Home Blog Page 2023

Kaduna: Two Catholic Priests Abucted, Friday Evening

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0

By Adesina Soyooye

Two Priests  of the Kafanchan Catholic Diocese, were, in the evening of Friday July 15, 2022, abducted.

The two Priests, Rev. Frs. John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas,  were abducted at about 5.45pm, Friday, on arrival at the Parish Rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu in Yero Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

In an announcement, the Chancellor of Kafanchan Diocese,  Rev. Fr. Emmanuel  Uchechukwu Okolo,  said:

“It is with great sadness that we announce to you, the kidnapping of two of our Priests,  Rev. Frs. John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleopas.

“The sad event of their abduction occurred  5:45pm, of July 15, 2022, shortly after the two Priests, who were on their way to a different Parish (Gure), arrived at the Parish Rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, Yadin Garu, in Yere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“As we solicit for an intense prayer for their quick and safe release, we equally wish to call on all and sundry, to refrain from taking laws into their hands. We will use every legitimate means to ensure their quick and safe release.

“May Jesus, crucified on the Cross, listen to our prayers and hasten the unconditional release of His Priests and all other kidnapped persons.”

In recent weeks, Christian Priests have been targets of abductors. Within the past three weeks, three of them, all of the Roman Catholic Church, were killed by their abductors.

Osun: Aregbesola’s Faction Promises To Help Oyetola Win

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Rauf Aregbesola and Oyetola

By Ayodele Oni

A faction of the All Progressive Congress, (APC)in Osun state loyal to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Friday resolved to support the flagbearer of the party in Saturday’s governorship election, Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

One of the member of the the faction, Osun Progressive had dragged Oyetola to court to challenge his emergence as candidate of the party, but lost out.

In a post shared by a former commissioner in the state and a member of the faction, Sikiru Ayedun, he said members of the faction would remain in APC, no matter the travails.

“Nevertheless, we remain unflinching members of our party, the All Progressives Congress and stand by its ideals, irrespective of our travails or even the outcome of tomorrow’s election,” he said.

According to him, “We are long-distance runners and will not abandon the ship of our party, in calm or stormy waters.”

Aregbesola, a former governor and Minister of interior was conspicuously absent at the mega rally, held on Wednesday to drum support for Oyetola.

Since the inception of the administration of Governor Oyetola, members of the faction had formed themselves into an opposition with parallel Executive in the state.

But the faction said it remains a part of the APC despite the alleged maltreatment of its members by Governor Oyetola’s administration.

The post continues: “As the Osun Governorship Election comes up tomorrow, we The Osun Progressives (TOP) have been inundated with calls, questions and demands for our position by the media and our supporters and enthusiasts.

“Fundamentally, we are unabashedly democrats of the progressive hue. We live its credo and our entire being is in it.

“Our association, a caucus within the State of Osun All Progressives Congress (APC), was founded last year when we alarmingly saw the direction our party was going.

“It was like the falcon could no longer hear the falconer. We were filled with trepidation on the tempest long foretold.

“We were at this junction before, in the run-off to the 2003 General election. We feared that history might tragically repeat itself except we acted selflessly and forthrightly. Like-minded members and leaders of the party, therefore, came together to form the group.

“The administration of our leader, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, produced a successor in Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, against all odds, by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

“We worked hard on the mantra of continuity, the continuation of the giant development strides of the Aregbesola administration, which endeared the party to the people of the state, producing the victory that brought Governor Oyetola into office.

“As a caucus within the party, we have consistently made strident efforts at peace and reconciliation within our party. For this, we have only asked for one condition, which is inclusiveness.

“The State Governor and his henchmen, most regrettably, have turned his office and our party into a zero-sum game. You are either with them or against them.

“They rejected any idea of inclusiveness. They rebuffed all propositions for peace and reconciliation and not even a Councillorship position was ceded to any other section of the party outside of the Ileri-Oluwa caucus.

“Any party member that is not publicly demonstrating obscene loyalty to the governor and attacking Ogbeni Aregbesola or anyone remotely or directly associated with him is branded an enemy and marked for alienation from government and party offices.

“Worse still, the independent-minded party members not praise singing the Governor are subject to insidious and malevolent attacks.

“The policy of exclusion in OSUN APC is so deep that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who is the immediate past Governor of the state and the current minister from the state was neither consulted, invited nor included in any party matter, the most recent of which is the APC’s Osun Campaign Council for this election. This posturing has riven the party,” the Aregbesola faction said

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Presidency Denies Any Advisory To Buhari

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0
DSS

By Adesina Soyooye

The Presidency says the claim that the Directorate of State Services, DSS, sent an Advisory to President Muhammadu Buhari on the dangers of a Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is absolutely false.

