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Corruption: “Mr President, Please Spare Me. In The Name of Almighty God, I Have Never Touched LG Funds – Wike

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The Source
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By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has told  President Muhammadu Buhari how unfair it was of him to make a blanket allegation of corruption against Governors. Wike said it is what is called “class defamation.” The Governor is a Lawyer.

Wike was reacting to a statement credited to the President during his speech at the Presidential Parley for members of the Senior Executive Course 44(2022) of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies at the State House, Abuja. Buhari stopped short of calling Governors thieves. He said they embezzle Local Government funds.

The President stated that the Governors ended up giving Local Councils, just about half of their funds. Meaning, according to the President, that the Governors are collectively corrupt.

But Wike on Friday, took a strong exception to the label placed on the Governors by Buhari. He challenged the President to name the corrupt Governors instead of making a blanket allegation, and committing class defamation.

Wike denied being part of those who  embezzle  Local Government funds at the inauguration ceremony of the Mgbuosimini Internal roads in the State.

He swore, in the name of God that he had never before touched Local Government funds and threw a challenge to anybody to prove him wrong.

The Governor, also, made an exception for the four other  Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors with whom he is waging a war of attrition against the PDP National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, and the Presidential Candidate of the Party,  Atiku Abubakar.

He said the G-5 Governors have integrity  and would never embezzle Local Government funds.

Wike: “I want to challenge Mr President. Mr President you are a leader and we believe as leaders you must come out and tell Nigerians who are those committing the offence.

“You said the Governors are taking Local Government funds. I want to say, in the name of Almighty God,  I have never touched Local Government funds one day. I have never, and I have no reason to do that.

“So, Mr President, who are these people? You know them, tell us. It is not good to say what you call class defamation.

“You say Governors. Please, I am not one of those Governors. So, Mr President, please spare me. Tell Nigerians that the Integrity Governors (G-5) are not part of them. We have integrity. We are not part of them.”

It is common knowledge, however, that most Governors tamper with Local Government funds. At times, what gets to the LGs are less than half of what has been allocated to them.

This is why, many agree,  there is little or no developments at the Local Government level.

Student Aminu: Mocked Deborah’s Murder; Not A First Time Offender; Loses Sympathy

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Aminu Mohammed and Aisha Buhari

By Adesina Soyooye

24-year old Aminu Mohammed, the final year student of the Federal University, Dutse, who was dealt with by First Lady, Aisha Buhari, over an irresponsible post on her, is not a first time provocative tweeter.

The tweet on Mrs Buhari where Aminu said Mrs Buhari was feeding fat on the money meant for the masses, and attached two different pictures of the First Lady to show her looks before her husband came into office, and her looks now, is not the first time he would post such controversial provocative tweet.

Months ago, when Deborah a third year student of the Federal College of Education, Sokoto was stoned by her colleagues in the campus, and set ablaze till she died, the gruesome murder had sparked an outrage in Nigeria and beyond. But not to Aminu Mohammed.

He applauded the manner of Deborah’s murder, and mocked her in death. He had tweeted and posted a tee-shirt which bore Deborah’s photograph, and wrote: “Murderd by peace.” But he tweeted under the Tee-shirt, in Hausa Language: “Duk Wanda yasa wanna Riga ah Bauchi sai munchi uwarsa,” meaning: (“Whoever wears this shirt in Bauchi will be dealt with….. SEVERELY.)

In the heat of her problem with the First Lady, his tweet on Deborah was dug out. The result:  A number of those who condemned Mrs Buhari, and asked for his immediate release, have made a u-turn.

They want Aminu punished. They want him tried. One of them said that Aminu should be sent to jail and from there go to hell.

Another wished him the same fate which befell Deborah. Yet, another apologised for pleading on his behalf and concluded: “The rascal idiot does not deserve sympathy or mercy.”

But the u-turn comes late.

Bowing to pressure, on Friday, Mrs Buhari  said she has forgiven Aminu, and has withdrawn the Court case she instituted against the student.

Babachir Lawal, Dogara Part Ways As Dogara’s Group Endorses Atiku, Lawal’s, Obi; Tinubu Loses; Expulsion On The Cards

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Adesina Soyooye
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Babachir Lawal and Yakubu Dogara

By Adesina Soyooye

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, have parted ways, politically.

