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Ekiti: Pressure Mounts On Gov Oyebanji On Appointment Of Chief Of Staff

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Barely few days in office, Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji is faced with intense lobby over the appointment of his Chief of Staff, (CoS).

Oyebanji had announced two appointments, that of secretary to government and chief press secretary, who has served former Governor Kayode Fayemi, since last Sunday when he was sworn in as the sixth Governor of Ekiti state.

The House of Assembly has also cleared one commissioner nominee, for Attorney General, while another one was recalled without any recourse to the assembly.

One of those being rooted for the position of CoS from Ilejemeje local government had his name put on hold at the point of announcement.

Former Governor Fayemi, who is currently holidaying abroad was reported to have expressed his reservations about the nominee, who had served in his administration as a commissioner.

Despite being one of the closest allies of Governor Oyebanji, the nominee is said to have received disapproval of Fayemi as a result of his roles, which have made some members of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) in his local government to leave the party.

It was gathered that Oyebanji is now awaiting instruction from his predecessor on the choice of his Chief of Staff.

The Governor is said to be doing everything possible not to incur the wrath of Fayemi, that facilitated and imposed him on APC leaders as his annoited successor, hence the need for him to tarry on some of the appointments for now.

Oyebanji has also been quoted at some fora, even before his inauguration last Sunday that he will follow the footsteps of his successor.

There are also indication that some former Aides of Fayemi are still waiting to serve in the present administration, and are expecting the nod of their former principal when he returns to the country after his two week holiday abroad.

Ekiti: Gov Oyebanji To Present Maiden Budget; Meets Stakeholders

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has assured the people of the State that the 2023 budget will give adequate consideration for their basic needs while targeting all round development of the state.

He also said that the recently launched 30 years development plan of the State would be his working document.

The Governor stated this during his citizens’ engagement meetings held in the three senatorial districts of the state as part of preparation for the 2023 budget.

He added that the town hall meetings had become an “annual ritual” since the first administration of former Governor Kayode Fayemi, to ensure community participation in budget preparation.

The town hall meetings which took place in Ikole, North senatorial district;  Ode, South senatorial District and Ado-Ekiti, Central to receive suggestions and proposals from various communities on projects they want government to include in the 2023 budget.

Oyebanji at the meetings told the people that his administration was irrevocably committed to participatory and all-inclusive government and budgeting, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to interact with the representatives of various towns and communities to articulate their needs for inclusion in the 2023 budget.

He also challenged them on the need to assist the security agencies in intelligence gathering by coming up with relevant information of suspicious movements or activities to enable them track down people with criminal tendencies.

“We should all be vigilant about what happens in our society. I agree we should step up our action on Amotekun and strengthen the security outfit, but Amotekun without intelligence is zero. He said.

Governor Oyebanji who noted that the various concerns of the people including electricity supply, potable water, rehabilitation of roads, renovation of schools building and others assured the people that the administration is already making efforts with relevant authorities to ensure that electricity supply is restored in some areas that have been without power supply for years.

On his effort to strengthen the feedback mechanism from the people, the Governor said his administration would establish an Ombudsman office where the people can supply government with useful information that would guide government in its decision-making process.

“All the requests made by all the communities are related and what we will do is to prioritize your requests because what is paramount in the heart of one community is different from that of the other community.

“The reason we are doing this is because the government belongs to you and you know your basic needs even though government may not be able to do all, but we would address the basic ones.

“As a responsible government, we are of the firm belief that citizens’ participation in budgeting process enables ownership and efficient service delivery.

“It also gives meaning to the popular definition of democracy by Abraham Lincoln which describes democracy “as government of the people by the people and for the people”.

“For us, we want to govern with the people and not for them. You will always be part of our decision making and your voice will always be heard.

“This meeting is not only a personal commitment to participatory budgeting, it is also in conformity with the global best practices in budgeting.

“It is also one of the indicatory mileage of accountability requirements of the tripartite programme called: State Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme.

“Our annual Budget preparation process shall be bottom-up, whereby the needs and interest of the people shall be articulated.

“The involvement of the citizens in the Budget preparation is geared towards effective utilization of public funds based on the needs of the people.”

The representatives of the communities comprising the traditional rulers and community leaders, after presenting their various demands, also commended the Governor for sustaining the citizens engagement programme aimed at effective budgeting.

Imo 2023: Why I Will Run For Governorship – Samdaddy; Says Only One Man Cannot Be Contesting From PDP Each Time

By
The Source
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Samdaddy and Emeka Ihedioha

By Charles Igbo

The speculations are over. From the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party, Imo State Chapter, former Governor, Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha will have a challenger in his ambition to challenge the incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The National Secretary of the PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, popular as Samdaddy, will challenge Ihedioha for the PDP ticket.

