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Ondo: First Class King, Deji Of Akure, Developer Tango Over Land Ownership

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Allegations of land grabbing and illegal installation of Chiefs continue to trail the reign of the Deji of Akure in Ondo state, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, who is also Chairman, State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The latest accusation is from the Chief Executive Officer of a construction company, Ademola Akin-Benson, who alleged that Oba Aladetoyinbo is disrupting the ongoing building work at Federal Housing Estate, Alagbaka, Akure.

Of recent, the Igbatoro road axis of Akure has witnessed upsurge in the number of housing estates built by either the Federal Government or private developers.

The ongoing construction work at Medaville Estate has pitched the company against the Deji of Akure, over the ownership of a portion of the land which resulted to litigation.

According to a paper presented by the Counsel to Medaville Building Construction, the Court granted the company’s prayer to continue with the project while the case continues.

And now, the company through its Chief executive director, Ademola Akin-Benson, has raised an alarm that the Deji has violated a subsisting Court order by allegedly sponsoring thugs to disrupt activities on the site on daily basis.

He said the Monarch is demanding for some portion of the land which, according to him, does not fall within his jurisdiction

The official claimed that two motorbikes, laptop, working tools, among other items were carted away during the week when suspected hoodlums invaded the site which has become a daily occurence.

Counsel to the Company, Femi Emodamori explained that Security Agencies as well as  the State Government are involved in the project.

However, a spokesman of the Deji, Michael Adeyeye, denied the allegation saying, the construction company is going beyond the allotted space and the Palace would not fold its arms and allow abnormality to take place in the community.

Adeyeye, who is Press Secretary to Deji, claimed that there are three hectres meant for a shrine within the construction area which the Federal Government is aware of. That is the crux of the matter.

Efforts made by our correspondent to get the reaction of both the Police Command and the State Government were not yet successful at the time of filing this story which may likely cause a breach of peace in Akure.

Innoson Crashes High Prices of Tricycles (Keke), Goes Into Production

By
The Source
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Innoson Keke

By Charles Igbo

Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, is set to create more jobs in Nigeria by venturing into a new area

He has started the  manufacturing of Tricycles, popularly known as Keke. In  doing this, he has a main aim – crash the price of Tricycles which was first introduced into the Transportation system of Nigeria by the former Lagos State Military Adminustrator, Brigadier-General Mohammed Marwa rtd, who is, now, the Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

Marwa, a Colonel then, introduced it to alleviate the pains the common man went through in Lagos, especially, routes where public buses did not ply.

But it has since become very popular across the nation as a means of tranportation. However, its price has continued to rise. From about N300,000 a piece, it’s gone up to N800,000 a piece.

In early 2022, while taking a group of Catholic Bishops on a tour of his Vehicle Manufacturing Company at Nnewi, Anambra State,  Chukwuma, whose Innoson Motor Vehicles, are gradually, taking over the automobile industry in Nigeria, had promised to   crash the price of tricycles once he started its manufacturing.

He has just fulfilled that promise with a new production line of Tricycles.

Tricycles currently sells for, about, N700,000. But those who buy it on “hire purchase”, pay as much as NN1.2 million for an agreed period.

It is expected that IVM Tricycles could sell  for  about N300,000, a piece only.

Anambra: Seven LGAs Taken Over By Criminals – Governor Soludo

By
The Source
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By Charles Igbo

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Soludo, says criminals have take over seven Local Government Areas of the State. This is the equivalent of what happens in parts of the North where Terrorists – Boko Haram, Bandits, ISIS, and more hold Local Governments by the jugular, collecting taxes.

Anambra has 21 LGAs.

It was a difficult thing for Soludo to admit, but presenting the revised 2022 Budget to the House of Assembly on Wednesday, Soludo pointed out two very daunting challenges he met on ground – a red treasury and an unprecedented insecurity.

Said the Governor:  “Among the challenges, we inherited a red treasury and pervasive insecurity,  especially with criminals taking the seven Local Governments of the South Senatorial Zone hostage, were the most acute.”

But Soludo assures that the people will triumph. He said he had since started the confrontation of insecurity headlong, but admitted that criminals were ferociously fighting back.

“We have chosen to confront the foundational issue of security head-on and expected that those profiting from the lucrative criminal enterprise would viciously fight back, and they have.

“Suffice it to say that so far, so good. They are testing our will and resolve. Let me assure you this: Anambra will win.”

