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Uzodinma Launches Imo Industrial Policy

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma Industrialisation Policy

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has launched the Imo Industrial Policy, with a promise that the State is now ready for national and international economic businesses that go with industrialisation.

Performing the ceremony at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers Government House Owerri on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, the Governor said the Industrial Policy would “serve as the State’s strategic master plan to stimulate the growth and development of all sectors of the economy of Imo State, identify and prioritize the low hanging fruits for immediate harvesting.”

He said the Government set out to identify all the economic potentials where Imo State has comparative advantage with the aim of clearly outlining how the potentials can be harnessed into going enterprises in the form of countless small and medium scale enterprises.

The Governor used the auspicious occasion to call on investors to take advantage of the robust and friendly investment climate that his administration has deliberately put in place, to invest in different areas of the economy in Imo State, particularly in digital economy, agro industry, tourism, oil and gas, mining, fabrication and in the allied industry that will be thrown up from the Imo State Green Revolution Initiative.

He described the launching of the Imo Industrial Policy as yet “another audacious step in Imo State government’s determination to put the State firmly on the road to economic growth and prosperity.”

Furthermore, the Governor recalled that the recently flagged-off Hope Green Revolution Project is an economic stimulus plan that buys into the investment opportunities presented by climate change to promote enterprise and investment in the State.

“That singular initiative has already guaranteed a foreign direct investment of $10billion to Imo State. Both programmes are evidences that Imo State is irreversibly matching on a well-laid out road map towards industrialization and economic growth.”

Governor Uzodimma expressed gladness that the Industrial Policy has been distilled from the inputs made by stakeholders at a meeting convened by the government for the purpose. He said he expressed no doubt that the policy must have taken full cognizance of the different sectors of the economy where Imo State has comparative advantage and as a result, “will reflect the priority industrial needs of Imo people from all geo-political perspectives.”

The Governor added that “the Industrial Policy is to offer fresh, pragmatic and actionable insights into the State’s thinking and approach to industrialization whose ultimate ambition is to place Imo on the part to long term renaissance where the policy is a long term sustainable initiative which will outlive this administration.”

He added that the 3R administration wants to, through the Industrial Policy, “provide the fillip to derive the economic rejuvenation of the State that will emphasize the provision of an enabling environment for the flourishing of Imo economy.”

The Governor reminded the audience that no nation or State can derive a successful Industrial Policy without the supporting infrastructure.  “That is why this administration has been proactive in the construction and reconstruction of more than 100 roads in the State in addition to the newly dualised Owerri/Orlu road and Owerri/Okigwe roads to stimulate the economic growth through infrastructural development.”

Apart from road infrastructure, he said his administration has ensured that the ease of doing business in Imo State is top-notch.  “This is in addition to the creation of the Ministry of Digital Economy and E-Governance and automation of the Civil Service to handle all kinds of transactions within the oasis.”

The Governor emphasized that the goal for a viable Industrial Policy is to ensure that Imo youths are offered employment in the many business concerns that will spring up as a result of the policy.

He recalled that Imo State has been doing a lot to empower Imo Youths economically, noting that at the last count, more than 18,000 youths have been trained and empowered by his government to run their businesses and even be able to employ others.

He also called attention to the target of 40,000 jobs that will come after the revamping of Adapalm Nigerian Limited and the effort of his administration to bring back to life the Imo Standard Shoe Industry and the Avutu Poultry, to boost the economy of the State.

Governor Uzodimma said: “We are determined to grow our economy working with the private sector through Public Private Partnership (PPP).”

He then reasoned that the launching of the Imo Industrial Policy is not just an initiative to drive the economy of the State but also a plan that will guarantee the future of our youths, prolong lives and guarantee prosperity.  “I will do all that is necessary to ensure its success.”

The Governor said Imo State is set to become one of the top Industrial Hubs of not just in South East of Nigeria, but the entire Nation with a faithful implementation of the policy, given enabling policies already in place.

He assured that his administration will strengthen and support Imo Investment and Promotion Agency, the ministry of Commerce and Industry, to fast-track all applications for investments in Imo State.

In his presentation, the Director General Imo State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Jude Nzeako said the policy will among other things  be a road map to strategic Industrial and economic investment of the State. He said it will enable the Government intervene in the areas of comparative advantage, stimulate the interest in the Local Government Areas on discovery of natural resources in such areas, and bring and collate other interests on economic development together.

Dr. Nzeako emphasized that the Industrial Policy will move Imo State away from a consumer State to a productive State, noting that the State is set to change her Industrial narrative.

