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PDP Constitutes Committee To Review Party  Discipline, Reconciliation

By
The Source
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The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 571st meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 resolved to constitute a Committee to review all cases of reported indiscipline and anti-party activities by some members of the Party in the 2023 general elections.

The decision of the NWC, the Party said in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, is in furtherance of on-going efforts by the National Leadership to instill discipline and achieve a comprehensive reconciliation in the Party.

“This resolution of the NWC is pursuant to its powers under Section 29 (2) (a) and (b) and Section 31 (2) (c), (d) and (i) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)”, the Resolution said.

The NWC, accordingly,  directed that no Organ of the Party at any level shall henceforth commence any disciplinary action against any member of the Party without due consideration and regard to the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).

The NWC charged members to remain focused on the ideals of our Party as a democratic organization guided by our Rules, Regulations and Constitution as the Party collectively makes progress towards lasting reconciliation, discipline and unity in the Party.

Ondo Deep Sea Port Gets Operating Licence

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ondo Deep Sea Port

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government on Wednesday approved the establishment of a deep sea port in Ondo State with granting operating licence for its take off.

The Federal Executive Council, (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, gave the approval for the operating licence for the Port at the FEC meeting held at the State House in Abuja.

The Memo for the approval was presented by the Federal Ministry of Transportation through the Minister, Muazu Jaji Sambo, following years of efforts by the Ondo state Government to establish a deep sea port, first at Olokola which failed to materialize since 2004.

The efforts were renewed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu upon his assumption of office as Governor in 2017 and became intensified upon the appointment of an indigene of Ondo state,  Ademola Adegoroye, as Minister of State in the Federal Ministry of Transportation in July 2022, just about 10 months ago.

Akeredolu had submitted the proposal for the establishment of the Port to the federal government, with series of due diligence undertaken by both the State and federal governments.

NLC Distances Union From Protest To Ground Nigeria On May 29, 2023

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Joe Ajaero

By Adesina Soyooye

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has distanced the Union from a viral story in the Social Media that it would ground Nigeria if justice is not delivered by May 29.

Titled “If Electoral Justice Is Not Delivered By May 29, Nigeria Would Be Shut Down”, it was issued in the name of the NLC  and the  Labour and Civil Society Front, LCSF.

LCSF is a Platform founded on the existing understanding between trade unions and Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria.

In a strongly worded statement personally signed by Comrade Joe Ajaero, National President of the NLC, the Union said it was not aware of any such statement and described it as …”not only false but a mischief by its authors to drag the NLC and the trade union movement into their warped contrivance for purposes best known to their minds”

The full statement entitled:

IF ELECTORAL JUSTICE IS NOT DELIVERED BY MAY 29, NIGERIA WOULD BE SHUT DOWN – LCSF: A DISCLAIMER! reads:

“Our attention has just been drawn to a false publication making the rounds in the Social media issued in the name of Labour and Civil Society Front (LCSF) a platform founded on the already existing understanding between trade unions and Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria that for our nation to make progress leadership accountability and subjection to the sovereign will is crucial.  This is to allow us use the civic space to interrogate governance in all its ramifications and make it work for the majority thus progress of the nation.

“The said  publication titled; if electoral justice is not delivered by May 29, Nigeria would be shut down” is not only false but a mischief by its authors to drag the NLC and the trade union movement into their warped contrivance for purposes best known to their minds. Such statement was unknown to us and we can neither be associated to it nor partake of whatever its intentions are.

“It is, therefore, important that we alert the public that we have not concluded any plans anywhere to mobilise any of our affiliates and constituents including the masses neither in Nigeria nor without for the purposes of embarking on any action after May 29 within the context outlined by the false statement. We dissociate ourselves from its intents and mission and are dauntless to say that such publication is not from the LCSF.

“The Conveners of the Labour and Civil Society Front remain Comrade Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo, Senator Shehu Sani and Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and any publication that does not have their imprimatur is false and can only be the handiwork of fifth columnists trying to use the organisation to mislead the public and create tension in the country.