The news of the Advisory against a Muslim-Muslim ticket had gone viral on Friday.

But in a statement signed by Garba Shehu, President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, the Presidency warned that the newspaper from which the story first emanated, should be stayed away from as it has become “a deadly virus.”

The full text reads:

THERE IS NO DSS ADVISORY BEFORE PRESIDENT BUHARI ON APC RUNNING MATE, IT’S A FALSE STORY

“We wish to advise well-meaning Nigerians to ignore a laughably puerile report by an apparently pirate online newspaper seeking to sow division and chaos on the choice of Governor Kashim Shettima as the Running Mate of our Party’s Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola

Ahmed Tinubu.

“This so-called newspaper is like a deadly virus. Stay safe by keeping away from its toxic reports.”

The candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu had, to the shock and anger of not a few people, especially Christians, chosen the former Governor of Borno State, and Senator representing Borno Central, Senator Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim, as his running mate. The expectation was that to keep the usual religious balance, he should have picked a Christian.

Tinubu’s choice has sparked a run in the APC.

The official presentation of Shettima was suddenly called off on Thursday for a date yet to be announced.

Osun 2022: PDP Alleges APC’s Massive Bribing Of Police, INEC Officials

By
Adesina Soyooye
-
0

By Adesina Soyooye

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it has uncovered a huge plan by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to massively bribe Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force sent to Osun State for the Governorship election which holds on July 16, 2022.

The Party, therefore, calls on  INEC and the Police “to rejig formation in Osun State to avert crisis.”

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP alleged a “leaked report of how the APC released N20 million and N15 million respectively to two top Police Officers; N10 million to four Assistant Inspectors General of Police, N5 million each to four Commioners of Police, N2 million each to 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police to compromise the electoral process.”

It also alleged that the sum of N10 million per Local Government for INEC officials in all the 30 Local Government Areas in Osun State, N7 million to thugs masquerading as Amotekun officials and a huge sum of money for propaganda to a certain compromised Media outfit.”

The statement reads in full:

Osun: PDP Bursts APC Rigging Plots, Scheme to Bribe INEC, Police

…Urges INEC, Police to Rejig Formation in Osun State to Avert Crisis

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts of an orchestrated plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to derail our democracy by compromising the integrity and sabotaging the Will and desire of the people for a free, fair, transparent and credible electoral process in the Saturday July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun State.

“Specifically, the APC has accentuated its rigging programme by deploying billions of naira to compromise some security and electoral officers to intimidate voters, manipulate electoral process and inordinately favour the sinking APC Candidate, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, against the Will of the people.

“The PDP has been made aware of how huge sums of money have been funneled to certain compromised security and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials to execute this ignoble scheme.

“The said INEC and security officials are reported to have been bought over to among other things, criminally assist and provide cover for APC agents to prosecute a well-oiled vote buying and violence-triggering scheme.

“Our Party has information on how two prominent APC Governors from the South West, a former APC National Chairman from the South South, certain federal Minister and a particular member of the House of Assembly from Lagos State are coordinating the release of billions of naira to bribe electoral and security officials as well as fund heavily armed thugs imported from Lagos, Ondo, Ogun and other South West States to unleash violence and help the APC to rig the election.

“The PDP alerts of a leaked report of how the APC released N20 million and N15 million respectively to two top police officers; N10 million to four Assistant Inspector General of Police, N5 million each to four Commissioners of Police, N3 million each to 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police, N2million each to 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police to compromise the electoral process.

“Our Party also has further reports of how the APC released the sum of N10 million per Local Government Area for INEC officials in all the 30 Local Government Areas in Osun Steta, N7million to thugs masquerading as Amotekun officials and a huge sum of money for propaganda to a certain compromised media outfit.

“The PDP has however been made aware that some patriotic INEC and Police officials vehemently rejected the poisonous offer by the APC.  Our Party salutes the courage and patriotism of such officers who resisted the APC for the love of our country.

“The PDP calls on the Inspector General of Police and the Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu to take immediate decisive steps to check the activities of police and INEC officials deployed to Osun State so as to avert a breakdown of Law and Order, especially given the manifest determination of the people of Osun State to resist the APC on its evil scheme.

“The PDP demands that the Police and INEC immediately rejig their formations in Osun State as a step to assuage, reassure the electorate and prevent an impending crisis in the State.

“The PDP urges the people of Osun State to remain undeterred and focused in their determination to free their State from the misrule of the APC.”

The Osun Government elections comes up on Saturday, July 16, 2023. Even though other parties are contesting it is seen as a contest between the incumbent APC Governor, Oyetola and the candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke. Opinion is that it will be a close contest.

