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APC Snubs Christians, Others, Unveils Shettima

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Barring any last-minute change, the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC will formally unveil, Kassim Shettima its Vice Presidential Candidate, to the public on Wednesday, July 20.

The party had last week postponed the unveiling in order to consult more with supporters and other Nigerians on the way forward, sources in the party told the magazine.

The choice of Shettima by the presidential candidate of the party Ahmed Tinubu, had received mixed reactions from not a few Nigerians who said a muslim-Mulsim ticket will not augur well for the country, and may polarized it the more along religious lines.

The umbrella body of Christians in the country, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has contended that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is a slap on Christians across the country.

Some APC members have even resigned in protest. Others have called on Tinubu to change Shettima as his running mate. The former Lagos state governor has stuck to his gun, saying former Borno state governor is ‘loyal and competent’ to assist him if he wins the 2023 presidential election.

The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu on his part described Shettima’s pick as ‘the work of God’.

Close watchers of the party told the magazine that the party is still trying to resolve the rancour within its rank, but in spite of this has decided to go ahead with the unveiling in order not to send a wrong signal to the public about Shettima’s candidacy.

“The party has made up its mind on the issue. Besides, there’s no room for substitution after the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has expires,” a reliable APC source said on Tuesday.

According to a terse statement on signed by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu, the unveiling event will take place at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja at 11:00am.

“All Members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Members of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Members of APC Caucus in the National Assembly, Members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Presidential Aspirants at the June 2022 Special National Convention, APC State Chairmen, APC State Secretaries and APC State Organising Secretaries, are, hereby, invited to witness this landmark Official Unveiling of our Great Party’s Vice Presidential Candidate,” Argungu said.

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that the gale of defections from the party over the Muslim-Muslim ticket will continue ahead next year’s election, even though the party and Tinubu are working very hard to get Nigerians understanding on the issue.

First Bank Holdings Affirms AGM, Assures Customers

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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First Bank Holdings Plc, the parent company of First Bank Nigeria, FBN says it will go ahead to implement resolutions taken from its recent Annual General Meeting, AGM, held on June 20.

The Nnamdi Okonkwo-led FBN Holdings was reacting to reports that Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court, Lagos made a restraining order that the 10the AGM should not hold.

Justice Aluko was said to have granted the order following a suit filed by Olusegun Onagoruwa, a shareholder of First Bank Holding Plc.

Named in the suit are First Bank Holdings Plc, Alhaji Ahmed Abdullahi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Julius Omodayo-Owotuga, Non-Executive Director and Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, Group Managing Director.

But in a statement signed by FBN Holdings acting Company Secretary Adewale Arogundade, the corporation said the AGM was validly held in line with regulatory guidelines.

The statement said; “In accordance with Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) rulebook, we hereby notify NGX and the investing public that our attention has been drawn to an online publication dated July 17, 2022 stating that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Nigeria, has granted an ex parte Order against FBN Holdings Plc and some other respondents.

FBN Holdings Plc remained unaware of any lawsuit or court order against it until about 3pm today (Tuesday) when a copy of same was served on it. The exparte order essentially directs FBN Holdings and the other Respondents to maintain status quo ante bellum prevailing before FBN Holding Plc’s 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on June 20, 2022 pending the hearing and final determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

“Without prejudice to the said court order, FBN Holdings Plc confirms that the subject AGM was duly and validly held with all requisite regulatory and statutory parties in attendance.

“FBN Holdings Plc has briefed its lawyers to review the said exparte order to ensure its full representation in court on July 22, 2022 to which same was adjourned!

“We wish to reassure the investing public, our esteemed customers and other stakeholders that, we are aware of our mandate to our shareholders and will continue to work tirelessly to discharge these responsibilities in compliance with regulatory authorities in the manner expected of a Company listed on the Premium Board of NGX Exchange Limited.”

Imo: Government Not Deterred By Propaganda Over Awomama Incident – Uzodinma; No Pregnant 15-Year Old With DSS

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that Government will not be deterred by propaganda and blackmail in its quest to protect the lives and property of Imo citizens.

He spoke on Monday after the Imo State Security Council meeting with regard to the alleged incident that took place at Awomama on Monday which led to the death of some bandits.

Governor Uzodimma said that the Government had been briefed on the incident by the Director of State Services, DSS,  in an interim report made available to members of the Security Council.

The Governor added that the DSS Director confirmed that his men carried out an operation in a Camp at Awomma  with the assistance of their informant and not at a wedding place as claimed by the youths. It was in the process that some bandits were neutralised.

He said while the Security Council awaits detailed report on the incident, it is important that members of the public  are wary of those using the incident as propaganda tool to blackmail the Security Agencies and the Government.

