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In A Second Attempt, Rev. Fr., Seminarian, Abducted; Ransom Is N50m

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The Source
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Chinedu Nwadike- Spiritan University

By Charles Igbo

The Deputy Registrar of Spiritan University Nneochi, SUN, Rev. Fr. Chinedu Nwadike, a Catholic Priest,  has been abducted  by gunmen.

Abducted along with Fr. Nwadike on Friday, August 12, 2022, is a Seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor.

It is not known, exactly, where they were abducted as there are two versions in circulation.

While one version said they were abducted in front of the University, as soon as they drove out of the University’s gate, another said they were kidnapped on Umunneochi-Ihube Road by the Enugu-Okigwe Road.

They are, however, agreed that the abductors have made contacts with families, asking for the sum of N50m for their release.

The Fr. is a native of Nkwerre, Imo State.

A family source is quoted as saying: “Rev. Fr. Dr. Chinedu Nwadike (CssP), from Umuezeanoruo, Eziama Nkwerre LGA, Imo State, and a young Seminarian, Emmanuel Nwafor (Pre-postulant), were on Friday, 12th August, 2022, kidnapped on their way to Enugu State, Umunneochi area, along Enugu-Okigwe road.

“Both are members of the Holy Ghost Congregation Missionaries, living their lives of sacrifice and selflessness in service to a better society.

“He is currently the Deputy Registrar of SUN, Spiritan University Nneochi.”

However, another source said he was kidnapped as soon as he drove out of University gate. The source also revealed that an attempt had been made before now to kidnap the Rev. Fr., but that he miraculously escaped even after some gun shots were directed at him.

Said the source: “Fr. Chinedu  Nwadike was kidnapped August, 12th, 2022, at Nneochi area shortly after driving out of the gate of his University, Spiritan University Nneochi, SUN, on his way to Enugu.”

It is not known if the abduction was random or if the Rev. Fr. was specifically targeted, in which case, somebody must have divulged his itinerary to his abductors.

Said the source: “This is the second attempt to kidnap him in recent time. In the first attempt, they shot directly at him, but he managed to escape. But this time, they succeeded and are said to be demanding a ransom of N50m. Curiously, a Military checkpoint is located around the place.”

That stretch is notorious for the activities of kidnappers the Military checkpoint, notwithstanding.

Recall that the Methodist Church Prelate, Samuel Kanu Uche, was kidnapped along the same stretch on May 31, 2022, along with his Chaplain and the Bishop of Owerri Diocese. The Prelate was on his way to the Imo Airport to take a flight back to Lagos after a Pastoral visit to Umunneochi. Their kidnappers were paid a whopping N100m which was delivered to them within  24 hours.

On release, he made allegations against the soldiers in the area, insisting he strongly suspected a connivance between them and their kidnappers who he identified as Herdsmen.

The youths in the area protested the Prelate’s ordeal by blocking the Enugu-Porthacourt express Road and asked for the sack of Military checkpoints in the area.

Fr. Nwadike’s brother, Chikezie said the family has embarked on prayers for his release and that of the Seminarian.

There is no statement from the Police, yet, at the time of filing this report.

2023: Peter Obi’s Supporter Tackles Activist, Deji Adeyanju, Accepts $10,000 Bet; Optimistic

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Deji Adenyanju and Peter Obi

By Akinwale Kasali

An ardent supporter of the Presidential aspiration of Peter Obi, Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate who identified himself as Ben, has dared activist, Deji Adeyanju, and accepted a-$10,000 bet with him on Obi’s emergence as President of Nigeria come 2023.

The ‘Team Obident’ supporter said that Adeyanju has been picking on Obi and attacking his person by saying categorically that the former Anambra Governor would come a distant third at the February 2023 polls.

Adeyanju had offered a bet of $10,000 to anyone who has the guts to imagine Obi would win the polls, stressing that Obi would come third behind Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and People Democratic Party, PDP, Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

The Obi supporter in a viral video told Adeyanju that, “I want you to understand that I have made my comments and I am not satisfied so I am taking you to your words, and basically placing a bet with you with the sum of $10,000, and I want you to also display your own cash in the next one hour after seeing this video for me know and make sure you have the said $10,000 and you have access to go your money, send me an account of a reputable Nigeria with an agreement. Let’s bet this that Peter Obi wins this election In February 2023.

