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PDP Grief-Stricken, Mourns Former National Chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor

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The Source
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Vincent Ogbulafor

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says its late former National Chairman, played key roles in laying a solid foundation for effective Party management and administration as well as development and implementation of its policy guidelines and key accounts.

In a Press Release signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, to mourn Ogbulafor, the PDP said the late former Chairman who was, first, its National Secretary, and Minister of Special Duties, was a detribalized Nigerian.

As the Chairman of the PDP, he was famous for saying that the Party would be in power for 60 years. He predicted too soon. The All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2015, termjnated its 16 year-rule. He became the Chairman of the Party in 2008, and was succeeded by Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo.

Ogbulafor, 73, whose late father was a Traditional Ruler, hailed from Olokoro, Umuahia, Abia State.

He died on October 6,2022.

Following the full text by the PDP.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grief-stricken over the death of one of our founding members, former National Chairman, former National Secretary of our great Party and former Minister of State, Special Duties, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor.

“Prince Ogbulafor was an exceptionally patriotic leader, a detribalized Nigerian and quintessential democrat who dedicated his skills, resources and energies in selfless service towards the unity, stability, democratic advancement and economic development of our nation.

“As the National Secretary of the PDP, Prince Ogbulafor played key roles alongside others leaders of our Party in laying a solid foundation for effective Party management and administration as well as development and implementation of our robust policy guidelines that led to key accomplishments of successive PDP administrations in the country.

“As PDP National Chairman as well as Minister of Special Duties, he displayed a unique leadership capacity in leading the PDP to effectively deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

“The PDP mourns over this great national tragedy especially coming at this point in our national life when our Party and indeed the nation need his wealth of experience the most.

“The PDP commiserates with the Ogbulafor Family, the Government and people of Abia State, the PDP in Abia State as well as the people of Olokoro, Umuahia South of Abia State and pray to God to grant us all the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

PDP Kicks Off Presidential Campaign In Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, A Divided House

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The Source
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PDP Secretariat - Wadata Plaza

By Gideon Njoku

While still desperately trying to reconcile all members of its Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will kick off its Presidential Campaign on Monday, October 10, 2022.

Instead of kicking it off in Abuja, the Party has chosen Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, South-South Nigeria, as a start-off point.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, the host, is the Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council.

Even though Uyo is already bubbling with activities, and PDP member fired up, there is a tinge of apprehension. The PDP is kicking-off the Campaign a divided house.

The Party has been divided since the outcome of its Presidential Primary where Candidate Atiku emerged, and the subsequent choice of Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.

The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who placed a respectable second, much to his disappointment, and further disappointment after he lost the Vice Presidential slot to Okowa, has been implacable, sulking and throwing tantrums.

Wike has, successfully, carved out a faction in the Party known as Camp Wike, and has four Governors and some Party chieftains as members. The Governors in Wike’s Camp are: Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Seyi Makinde of Benue, Abia, Enugu and Oyo States respectively.

This group has kept away from all the activities of the Party, unless the National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who they hold responsible for Wike’s loss, resigns from office. As a cover, they say Ayu had promised to step down if a Northerner emerged as the candidate. But since Atiku’s emergence, Ayu has refused to step down. He has the support of Atiku, the Party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, and majority of Party members.

It is, therefore, not known if the Wike Camp will be in Uyo or not. If its members, led by Wike, do not show up, it would take some shine off  the ocassion, but it will also be a minus for those in Wike’s Camp, seeking elective offices.

Makinde is seeking a second term as Governor. If not well handled, the crisis could cost him that. Governors Ortom, Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi are also seeking to go to the Senate. Depending on how they tell their States to vote, it could affect their chances. The electorate is not sophisticated enough to vote another party for President, and same day, same time, vote another for National Assembly.

However, the PDP is all set to kick-start, with or without them. The Party is flaunting its achievements for the 16 years it was in power, and highlighting what it calls the monumental and embarrassing all-round failure of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Following is the text of an Interactive session with the Media, by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, where he gave details of the kick-off of the Presidential Campaign against February 2023.