But he advised for the political will to sustain the initiative.

In his remarks earlier, the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi said what the Industrial Policy requires most is political will like that of the Governor as well as policy based on pragmatism.

For him, “the Policy will create jobs, companies will come to establish and invest in Imo State and with the sustainable potentials resulting from the abundant local natural resources of oil and gas, mines and agriculture and others the sky will be the limit of Imo State in achieving the industrial Policy.”

Earlier the Regional Director of UNIDO in Nigeria Mr. Bakole Jean congratulated the Governor for the initiative and acknowledged that it is the first time he has seen an inclusive policy that even involves Heads of Intelligence and Security Agencies.

On their part as a foreign partner, he promised to assist in mobilizing investors to the State and even economic funds lying waste in other countries for the development of the economy of the State. “This is in addition to support on capacity building and consultancy.”

Present at the Launch were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, member of the State Executive Council, Chairman Imo State Elders Council, Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, members of the Business Community among others.

2023: MURIC Backs Tinubu’s Endorsement By  Fasoranti

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The Source
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By Akinwale Kasali

The endorsement of All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu by the leader of Pan-Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, for the 2023 Presidential Election, has been applauded by an Islamic human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC.

The Group commended the elder statesman for naming Tinubu as the most preferred Candidate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari against all odds.

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC, said that Pa Fasoranti’s endorsement of Tinubu on Sunday October 30, 2022 in Akure, Ondo State, as putting the right peg in the right hole.

Akintola dismissed the earlier endorsement of the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, by Afenifere’s Acting National Leader, Ayo Adebanjo, as “illogical.”

A Statement by MURIC signed by Akintola reads:  “The National Leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has endorsed Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the preferred Presidential Candidate for Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential election.

“MURIC commends Pa Fasoranti for his sportsmanship and broadmindedness. Pa Fasoranti’s name will be engraved in letters of gold for ignoring the illogical, irrational and inexplicable choice of Pa Ayo Adebanjo who declared support for Peter Obi of the Labour Party.

“We advise Pa Adebanjo to reflect on the events surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the role of the National Democratic Coalition in confronting military totalitarians and, in particular, the sterling quality of Tinubu among NADECO’s dramatis personae.

“Equally noteworthy for Pa Adebanjo is Tinubu’s heroic and miraculous rescue of Yorubaland from Nigeria’s drift to a one-party state and the attendant tyranny and dictatorship that would have followed in the hands of no other than one of the sons of Yorubaland who found himself in Aso Rock by accident but used the major part of his tenure to persecute Yorubaland. Perchance such retrospective glance, like the last look at the Moor, will remove the veil covering Pa Adebanjo’s eyes.”

The Group stressed that the former Lagos State Governor has the wherewithal in uniting the Yorubas even as Christians and Muslims would now be supporting Tinubu as well.

“ A major significance of Pa Fasoranti’s endorsement of Tinubu is that it is capable of uniting the Yoruba people as Muslims and Christians will now rally behind Tinubu in a united front. The likely fallout of this development is a future payback by Yoruba Muslims who have shown the willingness to support a Christian candidate in future if their Christian counterparts vote for Tinubu, a Yoruba Muslim, in the 2023 presidential election.

“The 2023 elections are of a great importance to Yoruba Muslims because of the likelihood of a Muslim from the region emerging as President for the first time. All those who have tasted power in the past among the Yoruba have been Christians (Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Earnest Shonekan, Oladipo Diya and Yemi Osinbajo).

“It will be recalled that MURIC had earlier called for a Yoruba Muslim president as far back as February 2021.

It is also worthy of note that MURIC reiterated the call for a Yoruba Muslim president again in May and October 2021, long before the presidential primaries.

“This goes to show how important the Tinubu project is to Yoruba Muslims. It follows, therefore, that the extent to which Yoruba Christians respond positively or otherwise will go a long way to determine the parameter with which Yoruba Muslims will measure the future relationship between them and their Christian neighbours,” the statement added.

The body said Nigerians must think of what united them than that which divided them. “Yoruba Muslims and their Christian counterparts can work together for the greatness of Yorubaland in particular and Nigeria in general if they can come together in moments like this. We must think more of things that unite us instead of dissipating energy on things that divide us.

“Christians and Muslims in Yorubaland must come together at this crucial time for the purpose of grabbing the open sesame to the doors of Aso Rock. The zone is fortunate to have the gem of the collection, a unifier, a builder of men, a rare genius, a political colossus, the possessor of economic magic wand, the man who turned Lagos to a land of gold, Bola Tinubu,” MURIC concluded.

