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2023: Tinubu Labels PDP ‘Party Of Termites’; Inaugurates APC Women Wing Presidential Campaign Team

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Inauguration of APC Women Wing Presidential Campaign Team

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu has taken a swipe at the opposition Party,  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, describing it as a “political party of termites.”

Tinubu said the Party was in the saddle for 16 Years and this never metamorphosed into any positive for the country, stressing that there is no way they will find their way back into power.

“Sixteen years of nothingness. Never again shall they come back. A new hope is here,” Tinubu said during the inauguration of the Tinubu-Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The former Lagos State Governor said that the nation is about to witness a new dawn with him emerging as the President that would take over the saddle from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu’s statement is coming at a time electioneering campaigns for the 2023 Polls have been declared open since September 28th, 2022, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Present at the occasion were, at least, 1,250 women members of the APC from across the country, including the President, Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

Others attendance were Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullah Adamu; Governor of Plateau State and Director General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Simon Lalong, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, among others.

A source at the party secretariat said that the inauguration of the 944-member team will signal the official kick-off of the party’s campaign.

The source also said the women’s team will enjoy a degree of autonomy to arrange and organise its own programmes at the national, zonal and state levels.

The ruling party had on Independence Day announced the composition of the women’s campaign train with First Lady, Aisha Buhari; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Hajiya Nana, wife of the vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, leading the pack.

The campaign list, which contained names of 944 high-profile women and wives of prominent APC politicians, was released in the wee hours of Saturday by the campaign media admin, Rinsola Abiola, who is also the daughter of late Chief MKO Abiola.

In the 70-page campaign document, no fewer than 33 Nollywood and Kannywood actors were enlisted for entertainment.

They include veteran thespians such as Joke Silva who chairs the entertainment category, Fausat Balogun, Remi Oshodi, Mercy Johnson, Rose Odika, Sola Kosoko, Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero), Hajiya Nas, Lizzy Jay (Omo Ibadan), Princess Kalihat Bello, among others.

In the list tagged ‘Tinubu-Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team,’ Aisha was appointed as Grand Patron, Tinubu, a three-term Senator emerged as Chairman; Nana was made Co-Chairman while Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant on Social Media to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), also made the campaign train as Deputy National Co-ordinator.

In the category of zonal leaders, the wife of the Kebbi State governor, Dr Zainab Baugudu, will coordinate the NorthWest; the wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo–Olu leads South West; the First Lady of Borno State, Falmata Zulum will be in charge of the North East.

Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the first lady of Kwara State, will coordinate efforts in the North-Central and Mrs Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State governor, will superintend over the South-West.

While Imo State First Lady, Chioma Ikeaka-Uzodinma, will organise the South-East campaign; her counterpart in Cross River, Linda Ayade, will oversee activities in the South-South.

Peter Obi’s Endorsement: Akeredolu Says Afenifere Not Speaking For Yoruba

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said that the endorsement of Peter Obi, candidate of Labour Party, (LP) in next year’s election by the Pan Yoruba Socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, is a self serving declaration.

The Governor declared that Afenifere does not speak for the Yoruba people.

Apart from that, Akeredolu noted that Afenifere is divided in respect of the purported endorsement and emphasized that the group’s views do not represent the stance of the Yoruba people.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, said Akeredolu made the remarks on Sunday evening while speaking on the topic, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Business of Nation Building”, during a Twitter Space session.

Governor Akeredolu pointed out that  Tinubu has always remained a progressive despite the prevalence of political prostitution in the country.

“Prostitution in politics is very common. When you have people who stick to their guns and stay in their parties, you must respect them. It is not common.

“We have seen a situation where governors left their parties and go to other parties. For me, it is integrity. Asiwaju has shown integrity. Asiwaju’s form of politics has taught us that political prostitution is unnecessary.”

Akeredolu, identified true federalism as one of the strong pillars that can be used to build a prosperous nation.

