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Easter: We Will Not Succumb To Criminals, Says Soludo

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

The Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has said that he will never succumb or yield any portion of the State to criminals. “The irrepressible courage of the citizens of the state will prevail”, he added.

Soludo made this known in an Easter message made available to journalists  by the Head of Soludo Media Office, Joe Anatune.

According to him, Easter calls for a self introspection and deep sober reflection.

Coincidentally, Easter marks exactly his one month anniversary in office.

“It is, therefore, of utmost importance for us to inculcate and emulate the noble virtues of our Lord Jesus Christ and the symbolism of His Crucifixion in the redemption of mankind”, he said.

The statements read in part:

“On this special Easter celebration, I call on everyone of us to imbibe the spirit of this solemn occasion as we rededicate ourselves collectively to the onerous task of building a prosperous, safe and livable homeland for our children, great-grand children and the  generations to come.

“Let me again, reassure that our dear state will continue to thrive on the trajectory of growth, peace and development despite the current wave of insecurity which is drastically being addressed.

“And in this spirit of Easter, I call on those who are still in the bush to surrender their arms and accept the olive branch which has been offered to them.

“Let me reiterate that as a people, we will never cede or yield our homeland to criminals. The irrepressible spirit of the good people of Anambra State shall always triumph.

“I therefore urge you all to continue to live in peace and harmony as you also extend love to one another on this special occasion.”

The State has been under serious incessant attack by gunmen since Soludo assumed office. A couple of Police facilities, and Local Government Secretariats have been razed, including Soludo’s own Secretariat in his Aguata LGA.

A number Security Operatives, including soldiers and Policemen have been killed. Killed, too, are two officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, who were on patrol.

Ondo: PDP Slams Govs Wife, Says Her Senatorial Ambition Another Drain On State Resources

By
Ayodele Oni
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Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ondo state has said the Senatorial ambition of Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of Ondo State Governor is another avenue to siphon the scarce resources of the State.

The opposition PDP, in a statement on Sunday remarked that “Mrs Akeredoku ranks amongst wives in the corridor of power who know exactly what to do with the enormous influence and lush funds available to their husbands.

“Addressing wives of military officers, Mrs Maryam Babangida, wife of former Nigerian Head of State who arrogated to himself title of “President”, told the women that, they were one rank higher than their husbands, even though they were civilians.

“She said if their husbands were Colonels, they were Brigadier Generals.

“The glitz and glamour Maryam brought to bear on her pet project, Better Life For Rural Women, cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

“She was reported to have influenced the capital of Delta State to be located in Asaba (her birthplace) which is at the Anambra fringe of the State.

“She proved over and over again that, she was the woman behind the throne.

“Mrs Akeredolu has also demonstrated that she is one rank ahead of her husband. As a matter of fact, she does not mince words by saying she is three years older than her husband, who is the Governor of Ondo State.

“Last week, Betty Akeredolu officially joined the Senatorial race for Imo East under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“In her address to journalists in Owerri, Mrs Akeredolu said ‘I am vying for the Senate of Imo East to change the narrative yabout Owerri Zone.

“Yes, l am married to the Governor of Ondo State, but that shouldn’t deprive me of the right to seek to represent Imo East, which is my maiden Senatorial District.

“I am proud to come from Emeabiam in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. Our biggest challenges are roads and hospitals but l am happy that l have been able to attract a 10.5km of roads to Emeabiam at the cost of N16bn.

“I am grateful to the NDDC… l know my going to Senate will attract huge development for the people of Imo State.”

The statement, signed by PDP spokesman in the state, My Ikantu Peretei, stated further “Few questions immediately come to mind.

“Was Betty trying to brag about her status of being a Governor’s wife or trying to reconnect with her roots as being part of the Emeabiam community?

“Has she ever been involved in development activities or politics of Imo State before her husband became Governor? How many of such NDDC Projects has she influenced to Ondo State?

“In 2012, when Rotimi Akeredolu first contested Governorship elections in Ondo State, his biggest challenge was that, he never registered as a voter in the State.

“It took some re-engineering from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to relocate himself and the wife, from where they registered in Oyo State, to Owo Local Government, where they now vote.

“If Betty is to contest elections in Imo State, this ritual has to be repeated if not perfected already.