Both men who had been working together since Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of their party, the All Progressives Congress,  APC, a Muslim, chose Senator Kashim Shettima, former Governor of Borno State, also a Muslim, finally parted ways on Friday.

Both have chosen to endorse and support different Presidential candidates. Even though they are of the APC, both Christians said they would never support a Tinubu-Shettima ticket. They dismissed it as satanic, an insult to Northern Christians,   and a ploy to divide the North.

Working together with members of their group, they said they would decide and announce which Presidential candidate to support.

A few days ago, Lawal, who is the Chairman of Northern Christians Caucus in Politics, which Secretary Dogara is, announced in an interview on Channels Television, that the Group had decided to endorse the candidacy of Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Surprisingly, hours after Lawal spoke, Dogara and some members of the Executive disowned him.

They said he acted alone, without consultation. In the statement they signed, they said they would meet soon and endorse a candidate.

On Friday, December 2, 2022, Dogara and his Group did. Not surprisingly, they endorsed Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, whose running mate is the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. They had no choice. Having disowned and chastised Lawal for endorsing Obi, Atiku’s endorsement by them was expected.

Both Lawal’and Dogara’s Groups are splinter Groups of the APC.

Dogara’s Group, the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum which membership cuts across Christians and Moslems, adopted Atiku, in a voice vote, after the report of its technical committee was presented to members in Abuja. Honourable Mohammed Kumaila, and Nunghe Kele, SAN, Leaders of the  Technical Criteria Committee, signed the report which was presented by former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Simon Achuba.

It read in part; “After a careful evaluation of all the issues highlighted above, we hereby recommend for the adoption of the PDP, to all lovers of democracy in Nigeria, for the 2023 presidential election.

“However, this should be subject to getting the necessary assurance from the party to run an all-inclusive government, details of which shall be discussed with the leadership of the party in the nearest future”

On 8th  October, 2022, the Northern Leaders Inter-Faith Consultative Dialogue  in Abuja, set up a sub-committee mandated to draw up a criteria to serve as a guide to the Northern Leaders Consultative Forum, in its desire to adopt one of the leading political parties in the 2023 presidential elections.

“After careful consultations, research and brain-storming, the subcommittee came up with the following analysis of the criteria used to arrive at and recommended a Pan-Nigeria platform for the main Committee’s consideration, endorsement and adoption.

“Amongst the criteria used in selecting their choice of endorsement include factors such as presidential experience; requisite track record in public service, business and education; evidence of national penetration; religious and ethnic balance.

“Other criteria include: pan-Nigeria and tolerance, reasonable popularity, physical fitness for the rigours of State as well as the existing structures of the selected political parties and current candidates for 2023 according to INEC records.”

The report said Atiku came tops from a 15-point criteria it used to assess the four frontline political parties; APC, PDP, LP and NNPP.

According to the report, he  scored all 15 points criteria. He was followed by the candidate of the NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso with 10 points. APC’s Senator Bola Tinubu and LP’s Peter Obi, scored nine points each.

Dogara, who presided over the adoption said “the group decided to go for a pan Nigeria presidential candidate, following the adoption of a Moslem-Moslem ticket by the APC against massive protest.”

According to Dogara, “what will destroy Nigeria is not ethnicity but religion.” He emphasized that those “passing statement relating to hate must be stopped before they destroy the country. The same faith ticket does not align with the vision of a united Nigeria because it does not promote a collective sense of belongingness.”

The members were enjoined  to go ahead, fully, and campaign for the Atiku/Okowa presidential ticket.

However, sources within the APC, told this medium that they will not allow Lawal and Dogara to say they are card-carrying members of the Party and work against the Party.

Said one if them who pleaded anonymity: “We are not PDP which allowed Nyesom Wike and his to stay in PDP, and work against PDP. We shall flush Dogara and Lawal out of APC.”

Another noted that the division within the Lawal and Dogara Groups would enhance the chances of the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu.

Why Aisha Buhari, Under Attack, Withdrew Case Against Student, Aminu Adamu

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The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

Bowing to pressure, First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has withdrawn the case she filed against a student of the Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.

Mrs Buhari, scoring an avoidable own goal, had ordered the arrest of the student, 24 year old Aminu Adamu, for a defamatory post in June 22.