INEC: Voters’ Registration Ends July 31

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Voters Cards

By Ayodele Oni

After series of extension occasioned by litigation and legislative order, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday announced that the continuous voter registration (CVR) will end on July 31, 2022.

The commission made the decision at an extraordinary session which took place in Abuja.

The electoral umpire said the exercise has also been extended to eight hours daily from 9am to 5pm instead of the current duration of six hours daily.

INEC national commissioner in charge of Voter Education, Festus Okoye, said that moving forward, the exercise will also include weekends as against only weekdays.

INEC had earlier fixed June 30 as the deadline for the ongoing CVR ahead of the 2023 elections, but the commission later extended the exercise by two weeks following a court order.

The commission has therefore, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the new two-week extension to register for their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

According to INEC, “We appeal for the patience and understanding of all Nigerians as we conclude the exercise which will resume after the 2023 General Election.

“We observe that following the continuation of the exercise beyond 30th June 2022, many of the registration centres recorded low turnout of prospective registrants.

“With this two-week extension, we appeal to eligible citizens not to wait until the last few days before they inundate the centres again to register.”

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: DSS Warns Buhari Of Danger Ahead

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
DSS

The Department of State Services, DSS warned President Muhammadu Buhari in a report that a one faith presidential ticket will destabilize the country, according to People’s Gazette.

The online newspaper said the secret police warned the president  before  Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling APC picked Kassim Shetima, a former Governor of Borno state as his running mate last week.

Tinubu had cited competence as his reason for chosing the former Governor to run with him in next year’s presidential election.

But the Pople’s Gazette, said a processed intelligence report to President Buhari had warned of grave consequences if the APC pressed ahead with picking somebody of the same faith for the position.

The report was said to have been submitted to the NSA Major Gen. Babagana Mungonu (rtd) for onward transmission to the president days after Tinubu emerged APC presidential candidate.

The document had advised Tinubu to consider security implications of his selection before making it public, according to three officials briefed on the report.
“The SSS produced the report and handed a copy to the NSA,” an intelligence officer said.
“The NSA looked at the report and added it for security briefing to the president.’’
“Simply put, our understanding is that the alliance will destabilise Nigeria and embolden attacks on Christian citizens from their fellow Muslim citizens,” the official said.
“The distrust Christians are likely to harbour against a presidency occupied by two Muslims won’t make our work easy at national security level.”
The official said Buhari was not involved in the deliberations that led to Tinubu’s announcement of Kashim Shettima, from the Boko Haram stronghold in Borno, as his 2023 running mate to the ire of Christians across the country.
“People can say whatever they like about the President, but as a senior intelligence administrator I can guarantee you he was not involved in Tinubu’s decision at all,” the official said n a remarkable moment of candour.

Another official said the report was commissioned after Tinubu became the standard-bearer of the party on June 8 and started embracing the idea of a Muslim-Muslim ticket as the most potent strategy to be elected as president in an ethnically and religiously polarised country like Nigeria
Traditionally, northern Muslims have voted more than southern Christians, a traditional pattern which Tinubu looked to exploit, particularly as a similar ticket in 1993 saw the election of Moshood Abiola as president despite picking Babagana Kingibe, a northern Muslim, as running mate.
While the ticket was accepted by Nigerians at the time, the victory was annulled by former dictator Ibrahim Babangida and augured a protracted turmoil across the country.
“Strong intelligence led us to believe that he was passionate about the idea of a Muslim running mate,” the second official, an assistant director at the SSS, said.
“By the time our analysts reassessed the state of the country right now and what would likely come out of a Muslim president and vice-president, everything tilted towards negative and very dangerous times ahead.”
A spokesman for the SSS declined requests to comment on the memo, and both the State House and Tinubu’s campaign headquarters did not respond to requests for comment.
Yet, the report could drive a wedge between the secret police and the man who may be the country’s next president on the back of President Buhari and the ruling party.
The second official also dismissed questions about whether or not the SSS was injecting itself into uncharted political waters which could warrant serious consequences should Tinubu go on to be elected next February, saying it was after Tinubu had already taken the decision that he informed the president.
“We have it in our files that Tinubu went to the president to ask him about who to pick but the president was very reluctant to contribute and Tinubu noticed this before walking away,” the official added. “We have a role to play towards safeguarding national security and our report was not intended as a political intervention.”

Tinubu had unveiled Shettima after paying a Salah homage to Buhari in his Daura, Katsina home last week.

