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2023: Omokiri Demands Apology From Kwankwaso Over Comment On Obi, Ndigbo

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Reno Omokri

By Akinwale Kasali

Reno Omokiri, aide to Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has demanded an apology from New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Presidential Candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso for saying northerners will not vote for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

Kwakwanso’s party is currently in talks with the LP on how the two parties can form an alliance to win the 2023 presidential election.

Many Nigerians have called on the former Kano state governor to become the Vice presidential candidate of Obi, so as to be able to defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC next year.

The former governor has rejected the offer, saying his party would rather go into the election alone except Obi accepts to be his Vice presidential candidate.

While speaking on the issue on Sunday, Kwakwanso said northerners will not vote for Obi or any candidate from the east. He said the only opportunity the Igbo have to take a shot at the presidency is to support him.

His comment did not go down well with Omokiri, who has now demanded an apology from the former Minister of Defence, adding that Igbo are not ‘bottom feeder”.

Omokri said on his verified Facebook page that the former Kano governor must retract the statement and apologise to Ndigbo.

Omokiri said, “The statement credited to Rabiu Kwakwanso was not well thought out. I respect Kwakwanso but not to use such adjective to describe the Southeast, and people of Igbo origin, is rather unfortunate. I truly hope he considers his statement and issues an apology. We are all Nigerians nobody is a bottom feeder.”

Guinea Bissau President Leads ECOWAS

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Guinea Bissau President Umaro Embalo has been elected as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa, ECOWAS Authority. He succeeded Ghana’s Preident, Nana Akufo-Addo following his election on Sunday.

Unlike the Ghana leader who spent close to two years in office, the new ECOWAS leader is expected to be in office for one year.

Similarly, Omar Alieu Touray from The Gambia has also been elected as the new President of the ECOWAS Commission replacing Cote d’Ivoire’s Jean-Claude Kassi Brou.

Brou has also assumed office as Governor of the Central Bank of West African States, BCEAO on Monday.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo represented Nigeria at the summit which held in Ghana.

He was accompanied on the trip by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, and some other members of the Federal Executive Council is expected back in Abuja later on Sunday.

At the meeting, Osinbajo attended among other meetings, the five West African countries involved with The Abidjan – Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project.

It’s a flagship project of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). It connects the capitals of five West African states (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria) and stretches for approximately 1,028 km.

A release from ECOWAS Commission had said that the objective of this $42m project is “to promote cross-border trade, integrate economies within the ECOWAS area, reduce transport costs, stimulate inter-regional trade and strengthen regional integration in West Africa.”

The Nigerian vice president had since returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital on Sunday.

The Picture Of a Young Man Standing On Nigeria’s Flag Not Obi’s Son

By
The Source
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Peter Obi Son

The Peter Obi Media Office has distanced him from a young purported to be Obi’s son, Oseloka Obi, wearing a shirt made in Biafra Colours and standing on the Nigerian Flag.

Aside from dismissing it as the height of desperation, the Media Office said that while Obi’s is about six feet, the young man whose photograph was used for the mischief is about 5 feet tall.

The statement reads;

“Everyday, the desperation of the opposition is becoming stronger.

“Their latest mischief is the circulation of a picture, most probably contrived, of a young man in Biafra apparel standing on Nigeria’s flag  and passed it as Mr. Peter Obi’s son.

“We wish to state that the said young man is not Mr. Peter Obi’s son, who, by his strict upbringing marked by rigorous discipline understands what civic duty and responsibilities entail.

“Mr. Oseloka Obi is about six feet and taller than his father; while the young man they used for the mischief is slightly above 5 feet.

“The Peter Obi Media Office calls on those seeking elective posts and their supporters to always be guided by the right ethics at all times.”

Afenifere Rallies Support For Tinubu’s Presidency

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The Afenifere Renewal Group, (ARG) says no single geopolitical zone in country can singlehandedly produce the president of Nigeria.