The final year student of Environmental Management posted on his tweeter handle, that “Mama is feeding fat on poor people’s money.” To the post, she attached two photographs of Mrs Buhari, one before she became the First Lady, and the other, a rotund Mrs Buhari presently.

Angered, Mrs Buhari had the student tracked to his school, arrested, flown to Abuja, allegedly tortured on her orders, and hauled before a Court on Tuesday.

The Judge,  Justice  Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, remanded him in Prison Custody, Suleja, and set trial date against January 30.

The  one-count charge read: ” That you Aminu Adamu, male of Anguwar Sarakuna, Bauchi, Bauchi State, sometime between May – June 2022, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did intentionally opened (sic) a Tweeter handle with the name @aminullahie, aka Catalyst, and screenshot the photograph of Her Excellency, Hajia Aisha Buhari, and wrote on it in Hausa Language ‘Su Mama anchi kudi talakwa ankoshi’, roughly translated to English Language to mean ‘ Mama has embezzled monies meant for the poor to satisfaction’ and posted same on your above twitter handle for the members of the public to read, knowing same to be false and capable of affecting her reputation.  You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section

31 of the Penal Code”

But, Mrs Buhari’s action sparked an unprecedented outrage with not a few Nigerians and Groups, including the Media and the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, condemning her for crossing the borderline.

While some asked for her arrest for taking the laws into her hands, NANS declared it would embark on a nationwide protest as from December 5, 2022, until the release of Mohammed.

Apparently, to avoid more embarrassing reactions, and the damage it has caused her and her husband’s Government, Mrs Buhari on Friday withdrew the case against the student.

Withdrawing the case, prosecution Counsel, Fidelis  Ogbobe, said the First Lady, as the mother of the Nation, bowed to interventions of well-meaning Nigerians.

Ogbobe said he relied on Section 108, subsection 2(a) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to move the application of the withdrawal of the case.

The Judge granted the request.

Uzodimma: My Govt Keen On Health Delivery Architecture; Flags off Nigerian Academy of Neurological Surgeons Scientific Conference

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma with Surgeons

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that his administration is determined to put in place a dependable health delivery architecture that would help carter to the health needs of Imo indigenes and aspirations of medical professionals, including neurosurgeons.

He spoke on Friday in Owerri while declaring open the 12th annual Nigerian Academy of Neurological Surgeons Scientific Conference at the Beland Hotel with the theme –  Evolving Subspecialties of Neurosurgery in Nigeria.

Governor Uzodimma who sincerely appreciated the Academy for the choice of Owerri for the conference, described it “as a well  informed decision to visit Imo State.”

The Governor stated that the conference was holding at a time when “many still believe that there is no peace in Imo State.”

His words: “There is no doubt that our improved security situation and our famed hospitality and readiness to provide conducive ambiance for conferences must have informed your choice of Imo State as the venue for this conference.”

Governor Uzodimma noted that in the last couple of months, Imo State has hosted a number of high profile conferences, including that of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Police, Accountants, and Guild of Editors.

Governor Uzodimma said: “At the end of their stay, they came to the obvious conclusion, just like you would, at the end of your own conference, that Imo is very safe and nothing near what the detractors wanted to say to the world.

“I am particularly happy that distinguished professionals like you are in our midst today. Those of us and many more who are aware of your invaluable contributions to the advancement of medicine for healthy humanity will appreciate you.

“Let me use this auspicious occasion of this conference to publicly commend you specially for your painstaking application to duty. I equally commend your sacrifice and patriotism in choosing to stay back in Nigeria even when you have better opportunities abroad for what some called greener pastures.”

Governor Uzodimma concluded by thanking the neurosurgeons for their choice, “to remain here in your native land to help our country and her citizens who desperately need your specialised skills.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Governor reeled out the numerous efforts his government had made in the area of health care delivery in Imo State, including but not limited to provision of Mobil Clinics for the rural dwellers, construction and equipping of health centres in the 305 Electoral Wards in the State, enhancement of activities in 19 General Hospitals in Imo, the procurement of modern medical equipment for the State owned University Teaching Hospital at Orlu with the attendant facilitation of the requirements for the accreditation of the Medical College which resulted in the graduation of students after more than 11years, among other interventions in the medical sector of the State.