Jaiz Bank GI Hits N16bn, 26% Increase YoY

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Sirajo Salisu MD Jaiz Bank

Jaiz Bank’s profit rose to more than 14 percent in the third quarter of this financial year, according to its latest regulatory filing on the Nigerian Exchange, NGX. The strong bottom line was supported by healthy income from financing contracts which printed at N15.62 billion, about 46.12 percent above the N10.69 billion reported in the comparable period last year.

In the non-interest banking space in Nigeria, Jaiz Bank controls over 62 percent of assets, which is supported by its robust gross income of N23.74 billion as at end of September 2022 from N18.78 billion at the end of September 2021, representing 26.34 percent increment.

According to the report released by the Islamic Bank, the unaudited results show that profit for the period increased by 14.59 percent from N2.99 billion declared in September 2021 to N3.26 billion at the end of September 2022. Supported by growth in other operating income, fees, and commission receipts, Jaiz Bank’s total income jumped by 23 percent to N16.03 billion in September 2022 from N13.02 billion in September 2021.

The outing pushed earnings per share higher by 6.16 percent, from 9.09 kobo for the third quarter of 2021 to 9.65 kobo at the end of the third quarter of 2022.

The bank’s positive earnings result is undoubtedly reassuring to all stakeholders and the public. It underscores the role of Jaiz as the leader in the Non-Interest Bank in Nigeria, financial experts say.

Speaking on the results, the Managing Director/ chief executive officer of the bank, Dr. Sirajo Salisu, said the Bank remained committed to providing value-creating ethical banking services to its growing customer base.  He assured that the Bank is positioned to continue its remarkable earnings streak for the remainder of the year, by leveraging on technology and extending its touch points across the country.

 

Oyo: Makinde Gambles, Under Pressure To Back Atiku; Ladoja, Fayose Wade In

By
James Orji
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Nyesom Wike And Seyi Makinde

Rashidi Ladoja, a former governor of Oyo state recently held a meeting with Governor Seyi Makinde and Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate at his residence in Ibadan, the state’s capital. The major issue the three politicians discussed at the meeting is how to ensure that Atiku wins the state convincingly in the 2023 presidential election despite the crisis rocking the party over the continued stay in office of the PDP National Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu.

Makinde is Ladoja’s political son and according to those close to the two politicians, the governor listens to him.

Also being a strong ally of the former vice president, Ladoja was invited by Atiku to speak with the governor who alongside four other PDP governors has been up in arms against Atiku over his refusal to prevail on Ayu to step down. Atiku insists that he has no power to force Ayu out of office.

Five PDP governors led by Governor Nyesom Wike have demanded the resignation of Ayu after accusing him of corruption and partisanship during the party’s presidential primary in May this year from which Atiku emerged as the party’s flagbearer for next year’s election.

Governors Makinde, Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu stare, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state are in the same league as Wike to force Ayu out of office. Ayu has refused to step down and has been backed up by Atiku who said the National Chairman can only step down after next year’s election.

The situation has presented a very dicey situation for Governor who is the only governor among the five aggrieved PDP governors seeking to return to the office next year.

The governor will either support Atiku or drown with him, by not returning to the office some political experts watching what’s currently playing out said.

Makinde reiterated during a radio program in the state to bolster his governorship campaign reiterated the position of the governors led by Wike, that Ayu must step down before they can work for Atiku.

The stakes were further raised after Makinde said he will back any presidential candidate supported by Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba social cultural body. The body has already thrown its weight behind Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

But politicians close to the governor in the state insist that Makinde has no other choice but to work for Atiku failure of which he will lose his support base and the governorship election next year.

“We have already told Makinde that we will work for Atiku, failure to do that will end up in a catastrophic defeat for PDP in the state because the opposition parties can latch on the division among us plot our defeat,” an aide to Makinde said anonymously.

The source said PDP leaders had already met with Makinde and presented their position that they will support Atiku “whether Ayu leaves office or not”.

“We cannot take that gamble of relinquishing our support for Atiku our presidential candidate”, another member of Omituntun Governorship Campaign council said on Thursday.

On Wednesday, some PDP members across the 33 local government councils in the state, led by a former Minister of Mines and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese met in Ibadan where they restate their support for Atiku.

The group said Makinde has taken his support for Governor Wike too far by opposing Atiku’s presidential bid. Whether the governor likes it or not, the group said, they will support Atiku to win the election.

