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Kwara PDP Doubts Authenticity Of Government – Hired Audit Firm

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Kwara state has challenged the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) to clarify the status of an audit firm purportedly hired to handle state government accounts.

PDP, in a statement at the weekend insists that findings at the Corporate Affairs Commission, (CAC) show that the audit firm is moribound.

The statement, signed by the Publicity Secretary, Tunji Moronfoye described the transaction as “another unfortunate shady transaction perpetuated by the Kwara state All Progressives Congress (APC) regime, led by Mal. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq.

“According to the results of our legal query undertaken at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was discovered that the audit firm purportedly “hired” by the incompetent and mediocre regime, SSAC Advisory and Proffessional limited, is an inactive or dormant firm.

“This is according to a CAC signed report. Simply put; the company has not been making returns, declaring its income or paying any taxes.

“This is the same firm that the Mal. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq regime, purportedly hired to carry out a “forensic audit” for Kwara state.

“Following the evidence, we hereby put it to the Mal. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq led APC party regime, that there was no forensic audit carried out between the years 2011-2019 as claimed by the regime.

“Also, only a mentally incapacitated person with no sense of awareness will fall for the obviously made up phantom report brandished as a report of forensic audit by an inactive or dormant consultancy firm, in this case, SSAC Advisory and Proffessional limited.

“We at the PDP challenge the Kwara APC  regime to publish online and offline the contract papers and charges paid for the services of this inactive/dormant consultancy firm.

“It is pertinent to remind Kwarans that an external auditor doesn’t have the legal authority to audit state accounts.

“Such powers rest with the Kwara State Auditor General who is empowered by law to carry out audits.

“Having fired, albeit unceremoniously, the state’s Auditor General for daring to challenge the regime over the missing sum of six Billion Naira (N6B) which was niether receipted nor retired, one can see why the illegality prone regime of Mal. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq decided to tread this path.

“We will also like to remind Kwarans about the 35 transformer contract scam at the Kwara State Ministry of Energy where a contractor made away with the sum of one hundred and thirty eight million Naira (N138M) for over 15 months without obtaining a Bank Guarantee.

“We may also need to be reminded that the contractor was paid before signing the contract papers, but perhaps Kwarans already know that the emperor is naked, and they look forward to letting him know come 2023 that we are not a conquered people and our state is not a personal estate to be plundered at will.”

NIMASA, NIS Sign MOU On Seafarers, Maritime Security 

By
James Orji
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Bashir Jamoh

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and SafetyAgency, NIMASA and the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS have agreed to deepen existing interagency collaboration with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU on Seafarers’ Travel document amongst others. This agreement was reached when the Comptroller General of the NIS, Mr. Isah Idris Jere led senior officials of the Service on a working visit to the Management of NIMASA.

The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamohnot ed that the role of the Nigerian Immigration Service in enhancing security in the maritime domain is crucial, adding that seamless issuance of travel documents to seafarers is a key component in the nation’s quest to grow the maritime industry.

According to Dr. Jamoh, “Security on land is key to achieving a safe and secure maritime domain. NIMASA appreciates the need to work closely with the Immigration Service to improve security in the maritime domain. We need the Service to play a major role in issues of crew nationality, seafarers travel document and managing issues of stowaways, amongst others.

The DG and the Immigration Comptroller General thus agreed to develop a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a framework for the working relationship.

The NIMASA DG also commended the contribution of the NIS in the implementation of the Suppression of Piracy and other Maritime Offences (SPOMO) Act, stating “The passing into law of the SPOMO Act, and subsequent prosecutions recorded under that law has involved working closely with the NIS. With that being said, NIMASA will continue to offer our helping hand to the Nigeria Immigration Service even as we anticipate further collaboration”.

On his part, the NIS Comptroller General identified issuance of temporary work permits to international vessel crews as well as preventing stowaways, as areas of frequent collaboration between both organs of Government while also commending NIMASA’s automation of dockworkers registration nationwide.

