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Rivers: PDP Calls Wike’s Bluff, Dismisses Suspension of Senator, Fmr. Deputy Speaker, Others

By
The Source
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Nyesom Wike

By Gideon Njoku

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in a bid to instill some sanity, and avoid a complete destruction of the Party in Rivers State, has dismissed the suspension, from the Party, of a number of high profile members, including a serving Senator, George Sekibo, and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara.

Sekibo and Opara were suspended from their Wards by  their Ward Executives in Ward 2, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Ward 10, Porthacourt City Local Government Area, respectively, on trumped-up charges of anti-party activities.

However, not a few Party loyalists in the State are alleging that the rhythm to which the Ward Executives are dancing is being played for them by a higher authority. They point accusing fingers at the Governor, Nyesom Wike, insisting that the Ward Executives will never have the courage to suspend such high profile members unless they had the support of the Governor.

Wike has been at loggerheads with the two men, as well as with a former Minister for Transportation, Dr Abiye Sekibo, former Governor, Celestine Omehia, former Senator Lee Meaba and many others. His problem with them, for which he has made them irrelevant in the scheme of PDP affairs in the State, stemmed from their good relationship with Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate for the PDP, who Wike fought to a standstill for, among, other issues, not picking him as his running mate.

In reaction to the suspensions, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP, dismissed the action as null, void and of no effect.

In a statement signed by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba,  the PDP said:

“The NWC, after a thorough consideration of the petitions by Senator Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, dated April 17, 2023, against the purported suspension, hereby declares the action by the said Ward Executives which borders on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017)”

Following is the full text of the statement titled:

PDP Dismisses Purported Suspension of Senator Sekibo, Dr. Austin Opara

“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of Senator Dr. George Thompson Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Austin Adiele Opara from the Party, reportedly by the Ward Executives of Ward 2 of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area and Ward 10 of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State, respectively.

“The NWC, after a thorough consideration of the petitions by Senator Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Austin Opara dated April 17, 2023 against the purported suspension, hereby declares the action by the said Ward Executives which borders on issues of discipline, as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (As amended in 2017).

“For clarity, Section 57 (7) provides that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee, at any level except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governor or member of the National Assembly.

“The NWC, therefore, charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members, teeming supporters of our Party in Rivers State and the general public to disregard the purported suspension of Senator Dr. George Thompson Sekibo and Rt. Hon. Dr. Austin Adiele Opara.

“The NWC enjoins all Party members in Rivers State to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of our Party and the Nation.

“Finally, the NWC is steadily progressing in our reconciliation efforts among all members of our Party across the Country and we are encouraged by the success so far achieved.”

However, not a few people warn the NWC to watch its back. Using the same method of getting the Ward to suspend such high profile members in PDP, followed by going to Court to perfect it, inspired of the NWC voiding and anulling the suspensions, Wike had, allegedly, dealth  with former National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and the now suspended National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

Adamawa: How Nigeria Dodged A Bullet, Rescued From Anarchy

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

The much maligned Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Tuesday, helped Nigeria to dodge a bullet. By doing so, it also saved the Country  from a would- have-been anarchy and a descent into the abyss.

Those are the opinions held by the Governors’ Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in reaction to the hard fought victory of the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, in the just concluded Governorship Election in the State.

Confusion and protests had engulfed the State after the Governorship supplementary polls on 15, April 2023.  It was between the incumbent Governor Fintiri of the PDP, and the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aishatu Dahiru Binani.

At the end of voting, while collation was still going on in Local Government Areas, and Fintiri leading comfortably, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Hudu Yunusa Ari, inexplicably declared Binani the winner, and so, the Governor-elect. By doing so. Ari, a Lawyer, set the tone for the controversy and confusion and protests which led to his being  manhandled. A Security Officer of the Department of State Security, DSS, was also manhandled.

Aside from the fact that collation of votes was still ongoing, it was not Ari’s duty to announce the result. He usurped the job of the Returning Officer, Professor  Muhammed Mele, the only person, authorized by law, to announce the result.

