobody Will Ever Trust Him;  Not In Obi, Atiku’s Class”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

“How Wike Wasted Billions of Rivers State money on a fruitless venture. Sometimes, when God has been kind to a man, he begins to see himself as God” –  Momodu on Wike

Chief Dele Momodu,  accomplished Journalist, celebrated Publisher of Ovation International,  Politician, a two-time Presidential Aspirant, and  Director of Strategic Communications, Peoples Democratic Party’s Campaign Council, has asked for prayers for Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

In a statement in response to Wike’s many fights with many people, including Momodu who he chided for not getting a single vote during the PDP Presidential Primary, Momodu said Wike will know what he did to himself after May 29, 2023. That is the day Wike’s tenure as a Governor will end.

Momodu: “He said I did not win any vote, but we both lost, yet, he wasted billions of State money pursuing a dream he couldn’t achieve.

“Wike will know life better after May 29, 2023, no matter what position he occupies thereafter. No one will trust him.”

Momodu chided Wike for terminating the political career of three of his Governor friends. Along with  Governors Samuel Ortom, Benue, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, and Seye Makinde, Wike formed the G5 which he headed. They fought both the Party and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar over the loss of the Vice Presidential ticket by Wike even though on the surface, they claimed they wanted the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, now barred by a Court from parading himself as Governor, out for equity and fairness in the Party. They wanted, they said, a Chairman from the South because it was unfair, according to them, for both the Presidential Candidate and the National Chairman to come from the same Region – Northern Nigeria.

In the General Elections, Ortom, Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi, lost their Senatorial bid. The situation of Ortom and Ikpeazu is even worse. They were not able to produce their successors. Only Ugwuanyi did, even though the outcome is in dispute.

Momodu, also mocked Wike over Peter Obi. He said  that even though Wike “stylistically” pushed the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, out of the PDP, he is not in Obi’s class. He said Obi is more relevant, politically, than Wike, while Atiku remains a global statesman and businessman.

Following is Momodu’s post on Wike shared to Reporters  in Abuja on Wednesday.

“As his big brother who loves him so much, I will continue to offer him prayers so that God can deliver him fully from this demon of anger.

“Wike truly deserves our pity and prayers. He is a hard working man who suffers from several afflictions like many mortals, the chief of which is rabid anger.

“He is a control freak who expects everyone to bow and tremble before him no matter your age or influence in society. Sometimes, when God has been so kind to a man, he may begin to see himself as God.

“Wike is gloating that Atiku lost the election, the process of which is still ongoing. But Wike lost his own election since last year, and  he is yet to recover.

“Wike is happy that Dr Iyorchia Ayu is no longer our National Chairman.  Oh, but despite his attacks against the gentleman,  Wike’s power and wealth couldn’t remove him.

“Only cowards mock the “dead” in battle. Like a suicide bomber, Wike terminated the dream of three of his Governor-friends  in his war of attrition.

“So, what exactly did he gain? He said I did not win any votes, but both of us lost, yet he wasted billions of State resources om pursuing a dream he couldn’t achieve.

“I remain a Journalist without borders, while he continues to oppress his hapless and seemingly helpless victims in Rivers State. Even the Peter Obi that he stylistically  intimidated out of PDP is far more relevant today.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar remains a global statesman in politics and in business. And he still can’t do with the ARISE NEWS that he pretends to hate so much. What is there to gloat about.

“The outgoing Governor will know life better after May 29, 2023. No matter what position he occupies thereafter, no one will ever trust him.

“He will be viewed with suspicion and derision. He may become the first Governor Emeritus to live in the Government House with the new Governor, or move the Governor into his own guest chalet for the sole purpose of signing documents.

“It is the way the cookie crumbles. What a sad end  to a brilliant career!! Very unfortunate.”

APC Set To Release Zoning Formula For Senate Presidency After Ramadan

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Ajibola Bashiru, Senate Spokesperson for  has disclosed that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, may likely release the Zoning Formula for the Senate Presidency after the Muslim fasting, Ramadan.

Senator Basiru made this known on Wednesday when he appeared on Sunrise Daily, a telecast on Channels Television.

Party chieftains in the South-South and South-East had called for the zoning of the Senate President to their region.