“Betty’s Senatorial aspiration has been clinically conceptualised immediately after Akeredolu was sworn in as Governor.

“The first sign was that, some of the Free School Shuttle buses bought by the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko government for easy movement of school children were sighted in Owerri.

“Of the over 95 buses, not more than 20 are parked at the premises of the Ministry of Works at various levels of decay.

 

“The Ondo State government has not told the people the whereabout of the remaining buses. If the government says it has no money to run the buses, one will expect to see the buses on ground.

“The missing buses may have been used to oil the “back to my roots” project.

“On Friday, 29th December, 2017, the Ondo State Government literally shut down and moved to Emeabiam in honour of Mrs Betty for the title Ada Emeabiam ll.

“The Governor himself led the delegation. Then, on 14th August, 2021, all the monarchs in Owerri Federal Constituency, covering about 150 autonomous communities conferred on Mrs Akeredolu the title “Ada Owere” meaning the first daughter of Owerri. Betty is the first recipient of this title.

“Again, on Sunday, 26th December, 2021, the same woman was honoured with the title Nwanyiwuihe (woman is valued) by the Ihiagwa Town Management Committee during the 2021 Ihiagwa Clan Day celebration in Owerri West Local Government.

“There is none of these ceremonies that did not cost Ondo State Tax Payers huge resources that could be channelled to the welfare of the people.

“If you have received any such traditional title in Nigeria before, you will appreciate what is at stake here.

“Political appointees and traditional rulers all struggle to be seen during these ceremonies, taking selfies and smiling reminiscent of what legendary Afro beat King Fela referred to as suffering and smiling.

“Mrs Betty Akeredolu is desirous of joining the league of wives of former governors in the Nigerian Senate.

“The first was Senator Zainab Kure, wife of former Governor of Niger State, Engr. Abdulkadir Kure. Zainab was elected to represent Niger South Senatorial District in 2007 at the end of her husband’s second term as Governor.

“The other person is Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of APC leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a two term Governor of Lagos State. Senator Remi was elected to represent Lagos Central Senatorial District in 2011. She was re-elected in 2015 and 2019.

“While l wish Ada Owere the very best of luck in the 2023 Senatorial election, she must remember that, those former governors wives who contested Senatorial elections did so, where their husbands reigned as governors.

“Akeredolu will be unable to do anything in the Imo contest apart from squandering our lean resources to service some politicians in Imo State who will never tell Ada Owere the truth.

“There are speculations that Betty was encouraged to contest by Ebere Obiano who intends to contest Senatorial elections in Anambra State.”

Easter Sermon: Bishop Kukah Says 2023 Election Will Determine Nigeria’s Fate

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Outspoken Roman Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukak during his Easter Sunday sermon observed that “the greatest challenge before Nigerians now is how to begin a process of reconstructing our nation.”

Kukah was of the view that this should be achievable during  the 2023 elections.

“The real challenge before us now is to look beyond politics and face the challenge of forming character and faith in our country. Here, leaders of religion, Christianity and Islam, need to truthfully face the role of religion in the survival of our country.

“The Nigerian Constitution has very clearly delineated the fine boundaries between religion and politics. Yet many politicians continue to behave as if they are presiding over both the political and the spiritual realms in their states rather than governing in a Democracy.”

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has destroyed every aspect of life in Nigeria and allowed corruption to thrive and grow.

“With everything literally broken down, our country has become one big emergency national hospital with full occupancy.

“Our individual hearts are broken. Our family dreams are broken. Homes are broken. Churches, Mosques, infrastructure are broken. Our educational system is broken.

“Our children’s lives and future are broken. Our politics is broken. Our economy is broken. Our energy system is broken. Our security system is broken. Our roads and rails are broken. Only corruption is alive and well.

“Nigerians can no longer recognise their country which has been battered and buffeted by men and women from the dark womb of time.

“It is no longer necessary to ask how we got here. The real challenge is how to find the slippery rungs on the ladder of ascent so we can climb out. Yet, we ask, ascend to where?

“One would be tempted to ask, what is there to say about our tragic situation today that has not been said? Who is there to speak that has not spoken? Like the friends of Job, we stare at an imponderable tragedy as the nation unravels from all sides.

“The government has slid into hibernation mode. It is hard to know whether the problem is that those in power do not hear, see, feel, know, or just don’t care.