The Governor is correct. Insecurity in the State has reached an unprecedented level, especially in the past few days following the Governor’s much celebrated  visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi  Kanu.

Those who thought that the visit would cut down the violence in the State were mistaken. It instead, escalated.

A couple of days ago, unknown gunmen  sent letters to nine Local Government Areas in the State, asking the people to expect them. To drive their point home. the Governor’s LGA is among those listed for attack. The people are panicky

The sit-at-home order declared by Simon Ekpa, an estranged IPOB member held, inspite of assurances to the contrary.

24 hours after Soludo’s visit to Kanu, gunmen burnt down the Idemili North LGA Secretariat, Ogidi, a Magistrate Court within the Headquarters, and the EEDC  Operational office all located within the premises.

A number of cars were burnt.

Within another 24 hours, they descended on the Governor’s LGA, Aguata. They welcomed him back to the State with violence.

Not a few people think that the evil is being perpetuated  by a rogue IPOB. Emma Powerful, IPOB Spokesman, has put most of the blame on Simon Ekpa, who Powerful said is leading “a rogue group” he identified as “Auto Pilot.”

How Soludo would handle the situation, he only knows.

But he is positive. He told Anambrarians: “We shall win.”

Danger: “Don’t Take Us For Granted; Don’t Foist Northern Presidential Candidates on Nigeria” – Southern & Middle Belt Leaders Warn APC, PDP

By
Adesina Soyooye
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South And Middle Belt Leaders

By Adesina Soyooye

“The reported permutations by the main political parties to foist Northern Presidential Candidates on the Nation, would be a grave misadventure, with grim consequences on national concord and harmony”

It was unarguably, the most well attended meeting held by the Leaders of the Southern and Middle Belt Nigeria. The calibre of attendees confirmed its high profile status. And its seriousness. It was a congregation of who-is-who. The  communique issued at the end of the meeting confirmed its seriousness and urgency.

It was dripping with anger. Anger at the state of the Nation. Anger at what Nigeria has been reduced to. The contents were, therefore, like a last ditch effort to save a drowning man. And it came with a loud warning: “Allow yourself to be saved, or drown.”

The attendees were worried at the game of death being played by the two main political parties in Nigeria – the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The meeting is alarmed that they are toying with the destiny and future of Nigeria  by suddenly discarding the rotation of the office of the President, by jettisoning zoning. And, it warns of dire consequences.

The belief, for months past, was that both APC and PDP would zone the office of the President to the South, and especially the South-east.

This belief was given a soul when both parties zoned the office of their National  Chairmen to the North.

The PDP had elected Dr Iyorchia Ayu from Benue State  and the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, from Nasarawa State.

In the history of democracy since 1999, no one part of the Country, North or South, had ever produced both the National Chairman of a Party and the President.

This was taken for granted, until serious Presidential Northern Candidates began to emerge from the North.

In the PDP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State Governor,  Aminu Tambuwal, his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, appeared, fighting seriously for the ticket.

The APC was slower than the PDP. First to come out was Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who not many people think is a serious contender. Then, a couple of weeks ago, like a hurricane, the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan, among others,  entered.

Lawan is said to be the North’s trump card. They think he and Atiku would square up. Or, he and Bala or Tambuwal.  Either way, it is the North.

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders are incensed that the North wants the President’s office again after President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years. They say it is froth with dangers. And they see dire consequences. And they are warning.

At the meeting, they reiterated its position on the principles of zoning and power rotation between the North and South. They stated that the zoning and rotation of the office of the President are fundamental to the future existence of Nigeria. They condemned what they described as the “obvious schemes by the two main political parties, the PDP and APC, ahead of their Presidential  Primaries, to jettison the time-honoured principle of rotation which has traditionally served as the glue holding the Federal Republic of Nigeria together.” And, they warn that:

“The reported permutations by the main political parties to foist Northern Presidential Candidates on the Nation would be a great misadventure with grim consequences on national concord and harmony.”

Following, is the full text of the Communique.

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OFTHE SOUTHERN AND MIDDLE BELT LEADERS’ FORUM, HELD IN ABUJA, ON THURSDAY, 19TH MAY, 2022

A Meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) was held on Thursday, 19th May 2022, in Abuja under the Chairmanship of the Leader and Elder Statesman, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, OFR, CON.