In an interview with the Vanguard, Anyanwu, who Ihedioha defeated in the Governorship Primary in 2019, said the contest for the Governor’s seat in PDP Imo should not be a one-man show. He said the impression it gives is that the PDP does not have qualified people except one man. That one person whose name he did not mention is Ihedioha.

In 2019, Anyanwu had cried foul, insisting he was cheated out of the ticket. He said he won. He went to Court to challenge the result of the Primary, and even when Ihedioha was declared the Governor-elect by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,   Anyanwu pursued the case until he lost at the Supreme Court.

Anyanwu: “Since the Governorship election in Imo is an off-season election with Kogi and Bayelsa, when the window of the Governorship race is open, like I have done before, I will try to do it again. It is not because I want power, or I’m not financially comfortable.

“I believe in Imo State, my interest is to bring a new life where when you see somebody on the street, he is happy. But as we speak, when you go on the streets of Imo today, nobody looks happy.

“The truth of the matter is that ordinarily, Imo State is predominantly a PDP State, but Imo people are resisting a situation whereby an individual is constantly running for the same office

when there are so many other people. What it means is that you are telling the world that PDP doesn’t have other qualified people. All we are asking is a level playing field so that somebody can emerge with the love of the people and go ahead to face the Party in power.”

Loyalty  in the Imo PDP is divided between Ihedioha and Anyanwu. And both sides see nothing good in the other side.  But not a few people took it for granted that the Party would  leave the ticket for Ihedioha considering how his tenure as a Governor was aborted by the Supreme Court just after seven months in office.

The mere thought that Anyanwu, or anybody else, could challenge him rankles Ihedioha’s loyalists. And all sorts of propaganda to stop Anyanwu from running has been going on, including, associating him with Uzodinma, and submitting that he would be running as a front for the Governor, to stop PDP from winning the Governorship election. But all that seem not to worry Anyanwu. He is resolute.

In Imo, it is PDP fighting PDP in a classic example of a house divided.

UAE Remains Defiant, Imposes Visa Ban On Nigerians, Rejects Applications

By
Akinwale Kasali
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United Arabs Emirates Embassy in Nigeria

By Akinwale Kasali

The United Arab Emirates, UAE, has refused to rescind its ban on Nigerians entering the Emirate. It  has further made stringent policies on Nigerians.

All submitted applications are rejected and fees paid are non-refundable.

The Emirate’s  Immigration made this known in a notice issued to its trade partners in Nigeria including travel agencies.

No reason was given for the ban, but the Dubai authorities declared that all applications were on-hold until issues between the UAE Government and the Nigerian Government were resolved.

Though the UAE Government had earlier announced that it won’t give Visas to Nigerians below 40 years, but this present announcement is for all Nigerians nursing the intention to travel to the Middle East Country.

The statement reads, “All Dubai applications submitted are now rejected. It is  general for Nigerians and approvals are on hold at the moment.

“Kindly advise your clients to resubmit C2=A0 applications when the issue is resolved between both governments,” the notice to  Nigerian travel agents declared.

A source from Wakanow, who confirmed the story said, “It is true, it was issued yesterday. The Dubai immigration did not state when the ban would be lifted but for now, everything is on hold.”

Attack On Apostle Suleiman: Suspect Killed In Mysterious Circumstances, DPO Redeployed

By
Ayodele Oni
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Attack on Apostle Johnson Suleiman

By Ayodele Oni

More reactions continue to trail the botched assassination attempt on Apostle Johnson Suleiman, President, Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide in Edo state on Friday.

Already, the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) of Auchi Division, CSP Ayodele Suleiman, has been removed by the  outgoing Edo State Police Boss, Commissioner of Police (now Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG) Abutu Yaro.

The DPO is reported to have entered into trouble over the alleged suspicious circumstances an arrested suspect was shot to death.

Yaro, ordered the withdrawal of the DPO.

Already, Apostle Suleiman, in a tweet, has questioned the shooting to death of the suspect who he claims was arrested and handed over to the Police, alive. He suspects the killing of the suspect was deliberate to cover up for those behind the attack.

A report monitored on Channels Television, also, explained that the suspect was reportedly arrested alive and handed over to the police, after gunmen opened fire on the convoy of the Cleric along the Benin–Auchi Road.

Seven persons were confirmed killed during the attack including three police orderlies as well as Suleman’s aides while the Cleric narrowly escaped.