“We, however, make bold to say that we shall continue to work in conjunction with other well-meaning organisations both within and without the Civil Society to use every lawful means to ensure that there is fairness and equity in the adjudicatory processes of the election tribunals.

“This is our common commitment and we do not want this avowal to be hijacked by purveyors of evil to foment trouble in the polity. Any group believing that it can use the name of the LCSF to spread falsehood should be prepared because we shall seek them out and expose them for what they are. They are clearly not part of us as we have not discussed such possibilities in our various meetings. Members of the Public should, therefore, discountenance such publication and ignore its portends.

“We believe that the Judiciary is equal to the task before it and would demonstrate to those who have had their doubts and those who have sought to make a mockery of them that they remain the bastion of the conscience of the nation. They will surely demonstrate this throughout their sittings and we look forward to supporting them as all eyes and hopes to redeem our nation is on them at this time.

“The NLC will therefore not encourage anything that would distract the sacred and time honoured duties of their lordship as they conduct the different sittings. We know that this is a marathon and not a hundred meters dash and we are prepared to patiently wait for the process to work itself our.

“We advise Nigerians and all workers to also exercise due diligence as we stay focused on conscientiously monitoring the sittings and outcomes of the Election Tribunals around the nation. Let us keep our eyes on the ball.”

Lamidi Apapa Booed At The Presidential Tribunal, Almost Lynched, Saved By Security Agents

By
The Source
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Lamidi Apapa in Humiliated in Court

By Gideon Njoku

But for the presence of hoardes of Security Agents, and their quick intervention, Lamidi Apapa, purported Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, LP, could have been lynched by an angry crowd.

But he did not escape the booing and screams of “Apapa, ole, Apapa thief”, which thundered all over. He was thoroughly embarrassed, confused, and shaken.

The incident took place at the venue of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, Abuja, where Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party is challenging the declaration of the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as the President-elect.

Apapa, obviously, a mole in the LP, has, for weeks, created a faction in the Party, which he is leading. He engineered the controversial ‘suspension’ of the Party’s National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, and has since then, been fighting to withdraw Obi’s petition before the Tribunal.

At the hearing of the case on Wednesday, Apapa, who was surprisingly present, was not recognised by the Tribunal. That was when he was given the first dose of embarrassment.

The second dose was when he was on his way out of the Tribunal venue after the case was adjourned to May 19.

He was greeted by a crowd of angry Party loyalists who booed him and called him names. He was saved from them by Security Agents.

President-elect, Tinubu, is billed to be sworn-in on May 29, 2023, while the suits challenging his victory continues.

Former Prelate Of The Methodist Church, Sunday Mbang, Dies

By
The Source
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Sunday Mbang

By Charles Igbo

The Christian Religion in Nigeria has lost a strong voice.

A former Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, His Eminence, Sunday Mbang is dead.

Mbang, a fiery Preacher of the Word, was also a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN.

The blunt and revered Cleric was born on 26 August, 1936. He was a native of Idua, Eket, in the Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

Mbang was ordained a Priest of the Methodist Church in 1962, and became the Prelate in 1984, a position he held for 22 years before he retired from active service.

His Eminence was educated at the Effoi Group of Schools, Salvation Army School, Akai-Ubium, Government School, Eket, Methodist Boys High School, Oron, Teachers’ College, Uzuakoli, Trinity Theological School, Umuahia, University of Ibadan, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Isreal, and Havard University, USA.

The retired Prelate died of old age, on Wednesday, 17, May, 2023, according to family sources.

Labour Party Crisis Escalates As Factions Clash At Presidential Election Tribunal

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lamidi Apapa and Julius Abure

By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking the Labour Party, LP, has further escalated as the Party made a mockery of itself at the ongoing Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja, the nation’s Capital.

The factions of LP National Chairman, Julius Abure and that of the purported Acting Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, were at each other’s neck with boos and heated exchange of words.

The Abure faction had resisted the media from granting an interview to Apapa as they blocked the interview with chants of “Ole, thief, and many other invectives were used in attacking him.