According to him, “Our visit to NIMASA is a signal that the Nigeria Immigration Service seeks continued collaboration and deepened synergy as we collectively work to address the issues facing us in our coastal lines and in maintaining the integrity of our territorial waters”.

“We welcome the Agency’s automation of dockworkers registration and issuance of biometric identity cards as a great step in the task of securing the nation’s ports.

Unregistered Medical Laboratories To Be Shutdown By FG

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Joseph Ekumankama

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government will, henceforth,  shutdown unregistered Medical Laboratories.

This is as the management and staff of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria vowed not to relent  in the discharge of their statutory duties.

Announcing the determination of the Federal Government to shut down unregistered Medical Laboratories was the Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumankama, who gave this charge when members of the Council led by the Registrar, Dr. Tosan Erhabor, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

In a statement made available by the Ministry of Health on Saturday signed by the Director of Press, Ahmed Chindaya, the Minister noted that policies would be formulated to ensure smooth running of the Council.

The statement partly reads:

“The Minister, who was appreciative of the visit, assured the team of the support and backing of the ministry in accomplishing the mandate and responsibilities of the Council.

“He said if need be, policies would be formulated to help carry out their functions, smoothly geared towards achieving the mandate of Mr. President in the health sector.

“Do not relent on your good work, push more, do more, do not relax, spend more time working in order to give your best. Be rest assured that where you need us to come in, to support you, we will.

“In response to issues and request raised by the Council, the Minister said that he believed that imbibed in the “Act”, that governs the Council were powers enabling them to regulate laboratories in hospitals across the country, hence nothing should restrain or constrain them from doing that.

“Moving forward, all hospitals under the Federal Ministry of Health will be the first set of hospitals to implement the full provisions of the law, which will be followed by laboratories in the state hospitals. With this, the minister said, medical laboratories not registered with the MLSCN will be shut down.”

“On validation of In Vitro Diagnostics before use in Nigeria, the minister informed that since there was a mandate backed by law, the MLSCN had the support of the Ministry of Health to fully monitor, implement and enforce everything that had to do with the regulation of laboratory products. In regards to non-registration by government agencies, that would be resolved by the Ministry.

“On the issue of External Quality Assurances, henceforth, all laboratories must follow due process and ensure that they are registered with the MLSCN or risk being shut down as well.

“Ekumankama went further to admonish them to apply caution in the course of carrying out their mandate ensuring that they work under the purview of the law. Earlier, the Registrar, MLSCN, Dr. Tosan Erhabor, while congratulating the Minister on his appointment, informed him that the MLSCN which is a Federal State Agency of the Federal Ministry of Health, was mandated to regulate Medical Laboratory Science profession in Nigeria. He went further to highlight some of its functions which include: Regulation of Medical Laboratory Science Practice through setting of standards.”

LAWMA Urges Lagosians To Embrace Recycling Initiative By Using PAKAM App

By
The Source
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LAWMA Recycle

By Akinwale Kasali

In a bid to tackle plastic pollution and create a cleaner environment for Lagosians at large, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, is celebrating its Third Year Anniversary of the Lagos Recycle Initiative.

The Recycling Initiative was introduced for waste sorting at source for recycling purposes, to tackle the challenge of plastic pollution, as well as create jobs for teeming residents.

In an event organised by Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance and Lagos Recyclers Association, in conjunction with LAWMA, held at the Agency’s  Olusosun Resource Centre, Ojota, with various sectoral stakeholders in attendance, saw the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, showering encomiums on  the  Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for midwifing and supporting the recycling initiative, and also the stakeholders partnering the Authority, to tackle plastic pollution in the State.

Ofumboni noted that with the initiative, plastic materials have become valuable commodities, for economic gains through recycling, adding that the Authority was working with a private firm to establish a bottle-to-bottle recycling facility in Lagos very soon.

