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Kema Chikwe’s Husband, Son, Dump PDP, Join LP

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The Source
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Nze Herbert Chikwe

By Charles Igbo

The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, Party, PDP, Imo State, has cost the Party two high profile members.

The Party has been factionalised into two – a faction, including members of the State Working Committee, fiercely loyal to former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, and the other, loyal to the National Secretary of the Party, Chukwuemeka Anyanwu, popular as Samdaddy.

Both camps have engaged each other in media war. The bone of contention is the Governorship ticket of the Party in November 2023, which both men are preparing to contest.

They have been at each other’s neck, and high profile members  of the two camps have been victims of media attacks.

One of those who recently came under attack is a PDP Board of Trustees member, Dr Kema Chikwe.

A couple of days ago, she was attacked in various social platforms, loyal to Ihedioha, for showing what they called, ingratitude towards Ihedioha. Chikwe, they said, spoke against Ihedioha at the recent meeting of the Imo PDP with the National Working Committee. They accused her of  bitterness because  the Senator representing Imo East Senatorial District, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, who they called her ATM, lost at the Primaries to Barr. Uche Onyeagucha, Secretary to the State Government under the short lived Ihedioha Government.

Onyewuchi has since decamped to the Labour Party, and would square off with Onyeagucha for the seat in 2023.

It is not known if the sour grapes thrown at Ambassador Kema Chikwe had anything to do with it, but her husband, Nze Herbert Chikwe, and her son, Andy Chikwe, on Monday, 28th November, 2022, dumped the PDP for the LP.

They were received by Senator Onyewuchi and other State officials of the Imo LP.

Dr Chikwe, until the recent sad incidents was a close political ally of Ihedioha. It is not known, yet, if she, too, will dump the PDP for the LP.

Under the PDP Government, she had been the Ministry for Aviation, Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, Chairman, NUC, and PDP National Women Leader.

The Chikwes are from Owerri North.

CP Imo Stops Personnel From Checking Phones, Palmtops, LAPTOPS, Permits For Tinted Vehicles

By
The Source
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CP Mohammed Barde

Worried by the attitude of his Officers and Men, and the complaints from members of the public over the constant harassment they suffer in their hands,  the Commissioner of Police Imo State, has issued a stern warning to them to his people.

Members of the public have continued to complain about the invasion of their privacy by Police Personnel in the State. They search their phones, their laptops, their Palmtops and more. They ask for Police permit for tinted cars, even for cars that were custom made.

Angered by what has become scandalous, the CP, Mohammed Barde, in a statement signed on his behalf on Monday, 28th November, 2022, by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abattam, warned his Officers and men to desist  from such actions, and warned of dire consequences against anyone of them caught indulging in such unwholesome behaviour.

Following is the full statement by the Command.

“Sequel to series of complaints received from members of the public, especially from the youth alleging indiscriminate harassment and illegal checking of their phones, palm tops, laptops and demand of tinted glass permits on the road, by Police Officers thereby causing untold hardships to them and in the process, embarrassing the Command.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, psc(+) frowns at this unwholesome negative attitudes exhibited by Policemen, and warned in strong terms, that all Police Officers while on patrols/stop and search duties who are in the habit of harassing youths and checking their Phones, Palmtops, Laptops and demanding for tinted glass permit to stop such act forthwith in the State.

“In the same vein, he advised the youths to ensure that, they respect the rule of law and desist from using black cellophane to create artificial tinted on the glasses of their vehicle’s but those with factory fitted tinted glasses are free to use them without permit. Also, those in the habit of using spy number plate, covering their car number plates or replaced same with designed logos of the make of their vehicles should desist from such illegal act as, anyone caught, his/her vehicle will be impounded and the owner will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and Tactical Teams Commanders of the various units in the Command to ensure their subordinates are warned against indulging in these practices as any Police Officer found complicit will be made to face disciplinary actions.  Furthermore, he directed that Officers and men should be professional and uphold international best practices and exercise their duty to the general public devoid of any form of victimization.