It took the intervention of the Police to ward off the determined protesters who followed him out.

Before this, Justice Haruna Tsammani, the Presiding Judge at the Presidential Election Tribunal refused to recognise any representative of the Labour Party except the 1st petitioner, Peter Obi, who was in court.

The reason for this was the discovery of a disagreement by the Judge among the LP representatives at the Court that included the two factions.

When the matter was called, Obi stood up to announce his appearance followed by Dudu Manuga, the National Women’s Leader of the Party who sat close to Obi.

Meanwhile, Before the Court could record Manuga on the list, Lamidi Apapa quickly stood up to announce his appearance as the representative of the Labour Party.

However, Justice Haruna interjected and said, ” It appears there was a little disagreement… We are not recognizing any representative from the party.”

The Apapa led faction is saying that the ruling of a High Court of the FCT, suspending the Abure-led faction, remains.

The Court rose and  adjourned to 19th May for the continuation of the pre-hearing of Peter Obi’s petition.

Tribute: Why I Mourn Saint Obi

By
James Orji
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By Rose Peter – Graham

I am mourning my dear friend, Saint Obi. I am so sad. This life…only God! Yes, only God can unravel this mystery called life.

When I lost someone so close to me… I become incoherent. I disassociate myself from everyone else before I can even think of healing. When I was single, such measures worked, but now that I relate with over 50 people a day, I am just so overwhelmed.

I don’t have the powers to know when someone will die, but there is some force that usually pushes me to put a call through when my friends are going through rough patches.

A few months ago, I called a colleague of mine to kindly help me with Saint’s number. He asked why I wanted it and why I didn’t have it. I told him the truth. He promised to send it but he never did. He played God. I still wonder why that could be a big deal, knowing we are all part of a creative family even though I reside and work in London now. Worse still, I recall his elder brother, who is also in the industry, reacted the same way a couple of years ago. I was tempted to wonder why they made a colleague and friend’s number such a coded affair, so shrouded in secrecy.

However, I just left it to what I was convinced of was their hidden misogynistic tendencies.

Now, with the benefit of hindsight, I feel I shouldn’t blame any of them for not passing the number to me. I blame myself for not trying harder to reach my friend, a friendship I cherished.

In our limited time on this earth, we seem to be forgetting a lot. Most of us think we will live forever. And we just continue on the high way of life. And most times, we don’t understand that the choices we make, especially in Marriages, could Make or Break Us. I know friends who have lost their lives so young because of the kind of partners they chose. Both men and women. The wise ones were able to escape with their lives intact.

I don’t know what Saint’s last days were like, but I do remember him in his high flying days looking like some Gladiator in ancient Rome, ready to bring the arena down. I tell you something, if Saint Obi was in America, like I usually say to him then, Brad Pitt will have nothing on him.

I remember giving him such a fantastic introduction during an event I MCed at The Collisium in Opebi , Ikeja, Lagos, during some grand event the industry had in those days. I can still see the look on his face. Saint was in shock… and he had that boyish smile playing on his face like an accomplished lieutenant.

After his active days as an actor in Nollywood, Saint wanted to do projects of his own. He was so passionate about it and told me he was pitching it to GlobaCom and reaching out to the Chairman, Mr Mike Adenuga. Saint was really excited about this project. He showed me graphics representation of where Globalcom’s adverts would be inserted .

I was expecting to see this project take off, but nothing happened. I asked him about the progress, and Saint told me that he was hopeful that they would see the essence of being part of the project. Sadly, for some reason, the project never took off. Then, I noticed the same Globalcom visibility in Kunle Afolayan’s projects. And I couldn’t help but wonder what barriers Kunle was able to surmount that Saint Obi unfortunately couldn’t .

Well, I came to the UK after marriage… and judt before i lost my phone then, I called Saint, one of those unusual days. It was just to say hello. He was happy to hear from me. Still talking about the project, he said, ” Rose, there is a lot we need to talk about . I responded, ” Great, why not?”