The National Chairman of APC, said Tinubu’s decision is the ‘work of God in response to scathing remarks from not a few Nigerians who said the Muslim-muslim ticket will further polarised the country along religious lines, apart from worsening the security situation in the country

Court Raises CJN’s Salary To N10m

By
Uche Mbah
-
0
National Industrial Court - NIC

By Uche Mbah

The National Industrial Court, NIC, Friday ordered the federal government to increased the monthly salary of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN to N10 million.

The court also ordered the upward review of  salary structure of other judiciary workers.

In a judgement delivered by Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osagie, the court ruled that salaries of judges and justices have been marking time for over a decade. This, he said, is despite the increased workload placed on judicial officers, which the court calls “embarrassing”.

“There is no doubt that from evidence adduced before this court that salaries payable to judges as well as their conditions of service, has been greatly altered to their disadvantage”, Obaseki-Osagie ruled.

“Judicial officers are daily impoverished by the devaluation of the Naira.

“They have suffered financial hardship and embarrassment owing to their poor pay. It is a shame to the country.

“In spite of this, our judges have continued to carry out their statutory duties.

“Justices are themselves victims of a great injustice. What an irony”, She held, arguing that the salary review is a right of judges, and the duty of NIC to right such wrongs. Hence NIC can compel the Federal government through its agencies to effect an upward review of salaries of judicial workers.

Consequent upon this, the court ordered an  increase in the salary of the CJN to N10million, while those following in hierarchical order; justices of the Supreme Court and President of the Court of Apeal was increased to N9m.

Court of Appeal Justices, Chief Judges, President of the Industrial Court, Grand Khadis and President of Customary Courts will now earn N8 million, while other Judges are to receive N7 million each.

The court therefore, directed the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN be served the judgment.

The cost of N1.5 million  was awarded against RMAFC, the AGF and the National Assembly, who were joined as Defendants.

The judgement was as a result of a suit filed by by Sebastian Hon, SAN.

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that the federal government will challenge the judgment at the appellate court.

Ondo Donates 50 Smart Patrol Vehicles To Security Agencies To Fight Terrorists

By
Ayodele Oni
-
0
Rotimi Akeredolu
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state government is doing everything possible to ensure that the Owo incident, during which Gunmen invaded a church and killed score of worshippers does not repeat itself.

To this end, 50 electronically fitted patrol vehicles were on Friday donated to Security Agencies, as part of the administration’s  commitment  to further protect lives and property in the State.

Just few days ago, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, signed into law the first amendment to the Ondo State Security Network Agency Law.

The Governor, who assented to the bill at the State Executive Chamber, noted that the new amendment became imperative in light of the heightened insecurity across the state.

He assured that the amended Law will enhance the security architecture of the State and help the Amotekun Corps to perform better.

Governor Akeredolu  handed-over the fitted Patrol Vehicles to heads of the Security Agencies in the State including the Army; Navy, Nigeria Police, the Civil Defense Corps, Department of the State Services and the Amotekun Corps.

The Governor noted that the commissioning and handing over of additional 50 Vehicles was a further demonstration of his administration towards providing the needed support for all security agencies operating in the State.

Governor Akeredolu, who said his administration places premium on the dignity of human lives, vowed to smoke out all criminals in the State from their hidings and make the State uncomfortable for them.

”We still recall with trepidation the dastardly act of last month when some daredevil terrorists who have lost their souls to the devil launched an attack at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa in the ancient city of Owo,” he said.

According to him, “One of my promises then to the people of Ondo State was to do everything humanly possible to strengthen the capacity of our security agencies to be able to anticipate, prevent and combat a recurrence of such man’s inhumanity to mankind.

“Today, it gives me great delight to commission and hand over additional security equipment particularly fitted Patrol Vehicles, to security agencies operating in the State towards boosting the capacity of our men in the line of duty of crime fighting so that our people can go about their businesses and livelihood without fear of molestation or attack.

“In doing this, the agencies would be better equipped and strengthened to carry out their constitutional duties of protecting lives and property and combating acts of criminality in our dear State.

“Let me emphasise that procurement and distribution of vehicles to security agencies have been a recurring exercise in our state since we came on board.

“We have done this for the umpteenth time. As a government, we are aware of the inadequacies of our security agencies and we are prepared, more than ever, to be supportive because it borders on the lives of our people who voted us into office.

“I wish to reassure the good people of Ondo State of our avowed commitment to the constitutional responsibility of every government which is the security of lives and property and welfare of the people as enshrined in Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended).  This will remain our topmost priority.”

Governor Akeredolu noted that the provision of the vehicles is in addition to other logistic supports his administration has continued to render because of its conviction in the dignity of human life.

“I, therefore, wish to inform naysayers that we are prepared to make Ondo State uncomfortable and too hot for any identified criminals to hibernate.