ARG pointed out that since the present political dispensation started in 1999, emergence of a President has always been the collaborative efforts of all the six geopolitical zones.

The Group has therefore charged politicians from the  South-West to be united, by coalescing efforts with the remaining five geo-political zones to actualise the presidential bid of former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 general election.

ARG Publicity Secretary, Michael Ogungbemi, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, appreciated stakeholders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Northern Governors’ Forum; the APC presidential aspirants  that stepped down for Tinubu and party members for making his emergence as candidate possible.

“It is now time for the South-West to display uncommon unity to complement the patriotic and progressive efforts of the APC members.”

Ogungbemi, who addressed a press conference said, “This is not the time to put up the toga of ego and sulk in the enmity of the past.

“We must chart a new course and work hard with other five zones of the country for Tinubu to ascend the throne.

“The trajectory of election in Nigeria since 1999 clearly presents an unassailable narrative that no zone can singlehandedly produce Nigerian President without recourse to the sensibilities and cooperation of others.

“With this reality, we must jettison primordial sentiments and divisive comments and form a formidable coalition with the Igbos, Fulani, Hausa, Kanuri and other ethnic nationalities to galvanise support for Tinubu in the forthcoming election.

“We hereby, humbly task Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Bisi Akande; the Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Akeredolu; Nigerian Governors’ Forum Chairman, Kayode Fayemi; Ibikunke Amosun; Rauf Aregbesola and other bigwigs in the progressive fold to midwife sincere and genuine reconciliation among contending forces and unite for Tinubu.

“One thing is certain, failure is not an option for us in this election as the APC has done us a great deal of favour by voting for a worthy and enigmatic leader of the South-West progressives politics to take over after President Buhari.

“We must start putting our house in order and form a strong synergy with other zones to be able to deliver the presidency to Tinubu. This is actionable.

“Working hard to get the ticket makes other uphill tasks ahead of us easier. Without unity, particularly in the South-West, sabotage and other treacherous acts may surge and hinder the actualisation of this dream and that would be an unpardonable mistake that may haunt the region for many years ahead.”

The ARG expressed confidence that Tinubu would win next year’s presidential election going by his antecedents.

“With strong political networks, structures and contacts that Tinubu had erected over the years, coupled with his cosmopolitan political stature that towers above other contestants, the APC is set and more than ready to win the 2023 presidential poll,” the group said.

Lagos: PDP Slams Governor Sanwo Olu Over  BRT Fare Hike

By
Akinwale Kasali
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BRT Bus price hike

By Akinwale Kasali

Leading opposition political party in Lagos State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has slammed  Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo Olu over the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, fare hike.

Governor Sanwo-olu announced the hike fare last week, citing the cost of diesel.

The hike will take effect from July 13.

Sanwo-Olu said the increase is necessary to cushion the effect of the harsh operating environment, safeguard private partnership investment, and forestall the demise of formalized bus operations in the state.

A bus ride from Ikorodu – TBS will now cost N600 as against the previous N500 charges, while Berger to Ajah is now N700, up from N600. Oshodi to Abule Egba will cost N450 from N350, and Abule-Egba-CMS-Obalende will attract a fare of N600.

The increase, according to the government, is aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the BRT and standard route schemes.

The Governor promised to support for the BRT operators in view of the continuous increase in diesel prices. This, he said, will ensure that the impact of the hike is reduced on the passengers.

The PDP, in a statement released on Sunday, and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, said the increase would add to the sufferings of Lagosians.

The statement said the state government is only trying to worsen the plight of the masses.

Amode stressed that the APC administration is to blame for the hike in the pump price of diesel from N187 to N830 and the unavailability of spare parts, saying the increase is not justifiable.

He said: “Sanwo-Olu-led APC administration has completely abdicated its responsibility to the people of the state and turned a blind eye to their predicament.

“The few ‘luxuries’ that the people benefit from the state are being taken away.

