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2023: Ihedioha Denies Calling Peter Obi Crafty; Says He Never Asked The Igbo To Wait Till 2031

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The Source
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The immediate  past Governor of Imo State and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has distanced himself from a story which alleged that he called the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, crafty.

The story which, also, alleged that Ihedioha asked the Igbo to wait till 2031 before making a bid for the Presidency, went viral on Monday, August 8, 2021.

But in a  Press Release signed  by his Media Aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu, Ihedioha said he never made such statements. The statement attributed the story to one of the many orchestrated efforts by political opponents and their collaborators who are afraid of squaring up against Ihedioha in the coming elections.

The full text reads:

RE – 2023: Igbos Should Wait Till 2031, Peter Obi is Crafty

“Our attention has been drawn to another fake news, with the above caption, circulated in some social media platforms.

“This is one of the many orchestrated efforts by political opponents of His Excellency,  Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON and their collaborators who are afraid of squaring up against him in the coming elections.

“It is noteworthy that, His Excellency did not grant any interview in Abuja or elsewhere as claimed.

“His Excellency is known to acquit himself in the most civil, decent and respectful manner and therefore could not have employed such uncouth words.

“We are aware that the purveyors of these unfounded reports are unrelenting in their desperation to impugn His Excellency’s integrity and reputation.

“The public therefore is alerted and indeed advised to kindly ignore and disregard the fake news.”

The Imo political field is filled with fake news. It is a competition between the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The question is which fabricates more fake news to undermine the other.

Ihedioha was declared Governor of the State in 2019. But he was removed from office after seven months by the Supreme Court which declared Uzodinma the duly elected Governor. Since then, politics in the State has been at its bitterest.

Ihedioha is expected to fly the PDP flag again in 2023, and will square-up with Uzodinma who will be seeking a second term in office.

FG, NNPC, Army Partner Uzodimma On Fight Against Oil Theft In Imo

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma and FG Delegation

The Federal Government, Security Agencies and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, are partnering with Governor Hope Uzodimma and Oil Producing Communities in Imo State to ensure that the fight against pipeline vandalism and oil theft in the State is contained.

Speaking at the Stakeholders meeting held at the New Executive Chambers Government House Owerri, Monday, Governor Uzodimma described the consequences of crude oil theft as ‘’very alarming and too much to be tolerated.’’

He noted that the problem has not only led to the drop in earnings for the government but has also created environmental pollution and other health hazards.

The meeting is part of industrial wide intervention to curb crude oil theft in Nigeria. It afforded the Governor the opportunity to host a high powered delegation comprising the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, the Minister of State Education,  Rt. Hon. Gooduck Nana Opiah, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and the Group MD/CEO NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari and other stakeholders of Imo State that include traditional rulers and representatives of Producing Community.

The Governor expressed worries by Stakeholders over banditry and oil theft in the South East and Imo State in particular and thanked the Armed Forces for their concerted efforts in the fight against the crime in the past years.

While welcoming them to Imo State, the Governor described the visit as a very important one “meant to discuss national issues bordering on national security, economy, national peace, and unity of Nigeria.”

He acknowledged that two years ago, oil production in Imo State and in most places where oil theft was a business, was almost at a bottom level and commended security agencies for their dexterity and efforts in the fight that has brought the production back to near normal.

He canvassed the need to cooperate with the oil companies and the management to enjoy the rich natural resources endowed to the States that produce oil.

On the suggestion to engage private security contractors, the Governor described the idea as ‘’a delicate one,’’ noting that “for such to take place the Nigeria Security Agencies must take interest and profile the security contractors to ascertain their genuiness before engaging them.”

He emphasized that those to be engaged “must know the geography, the policies and programmes and the workings in the places they are to operate before engaging them to avoid engaging some of the thieves as security contractors.”

Governor Uzodimma added: “Crude oil theft is run by a cabal and a cartel that are ready always to resist the security agencies. This, in other words, informs that the oil thefts and pipeline vandals are sophisticated in their operations, which means there is the need for a strong support to the Armed Forces and other Para-Military Agencies that are involved in the protection of the Nigerian oil economy.”