Governor Akeredolu said true federalism is important in a diverse nation like Nigeria, adding that it will properly address the fundamentals of nationhood.

He assured Nigerians that the APC Presidential Candidate, will bring a new vista into governance and ensure that true federalism thrives if voted into power.

Governor Akeredolu said the APC Candidate understands the serious issues affecting the wellbeing of the country.

“If voted into Government, Nigerians will see that we have someone in place who had gone through democratic tutelage. He has been Governor. He led a party.

“Asiwaju has deep knowledge about the problems of this nation. He has been part of the struggle to ensure that democracy is enthroned and that a true federal system runs in the country.”

The Governor recalled that Tinubu was part of the founders of NADECO and participated in the struggle that led to the return of civil democratic rule in the fourth Republic.

“Tinubu’s contributions in the NADECO struggle can not be denied. As you know, when the 1993 presidential election was held, MKO Abiola was deemed to have won that election. But the military junta canceled the election and set up an interim government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu and few others felt they weren’t going to take it. They formed the NADECO and fought the military. They stood on June 12.

“Then the whole country conceded that the next President must be from the Southwest. That is why in 1999, only former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae ran for the election.

“You can not deny Asiwaju his role. He ran away from the county and set up the Radio-Kudirat. Those were the struggles we had before the Fourth Republic came up.”

The Governor, also, applauded Tinubu for his efforts to build Lagos State when he was Governor, adding that the APC Presidential standard bearer was able to make Lagos State a country within the Country.

He noted that Tinubu promoted national unity by appointing people from different ethnic backgrounds across the country into his government.

“Asiwaju was able to make Lagos a country within country. As you know, Asiwaju was in the saddle for eight years in Lagos. And you will find out that because of Lagos peculiarities, people from virtually all parts of the country were part of his government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu assembled the best brains for the job and these people moved from Lagos to become leaders in their respective states. Aregbesola was there as a commissioner and went from there to become governor in Osun State.

“Everybody has its own part to play. Today, we have people who have been senators in Lagos and gone back to their states to contest. Lagos can be described as a mini Nigeria. An Hausa man can thrive in Lagos. An Igbo man thrives in Lagos.

“Aliko Dangote lives in Lagos and his business is in Lagos and he’s thriving. So many other people thrive in Lagos. Our brothers from the East own the whole of Alaba.

“They have representatives in the National Assembly and Lagos State Assembly . You must give credit to Asiwaju for laying the foundation for such things to thrive in Lagos.”

The Governor expressed confidence that the APC Presidential candidate would make state police happen in the country.

“I strongly believe that the Presidency of Tinubu will give chance for State Police. He is lucky.  Tinubu will give chance. Today, all governors in the 36 states of the federation support creation of state police. That should be a centre piece of his campaign.

“There must be restructuring and Asiwaju is one President that will come and restructure the country in accordance with the APC constitution. I look up to him as a leader who would say come 2023, a state police would happen.”

Polaris Bank: Millionaires To Emerge In Save and Win Promo

By
James Orji
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0

As part of its quest to reward its teeming customers, Polaris Bank has unveiled the ‘Save & Win’ promo.

According to a statement released by the bridge bank on Sunday, the bank urged customers to participate in the promo to emerge winners.

The Innocent C. Ike-led bank stated that four millionaires will emerge aside from the over 4,000 customers who will be rewarded monthly with various cash gifts up to N500,000 per person.

The statement said, “The ‘Save & Win’ promo is aimed at making millionaires of everyday Nigerians by encouraging current customers of the bank to grow their existing accounts by N5,000 in 30 days while prospective customers are encouraged to open and save in their account, a minimum of N2,000 and grow it to N5,000 within a month to qualify for the monthly draws, and stand a chance of winning N100,000.

“For the quarterly draw, existing and prospective customers stand the chance of winning N1 million in rent as the first prize; N500,000 for first runner-up and N250,000 for second runner up within the promo period.