  1. Delegations of the constituent Organisations of SMBLF were respectively led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader of Afenifere (South West); Professor George Obiozor, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide (South East); His Excellency, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (Rtd.), Leader and Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President, Middle Belt Forum (Middle Belt); as well as Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE, National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF (South-South).
  2. The Meeting was also attended by former Governors, Ministers, Federal and State legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including His Excellency, Chief Cornelius Adebayo, His Excellency, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Oba Oladipo Olaitan – Deputy Leader Afenifere, Potter L. Dabup, D.I.G (Rtd.), Chief John Nnia Nwodo, former Minister of Information & former PG Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, former Minister of Education and Health, Professor Anya O. Anya, Chief Gary Igwariwey, former PG Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR, Secretary-General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, HRH Eze Cletus Iluomanya, Chief Dr. Simon Okeke, former Chairman of Police Service Commission, Professor G. G. Darah, Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, OFR, Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, Ambassador Humphrey Ojiako, Ambassador Ozo Nwobu, Chief Supo Shonibare, Chief Edozie Ezeugwa, Eze Dr. Ibe Nwosu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Professor Charles Nwekeaku, Chief Hon. Olivia Agbajoh, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, Comrade Jare Ajayi, Hon. Keftin Amuga, CP Iorbes Ihagh (Rtd)- PG MUT, Dr. Mrs. Esther Mangzha, Mrs. Beatrice Eze, National Treasurer Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Jibrin, Chief Mrs. Chika Ibeneme, Elder Mac Emakpore, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, Engr. Ben Akaakar, Dele Farotimi, Dr. Katch Ononuju, Debrah Ogazuwa, Olutola Mobolurin, Christopher Aba, Audu Samuel Riko, Hon. Jonathan Tsaku, Joshua Bawa, Akwa Jeremiah and Ken Robinson, among others.
  3. The Meeting deliberated extensively on the State of Nation, particularly the worsening insecurity; the 2023 General Elections; and recent troubling developments in the polity.
  4. Arising therefrom, the Forum:
  5. Firmly reiterates its stance on the Principle of Zoning and Power Rotation between the North and the South, as the basis on which the Nigerian Federation has, since Independence, been premised.
  6. States, unequivocally, that the Zoning and Rotation of the Presidency of Nigeria are fundamental to the future existence of the Country.

iii.        Accordingly, condemns, in strongest terms, obvious schemes by the two main political parties, the PDP and APC, ahead of their Presidential Primaries, to jettison the time-honoured principle of Rotation, which has traditionally served as the glue holding the Federal Republic of Nigeria together.

  1. Warns that the reported permutations by the main political parties to foist Northern Presidential Candidates on the nation would be a grave misadventure, with grim consequences on national concord and harmony.
  2. Therefore, calls on all delegates of all political parties, and true lovers of democracy, as a sacred obligation, to reject Presidential Aspirants, or Candidates, from the North, and only vote for those from the South in the Party Primaries.
  3. Calls on all politicians and professionals from the South not to accept, on any account, the position of Vice President, as that would amount to a shameful committal of present and future generations of Southern Nigeria to senseless political vassalage.

vii.       Further insists that, in observance of the principles of justice, equity, fairness and political inclusiveness, the South, and particularly, the South East Zone, being the third leg on which Nigeria’s political trajectory had revolved, should produce the next President of the Country in 2023. Insists that this would bring the Igbo quest for full reintegration and reconciliation, since the end of the Civil War in 1970, to full realisation.

viii.  SMBLF commends a number of northern governors who have demonstrated great patriotism by their public support for the rotation of the presidency to the South; to name a few, Malam Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State, Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR of Kano State. While equally urging other well-meaning northern leaders, who believe in the oneness of Nigeria, to support this cause, because therein lies the unity and progress of Nigeria.

  1. On the worsening state of insecurity and rampaging violence across the country, Forum warns that Nigeria is plummeting into a state of total disorder and lawlessness, with attacks on innocent people resulting in kidnapping, loss of lives and destruction of properties happening in different parts of the country almost daily.

Sadly, the Federal Government and its Security Agencies are not doing enough to arrest the situation, whereby people can no longer travel safely either by road, rail or even by air to Kaduna State in particular.

It is not only frightening but unimaginable that despite the heavy presence of military commands and installations in the State there could be such security challenges.