“I will credit the account you send and you also will wire yours and we sign an ageeemrn agreement. We can do Zoom call. I am taking you to your own words. I am Peter Obi supporter, I am based in Nigeria and abroad, and I hate what is happening in Nigeria my country, and I strongly believe that Peter Obi is the answer. You are on the wrong side of history”, the ‘OBI-dient’ supporter told Adeyanju.

Gov Akeredolu Harps On Religious Tolerance

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, went a step further on Sunday when he preached the political gospel of ‘Emi Lokan’ to the church congrgation and  emphasized the need for the people to shun religious division.

Governor Akeredolu urged that Nigerians should not allow religion to bring quarrels among them.

The Governor reiterated his position on Southern Presidency, stressing that time has come to rotate power to the South in the interest of justice, equity and fairness.

He spoke at the Agape International Church 34th Annual Convention 2022, held in Akure. The theme of the convention is, “This is my Time.”

While pointing out that the people have always lived together in harmony despite their religious differences, Governor Akeredolu gave a practical example of Her Excellency, Omolewa Ahmed, wife of former Governor of Kwara State who is married to a Muslim.

”The theme of the convention is, “This is my Time”, that is, ‘Emi Lokan’. So, if you are now saying this is your time, what is the meaning in Yoruba?

“It is ‘Emi Lokan.’ The choice of the theme, I’m sure it is something that the Lord Almighty put your mind to do so that it will resonate to “this is my Time, Emi loan.’

“We have a very interesting coincidence here. Today, we have Her Excellency Omolewa, wife of former Governor of Kwara State here.

“I have known her to be a true christian, very true one, leading the altar in her home, in a home where the husband is also a true Muslim. And they are all living together peacefully. That is one example.

“There are so many examples. But I will give one more. There is one of our leaders who is a Muslim and married to a senior Pastor in the Redeemed. We all know Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They all live together. I know in my family that there are Muslims there, and we are not quarreling.

“There are many people here that have both Muslims and Christians as family members and there is no quarrel. Religion should not bring quarrel among us and that is where we stand.

“What we believe and stand by is that since we started this Republic in 1999, we have been rotating power from North to South, and for us, by that rotation, this is the time of South.

“This is our time and nobody is going to take it. ‘Awa lokan’. Wonderful theme for this time. When the theme was chosen,  I’m sure nobody was thinking about ‘Emi lokan’ or anything; but it is just by coincidence.

“God has spoken through Agape that this is our time. I thank you Agape.”

On the compulsory installation of CCTV device in worship centres and other public places, the Governor lauded the church leadership for complying with government directives, saying Agape is security compliant.

Governor Akeredolu also used the occasion to thank God who has made the arrest of attackers of St Francis Catholic Church Owo, possible, saying it is a prayer answered.

He further charged the congregation and all residents of the state to always be security conscious and be alert.

“If you see something, say something. if you hear something, say something. Please let us be watchful and be security conscious. Our security lies in our hands. We must be alert. God will continue to protect all of us.

“Whatever government asked you to do, please comply. Have security men at your gates, have your CCTV cameras and check all new faces before allowing them into your churches.”

The Governor, who warned those acting as informants to kidnappers in the state, stressed that anybody, camp or village that aids and abets kidnappers in the state would be obliterated.

“We will not wait for us to be captured. Nobody can capture us. We are from Ondo State, we are indomitable, we are fighters and we will fight to the last.”

Governor Akeredolu was also celebrated at the convention for his sterling leadership quality.

The General Overseer, Agape International Church, Bishop Felix Adejumo described Governor Akeredolu as the voice of the South West, who has been doing a lot to protect not only the people of Ondo State but the entire South-West region.

Earlier, the National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, who delivered his sermon on the theme of the Convention, “This is my Time”, prayed that time has come for the congregation to receive all the good things they have been praying and waiting for.