Emphasizing the need and essence of the stakeholders discussion and its benefits, the Governor said that “it has come to a point where all hands must be on deck to save Nigeria, save the economy, create job, discourage banditry and the pollution of our environment and the water resources.”

He called for the need to strengthen the environmental laws to save our environment and our society from extinction.

Governor Uzodimma promised that Imo State Government will do her best to support and work with the Federal Government, the Army and Oil Producing Companies to achieve the fight against the hydra-headed monster of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

He also thanked the NNPC for the 200 bed hospital the company is building at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUT), Orlu and prayed them to speed up the project with the target of commissioning it soonest.

Earlier while briefing the Governor and the Stakeholders, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva said that “the problem of crude oil theft has reached a level of national emergency” and that “the situation cannot be handled in Abuja alone.”

The Minister said:  “It is a national emergency because the theft has grown wings and has reached a very bad crescendo. This is because the thefts are taking place in the Communities that host the oil pipelines and as a result, it has become necessary to involve the Stakeholders, especially the host Communities.”

Sylva said Nigeria looses over 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day to oil thieves.

“And because of the height and the orchestrated nature of oil theft Nigeria could not take the advantage and opportunities that are bound in the gas production because no investor would want to invest where there is incessant insecurity and vandalism of the infrastructure.”

He therefore canvassed the need to come together, and collaborate to solve the problem “and avoid the problem killing us as a Country.” He added: “And to achieve the above there is the need to involve the State Government and the people at the grassroot.”

He thanked the Governor for putting a lot of efforts to ensure that Imo is safe and the economy is not closed down.

“The sit-at-home is not working in Imo State as against the thinking out there.”

Adding his voice,  the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, appreciated the Governor for his efforts in supporting the Armed Forces towards contending the escalated actions against all criminality along the oil producing areas in South East.

He called on the State Government, the Stakeholders and the Communities to “be involved in the fight against oil theft to a reasonable percentage and leave the rest for the Armed Forces,” assuring that “the Armed Forces are always available to receive further support to fight banditry and all other forms of criminality in Nigeria and Imo State in particular.”

Present during the visit were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly,  Rt. Hon Kennedy Ibe, members of the State expanded Executive Council, the Chairman, Imo State Council of traditional rulers, HRH Eze (Dr) Emmanuel Okeke and stakeholders of the oil producing Communities in Imo State.

Exxon Mobil: Regulator Contradicts Buhari; Rejects His Approval For Acquisition By Seplat

By
The Source
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Gideon Njoku

Less than 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari approved and signed the acquisition of Exxon Mobil shares in the United States of America by Seplat Energy Offshore Ltd, an obstacle has been thrown at the approval.

Nigeria’s Upstream Petroleum Regulator has disagreed with the President, and rejected his approval.

Earlier on Monday, a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, had said that Buhari gave the approval in his capacity as the Minister for Petroleum Resources.

Adesina: “In his capacity as Minister of Petroleum Resources, and in consonance with the country’s drive for Foreign Direct Investment in the energy sector, President Muhammadu Buhari has consented to the acquisition of Exxon Mobil shares in the United States of America by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.”

But in a statement later Monday, which clearly shows a division,  the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Commission, NUPRC, contradicted the President. It said nothing has changed from its earlier stand rejecting the acquisition by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.

In the statement signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Gbenga Komolafe, NUPRC said: “The Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission affirms that the status quo remains in respect of Exxon Mobil/Seplat Energy share acquisition.”

Adesina’s statement on the approval by Buhari read:

“In his capacity as Minister of Petroleum Resources, and in consonance with the country’s drive for Foreign Direct Investment in the energy sector, President Muhammadu Buhari has consented to the acquisition of Exxon Mobil shares in the United States of America by Seplat Energy Offshore Limited.

“Exxon Mobil had entered into a landmark Sale and Purchase Agreement with Seplat Energy to acquire the entire share capital of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited from Exxon Mobil Corporation, Mobil Development Nigeria Inc, and Mobil Exploration Nigeria Inc, both registered in Delaware, USA.