“The first draw, which will herald the first set of winners for the month of October, will be announced in the first week of November. On that day, the first set of winners, 62 in all, will receive N100,000 as their reward in commemoration of the 62nd independence anniversary of Nigeria.

“The same process will be repeated in subsequent months where 100 Nigerians will win N100,000 each.

“In December however, the first quarter of the campaign draw will hold where three winners will go home with N1 million in rent prize: N500,000 and N250,000 cash prizes alongside 100 winners of N100,000 each across the six geo-political zones in the monthly reward draw.”

Speaking on the promo, Adebimpe Ihekuna, Group Head, Product, and Market Development said “Winners will emerge from four routes or reward categories namely, monthly draws, quarterly draws, targeted draws, and special draws through a transparent electronically generated process that will be supervised by relevant regulatory institutions”.

LASG Solicits World Bank Support For Mass Housing  

By
James Orji
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0
Housing Projects
Housing Projects

The Lagos state government has appealed for the World Bank support for the construction of a mass housing projects in the state.

The Governor Babajide-Sanwo-Olu administration said the support is necessary in other for the state to access cheap funds, technology to achieve its goal of mass housing for all.

The appeal, the state government said, has become necessary because of the influx of people from across the country and other neighbouring countries into the state.

Maruf Akinderu-Fatai, the state commissioner for Housing, made this appeal during a working visit by a World Bank team to the ministry. The team was led by Dr. Fuad Malkawi, Senior Urban Development Specialist and the Spatial Planning Community of Practice Leader at the bank.

The commissioner said the state urgently needs a technology that will help the state to deliver quantity and qualitative housing projects for the residents of the state.  its housing for all policy.

Speaking Akinderu-Fatai said, “Uninhibited migration to Lagos from other States of the Federation and some countries in the West Africa region has made the challenge of housing very critical. Given the littoral nature of the State, enormous support is required in the area of housing development.’’

“The required intervention in housing development now is a new technology that can make for a speedy delivery without any compromise on quality and safety.’’

The commissioner pointed out that the limited land in the State can be maximized, while the problem of climate change could be tackled by working in collaboration with the bank.

Akinderu-Fatai appealed to the bank to support its efforts at making available cheap mortgages and loans for low-income earners in the state.

Responding, Dr. Fuad Malkawi, said the bank is ready to work with the state government to achieve its housing for all strategy.

During the commissioning of a housing scheme built by his administration in Victoria Island in August this year, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the state needed private sector support to achieve one of the core objectives of its THEME policy of providing cheap and affordable homes for Lagosians.

The governor said: “I congratulate LSDPC and Asset Brooks and Resources Limited on the successful completion of this edifice. Progress is, indeed, achievable when public and private sector enterprises come together, bringing their core strengths to the table, for the good of the entire society.

“This positive outcome is yet another testimony to the effective collaboration between Government and the private sector in the implementation of our agenda to provide affordable and decent housing for our people.

Rivers: Unchained APC’s Cole, Tackles Wike On Executive Order 21; Lashes Him On Omehia

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

Until now, the Rivers State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tonye Cole, has been restrained, indeed quiet. Not a few people attributed it to the criminal charges brought against him and former Governor of the State, Chibuike Amaechi, by the Rivers State Government.

Governor Wike had made so much noise about the two of them defrauding the Rivers State Government to the tune of $50b. He alleged that Amaechi, as Governor, sold a couple of high profile State assets, and instead of paying the money into the treasury of the State Government, Amaechi paid it into the bank accounts of Sahara Energy, a company owned by Cole, who Wike says is, Amaechi’s business partner.

Rivers State Government went to Court. But surprisingly, withdrew the case a few days ago. So the burden has been lifted off Tonye, and he’s woken up, and roaring.

On Sunday, he joined Wike to raise the ante of the political tension in the State, something Wike is adept in doing.