IGP Gives Order To Secure Public Facilities

By
Ayodele Oni
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Alkali Baba Usman - IGP

By Ayodele Oni

As part to measures to secure public facilities, the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered water-tight security arrangements to cover all schools, hospitals, health workers, and critical national infrastructures around the country.

The IGP has equally mandated regular patrols, stop and search, raids, and show of force by tactical commanders to clamp down on pockets of crime and criminality recorded in some states of the federation.

Force Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja at the weekend.

According to the statement, “The IGP gave the directive while reviewing the general security situation of the nation via reports from commands and formations across the country.

“The IGP has however tasked strategic police managers at various levels to prioritize the use of intelligence gathering networks, particularly traditional and local intelligence to locate criminal hideouts and flush them out before they strike.

“He has equally charged all officers and men to be on the offensive and take the fight against crime to the doorposts of suspected criminal elements, including bushes and uncompleted buildings, profile them, and charge those found wanting to court accordingly.

“Nigerians are hereby urged to cooperate as many police operatives will be seen at strategic areas, routes, and communities, to suppress the antics and criminal activities of men of the underworld.

“The IGP has however warned officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to be civil, professional, and humane while discharging their duties.

“The IGP, therefore, reiterated his commitment to the protection of lives and property of well-meaning members of the public by decimating the activities of rogue criminal elements, particularly those who target schools, hospitals, and other critical national infrastructure, in a bid to strike fear into the hearts of good citizens in the country.

“He has similarly charged police officers to protect with courage and serve with compassion in line with his administration’s policing theme.”

Group Lashes Niger Delta Minister,  Umana, For Annexing NDDC Function To  Ministry, Says Action  Inimical To Mandate

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Umana Okon Umana

By Akinwale Kasali

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana and his Permanent Secretary, Adebiyi Olufunso, have come under criticism for, allegedly, annexing the functions of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to their offices.

A Group under the auspices of Niger Delta Coalition for Rule of Law and Good Governance, NDCRLGG, alleged that there is an evil plot that is inimical to the mandate of NDDC and the desire of the people of Niger Delta.

It said the plot is counter-productive to the goals of NDDC as interventionist agency and will, therefore, be resisted.

The NDDC as an agency established by a valid and subsisting Law (NDDC Act 2000) clearly makes it an independent agency under the Presidency – a corporate body vested with perpetual succession and a common seal (Section 1(1)-(3), NDDC Act).

The President had, in a letter dated 2nd September 2019, delegated the power of supervision of the NDDC to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, the only delegation of its kind in the entire nation. This was in response to an earlier request made by the Minister titled ‘Request for the Supervision of the Niger Delta Development Commission to be transferred to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs’.

The Group, through its President General, Cletus Ogbodo, in a statement said It is imperative to reiterate that the request for the supervision of the NDDC oversight function is over the activities of the Interim Administrator/Managing Director and nothing  more.

Ogbodo added that the  mandate of supervision which is on interim basis does not by any stretch of imagination extend to the conduct of managerial or administrative functions. This is elementary,  to say the least, and shouldn’t be misconstrued.

NDCRLGG in the statement said it is aware that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Okon Umana, is attempting to subsume NDDC under his Ministry.

“We,underthe platform of NDCRLGG says categorically that the attempt to hijack the constitutionally mandate of NDDC will not work. Such motive is counterproductive to the aspirations of people of Niger Delta,  unlawful and ultra vires his power of supervision.

“NDCRLGG categorically essets that those Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is separate and distinct from the NDDC. Both are two streams that do not mix or cross paths. While the NDDC is enacted by a valid and subsisting Law, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, just like every other ministry in the country has it’s clear cut mandate, budget and civil service structure. We can therefore not imagine an NDDC Director taking instructions from a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Niger Delta Aafairs. It is a misnomer that can not stand the test of logic and law.