Text of a Press Interactive Session by the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Hon. Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday October 8, 2022

The PDP formally informs Nigerians that our Party, the PDP will officially flag off its 2023 Presidential Election Campaign on Monday, October 10, 2022 in Uyo Akwa-Ibom State Capital.

Our Party is fully prepared for an issue-based campaign and our Presidential Candidate, H E. Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, H.E. Ifeanyi Okowa are fully “Articulated” for the campaign.

The PDP will take our campaign to all the States, Local Government Areas, Wards and Polling Units across the country under the Unified Campaign Structure as approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our Party.

Our Campaign will be people-driven and focused on PDP and H.E. Atiku Abubakar’s mission to Rescue, Rebuild and Redirect our nation from the abysmal misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

From our consultations across the six geo-political zones of the country, it is clear that Nigerians across board, irrespective of religion, ethnicity and even political affiliations accept the PDP Presidential Candidate, H.E. Atiku Abubakar as the best Candidate with the practical experience, capacity, broad-mindedness and willpower to Unite our nation, Revamp our national economy, and guarantee security of lives and property in our country.

Why Nigerians Want H.E. Atiku Abubakar

H.E. Atiku Abubakar as Vice President to President Olusegun Obasanjo was the Chairman of the National Economic Council.

During that periodOur nation achieved unprecedented national productivity

*Secured $30bn overall debt relief from the Paris and London Clubs

*Nigeria’s economy was revamped to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world with stable exchange rate.

*Foreign reserves rose from $2bn in 1999 to $43bn in 2007

*Power generation rose from average daily generation capacity of 1,800mw in 1999 to 4,000 mw in 2007.

*Our country witnessed the liberalization of the telecommunication industry and the advent of GSM and Internet facilities in Nigeria

*Our country also witnessed a boost in private Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria

*More Nigerians opened investments in sectors hitherto controlled by foreigners including in the downstream and upstream petroleum sectors.

*Owing to the conducive economic environment, there was increase in Foreign Direct Investment and more Nigerians in the Diaspora returned to establish businesses in the country

*Expanded and consolidated the Nigerian banking industry to make it operate and participate effectively in global banking businesses.

*Nigeria achieved one of the most profitable Stock Markets in the world with an average Return on Investment of over 31%

*Our nation also achieved a consolidated Pension System both in the private and public sectors.  (The APC has been seeking to siphon money from that Fund).

*Under Atiku Abubakar as coordinator of the economy, Nigeria achieved economic rebound after military rule. Today Nigeria and Nigerians need Atiku Abubakar to achieve a rebound after the misrule of the APC.

The “Illegal Acquisition” Of Obajana Cement Company By Dangote Industries Plc

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The Source
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Dangote Cement Factory

By Augustine Maduka

From available records, Obajana Cement Company Plc was fully owned by Kogi State Government before Dangote Industries Plc indicated interest to partner with it.

In other words, Obajana Cement was incorporated by the Kogi State Government. Kogi State acquired mining license over Obajana limestone, and also obtained Certificate of Occupancy for the areas needed for the company. These three elements – incorporation, mining license and CofO were very heavy in terms of value of Obajana Cement Company.

Unfortunately, and sadly too, the reason people of Kogi State, and indeed people of the world are finding it difficult to believe that Dangote validly acquired Obajana was the fact that no evidence exists, so far, on the part of Dangote, to demonstrate what was paid, or the consideration in exchange for those three “very heavy values” brought by Kogi State.

In the absence of such evidence, Dangote does not have the legal right to claim to have acquired Obajana Cement Company without any evidence of consideration, or value, that passed to Kogi State in exchange for the purported acquisition.

No doubt, the issue of what value, or consideration Dangote gave in the purported acquisition of Obajana Cement 100% has been notoriously raised in this whole story of acquisition.

Both parties in this imbroglio – Kogi state Government and Dangote – agreed that for a valid transfer or acquisition, value or consideration must pass. It is a settled position of the Nigerian law that consideration is an essential and fundamental element of a valid contact. If absent in a contract, that contract is a nullity.

Dangote claimed to have paid consideration for the acquisition, while Kogi State Government denied it, as no evidence exists in support of Dangote’s claim.

The report of the Commission of Inquiry set up by Kogi State some years ago revealed no consideration was paid by Dangote.