He called on residents to start waste segregation at the point of generation, to reduce the volume of waste going to the landfills, stressing that owning a waste bin would become mandatory for all tenements, from 1st October 2022.

According to him, “Start separating your waste from source, there is value in doing that. We are encouraging sorting of waste from source in all households. From the 1st of October this year, every household must own a waste bin. We will start placing abatement notices on houses and will start the full enforcement in January next year”.

Earlier in his welcome address, the executive director, Finance, Kunle Adebiyi, said the event marked the beginning of another milestone in the history of waste recycling in Lagos State, stressing the agency’s commitment to ensuring a positive impact on the environment through recycling.

He urged participants to embrace the recycling culture, adding that the value chain was huge and extensive, creating business opportunities for pickers, collectors, aggregators, off-takers, as well as recyclers.

In her remarks, the executive secretary of  Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Agharese Onaghise, restated the group’s commitment to collaborative partnership to achieve plastic-pollution free Lagos State.

The CEO of PAKAM Technology,  Adeleye Odebunmi, in his presentation, unveiled the PAKAM app 2.0, an all-inclusive waste management software application that connects residents to recyclers, for prompt exchange and redemption of their recyclable items, in real-time.

He highlighted the features of the revamped app, encouraging households to key into the opportunities presented by the seamless technology, to make money and tackle waste management challenges in the state.

Ayu Bows, Pleads With Wike To Come Back; NWC Members To Visit Governor Early Next Week

By
The Source
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Nyesom Wike and Iyorcha Ayu

By Gideon Njoku

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has extended an olive branch to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

He has also disclosed that members of the Party’s National Working  Committee, NWC, will, early next week, storm Porthacourt, Rivers State, on a visit to Governor Wike in order to perfect full reconciliation in the Party.

The PDP has effectively been divided into two camps. The majority in support of the Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the other, a powerful group loyal to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.

The crisis started after Atiku  emerged as the Presidential candidate of the Party, beating Wike to a respectable second place. It worsened when Atiku chose Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate over Wike.

Since then, nothing has been  the same in the Party. Wike has been openly romancing the Presidential candidates of other Parties, and giving the PDP a wide berth. He has, also,  spared no opportunity in attacking Atiku, the Party leadership and any Party stakeholder sympathetic to Atiku. He has also insisted that Ayu must vacate his seat for a Southerner since Atiku is from the North.

While most people thought that Wike was throwing tantrums because he lost to both Atiku and Okowa, he said on Thursday, September 8, that nothing could be further from the truth. He said he has forgotten about his losses, since in every contest a winner must emerge.

He disclosed that his anger stems from the lack of integrity and honour displayed by Atiku and Ayu.

Both men, he said, had assured and reassured that if a Northerner emerged as the Presidential candidate, Ayu would step down, as the Chairman, for a Southerner. Since after the Convention, Wike lamented, both men have reneged on the promise with Ayu insisting he was elected for a four year tenure, and Atiku saying Ayu would step down when he, Atiku, wins the Presidential election.

Since then, the Parties have been throwing stones at each other, making very uncomplmentary remarks about each other, and revealing things the public shouldn’t know about the goings-on in the Party. While Ayu called Wike and members of his Camp children, Wike reminded Ayu that he was not only impeached as a Senate President, but sacked, two times, as a Federal Minister. He said it is those he is calling children now that picked him from the gutter, and made him National Chairman.

Just so the bad situation sinks, Wike let it be known that Rivers State vote is no longer for free. It  will go to the highest bidder. Rivers State must know what is in it for them before voting.

But on Friday, Ayu called for a truce. He extended an olive branch to Wike and other aggrieved persons. He pleaded with Wike to come back to the Party fully. And to put a bite to his pleading, he revealed that NWC members will visit the Governor early next week in Porthacourt. He also said other aggrieved stakeholders will be visited for full reconciliation.