“Considering the extensive benefits of the transaction to the Nigerian Energy sector and the larger economy, President Buhari has given Ministerial Consent to the deal.

“The President, in commitment to investment drive in light of the Petroleum Industry Act, granted consent to the Share Sales Agreement, as requested by the parties to the transaction, and directed that the approval be conveyed to all the parties involved.

“Exxon Mobil/Seplat are expected to carry out operatorship of all the oil mining licenses in the related shallow water assets towards production optimization to support Nigeria’s OPEC quota in the short term as well as ensure accelerated development and monetization of the gas resources in the assets for the Nigerian economy.

“President Buhari also directed that all environmental and abandonment liabilities be adequately mitigated by Exxon Mobil and Seplat.”

But NUPRC says President Buhari has no such powers to approve the deal. Komolafe said only the Commission can approve of such deals in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

Komolafe: “As it were, the issue at stake is purely a Regulatory matter and the Commission had earlier communicated the decline of Ministerial assent to Exxon Mobil in this regard. As such, the Commission further affirms that the status quo remains.”

Before the approval by President Buhari, the transaction had ran into troubled waters when  the Government-owned Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited said it has the right of first refusal.

The question now is who blinks first – President Buhari or NUPRC – in the transaction which has been controversial from day one, and had been a subject of law suits?

Ado/Akure Highway; Minister Makes Case For Urgent Completion

By
Ayodele Oni
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Prince Ademola Adegoroye

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, has revealed that indigenes of Ondo and Ekiti states have been mounting pressure on him over the deplorable condition of Ado/Ikere/Akure highway.

The highway seems to have become a campaign issue by the All Progressive Congress, (APC) led administration in both states.

During campaigns for the reelection of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, one of his promises was that he would put pressure on federal government to not only rehabilitate but dualize the highway.

Also Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti not only used the highway as a campaign issue, but ensured contractor was mobilized to site, carry out grading of a small portion, but later abandoned the project.

The deplorable condition of the road has, apart from untold hardship for travelers, bandits have turned it to their hideout, with at least three kidnappings happening there weekly.

Adegoroye, who resumed duties as a junior Minister less that a month ago, urged the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, to expedite action on the commencement of the reconstruction of the Akure – Ado Ekiti road.

Adegoroye, on a visit to Fashola in his office in Abuja, said the people of Ondo and Ekiti States have continued to experience too much pain on the bad road and therefore need a respite.

The project for the dualisation of the road was awarded by the federal government to Dantata and Sawoe in 2020 for N22 billion, but the contractor has not commenced the project due to lack of mobilisation from the government.

Fashola had disclosed in a recent interview that lack of funds is delaying mobilisation of the contractor to the site.

A statement by Media Aide to the Minister of state, Ebenezer Adeniyan stated that his boss, who was making his second visit to the Works Minister in one month, said the poor state of the road has necessitated an urgent action from the federal government.

He told Fashola that his people would not let him rest at home until work begins on the road, promising to keep visiting the Works Minister once every week until the project takes off.

He said the Akure – Ado road project would be the major benefit of both Ondo and Ekiti States from the unprecedented 77 road projects embarked upon by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration and currently ongoing across the country.

Responding, Fashola reaffirmed his earlier comment that lack of funds had made it difficult for the government to begin the project, saying the road has not been abandoned.

Thanking Adegoroye for showing genuine concerns over the project, the Works Minister promised his colleague that he will do everything within his power to ensure that the project takes off in no distant time.

Davido Accepts Paternity Of Fourth Child From UK-Based Makeover Artist

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Davido and His Fourth Son

By Akinwale Kasali

Music sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has finally accepted the paternity of another son born to him by a United Kingdom-based Makeover Artist, Larissa London.

The two-year boy named Dawson, was seen with Davido in London, UK,  Sunday, 7th August, 2022, on their way to a Church Service, alongside the mother of the Boy.

Davido had, before now, distanced himself from son and mum, not until recently he finally accepted the paternity of the boy, allegedly, after a DNA.

Dawson becomes the Fourth Child of Davido from four different women.

Names of the his previous Children from other women are; Imade, Hailey, Ifeanyi and now Dawson.