Embarrassed by the incident which triggered a massive protest in Yola, capital of Adamawa State, and strong condemnations from groups and individuals, INEC rightly declared as null, void and of no effect,  the declaration of Binani as the Governor-elect. It also invited both Ari and Mele to Abuja, and ended up inviting the Police to arrest Ari, who has been suspended from office.

On Tuesday, Professor Mele, finally, declared Fintiri, the winner and Governor-elect. According to INEC, he defeated Binani by scoring 430,861 number of votes against Binani’s 396,788 votes.

The PDP Governorship Forum, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Hon. CID Maduabum, dated 18, April, 2023, while congratulating Fintiri, also commended INEC. It said the victory belongs to Democracy. It said INEC, by standing firm, and redeeming itself, should  toe same path  “to promptly re-visit all other elections where infractions have been identified.”

Following is the full text of the statement.

“The PDP Governors’ Forum congratulates Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on his re-election as the Governor of Adamawa State.

“It was a hard fought and hard won victory not just for Gov. Fintiri, but also for Adamawa State, democracy and due process in Nigeria.

“Indeed, Nigeria has just been rescued from descent into the abyss. We have just dodged another bullet.

“We commend INEC for redeeming itself and hopes that this is a harbinger of things to come. It is in this regard that the Commission is requested to promptly re-visit all other elections where infractions have been identified. Where the matters have been taken to the Tribunal, INEC should assume a garb and toga of neutrality and inform the Tribunals of the actual events that transpired in the elections.

“It has been shown by today’s (Tuesday’s) development that INEC can reverse itself where mistakes have been made.

“We call on Gov. Fintiri to continue to justify this huge mandate and trust of the people of Adamawa State.”

Court Sacks MC Oluomo’s  Park And Garage Administration, Reinstate RTEAN

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Musiliu Akinsany- MC Oluomo

By Akinwale Kasali

The reign and dominance of Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) as the Chairman of the Lagos Parks and Garage Administration has ended. MC Oluomo has been sacked by the  National Industrial Court. He was sacked on Wednesday by the Court in Lagos.

Justice Maureen Esowe, the Trial Judge, nullified Oluomo’s appointment and  ordered the reinstatement of the operations of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, in the state.

The Suit was instituted by RTEAN against the State Government and other defendants.

The Lagos State Government had dissolved and suspended the activities of RTEAN and took over the Parks and Garages. It then leading appointed  MC Oluomo as the Chairman of the State Parks and Garages.

Oluomo’s appointment came after his sacking by the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, over his alleged high handedness, abuse of office, financial recklessness and other series of  allegations leveled against him.

Following the suspension of RTEAN by the Lagos State Government, RTEAN dragged LASG to court in October 2022, over the dissolution of the elected Executive Committee of the Union , and the appointment of a Caretaker Body, known as the Parks and Garages Administrators.

The plaintiffs joined the State Governor, the Attorney-General of the State, Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the State Governor on Transportation, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, and all  members of the Caretaker Committee in the case. It argued,  through its Counsel, Elisha Kurah, SAN,  that a State cannot interfere in the affairs of a Trade Union registered under the Trade Unions Act of 2004, adding that the State cannot dissolve the Union. It contended that such matters are handled by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

But, the State Government  argued that the Government did not violate the law or dissolve the National Body’s operations in the State, but sought to maintain law and order by creating the ad-hoc Committee when violence ensued between the unions.

In his judgment, Justice Esowe, dismissed the defendants’ preliminary objections to the suit, insisting the matter was straightforward.  The Court, he said, has jurisdiction to hear and determine it with no serious dispute to warrant an exchange of pleadings.

The Judge held that the action of the Lagos State in suspending the National Union’s operations in the State and setting up a caretaker committee was illegal and against the provisions of Sections 4 (1), (2)& (3), and 5 (1) &(3), read along with item 34 of the exclusive legislative list, of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

The judge also held that the Government and the Police should have intervened by arresting and prosecuting those behind the fracas and not inquiring into the dispute.