Not less than Eight Senators have shown interest in becoming the Senate President. They include: Senators Jibrin Barau (Kano Central), Sani Musa (Niger East), Orji Kalu (Abia North), and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa-Ibom North-West ).

Others are Senators Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North), Abdul’Aziz Yari (Zamfara West), and Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North), amongst others.

There have been a lot of permutations on where the Senate Presidency would be zoned to.

Reacting, Senator Basiru said, “I believe that our party will ultimately take a decision on the zoning, possibly after Ramadan and certainly before June when the next Assembly will be convoked.”

He noted that beyond tribe and religion, there were other parameters that should be considered in the choice of the National Assembly leadership such as ranking, competence, capacity, and zonal contribution to the victory of Bola Tinubu in the February 25 Presidential poll, amongst others.

He said, “It will be in the best interest of our party to zone the offices so that we can narrow the number of contestants because when you have eight persons from a single political party contesting, it creates a problem for us to have a cohesive force going into the election.”

Basiru also added that the APC National Working Committee and the party’s National Executive Committee had not taken any decision yet on which of the six geopolitical zones will produce the next Senate President.

He said, “I’m not aware that the NWC of our party has taken a position on the issue of zoning and where the zoning will be done.

“I’m not aware that the NEC of our party has taken any decision but party leaders will be making a lot of permutations to ensure a seamless relationship between the executive and the legislative arms.”

However, while not a few people think the office should go to the South-east, others insist that Presidential-elect, Bola Tinubu, performed badly in the South-east during the Presidential election. Many are, however, agreed that the office should not go to a Muslim, considering the fact that both the President-elect and the Vice President-elect are Muslims.

“I Will Run For Second Term” – Uzodinma; Formally Declares Interest; Anyanwu Picks PDP Ticket

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma and Imo APC Chieftains

By Charles Igbo

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, will be on the ballot on 11th November, 2023, for his second term in office.

The Governor, who not a few Imo people have commended for his infrastructural development in the State, especially, roads, formally declared his interest to run for a second term on Wednesday, 12th April, 2023.

Coincidentally, it was the same day Samuel Anyanwu, popular as SamDaddy, running as a sole aspirant, picked the Governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Anyanwu, still the incumbent  National Secretary of the PDP, became a sole Candidate when a former Governor of the State, removed from office by the Supreme Court, and on whom the Party revolved around, Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, inexplicably withdrew from the Governorship race. Ihedioha was conspicuously absent at the Primary Election where Anyanwu won.

For the APC, the hearts of the Party’s faithful were filled with joy when  Uzodinma formally informed the Leaders that he had accepted to run for a second term in office.

Recall that earlier in the year at a stakeholders meeting held in Owerri and chaired by erudite banker and technocrat, Dr. Pascal Dozie, Leaders from Imo State beckoned on Governor Uzodimma to go for a second term based on what they said were verifiable achievements in his first term.

Addressing the APC members comprising  the State Working Committee, Local Government and Ward Representatives at the party Headquarters on Okigwe road, Owerri, the Governor congratulated the members for their unity of purpose and commitment and enjoined them to put hands together and make the Party very strong.

He told them that all their past mistakes have been forgiven even as he reminded them that “loyalty is key to the Party,”  and “that is Politics.”

Governor Uzodimma told the excited Party members that Nigerians have taken a decision in favour of APC, hence the reason they voted to elect a President of APC extraction in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He, however, asked Imo politicians to put first the interest of Igbo people and that of Imo State in all they are doing and more importantly, that they should take a cue from the 3R Government of his administration.

“A Government that is helping Imo people  where the people are seen, saying and experiencing what Government is doing.

“This, by the grace of God, is a guarantee for APC to victory all the way.”

He challenged Imo citizens to go and convince others, irrespective of political inclination, that “the primary purpose of Government is to make sure that the welfare and security of our people is guaranteed.”

He called for unity of purpose and enjoined all on the need to work together as brothers and sisters.

The Governor bemoaned the situation where people who want to lead could go so low as to kill their fellow citizens, destroy private and public property to capture power and advised those doing so to sheathe their sword “because of what posterity and the future holds for us.”

Governor Uzodimma reminded all that APC in Imo State has kept its doors open for good spirited Imolites with genuine agenda to join, noting that “APC as a Party represents the true democracy.”