Lagos: Sanwo-Olu Rejects Amotekun In The State; Optimistic Of Being Re-elected

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has quashed any hope of institutionalizing the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, like his counterparts in Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Oyo and Ekiti States.

The Governor said that he would not replicate another security outfit  such as Amotekun in the State, as the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety also serves the same functions as Amotekun and has a cordial relationship and synergy with the Nigerian Police Force.

Governor Sanwo Olu made this known during an interview on Channels Television Programme, Sunday Politics.

The Governor is, also, confident that the electorates in the State will re-elect him to steer the affairs of the State for another four years given his record of achievements as he jostles for the Governorship seat alongside 14 other candidates.

He said his administration has brought  development that can be seen and felt by the State’s residents.

“I managed the emergency of the city. Today alone, there are emergencies that have been reported today alone. I’ve recruited over 650 fire service men. I’ve bought 64 brand new trucks that you will come, I will invite you for commissioning.

“I spent over a billion to take off the refuse in Lagos. We’re creating a sanitary landfill site. That’s what we’re doing. We’re building 1618 kilometres of rigid pavement road that runs to tens of billions. We’re building the biggest market in the country because that’s what we’re doing.”

Sanwo Olu dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Candidate, Olajide Abdulazeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor and  his deputy, Funke Akindele, a filmmaker, as no threat to his political ambition.

He said he is the most preferred candidate because he is more experienced.

“So you know, like I said if you have an emergency, who would you call? What are your chances? Do you call the man that has the experience, that has gone through the trenches before  that has lived with it that understands what the issues are or a novice?  You call the man that appreciates what challenge you have even at 3 a.m. or will you leave your chance to someone that doesn’t know where the dial is or that doesn’t even know what the issues of governance are? This is Lagos.

“This is an informed audience. This is not a tea party. We’re talking about real governance. We’re talking about the lives of 20-plus million Nigerians.

Sanwo-Olu added that Lagos cannot be left in the hands of someone who “cannot run a business that has 100 people.”

The Governor noted that traffic robberies and accidents have significantly reduced following the directive on motorcycle (okada) transportation.

Okada riders were banned by the governor from plying in six Local Government Areas in the State – Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa and nine Local Government Councils.

It is not the first time the Government would impose the measure.

In January 2020, the Government banned the operation of motorcyclists in 15 Local Councils across the State.

The Governor said that since he gave the directive to restrict the motorcyclists to certain areas of the State, residents have written to him commending the development.

“We’ve also seen a significant drop in accidents. You know, we don’t see people being lame, you know, cutting off limbs in our hospitals again, because these were reckless driving that usually terminate people’s life, unexpectedly,” he said.

“We’ve seen tremendous improvement in that statistics to support. In terms of death drop in the last two months. At the peak of it, we saw about 550 Okada-related accidents at the peak of it in January for over a month.

“Now, it’s coming down to less than 100 direct Okada accidents that we’ve seen, from our hospitals.”

Oyo Government Debunks Plans To Return Schools To Missionaries, Individuals

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Reports making the rounds that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State Government is planning to return some Schools in the State to Missionaries and Individuals has been debunked.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in the State, AbdulRahman AbdulRaheem, in a Statement said that insinuations of that nature is false, as the State Government has never for once indicated its readiness “to return schools to their original owners.

According to him, recently Governor  Makinde spoke about ownership of schools at  the Loyola College during the  commissioning of a Hall named after the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.

“At that event, Makinde only advised members of the Old Students Association to direct their request to the Ministry of Education for necessary engagement.

“He did not give any directive on the return of the school or any school, whatsoever. It is true that the State Government has developed a proof of agreement with the Incorporated Trustees of Government College Old Boys Association.“

“But that does not in anyway amount to a blanket return of all schools to their original owners.

“While the State Government will not shy away from productive partnership with stakeholders in the education sector to support its policy of free and qualitative education.

“Government will not take any step capable of upsetting the cord of alliance already existing in a  highly treasured sector like education.” the commissioner said.

BREAKING: Ex Governors,  Dariye, Nyame Released From Prison

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The two convicted but pardoned former Governors of Taraba and Plateau State, Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye, have been released from the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja.