Justice Esowe restrained the Lagos State Government from further interfering with the operations of the Union’s  Exco and ordered the police to refrain from intimidating the  Officers and to remove all barricades it imposed around their Secretariat and to grant them unfettered access to their offices.

Jubilation greeted the judgement.

Police Welfare: IG Commissions 88 Modern Apartments For Personnel

By
James Orji
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Alkali Baba Usman - IGP

Alkali Ahmed, the Inspector General of Police has commissioned 88 residential apartments, at Bompai Police barracks, Kano.

The apartments which will serve as accomodation for personnel of the NPF, according to the IGP is part of the efforts to boost officers’ welfare in order to improve their service delivery to the public.

Speaking at the commissioning in Kano, Baba disclosed that the modern apartments were built in conjunction with Vlaar Homes Limited.

The IGP who was represented by the state’s police commissioner Mamman Dauda said more apartments will be built across the country to provide good accommodation for officers and men.

According to him, “It is with great pleasure and a sense of responsibility that I address you this morning on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on this special occasion of the commissioning of 11 blocks of two bedrooms flats, comprising 88 residential apartments for police officers of the command.

“This is the first phase of the housing programme and is initiated by the Inspector-General of Police to improve the welfare of Police Officers and is in partnership with Vlaar Homes Limited under the Public-Private Partnership arrangement.

“The building, which is part of several ongoing constructions at different locations in the State Command would provide a conducive working environment for officers and men to do the needful in terms of crime prevention and control, including the maintenance of law and order.

“More accommodations, offices, residential apartments and commercial shops are underway to enhance the welfare and effective/efficient service delivery of officers and men of the Command.”

Meanwhile, watchers of the Force have urged personnel who will be handed the apartments to use them well to prevent them from dilapidation like many NPF. housing barracks across the country.

Remain Calm, Steadfast To The Course – Obi Urges Obidients, Nigerians

By
The Source
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Peter Obi in Gombe

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has encouraged Nigerians to remain calm and steadfast in their journey of reclaiming their mandate of a New Nigeria, noting that he will never give up on the journey, until victory is achieved.

Obi explained that he never expected the journey to New Nigeria to be an easy one, saying that the forces who had, over the years, lived off the old order, were bound to fight back, as is being experienced now.  He said, “if they come at us through land, air and sea, we will respond to them through land, air and sea, but we will remain law abiding and will never give up on the nation.

“We are on the right path, and we will remain commited to the course,” Obi said.

Obi made the remarks at the National Executive Council Meeting of the Labour Party held in Asaba today. He reiterated his commitment to a ‘Nigeria that will be beneficial to every Nigerian.’ He maintained that the struggle to reclaim the mandate was not about him, as a person, but about millions of Nigerians who reposed their trust on him through their votes.

“The millions of Nigerians who voted for me did not just cast their votes, but they invested their hope in me. They deserve justice. So we must stay the course. And beyond regaining our mandate, I am commited to lifting people out of poverty. I  remain commited to transforming Nigeria, starting from the North to every part of the nation,” Obi stated.

He further revealed that there may be more mud slinging on him from those who are against the emergence of the New Nigeria, but he said he would never be deterred by the obstacles along the way to victory. “I have always lived my life in the most law abiding manner possible. Sometimes, as humans, we make mistakes, but I will never knowingly break any law. I am, therefore, not afraid of the lies and propaganda against my person. They are part of the journey to a New Nigeria,” Obi concluded.

INEC Declares Fintiri Governor-elect In Adamawa Supplementary Poll, Binani’s Hope Is Dashed

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

After days of confusion, protests, accusations and counter accusations, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Incumbent Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri as the winner of the Governorship Poll.

Fintiri was declared winner around 5:49pm on Tuesday by INEC Returning Officer for Adamawa 2023.