Oyelese said Makinde is on his own. “A good politician will not speak like that. It doesn’t mean anything if  Makinde says he will not work for Atiku. He is on his own! It is an empty threat! If he said we should not vote for Atiku, who are we voting for? We are too sophisticated for that in Oyo state.

Makinde is a newcomer in Oyo State politics but we shall continue to work for our party.“However, we are working for Atiku in a special way. My advice for any politician who wants to win in Oyo State is to come to the mainstream. Mainstream is the leadership of the party in the state,“ the former minister said.

Makinde’s caucus Advises Him To Dump Wike

The magazine learned that members of the governor’s cabinet, particularly his inner caucus have already told him to tone down his opposition to Atiku if he wants to succeed in his re-election bid.

“How can you tell people to vote for PDP in other election category and not vote for Atiku? That will cause confusion for the supporters of the PDP in the state, who are mostly illiterate. The governor is in a quagmire really, because of his support for Governor Wike. But the Rivers governor is not seeking a reelection,” another PDP stalwart in the state, who said he’s not permitted to speak for the governor said on Thursday.

What Fayose Told Makinde and Wike In Port Harcourt

When Governor Wike met with some of his allies recently in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, to discuss the way forward the former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose was said to have told Wike “to pipe low” and find a way to resolve the ‘Ayu matter’ amicably instead of attacking Atiku.

The former Ekiti governor told the governors and others present at the meeting that they should sheathe their swords for now until after the 2023 election “after which they can now fight to the end” if Ayu refused to resign,” sources at the meeting told the magazine.

Governor Makinde and a few others who attended the meeting were said to have agreed with Fayose on this point that Ayu will be forced out of office after Atiku must have won the election.

Imo: Agbaso Heats-up Labour Party, Says Peter Obi Is the 2023 Presidential Winner

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The Source
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Martin Agbaso

By Charles Igbo

The man who clearly won the 2007 Governorship election in Imo State, but was robbed by the powers-that-be, Chief Martin Agbaso, on Tuesday, October 1, 2022,  gave the State’s Chapter of the Labour Party, LP, wings to fly, literally.

A politician of no mean reputation, Agbaso recently dumped the All Progressives Congress, which he helped to form the Government in 2020, over the wave-making Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the LP.

On Tuesday while commissioning the headquarters of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign headquarters in Owerri, cheered-on by thousands of people who thronged the venue, Agbaso assured of the victory of Peter Obi in 2023 as the President of Nigeria.

The former Special Adviser on Ecology to former President Olusegun Obasanjo told the crowd: “If I was not convinced that Peter Obi is Nigeria’s next President, I would not have accepted to serve as Imo State Coordinator of his Presidential Campaign Council.”

When he raised the hands of the LP State Chairman, Sir Ambrose Onyekwere, he pledged his loyalty to Onyekwere. “I want to assure you of total loyalty to your leadership. Nobody will touch you.”

On the chances of the Presidential Candidate, Agbaso declared: “I want to inform all of us here that Peter Obi has already won the 2023 Presidential election. This is so because he is the most qualified of all the candidates none of whom can boast of his achievements ad former Governor of Anambra State.

“It is worthy to note that Obi left 150 million US Dollars in the coffers of Anambra State at the end of his tenure. Here is a man who never got a satchel of pure water or a plot of land from Anambra State as former Governor.”

A well-grounded  grassroots politician, Agbaso conducted the Governorship  Primary of Anambra State in 2014.

In Owerri on Tuesday, he harped on the need for synergy between the party leadership and the Presidential Campaign Council. He assured that high technology would be deployed to monitor the election from the well-equipped headquarters of the Imo LP.

Agbaso’s younger brother, Sir Jude Agbaso, was the first Deputy Governor of Imo State under the administration of Owelle Rochas Okorocha.

The Imo Party Headquarters was donated by Agbaso.

Agbaso says he is poised to lead the LP victory song in the State.

FG Descends On Peter Obi’s Ambition; Blocks Bank Account

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

By Gideon Njoku

The Federal Government has moved to frustrate the Presidential ambition of Peter Obi,  the Labour Party, LP candidate for the 2023 Presidential race.

The bank account of one of  Obi-Datti’s support groups has been blocked by a yet-to-named Federal Government Agency.

This worrisome situation was revealed by the supporters of the candidacy of Obi and Datti-Ahmed under the aegis of TBN Global Leadership. The account is for its crowd-funding initiative.

According to the Group, it has been notified by Keystone Bank PLC, the host of the account, that it has been blocked by the Government.