“The courts have clearly given this distinction in NNPC & ANOR v TRINITY MILLS INSURANCE BROKERS & ORS (2002) LPELR-7142 CA noting that “a minister is the political head of a MINISTRY in the executive arm of government while the permanent secretary is the administrative head of the MINISTRY.” The administrative powers of the Permanent Secretary cannot therefore overlap to a separate agency created by law; such as the NDDC.

“In respect of the supervisory powers vested in the Minister, it is also a settled principle of law that a derived power or authority so given cannot be greater than that available at its source. This is enshrined in the Latin maxim ‘Derivativa Protestas Non Potest Esse Major Primitiva’.

“Therefore, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana Okon Umana cannot therefore exceed the supervisory powers given to him by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“From erroneously referring to the NDDC ‘as it’s agency’ and administratively overseeing the Management Retreat of the NDDC last month July 2022, the Minister through the Permanent Secretary, Engr Adebiyi Olufunso, has further directed a Personnel Audit of staff of the NDDC in a bid to achieve the unlawful plot of running both institutions as a single unit. This clearly is beyond the supervisory powers of the Minister and as such ultra vires.

“Such administrative powers/functions only lies with the Management of the NDDC as a distinct and separate agency (through the MD) or the Head of Service of the Federal Civil Service Commission as the controlling body of the Civil Service nationwide. The supervisory powers of the Minister does not come close. In fact, it falls short of such authority even in wonderland”.

The Group therefore call on all staff of the NDDC to wear and reject the Personnel Audit or any administrative procedure ordered by the Minister or his Permanent Secretary. The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Permanent Sevretary do not have the power to do so or even call for same. The role of the Minister is supersory and nothing more.

The staff of the NDDC must be informed that any move to submit themselves to the Personnel Audit ordered by the Minister would be disastrous to the status of their employment. In the eyes of the law they can no longer be heard to complain of whatever outcome such an illegal procedure would come up with. This is encapsulated in the latin maxim ‘Volenti Non Fit Injuria’ meaning ‘the consent of a person is a defense against any wrong’.

The Statement stressed that it call on the Minister to desist from this lawlessness, impunity and abuse of power. We have taken out time to explain the position of the law and any further attempt in this direction will spell stiff resistance from us and the Niger Delta region at large.

“We also make bold to call on Mr President to put an end to this macabre dance in NDDC. Mr. President should urgently return the NDDC back to the office of the Secretary General of the Federation and constitute the statutory board to oversee the affairs of the NDDC which is interventionist agency.

The Group added that a stitch in time, saves nine, as the Rule of Law must take its cause with the Niger Delta Region moving forward.

Insecurity: Gov Akeredolu Tasks Ebira Community In Ondo

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has dragged leaders of Ebira community in the state before security chiefs to explain their role in recent security breaches in the state.

The meeting, which held on Saturday followed revelation by some victims of kidnappings that negotiation for ransome and their subsequent released took place at some settlements belonging to Ebiras.

The Ebiras, a tribe in Kogi state, are predominantly farmers and scatter in virtually all towns in the state.

The Governor warned at the meeting that the Ebiras living in the State should flush out criminals among them urging them to join hands with the government in ridding the State of crime.

Governor Akeredolu, who stressed that the Ebira people have lived together with the indigenes of the State for too long, charged them not to deviate from the farming trade.

They were led by the Odeyani Anabira, Zubair Dan Musa and Alhaji Chief Abdulazeez Majeobaje Akure, State Chairman of Egbira.

The Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 17, Mr. Yusuf  Mohammed Akeera; Heads of Security Agencies; members of the State Executive Council; and Chairmen of the six Local Government Councils in the Northern Senatorial districts of the State were in attendance.

Addressing reporters shortly after the closed door meeting, Governor Akeredolu informed that the meeting was summoned in the light of the recent development of the June 5 attack in Owo and other kidnapping cases in the State.

He disclosed that the leaders of the Ebira Community have been urged to rid themselves of criminals and deal with the situation the best way, so as to protect their name and integrity in the State.

“We summoned this meeting with our brothers. They are not new here but because of the recent developments that have to do with the Owo massacre and kidnappings, we have to call ourselves.