In a viral video, a voice said to be that of a policeman said, “One of the kidnappers that was caught today (Friday) while the DPO, CSP Ayodele Sulaiman, led the operation along Iyewe-Auchi Road, and after a gun battle, this one (suspect) was gunned down while others escaped with bullet wounds. Bush combing is ongoing.”

However, the Cleric insisted that the attack was an assassination attempt not a kidnapping attempt gone awry.

“Lies…there weren’t kidnappers… He was caught and handed over and the police killed him immediately…Why killing him on the spot? Who is trying to cover up traces?” the preacher asked.

In a statement on Saturday, the outgoing Yaro ordered the immediate withdrawal of the DPO for debriefing.

“As part of the measures of the Command concerning the circumstances that led to the death of one of the surviving members of the monstrous gang that attacked the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleiman, General overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, the outgoing CP now AIG Abutu Yaro fdc has ordered the withdrawal of CSP Ayodele Suleiman, DPO Auchi for debriefing at the State Headquarters with immediate effect,” said the statement signed by Edo police spokesman, Iwegbu Jennifer.

“Meanwhile, members of the Public are urged to remain calm and patient as no stone would be left unturned to unearth the circumstances surrounding it.”

Of late, gunmen in Southern Nigeria have waylaid prominent persons, killing their aides in most cases while their main targets escape in bulletproof vehicles.

Collect And Guard Your PVC –  Archbishop Onuoha Tells Nigerians

By
The Source
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Most Rev David Onuoha

By George Best Okoroh

In a wake-up call, the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion) His Grace, Most Rev. David Onuoha, PhD, has added his voice to  the call for registered  voters who have not collected their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) said to be ready at the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) offices, to do so without further delay.

Most Rev. Onuoha who spoke  in an exclusive interview with our correspondent at the Archbishop  Episcopal villa at Ezeoke  Nsu Ihitte-Uboma LGA, Imo State, was quick to add that the processes do not  end at registration and collection of the PVCs, but safeguarding the PVC’s by not selling them or exchanging them for anything. Rather, proper and paramount is using it to vote wisely on the election days, he stressed.

The Archbishop who marked the second year of his election as Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican communion) whose view is not different from that of former President and elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo noted that the 2023 general elections will make or mar Nigeria, whence the need to get it right; now that another opportunity has presented itself for Nigerians to do so.

Those who sell their votes according to Most Rev. Onuoha will be re-enacting the story of Esau in the Bible. “Anyone who sells his vote is Esau of the present day, and will end up submitting himself and his family to slavery. And in that case, they should not blame God”, the Prelate said. He noted that Esau sold his birthright only for him to seek it with tears when it was too late. He enjoined Nigerians to involve themselves and participate in all the electoral processes to bring about a new Nigeria..

He postulated that the new Nigeria of our dreams is in the hands of the suffering masses and suggested a paradigm shift void of the primordial narratives of ethnicity and religion allowing the masses to vote in response to their feelings based on what they have passed thruogh under the present administration.

According to the Archbishop; poverty, insecurity, injustice and other vices bedevelling the Nigeria nation have no regards for ethnicity and religion. They cut accross all these, and for the wise; the 2023 general elections should not be between political parties or between the  North and the South, neither should it be Christians versus muslims. It should be  the rich versus the poor, the powerful versus the weak and the lords versus the vassals..

Therefore, “the poor in both religions should unite in this election against those who trouble the land”, the religious leader said. They should unite and vote out the rich who impoverished them and inflicted hardships on the masses. The masses should convince themselves that this election is not North versus South or Christians versus muslims. It is the rich versus the poor.

Archbishop David Onuoha enjoined all those not in politics to critically analyse their operations and performances and state whether they are not affected by the economic and social ills occasioned by bad governance. He emphasised that holiness and righteousness are basics in every human endeavours, regretting  that the duo are lacking in the governance of Nigeria. “Those serving us should do so in holiness and righteousness. Do unto others what you would want them to unto you. That is the golden rule”, Most Rev. Onuoha noted. He pointed out that one cannot appropriate the commonwealth of the masses to himself, family and cronies and at the same time expect to have peace, identifying it as the bane faced by Nigerians.

Nigeria National Carrier To Take Off With Petrol Aircraft

By
Ayodele Oni
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Air Nigeria

By Ayodele Oni

More facts have emerged on the take off of the country’s national carrier, Nigeria Air, as promised by President Mohammadu Buhari.

Buhari, had during a ministerial retreat in Abuja, revealed that the national carrier will take off before the end of this year.