Governor Uzodimma also used the opportunity to describe as falacy, the claim on the social media and section of the  traditional media about a 15 year old girl allegedly  impregnated in the DSS detention.

According to the Governor, security report indicated that two ladies were caught with bandits about six months ago and, have been helping the DSS in identifying and arresting other dangerous bandits in the State.

Incidentally, the so-called 15 year old lady happens to be the girl friend to a key gang leader of the bandits terrorising the State but on the trail by DSS operatives.

The Governor said security report has  shown that the fleeing gang leader had reached out to his sponsors who have resorted to using the  15 year old lady in question to blackmail the DSS and divert attention.

Governor Uzodimma said: “The whole thing boils down to propaganda and blackmail targeted at the Security Agencies.

“You know I will never allow anything ungodly to happen in Imo State. Their target is to puncture the relative peace the Security Agencies have helped us to achieve in Imo State and we are determined to sustain the peace.

“We won’t be deterred and no amount of propaganda and blackmail will deter the Security agencies from doing their work.”

The Governor,  however, urged newsmen to carry out their own investigation into the cases.

El-Rufai Bars Peter Obi’s Group

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

The Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has barred a Group of Northern supporters of the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP,  Peter Obi, from holding a scheduled event at the Arewa House Kaduna.

This was after the Group,  Peter Obi Support Network (PSON), had paid all necessary fees for the use of the venue. PSON had planned a Northern Summit in support of Mr. Peter Obi at the Arewa House  Kaduna State against Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

But at the last minute, El-Rufai aborted the use of the venue for the Summit.

To do that, he asked his spokesperson to call the Manager of Arewa House to notify POSN’s spokesman that the venue was no longer available for the use of PSON. “We cannot have Peter/Datti Northern Summit in Arewa House”, he told the organisers less than 24 hours to an event which had been widely advertised.

No reason was given.

PSON had unveiled plans for the  summit specifically designed to interact with supporters of the  Presidential candidate across the 19 Northern States of the country.

Comrade Sani Saeed Altukry, Spokesman for the  POSN told newsmen Monday that the summit was “not a political campaign of any sorts, but a converge of volunteers and would-be volunteers and supporters of the Obi-Datti project, for necessary interaction and cross-fertilization of ideas.”

PSON’s statement reads: “We condemn the decision of the Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-rufai to block the hosting of the Northern Summit for Peter Obi and Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, the Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) and his running mate at the Arewa House in the state.

“The decision of the Governor is disheartening at the critical point in time when Northern Nigerians are desperate for development and liberation from poverty due to maladministration.

“The Governor of Kaduna state is intimidated by the rising profile of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, across the length and breadth of the country.

“The Governor should know that this is a “Peoples Movement” which can never be stopped.

“The Movement represents all oppressed Nigerians and everyone that desires good governance, and Governor El-rufai is too small to suppress it.”

Governor El-Rufai is of the ruling APC which Presidential candidate is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Portable, Singer, Posts Himself into Police Trouble

By
Adesina Soyooye
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By Adesina Soyooye

A Nigerian Singer, who goes by the stage name, Portable, and who has been in the news, recently, for the wrong reasons, has finally posted himself into a pot of trouble.

In a now deleted viral video, Portable claimed responsibility for the founding and formation of a notorious cult group, One Million Boys.

Police had, in the last couple of years, battled the Cult group which members move in large groups, unleashing terror, including maiming,  armed robbery and murder, on members of the public, especially in Lagos and Ogun States.

Realising he has put himself  into trouble by the post, he quickly deleted it. But it was late. The Police had already taken note, especially, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

In an immediate reaction to Portable, the IGP ordered an investigation into Portable’s claims.

In a statement Monday evening, Force Spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the IGP has ordered the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Biodun Alabi, to immediately investigate Portable’s claim in order to legally prosecute all involved.

For the investigation, the Police will invite Portable for investigation, to tell them all he knows about the formation of the One Million Boys Cult Group, its members, and its operations.

Adeleke, Osun Governor-Elect, Weeps On National Television Over Late Brother

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Ademola Adeleke Weeping

By Adesina Soyooye

It was a very emotional scene to watch when Senator Ademola Adeleke, Governor -elect, Osun State, broke down in tears on National Television on Monday.

For about two minutes he wept. He sobbed. It took his interviewer, Seun Okinbaloye, to calm him down.

The Governor-elect had appeared on Channels Television’s flagship interview programme, Politics Today, to speak on his historic victory at the July 16, 2022,  Governorship Polls. Adeleke, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, beat other candidates, including the incumbent Governor, Gboyega Oyetola.

To achieve the feat, he won 17 of the 30 Local Government Areas of the State. Governor  Oyetola won 13, while the rest of the others won none.