Ayu revealed these steps when he led members of the NWC on a condolence visit to the Party’s newly appointed Ag. Chairman, Board of Trustees, BOT, Senator Adolphus Wabara who recently lost his wife.

Wabara, a former Senate President, stepped in as BOT Chairman when Senator Walid Jibrin resigned from the position on Thursday during the 97th PDP NEC meeting in Abuja. His resignation is a consequence of the crisis rocking the Party.

In a statement after the visit to Wabara, Simon Imobo-Tswam, Special Adviser, Media and Communication  to the National Chairman, quoted him as saying to Wabara:

“You have the full support of myself, the candidate, and the whole NWC to reach out to Governor Wike, all the Governors and any person who is aggrieved, and appeal to them, plead with them, to come back and let’s work together in the PDP family.

“As the new BoT Chairman, with diplomatic experience, we implore you to use your diplomatic skills to reach out to all aggrieved members and I am telling you that it is with our full support, including that of the Presidential candidate and Vice Presidential candidate who called me 30 minutes before we got here.”

Ayu  described the new Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Wabara, as an elder statesman of immense preparation, saying the party needs his diplomatic skills at this material time.

He, therefore, implored Wabara to use his diplomatic experience by reaching all aggrieved party members, with a view to presenting a united front against the ruling APC, Come 2023.

The visit to Wike, Ayu said,  because of other pre-planned engagements he has, will be  led by  the Deputy Chairman (North), Amb. Iliya Damagun.

The National Chairman also used the opportunity of the condolence visit to thank Wabara for the Vote of Confidence passed on the party’s leadership by both the BoT and the National Executive Council (NEC), which met yesterday and affirmed the party’s unity among other things.

His words: “The confidence reposed in the NWC is an encouragement that the party should unite and be one strong family.

“To read the outcome of yesterday’s (Thursday) meeting as one group being victorious over another will be erroneous. We are all winners.

“My understanding is that the party wants unity.  Thankfully you can play the role of a unifier even better with your immense preparation as a diplomat, former Member House Of Representatives, former senator and ex-Senate President who had worked with this party for a long period of time.”

Further speaking, Ayu said: “I am calling on you to lead the effort in reaching out to all our aggrieved members.

“You have the full support of myself, the candidate and the whole NWC to reach out to Governor Wike, all the governors and any person who is aggrieved, and appeal to them, plead with them to come back and let’s work together in the PDP family.

“If we do not win next year’s general election, Nigerians will be very very disappointed, the hope of Nigeria is on us.

“As the new BoT Chairman with diplomatic experience. We implore you to use your diplomatic skills to reach out to all aggrieved members and I am telling you that it is with our full support including that of the Presidential candidate and Vice-Presidential Candidate who called me 30 minutes before we got here.”

He added: “You have our support. The entire BoT should select and reach out to them. We are appealing that they should come back and let us work together.

“I want to also reveal to you that the NWC under the leadership of the Deputy National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagun, will be going to see not only Gov. Wike but every other person who is aggrieved. It is the unanimous decision of the NWC and we think that your leading the fight for peace and full reconciliation in the party will be helpful.

“There is a time for anger and there’s a time for the anger to stop. So help us to reach out to all aggrieved members try and heal the party with your new role as the party Chairman of the BoT.”

Responding, the acting BoT Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara,  thanked the National Chairman and other members of the NWC, saying he was overwhelmed with the show of goodwill, support and sympathy.

His words: “I appreciate you all. We will work together to ensure the party wins in 2023.”

Members of the NWC, who accompanied the national chairman included: the National Secretary, the National Treasurer, the National Auditor, the National Publicity Secretary, and the National Woman Leader.

It is to be seen if Wike will cave in, as he has insisted that only the resignation of Ayu as National Chairman, and the appointment of a Southerner in his place, will solve the problem.