“Either way, from this crossroad, we must make a choice, to go forward, turn left or right or return home. None of these choices are easy, yet, guided by the light of the risen Christ, we can reclaim our country from its impending slide to anarchy.”

Bishop Kukah charged religious leaders to rise up to the present challenge saying: “Religious leaders must face the reality that here in Nigeria and elsewhere around the world, millions of people are leaving Christianity and Islam.

“While we are busy building walls of division with the blocks of prejudice, our members are becoming atheists but we prefer to pretend that we do not see this.

“We cannot pretend not to hear the footsteps of our faithful who are marching away into atheism and secularism. No threats can stop this, but dialogue can open our hearts.”

Nigerians Celebrating Easter In Utter Misery – PDP

By
The Source
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Debo Ologunagba - PDP Publicity Secretary

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says Nigerians are celebrating Easter in “utter misery”.

In an Easter goodwill message signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the Party recounted the sufferings of the people in the past seven years of the All Progressives Congress, APC, administration, and said that at no time has it been so bad in Nigeria.

The goodwill message titled: Easter: PDP Urges Hope, Charges Nigerians to Resist Agents of Death, reads:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urges Nigerians to use the occasion of Easter, which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to rekindle their hope for a brighter future and a national rebirth under a coming democratic and people-oriented government.

Easter, the celebration of the victory of life over death, offers us the opportunity to further strengthen our resolve to rescue our dear nation from the forces of death, suffering and misrule that have held her hostage in the last seven years.

Such forces have in the last seven years divided and suppressed Nigerians, arrogantly instituted lies, propaganda, deceit, disregard for the Rule of Law, intimidation and violation of human rights as official policies of State; brought untold economic hardship and acute poverty as a weapon of suppression and mass destruction, pillaged our national treasury with impunity, opened our nation to terrorists and look the other way as outlaws take over territories and daily massacre our citizens.

It is saddening that millions of Nigerians are celebrating Easter in utter misery, lack, social displacement and agony of bereavement due to the current misrule in our country.

Nigerians must therefore not resign to despondency in the face of life-discounting experiences which they encounter daily under the current administration but reinforce their determination to unite and use their votes to democratically end the regime of failure and give our nation a new lease of life, come 2023.

Our Party further charges all compatriots to bolster unity, love and care for one another at this time in the renewed hope in God, as we collectively resolve to Rescue and Rebuild our nation from misrule.

The PDP prays for the nation and wishes all compatriots a happy Easter celebration.

Schools Better Run By Missions, Says Bishop Jude Arogundade

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bishop Jude Arogundade

By Ayodele Oni

Controversy over return of public schools to their original owners in Ondo State continues as the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, His Lordship, Jude Arogundade, described those against the policy as haters of the country.

Bishop Arogundade told journalists in Akure on Saturday, that objection being raised by some people would negatively affect education in the state.

Two schools; Aquinas College Akure and St. Louis Grammar School Ondo had been returned to the Catholic mission after the state government unfolded plan to return some of the schools.

The Muslim community while addressing newsmen in Akure, through the Chairman, League of Imams and Alfas, Ahmad Aladesawe had described the state government’s step as barbaric, unprogressive and one that posed serious danger to the development of education in the state.

Aladesawe alleged that the step was aimed at giving public property to empower some individuals and would deny Muslim children from going to such schools.

The Cleric threatened that the Muslims Community would seek legal action, if  the state government failed to rescind the decision.

Bishop Arogundade however described such objection as the one that would bring setback to the education sector.

“Those raising issue about our schools in Ondo state and other parts of the country don’t love this country.

“Can’t you see Aquinas College Akure crying for its owners ? Just look at Aquinas College. The College that was the best in Nigeria at a particular time.

“The school that has produced some of the best Nigerians. It has produced three national merit award recipients.

“There is no other secondary School that has produced three but Aquinas College has produced three and you see Aquinas going that way ? Four thousand nine hundred and sixty something students in year one alone.

“Anybody who is criticising this policy doesn’t love our children and the society.

On possible hike in school fees with private individuals and missions running those schools, the Bishop declared “Who is saying that?

“We have our own system and they should have listened to us before they started making conclusion. What is their conclusion about?