An opportunity given to Dangote at that time to show evidence did not yield result as Dangote failed in that regards.

Similarly, the recent Kogi State House of Assembly’s Public Hearing on same issue turned out the same result.

All these fortified the general position, and conclusion that Dangote unlawfully acquired Obajana Cement Company, and as such be returned to Kogi state.

Notwithstanding the fact that Dangote might have brought some additional investment or expansion to Obajana Cement, if such was on a faulty foundation, it collapses, and goes to no issue in establishing 100% ownership for Dangote.

However, in view of the apparent messy situation for Dangote, and the embarrassment any delay in resolving this imbroglio would cause her as a business concern, it is advised that genuine amicable resolution should be explored, wherein an equitable formula on compensation or appeasement to Kogi state is worked out.

Any attempt by Dangote to further delay the resolution of this problem would be highly regretted by Dangote.

Maduka writes from Washington DC, United States

Killing Of 12 Alleged Bandits By Vigilante Group Generates Controversy In Taraba State

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

There is palpable crisis in Zudai village, near Dogon-Ruwa community in the Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

A controversy arose over the alleged killing of 12 persons suspected to be bandits.

Last Sunday, the Caretaker Chairman of Bali Local Government, Micah Dakka, confirmed that vigilante group members operating in the area killed 12 bandits. But it was, however, debunked by Gidado Sabuzy, Chairman of the Vigilante Group in the area.

Sabuzy was swift to disassociate himself from the Group that carried out the killings on the alleged 12 Bandits.

Despite Sabuzy distancing himself and his vigilante group from carrying out the attack. Dakka had, last Monday, told journalists in an interview that vigilante members had trailed the bandits from the neighbouring Gassol Local Government Area and overpowered them around Dogoruwa village of Bali Local Government, killing 12 of them.

The statement by Dakka prompted Sabuzy to hold a press briefing today, October 9th 2022, in Jalingo, Taraba State Capital, to publicly debunk the claim by Dakka.

Sabuzy is the Chairman of the Vigilante Group that operates in Gassol and Bali local government areas, dissociated the group from the attack on Zudai village in Bali where 12 people were killed and many injured.

He said the group had nothing to do with the attack and it has no link whatsoever with the perpetrators of the evil act as their mode of operation differs from that of his group.

“Our group is law-abiding and our efforts are to provide security in communities and foster unity among the people of these two Local Government Areas.

“We are always assisting security agencies in neutralising bandits and kidnappers in Gassol and Bali and not killing, miming or rustling their cattle.

“Many a time, our operations have yielded positive results as peace has returned in most villages of Gassol and Bali in particular and Taraba State in general before this barbaric act.

“Our group has brought peace between farmers and herders and businesses are going on day and night without hindrances.

“We are in full support of Governor Darius Ishaku’s peace mantra of, ‘Give me peace and I will give you development’. We, therefore, call on the Taraba State government and security agencies to look into the matter and fish out the perpetrators of this evil act to face justice for peace to reign,” Sabuzy appealed.

PDP Crisis: BoT Rules Out Ayu’s Sack; Set To Submit Report

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Iyorcha Ayu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees, BoT, Reconciliation Committee has met with Governor Nyesom Wike and his camp over the lingering crisis in the Party, and is set to submit its report this week.

The Adolphus Wabara-led committee has concluded its reconciliation tours which took it to Ibadan, Makurdi, Umuahia, Enugu and Port Harcourt to meet with Governors Seyi Makinde, Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Wike of Oyo, Benue, Abia, Enugu and Rivers states, respectively. The committee, according to findings, would meet with the National Working Committee before presenting the report.

It was gathered that the possibility of Iyorchia Ayu’s removal as the National Chairman of the Party looks slim and dicey, as Governor Wike’s camp remain adamant that his removal will be a precursor to any further negotiations.

Speculation is, however, rife that the BoT will not remove Ayu as demanded by the Wike Camp. The Reconciliation Committee believe that the timing is wrong, especially with the commencement of campaigns, as this would be counterproductive and damaging to the party if Ayu is forced out of office before the elections.

The Committee believes the only way out is to pacify Wike to show understanding.