“Now is not the time for any form of increment, as the people of the state have suffered enough under this unsympathetic government.”

Amode urged the state government to immediately shelve the hike, so as not to worsen the citizens’ conditions in the face of dilapidated infrastructure, insecurity and hunger.

Breaking: CAF Postpones AFCON 2023

By
James Orji
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CAF Logo

By Akinwale Kasali

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has postponed the 2023 African Cup of Nations to 2024.

The Continent’s Apex Football body President, Patrice Motsepe, announced on Sunday that the 34th edition, which was originally scheduled to hold between June 23 to July 23, 2023, in Ivory Coast will not be played as planned due to the weather conditions in the West African country.

“The 2023 Afcon will now be played between January and February 2024,” Mostepe told the media during a press conference in Morocco. “This is one of the issues we discussed during our congress meeting here in Morocco and the official dates will be communicated later.

“It is after deliberations we came into the decision, we have partners and even though we make decisions, it is out of respect that we take the advice we are getting that we cannot take a risk [to host the tournament] and so that is why we have made the necessary announcement today [Sunday].

“It is not good for African football to play a tournament that can be washed out, it is not good for Africa and the continent at large and so we have to postpone it.”

CAF lauded Ivory Coast for preparing ahead the tournament.

“I am happy and impressed with the infrastructure put in place by Ivory Coast in readiness for the tournament and I am sure they will host a very good tournament,” Motsepe continued.

After the final vote at the Caf Executive Committee meeting on September 20, 2014, the African football body announced the hosts for three editions; Cameroon (2019), Ivory Coast (2021), and Guinea (2023).

The last edition of the tournament was held in Cameroon where Senegal emerged the winners after defeating Egypt on penalties in the final.

2023: PDP Crisis Deepens, Call For Ayu’s Resignation intensifies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Iyorcha Ayu

By Akinwale Kasali

The crisis rocking opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has deepened with the call for the resignation of the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu getting intensified.

The crisis in the Party is unconnected to the outcome of the party’s Presidential Primary where Atiku Abubakar emerged as the Presidential Candidate of the party.

Some members of the Board of Trustees, BoT, are angry with the Choice of a running mate to Atiku.

The aggrieved BoT are said to be angry over the Party’s decision to settle for Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor as running mate to Atiku against Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, who was runner up to Atiku in the Primary and was also recommended by the party as vice president nominee.

The consensus among such members  is that Wike should have been picked for the position, due to his contribution to the party, and the fact that majority of the members of the committee set up to deliberate on the issue chose Wike.

Governor Ortom of Benue stare had revealed, last week, that 14 of the 17 members voted for Wike to be Atiku’s running mate.

The angry BOT members are now gunning for Ayu who they believed was also instrumental on how Okowa emerged.

The are calling on the chairman to resign his position before the start of campaigns.

One BoT member who claimed anonymity said; “As we know, the agitation for power shift has closed and what happened at the convention was a disaster.

“Having said that, it is now the responsibility of the new leader of the party to take the gauntlet and lead the move for reconciliation.

“Reconciliation should not be done through a third party. That is why some of us who love the party have been meeting and calling for calm.

“All the vituperations they are firing up and down in anger will not help the party. We are not yet in the Villa, we are still in the opposition, and that is why he (Atiku) should take the gauntlet and lead the team for serious reconciliation”.

The aggrieved BoT members insisted that the PDP National Chairman must resign from his position for peace to reign.

He said: “Ayu should not lead this reconciliation. Ayu, as a person, should leave because once the presidential candidate emerges from one side of the country, the Chairman must come from the other zone.

“Ayu should pack his things and go. He should not say he will go it after the 2023 elections. For him to say that he will go after elections shows he is rubbing salt upon injury.

“How does he want to go to the South and campaign? What are we going to tell the people of the South? The candidate is from the North, the Chairman is also from the North, while the BoT Chairman is from the North. Has that ever been the face of the party? Why are they struggling to destroy the party?