Cites the bombing of the Kaduna-Abuja bound train over 60 days ago as well as the brazen attack on motorists on the Abuja-Kaduna Road about two days ago. On both occasions, innocent lives were lost while several people were wounded with many abducted. Undesirably, most of those who were kidnapped are still in the terrorists’ captivity after 60 days.

  1. Forum condemns, in unmistakable terms, the killing of Miss Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a student of the College of Education, Sokoto, by her Muslim schoolmates and the wild spread of violence that engulfed the state, following the arrest of two of her killers. Denounces the worrisome disregard for the inviolability of human life by terrorists, criminals and religious extremists in the country.

 

  1. Likewise, strongly condemns the recent burning to death of a young man, a Sound Engineer, by commercial motorcyclists in Lagos, as well as the spree of killings and wanton destruction of properties and businesses owned by Southerners, particularly the occurrence, few days, at Dei Dei Market in Abuja.

xii.       Decries the unabating killings and destruction of livelihoods in the Middle Belt Region, especially in Southern Kaduna, Southern Borno, Southern Gombe, Benue, Taraba, etc, and the inaction of the Federal Government to live up to its Constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the lives and properties of its citizens.

xiii.      Classifies these killings and pervasive acts of aggression on the indigenous people, being perpetrated by elements of Islamic Extremism and Terrorists, as cultural genocide and ethnic cleansing. The Meeting cautions that these bellicosities and deliberate programs to exterminate the indigenous populations of the Middle Belt are, by implication, acts of aggression against the rest of Nigeria, and would not be tolerated any further.

xiv.        Deplores the inhuman plight of the 1,700 indigenous people of Southern Kaduna driven out of their homes and have now become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for over five years as well as several other Internally Displaced Persons in different parts of the country, left to live in conditions that impinge on their human rights as citizens of this Country. Hence, calls on the Federal Government to, without delay, facilitate the return and reintegration of these Nigerians into their Communities.

  1. The Meeting resolved to resist, through all legitimate means, the barefaced attempts by religious fundamentalists to impose on the rest of us, a Nigeria of “one country, different laws”.

 

  1. The Meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the people of Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt to the RESTRUCTURING of the Country, in tandem with the Principles of True Federalism, as was established by the Founding Fathers of Nigeria.

 

  1. Done in Abuja, this 19th day of May, 022.

Signed:

  1. Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON – Leader
  2. Chief Ayo Adebanjo- Leader, Afenifere
  1. Dr Pogu Bitrus- President-General, Middle Belt Forum
  1. Professor George Obiozor- President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide
  1. Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE- National Chairman, PANDEF

Nigerians Applaud Death By Hanging Of Danish Citizen, Peter Nielsen, For Killing Wife, Daughter

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Nigerians have hailed the Judiciary for allowing justice prevail and bringing an end to the about three-year legal battle over the murder of Zainab Nielsen and her daughter, Petra Nielsen by her Danish husband, Peter Nielsen.

A Lagos High Court on Thursday sentenced him to death hanging. He had gruesomely murdered both at their Banana Island, Lagos apartment.

Chima Onyegbulam, a social commentator expressed happiness that finally justice has been  served after years of fear and anxiety.

Also, a Feminine Group, Advocacy Against Domestic Violence and Abuse of Women, said that the ruling shows that the Judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Showering nncomiums on the ruling, the Group said that this will serve as a deterrent to men, especially foreigners who believe they can just treat Nigerian women  like trash.

In a statement by Chinwe Ameh, spokesperson for the Group, it said that they had waited patiently for this day and it is a victory for all women and it further shows that the Nigeria Judiciary is working hard to restore its lost glory in its judgment.

“We celebrate today because the court ruling is a victory for all women. It shows that our voice is being heard and there is hope for women, and the Judiciary has shown that it is the last hope for women and the common man.”

After over three years of legal battle, the Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS,  finally sentenced Danish Citizen, Peter Nielsen, to death by hanging for killing his Nigerian wife Zainab and their three-old daughter, Petra.

Justice Bolanle Okikiolu-Ighile, passed the judgment on Friday after over four hours ruling.

The Judge convicted Nielsen on a two-count charge of murder.

Nielsen had murdered his Kogi State born wife, Zainab, alias Alizee, who was  signed to an Asian record label, Petra Entertainment and was on the course of promoting her January 2018 single, ‘Alhaji Musa’, before her murder.