A source within the Committee said that the panel was able to establish that the Party’s leadership mismanaged the crisis that erupted after the Presidential primary.

The crisis stemmed from Wike’s dissatisfaction with the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the Presidential candidate and his choice of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as his running mate.

Disruption Of 2023 Election Not Our Plan – IPOB

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has reviewed its stand on next year’s general election, saying  it has no plan to disrupt election in Igboland.

The media and publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, in a statement said there is no truth in any information circulating on alleged plans to disrupt election in 2023 in Igboland.

The group, rather accused the federal government of masterminding insecurity in the South East, with the hope of causing fear and accusing IPOB of their deeds.

A recent viral video of a breakaway member of IPOB, Mr Simon Ekpa,  where he said the group would not let any election hold in Biafra land had given the impression that IPOB would disrupt the election.

But Powerful said: “The IPOB leadership has for umpteenth time stated unequivocally that part of our modus operandi in our agitation for freedom has never been, is not, and will not be violent agitation.

“This explains our consistent demand for the UN to organize a Referendum in the Biafran territory for the Biafran people to determine their destiny.

“To this effect, IPOB is neither contemplating nor will it encourage or sponsor anyone or group to disrupt Nigeria shambolic selection process called election.

“IPOB has constantly made it public that we have no interest in and cannot legitimize the aberration they call election in Nigeria.

“We are a focused, determined and disciplined freedom fighting movement not political thugs and IPOB is devoted to the cause of liberating our people from subjugation and from modern day slavery and Neo-colonialism and will not allow ourselves to be distracted from this very objective.

“IPOB is not interested and will never involve ourselves in any Nigeria fraudulent pre-election or post-election issues. Our job is to open the eyes of the blinds by the gospel of truth which our leader has delivered already.

“Whoever that is sponsoring any group or gang tagging them IPOB is on his/her own. For those who are hard of hearing, IPOB is one indivisible family under one central command and leadership.

“If in the future IPOB leadership decides to make further statement on the upcoming Nigeria selection process called election, we shall make such statement through our official channels.”

Stakeholders Must Collaborate To Ensure Success Of 2023 Population Census – Gov Akeredolu

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

As Nigeria prepares for 2023 Census, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has advised that synergy among various stakeholders is one of the keys to a successful and acceptable census.

The Governor reiterated the commitment of his administration to partner with National Population Commission (NPC) in “creating enabling environment for the exercise to take place in Ondo State and ensure that everyone is counted in the right place, for the benefit of citizens of our dear state.”

Governor Akeredolu spoke through his Deputy, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa  at the Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census, organized by National Population Commission, held in Akure.

The Governor pointed out that “with all the preparation steps put in place, the journey towards the 2023 census is obviously on course.

“Population data is critical to development planning and any government desirous of achieving development strides needs to know how many people require basic amenities such as light, water, schools, housing, health facilities and education.

“No Country relies solely on its estimated population because such estimates ignore the demographics unearthed by census data which are needed for national planning purposes.”

On inability to conduct population census in the last 16 years, the Governor declared, “it has become imperative for the country to conduct another national census to produce a new set of demographic and socioeconomic data that will provide the basis for national planning and sustainable development.”

The Governor solicited the support of critical stakeholders especially civil society organizations that would be playing major roles such as advocacy, enlightenment of the society on the need for accurate and acceptable census.

Earlier in his opening address, the Federal Commissioner Representing Ondo State at National Population Commission, Prince Oladiran Iyantan said Nigeria must get it right in 2023 as far as census is concerned.

“In 2023 Census, everyone will be counted in the right way, at the right place and time, and for the benefits of all persons resident in Nigeria

“The commission is committed to ensuring that the results of the census are acceptable to Nigerians and the quality of the data to be generated meet international best standards for planning and development purposes.

“In line with the United Nations principles and recommendations for the 2020 rounds of Population and Housing Census, the 2023 Census will be fully digital and the commission has deployed technology to conduct the exercise and enhance data quality.”