The incumbent Governor of Adamawa polled 430,821 votes to defeat Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed popularly known as Binani who had a total of 398,788 votes.

INEC finally put to rest the drama and controversies of the keenly contested Adamawa 2023 election held on March 18 and April 15 (supplementary election).

With INEC’s declaration, Binani has failed to make history as the first elected Governor in Nigeria.

She was, however, on the verge of history when the now suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Hudu Ari declared her winner of the poll on Sunday, before the INEC Headquarters declared the election inconclusive and the announcement made by the REC Officer null and void.

Details Later……

Afenifere Youth Wing Wants Adebanjo To Step Aside As Acting Leader

By
Ayodele Oni
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Yoruba Afenifere Youth

By Ayodele Oni

Internal wranglings rocking the Pan Yoruba socio cultural organization, Afenifere took a new dimension on Tuesday as some Youths, under the umbrella of Yoruba Afenifere Youth Organisation of Nigeria (YAYON), staged a protest, demanding that the acting leader of the Group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, step aside from the leadership of the organisation.

The youths of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation staged the protest in Akure on Tuesday.

The protesters also stormed the Akure residence of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, urging him to intervene in the Afenifere crisis.

Adebanjo, the acting leader had supported the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) during the 2023 general election, while Fasoranti endorsed the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The protesters, carried placards with various inscriptions such as “Pa Fasonranti, please rescue Afenifere”, “Ayo Adebanjo must go.” “Revoke the mandate you gave to Adebanjo”, “Adebanjo, time to step aside,” amongst others.

Leader of the protesters, Comrade Eric Oluwole, said an ultimatum would soon be issued to Adebanjo to step down.

Besides the stepping down of Pa Adebanjo, Comrade Oluwole said Afenifere’s meeting ought to be held in Akure since Pa Fasonranti was still alive.

Comrade Oluwole said they want sanity restored to the body.

According to him: “We want to create this strong awareness to the Yoruba Nation that the vote of no confidence on Pa Adebanjo still stand. We cannot allow one leader jeopardise out future.

“We called on Adebanjo to step down. Baba only wrote him a letter to step in as Afenifere Acting Leader . He should step down. We are part of Afenifere.

“We need sanity within Afenifere. He mentioned that Fasoranti cannot talk to but we believe that we the youths can talk to him.

“Afenifere is passing through internal crisis. Adebanjo sanctioned two National Officers because they made statements in the papers.

“Adebanjo is using political inner mind to cause crisis. He cannot suspend National Officers without reference to Baba.”

Another protester, Bukola Veronica, said they no longer recognise Adebanjo as Acting Leader of Afenifere.

Pa Fasonranti who spoke through his Chief Security Officer, Sunday Ogunkalu, assured the protesters that he would looked into their demands.

He appealed to them to conduct themselves peacefully.

Kogi PDP Guber Primary:  Awoniyi Lashes PDP, Melaye, Says His Victory Pyrrhic, Lacks Credibility

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Yomi Awoniyi

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Senator Dino Melaye’s emergence as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Candidate of Kogi State against the November 11, 2023,  election has been described as a pyrrhic victory by one of the contestants, Yomi Awoniyi.

Awoniyi, a Former Deputy Governor in the State and an Aspirant said that the PDP Primary that saw Melaye emerge as the PDP Candidate lacked credibility having garnered 77 Votes as against Melaye’s 313 votes.

In a statement in Lokoja, Kogi State Capital, Awoniyi described Melaye’s votes as products of “tainted delegates list.”

“Without an iota of doubt, I make bold to say Senator Melaye’s victory is a pyrrhic one. This victory portends great danger to the unity of our party and the prospect of winning the November 11 governorship election.

“The primary that threw up Senator Melaye was flawed; 158 delegates, who emerged from the state ad hoc congress of March 29, 2023, were replaced by the woeful Senator Abdul Ningi Congress Committee,  working in concert with Senator Dino Melaye’s enablers within the party hierarchy at the highest level.”