The 57-Year old Nielsen had been accused by the Lagos State Government of smothering her and their daughter to death around 3:45am on April 5, 2018, at No. 4, Flat 17, Bella Vista Tower, Banana Island, Ikoyi.

Nielsen was arraigned on June 13, 2018, on a two-count charge of murder under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

He pleaded not guilty, following which trial commenced.

During the trial, the court heard that Zainab and Petra died of head injuries and asphyxia (or suffocation) that were not self-inflicted.

A Consultant Pathologist, Prof. John Obafunwa, told Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile that his post-mortem examination of Zainab’s corpse suggested that she was killed when her nose and mouth were forcibly closed which deprived her of oxygen.

She had also suffered bruises around her head which were consistent with “blunt force trauma that were not enough to cause any fracture.”

Obafunwa said evidence showed the deceased struggled to free herself from her killer’s grip using her hands and nails.

The result of a DNA analysis of Zainab’s nail clipping, the witness added, revealed the presence of her DNA material and that of “an individual described as Peter”.

On September 20, 2019, the Prosecution team led by Ms. Titilayo Shitta Bey (now Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice) concluded their case.

Rather than open his case, Nielsen argued that the prosecution had failed to link him with the alleged deaths, noting in particular that a particularly important prosecution exhibit was missing.

He filed a “no case” submission, praying the court to end the proceedings and set him free.

But on July 19, 2021, Nielsen lost his bid to regain freedom.

Justice Okikiolu-Ighile dismissed the Dane’s application seeking to be discharged of the double murder charge.

The Judge noted that the application, filed by Nielsen’s counsel, Mr Olasupo Shasore (SAN), though brilliant, was premature.

She held that both prosecution and defence had called witnesses and tendered exhibits which were not premised on the said exhibit.

The Dane had premised his application on a missing piece of critical evidence said to have been destroyed during the burning down of the Igbosere High Court last October.

Shasore had prayed the court to discharge the defendant on the basis that the exhibit – Nielsen’s late wife’s nightgown containing DNA evidence – was missing.

According to Shasore, the nightgown the woman wore the night she was killed could no longer be found in the court’s record due to the burning of the court by hoodlums who hijacked the October 2020 #EndSARS protest.

He submitted that substantial justice could not be done in the absence of the exhibit.

“The submission of the learned silk is premature, the application sought and the consequential relief are hereby dismissed,” the judge held.

The Judge ordered Nielsen to open his defence.

In his defence, Nielsen affirmed his testimony that he did not kill both Zainab and Petra.

He told the court on January 11 that he found the duo dead when he awoke from sleep that morning and tried to revive them.

“I remember that Thursday, 5th of April, 2018 was an Easter vacation day. When I woke up, I was looking for Zainab and Petra from the balcony overlooking the field in the Estate,” Peter added.

Okada: Clashes, As Police Arrests, Seizes Motorcycles In Lagos

By
The Source
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Police Arrests Okada Riders

By Uche Mbah

No fewer than 35 motorcyclists have been arrested and 195 motorcycles seized as the Police enforce the State government’s ban on motorcycle operations in the State.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwolu, had recently announced a total ban on motorcycles on certain designated routes with effect from June 1. But the enforcement is with immediate effect.

The Hausa community in Lagos had pleaded with the Governor not to implement the ban, promising that they will vote en mass for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

At the announcement, there were clashes with security agents at Alaba rago and Lagos Badagry expressway which resulted in the State government clamping down on them.

Addressing Journalists at the Command Headquarters in the Ikeja area of the state on Friday, The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, said the Command had swung into action to prevent migration of cyclists to safer parts of the state. According to him, the ban was expected to be implemented in phases, with measures put in place to forestall any contingencies.

Speaking on the clash along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Thursday, Alabi said:“During the operation, they (motorcyclists) were accosted when they became violent and mobilized their other colleagues to attack our Police officers.

“When we got this information, we had to mobilise our Tactical and Operational Commanders to reinforce our Policemen on the ground and they (motorcyclists) were subdued. In the course of doing that, we arrested 35 suspects and impounded 195 motorcycles. Normalcy was restored immediately.”

Fielding questions on the effect of the ban on the state, Alabi assured they are on top of the situation.

“On the ban by the State Government that will take effect from June 1 and as to people (motorcyclists) migrating from that side to other areas, all the area commanders and DPOs were there when the government met with us. All of us are aware of the backlash that could happen because of this ban but we are prepared for it.