He therefore promised to do what is within the capacity of the State government to support the neurosurgeons and ensure that they are satisfied with their professional callings.

While welcoming the participants, the Chairman of the opening ceremony, Professor Maurice Iwu,  told the audience that Imo is now emerging as centre of excellence in Health, noting that the efforts of the government under Governor Uzodimma during the ugly days of the outbreak of Corona virus and the efforts made to contain the menace is worthy of commendation and emulation.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Success Prosper Ohayagha in  his remarks stated: “We are now conducting complicated neurosurgeries in Imo State.”

The event was well attended by dignitaries including the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof Placid Njoku, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Idris Ahmed Wase, the Minister for State,  Science, Chief Henry Iko, the Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie and members of the State expanded executive.

Also in attendance was Prof. Samuel Ohaegbulem, the father of Neurosurgery in Nigeria who is also Director Memfys Hospital, Enugu, among other egg-heads in the medical profession.

Ondo: Who Owns Oyemekun Grammar School? Akure Community, Anglican Communion, Battle For Take Over

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oyemekun Grammar School Akure

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state government policy to return some public schools to missions had pitched Anglican Communion with Akure community.

Akure community and Anglican Communion are laying claim to ownership of Oyemekun Grammar School, with each of them insisting on taken over the college.

But, the State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Olufemi Agagu, has declared that  government would not handover any school to the missions except all stakeholders, including the host community agree and consented to it.

The Commissioner, while addressing the Akure traditional council that protested to his office, on the request by the Anglican Communion to take back some public schools in the state, maintained that there should be synergy among stakeholders before any school will be released.

The Akure traditional council, led by the Asamo of Akure Kingdom,  Chief Olusegun Adedipe was at the office of the Commissioner to seek clarification on the purported move by the Anglican Church to take over Oyemekun Grammar School.

The entourage, which comprised all the major traditional Chiefs in Akure was in the ministry to represent the Deji, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade and other sons and daughters of Akure kingdom both home and abroad.

Chief Adedipe had accused Anglican communion for not carrying along the community in its quest to take back the school, and moreover that Oyemekun Grammar School originally belonged to Akure community and not owned by the Anglican Church.

Responding, Mr. Agagu told the traditional council that any mission that intends to take-over schools must provide evidence of ownership and must show proof of competence, while all stakeholders; the Old Students Association, the Parents/Teachers Association, the Host Community among others must consent to it.

He explained that the quest by government to find a better way of funding education and ensure standard in the system necessitated the decision to hand over schools originally owned by missions to their owners, who must have the interest and competence in running such schools.

“It is glaring that there have not been much significant progress over the decade in terms of infrastructural facilities in our public schools compared to what it was in the 60s.

“Government cannot fold its hands and allow the situation to degenerate further, hence the need to engage all the critical stakeholders in sector”

The Commissioner added that government would not hand-over more than two schools to any mission that fulfills these requirements, while the process of handing-over would be gradual.

“We will not just hand-over the entire school to the mission, they have to begin with admission into JSS1 alone while government would continue to monitor the developlements in such school”

He explained further that the interest of every segment of the society; be it religion, ethnic, language or cultural background is being taken care of in the memorandum of understanding between the state government and the mission.

The Commissioner said the state government was already working on modalities to expand infrastructure in some public schools to accommodate those who might not in one way or the other be able to attend schools that have been taken over by missions

The Akure traditional Chiefs said they were impressed by the address of the Commissioner, as they have been more enlightened on the issue, and promised to take the message back to the palace.

Wike Puts Governors Of Oil Producing States On A Collision Course With Subjects

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

The Governor of Rivers State,  Nyesom Wike, has caused big trouble for Governors of Oil Producing States. He has put them on a Collision course with their subjects.

Trouble started when Wike, while commissioning one of his many projects, revealed that the funds he has been using came from the arrears  of 13 per cent Oil Derivation Funds paid to them by President Muhammadu Buhari. He profusely thanked Buhari for helping his Government Fund the projects.

Wike: “Let me say for the first time. So many people asked me: ‘where is he getting this money’? Let me say it. I want through the Attorney General of the Federation, to thank Mr President. Monies that were not paid to the Niger Delta States since 1999 – the 13 per cent deductions – monies that were not paid, Mr President approved and paid all of us from the Niger Delta States. And, for me, it would be unfair not to tell the public.”