Wike had, in his usual manner, woken up one morning last week, and barred political parties from using the premises of schools in the State for Political rallies. He said any political party wishing to do that must apply, in writing, two weeks ahead, to the Chairman of the Local Government Area, and if approved, pay a deposit fee of five million Naira, in case anything gets destroyed during the rally. He threatened the Heads of Schools of dire consequences if they give out their premises without the outlined due process.

To give teeth to this strange new rule, he quickly signed an Executive Order 21.

Not a few people think the Governor did that to get at opposition Parties in the State. They say his aim is to deny them of venues to hold their rallies. Recall that Wike had, earlier, barred Hotels and Recreational Centres, from hiring out their premises and/or facilities to Political Parties for any political activities, including meetings.  He threatened to shut down such Hotels and Recreational Centers. He has, indeed, shut down two, remarkably, belonging to members of his own political party, but loyal to the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar who Wike is at loggerheads with.

But the Executive Order 21 seems the climax of what is now being perceived as a deliberate emasculation  of opposition Parties.

So, on Sunday, Cole tackled him, and  rejected the Executive Order 21  prohibiting political parties from holding campaigns and rallies using any public facilities unless  the  sum of N5 million security fee is paid. Cole described it as “obnoxious” and an action to stifle the political space for the opposition parties.

Cole: “We have noticed with great dismay the unfortunate attempt by the Governor of Rivers State to stifle the political space, especially for opposition political parties. This is visible in the recent signing into law Executive Order 21, which prohibits the use of public schools, built by taxpayers’ money of Rivers people, for political parties’ events without the prior approval of the state ministry of education (not the school authority vested with the authority to manage the facilities) and the payment of an obscene unrefundable (sic) amount of N5 Million”.

His reaction came through a statement signed by Barr Sogbeye ElI, spokesman for Tonye Cole Campaign Organization. He submitted that the Governor cannot intimidate and crush opposition parties  before the elections proper.

Said Cole: “We state unequivocally that Executive Order 21 is deliberately being orchestrated and part of the plot by the Governor to stifle competition from other political parties.

“Its a manifestation of his penchant to brutally crush and suppress opposition in a multi-party democracy instead of allowing citizens exercise their freedom of choice as enshrined in the Constitution. We are, therefore, not surprised that Wike would tow this path in his resolve to impose a lackey on Rivers State as his successor in office.

“The All Progressives Congress shall campaign with our candidates across the length and breadth of Rivers State as provided under the Constitution and as prescribed by law.”

On the de-recognition of Sir Celestine Omehia as a former Governor of the State, Cole put a lie to Wike’s claims that the House of Assembly only obeyed any Supreme Court judgement.

Said Cole: “The de-recognition came up not as a correction of any past wrong or error, but a display of punitive arrogance which is incompatible with the Rivers State we plan to lead.”

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Crisis Rocks APC As Aggrieved APC Christians Move To Dump Ticket

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has continued to generate controversy that has metamorphosed into a lingering crisis. Northern Christian leaders in the APC and some Northern Muslim Political leaders, on Sunday, said that Voting along Religious lines in the 2023 general election may trigger negative consequences among Nigerians and threaten national development.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who are Northern Christian Leaders, had stated their displeasure over the same Faith ticket of the Party, stating that the APC has failed to focus on issues that unite Nigerians as a people but encouraging attacks on sensitive religious issues in the name of politics.

In a resolution  jointly signed by Dogara and a former deputy governor of Sokoto State and ex-Minister of Water Resources during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mukhari Shagari, after a consultative meeting held in Abuja over the weekend, they stated their position on the issue.

Also in attendance was the former Governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna; a former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfattah Ahmed; ex-Minister of Sports, Damishi Sango; Senator Idris Ahmed Umar; and two former Deputy Governors of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi and Simon Achuba.