In a statement on Wednesday, signed by its Spokesperson, Danjuma Garba Musa, the Group described the move by the Federal Government as a brazen political persecution.

It lamented: “We see this development as an act of political persecution, suppression and intimidation from the powers-that-be to stop this youth-driven grassroots movement from carrying out activities protected by the Constitution.

“TBN is a socio-political movement and a non- governmental organization made up of well meaning patriotic Nigerians, actively engaged in promoting good governance and democratic ideals in Nigeria.

“It is our core value to support competent and credible candidates during elections leveraging the energy of youths who will determine electoral outcomes at all levels irrespective of Political Party.

“Against the 2023 General elections, TBN Global Leadership has endorsed  Mr Peter Obi and his running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed of the Labour Party as the most credible and competent candidates.

“TBN has publicly solicited and equally received donations for the sole purpose of funding grassroots activities to support the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign activities.

“We categorically say that blocking our account, or any manner of repression, will in no way stop us from supporting the Obi-Datti 2023 mandate.”

It asked donors to bear with the situation until it is sorted out. It, also, appealed to the relevant authorities to urgently unblock the account.

2023: Gov Ortom Endorses Peter Obi

By
The Source
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Peter Obi and Samuel Ortom

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has received one of his biggest endorsements and testimonial on his journey to Aso Rock. It came  from Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, who declared Obi the finest man for the job.

Obi, who was in Benue State to meet with the two topmost traditional rulers in the State, the Tor Tiv and Orchi Idoma paid a courtesy call on Governor Ortom who prayed that God who crowns  do it for Obi if it’s His will.

Governor Ortom noted that this is the first time a Presidential candidate is meeting their two paramount rulers and commended Obi for his ability to reach out.

The Governor who quoted from the Holy book of John 3:23 to buttress the fact that only God crowns, however noted that, “If Nigerians were given to make a choice, you are one of the finest candidates that we have in this country”

According to Ortom, the LP candidate fits the bill in terms of education, in terms of character, in terms of performance, in terms of reaching out, in terms of accommodation , in terms of being a pan-Nigerian and in terms of passion to ensure that our country is liberated from where we are from insecurity to security and out of the economic woes to economic vibrancy and out of lack of adequate social life. You have the capacity to make things work.”

The Governor reiterated his earlier position that political party should not be the consideration in this election.

“Let me say this again, where we are in our country Nigeria today, we should not be looking at party or where someone comes from but we should be looking at the capacity of the personality that will be able to deliver us from the mess we are in Nigeria today”

He said that Obi from his antecedents, has the capacity and commitment to the well being of our people, noting that, “If I were God, but am not one, I would have said…but am not God but I admire your courage, your capacity to deliver to our people.

“All I can say is that the God that sees the heart let him bless you. The God that blesses and crowns if it’s His will let Him crown you.”

He said that he is a living example of how no man can stop the crown God has destined for somebody. “I am a living example of the fact that God crowns and when He decides to do it nothing can stop it. How I became Governor in 2015 and 2019 is known to all”

The Governor, finally advised Obi to reach out to his colleagues in the presidential race  to solicit their support to be their servant if God crowns him so that you all work together . We need everybody to work together for the good of this country.

The LP presidential  candidate commended the Governor for his commitment to his people particularly caring for their security and welfare. Obi said that his heart bleeds that Nigerians are in IDP camps in a country that is not in any war.

Ahead 2023: PDP Drags APC Candidates, Chairman, NWC Members To Court

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is exploring an alternative legal path aside election to see its candidates during next year’s general election to victory.

In a fresh suit, the PDP has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja to sack the Abdullahi Adamu led National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progresives Congress (APC) on account of illegality in the process that produced the party’s national officers and candidates.

PDP in the suit demanded that all candidates produced by APC for the 2023 general elections be disqualified from the race having been allegedly produced in breach and gross violation of the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Act 2022.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier declared as illegal and unconstitutional the emergence of Osun state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola as a candidate during the APC primary election, citing similar issues.

The matter is still before the Court of Appeal.

The suit filed by Mr Ayo Kamaldeen Ajibade, SAN on behalf of PDP, is predicated on a judgment of the Federal High Court delivered on September 30, 2022 which declared as ilegal, unlawful and unconstitutional, all actions and activities of Governor Mai Mala Buni as Chairman, Extraordinary Convention Committee of the APC.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho has assigned the new suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1864/2022 to Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo for determination.