“Finally, the CP while commending Imolites for their constant support to the Command, especially the youths, assured them of the Command’s efforts in ensuring a crime free yuletide season and enjoined them to assist the Police by volunteering credible and timely information. Moreso, in time of distress or whenever they are being harassed by any member of the Force, they should not hesitate to call the Command’s emergency control room numbers for quick intervention: 08034773600 or 08098880197.”

Uzodimma Approves Appointment Of Onyegbule As New DG Of IBC

By
The Source
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Ify Onyegbule

The Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, has approved the appointment of Ms. Ify Onyegbule as the new Director General of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC).

Ms. Onyegbule has been a Board member of the State owned radio cum television station since 2021 before her appointment.

The appointment is with immediate effect.

In congratulating Ms. Onyegbule, Governor Uzodimma urged her to bring to bear in IBC her years of experience and professional competence in the broadcast industry for the overall benefit of Imo State.

Ms. Onyegbule, a strategic Media and Communications expert, is a graduate of Mass Communication from the Ogun State Polytechnic. She has attended various courses locally and internationally which prepared her as an investigative reporter, a social critic, publisher, author and activist.

Her active experience in the broadcast industry spans 23 years across 16 different Radio and TV stations in Nigeria.

In the last nine years, Ms. Onyegbule has plied her trade  in managerial capacity as Station Manager (Rockcity FM), Abeokuta;  General Manager (Wave FM), Port Harcourt; Ag. General Manager (Reach FM), Owerri, and consultant GM of (Toast FM), Owerri.

To her credit is the book –  How Did We Get Here? – A manual for young media persons,  an experiential/instructional book about the 25 mistakes that every Radio and TV presenter must avoid in a bid to build a career in the industry.

Travelling To US, UK Can Be Dangerous; FG Cautions Nigerians

By
Ayodele Oni
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Aso Rock

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal government has observed that the rate at which personal belongings of Nigerians travelling abroad are being pilfered compelled issuance of traveling guide to some of the affected countries.

The advice is coming just as the federal government on Monday morning issued a travel advisory to its citizens travelling to the United States and Europe.

Nigerian Government’s advice is coming few weeks after the two countries directed their citizens resident in Nigeria, especially Abuja, to watch their movements, citing upsurge in banditry and insurgents.

The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said at a news conference in Abuja that the advisory was prompted by attack on Nigerians in London and the stealing of their belongings, including passports.

“It has come to the attention of the government that Nigerian travelers to the United States and some countries in Europe are having their belongings, especially, money and international passports, stolen at an increasingly high rate.

“The most recent victims of this are travelers to the UK, most of whom were dispossessed of their belongings at high brow shops, particularly in the high street of Oxford.

“We have therefore decided to advise Nigerians travelling to Europe and the United States to take extra precaution to avoid being dispossessed of their belongings.

“This is not your typical travel advisory. Issuing such is the prerogative of our embassies/high commissions as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“It is merely a piece of advice to Nigerians who may be visiting the affected parts of the world.”

We Goofed, Ekiti APC Apologizes To Senior Citizens

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

Lawmakers in Ekiti state House of Assembly and leadership of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) are seeking truce over the leadership crisis at the legislature.

APC in the state has apologized to  seven senior lawyers, who are indigenes of the state for dishonouring them while the crisis lasted.

APC said in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Monday that ‘We are forced to comment once again on the reaction of our seven legal legends in Ekiti, sequel to the brouhaha that ensued in the Ekiti State House of Assembly  Ekiti recently.’

The Senior Advocates, (SANs) led by Chief Afe Babalola, had condemned what they described as constitutional breaches at the assembly, which led to the impeachment of Mr Aribisogan, six days after his election as Speaker.

The APC statement, signed by the publicity secretary, Segun Dipe states that “We are aware that some crisis merchants are trying to capitalize on the situation on ground to read unintended meanings to the intervention of the 7 SANs of Ekiti origin as well as the reaction of our great party.

“We therefore express our unmitigated respect for these men in silk, who represent our best brains in the legal profession and state clearly that their intention, to the best of our understanding, does not tamper with that of our party, which is to ensure that only the best is good for our state.