The communiqué partly reads, “The APC Northern Christian leaders have, in line with their communiqué issued on July 29, 2022, met with some Muslim brothers and sisters across the 19 northern states and the FCT and resolved as follows:

“That we have agreed to work together to foster unity, peace, and national cohesion.

“To work together and jointly adopt a pan-Nigerian political platform that will engender unity, inclusiveness, and a sense of belonging among the Nigerian citizenry.

“Conscious of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural configuration of Nigeria, we believe that a same-faith ticket and voting along religious lines may trigger dangerous dimensions of negative consequences among our disparate peoples in ways that will hamper nation-building.

“Consequently, we have agreed to channel our energies on matters that unite us more as a people instead of encouraging attacks on sensitive issues bothering religion in the name of politics.

“Given the above, we have agreed to set up a committee with the mandate to fashion out strategies for advancing the objectives outlined in this resolution.”

Why Dogara Is Aggrieved – Tinubu/Shetima Campaign Council

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Tinubu/Shetima Presidential Campaign Committee, (PCC), has taken a swipe at former Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara. It said his failed Presidential ambition has made him to embark on a campaign of calumny against the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, (APC).

PCC Director Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement, pointed out that Dogara’s  hate speeches are aimed at

whipping up emotions so as to  set the country ablaze.

Onanuga in the statement states that “Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara has apparently lost his mind since he could not realise his self-imposed ambition to be on the Presidential ticket of All Progressives Congress.

“On account of this, he has certainly become a reprobate and demagogue, delivering hate speeches and whipping up emotions, with the aim of setting our country ablaze.

“The Tinubu-Shettima Presidential  Campaign Council is, therefore, not surprised by media reports about a meeting of some so-called Northern Christian leaders, who claimed to be members of our All Progressives Congress that was championed by Dogara and his ilks. The claim was totally fraudulent.

“Yakubu Dogara, the peripatetic and politically unstable politician who organized the meeting left our party officially and unceremoniously weeks ago. And those who attended the meeting were representing themselves, their selfish agenda, not Northern Christians.

“Before then, the former Speaker  had spearheaded a campaign of vitriol and hate against our party, using religion as camouflage, after he lost the  Vice-presidential candidacy to a better, qualified Senator Kashim Shettima.

“A careful reading of the people who attended the unholy  meeting he called also showed that they were all PDP members, masquerading as APC members.

“Among the politicians at the  unholy consultative meeting were Mukhar Shagari, Boni Haruna, Abdulfattah Ahmed;  Damishi Sango; Senator Idris Ahmed Umar; and two former deputy governors of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi and Simon Achuba. They are all PDP members working for the Presidential ambition of Atiku Abubakar.

“We were not surprised by the resolutions adopted. Our surprise was that the Media failed to read through their smokescreen.

“The APC PCC wondered how the assembly of strange bedfellows hoped to foster unity and cohesion in our country, when their candidate represents the antithesis of the goal, having emerged the greatest divider of our polity, between the North and South.

“All Nigerians are aware that Atiku’s emergence as the PDP Presidential candidate grossly violated a power rotation code between the North and the South.

“His insistence on snatching and retaining what rightly belongs to another political region has triggered a crisis within his party, making him run from Port Harcourt to London to mend fences.

“We want to assure Dogara and his co-travellers fanning hate campaign against our Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his running mate, that they will fail spectacularly at the polls.

“From  the engagements our leaders have had with men of all faiths, bigotry will not win next February election.

“What will prevail are the track records of our candidates and the solution-driven and all-inclusive progressive programmes the candidates offer Nigerians.

“Asiwaju Tinubu and Senator Shettima are going into this campaign with clear objectives to engage Nigerians across the socio-economic brackets on policy actions that will make their lives better.

“Our candidates will not exploit our country’s fault lines to win election and sell religion as Kool Aid.”

Ekiti: As The Baton Changes Hand

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

On Sunday, 16th October, 2022, Dr Kayode Fayemi’s tenure will end after serving as two term Governor of the Fountain of Knowledge State – Ekiti.