It was a short call. He said he needed to run off. I said, “It was fine.”
I looked forward to reigniting the conversation in the immediate future. But that was not to be.
That was the last time I spoke to my very dear friend.

My Hulk of a friend! Strong, Brilliant with Beautiful Personality. Now I speak about amazing Saint in past tenses. What a life! What a loss! What a tragedy! It’s like a silent mystery, but after reading a rare, exceptional narrative by my equally awesome friend, Zik Zulu, I realise the hard truth, that my friend, the great actor, perfect gentleman, the Nigerian Saint has gone to join the Saints in heaven.

Benue Govt Justifies Okar Coup 33yrs After

By
James Orji
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0
More than 30 years after the 1993 military coup, the Benue State government says it will honour one of its arrowheads.
 Major Gdeon Okar , the mastermind of the aborted coup against the regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, the state government said will receive a state honour for his gallantry and saying the truth.
Governor Samuel Ortom disclosed this at the end of the state Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.
Quoting the governor of the state, the Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Micheal Inalegwu said even in recent years have proved Okar right that all is not well with the country.
Recall that the highpoint of the Okar coup was to severe the north from the rest of the country, because, as he claimed then, the other part of Nigeria was being held hostage by Fulani hegemonists.
Governor Ortom has blame the farmer/ herders clash on the Fulani who he accused of trying to wipe out his people from existence.
 According to him,

“When Orkar came out with that broadcast, nobody took it seriously but today all that Orkar said in that broadcast has come to pass. So, we, in Benue State, have come to realise that Orkar meant well for this country.

“So, in the council meeting today, we resolved that a street should be named after Gideon Orkar and that is to tell Nigerians that Orkar had prophesied about what the country is facing today and unfortunately, he was executed. The 9.7km road that bursts out at Apir will be named after Gideon Orkar.”

Okar alongside other coup plotters, mostly officers from the Middle Belt were executed by the Babangida regime after they were found guilty of trying to overthrow the government by force.

Diplomacy: Tinubu Promises Unity During Phone Call With Blinken

By
James Orji
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Antony Blinken

Nigeria’s President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to hit the ground running and unify the country upon his assumption of office on May 29. He also pledged to ensure positive relations with the United States.

Asíwájú Tinubu made the pledges during a telephone conversation Tuesday night with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The President-elect said that among his immediate priorities would be to deliver institutional reforms and development programs to deepen our democratic institutions and bring help to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

He also expressed his determination to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and faithfully serve the people as their president.

During the talks that lasted about 20 minutes, President-elect Tinubu spoke about his eventful sojourn in America in the 70s, where he graduated with honours as an accountant in 1979.

He also recalled how he was granted asylum by the US when, due to his determined struggle for democracy in Nigeria, he was forced into exile by the late General Sani Abacha’s military junta.

While affirming his democratic bonafides , President-elect Tinubu expressed his absolute belief that the result of the elections, which he clearly won, reflected the will of the Nigerian people.

He said he would work to unite the country and ensure that Nigerians are happy and enjoy the benefits of democracy and progressive good governance.

Responding to Secretary Blinken, the President-elect said without national unity, security, economic development and good governance, Nigeria would not become a better place to live in or play her proper role in the comity of African nations.

He urged the US to factor in Nigeria’s important place in Africa and provide needed assistance in the areas of security and economic investment in order for the nation to lead the way and be a shining example to the rest of the continent.

Secretary Blinken assured that Nigeria should expect a good and mutually-beneficial relationship with the US.

He promised to play his part in bringing a sustained and cordial relationship between the two nations to fruition, saying a democratic and peaceful Nigeria is important to the United States as it is to Africa.

Both President-elect Tinubu and Secretary Blinken ended their discussion with pleasant greetings and a promise to keep the channels of dialogue and communication open, while maintaining a strong relationship between the two nations.

Amotekun, Now Killer Squad – Ondo PDP, Calls For More Training Of Personnel

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Amotekun in Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has expressed dismay in recent activities of the state security outfit, Amotekun which has resulted into the death of innocent persons.