“Everybody must be carried along because the PDP is not the private company of anybody. We need to sit and solve the problems of this country.”

Benue Rejects Water Bill,  Calls It Modern Slavery

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Benue states is leading other states in the country to reject the National Water Resources Bill currently before the national assembly.

The state also called on the national assembly to once again reject the bill, described as a modern day slavery.

Special Adviser on media to the state Governor, Terver Akase, said in a statement in Makurdi that provisions of the bill are at variance with Land Use Act.

The statement reads “On Wednesday June 29, 2022, the controversial National Water Resources Bill was reintroduced to the House of Representatives by the Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources, Sada Soli from Katsina State.

“It was not the first or even the second time that the pestiferous bill was brought before the National Assembly.

“The very first time that the Muhammadu Buhari administration made a move to hijack all water resources in this country using the instrumentality of the same bill was in 2018 when the President sent the proposed law to the National Assembly as an Executive Bill on April 11, 2017.

“The bill sparked outrage as many Nigerians rightly interpreted the proposed law as a plot to grab the waterways and hand same to Fulani pastoralists.

“Apparently sensing the spontaneous anger that greeted the bill, the Presidency resorted to using the National Assembly members from Katsina State to execute the draconian mission.

“On Tuesday, 7 July 2020, the Bill was reintroduced into the 9th Assembly by Hon Sada Soli. It was re-considered on 23 July 2020 pursuant to Order Twelve (12), Rule 18 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, but eventually thrown out.

“It is suspicious that only members from the President’s home state of Katsina have continued to introduce the Water Bill before the National Assembly when almost every other member thinks differently.

“The above background is important to enable Nigerians see the trajectory of the agenda to deprive the indigenous people of their God-given lands and water resources.

“The bill which seeks to bring all water sources (surface and underground), as well as river banks under the control of the Federal Government through its agencies is anti-federalism and negates the right of Nigerians to their ancestral resources.

“The bill, in addition to its provisions which are grossly at variance with the Land Use Act, is a disguised land-grabbing legislation designed to grant pastoralists unhindered access to river basins, adjacent marine and coastal environments across the country.

“The bill is another version of ruga and cattle colonies which objective is to create grazing areas in the 36 states of the federation for herders and their livestock.

“We fault the submission of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila on the day the bill was reintroduced, that all Governors contributed in drafting of the new bill.

“We find it unconscionable, the Speaker’s mention of Governor Samuel Ortom as one of those who endorsed the bill.

“Governor Ortom’s stand against cattle colonies, ruga and the water resources bill has been consistent, and he won’t shift his position now!

“We wonder what the interest of the Honourable Speaker in the said bill is, that he wants to draft every Governor into endorsing the proposed legislation.

“Coming at a time when Nigerians are clamouring for proper federalism which entails devolution of powers to states and local governments, the introduction of a Water Resources Bill by the Buhari administration to deprive the people of their water resources is not only unfortunate but also smacks of insensitivity.

“Initiators of the obnoxious National Water Resources Bill are not only insensate but have also shown crass abhorrence of Nigeria’s unity as well as the current mood of the nation when people are slaughtered in their homes and even the clergy are not spared by terrorists.

“Shouldn’t the Presidency be more concerned about proffering a lasting solution to the orgy of killings across the country?

“The Federal Government doesn’t seem to be bothered that Nigeria is bleeding from the torture inflicted on the people by rapacious herdsmen who are bent on expropriating farmlands.

“All that matters to the present administration is to turn parts of this country to safe havens for the herders and their animals.

“Hundreds of people have been killed while homes and property worth billions have been destroyed. Sadly, all that Nigerians get to hear from their leader is to “learn to live with their countrymen”. Whose countrymen? Those killer herdsmen?

“We want to alert Nigerians again that if the National Water Resources Bill is passed into law, the rights of citizens over fresh water resources – ponds, lakes, rivers, streams and springs will be taken away with impunity.