Dariye and Nyame stole N1.16 Billion and N1.6 Billion respectively but were among the pardoned 159 Prisoners by the National Council of State, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2022.

The decision to pardon the two former Governors after stealing such whopping sum generated mixed reactions from Nigerians, who queried the rationale behind their pardon.

A section of Nigerians said that the two former Governors who were jailed for stealing were pardoned because they have cross- carpeted to the All Progressives Congress, APC, bringing to fore the statement of former APC National Chairman, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, who said that if you join the APC, your sins are forgiven.

The two men were at the Kuje prisons when Terrorists  struck and released over 800 inmates, including 68 Boko Haram chieftains. Both men neither escaped nor injured.

Details Later….

Ogun: South West APC Wades Into Gov Abiodun, Senator Amosun’s Rift, Sues For Ceasefire

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Dapo Abiodun and Ibikunle Amosu

By Ayodele Oni

The Zonal Leadership of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in the South-west, has waded into the crisis between former Governor of Ogun state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and  incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The two, both leaders of the Party in the State, at the weekend, traded words. Amosun had claimed that Abiodun was rigged in as his successor.

The Governor replied by calling on security agencies to invite Amosun to explain those behind the purported rigging.

The APC in the State, rather than play the role of an arbiter on the issue,  threw its support behind  Governor Abiodun and  dismissed Senator Amosun   representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, as suffering from “political amnesia and out-of-office loneliness.”

South West APC, through the National Vice Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke  said “the leadership observed the brewing misunderstanding between some respected leaders/elders of our party in Ogun state.

Kekemeke said in Akure on Monday that “We grant that misunderstandings and quarrels are an essentially inevitable part of life and human organisations.

“However, it should be understood by all party compatriots that the Southwest zone can not afford any form of dispute to fester; not at this time when all hands must be on deck to secure resounding electoral victory for Bola Ahmed Tinibu and all other candidates of the party in the Zone during the forthcoming 2023 General Elections.

“The party in the zone has already initiated actions to ensure that this family misunderstanding and others elsewhere in the Southwest are amicably resolved.

“I appeal to their Excellencies: Governor Abiodun and Senator Amosun to in the name of God and in the interest of the party in the zone sheath their swords and direct their supporters to cease henceforth from making public statements that will further divide the party in Ogun state and in the zone.

“I urge all party faithful in the state to remain steadfast, rest assured that, our party will emerge stronger and better.”

Ondo: Federal Agric College Raises Alarm Over Plot To Annex Land

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Federal College of Agriculture - Akure

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, (FECA) Ondo state has raised alarm over activities of speculators on its land in the State capital.

The institution, formerly an affiliate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile Ife, has been granted autonomy as a full fledged institution offering agriculture related courses in Diploma and Higher Diploma levels.

FECA, explained that the Management is aware of activities of some chiefs and family in Akure that lay false claims to the College’s Land along Agbogbo and Oba-Ile axis within the state capital.

The Management, in a statement, signed on its behalf by Oluwafunke Asagunla, maintained  that the parcel of land currently being occupied by the institution and those yet to be developed was ceded to the institution several years ago.

The statement reads “The attention of the management of Federal College of Agriculture, Akure has been drawn to some criminal-minded individuals spreading lies about the ownership of the college’s plot of land situated along the axis of Agbogbo and Obaile, Akure, Ondo State, saying that it belongs to them.

“We hereby notify the general public that the claims are false, and anyone who transact land business or economy trees with these set of individuals do so at their own risk as the matter is currently in court.”

It explained that the Federal Ministry Of Agriculture Abuja, and Federal College Of Agriculture, Akure are currently in court with some individuals on the land and that until the issue is resolved, nobody can lay claim on it.

“We hereby use this medium to inform the general public to beware of fraudsters. No College land along Agbogbo and Obaile are for sale.

“We also encourage parties in the dispute to exercise restraint pending the outcome of the litigations.”

Investigation revealed that the perimeter fence of the disputed area has been broken by suspected local hunters which paves the way for illegal occupants to encroach on the land.

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