Fayemi’s two terms, no doubt, witnessed development and transformation of the hilly state in all spheres. His oust during the first term 2013 to 2016 by stomach infrastructure author and People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) candidate, Ayo Fayose, that came too to serve his second term, actually taught Fayemi lesson about the direction which politics of Ekiti should tend.

No doubt, Dr Fayemi, who resigned from the federal cabinet to take shot again at Ekiti governorship, immediately hit the ground with the support of his wife, Erelu Bisi, who herself is a master stroke in the politics of Ekiti.

As he bows out, and hands over to his annoited candidate, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, Dr Fayemi is satisfied that he has contributed his quota to the growth of Ekiti with his name written on sand of time.

Oyebanji, who is receiving the baton is not a stranger in the affairs of the State. He is a home grown politician that has been part of what is today called Ekiti. He was part of the committee which worked for the creation of the State. He served the committee as secretary.

His foray into public service started in Ekiti when he took up appointment with the state owned university. He has served as a commissioner and lately secretary to the state government from where he is receiving the annoiting to govern the state.

October 16th change of baton in Ekiti is unique in the sense that this is the first time a Governor will hand over to same man from same party since the creation of the state.

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and All Progressive Congress, (APC) have been exchanging the baton since the creation of the state. Fayose attempted to enthrone his deputy but failed. Now that Fayemi has succeeded in bequeathing the state to his political kinsman, the people of the state are waiting to see the gains.

No doubt, outgoing Governor Fayemi has tried his best, but more still need to be done virtually in all spheres. Oyebanji will be inheriting backlog of unpaid workers and retirees entitlements, including salary, pension and gratuity.

Some of these entitlements are as old as the state as successive administration ensure that they are pushed to their successors.

At present, the state is about to be cut off from the rest of the country as virtually all roads linking it to other parts are in deplorable conditions. Even township roads within the state capital are nothing to write home about.

The revenue base of the state is still at the lowest ebb, which classifies the state as one of the economically poorest in the country. Outgoing administration tried to raise this through introduction of various forms of taxation, but the people, who are at the receiving end cried out.

Already, the state Internal Revenue department has been contracted out to private body to manage all in an effort to boost revenue to enable government have access to more fund for development projects.

People expect the local government administration under the new regime to be more active and responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of rural dwellers. The stance of Dr Fayemi, as regards local government as the third tier of government really affect their operations during his tenure.

Rather than allowing local councils spend their money, the state, under the outgoing administration took it upon itself to award contract on their behalf when it deemed it fit.

Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti chapter has been on strike, even before the nationwide one started, due to non payment of salaries and termination of appointment of some of its members.

As a former staff of the university, the incoming Governor is expected to do the needful, which is upward review of subvention to the institution. Others establishments in this category are equally waiting for the magic wand of the incoming Governor.

There are ongoing projects which the people want their early completion. Some communities in the state are currently being ravaged by flood, while towns are waiting for early resolution of obaship tussle. The hopes on the incoming Governor by the people are just enormous.

A social media commentator has this advice to give the incoming administration : “Whoever mounts ekiti legally contentious saddle must watch his words on the rostrum .

“He should drastically mellow down on projects for at least a year. This will enable him clear unnecessary debts Fayemi plunged Ekiti. Salary arrears, pension arrears 2016 leave bonus of a section of primary school teachers , union deductions , cooperative deductions , marginally accumulated gratuity.

“Within 100 days, local government murdered by Fayemi must be given a lifeline . Era of junketing around in private jets, choppers, while crying Paucity of funds must stop.”

Another one, Odunayo Ehinafe writes “It’s pertinent we all know and realize that our state needs to be fully revived as the incoming governor promised us during the electioneering period, and this why I would mention few of the things that needs urgent attention in our dear State.