“I have run a system where we ran a school in those days when I was in the New York, that students don’t pay anything.

“But there is a way you advertise it and you get achievers and companies to support.

“Ex-students of Aquinas College Akure who have been blessed all over the world, if they key into this programme, they will bring the tuition down completely.

“We are doing everything to minimize things and we are being conscious.

“I am not taking over the school because of money. I don’t need anybody’s money. I am taking over that school because of the future of our children because that’s the only way to save this country.

“So we are taking it over and what they are paying whether you like it or not, the students are paying something because they have to buy uniforms, lockers and other necessary things, but at the end of the day, you will still see that what they buy ,and compare to the current situation, our rate will still be better.”

Catholic Bishops Say Nigeria In Horrible State

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Catholic Bishops

By Ayodele Oni

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has decried unending massacres, inflation and industrial action by University lecturers across the country.

The bishops noted that Nigeria is now in “horrible state of affairs.”

CBCN President, Most Revd Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, made the assertion in his 2022 Easter message to the nation, released through the National Directorate of Social Communications, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Abuja.

In the message, the Clerics stated that “The ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is thwarting the academic ambitions of many Nigerian students.

“In some parts of the country, workers are owed arrears of salaries, while retired senior citizens eke out an existence without regular pensions.

“Many young people are deeply wounded and degraded by unemployment and poverty, a poverty that breeds crimes and seeks relief in hard drugs.

“The appalling economic condition is worsened by the present scarcity of fuel, which is as puzzling as it is frustrating.

“This horrible state of affairs is driving many compatriots to a feeling of cynicism as they gaze at a gloomy future that seems to promise them little or nothing.”

The CBCN also advised that the 2023 general elections should not be regarded as a do-or-die affair; calling on politicians to ensure that there is no bloodshed during the polls.

Nigeria Governors Forum Supports Victims Of Train Attack With N50 Million

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Fayemi and Nasir El-Rufai

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Governors, Forum, (NGF), has donated N50 million to the victims of Kaduna-Abuja train attack.

The train, which was going from Abuja to Kaduna, was attacked by terrorists leading to the death of  eight Nigerians, while more than 100 of the passengers were kidnapped, and still in the  den of the terrorists.

The terrorists have insisted on negotiation with the Federal government before those being held will be released.

Their relations have embarked on peaceful demonstrations with government assuring them of their safe return.

Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, announced the donation, when he led a two-man delegation of the Forum to Kaduna State to commiserate with the Government and people of the state on the recent Abuja – Kaduna train attack.

Dr Fayemi expressed deep sympathy to Kaduna State and its people and described the attack as mind-boggling because of the  number of casualties.

“The criminals were audacious enough to also take away some hostages which is a concern to the state of insecurity in the country”, he said.

The Governor pointed out that the attack was the handwork of some enemies of the state to distract Governor El-rufa’i from transforming the state.

He maintained that Governors will continue to talk to the President on the challenges of insecurity to ensure peace in the country.

“The Northwest of the country has been a region of calm before now but whatever it is, Governors will continue to put heads together along with the President to bring sanity back to the country.”

Dr Fayemi also agreed with the submission of Governor Elrufa’i that proactive action should be taken by various stakeholders to ensure that banditry is rooted out of the country.

He advised Governor El rufai to remain focused in promoting the affairs of the state.

“I agree that we as Governors must join hands with the President to deal ruthlessly with the bandits, that they are to be crushed, as you have always advocated.

“We are here to commiserate with you, your Government and the people of Kaduna State, to show solidarity with them and align with the Governor who as a public servant, should continue to be focused.”

Responding, Governor El-Rufai commended the leadership of the Forum and disclosed that 61 victims of the attacked were still recuperating including a top government official and his 8-months pregnant wife.

He explained that the bandits were currently hiding somewhere in Niger State.

Governor El Rufai regretted that the attack was avoidable because the state government had tipped the Nigeria Railways Corporation before the incident.

Unknown Gun Men Killing: A Wrong Strategy

By
The Source
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0

By Osita Chidoka

“Resorting to armed violence in Igboland will create bad blood, internal conflict and reduce support for whatever the agitators are pushing for. Families of victims will not forget or forgive easily. Criminal elements will use the opportunity to kidnap and extort, creating a climate of fear, repression and the significant exodus of businesses and people”

I saw the video of the attack on INEC staff and the killing of one of them by hooded armed men. The voice-over announced the date and repeated no more elections in the South East. The attack saddened me, as my heart went out to the dead and the kidnapped. Even the Christian week of lent was not a deterrent in a profoundly Christian community like Igboland.