“I can assure you all that we have had very frank discussion with ourselves and their leader of the in Ondo State spoke on behalf of Ebiras and few other persons.

“It is clear that the message from us to them is well understood and we have assurance from the Ebiras who are living in Ondo State that they would corporate with the security agencies and that the incident in Owo was something that they themselves felt very bad about.

“I also have received a letter from Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, that is the leader of Ebira in the World, commiserating again and expressing his own embarrassment on what happened.

“So, we leave here today with the belief that our brothers, Ebira that are here, would at the least work to ensure that there is security in Ondo State and in doing that, we have charged them to discus with all their people.

“They have assured us they would do that and we want to call on our people that at least, let us continue with our brotherliness and maintain the good relationship we have had with them in the past.

“We believe that it is not those who are residing here that came to perpetrate this crime. That is what they have said and we should give them another chance.

“Let us live together in peace and I hope and pray that the Ebiras who are here in Ondo State will work with the government and security agencies to make sure that criminals are flushed out within our midst and they have our cooperation in whatever way they wish.”

Reigning MAPOLY Beauty Queen Abducted, Raped, Murdered

By
Akinwale Kasali
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MAPOLY Murdered Beauty Queen

By Akinwale Kasali

Tears, sadness and anguish were the reactions at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, MAPOLY, when the news of the rape and murder of  Happiness Odeh, a student of the school was confirmed.

The late student was, on August 3, 2022,  crowned  Miss MAPOLY Beauty Queen. She was abducted at Ipara Remo on her way to Ode Remo in Ogun State, raped and murdered in cold blood by her assailants.

Confirming her demise, Sodiq Ajani and Joy Okolie, President of MAPOLY Student Union, MAPSU, and the Public Relations Officer, respctively, incident in a signed statement said that the deceased was a Mass Communication Student and was kidnapped three days ago while going to visit a movie location.

“According to reports, she was abducted along Iperu road to her destination. The deceased left Abeokuta three days ago to visit a movie location at Ipara, Ode-Remo, with the consent of her parents.

“Contrary to the rumours flying around, her death is not related to her status as the new Miss MAPOLY. She won the award on the 3rd of August and the movie location she attended has nothing to do with the beauty pageantry on campus.

“We commiserate with her family, friends and colleagues. May Almighty God grant us all the fortitude to bear this painful loss. Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord,” the statement read.

It was disclosed that her murderers took away the victim’s phone to avoid any traces.

The MAPSU President added that the police have commenced investigations so as to get the assailants arrested.

The body of the slain student had been deposited at the morgue of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu.

“It was so pathetic. The kidnappers killed her and went away with her phone. Her body was found inside the bush along Iperu road. The body has been deposited at the mortuary. We were at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, yesterday with the parents. May God rest her soul,” a student said.

Edo: Gunmen Abduct Female Footballers; Demand N30 Million Ransom

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Gunmen Abudected Female Footbalers in Edo State

By Akinwale Kasali

The fate of six female footballers and officials of a Grassroot Team in Orhionmwon,  Edo State, is uncertain. Gunmen abducted these ladies to yet to be known destination.

The sad incident took place at Uronigbe, a border community between Edo and Delta states in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. They are demanding  a whopping sum of N30 million as ransom for the release of the players and the officials.

The abduction happened at about 6pm on Friday while they were returning from a game at Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

The abductors has contacted some families demanding a ransom of N5m each for the victims.

According to a source, “They (footballers) went to Owa-Alero to play football match so, on their way back, they were kidnapped at Uronigbe area, the boundary between Delta and Edo State”.

The kidnapped victims are;  Precious Agbajor, Abraham, Nancy, Beatrice, the driver and one other person. They are six in number that are in the kidnapper’s den.

The matter has been reported to the Uronigbe police station.

“The kidnappers have contacted the family of Agbajor and asked them to pay N5 million for his wife.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in Delta state, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the kidnapping incident, adding that it happened in Edo State.

His Edo state counterpart, Chidi Nwabuzor, said from the record available at the State Command, there is no information about the incident.