“The bill will deny states and local government authorities as well as individuals the right to make use of the water in their backyard, until they get permission from Abuja.

“The Federal Government’s insistence to take over the control of water resources across the country is tantamount to the suppression and enslavement of indigenous people of this country.

“We state unequivocally that Benue will not be part of the National Water Resources Bill! Our state should therefore be counted out of any discussion that pertains to the bill.

“We call on other State Governments to rise and resist the land and water grabbing bill currently before the National Assembly.

“This is an opportunity for all patriots to stand to be counted as those who resisted modern day slavery.

“We equally call on members of the National Assembly to once more, act as true representatives of the people, for the sake of posterity and throw away the water bill.

“They should remember that the destiny of over 200 million Nigerians lies in their hands,” the statement said.

Ekiti Kidnapping: Police Arrest Cow Seller, Councilor

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Police Force

By Ayodele Oni

The Ekiti state Police Command has arrested suspected two kidnapers kingpins after a long trail of the criminals.

The police named the suspected kidnappers as one Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris, who diverts money realized from kidnapping to cow business and Ibrahim Mumini Toyin, both arrested in Ido-Ekiti.

Report also claimed that a former councilor in Ido/Osi local government is being linked with the kidnap gang.

The Command spokesman, Sunday Abutu explained that “The duo coordinated numerous highprofile kidnappings in Ekiti including the kidnapping of one Adeeko Ademola and Nasiru Salisu at Adamsy Sawmill, Aisegba-Ekiti.

“The Command Rapid Response Squad in synergy with the vigilantes, acting on credible intelligence, arrested the duo.

“During interrogation, Ibrahim Mumini Toyin confessed to the commission of the crime and claimed that the dastardly act of kidnapping and murder of one of the two victims was carried out by himself and four others who are children of Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris and are currently at large.

“He further confessed that Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris is their kingpin, adding that the ransom collected from their victims was used to purchase cattle by Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris to increase his herd of cattle.

“Ibrahim Mumini Toyin disclosed that his own share of the ramsom allegedly paid was used to purchase cattle for him by Alhaji Abashe Adamu Idris.

“Suspects are in custody undergoing interrogation and will be arraigned after the conclusion of investigation.”

Just last week, a retired permanent secretary in the state was kidnapped in his farm at Orin, in Ido/Osi local government.

He was later released at Obbo Ayegunle, in Kwara state after ransome was paid by the family.

The Kidnappers had invaded the farm settlement in the community claiming that they were in search of some expartriates working there.

Ondo: How Abductors Lured Children To Church – Police

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
The Kidnapped Chidlren in Ondo and the Suspects

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Police Command has clarified that the children discovered in an underground building were actually abducted and awaiting  rapture.

The command late Saturday also said one of the arrested pastors of the church attempted to attack police the team sent to free the children.

Spokesperson of the command, Funmilayo Odunlami explained in a statement that “Following Intelligence Report gathered by the Police at Fagun Division, Ondo Town, that some children are being harboured at The Whole Bible Believers Church AKA ONDO CHURCH, Valentino area, Ondo Town.

“Policemen were sent to the Church to invite the Pastor and the members of the Church and on sighting the Police they  attacked them.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that one Pastor Josiah Peter Asumosa, an Assistant Pastor in the Church was the one who told the members that Rapture will take place in April.

“He later said it has been changed to September, 2022 and told the young members to obey only their parents in the Lord.

“Another family, who was also around during the rescue said their daughter, a part 3 student, dropped out of school due to the strange teachings of the Pastor and left home in January, 2022 to start living in the Church.

“In all, Seventy seven  members – Twenty Six  children, Eight  teenagers and Forty Three  adult members were rescued from the Church.

“The two pastors are in Police custody. Investigation has commenced and the outcome will be made known to the members of the Public,” the police said.

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