Awoniyi contended that “to  gift any aspirant a total of 158 votes in a contest for 739 votes, involving eight aspirants is not a fair contest. It is fraudulent, duplicitous, sinful, and unwholesome because it confers an undue advantage on the favoured aspirant. Senator Dino Melaye won a fraudulent primary.

“This pyrrhic victory may look like a fait accompli, but the dust is unlikely to settle even beyond the November 11, 2023 governorship election.  From the forgoing, it may surprise many that I do not necessarily blame Senator Dino Melaye for where we find ourselves today. He needs to search his heart to see if he has behaved well, as a counsellor of the celestial, which he claims to be. But I blame his enablers.”

Reacting to the allegations of Awoniyi, Melaye, in a statement credited God for his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate for Kogi State.

He said,  “Today (Sunday), April 16, 2023, the Almighty God proved himself in my life, by responding to my Biblical name, Daniel.   He fought on my behalf, and delivered victory to me, which I received on behalf of all other aspirants, the great members of the Peoples Democratic Party  in and outside Kogi State, and the good people of our dear Kogi State.

“Coming on the heels of the democratic sacrilege committed by the All Progressives Congress in Kogi State about 48 hours ago, and the electoral revulsion belching out of Adamawa State, it is soul-lifting to have the PDP demonstrate to the world that Nigeria is not the jungle that the APC paints it in the recently conducted elections over the last 50 days.

“I thank the leaders of our party at the national, State, local and ward levels, my dear brothers who advanced the cause of democracy in this contest and our numerous supporters who ensured that peace reigned , decorum prevailed, and conflicts were contained all through the process.”

Group Urge Governor Sanwo Olu To Wade Into Illicit Activities Of Land Grabbers At Ajiran Land

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Human Rights Group under the auspices of Civil Society Stakeholders, under the platform of Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights, CHSR, has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address the continuous threats to public peace following the unlawful activities of land grabbers in Ojomu Community, also referred to as Ajiran Land in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the State.

The Group said the situation in Ajiran Land is perilous and there is an urgent need for the State Government to address the situation in earnest before it gets out of hand.

At a Press Briefing by the President of CHSR, Comrade Alex Omotehinse,  the Group said it  deemed it necessary to address the Media to keep them abreast of the situation of things in the Community and  is demanding urgent actions from relevant authorities in Lagos State as well as Security Agencies and other relevant institutions should take.

He said that the intervention of Civil Society Stakeholders became imperative to put an end to the reckless abuse of human rights, malicious disobedience of constituted authorities as well as brazen disregard for the laws of Lagos State as enforceable in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Omotehinse said that the intervention of the civil society stakeholders has become pertinent to forestall further disorderliness in the Community in the interest of public peace.

The statement titled, “Situation in Ojomu Community (AJIRAN LAND) and need for urgent intervention”, reads, “CHSR has received a number of complaints bordering on activities of land grabbers who overtime have become atrocious in Ojomu community otherwise known as AJIRALAND. The various petitions by concerned stakeholders regarding the worrisome activities of land grabbers in AJIRAN LAND have been extensively reviewed by Civil Society Groups under the platform of CHSR.

“These petition include those forwarded to the Nigeria Police as well as Ministries, Agencies and critical actors of Lagos State Government namely; (The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff to the Governor of Lagos State,  Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice,  Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Coordinator, Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers).

“Copies of these petitions made available to CHSR included a letter forwarded to the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba on December 12, 2022 by OBA OF LAGOS, HIS ROYAL MAJESTY OBA RILWANU AKIOLU. The letter titled: REQUEST FOR SPECIAL URGENT INTERVENTION (REF: OOL/017/VOL.III/374 decried the alarming unlawful activities of land grabbers under the coordination of Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen and demanded the intervention of Nigeria Police in curbing the menace.