“Any security challenges that could arise because of this ban in the local government areas, we are ready to contend with it. We have told them to put in place strategic measures on how to confront this holistically. We are envisaging that some people (motorcyclists) will migrate from those areas but this ban is in phases, and we are prepared for that and will confront the challenge if it arises.“

APC Will Win Osun Gov Election On First Balloting – Gov Oyetola’s Aide

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Adegboyega Oyetola

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressive Congress, (APC) in Osun state has expressed confidence that the July Governorship election in the state will be a smooth ride and will be won on first balloting.

The party in 2019 and the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) went through a re-run election following a stalemate as a winner could not emerge.

The Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) declared the first balloting, which saw the PDP leading as inconclusive.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, the APC is now in a vantage position to win without much stress.

Omipidan, who gave reasons that will give his principal edge over his opponents in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, said incumbent Governor Oyetola has several achievements to his credit which would give him an edge over his opponents.

Omipidan spoke in Osogbo, while playing host to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Southwest Zone ahead of the union’s Zonal meeting.

Omipidan pointed out that the election may not be difficult as that of 2018 considering the overwhelming achievements of the Governor and wide acceptability by the good people of Osun.

The CPS affirmed that most of the factors that made the 2018 election competitive and a bit difficult for APC had been addressed and the people now repose confidence in the Governor having experienced his good leadership style.

He noted that, since inception of office, Oyetola had not borrowed any money, yet salaries were paid as at, and when due, new roads were constructed in standard quality, good health care had been provided, while necessary policies were enacted to create conducive working and business environment for citizens.

He affirmed that the important aspect was that the Governor has been serving with utmost sincerity, prudence and with the fear of God.

“Governor Oyetola will always tell me never to write anything that his government has not done, in fact while some leaders will spend lavishly on the account that it was government money, Oyetola will always ensure that he cuts down to the barest minimum every expenses of government.”

The CPS added that the Governor loves his people and state, hence he would continue to do everything possible to work for its greatness, urging people of the state not to allow some unserious politicians to deceive them.

He appreciated the media for the support and urged NUJ leadership to continue to sustain the integrity of the noble profession.

Earlier, the Vice President, Southwest Zone-B, Mrs Ronke Samo, who spoke on behalf of Chairmen and Secretaries of Osun, Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun and Lagos, appealed to the Osun State Government to provide adequate security for all journalists covering the forthcoming governorship election.

Mrs Samo promised that NUJ would continue to play its unbiased role as watch dog of the society.

You Can’t Be Governor Through Back Door– Oyebanji tells Oni

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

The banters and exchange of words continue just as the clock ticks to June 18, a day set aside for the Governorship election in Ekiti state.

Candidates,  especially those of the leading political parties, continue to strengthen their campaigns, while trading blames on opponents in case of any attack or negative incident.

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) governorship candidate in the election, Biodun Oyebanji, took turn to remind his opponent at the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) Segun Oni, that there is no back door to Oke Ayoba Government House, except through election.

He has, therefore, advised him to withdraw if he is not ready for a real contest come 18th June.

According to the APC flagbearer, Oni’s utterances and dispositions, portray him as if  he is expecting himself to be imposed on Ekiti, rather than a real contest going by phantom accusations he has allegedly been raising against the ruling party to gain relevance.

Oyebanji, spoke in Ado Ekiti, on Friday, while reacting to an allegation by the SDP that its deputy governorship candidate, Ladi Owolabi, was allegedly attacked by suspected APC thugs on Wednesday.

Oyebanji, who spoke through the Director of Media and Publicity of his campaign outfit, Taiwo Olatunbosun told the former governor that he will be day dreaming, if he thinks of becoming governor on the platter of gold or via undemocratic fashion.

The former SSG pointed out that the people of Ekiti will elect who governs them through a keen and democratic process and not by imposition, thuggery and raising of unfounded accusations for cheap political capital.

The APC candidate added that Oyebanji and members of his political campaign family are deeply obsessed with the ongoing electioneering campaigns and won’t descend to the level of promoting thuggery and unnecessary attacks.

“I want to say with all sincerity and open heart that the APC was not aware of any attack on the SDP deputy governorship candidate.

“And if truly it happened, I want to dissociate our members from it, because we are busy campaigning all over Ekiti.

“We are the ruling party and we have a lot of good projects we have done to campaign to Ekiti people, so we have no reason to attack anyone.