“May we reiterate that as the ruling party, holding sway in both the executive and legislative arms of government in the state, we are in loco parentis to all political office holders, both the elected and appointed under the auspices of our party.

“Since we stand to benefit more from a peaceful reign in the land than anyone else and we equally stand the risk of being negatively affected by any crisis more than anyone else, we cannot afford to play a siddon look game.

“We are therefore convinced that every intervention in the seeming commotion would be for a peaceful reign in the state, which, as we said earlier, will be of great benefit to our party and not the other way round. All our intentions are geared towards giving the best to the state.

“Our party cannot afford to hold any grudge with anyone, especially the best of our legal minds at this point.

“Like every well meaning Ekiti son and daughter, they have come with their best of intentions to ensure that the peace that had characterized the affairs of the state from the time of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi is not tampered with in any form.

“We believe strongly that our illustrious SANs waded into the crisis in the heat of passion, without malice, and that their initial views might have been tampered with, unlike now that they are better informed and have a better understanding of what actually transpired in the House.

“With the transition that took place recently, which our party could not have been aloof from, all we wished for was stability in the land and not the reverse.

“Ekiti will only be better for it if there is a stable and progressive government in place that can continue from where the last administration of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi stopped, and not otherwise.

“Even when the opposition party was in the majority in the Assembly both under Rt Hon Tunji Odeyemi in his first term and Rt Hon Alagbada in his second term, there was no interference of any sort from the executive arm, yet no conflict.

“We will like those reading our party’s intervention in ensuring that sanity prevailed in the House after the passing of Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye wrongly as that of Dr. Fayemi, the immediate past governor, to desist from doing so. We, as a party, take absolute responsibility for our actions.

“The crisis merchants and forum shoppers running to our legal legends for adjudication in purely House Matters resolvable by only the members using their House rules, should tell the whole world what they stand to gain by heaping the blame on the ex-Governor, who is now engaged with the national assignment of our great party.

“If Fayemi did not interfere in the house matters while on seat, why now that he has moved on? While exonerating the ex-Gov from the situation and passing a vote of confidence on him, we wish to take full responsibility for our action as a party in what is happening among our members in the House of Assembly.

“As their political parent, we are concerned and are pro-active in ensuring that only the best, which is good for the people of Ekiti, happens in the House, just like we have ensured that a very reliable, responsible and competent person in Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, BAO, took the mantle of executive leadership after Dr. Fayemi who regained the lost values for our state.

“Ekiti deserves the best always. For as long as our party continues to produce those in power, courtesy of all well-meaning electorates, we will continue to do everything within our reach to give the state the best materials at all times.

“We will not impose, yet we will not allow anyone to hijack power in the name of political manipulation.”

Osun: Adeleke Directs Police To Walk Out Of Palace Of Newly Installed Monarchs, Akinrun, Owa Igbajo Affected

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

By Ayodele Oni

Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke continues his administration’s search into activities of immediate past government as he orders traditional rulers installed from July to date to vacate their palaces.

In one of the executive orders signed on Monday by Adeleke, he directed law enforcement agencies to chase out affected monarchs from palace and locked them up.

“Executive Order number five on Chieftaincy Affairs and appointment of traditional rulers reads :

“All appointments of traditional rulers made by Osun State Government after 17th July, 2022, are hereby ordered to be reviewed to ensure there was strict compliance with due process of chieftaincy declarations and native law, custom and tradition relating to such chieftaincies.

“In the case of Ikirun, Iree and Igbajo, to avoid further breakdown of law and order, the appointments of Akinrun of Ikinrun, Aree of Ire and Owa of Igbajo are hereby put on hold pending review.

“Subsequently, the palaces of Akinrun of Ikirun, Aree of Iree and Owa of Igbajo should remain unoccupied, while security agencies are hereby ordered to take charge.”

The new Owa of Igbajo, Prince Famodun, immediate past chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, was named and enthroned just last week.

There has been crisis over the selection of Akinrin of Ikirun as some people prevented him from entering the palace after his appointment.