He did not mince words to remind his members that some of them made the mistake during the presidential election of voting based on sentiments that has led them to nowhere, reiterating that all their past mistakes are forgiven.

He then congratulated all for a rethink on a united APC and urged everybody to be careful this time.

The Governor reminded the State Working Committee and other members on the need to raise strongly-worded congratulatory message to the President-elect and his deputy for their resilience, focused nature and positive determination that helped them to emerge and win the election.

The Governor recalled how the security situation his administration met on assumption of office affected the efforts of government, but thanked God that despite all odds, he was able to surmount the situation and moved on.

He said now that the situation is normalizing, “things will be getting better and committed members will benefit more.”

He cautioned those who are using their offices to defraud Government to desist “because soon the long arms of the Party and that of the law will be after them.”

The Governor reminded the leadership of the APC at the Ward and Local Government levels that they are ambassadors of the Party and should work hard to market the Party positively by doing the right things always.

He thanked the National leadership of the Party for the confidence they reposed on him and the State Working Committee in Imo State and assured them they will not be disappointed.

The Governor said: “Ideas rule the world.This is the time for APC to reign and it is progressing with such ideas as the ones that protect the interest of Nigerian citizens as encapsulated in the social intervention programmes of the Federal Government.”

He noted that by the time he leaves office there will be no difference in infrastructural development whether in Orlu, Owerri or Okigwe zones and that the road infrastructure he is providing is meant to boost the economy of the people.

“I am going to be a successful former Governor,” he declared amid thunderous applause.

Addressing the crowd of APC members earlier, the National Vice Chairman South East Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu thanked them for their commitment and total support to the Party, noting that “the National Body has unanimously agreed that Governor Hope Uzodimma is the only Imo APC Gubernatorial Candidate for the November 11, 2023 election in Imo State.”

He enjoined them to continue to support APC in order to finish what the Party has started.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of APC in Imo State, Dr. MacDonlad Ebere said members had gathered to thank the Governor and appreciate him for making their Party strong and popular.

He noted that “under the leadership of the Governor APC now enjoys and experiences a peaceful, secured and level playing ground.”

He thanked the Stakeholders for their support and leadership qualities and also congratulated the Party for winning the Presidential election of February 25, 2023 and House of Assembly on March 18, 2023.

Adding their voices to the eulogies in thanking the Governor for accepting to run for a second term, leaders after leaders who spoke in behalf of their people reminded him that they are with him all the way.

Among those who spoke included former Governor of Imo State,  Dr. Ikedi Ohakim and Elder Statesman, Dr. EJK Onyewuchi (Okigwe zone), Chief Jerry Chukwueke, retired General Chikwe and Chief Malcolm Nlemigbo (Owerri zone) and Chief Barr. Rex Anunobi (Orlu zone).

They were in agreement that “one good term deserves another,” and then thanked Governor Uzodimma for his superlative performance so far.

They all committed to mobilizing Imo people from the three zones to ensure overwhelming support and peaceful reelection of the Governor in November.

National Census Timely For Ekiti – Gov Oyebanji

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has said that the proposed national census is timely as the exercise would aid his administration in formulating policies and programmes.

The Governor spoke in Ado Ekiti during the inauguration of the state publicity, logistic and security committees for the 2023 national population and housing census.

According to him, the outcome of the exercise would aid planning, policy making, execution of government programmes and policies aimed at improving the lives of the citizens.

The Governor pointed out that the purpose of the committees was to sensitize and mobilize citizens of the state for the exercise which will take place throughout the country next month.

He called for concerted efforts at ensuring a successful and hitch free exercise.

Governor Oyebanji, who noted that the exercise was coming when Ekiti State had just developed a 30-year development plan, explained that a successful census would help his administration in terms of economic planning and developmental programmes, security of lives and property, infrastructural development, quality health care delivery, among others.

He said the exercise would also help in equitable resource allocation as the objective of the exercise was aimed at determining the population size, distribution of density, establishment of demographical data, employment status and standard of living.

While expressing his readiness to work with the National Population Commission in ensuring a smooth and successful exercise, the Governor charged the committee members to ensure that all communities and houses in Ekiti State are well covered.

He also directed local government administrators to assist the enumerators to reach difficult terrains in the drive to ensure that all Ekiti residents were captured in the exercise to have a desired result.