Ngige May Lose Job Over Tinubu; APC Asks The Minister To Resign From Office

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chris Ngige
Chris Ngige

By Adesina Soyooye

Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister for Labour and Productivity, is in trouble. He may be forced to resign his position as a Minister if he does not do an about- turn, and/or clarify his statement on who he would vote for in the forthcoming Presidential election.

Ngige’s trouble stems from the Presidential candidate of his Party, the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu. The Party is not sure where the Minister stands on the candidacy of Tinubu and that of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Based on that, a member of APC’s National Working Committee, NWC, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, has asked Ngige to either campaign publicly for Tinubu or resign as a Minister under an APC Government.

Ngige earned the trouble and threat to his office all by himself. Answering a mischievous question on National Television a couple of days ago on who he will vote for, between Tinubu and Obi, in the 2023 Presidential election, Ngige shot himself on the foot. He said he had not yet made up his mind who to vote for between the two men. And described both Obi and Tinubu as his friends. The media fed on that.

Ngige: “My choice will be in the ballot box. On the day of ballot, I will make my choice. I won’t tell Nigerians what I will do secretly.”

It is not known if Ngige was joking or not. But that stung. He has not denied the various interpretations given to it by the Media. And now, he is trouble.  Not a few APC members see Ngige’s response to that question as a betrayal. They see it as anti-party.

Tackling Minister Ngige,  Ajaka told him not to play “hide and seek.”  In a statement on Saturday, Ajaka said: “The Presidential Primary election has long ended, and the Party has settled for the choice of Senator Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, hence all the Party leaders should put their ambitions behind them, for now, to deliver the Party’s Presidential ticket.

“It is expected of a serving Minister in an APC Government to be a trusted apostle of Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidency in 2023, who along other Party leaders, laboured to ensure the enthroment of the same Government in 2015 which they are now serving in.

“Chief Ngige and other APC appointees, especially, in the Federal Cabinet, should not forget in a hurry that they are holding unto the Party’s mandate, hence the need to protect it with whatever it requires. But if they can no longer protect the interest of the APC in public, or that of our Presidential candidate, I think the honorable thing to do is to step aside from the Government formed by the APC.

“With this type of public comments from a sitting Minister in a ruling Party who cannot declare on National Television his choice of Presidential candidate, how on earth is the Party expected to fare in the forthcoming Presidential election?”

Ajaka said such comments as Ngige’s could generate bad blood in the Party, and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to call his Cabinet members to order.

Like Obi, Ngige hails from Anambra State. He was thrown out of office by the Supreme Court, in favour of Obi, after three years in office. Thus Ngige bears the badge of a three-year illegal Governor.

Edo: APC Says Public Schools Lack Qualified Teachers

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Godwin Obaseki

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo chapter has blamed inaction and insensitivity of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) for shortage of qualified teachers in public schools in the state.

APC accused Governor Godwin Obaseki-led factional PDP government for the collapse of the educational system in the State as evident in the shortage of teachers in public school.

The APC, in a statement in Benin on Sunday, said if the  government had listened when it repeatedly raised the alarm few years ago, by employing qualified teachers, the present decadent scenario would have been avoided.

The party, in the statement, signed by Victor Ofure Osehobo, Assistant State Publicity Secretary, 

said its position was confirmed during the recent World Teachers Day, when the State chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT), told the state governor to employ permanent teachers in Edo public primary and secondary schools.

The state NUT chairman, Bernard Ajobiewe, while welcoming the Governor to the event, lamented that the shortage of teachers across Edo State public schools have become an embarrassment.

According to him, “Our schools are grossly under-staffed especially primary and secondary schools in our rural communities.

“We need permanent teachers that would take the job more seriously. No matter the beauty of the schools, with all the infrastructure without teachers, whatsoever that is put in place in the system is cosmetic at best. So, there is urgent need to step up the staffing requirements in our schools.”

APC stated that “As a party, we condemn the inaction of Obaseki’s government, it is inexcusable, because such nonchalance and indifference has only served, since 2016 to paralyze the once vibrant education sector in our State.

“The insensitivity of the Governor became glaring over the years when repeatedly he claimed to have transformed Education with the fictitious Edo Best 1.0 and very recently with Edo Best 2.0.

“Obviously, the two programs are hallmarks of his Make Edo Grounded Again, MEGA policy.