The dam burst when Okinbaloye asked Governor-elect Adeleke if his victory reminded him of his late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke. The elder Adeleke was a pioneer Governor of the State, as well as a two-term Senator – first under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and later, under the All Progressives Congress, APC. He was on his way back to office when he, suddenly, inexplicably died on April 23, 2017.

The APC was expected to give the ticket to his younger brother, Ademola, who was no Politician at the time, to contest in his stead. When the Party disappointed at the last minute, the PDP offered him the ticket. He won.

In 2018, the now Governor-elect contested for the Governorship seat of  the State, and in what was seen, almost, as brazen, was robbed of victory.

The election of July 16, 2022, was his second time.

Answering a question on his late elder brother, Adeleke burst into tears, and said his brother died for the cause of Osun State. He said he died in his fight to give Osun people a better life.

He dedicated his victory to his late elder brother, and said that wherever his brother is now, he would be happy that he, his younger brother, has stepped in to fulfill his dreams for the people.

Ahead Of 2023 Election: INEC Seeks Return To CBN For Safekeeping Of Materials

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) is considering returning to the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,  for keeping election materials to ensure adequate protection.

The Commission dumped the CBN on the heel of declaration of its helmsman, Godwin Emefiele, to contest for the Presidency on the ticket of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC).

Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, thereafter, ordered that sensitive election materials, which were hitherto in the custody of the CBN would no longer be kept there.

Yakubu had said the electoral body never had any issue with the CBN since the partnership started, but owing to “current circumstances”, an alternative would be found.

INEC Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, confirmed that the Commission is still in talks with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over storage of election material.

Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Okoye said logistics measures taken in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections will not be sustainable for the general election.

He said the Commission employed the services of the Nigerian Air force for the logistics of the electoral materials, adding that because of the huge amount of the ballot papers and other sensitive materials, the commission will have a “sit-down” with the CBN to draw out plans for the 2023 elections.

“You cannot use the Ekiti Governorship election and Osun governorship election as a measure of what will happen in 2023.

“This is because for instance, in the Ekiti governorship election, we had less than a million registered voters. In the Osun governorship election, we were shy of two million registered voters.

“These are stand alone elections. For the Ekiti election, we utilized the service of the Nigerian Air force and they flew the materials into Akure airport. We did the same thing with the Osun election, and we moved the materials to our state offices.

“But for the 2023 general election, we are going to have over 95 million ballot papers printed for the presidential election. Over 95 million will be printed for the senatorial election; over 95 million papers will be printed for the house of representatives election. Then it goes down.

“It’s going to be a huge logistics nightmare. What we intend to do going forward since there are issues with keeping our materials with CBN, we have not had enough opportunity to sit down with the Central Bank to review the entire issue surrounding our moving our material with the Nigerian Air force.

“We are definitely going to do that. If at the end of the day, we are not satisfied with the arrangement then we are going to look for a new logistics pathway of how to manage logistics during the 2023 elections. But no decision has been made.

“When you have to move materials to 36 states of the federation and the capital territory, it’s a completely different ball game.

“What we did in Ekiti and Osun in terms of the general election will not be sustainable. We need to look for a complete logistics pathway of how to deal with this particular problem.”

WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons Fails To Reach WAFCON Finals

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

After 120 minutes of a tension-soaked encounter between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Atlas Lioness of Morocco in the semi finals of the ongoing Women’s African Cup of Nations Championship, host, Morocco defeated the Nigerian team 5-4 on penalties to book a place in the final.

The Nigerian Ladies played over an hour of the pulsating encounter with nine players after Halimat Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade were red carded for dangerous tackles on their opponents.

The Coach Randy Waldrum team had taken the lead via a goal mouth scramble that resulted in an own goal, before Safine Mssoudy restored parity for the host nation.

Super Falcons showed character, resilience and determination despite being two players down to further showcase their position as the top ranked team in the continent.

Nigeria forced the game into penalties after 120 minutes of action.

United States of America based Nigerian striker, Ifeoma Onumnomu, was the only Nigerian that lost her penalty kick, as the quartet of Regina Otu, Monday Gift, Ashleigh Plumptre and Rita Chikwelu converted their spot kicks for Nigeria, while the Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie failed to save any of the Moroccan spot kick.

With Victory, Morocco will face the Bayana Bayana of South Africa which defeated the Zambian Ladies 1-0 in the first semi final.

Nigeri will face Zambia in the third place playoff scheduled for Friday. Nigeria  is the defending champion.

Ihedioha Congratulates Adeleke, Governor-elect, Osun State

By
The Source
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Emeka Ihedioha, Imo State

By Adesina Soyooye

The immediate past Governor of Imo State, the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has congratulated Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Governor-elect of Osun State.

Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had on Saturday, July 16, scaled all obstacles, and defeated over 10 other candidates, including, the incumbent Governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC. He won, outrightly, in 17 of the State’s 30 Local Government Areas, and left Oyetola 13 as  consolation prize. Other candidates went home empty-handed.

In his congratulatory letter to Adeleke, Ihedioha described  him as “a man of history and destiny.”

He told the Governor-elect: “You are, indeed, a man of history and destiny. Your remarkable victory which culminated in the defeat of an incumbent bears eloquent testimony to the open secret that you were robbed of victory four years ago, when you first contested the Governorship election.”

Following the full text of the congratulatory letter.

SENATOR ADEMOLA ADELEKE: MESSAGE OF FELICITATION

“My dear brother, I followed with studious interest, your well-deserved victory in the Osun State governorship election on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

“Your emergence as the Governor-Elect is, no doubt, a confirmation of the people’s confidence in your leadership capabilities and a proof of the unbreakable bond of friendship and solidarity between you and them. That is the hallmark of leadership.

“You are, indeed, a man of history and destiny. Your remarkable victory which culminated in the defeat of an incumbent bears eloquent testimony to the open secret that you were robbed of victory four years ago, when you first contested the governorship election.

“It is also a proof of your sterling attributes – hard work, political sagacity, perseverance and tenacity. The fact that you are imbued with these traits and yet remain humble is what makes you a consummate politician and leader of the people, whose cause you champion unreservedly.

“I also congratulate our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the good people of Osun State whose steadfastness, courage and vigilance made this sweet victory possible.

“The quest by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to reinvent itself and ensure that the sanctity of the WILL of the people, expressed through the ballot box remains an article of faith is quite commendable.

“The determination by the electoral umpire to ensure that votes not only count but is the sole basis for determining the outcome of elections has further boosted the confidence of Nigerians in our Democracy.

“Given the misgovernance that has persisted in your State, I urge you  to immediately focus on taking the necessary steps as you prepare to run a government that will satisfy the huge expectations of the people of Osun State.”

Adeleke first contested for the Governorship seat in 2018, but was inexplicably denied of the victory after a rerun which was adjudged “corrupted.”

Gale Of Defections Hit Rivers APC, As Georgewill, Governorship Candidate’s Campaign DG, Exits Party

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Tonye Cole DG Resign

By Akinwale Kasali

The defection tsunami hitting the Rivers State All Progressives Congress, APC, has continued. And the Party seems to be dying slowly.

Theodore Georgewill,  the Campaign Director General to APC’s Governorship Candidate in the 2019 Election, Toney Cole, has tendered his resignation letter to the Party.

Georgewill, in a letter dated 18th July, 2022, formally resigned from the Party based on “Personal Reasons”, thanking the Party for its support during his stay in the opposition Party in the State.

This is another loyalists of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who has left the Party, following the footsteps of Ibim Semenitari, the former Commissioner for Information and Communication of Rivers State.

Others, who announced resignation  from the APC in their letters to their respective wards chairmen were Dawari George,

Marvin Yobana (former Africa’s Representative at the World Youth Assembly), Nkemka Amadi and Robinson Elechi.

Semenitari, a former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in her resignation letter wrote: “I write to resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress with effect from today.

“I appreciate the friendship, camaraderie and opportunities that this platform has provided me to serve my state, region and country even as I wish the party well.”

George, former Commissioner  for Youths under Amaechi’s administration, on his part  lauded the party for the support he got to serve it.

He, however, did not state the reason for his decision. The letter was addressed to the Chairman of APC Ward One in the Asari Tori Local Government Area.

Meanwhile, Yobana  in his resignation letter cited certain actions of the party which  conflict with his personal interest and political ideology as reasons for quitting the party.

Senator Magnus Abe,  former  Secretary to the State under Amaechi, also, left the Party..

It would be recalled also that an ally of Senator Magnus Abe and factional Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Hon. Golden Chioma, also resigned from the party.

Chioma, a former member of the State House of Assembly, announced his resignation and defected to the Social Democratic Party, SDP. He said he could not remain in a party where “one man employs the governor for the benefit of one man.”

Chioma stressed further that he dumped the APC because of the failure of the Party to reward handwork, describing the reward system as appalling.

“All those who sacrificed their political future for the good of the party have been abandoned. People, who are not worth being mentioned are nominated and given appointments.

“But those who merit the offices are sidelined for obvious reasons. For me the reward system is appalling. For now I have left the party,” he stated.

As the 2023 Election gathers momentum, APC is gradually losing its strong chieftains in Rivers State, as the fortunes of the Party seems to be dwindling and losing prominence in the State.

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