The party noted that within the past two week members of the security outfit have killed not less than three persons they are paid to protect.

According to Kenedy Peretei, PDP spokesman in the state “In the last two weeks, the excesses of the Ondo State Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun has drawn tears from the eyes of several families in Ondo State.

“In the month of May alone, Amotekun has been responsible for the death of two persons- a final year Economics student of Federal University of Technology Akure, and a 14- year old boy who the stepmother handed over to Amotekun for “more punishment” for allegedly stealing five hundred naira.

“The initial excitement and hope that Amotekun corps will be an effective check on herdsmen and kidnappers rampaging the forests and streets of Ondo state have paled into frustration and misery.

“Tope Elijah, a final year Economics student of Federal University of Akure, was mowed down by the bullet of a yet to be identified Amotekun corp member around Shoprite in Akure.

“It was reported that, this incident occurred via a stray bullet during a burial ceremony. Was Amotekun contracted as the undertakers?

“Students of the University out of anger shut down Akure, protesting this murder in cold blood. Up till this moment, no official statement has been issued by the leadership of Amotekun under Adetunji Adeleye.

“Just last week, a 14-year old boy, Ayomide Adeghalu was allegedly tortured to death at an Amotekun facility in Ondo town.

“The little boy was handed over to his killers by his stepmother, who claimed she wanted more punishment for the victim over N500 that was supposedly missing from the wares he was given to hawk.

“In July, 2022, students of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo bombarded the Governor’s Office, Akure protesting the killing of Folarera Ademola, an ND1 student in the Department of Science Laboratory Technology.

“The residence of the deceased was besieged by Amotekun Corp members where he was shot in the leg, kept at Amotekun facility in Owo for more than eleven days until his condition deteriorated and moved to Federal Medical Centre, Owo. By that time, it was already too late.

“These series of killings by a security outfit of government, maintained with public funds is to say least, very devastating.

“The families of the deceased are crying for help and calling for justice. Only God knows, if help will ever come their way.

“The deep concern and outrage over these killings have made non-sense of the marginal gains recorded by Amotekun since its coming.

“The grievous disregard for human life and the reckless actions of those entrusted with public safety cannot be ignored.

“It has become necessary to urge Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to address this matter with utmost urgency. Amotekun is meant to ensure the safety and well-being of our local communities.

“However, the tragic events that unfolded recently demonstrate a severe deviation from this noble purpose. This dangerous trend of abuse and impunity should not be tolerated in any civilized society.

“These incidents have eroded the trust and confidence that the community once had in Amotekun. Rather than fostering a sense of security, their actions have instilled fear and apprehension among the people they are meant to protect.

“It is essential to hold those responsible accountable for their actions and restore faith in an Agency that was initially celebrated.

“What has come to the fore is the apparent lack of training for the Amotekun members and the quackery associated with its leadership. Otherwise, how does one explain this level recklessness and lack of respect for human lives.

“The current situation raises serious doubts about the training, supervision, and discipline within Amotekun.”

The party said these killings should not be swept under the carpet and called for “a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incidents in question.

“The government must ensure that this investigation is carried out by an independent body, free from any potential conflicts of interests. Hold all individuals involved accountable for their actions if found responsible for the unnecessary loss of life. This should include a fair legal process and appropriate disciplinary measures.

“It has also become necessary to re-assess and enhance the training programmes provided to the members of Amotekun. Emphasize the importance of de-escalation techniques, human rights, and community engagement to prevent future occurrences of excessive use of force.

“Improve transparency and accountability mechanisms within Amotekun. Establish robust systems for monitoring and reporting incidents of misconduct, and provide avenues for the public to voice their concerns and file complaints against any misconduct they witness.

“Foster community dialogue and engagement between Amotekun and the residents they serve. Encourage open discussions, community meetings, and initiatives to bridge the gap and rebuild trust.

“It is imperative that immediate action is taken to rectify these grave issues within Amotekun. The people deserve a security force that upholds the principles of justice, respects human rights, and operates with the highest level of professionalism.”

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