“Equally important to mention is the petition was forwarded to the Inspector General of Police earlier on December 8, 2022 from FADESERE & CO (legal practitioners) on behalf of HRM OBA AKINLOYE TIJANI SATERU II OF AJIRAN LAND and the BALOGUN OF AJIRAN LAND, ALHAJI YEKINI CHIEF OLAWALE BAKARE regarding harassment, hooliganism, threats to life and conducts likely to cause breach of public peace in the community.

“It is however unfortunate that no concrete action has been taken by both Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police to put Ahmed Tajudeen and other land grabbers in check”.

The Group alleged that the activities of land grabbers in the community is led by one Ahmed Tajudeen, who is said to have engage in wanton harassment of rightful allottees and criminal trespass on legitimately acquired lands in flagrant violation of the extant laws of Lagos State.

Omotehinse said that It is indeed alarming that the activities of Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen are in total disregard for the authority of the traditional institution of AJIRAN LAND vested in the office of Oba of AJIRAN LAND, His Royal Highness, OBA AKINLOYE TIJANI SATERU II.

He said that Under the coordination of Tajudeen, these land grabbers circumvent legitimate land documentations that bear the seal of Lagos State Ministry of Lands and the Consent of the authority of Governor of Lagos State as provided for under the land acquisition procedures of Lagos State.

More disturbing however is that the illegitimate activities of the said Tajudeen are in blatant negation of existing valid agreements between land owners and the bonafide family in Ojomu community.

CHSR said it is however concerned that the masterminds of the disturbance in Ojomu communities are acting contrary to the orders and authorities of legally constituted and recognised traditional institution of AJIRAN LAND who are the legitimate custodians of culture and heritage of AJIRAN LAND as vested under the Lagos State Obas and Chiefs Law of 1981.

More so, the activities of these land grabbers are in flagrant contravention of extant law of Lagos State; notably the Lagos State Property Protection Law of 2016 with respect to land grabbing. It is important to note that Section 2 (1) of the Lagos State Property Protection Law specifically prohibits “the use of force or self-help by anyone to take over any landed property or engaging in any act inconsistent with the proprietary rights of the owner of any landed property in Lagos State”.

It also brought out the particulars of two of the land grabbing cases reviewed following complaints and formal request for intervention from representatives of traditional authorities and community leaders well as other victims of incessant and unbridled harassments, criminal trespass are provided as follows:

  1. A LAND SITUATED AT PLOT 23, block LXXIX, MUNICIPALITY ON 18, KAMAL SHASHI STREET, BAKARE ESTATE, AGUNGI, LEKKI.

It is been alleged that the land on which the above property under reference belonging to Alhaji Babatunde Shonubi was legally acquired by virtue of DEED OF ASSIGNMENT dated February 25, 2010 and registered with Reference Number; 45/45/2264 at the Lands Registry, Alausa Ikeja.

The land under reference was alleged to have been forcefully taken over by land grabbers who have since commenced Illegal construction of a two storrey building.

  1. A LAND SITUATED AT PLOT 7, BLOCK LXXIX, ON OJOMU CHIEFTAINCY FAMILY LAND, AJIRAN WITH GOVERNOR CONSENT UNDER THE LAND USE ACT (C.A.P 202 OF 1990) LAND USE REGULATION 1982

The land on which property the above property under reference belonging to Mrs. Georgina Omolara Afolaranmi was legally acquired by virtue of DEED OF ASSIGNMENT DATED MAY 6, 2014.

The land under reference was forcefully taken over by land grabbers who have since completed Illegal construction in spite of valid documents duly obtained by bonafide owners of the property.

According to the statement, “The two cases cited above speak to the brutal lawlessness and victimization orchestrated. with reckless abandon by land grabbers led by Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen against hundreds of innocent citizens who legitimately acquired lands in Ojomu community with proper documentation duly approved and signed by agencies of Lagos State Government”.

