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2023: Presidency Cabal Plots Tinubu’s Assassination, He May Die In Office –  Primate Ayodele

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Primate Ayodele

By Akinwale Kasali

Televangelist, Prophet Babajide Elijah Ayodele, of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has predicted that Bola Tinubu, the Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC will either die in office or assassinated if he wins next year’s presidential election.

The controversial Prophet who has made accurate predictions in the past, with some of his prophecies falling short,  said Tinubu’s emergence as the President of the country in 2023 will be a disaster to the nation, as the country will remain stagnant and its economic fortunes will further dwindle.

Speaking at the 2022-2023 and Beyond Warnings to Nations Press Conference held today, July 9th, 2022, at his Church is Oke Afa, Isolo, Lagos, Primate Ayodele said that Tinubu cannot take the nation to its promised land, adding that the APC candidate and former Governor of Lagos state will only win by rigging.

Bookmakers insist that the 2023 presidential election will be a three horse race between Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.

But Ayodele said, “Tinubu, can’t make Nigeria better. He can’t give us the desired turnaround. Tinubu, APC can only win by rigging. Tinubu government will be worse.

“Nigeria will never move forward. Tinubu is a disaster and calamity for Nigeria. He cannot take Nigeria to the promised land as the nation will experience Fluctuating Economy.

“If he comes on board as the Cabals are forcefully  plotting he won’t last. It is either he is assassinated or he dies while on that seat”.

He added that Atiku Abubakar of the PDP is not better than Tinubu as both lacked the capacity to change the country for the better.

Supporting the call for a President from Igbo extraction, Ayodele said that this is the best opportunity for an Igbo to emerge as the President of Nigeria, he however noted that Obi too isn’t the best candidate the Igbos can produce as he is just a noise maker.

“It is just so sad that Obi can’t win. Even Kwankwaso is just a noise maker,” he said.

Rivers: APC Governors’ Joking, Wike Going Nowhere – Saraki

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Ayodele Oni and Akinwale Kasali

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described the visit of some Governors of the ruling All Progressive Congress to Portharcut as an exercise in futility.

The Rivers helmsman has refused to speak after Atiku Abubakar picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state as his running mate, thus shattering the expectations of many who have wrongly predicted that Wike will get the position.

14 out of 17 members  committee set up by the party to select a vice presidential candidate for Atiku were believed to have voted for Wike, who have been meeting with some opposition leaders, fueling speculation that he may dump the PDP.

His meeting with the APC governors has also rattled top PDP leaders, who are now unsure of his future in the party.

Three Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Akeredolu and Babajide Sanwo-olu, had on Friday visited their Rivers state counterpart during which they held a closed for meeting with him.

Speaking, Saraki said their effort will amount to nothing, because Wike will remain in PDP.

Saraki who is also a former Governor of Kwara state told newsmen in Ilorin, the Kwara state’s capital vafter the Eid prayer, that the visit would amount to nothing at the end of the day “because PDP would not allow Governor Wike to go.

“Governor Wike is an important member of our party and I am very confident that in no distant time, we will sit down and address all the issues.

“There is no doubt about it that he has cause to feel the way he does, but there are better ways by which issue like this can be resolved.

“The good thing is that we are all talking to one another. We are on top of the situation and PDP will reunite and forge ahead to win the next elections. I assure you that PDP will definitely resolve its family issue that it currently has.

“The fact that some APC governors went to see their colleague, trying to capitalize on what they think is an issue, is a gross miscalculation. At the end of the day, their visit is going no where.

“The APC governors know that it is this kind of a crack they need to latch on. Fortunately, we are not going to give him (Wike) to them because the election ahead is too important.

“The destinies of millions of Nigerians are too important and even bigger than any party or individual. I appreciate that, all our stakeholders appreciate that and Governor Wike himself appreciates that.”

Meanwhile, Governor Wike the magazine learnt had made some demands for peace to reign in the party.

Top among his demands is that the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu to resign his position.

Close watchers of the party told the magazine that the leadership of the PDP, particularly Atiku is not likely to accept the demand considering his close ties with Ayu.

Edo: Interment Of Catholic Priest: Deputy Gov, Bishop Charge Buhari On Insecurity

By
Ayodele Oni
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Muhammadu Buhari

By Ayodele Oni

Acting Governor of Edo state, Philip Shaibu and National President of Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, Very Rev Father Don Bosco Ezehi, have added their voice to call on President Mohamadu Buhari to resign if he cannot address the numerous security challenges facing the country.

The duo made the call on the back of similar call by the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria,  which had  earlier noted that the present  administration cannot protect Nigerians from the current security challenges and mindless killings.

The call was made at the funeral mass of the late Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Christopher Odia-Ogedegbe who was abducted and killed at Ikabigbo in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State by kidnappers.

Shaibu and Ezehi lamented the spate of killings in all parts of the country, which have gone on unhindered.

The Administrator of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Ikabigbo, Uzairue of Etsako West Local Council Area; Reverend Father Christopher Odia-Ogedegbe was abducted from his Rectory and killed on June 26th, 2022 as he prepared for Sunday Mass.

Family members, friends and loved ones converged on Priests Cemetery at the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianokpodi, Agenebode of Estako East Local Government Area of Edo State for a funeral mass and the subsequent interment of his body.

The Bishop of Auchi Diocese, Most Reverend Gabriel Dunia pleaded with the Government of the day to tackle the menace of insecurity headlong.

A Brother to the deceased, Robert Odia-Ogedegbe acknowledged the irreplaceable loss of his sibling calling for adequate protection of lives and property.

The mourners say the unabated murder of citizens is an impediment to the development of any nation, that must be checked with all sincerity of heart and commitment on the part of the government.