“You know we transmit our records to Force Headquarters every day. There is no such record before us. From the command’s record, no such incident happened yesterday (Friday) so the police will not give an account of anything unreported.

“It is only when an incident is reported that the police can act on it. In most cases, citizens are not aware of the powers to report incidents. So the record I have from the command is that no such incident happened yesterday (Friday), today (Saturday), and even the day before yesterday (Thursday).’

How South-south Governors Betrayed Atiku, PDP, in 2019 – Wike

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Nyesom Wike

By Adesina Soyooye

Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State has revealed how the PDP Governors of the South-south betrayed Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2019 Presidential election.

He said that for their betrayal, President Muhammadu Buhari could not have had the spread to be declared the winner of the Presidential election.

Wike made the revelation while putting a lie to the viral  news that he took the PDP, its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, to  an Abuja High Court to ask for the disqualification of Atiku, and the declaration of himself, Wike, as the PDP candidate.

Wike said he knew nothing of the suit, and had no knowledge of who the plaintiffs are, or the lawyers. He alleged that the suit was filed by Atiku loyalists just to paint him, Wike, in unflattering colors before Atiku.

He identified some of those doing that as Governors who, instead of going to their States to work for the victory of the Party, clog around Atiku talking nonsense. He said they are the same people who betrayed Atiku and the PDP in 2019.

On how they betrayed Atiku and PDP , he said they allowed Buhari to score 25 per cent in their States and, so, gave him the spread,  something that did not happen in Rivers State.

Wike: “When I see people talking about PDP today, I say to myself, what is going on in this world. In the South-south, they all betrayed us. President Muhammadu Buhari wouldn’t have won the 2019 election because he won’t have had the spread.

“But all the States in the South-south made Buhari to have 25 per cent. It was only Rivers that did not give Buhari 25 per cent. I am challenging anybody on it.”

In 2019, Buhari, against all sentiment at the time, defeated Atiku in the Presidential election. That victory fave Buhari a second term in office.

Why I will Not Run For  Senatorial Seat Now – Dariye

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Joshua Dariye

By Ayodele Oni

A former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, has clarified that he is not contesting the Senate seat for the Plateau Central Senatorial District in 2023.

Dariye, who was serving a 10 – year imprisonment for N1.126bn fraud, was released last Monday three months after the National Council of States granted him state pardon and after serving for about four years in prison.

Immediately he walked into freedom, there were speculations that Dariye was set to defect to the Labour Party, (LP)to contest for the Senatorial ticket of Plateau Central zone.

Speaking when the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, led a delegation to visit him and a former Governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame, to rejoice with them over their release from prison, Dariye dismissed the rumour of his Senatorial ambition, saying he had no intention to contest the Senatorial position in 2023.

Director of Press and Public Affairs, to the Governor,  Macham Makut, in a statement said Dariye used the occasion to narrate his ordeal in prison and said it was a difficult moment, but God saw him through and made him survive.

The statement added that Dariye also debunked the rumour that he was running for Senate, describing it as unfounded and untrue as he has not bought a form or done anything to that effect.

He advised politicians in Plateau to unite and rally round the governor in promoting the interest of the citizens, saying governance was an opportunity for those in charge to do their best and leave posterity to judge their efforts as no one could finish the business of government in a day.

The statement said that the Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by his wife, Regina, National Assembly members from the State, as well as members of the State Executive Council, was also at the residence of Nyame.

The statement added, that Lalong told ex-Governor Dariye that the entire state received the news of his release with joy because the citizens have been praying for him since his incarceration.

The Governor, while appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for giving Dariye another opportunity, said this was the time to reflect and forgive people that might have offended him as had been his practice during previous challenges.

The delegation also visited the residence of former Taraba State Governor, Rev Jolly Nyame, who also expressed deep appreciation for the role that Governor Simon Lalong played towards his pardon and release.

Nyame said he was highly encouraged by the love and care shown towards him and Dariye, saying the experience of the past would be put behind so that they could forge ahead.

While urging Nyame to, also, forgive anyone that might have offended him in the course of his ordeal, Lalong said the act of forgiveness brings total healing and freedom.

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