Forget Atiku/Okowa Ticket, Here’s Why I’m Fighting – Wike; Precedents Fault Him

By
The Source
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Nyesom Wike

By Charles Igbo

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has clarified why he is fighting the Party hierarchy of his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Until his clarification, the impression had been that he  is throwing tantrums over his loss of the Presidential ticket to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, followed by his loss of the Vice Presidential ticket to Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.

Wike’s anger with the Party became public when he lost the Vice Presidential ticket to Okowa.

But speaking on Thursday after the 97th National Executive Council, NEC, meeting of the Party, during which the Party’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Walid Jibrin resigned and made way for former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara,  Wike said he had forgotten his losses. He said he does not care about the tickets. He said in a contest, one person must win. He said he is fighting for justice and equity in the PDP. He said he is fighting for the strengthening of the Party, and the  South which has been short-changed by the PDP, given the present arrangement. He said there is no way both the Presidential candidate of the Party and its Chairman would come from the same Zone. He said since the Candidate is from the North, the Chairman should come from the South.

He said that was the agreement before the Primaries. He said the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu said, at least, on three different occasions that he would step down if a Northerner is the Presidential candidate.

Wike, also, recalled that even the candidate, Atiku said the same thing to him, Wike, a day after the Primaries when he visited him to solicit for his support that “Ayu must step down.” He dared Atiku to deny.

Wike said he is only asking them to fulfil their promise and the agreement reached, and insisted: “Agreement is agreement.” His fear: When important decisions are being taken, there will be nobody from the South since, according to him, decisions will be between the candidate and the Chairman.

Wike: “Some of you don’t know what is happening. You are being deceived; they are telling you Wike is causing problem. But Wike is bringing peace to the country. Wike is advocating for justice. Wike is advocating for equity. Wike is advocating for fairness.

“We have finished with Presidential Primary. It is over and it is over. So when people say ‘You want to destroy the Party because you didn’t win Primary’, they are sick. They have some mental problem.”

But Political analysts have faulted Wike. They point out that between 2008 and 2010 both the PDP National Chairman and the President, came from same Zone. The Chairmen then were Vincent Ogbulafor and Okwesilieze Nwodo when Olusegun Obasanjo was President. There was also Col Ahmadu Ali (rtd) when Umaru Yar’Adua was President.

Noted a PDP Chieftain: It is not about Ayu. Wike knows what he is playing at, and looking for, otherwise he should have waited till after the 2023 Presidential election. When Atiku wins, Ayu will step down. Wike’s priority now should be how his Party will win. Nothing more.”

At PDP NEC meeting on Thursday, a vote of confidence was passed in Ayu. But Wike has vowed to keep fighting.

Fayemi Elected President Of  Forum Of Regions Of Africa

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Forum of Regions of Africa, (FORAF) has elected Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi as its President.

The Forum,  which has 20 African countries that have a second level of decentralized territorial government,  as members, include Nigeria, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, etc.

According to a text message by the Director, Media and Public Affairs of NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, Governor Fayemi was on Friday elected President of the Forum of Regions of Africa in Saidia in an election held just in the fringe city of Saidia in Oujda of the state of Casablanca in Morocco.

Recall that from 8th to 10th September 2022, the first edition of the Forum of Regions of Africa (FORAF) is taking place in Saïdia Morocco, in the Oriental region. Under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI.

The Forum is organizedd by United Cities and Local Governments of Africa, (UCLG) in collaboration with the Association of Moroccan Regions (ARM), the Council of the Oriental Region (CRO) and the Directorate General of Territorial Collectivities (DGCT) of the Ministry of the Interior of the Kingdom of Morocco.

The gathering, themed “The contribution of Regional Governments to the sustainable development and to the dynamics of integration of Africa”, is a concrete implementation of the decisions taken by the General Assembly of UCLG Africa during the 8th edition of the Africities Summit, held in Marrakech in November 2018, as stated by Mrs. Fatimetou Abdel Malick, President of UCLG Africa.