The CHSR is alleging that relevant authorities in the State has failed, particularly the Lagos State Government to call the known land grabbers to order as high disappointing.

“It is apposite to emphasise that the continued activities of these land grabbers portend glaring indictment of Lagos State Government.

“The continued unlawful activities of these land grabbers clearly repudiate the spirit and letters of the Lagos State Property Protection Law which prohibits activities forceful and illegal occupation of land legitimately acquired by citizens.

Therefore, the CHST is demanding that both the Lagos State Government and Nigeria Police should put an end to harassment of authentic allottees and rightful owners of lands in Ojomu community and by extension AJIRAN LAND.

It also added that it is calling out the Governor Sanwo Olu led Lagos State Government for failing to protect legitimate authority of traditional institution in AJIRAN LAND against the reckless insubordination of land grabbers.

“We urge Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reverse the ugly situation and restore the honour and pride deserved by the legally recognised custodians of culture and heritage of AJIRAN LAND.

“We urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to investigate incidents relating to the threats to lives of HRM OBA AKINLOYE TIJANI SATERU II OF AJIRAN LAND, the BALOGUN OF AJIRAN LAND, ALHAJI YEKINI CHIEF OLAWALE BAKARE and members of their families which for the basis of the petition forwarded to the Inspector General of Police on December 8, 2022.

“We demand that Lagos State Government should investigate allegations of forgery of DEED OF ASSIGNMENT and other land related documents duly authorized and signed with the authority of Ojumu family as well as Lagos State land documents.

“We demand that Lagos State Government should urgently investigate human rights abuses being perpetrated by land grabbers in Ojomu community including intimidation and ostracizing of certain sons of Ojomu community by Mr. Ahmed Tajudeen.

“We demand urgent and concrete action against unlawful activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community with the view to put an end to the menace forthwith, and also we urge Governor Sanwo-Olu to give immediate directives to relevant agencies to enforce the cessation of illegal activities of land grabbers in Ojomu community”.

It also call on the Inspector General of Police to direct the Lagos State Command to ensure that the rights of innocent citizens are not trampled forthwith in Ojomu community in the interest of justice and peace.

Anger Trails Governor Ortom’s Life Pension Bill, Other Provision

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has come under strong criticism from different quarters over  a Life Pension Bill he proposed  for former Governors and Deputy Governors.

Terhemen Oscar Aorabee-Gagajav, a Lawyer, raised alarm over the proposed Bill, describing it as outrageous, ridiculous and economy-crippling. He urged the Benue State House of Assembly not to pass the Bill into law.

According to Aorabee-Gagajav, “If passed and implemented, it will not only cripple the economy of the state but will impoverish workers and other people of the State.

Dissecting the proposed it, Aorabee-Gagajav said the Bill titled ‘A Bill for a Law to make Provisions for the Maintenance of Former Governors of the State and their Deputies and for Other Matters Connected Thereto’, has been presented to the Benue State House of Assembly by the outgoing governor.

He said Section 1 established the title of the Bill and intended for it to have a retroactive effect, adding that it is expected to take effect from 1999 so that it will cover former Governors and their Deputies including Senator George Akume and the late Ogiri Ajene; Senator Gabriel Suswam and Steven Lawani; Dr. Samuel Ortom and Engr. Benson Abounu.

He noted that further details of the bill showed that “Section 2(a)(i) makes provision for the payment to the former governors of a monthly ‘stipend’ equivalent to the ‘the salary’ of a sitting/incumbent governor.

“Section 2(a)(ii) makes provision for the payment to all former Deputy Governors of a monthly ‘stipend’, equivalent to the ‘the salary’ of a sitting/incumbent deputy governor.

“Section 2(b) provides for the building of a permanent residential accommodation in any town ‘of their choice’ by the State in Nigeria.

“Sections 2(c) and (h) provide for the provisions of 4 new cars every 4 years for the former Governors and 2 new cars every 4 years for the former Deputy Governors whose cars shall be serviced and maintained at the expense of the State.