I condemn the attack.

Again, I appeal to the unknown gunmen to stop the killings. The strategy of armed insurrection to achieve a political end is not a successful method. We can draw lessons from global examples.

The Spanish ETA, the armed group seeking separation of the Basque Region, ended the violent agitation in 2011. Ten years after ending the violence, families of victims of their violence are still protesting, and some have carried out reprisal attacks.

From 1968 to 2010, ETA killed 829 people and injured thousands more in its fight for an independent Basque Country. There is still pain and bitterness for those killed, mainly the civilians. The ETA focused its attacks on Police stations, military formation and infrastructure.

The leadership of ETA in 2021 apologised in a reported statement “Basque separatist politicians on Monday expressed “sorrow and pain” over the violence perpetrated by the ETA terror group in its quest for independence from Spain.”

Support for Basque separation dropped during the armed struggle era as many Basque people opposed the violence.

Today, years after the end of violence and the formation of a political party to press for separation, support for a break has risen in the region.

FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc, after the initials in Spanish), was Colombia’s largest rebel group. Founded in 1964 as the armed wing of the Communist Party and follow a Marxist-Leninist ideology.

They fought for decades, attacking government institutions, Police and military formations and blowing up pipelines and bridges. They kidnapped and extorted local communities to raise funds, while engaging in drug trafficking to fund operations.

After many years of negotiations and failed ceasefires, the FARC surrendered their weapons in 2016 and 2017 under a UN-supervised process. FARC has metamorphosed into a political party with some unelected seats in the Parliament.

Again, some of the issues plaguing the peace process are reprisals from victims’ families and civic groups campaigning for justice for victims.

The Good Friday Agreement in 1998, ended the violence in Northern Ireland after decades of conflict between the late 1960s and the late 1990s that killed more than 3,500 people. The agreement led to IRA, the militant group announcing the end of violence and decommissioned its weapons. The political process arising from the Agreement has led to stability and peace in the region despite hiccups.

Back home the Niger Delta militancy ended in an amnesty program.

Lesson: Resorting to armed violence in Igboland will create bad blood, internal conflict and reduce support for whatever the agitators are pushing for. Families of victims will not forget or forgive easily. Criminal elements will use the opportunity to kidnap and extort, creating a climate of fear, repression and the significant exodus of businesses and people.

ETA, FARC, IRA all eventually joined the political process. Stopping elections is a wrong strategy as a referendum will require electoral infrastructure.

I appeal for peace. We can organise, protest, demand for referendum for Biafra or restructuring without resorting to violence.

Like Ezeulu in Chinua Achebe’s Arrow of God, who warned the people of Umuaro against war with Okperi, I ask for a rethink of the violent route. Nwaka, the orator, riled the people, telling them what they wanted to hear by calling for war. The war ended against Umuaro, and the people agreed that Ekwensu’s hand was in it.

Igbo value of sanctity and respect of ndu (life), which we captured with the name Ndubuisi, should not be forgotten as we struggle for a better life.

I beg for peace.

Chidoka was a former Minister for Aviation under the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration

2023: Olu Of Warri Denies Endorsing Tinubu As President

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Olu of Warri

By Akinwale Kasali

Contrary to reports making the rounds that revered Monarch, Olu of Warri, His Imperial Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, Tsola Emiko, has endorsed the aspiration of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential  aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Monarch   says he never endorsed him.

In a statement from the office of the Olu of Warri, the Head, Back Office Operations, Oriiz U Onuwaje, firmly rebutted the statement claiming Ògíamẹ̀’s endorsement of Asiwaju Tinubu, restating that the Ògíamẹ̀ has no political affiliation or preferred political candidate for any office in the forthcoming 2023 elections be it at the Regional, Sub-national or National level.

It stressed that Ògíamẹ is a father figure to all and has no personal favourite or special interests in any candidate or political party vying for any office in the forthcoming elections one way or another and will, therefore, not endorse or discredit any candidate to the detriment or advantage of others.