To this end, the Federal Government has ordered 20 new petrol aircraft for the national carrier fleet, Air Nigeria, out of which only nine have been delivered in preparation for the start of the airline in December.

Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, who disclosed this at a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, assured that Nigerian Air will start as earlier approved.

At the meeting held at the National Assembly Complex, Gbajabiamila expressed concern over the project saying that some issues needed clarification.

The Speaker declared “The issue of the national carrier is very important. It is something we are all paying attention to. We just want to make sure we get it right.

“There have been some misgivings. Some issues have been raised. But there are issues that need clarification.”

The Minister,  however said that President Muhammadu Buhari at the just concluded ministers’ retreat gave a marching order to ensure that the goal was achieved.

“When I came in as a minister, we didn’t arrogate to ourselves knowledge and wisdom. We believe in the stakeholders on whose behalf we are servicing.

“Having been made minister, I came out with a road map which in my little wisdom will help transform civil aviation in Nigeria.

“I ran it through the system within the ministry and we commissioned some consultants to conduct a market survey and see where we are as an industry at that time. We set out to concession our airports not to privatize but to concession the airports.

“We also set out to put a proper airline the size, capacity, dynamics and the population and the markets and the complexity of the nation, Nigeria and also set out a leasing company and develop the cargo terminals and so on.

“When I came to the House of Representatives, I found out that the act that was signed by Jaja Nwachukwu in 1963 was the act that we were using charging pounds and shillings in 2003.

“We hurriedly, as we were departing in 2007, got the civil aviation passed in 2006 with some imperfections.

“There were some important ones. roadmaps and to God be the glory that today we have done what we thought is good as an act.

“So, all these roadmap items are private-sector-led and driven. It’s intended to do the framework and the foundation and steer it in such a way that it will be beneficial to the people and make it a private sector initiative to which the government has some interests, understanding the civil aviation in value addition, improving the GDP and jobs.

“The national carrier is in the works and we have advanced significantly. Mr President in concluding the retreat has directed that this airline must work between now and December. And it will work by God’s grace.

“We have ordered 20 brand new training aircraft that use petrol. So far nine have been delivered. All these in the national carrier efforts.”

Explaining the reasons why the Federal Government should have a national carrier, Sirika stressed that they are giving every Nigerian the opportunity especially those in the aviation sector to participate in the airline so that the project can be workable.

“We have so far from all the submissions identified the partners, and the investors and we are currently negotiating and processing the AOC.

“We are twerking the business case in such a way it will give us an advantage and set in the most efficient manner. So, I want to commit here by the grace of God, between now and the end of the year, the airline will work.”

Ihedioha: Frustrations, Palpable Anger, Caused Agitations In SE; Cites His Case As Example; APC Quotes SC Judgement

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

In a viral video, a former Governor of Imo State,who was, also a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, The Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, has cited his removal from office, as Governor, as one of the reasons for what he called palpable anger and agitations in the South-east.

“A man won an election. Unjustifiably, you took him out. That couldn’t have happened in a pure democratic setting. And so there is palpable anger in the land. There is frustration. And so that is what has given rise to a movement, given rise to frustration.”

But in another viral post, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has quoted a relevant section of the Supreme Court judgement which removed Ihedioha from office, as a way of telling him that no injustice was done to him.

Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was, in 2019, declared the duly elected Governor of Imo State. He was sworn-in on May 29, 2019.

But seven months into his Government, the Supreme Court removed him from office, and declared Senator Hope Uzodinma of the APC as the duly elected Governor. The SC cited over 300,000 votes that it said were deliberately not added to  Uzodinma’s votes.

While lamenting the root cause of agitations in the South-east, Ihedioha said the APC Government completely excluded the South-east from every aspect of governance and that the exclusion was enough to trigger the agitations.

His words: “In the South-east, there are agitations borne out of frustration that the APC administration kept the South-east out of governance. And, I mean, it is just very natural that our people should exhibit, show their frustration.

“A man won an election. Unjustifiably you took him out. That couldn’t have happened in a pure democratic setting.

“And so there is palpable anger in the land. There is frustration. And so, that is what has given rise to a movement, given rise to frustration.”

But the APC, obviously, in response, has posted a relevant aspect of the Supreme Court judgement which removed Ihedioha from office.

The portion reads:

“Vote due to the appellant Senator Hope Uzodinma and the APC from 388 Polling Units were wrongly excluded from scores ascribed to the appellant(to them),” the justices ruled.

“It is thereby ordered that the appellant votes from 388 Polling Units unlawfully excluded from the appellant vote declared shall be added and that the first respondent, Emeka Ihedioha, was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast at the said election.”