A state signed by the Governor’s spokesman, Olawe Rasheed gives details of more executive orders that were issued on Monday.

“The Orders, signed this morning by His Excellency covered chieftaincy matters, appointments issues, setting up of review panel, staff audit and employment matters.

“Each of the Executive orders are reproduced below:

  1. Executive Order on State bank accounts

“I hereby order the immediate freezing of all Government accounts in all banks and other financial institutions”

“Executive Order Number 2 on Staff Audit

“All Heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals of Osun State Government are hereby directed to carry out an immediate staff audit.

“This is to determine the actual number of government workers in their various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals, as at 17th July, 2022, and should file a report to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Governor stating the full details and position/designation of each of the staff on the forwarded list , within 7 working days from the date of this Executive order using the attached Oath of Fidelity Template.

“Executive Order number 3 on Employment

“All employments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions , Boards and Parastatals after July 17th, 2022 be and are hereby nullified.

“Executive Order 4 on Appointments

“All appointments in the service of Osun State Government made in any capacity into any capacity in all the Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Commissions, Boards and Parastatals after 17th July, 2022 be and are hereby reversed.

“In line with the executive orders Nos 2, 3, 4 and 5 already issued by me, I hereby order the set-up of the following Review Committees:

“Staff audit/appointment/Promotions Review Committee, State Assets Inventory and Recovery Committee,

Contracts/MOUs/Agreements Review Committee, Chieftaincy Matters/Appointments of Traditional Rulerd  Review Committee.”

NCDC Raises Alarm, Says COVID-19 Infection May Rise During Yuletide

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Ifedayo Adetifa

By Akinwale Kasali

The National Center for Disease Control, NCDC, has warned  Nigerians  that there may be possible increase in COVID-19  infection as the Yuletide season draws closer.

NCDC Director General, Ifedayo Adetifa,  forecasted that Nigeria will likely see an increase in COVID-19 cases and a decrease in hospitalisation over the holiday season this year. He stressing that the increase in travel over the holiday season might result in a rise in cases.

In an interview with Punch Newspaper, Adeifa said that though it is prepared for the unexpected, Nigerians should take precautionary measures to avert a surge in the cases.

“We are prepared to see that there may be a bump in cases just because of the increase in travel and the number of people returning. What we may not expect to see is an increasing number of people who are sick.”

He added that vaccination and previous COVID-19 infections provided some degrees of immunity.

“The population has quite a bit of immunity due to vaccination, previous COVID-19 infection, or repeated COVID-19 infection. So. COVID-19 is not new. The Omicron is not new like it was in November (2021).

“If you look at our numbers, we haven’t lost people for a while. Even if every single death is a great disaster for people’s families or friends, it’s not anything like the Delta variant when we had a big problem,” he added.

Adeifa added that the Omicron variant was the dominant strain in the country, in November and December last year, and  has refused to abate.

He said other minor variants have emerged, but Omicron remains the most dominant.

Mixed Reactions Trail Presence Of Aregbesola’s Allies At Governor Adeleke’s Inauguration

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

By Akinwale Kasali

The Inauguration Ceremony of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Governor of Osun State which saw loyalists of Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola gracing the occasion has generated reactions from different quarters,  especially from the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Allies of Aregbesola who obviously worked against the re-election of former Governor, Gboyega Oyetola and didn’t hide their displeasure  with his administration’s policies graced the  inauguration.

The factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State,  Rasaq Salinsile, whose group was backed by Aregbesola, during the struggle for the Osun State leadership of the party was present at the  inauguration  which didn’t augur well with the APC.  It  sparked reactions among members of the opposition party.

Members of The Osun Progressives, TOP, were also present, including former Commissioner for Sports, Biyi Odunlade.

TOP, a faction in the Osun APC, displayed pictures taken at the event on various social media pages  Monday 28th November, 2022.

Aregbesola’s allies who attended the event have been labeled ‘Enemies of the APC, Betrayers. Saboteurs of Progressives’ and other names.