Justice Ekwo has fixed November 22 for mention of the suit with an order that all the 53 persons listed by PDP in the suit as defendants be served with hearing notices in their respective locations.

The Presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his running mate, Kashim Shetima, all Governorship candidates and their deputies are listed in the request for disqualification from 2023 election on the ground that their nominations are in breach of the Constitution and Electoral laws.

Also listed are the Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates of the party for the same reasons.

Kano: Controversial House Of Reps Leader, Doguwa Assaults APC Candidate

By
James Orji
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0

The Majority Leader of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Al Hassan Doguwa has allegedly thrown a tea cup at the APC governorship candidate in next year’s election, Mallam Sule Garo during an argument.

Doguwa is one of the most influential APC stalwarts in the country by virtue of his position in the National Assembly. He recently said his plan is to become the Speaker of the House after next year’s election.

His alleged attack on a fellow APC member has questioned his temperament and ability to control himself as a public leader, those watching the politician said.

Narrating what happened Garo said the incident occurred at his home on Monday, during a meeting among some APC leaders in the state.

He said trouble started after Doguwa accused him of not inviting him to the meeting despite his position as one of the party’s leaders in the state.

The Majority Leader, Garo explained, felt undermined that a meeting of such importance was held without him being invited.

Garo said: “When he invaded the meeting, he started disagreeing that he was not involved in the meeting because it was a time of sharing money but when it comes to the difficult task of the party he will be invited,” BBC quoted Garo as saying.

“Mr Doguwa accused me of destroying his banners which I denied, he grabbed a teacup in front of the deputy governor and threw it at me.”

The controversial lawmaker who once demanded a polling unit to be created in his house for his large family to vote during the election has denied the allegation in an interview with BBC Hausa.  “Contrary to what people are saying, I did not throw a teacup at him”, he said.

Doguwa currently has many wives and 28 children and has vowed to have more.

Tinubu: Afenifere Strips Adebanjo Of Acting Head, Returns Meetings To Akure

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The current bickering among Chieftains of Afenifere, a Yoruba socio cultural group over who to support among arrays of candidates jostling to become Nigeria’s president come 2023, may have cost Chief Ayo Adebanjo his position.

Chief Adebanjo was named about two years ago as acting leader of Afenifere, following old age and I’ll health of Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who has been leader of the group since demise of pa Abraham Adesanya.

Apart from acting as a leader, meetings of the group is being held at Ile Ogbo or Lagos home of Chief Adebanjo as against Akure, country home of Fasoranti.

Chief  Fasoranti, has now announced that henceforth, the meeting of the socio-political group has now been returned to in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where he is resident.

Speaking during a live television programme, IATV, a You Tube channel, Chief Fasoranti said he remains the national leader of Afenifere.

The decision is aftermath of the visit of the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) Bola Tinubu to Akure on Sunday during which he received prayer from Chief Fasoranti.

Reacting to the visit, Chief Adebanjo alleged that the APC candidate might have bribed Chief Fasoranti and that the support from Fasoranti and other Chieftains at the reception was a ploy to divide Afenifere.

Chief Adebanjo has been at the forefront of support for the candidate of Labour Party, (LP) Peter Obi, saying the next president must come form south east.

According to the leader of the socio-political group, the meetings of the group will no longer hold in Ogbo, Ijebuland in Ogun State, the home of its Acting Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

He said this was a collective decision of the leadership and membership of the body.

Fasoranti said the issue that led to the movement of the meeting to Ogbo was a misinterpretation of the state of his health.

“Afenifere meetings will come back to Akure: Yes, I dictate the pace. It will come back.

“The reason the meeting was shifted was a misunderstanding, misinterpretation and misconception of some people that I was going senile as I cannot comprehend.

“When I heard that, I reacted. And the person who said that regretted saying so. So, no problem.”

On the perceived interregnum in leadership, Pa Fasoranti said: “Nothing has happened. No shaking.”

He also said that most of the leaders and members of the body have said they would not be going for meetings in Adebanjo’s home henceforth.

Speaking on the claim that he backed Tinubu for the presidency because he was monetarily induced, Fasoranti, who first burst into laughter, said: “Those who know me will say no.

“I didn’t take any money. I stand by principles.”

Speaking further in Yoruba language, he added that the group did not back the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, but Tinubu, who he referred to by his traditional title from Borgu in Niger State, Jagaban.

“Reuben Fasoranti is the head of Afenifere at this period. No two positions on it. If you ask the members of our group, they won’t name someone else.

“Afenifere did not back Obi. We put forward Jagaban to be voted for.”

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