“With the ways they have been threatening the people and raising false allegations, I don’t think Segun Oni is prepared for a real contest.

“All he wants is getting the governorship through blackmail and on a platter of gold, which we believe is undemocratic. If he finds himself unprepared for the contest, he can withdraw honourably from the race.

“Oyebanji had unveiled his manifesto, which is his social contract with the Ekiti people and it covered human capital development, infrastructure, healthcare delivery, commercial agriculture, and good governance, among others.

“So, we are running a race that is well defined. Let other party candidates, including Oni learn from us, unveil their manifesto if they have any and let the people know what they have in stock for them, rather than stoking violence, attacks and unrest.”

IPOB Bans APC From Rallies In Umuahia

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

There is heightened tension in Umuahia as the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has barred  the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship aspirant, Ikechi Emenike, and his party to hold rallies in Umuahia on May 20, 2022.

IPOB’s Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said in a statement that Emenike should not hold rallies while doing nothing about the security situation in Abia state.

“We want to advise Chief Ikechi Emenike and his APC people not to hold any political rally in Umuahia tomorrow, Friday May 20, 2022, while they kept quiet and did nothing when Fulani bandits kidnapped passengers including female students along Okigwe/ Uturu road”, the statement read.

“We cannot allow Emenike and his APC co-travellers to be dancing and singing at Chidiebere Park while our daughters are still in captivity.

“It is hypocrisy for the political elite to show no concern about the plights of our people who they claim to be seeking their welfare. It is wickedness for Emenike and his co-travellers to keep mute and do nothing about the incessant abductions of Igbo sons and daughters by Fulani herdsmen around Uturu and its environs. Ikechi Emenike should keep away from Chidiebere Park Umuahia tomorrow.

“We won’t allow APC and other political parties to continue to hold their rallies in our land while Fulani bandits operative with impunity Kidnapping and raping our people, yet the politicians do nothing about it. All they care about is 2023. Enough is enough!

“Fulani bandits are holding Igbo girls and are demanding N10 million as ransom per person, Emenike and APC to be dancing at a rally when the families of the victims are in painful mood. He should not dare us.”

Igbos Will Boycott The 2023 Elections If Presidency Is Not Zoned To the South East, Says Ohaneze

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Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

The apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo ethnic group, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has said the South East will boycott the 2023 elections if both the Chairmen and Presidential candidates of the two leading political parties come from the North.

The  Secretary-General of the  officially unrecognized faction of Ohanaeze, Chief Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated this in a statement Thursday, while warning that Nigeria is at a precipice of disintegration if it continues at the current trajectory. “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide insists that only a Nigerian President of Igbo stock from the seven Igbo speaking states including Anioma (in Delta,) and Ikwerre (in Rivers) will halt the disintegration threats to Nigeria’s corporate existence and unity beyond 2023′, the statement read.

He pointed out “ That the consequence of another Northern Presidency after the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in 2023 will be Nigeria’s doom and reinforcement for the secessionist campaign for Biafra restoration.

“We ought to have learnt from the lessons of Boko Haram as a political spear for seizing power in 2015 and the aftermath consequences of President Buhari’s failure to end Boko Haram, banditry, and terrorism in the North.

“The APC and the PDP National Delegates should jettison money politics and put Nigeria’s unity first by voting for Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi (Ikwerre, Rivers) and Gov David Umahi (South-East) in the APC and Governor Nyesom Wike (Ikwerre Rivers) and Peter Obi (South-East) in the PDP.

“Never in the history of our country has a particular region produced a Presidential candidate and National Chairman at the same time.

It will be absolute insanity for the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ayu, and the APC’s Senator Adamu Abdullahi to plot for northern presidential candidates, as it will spell doom for Nigeria as there will be an election to boycott in the South-East.

“This is the last deciding chance to preserve and defend Nigeria’s unity and peace. The APC and the PDP National Delegates should place patriotism above nepotism and save our democracy. We acknowledge the Afenifere and Niger Delta’s support for the 2023 Igbo Presidency.

“We are aware of Igbo paid agents and we have not forgotten those Igbo saboteurs who betrayed Dr. Alex Ekwueme in Jos ’98 PDP convention. If there is a repeat of Jos ’98 and northerners emerge the PDP and the APC presidential candidates, Igbos will boycott the 2023 elections.”

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