“Edo people know that the socalled Edo Best 1.0 as it turned out, was the governor’s purchase, in billions of Naira, of fairly used handheld devices for non existent teachers.

“Because it was a hoax, the governor recently renamed it Edo Best 2.0 with the announcement of a change in the designation of heads of schools as Executive headmasters or Principals.

“We call on the Edo state government to do some soul-searching over its failure as it has left children without quality education which is the key to their leadership of tomorrow.

“Only a careless and inept leadership like the PDP government would ignore the danger signals a decline in education standards pose to the future of our state.

“This is why we align with the NUT and insist that, for the future of our State to be reassured, the Governor Obaseki government must immediately begin the recruitment of trained teachers and deploy them to schools across the state.

“Edo state belongs to all of us, just as every Edo child has a right to quality education; no government should mortgage education, which is the lifeblood of any society for any reason or under any guise, whatsoever.”

Prison Decongestion: Aregbesola Writes NGF, Says Bulk Of Offenders Run Foul Of State Laws

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has canvassed for massive prison decongestion in the country.

Already, the minister said he is working with state Governors towards the release of at least 30 percent of inmates in the custody of the Nigerian correctional service.

The minister added that over 70 per cent of the 75,635 inmates at present are awaiting trial.

Aregbesola, who disclosed this in Abuja when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum, revealed that the interface was necessary as more than 90 per cent of the inmates are being held for contravening various states’ laws.

The minster said that the federal offenders in the system were far less than 10 per cent, adding that the bulk of people in custody are those who have run foul of state laws.

He pointed out that they were therefore being kept under the legal jurisdiction of their respective states.

The minister added that the decongestion of the 253 custodial centres nationwide was necessary as some of the inmates have no reason to remain in custody.

Mr Aregbesola, therefore, advised that all stakeholders must work towards a “better structured criminal justice administration, otherwise we will just be left with congested and overcrowded facilities.

“I have written the Nigerian Governors Forum, (NGF) to allow me to come and address them on how they can support the process of decongestion.

“Because the governors must buy into this system for us to do a massive decongestion especially of Awaiting Trial Inmates.

“If we get the buy in of state judicial authorities and the government of the states, we can pull out 30 per cent of those who are there.”

According to him, some of the awaiting trial inmates have stayed longer than the punishment provided by law for the crime they were arrested for.

“If you look at a man that is caught for petty theft and you are trying him for three years, even if you convict him for that crime, how long will he stay?

“How long will that fellow stay, probably six months, but without trial he will be there for three years.

“Again, you arrested a boy under the bridge, there is no fixed crime and he is there forever and so on and so forth. So, we need the buying in and support from state governments.

“This is for them to critically know the situation and let them set up committees that will profile all those who are there. And help either to convict, release them or see if they have overstayed their required time.”

Aregbesola also said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has facilitated unprecedented development in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

He was of the view that the development has a backwash effect on not just the Ministry of Interior, but also the inmates of custodial centres nationwide.

“If any administration has given life to the reorientation of prison in the history of Nigeria, it is President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. What he has done in making our penitentiary system a corrective one is historic.

“We had a prison system that was simply coercive, punitive and oppressive both in law and in operation of the law. So, that was changed forever in July 2019 when he signed and assented to the NCoS Act 2019.

“From the name of that law, you know it is a reformatory document.”

Mr Aregbesola explained that the reform has also changed the orientation of Nigerians, as many prisoners who served out their term came out as better citizens.

“As I am talking to you, we have Doctor of Philosophy students, we even have Phd graduates now from our correctional facilities.

“We also have several undergraduates, postgraduate students and thousands of people doing their West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations.

“Thousands not hundreds, thousands upon thousands of people acquiring trade tests, craft skills and what have you.

So, indeed, we are a champion in reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of our inmates.”

Mr Aregbesola explained that the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates affected only those convicted by a court of law, not those awaiting trial.

“It will be clear to us why it is usually difficult for those awaiting trials, who either after their trial they are freed to now be seen as product of our system that are not rehabilitated.”

The minister assured that the federal government would continue to improve the condition of inmates in custodial centres, in line with global best practice.

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