“Section 2(d) and (e) provide for 6 personal staff for the former Governors and 3 for the former Deputy Governors to be paid for by the State.

“Section 2(f) provides for 24 hours security surveillance and guard for all former Governors and their Deputies at their direction.

“Section 2(g) provides for free medical treatment for them, their spouses and at least 4 children under the age of 18.

“Section 3 provides that all the above expenses can be monetized or cashed out!

“Section 4 entitled former governors to 2 vacations abroad annually and the former deputy governor to 1 vacation abroad.”

He pointed out that all the entitlements are for life and that the expenses are to be charged on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State (meaning that they are on First Line Charge) and are to take priority against other expenses like salaries, pensions and gratuity of the citizen. He added that all the entitlements except the vacation can be converted into cashand paid out.

A critical review of the bill, according to Aorabee-Gagajav, shows that “Section 1 makes this Bill, when passed into Law, to have retroactive effect. This means that it will be backdated to cover all Governors and their Deputies democratically elected since 1999.

“It is important to note that if allowed to be passed, the State will be owing Governors Akume and Suswan with their Deputies all the entitlements provided for in the BILL/LAW.

“Again, the monthly stipends to be paid to the beneficiaries, apart from being for life and backdated, calculated and monetized, are capable of totally crippling the State Treasury and Economy.

“Remember that the law does not say that the stipend should be equivalent to the “BASIC SALARY” of a sitting governor but the “SALARY,” and my research shows that the monthly basic salary of a sitting Governor is N2,223,794 while the monthly salary of a sitting Governor, comprising allowances, etc., is N11,540,896.

“This means that Sen. George Akume alone will be entitled to N138,490,752 per annum from the time he left office till his death. Same for Senator Suswam and Gov. Ortom and the governors after them.

“Multiply N138,490,752 x 3 former governors in a year alone, you are going to be spending N657,276,456 on Ortom, Akume and Suswam alone in 2024 as monthly stipends. (We have not considered the backlog for Akume and Suswam.

“The three Deputies will take homeN440,631,348 per annum as monthly stipends. Add N657,276,456 to N440,631,348 for the Governors and their Deputies and you have N1, 097,907, 804. [These are the stipends for the 3 sets of Governors and their Deputies for one year alone]

“The Governors and their deputie3s are entitled to 6 vehicles every four years. Let us assume that each vehicle costs N70, 000,000.00 (I am assuming this based on my findings on Jiji that a Toyota Landcruiser Prado Jeep, 2022 model costs about that much). If you multiply that sum for 6 cars, you will have N420,000,000.00 spent on them every 4 years. We will resist the urge to go on calculating the cost of service of these beasts for every year. Mind you that the Law does not place a ceiling on the cost of the cars.

“Note also, the Bill does not stipulate that the old four-year-old cars should be returned to the State Pool in exchange for the new cars.

“Next is the provision for the building of residential accommodations of no prescribed limit in value in any Town of their choice in Nigeria. I assume that nobody would want to have a house built for that purpose in Makurdi, Gbajimba, Anyiin or Wannune. They would rather prefer to have a house in Banana Island or Asokoro in Abuja where the cost of buying plain land alone will cost hundreds of millions and building could cost a billion or more.

“What about the medical expenses for them, their spouses and AT LEAST 4 childrenirrespective of whether the children are biological or not. Once a child reaches the age of 18, he or she could easily be replaced by another “child”. Again the medical expenses are not limited in value or within Nigeria.

“Do we still need to talk about vacations ABROAD? What about the salaries of the 6 and 3 personal staff for life for governors and their deputies?

“Incidentally, the law, which is a state law that does not override federal laws, provides that a beneficiary shall not take any other entitlement from the State or the Federation, but is silent on refund or penalty for breach of section 5 of the Law.

“Now you see why this pension scam should not be allowed to be signed into law because it will cripple our economy once implemented.”

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