Wike’s revelation, deliberate or not, put the other Governors under pressure. The question they were being asked is: “What did you do with the billions of Naira paid your States by the Federal Government?

Until Wike, no other Governor had revealed that Buhari had started paying the arrears. So, suddenly, a couple of them was forced to say how much was received, with some of them under-declaring. About two of them indirectly attacked Wike, notably, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri.

Apparently to set the records straight, the Presidency on Friday, in a release signed by Garba Shehu, Presidential Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, made public how much each of the States received, and how much is left. The disclosure is a first.

So far, the release said, N625bn Oil Derivation Funds  has been released to them.

It gave a breakdown of how N625.43 billion 13 percent derivation fund, subsidy and SURE-P refunds were distributed to the nine oil-producing states between 2021 and 2022.

In the statement, Shehu said the states which received the refunds, dating from 1999 to 2021 were Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

The outstanding amount to be released, he disclosed, is N1.1 trillion.

He said the data obtained from the Federation Account Department, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, showed that a total of N477.2 billion has been released to the nine States as refund of the 13 percent derivation fund on withdrawal from Excess Crude Account (ECA) without deducting derivation from 2004 to 2019, leaving an outstanding balance of N287.04 billion.

The States, he revealed, also got N64.8 billion as refund of the 13 per cent derivation fund on deductions made by NNPC without payment of derivation to Oil Producing States from 1999 to December.

The benefitting States still have an outstanding  of N860.59 billion from the refunds, already approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to the figures released by Shehu,  under the 13 per cent derivation fund on withdrawal from ECA without deducting derivation from 2004 to 2019, Abia State received N4.8 billion with outstanding sum of N2.8 billion, Akwa Ibom received N128 billion with outstanding sum of N77 billion, Bayelsa with N92.2bn, leaving an outstanding of N55 billion.

“Cross River got a refund N1.3 billion with a balance N792 million, Delta State received N110 billion, leaving a balance of N66.2 billion, Edo State received N11.3billion, with a balance of N6.8billion, Imo State, N5.5 billion, with an outstanding sum of N3.3 billion, Ondo State, N19.4 billion with an outstanding sum of N11.7bn while Rivers State was paid 103.6 billion, with an outstanding balance of N62.3 billion.

“The States were paid in eight instalments between October 2, 2021 and January 11, 2022, while the ninth to twelfth installments are still outstanding.

“On the 13 per cent derivation fund on deductions made by NNPC without payment of derivation, the nine oil producing States were paid in three instalments this year, with the remaining 17 installments outstanding.

“Under this category, Abia State received N1.1 billion, Akwa-Ibom, N15 billion, Bayelsa, N11.6 billion, Cross River, N432 million, Delta State, N14.8 billion, Edo State, N2.2 billion, Imo State, N2.9, billion, Ondo State, N3.7 billion, and Rivers State, N12.8 billion.

“Meanwhile, the benefitting States shared N9.2billion in three installments in April, August and November 2022 as refunds on the 13 per cent derivation exchange rate differential on withdrawal from the ECA.

“The three largest benefitting States were Akwa Ibom (N1.6billion), Delta State (N1.4billion) and Rivers State (N1.32billion).

“Similarly, all the nine states received N4.7 billion each, totalling N42.34 billion as refunds on withdrawals for subsidy and SURE-P from 2009 to 2015. The refund, which is for all the states and local government councils, was paid on 10th November, 2022.

“The Federation Account also paid N3.52billion each as refund to local government councils on withdrawals for subsidy and SURE-P from 2009 to 2015 on the same date in November.”

LP Voids Okupe’s Expulsion; Suspects Infiltration; Says Saboteurs To Be Fished Out

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

The Labour Party said Friday that it has voided the embarrassing Expulsion of Dr Doyin Okupe from the Party.

Reports suddenly emerged on Thursday, and shocked not a few people that the Ogun State Chapter of the LP has expelled Okupe and 11 others from the Party for not paying their monthly dues to the Party inspite of the many reminders.

What worried many most is that Dr Okupe is the Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council. To expel him, less than three months to the Presidential election, means destabilising both the Party and its candidates, Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

A number of people in their reaction insisted the expulsion smacks of deliberate sabotage of the roaring status of the party, especially, as they began to play the Nyesom Wike card.