It noted that the headlines credited to Ògíamẹ in the referenced quotes have been taken out of context and reworked to suit a specific narrative. They cannot be farther from the truth.

“For an unclear motive, the writer contravenes the Palace’s avowed role of non-partisanship. Ògíamẹ is a father figure to all who have a genuine interest in advancing the course of development of our nation. Ògíamẹ is duty-bound to receive and proffer advice and blessings to all those who seek his audience and counsel.

“Therefore, His Majesty Ògíamẹ̀ Atúwàtse III – The Olú of Warri is using this medium to make this important clarification for the avoidance of doubt and further requesting that in the future, any queries and clarifications on Palace communications should be directed to the Palace media office”, the statement reads.

A delegation of the South West Agenda For Asiwaju (SWAGA “23) and Delta State for Bola Ahmed Tinubu DESBAT’23 had paid him a courtesy visit in preparation for the launching of DESBAT ’23 in Delta State.

The delegation was led by National leader of SWAGA’23 Senator Dayo Adeyeye, who briefed the  Monarch on the purpose of the movement and what it intends to achieve.

On Adeyeye’s Entourage were The facilitator of SWAGA ‘23, Hon.Oye Ojo, the National Secretary, Hon.Bosun Oladele, National Treasurer, Apostle Oloruntoba Oke, Hon.Ifedadayo Abegunde, Alhaji Ibrahim Raji the Chairman, North Central Alliance for Asiwaju, Hon.Gani Omoluka, Hon Eni Omosule, Hon.Gani Dawodu,Chief Frank Awoefe, Hon.Mukaila Musa,and DESBAT representatives led by its leader Hon Austin Oribioye, its patron Hons. Tunde Okorodudu, Mario, Wasiu and others.

For the records, Tinubu’s wife, Remy, a Senator, is an Itsekiri, from Delta State.

Ekiti: Fayemi Insists He Has No Business With LG Funds

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has described as ‘mischievous’, the allegation by a former Chairman of Ado Local Government, Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi, that he is tampers with Council funds.

The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda had, on Friday, defended the allegation, which he said was laced with political sentiments.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Yinka Oyebode, on same matter on Saturday stressed the need for serving and former political office holders to be truthful and avoid mischief.

The statement reads “The attention of the general public is hereby drawn to a  misleading news story in  circulation and credited to the immediate past Chairman of Ado Local Government Council, Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi.

“She was reported to have alleged that she signed for N100 million allocation monthly, while she held sway as Council Boss, only to be given a paltry N7 million to run the Council.

“While it serves no purpose joining issues with Mrs Fajuyi, it is important to state that either Mrs Fajuyi or the news media that reproduced her radio interview misrepresented the facts of the matter, hence, the need to put the record straight for the sake of the reading public and to correct the wrong impression created.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the monthly allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to the Local Government are determined by the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) at the State level. This is in line with relevant provision of the law.

“While the JAAC meeting is held monthly to determine how the allocations to the Local Government would be disbursed, it is on record that Governor Kayode Fayemi has never meddled in the JAAC affairs, nor superintend over any of its meetings.

“Except for the purpose of mischief, Mrs Fajuyi knew the Governor never had anything to do with JAAC throughout her tenure as Council Boss.

“It is a common knowledge that the difference between Gross Allocation to all Local Government (After FAAC) and Net Distributable (ND) is  because of some statutory deductions which are usually done before the Local Government Councils are credited.

“These statutory  deductions include payment of staff salary; primary school teachers’ salary; payment of Traditional Institutions, proportional payment of pensioners, payment of political office holders, including the Chairman; payment of health workers salary, proportional payment for security outfits.

“All the above are deducted at the JAAC meeting which usually have in attendance the Council Chairmen, Commissioner for Local Government, State and Local Government Auditors General, among other state officials.

“It is important for serving and former public office holders to always demonstrate high sense of responsibility in their daily conduct and public engagements, be as truthful as possible, avoid mischief and unwarranted mudslinging as did Mrs Fajuyi.

“It is a shame that Mrs Fajuyi’s remarks have created the impression of unwholesome financial activities on the part of State officials.”

The statement claimed that Governor Fayemi never attends JAAC meetings where funds are allocated. Findings show that his Chief of Staff presided over the monthly meeting, being held at the Governor’s office.

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