“Therefore, these vehicles will be deployed to relevant security agencies in charge of internal security to enable them function more effectively and efficiently. Our Key Performance Indicator shall remain a Zero Tolerance to Crime of whatever dimension.” He stressed.

Governor Akeredolu commended the sustained cooperation among the security agencies , which he said has culminated in a more peaceful environment and reduction in crime.

“It is apposite to state that in spite of the occasional flashes of incidence of criminalities, Ondo State still remains one of the relatively peaceful states in Nigeria. I salute you all for your efforts in this regard,” the governor noted.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Oguntoyinbo and the Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the State, Rt. Rev Daniel Ayodeji Akomolafe commended the Governor for his efforts at securing the lives and property of the people.

They called for the establishment of State Police and better  empowerment for the Amotekun Corps to be able to bear arms so as to complement the efforts of the security agencies in fighting crimes.

Food Prices Push Inflation Above 18 Percent, NBS Says

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0
Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed,minister of finance

Nigeria’s inflation rate has continued on the double digit trajectory after it rose to 18.6 per cent in June from 17.7  per cent in May this year.

This represents a 0.9 percent point rise when compared to 17.7 per cent recorded in May, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.

The report comes on the heels of the Government of Ghana announcement of 15 percent salary allowance for civil servants in the country due to rising inflation in the neighboring West African country.

The federal government has failed to provide such economic buffers for Public workers despite rise in the prices of essential commodities especially food items.

 According to NBS in its Consumer Price Index, CPI Report  food inflation has increased by 1.1 percent point to 20.6 per cent from 19.5 per cent in May.

The NBS said:”In June 2022, the inflation rate increased to 18.60 percent on a year-on-year basis. This is 0.84 percent points higher compared to the rate recorded in June 2021, which is 17.75 percent.

” Increases were recorded in all COICOP divisions that yielded the Headline inflation. On a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate increased to 1.82 percent in June 2022, this is 0.03 percent higher than the rate recorded in May 2022 (1.78 percent) .”

”The composite food index rose to 20.60 percent in June 2022 on a year-on-year basis; the rate of changes in average price level declined by 1.23 percent compared to 21.83 percent in June 2021.

“The rate of changes in food prices compared to the same period last year was higher due to higher food prices volatility caused by COVID 19″.

“This rise in the food index was caused by increases in prices of Bread and cereals, food products, potatoes, yam, and other tubers, meat, fish, oil and fat, and wine,” the NBS said.

Third Term Agenda: I rejected N100m From Obasanjo-Gbajabiamila

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
-
0

Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker, House of Representatives, has recounted how former President Olusegun Obasanjo tried to recruit him for his Third Term agenda.

The former president had tried to extend his tenure in office through the back door by trying to fraudulently amend the constitution to that effect.
Many politicians in the People’s Democratic Party at the time bought into the agenda, after being allegedly bribed.
The plot eventually failed, but not a few insist that the agenda cast a slur on Obasanjo and still hunt him, even when the former president denied ever  nursing elongating himself in office.
 Gbajabiamila said he was offered a whopping N100 million to back the unpopular agenda.

The speaker recounted his role in the Third Term saga, in a book titled ‘Mr. Speaker: The Legislative Life, Service and Resilience of Femi Gbajabiamila’, recently launched in Abuja to mark his 60th birthday.

According to him, “My best moment as a lawmaker was the death of Third Term; the day it was pronounced dead, because we had sleepless nights. We were meeting; we got a place in Asokoro, hidden somewhere. We would start our meetings sometimes at 11 at night and leave at 4am. I can’t remember how many of us. It was a risk to life.

“So, the day it was pronounced dead was a happy day and a relief for me. I was a free man. Look, I was offered inducement, at that time, by one of the major proponents of Third Term. At this point, I would not mention his name, but he is a major player in this country.

“While they were offering members N50 million, I was offered double, a N100 million at that time, and you know what N100 million was, which, of course, I turned down. I say that for you to understand the pressure; financial, mental and physical pressure.

“We had no other job in the House except Third Term, constitutional amendment. For me, as noble as that work was, the best time was the day it died, not the Third Term itself, but the day it was killed on the floor.”

One of the many revelations in the book, is Gbajabiamila’s account of how Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state betrayed him when he contested for the Speaker of Nigeria’s Lower House in 2015.

Recall that he lost the Speakership to Yakubu Dogara from Bauchi state in that historical election to elect leaders of the National Assembly immediately after the All Progressives Congress, APC unexpectedly swept to power in 2015.

1...2,0222,0232,024...2,992Page 2,023 of 2,992