“This Forum is bringing together for the first time the Presidents of regions, counties and federal states of more than 20 African countries that have a second level of decentralised territorial government, including Nigeria, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Niger.”

SERG Warns PDP Against Emulating APC’s Nepotism, Says South Deserves To Produce Party Chair

By
The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the South East Revival Group (SERG) has strongly cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “not to follow the footsteps of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to make the party a northern affairs just like the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.”

The SERG on Friday, in a statement signed by its President and National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said that “since the presidential primary, where South East was deliberately denied the opportunity to produce its presidential candidate, the PDP is carrying on with the preparation for 2023 electioneering campaign as if the South, especially South Eastern Nigeria, does not matter.

“After denying the Igbos well deserved presidential ticket as well as the position of the running mate to its presidential candidate, it will not be out of place for South East in particular to produce the national chairman of the PDP.

“We hereby vehemently reject the position of the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) given to the South East.

“For us, therefore, denying Igbos all the decision-making positions in the PDP at this critical time is the most insensitive action of the party if it jettisons the long loyalty of the people of South East to the party since 1999.

“The SERG is fully aligned with the position of the PDP leaders in the South that it is PDP national chairmanship position for South. Otherwise, Igbos will unanimously look elsewhere, knowing that the PDP has opted to tow the path of nepotism and hatred charted against the South East by the ruling APC.

“We strongly warn the PDP not to emulate the APC’s neglect of the Igbos in key party appointments ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“And trivialising the agitation by Southern Nigeria, especially the South East, for justice in sharing party positions in the PDP will certainly attract commensurate response from the people of Southern Nigeria in the 2023 general elections.

“For us, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and other southern leaders of the PDP are right on insisting that the national chairmanship of the party must return to the South ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

“The situation is even more insulting for Southern Nigeria, from the conversations so far, as it has become very obvious that both the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, are not ready to honour their own words to the effect that if the North produces the Presidential candidate of the the party, the PDP chairmanship position will go to the South.

“The question now is: if before the general election, these PDP leaders are not ready to honour their own words, how can they be trusted to do the right thing after the PDP has won the presidential election?”, the SERG queried.

PDP Decries Worsening Insecurity, Harsh Economic Situation, Consoles Nigerians

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has decried what it called the insensitive and  harsh economic policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC, Government.

The PDP in a Communique issued at the end of its 97th  National Executive Committee, NEC, Meeting lamented that the inhumane and vicious policies of the APC Government have crippled the nation’s economy making the citizens go through excruciating hardship. It consoled Nigerians over the harsh times, and asked them to exercise patience until 2023 and vote out the APC.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement stressed that the NEC is, also, appalled by the worsening insecurity in the country occasioned by the obvious complicity of the APC administration which continues to condone and enable acts of terrorism in various parts of the country.

It lamented the failure of the APC Government to address the industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the agonizing pain the APC is inflicting on parents and students in Nigerian public universities due to the prolonged strike action.

It, particularly, condemned the constant display of arrogance by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, in handling the issue of ASUU strike and called for a more constructive engagement by stakeholders to resolve the matter.

As regards the alleged appointment of card carrying members of the APC as members of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), the PDP condemned it in very strong words, and dismissed it as an unpatriotic act and a brazen plot by the APC to manipulate and rig the 2023 general elections against the will of Nigerians.

It demanded that President Buhari immediately withdraws the APC members nominated as RECs, because it has the capacity to trigger serious political crisis that can threaten the 2023 general elections and derail our democratic process.

Part of the communiqué reads:

” NEC strongly decried the worsening state of the nation’s economy   with attendant excruciating hardship occasioned by the corruption, insensitivity, incompetence and harsh economic policies of the inhumane and vicious APC.

“NEC is also appalled by the worsening insecurity in the country occasioned by the obvious complicity of the APC administration which continues to condone and enable acts of terrorism in various parts of the country.