“It is my pleasure today to inaugurate a joint committee comprising officials of the State and National Population Commission to sensitize and mobilized citizens in the state for the national and housing census exercise which is taken place throughout the country next month.

“We must therefore take upcoming census seriously as it will aid our planning, policy making and the delivery and execution of our programmes.

“My government is ready to work with the National Population Commission to ensure we have a smooth and successful 2023 national population and housing census”. The Governor affirmed.

Earlier, The NPC Federal Commissioner representing Ekiti State, Mr Ayodeji Ajayi thanked the Governor for providing necessary support and logistics for the success of the exercise in the state.

Mr Ajayi said necessary measures were being put in place to ensure successful exercise in the state with an assurance that the programme will meet global best standard.

OAU Students Protest Death Of Colleague Killed By Mob Attack

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
OAU Student - Okolie Arinze - Killed

By Ayodele Oni

Students of Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU), Ile-Ife has demanded justice for one of their colleagues, Okolie Arinze, a 500-level Civil Engineering student  killed by mob action.

The deceased, who was accused of Phone-theft and was subjected to torture by mob, later gave up the ghost .

Arinze, after being subjected to torture on allegation of stealing a mobile phone in Awo Hall of the University, passed away on Tuesday, at the Emergency Medical Centre of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife.

The protesting students reportedly stormed the Students’ Union Building and shut it down.

Student leaders in the faculty of Technology, who spoke with Journalists; said the peaceful protest would continue to express grievances and hold all parties involved in the killing accountable.

Just on Monday, a 35 year old man that drive a vehicle which killed two persons on a motorcycle was stoned to death by angry mob in Akure, Ondo state capital.

Already, the state police Command has confirmed the arrest of two persons in connection with the incident, while the state government has bowed to bring to book those responsible for the killing.

“Wike, Desperate PDP Presidential Aspirant, Shameless Liar” – Dino; Atiku’s  Camp: “Tables Already Shaking”

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Finally, the acid-tongued Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, seem to have met his match in Senator Dino Melaye, a Governorship  Aspirant in Kogi State.

The two men, ironically, of the same party, are in an “expose-match. And, it remains to see who would expose each other the most.

Daniel Bwala, a Spokesperson for the Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, gave it to Dino, and warned that Wike called out the wrong person this time.

Wike started the match when his acid tongue crossed Rivers State, where he is lord and master, and landed in Kogi State, Dino’s turf.

In an interview with his usual select -Journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Wike ran Dino down and dismissed him as an unserious person who would never win the Governorship seat of Kogi. He said no serious party would field Dino as a Candidate, and described his ambition as a joke. He warned the PDP of the dangers of fielding Dino as its Candidate.

In Dino’s first response, he advised Wike to stay in his own lane and avoid his (Dino’s lane) as he, Dino, would tame and devour Wike. Dino described himself as a lion killer, and warned that he is at home with the fight Wike is embarking on.

Apparently, Dino was just warming up. To prove that, he has followed up with a second response.

In a very strong gloves-off video response, Dino exposed Wike for “who he is.” He revealed that Wike was so desperate to be Running mate to Atiku that Wike phoned him, 19 times, within two hours to plead with him and his friends to convince Atiku to announce him. He said there are witnesses and evidences. According to Dino, Wike waited at the Airport for hours, just to hear  that Atiku had chosen him, but was finally disappointed, and left, when he called to tell Wike that the game was over, and he was not chosen.

He said Wike’s resort to screaming he was fighting for the South, for equity, is a fat lie. Wike began to shout about the South, said Dino, when he failed to clinch the VP ticket.

Dino also confirmed that it was Wike who chose Dr Iyorchia Ayu, a Northerner, as the National Chairman of the PDP, and pushed Prince Uche Secondus, a Southerner, away, in his scheming to be the Presidential candidate. He asked: If Wike had even succeeded in being Atiku’s Running Mate, if he could have fought for Ayu’s removal, or shouted “the South.”

Following is Dino’s recorded video response just released, where he threatened to open a can of “worms and maggots” on Wike, and warned that his “primary business is other people’s businesses.”

Here goes:

“My Primary business is other people’s businesses. If I open my can of worms and maggots on Wike, I am waiting for him. It is the territory he is trying to practice but it is my own primary constituency and I am waiting for him.