TOP members have however said they are proud of what they did because it was the best thing to do.

Reacting to this development, Sunday Akere, aide to former Governor Oyetola, expressed disappointed about the action of the APC members that attended the event.

He added that, “It is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this situation. It is good that the enemies within are exposing themselves gradually. Initially, the argument of these people is that  they want to reorganise the party.

“Even at the election, they refused to admit that they worked for the PDP, telling the whole world they didn’t do it. We know who the TOP leaders went there to represent. We are not surprised. But I want to assure you the party would adequately take care of the situation and respond to it this week.”

Odunlade in a chat with The Punch said that he attended the inauguration of Adeleke because he is a senior citizen of the state and former member of the State Executive Council and not as a TOP member.

“I didn’t hide. I attended that programme as a citizen of Osun State. I also identified with the new change based on the fact that once a governor has been elected, he becomes governor for everybody. I didn’t attend as a TOP member.

“I attended as a former Commissioner who was invited to attend the inauguration ceremony. I didn’t hide. If you look at the pictures, I took them with former cabinet members, we were together in Aregbesola’s cabinet. They are Dr. Wale Bolorunduro and Prof. Bukola Oyawoye,” Odunlade said.

Ladi Baderinwa, Secretary of the APC faction in Osun State supported by Aregbesola was asked if it would punish members of the APC that attended Adeleke’s inauguration as it is termed to be an anti party activity, he responded by saying that, “At our meeting, if the matter comes up for discussion, then decision would be taken. I also saw some pictures.”

“Hike In Fare On Abuja-Kaduna Rail Imminent” – Transportation Minister Sambo

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Muazu Sambo - Minister of Transporataion

By Akinwale Kasali

Following the imminent resumption of Rail Transportation from Abuja-Kaduna, the Federal Government has informed Nigerians to be prepared for hike in transportation fare on the route.

Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo said there would be an increase in the rail service fare as a result of the economic situation in the country.

Sambo said the number of trips per day will also be reduced, adding that there will be night traveling.

He made this disclosure while fielding answers to questions asked by journalists on Sunday in Kaduna while inspecting the train station.

He said: “The number of trips will be reduced. Naturally, you should expect that a certain number of passengers will not be comfortable boarding the train for obvious reasons.”

Speaking further, the Minister stated that the number of trips per day would increase as the travelling population increased.

“We are human beings, we are bound to feel a little bit uncomfortable until we can see that every security measure has been put in place. So, we will reduce the number of trips and as the travelling population picks up, we will increase the number of trips but we will certainly not travel at night for now.

“Please, expect an increase in fares. I am having final consultation with the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the management of the ministry to see whether it will be immediate or we will take a little time.

“We all know that prices of things have gone up, even airfares have gone up and we have not heard anybody cry about it. Why is it that it’s only when it is train fares that people are reactive? I can assure you that the poor masses will be taken care of and considered because we are a very sensitive government.”

Gov Adeleke Directs Career Officials To Take Charge Of LGs

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ademola Adeleke sworn in as Governor of Osun State

By Ayodele Oni

Despite the filing of a stay of execution and notice of appeal  against the sack of hurriedly elected Local Government Chairmen and Councilors Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed career officers to oversee the affairs of the Local Governments.

A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo had, last week, nullified the Local council poll conducted by Osun State Local Government Election Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) set up by the immediate past Government of Gboyega Oyetola.

The election, which was conducted by the state electoral body (OSIEC) on the 15th October, 2022 was declared null and void by Justice Ayo-Nathani Emmanuel of the Federal High Court, Osogbo for not  being in consonance with Electoral Act of 2022.

The Court ordered the winners of the voided exercise to vacate offices with immediate effect.

A statement on Monday signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olawale Rasheed, stated that “The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke directed the most senior Career Heads across all the Local Government Council Areas to take charge with immediate effect.

“Career Heads of LGAs should take immediate charge of the Area Office, (LCDAs) and ACDAs in Osun  with immediate effect.

“This is in compliance with the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo that sacked the purportedly elected Local Government Chairmen and Councilors.”

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