“His return as the elected governor of Imo State is hereby declared null and void and accordingly set aside.”

“It is hereby declared that the first appellant (Mr Uzodinma) holds the majority of lawful votes cast at the governorship election held in Imo State on March 9, 2019.”

“It is hereby declared that first appellant, Senator Hope Uzodinma, is the winner of the governorship of Imo State held on March 9, 2019.

“The certificate issued to the first defendant (Mr Ihedioha) is hereby withdrawn.

“It is hereby ordered that the certificate of return shall be issued to the first appellant, Senator Hope Uzodinma, forthwith and he should be sworn in as the governor of Imo State.”

In the past three years and counting, the South-east has been ravaged by, atimes, violent agitations by, mostly, youths which have cost loss of lives, and have grounded the economy of the region to zero, almost.

I know Those Who Attacked My Convoy – Apostle Suleman Speaks After Surviving Assassination Bid

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Founder of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman said he knows those behind attack on his convoy in Edo state.

The controversial religious leader   spoke after surviving an armed attack in Auchi, Edo State on Friday.

No fewer than seven persons were reportedly killed during the bloody attack, said to be an attempt by a gang of daredevil gunmen to kidnap Suleman.

A source explained that the echoes of automatic gun fire could be heard far away from the maddening scene of the incident.

The attack,o which took place at the popular Water tanker junction along Warrake Road, sub urban Auchi, caused pandemonium as people scamper for safety during the shoot out between the security details attached to the Auchi born Suleiman and the gunmen. It  lasted for about ten minutes,

The source added that the suspected kidnappers apparently laid a snare for the clergyman as he journeyed to Auchi through Auchi-Warrake Road, which is now very popular with motorists following the collapse of Benin-Auchi Road.

In a video posted on his Church ’s TV social media pages, Suleman said he will not be mentioning names of the suspects for now.

He said, “I just escaped an assassination attempt where seven people were killed. They opened fire on my car.

“My wife and my kids were there. The escort car with police, they killed the policemen. They killed the other people in the escort car, the bus, that were with us. They killed seven people.

“People who did this are expecting me to come out and mention their names, so they can come out and deny it but I won’t do that. The truth of the matter is, you can’t kill me, my life is in the hand of God, I’m a man of God.”

How Apostle Suleiman Escaped Death In The Hands Of Assassins; Three Police Officers, Four Others, Killed

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Attack on Apostle Johnson Suleiman

By Adesina Soyooye

Scandal-prone Apostle Johnson Suleiman, Founder of the  Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, on Friday, October 21, 2022, luckily, escaped brutal death by whiskers. That luck did not, however, extend to seven other people who were in his company. They were fatally shot.

The seven include three Police Officers and four others.

Suleiman, in a sad reminder, and a repeat of the fate which Anambra-born Senator Ifeanyi Ubah suffered about three weeks ago in Enugwu Ukwu, Anambra State, was ambushed by gunmen on his way to Auchi.

The gunmen opened fire on the Apostle’s convoy. By the time they were through, seven people were feared dead.

It is not known how Suleiman escaped death in the hands of the gunmen. Perhaps, like Senator Ubah, he rode in a bullet-proof  SUV.

Many people who reacted to the attack agree, and have dismissed the insinuation that he was saved by “anointing oil or stickers”

Said @SirDavidBent in a tweet: “Apostle Suleiman escaped that assassination attack only because he was in a bullet-proof car. Let’s not start any theatrics about “Blood of Jesus” or anything.”

Another tweet by @johnmoyewa read: “Apostle Suleiman could have been killed 11. Anointing oil didn’t save him. Stickers didn’t save him, and he was saved by bullet-proof car. Madira oops. Make Dem deceive you. R.I.P. to those who died”

Suleiman’s Lawyer,  Samuel Amune, confirmed the fatal attack and how and where it happened.

Amune told The Punch: “He was returning from a journey and he had almost gotten to the shores of Auchi when some assassins attacked him. Three of his Police Orderlies, among others, died. He traveled and just finished a program in Tanzania day before yesterday (Wednesday)

“He was returning to Auchi when the gunmen attacked him along Sabingida close to Warake. So, he had passed Warake, and was entering the boundaries of Auchi when the attack happened.”

During the attack on Ubah, six people, including four Policemen attached to him, and two of his Personal Aides were killed.

On Friday, same day Suleiman was attacked, Professor Charles Soludo, Anambra State Governor, announced that a number of those who attacked Ubah’s convoy, and fatally shot the six people have been arrested.

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