They requested that a new Director General be appointed from the Northern part of the Country for fairness and equity.

However, on Friday, reprieve came the way of Okupe and the other expelled eleven members.

The National Secretary of the Party, Umar-Farouk Ibrahim, said the expulsion is null and void. He also said that those who carried out the coup against the Party, will be fished out and disciplined appropriately.

Addressing a Press Conference in Abuja,  Ibrahim stated that the National Leadership of the party was taken by surprise at the expulsions the Ogun chapter carried out without due process.

He said: “The Ogun State Chapter has acted outside its Constitutional jurisdiction. The  party has international conflict resolution mechanism of handling cases against members as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

“There are also disciplinary measures to be taken, for example, before you discipline any member. There are certain procedures that you have to follow. You have to issue query among other procedures, and that has not been followed.

“No complaint was written by the State Chapter, his Ward and his Local Government, so we are saying the National Headquarters is not aware of what they are doing. They  are doing it on their own.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) is going to set up a committee and appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against the perpetrators in the State Exco and we are going to fish them out and take appropriate action.”

Okupe, Ibrahim said, remains a card-carrying member of Labour Party and the DG of its PCC.

He said that the party is aware of attempts by opposition parties to infiltrate its structures at all levels. But said it would be resisted all the way by all means.

2023: Zamfara Governor, Matawalle Has Set Up A Killer Squad – Debo Ologunagba

By
The Source
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0

Democracy under attack

The All Progressives Congress (APC), being disoriented by increasing popularity of the PDP and our Candidates ahead of the 2023 general elections has scaled up its vicious assault and clampdown on PDP candidates and other patriotic Nigerians in an attempt to silence PDP leaders and halt the overwhelming daily acceptance of our Party’s message of hope to Nigerians.

As we address you today, the Governor Bello Matawalle-led APC administration in Zamfara State has reportedly set up a killer squad in connivance with some elements in the Police which has commenced a brutal crackdown, arrest and detention of notable PDP leaders in Zamfara State based on unfounded allegations as part of APC’s plot to harass our leaders and other dissenting voices in the State.

The PDP has information of how the PDP Senatorial Candidate and Director-General of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council in Zamfara State, Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, Captain Bala Mai Riga and other notable members of the PDP were hounded, arrested and illegally held in dehumanizing detention facilities by the Police reportedly on the orders of Governor Matawalle.

Our Party has also been made aware of plots by the Gov. Matawalle-led APC administration to arrest and detain the PDP Governorship Candidate in Zamfara State, Dr. Dauda Lawal.

We alert Nigerians that the security operatives attached to Dr. Dauda Lawal have been withdrawn reportedly on the orders of Governor Matawalle.

Our Party believes that this action by the APC is a deliberate design to expose our Governorship candidate to harm’s way and undermine his ability to campaign and engage the good people of Zamfara State on his security and economic agenda for the State in line with the PDP’s mission to Rescue and Rebuild our country.

Also marked for arrest and detention are Zamfara State PDP Acting Chairman, Mukhtar Lugga, serving members of the National Assembly; Hon. Suleman Gummi, Hon. Shehu Fulbe and other leaders such as Col. Bala Mande, Salisu Maibuhu Gummi and Ahmed Garban Yandi in a heinous plot to put them out of circulation ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Other notable PDP leaders reportedly listed for arrest include Farouk Rijiya, Abubakar Rawayya, Zangina Abdullahi, Mugira Yusuf, Usman Danmasani Nahuche, Yarbachaka Haruna, Bashir Shehu, Usman Mafara, Ahmed Mairiga, Col. Yandoto, Nagambo Anka, Comr. Sale Maradun, Abba Oando, Suleiman Bukuyum, Rabiu Ilili Bakura, Mani Kotorkoshi, Maryam Buba, Abdulmajid Anka, Zayyanu Gusau among others who are now being hounded by APC agents.

The scheme of the APC is to torture, brutalize and keep these PDP leaders in detention so as to pave way for the APC’s militia to terrorize the people and scare them away from participating in the electoral process, having realized that the APC has been rejected in Zamfara State.

The PDP condemns in the strongest term, the action of the Gov. Matawalle-led APC administration which has become a clear and present danger to national security as well as a huge threat to our democratic process and corporate existence as a nation.