“NEC lamented the failure of the APC government to address the industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). NEC lamented that the APC is relishing the agony, pain and suffering of parents and students in Nigerian public universities due to the prolonged strike action.

“NEC condemned the constant display of arrogance by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu in handling the issue of ASUU strike and called for a more constructive engagement by stakeholders to resolve the matter.

“NEC also condemned in the strongest terms the appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari of card-carrying members of the APC as INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

“This unpatriotic act is a brazen plot by the APC to manipulate and rig the 2023 general elections against the Will of Nigerians. The PDP demands that President Buhari immediately withdraws the APC members nominated as RECs, failure of which has the capacity to trigger serious political crisis that can threaten the 2023 general elections and derail our democratic process”

The party also congratulated Osun State  Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the   Governorship  election held on  July 16, 2022.  The victory, the PDP said, showcases the acceptability of the  Party, and a good omen as the Party gears up for the 2023 General Elections.

We Don’t Have Discriminatory Laws In Ondo, Gov Akeredolu Tells Visiting Northern Leaders

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nothern Leaders in Ondo State

By Ayodele Oni

Visiting northern leaders to Ondo state have thrown their support behind the state government for not allowing illegal immigrants to reside in the state.

The leaders, from Kano, Jigawa and Kogi states pledged their support with Ondo state government to make the state a crime free one.

Leader of the team and National President of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Tahir, spoke during a courtesy call to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Akure.

The team, which was received on behalf of the Governor by the Special Adviser on Security matters who doubles as Commander, Amotekun corps,  Adetunji Adeleye, commended the Akeredolu-led administration for ensuring that peace reigns in the state.

“We appreciate Akeredolu’s achievements and continued efforts on security matters in Ondo state. We are not happy with all our people that comes here illegally. We need to have relationship with your team on how to tackle crime and criminality because your strides have made Ondo state number one crime-free state.

“Crime rate in the state is very low. We hear, see and read about it everywhere as you people are doing wonderfully well in capturing criminals in the state.

“We also appreciate your efforts in ensuring the safety and how you have been handling our people who came in illegally into the state and how you facilitate their return to Kano state,

“it is highly encouraging. I have met with our people and advised them to stop illegal loading of people in trucks to the southern parts of the country without destinations.

“We cattle rearers Association our official hiring of trucks is N600,000 which should carry about 35 cows. We don’t know the reasons and how mechanics and human beings should smuggle themselves with cows through trucks from the north.

“On this note, we are very angry at their behaviour and we sincerely appreciate your smooth and matured ways of handling the situation.

“This relationship with your team is commendable and would enable us to know how best to handle insecurity in our various states.”

Addressing the visitors, the Governor’s Aide said “Our Governor likes visitors, he protects visitors with all his might, but will not allow visitors to come and cause havoc and truncate the reigning peace in Ondo state.

“That is why when we see strangers with questionable manners, we look for vehicles and ensure their safety back home because our Governor sees them as Nigerians who are from somewhere.

“In cases where they don’t know where they are going to, but know where they are coming from, we will send them back to where they are coming from, providing all logistics to take care of them.

Ondo state is not against Hausa, Fulani or any other tribes. We have been living together for a long time. The law that guides the Yoruba man in Ondo state is the same law that protects the Hausa or Fulani man in Ondo state as well.

“Ondo state is not against any tribe, but the state Governor is fully against criminal activities. Governor Akeredolu loves visitors, but would not condole indiscipline or criminality. He likes you, he is happy with you, but will not be happy with criminals.

“That is why we, Amotekun Corps are here and we are working with other security Agencies in the state, such as; the Police, Army, DSS and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to ensure the state is safe. Nobody can hold you when you are going about your legitimate duty or business.”

Others in the team are Ahmed lbrahim, Abdullahi Abubakar Vice President Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle dealers of Nigeria, North Central Zone ; Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, NURTW Chairman,  Kano State and Hassan Adamu Vice-chairman cattle rearers.

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