“Teaching hospital: Lately the state teaching hospital has been lagging  back on what they’re  known for, as people prefer to go to other private hospitals than going to the teaching hospital because of getting low medical care and attention.

“The teaching hospital should be provided with more adequate healthcare facilities and have more effective people employed and their activities should be well looked into and make sure there’s an improvement that’ll really help alot and the Governor should make it by surprise visit sometimes.

“Lastly, I would advice the incoming governor to please see to the pensioners unpaid salaries and workers backlogs of Salary, salary arrears, leave bonuses and also make it a necessity for him to always inspect all the projects he’d approve for effective delivery.”

Tompolo’s Men Bursts More Oil Theft Points

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Barely a week after an illegal 4-kilometre crude oil pipeline was discovered in Delta state, 58 illegal oil theft points have been bursted.

This was disclosed by ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo also known as Tompolo.

The discoveries come on the back of a N48 billion pipeline protection contract awarded to Tomopo by the federal government in August, to protect the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC oil assets in the Niger Delta.

Last week Tompolo accused top Nigerian security chiefs of involvement in the oil theft that analysts say cost the country over $70 millions daily.

According to  a press released signed by the repentant militant on Sunday, he said close to 60 oil theft points have been discovered in Delta and Bayelsa states, stressing that the battle against crude oil banditry will be won with the cooperation of all the stakeholders in the region.

The statement said, “You know, we are doing this work together with security agencies. We are only providing intelligence for the security people to assist to do the work. So, everybody – both NNPC and others– we are working together in a very good spirit now.

“The major problem is that the aquatic life of the area is gone. We are doing everything within our powers together with the traditional rulers and everyone to see that – with the help of the Nigerian Navy, Army DSS, and everybody – we reduce this to the barest minimum so that our people can survive after this time.”

Recall that Senate President Ahmad Lawan said last Friday during the presentation of the 2023 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly, that crude oil theft posed an existential threat to the country’s economic survival.

Over 700 thousands barrels of crude oil are stolen daily through illegal oil pipelines across the Niger Delta. Community leaders in the oil producing region and security agents have been fingered in the theft.

With the rate at which the federal government has stepped up the fight against oil thieves, not a few insist that the problem will soon be a thing of the past.

2023: Northern Christian Leaders Gives APC Yellow Card

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0

Northern Christian APC Leaders have decided to work against their party in the 2023 election over it’s decision to field a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.

The group led by former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal met in Abuja at the weekend where they decided not to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kassim Shettima, APC presidential candidate and his vice. The two politicians are Muslims.

Others who attended the meeting include former Minister of Water Resources, Muktar Shehu Shagari, a former Governor of Adamawa state, Boni Haruna, a former Governor of Kwara state, Abdufattah Ahmed, a former Deputy Governor of Kogi state, Yomi Awoniyi, amongst others.

The duo of Dogara and Lawal have condemned the same faith ticket on the basis that the decision will further polarise the country, and push christians to the bottom of politics in the country.

The group has yet to name the party it will support for next year’s presidential election. It said it will decide on the matter soon, working together with “our Muslim brother” and other stakeholders in the north.

The group said in a communique, “That we have agreed to work together to foster unity, peace, and national cohesion.

“To work together and jointly adopt a pan-Nigerian political platform that will engender unity, inclusiveness, and a sense of belonging among the Nigerian citizenry.

“Conscious of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural configuration of Nigeria, we believe that a same-faith ticket and voting along religious lines may trigger dangerous dimensions of negative consequences among our disparate peoples in ways that will hamper nation-building.

“Consequently, we have agreed to channel our energies on matters that unite us more as a people instead of encouraging attacks on sensitive issues bothering religion in the name of politics.

“Given the above, we have agreed to set up a committee with the mandate to fashion out strategies for advancing the objectives outlined in this resolution.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learned that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP is seriously wooing the group with a view to enlisting their support for the make or mar presidential election.

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