The PDP and the people of Zamfara State cannot be intimidated. Governor Matawalle and the APC in Zamfara State are sternly cautioned not to mistake the peace-loving and law-abiding disposition of PDP members and the people of Zamfara State as a sign of weakness.

Governor Matawalle and the APC in Zamfara State must realize that Zamfara State is home to the PDP, that Dr. Dauda Lawal has the full support of the people and is coasting to victory as the next Governor of Zamfara State.

Any attack on the PDP in Zamfara State is a direct assault on the generality of the people; it amounts to pushing the people of Zamfara State to the wall and the consequences could be dire.

The APC should note that its days in office in Zamfara State are numbered. The PDP will democratically take over office in Zamfara State on May 29, 2023 and no amount of harassment, arrest, detention and violence can change the Will of the people.

The PDP therefore demands for the immediate and unconditional release of Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, Captain Bala Mai Riga and other members of the PDP who were illegally arrested and detained reportedly on the orders of Governor Matawalle.

The PDP also charges the Inspector General of Police to immediately restore the withdrawn security details attached to the PDP Governorship Candidate in Zamfara State and take urgent steps to ensure the provision of adequate security for PDP members in the State in line with the Constitutional duty of the Police to the Nigerian people.

Our Party demands that the Inspector General commence the immediately investigation of the reported partisanship of certain top police personnel in Zamfara State which facilitated the vicious clampdown, illegal arrest and detention of PDP members in the State.

We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately call Governor Matawalle to order, rein-in his APC members and counsel them to accept the fact that the people of Zamfara State and Nigerians in general have the right to decide their political preference which they have amply expressed in their massive support for the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Text of a Press Conference addressed by Hon. Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, on alleged clampdown of members of the opposition party in Zamfara State.

NJC Probes 15 Judges Over Alleged Misconduct, Dismisses 51 Petitions Against Others

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
National Judicial Council - NJC

By Ayodele Oni

The National Judicial Council (NJC) is set to discipline some judicial officers found wanting in the course of performing their duties.

The NJC at its just concluded 99 council meeting, resolved to investigate some Judges based on petitions against them.

Already, the council has set up 15 high powered probe panels to investigate alleged gross misconduct against 15 Judges of the Federal and State High Courts.

The panels are to determine the culpability of the Judges in the various petitions filed against them by individuals and corporate bodies.

This was contained in a statement by the NJC Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the Council’s 99th meeting, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, considered 66 petitions it received from different parts of the country.

The decision, the statement stated,  is sequel to the submission of recommendations of three Preliminary Complaint Assessment Committees which sat on the various complaints.

The statement is however silent on identities of the affected Judges to be probed, their divisions and specific nature of their alleged offences.

The Council dismissed petitions against 51Judicial Officers of the Federal and State High Courts for either lack of merit, being subjudice, or being matters for appeal or that the concerned Judge have retired from Service.

The statement explained that the Council was formally presented with the reviewed Judicial Information Technology Policy, which established the general requirements and responsibilities for the Nigerian Judiciary systems and information.

“The policy provides for guidance of Courts and Judicial Bodies in protecting Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) of judiciary function and process.

” It also stipulates guidance for acceptable use of system, services and technologies as well as provisions for secure storage of judicial data and recovery processes in the event of emergencies or distress.

“Similarly, It further provides guidelines and incident management policies including Data Centre deployment and use policies.

“The Scope is intended for all Courts and Judicial Bodies in Nigeria including staff of the Nigerian judiciary, employed or contracted to any Judicial Body handling information that is generated, received, stored, transmitted, or printed.

“It encompasses all personal or Judiciary identifiable data held in their Courts and Judicial Bodies’ systems and process including supporting mechanisms and technologies for managing such data at rest or in transit.

“All staff are expected to comply with the policy and associated standard protocols and procedures that have been put in place to support the document.

“The policy is applicable to all Courts unit, departments of all Judicial Bodies in the Nigerian Judiciary.

“Council noted appointments of Judicial Officers recommended for appointment at the last meeting who have been sworn –in as Judges of Federal and State High Courts.

“Reports from Standing and ad-hoc Committees of the Council were also presented at the Meeting as well as notifications of retirement of 16 Judges  and notification of death of a Judge from the Federal and State High Courts.”

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