“He is a pretentious character, he is a liar and he has no integrity, no iota of integrity.

“Wike was calling me when Atiku Abubakar was about to announce his Running Mate. I have records and I have printed it out, and Iam waiting for him. He called me 19 times in Two Hours begging us to convince Atiku Abubakar to make him the Vice President Candidate.

“When I see him lying on Television that he is fighting for the country, that the National Chairmanship position must move to the South, I just laugh  He was begging and lobbying us, promising us heaven and earth to convince Atiku Abubakar to make him VP, to the extent that he was at the Airport. I have the video.

“He spent hours in the Airport waiting for me to call him and say Atiku has picked him as  his running mate. He waited and called me severally at the airport, including my Brother and Friend who was at the Senate together was also calling me on that day. I have witnesses. I even gave the phone to Abdul Ningi to speak with him, I gave the p

phone to Senator Uzamere to speak with him. He was begging all of us, promising us heaven and earth that Atiku should announce him.

“It was around one I told him, ‘Oga nobody go give you Vice President’. That was when he left and flew back.

“The Man was so desperate to be Vice President. Because you didnt get it, you now started a Southern Agenda.

“I don’t believe in such an unprincipled, zero integrity character like Nyesom Wike. The Man was the one who brought Ayu. Wike was the one who sponsored Ayu and that was why Wike made all the Governors endorse Ayu, that was why there was no election for the  National Chairmanship office during the Convention.

“Ayu was unopposed, and now you are saying power must go to the South. Maybe because of the alcohol he took. He thought Ayu was from Abia State when he was supporting him because Ayu is from the North. You are the one that brought Ayu. When did you now realise that Ayu is a Northerner? But he was doing that then to satisfy his selfish ambition of becoming the Presidential Candidate from the South, so he doesn’t want the Chairmanship at that time to go to the South so that it won’t affect his ambition of becoming a Southern President.

“So he pushed the Chairmanship to the North, and thinking he would be able to bribe Ayu to produce him as the Presidential Candidate.

“When Ayu refused to do the wrong thing, then Ayu became an enemy. Is it not Wike that removed his brother, mentor, Prince Uche Secondus as the National Chairman of the party?

“If you love the South so much, why did you remove a Southerner to bring in a Northerner? Today, you are saying Chairmanship must go to the South. Was the Chairmanship not in the South? Was it not you, Wike that went to the Court, did everything, and expelled him (Secondus) from his Ward?

So a character who is not stable like that, who is influenced by alcohol and other things i don’t know should not be taken seriously.”

In its reaction to the Wike/Dino tango,  Barrister, of Atiku Presidential Campaign Council, said Wike has called out the wrong crew.

He tweeted: “Gov. Wike has been fighting and insulting people, and today he called out a wrong  crew.

“Dino just released a teaser to the main movie, and tables are shaking already.The coming days would be El- Classicos.”

Recall that Wike vigorously worked against his Party’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku, during the 25th February 2023 Presidential Election. He worked for the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu.

Kogi APC Adopts Direct Primary To Pick Guber Candidate

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

In anticipation of a possible hitch and crisis over its delegates’ lists for the conduct of Governorship Primary Election in Kogi State, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) has adopted the Direct Mode of Primaries for the conduct of the Governorship Primary Election.

The party informed the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) as well as aspirants of its decision to adopt the direct mode, in a letter dated 6th April, 2023, and signed by the Acting National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

“We refer to our earlier letter dated 25th January, 2023, with reference no: APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/023/191 wherein we notified the Commission of the mode of primary election for the conduct of the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State.

“However, our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reviewed the modalities for the conduct of the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State and has therefore resorted to adopt the DIRECT mode of primary election instead of the Indirect Mode as earlier communicated.

“The date for the conduct of the primary election still remains Friday 14th April, 2023.

“Following the above, there shall be a Special Congress to ratify the candidate with the highest number of votes at the Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State scheduled for Saturday, 15th April, 2023.”

An Abuja Federal High Court, on Wednesday, nullified the Kogi State APC delegate list for the purpose of nominating a governorship candidate for the party in the November governorship election.

Justice James Omotosho while delivering Judgement, voided the ward and local government congresses said to have been conducted on February 7 on the grounds that they were not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act 2022, and the Constitution of the APC.

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