Journey to Nigeria’s Rebirth Begins Today

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

(Remarks by  H.E Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of Labour Party during the presentation of Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed

As His Vice Presidential Running Mate  At the Transcorps Hilton Hotel, Abuja, 8 July 2022)

“I thank all those gathered here today.  They will bear witness and lay claim to being present on the day when the Journey to Nigeria’s Rebirth Began.

“It is my honour to inform you, my fellow Nigerians and especially the OBIdients, that finally, after very long and wide consultations, we in the Labour Party have a found an eminently qualified Nigerian, who will be my partner as we embark on our march to a Secure, United and Productive Nigeria.

“I have the distinct honour of presenting to you, my friend and running mate, and God willing, the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who has been described as “one of Nigeria’s youngest and brightest personalities, who has distinguished himself in various areas of human endeavours.”

“Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed brings to this mission, great personal, academic and entrepreneurial strengths; impeccable credentials and the added value of rich experience as an academician, businessman, public servant, economic and development expert, and politician. He is a recognized wealth creator and manager; who fits well into the mold of a transformative and adaptive leader.

“Today, I will not dwell too much our national challenges. Yet, I will be remiss to gloss over them completely.  These are extremely difficult times for our country. Nigeria straddles the lowest rungs of the global development indices. We are hugely indebted and the poverty capital of the world. Nigerians are hungry and angry; and fed up with bad leadership. Times like this, does not call for politics of business as usual.

“As I have always said, my vision and mission is to give full expression to our democracy by moving our country from consumption to production.  Now that the presidential team is complete, we will in the days ahead, unveil our governance principles, priorities, and programmes for turning Nigeria around, which shall be anchored on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Securing, uniting and making Nigeria productive require steady and trusted hands. I am confident that with Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed by my side, we shall ensure that in moving Nigeria forward, no state or community will be left behind. Pursuant to its statutory responsibility to protect, our Government will promote the rule of law, ensure that governance is inclusive, cost-effective, transformative, less transactional; and national investments regenerative.

“Finally, with human capital development as the core premise, we will pursue proactively, well-articulated strategies and intrusive policy coordination and implementation, aimed at tackling the key challenges that are routinely of utmost concern to domestic and foreign investors.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it gives me immense pleasure to present to you, my friend and running mate, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.  I will now yield the floor to him for his remarks.  I thank you all”.

Uzodimma Urges Imo Monarchs To Protect Their Domain

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma has challenged monarchs in Imo State to do everything within their behest to safeguard their domain and protect their subjects against any form of criminality.

At a meeting the Governor held with all the traditional rulers from the 27 local government areas of Imo State at the weekend, he reminded them of their responsibility to protect their communities and their subjects as “not only custodians of cultures and tradition but as well, Chief Security Officers of their various communities.”

The meeting with the traditional rulers was held at the Eze Imo Palace at Mbari Owerri Imo State.

Governor Uzodimma thanked the Monarchs for their contributions so far towards peace, security and development in Imo State and regretted that in the process of their efforts for a better Imo society they have suffered humiliations and even deaths.

He therefore promised that government will continue to work with them in the task ahead “so that together the menace and distractions of bandits and unknown gunmen will be a thing of the past.”

The Governor reminded them that the security challenges in Imo State is not a child’s play though not peculiar to Imo State alone. “It affects almost all the States of the Federation and as such cannot be treated with kids cloves.”

The Governor reiterated that he has come to serve the people and to repair all the sectors that were rotten and damaged by past administrations in the areas of politics, civil service, education, health, roads, water supply among  others.

He informed the monarchs that the rot in Imo State is nauseating, citing  example of how government has been paying the salary to 6,500 secondary school teachers salaries every month whereas in the bio-data exercise carried out on July 7, 2022 government was only able to record 3,000 secondary school teachers.

He bemoaned that the situation is  regrettable “where people are still fraudulent and collecting salary that does not belong to them.”

Governor Uzodimma reminded the traditional rulers that his administration has recently awarded contracts of five kilometers per Local Government and that two kilometers of the 5km has been given out to contractors with advanced payments made.

To realize the project, the Governor urged the traditional rulers to supervise and monitor the construction of the roads in their areas and at the same time, confirm to government on their completion before final payments are made to the contractors.

He also said the monarchs will be held responsible if they go ahead to approve payments when jobs are either shabily  done, not completed or done at all.

Governor Uzodimma explained that Imo State government has spent over N100 billion on road infrastructure in the past two years of his administration which even his government does not have in its account.

However, the Governor emphasized that this is made possible because the Government in Imo State and that at the National are of the same Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Most importantly, he said, is  his relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari who he said has given him the guarantee to do the roads.

Governor Uzodimma encouraged the traditional rulers to warn their subjects, especially the politicians, not to kill or fight anybody on his behalf for the purpose of winning a second term election, saying “second term is predicated on performance.”

He reiterated his call on criminals and bandits to drop their arms and come forward to receive pardon and amnesty from his government.

Governor Uzodimma said his government is ready to protect all communities; all Local Government Areas and Imo State against any form of insecurity, noting that his government  plans to do so by funding the local vigilante and the Ebube Agu to work in collaboration with the security agencies in Imo State.

He then urged Imo people to go about their normal businesses without fear of harassments or molestations.

Responding on behalf of the monarchs,  the Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Ruler, His Royal Majesty,  Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel Okeke, thanked the Governor for findng time to address them and promised to work in tandem with his government to flush out the criminals in Imo Communities

In addition to security,  Eze Okeke said that the traditional rulers have been  engaging the INEC in stepping up Voter Registration exercises in the Communities to enable Imo people secure their PVCs before the 2023 election.

DSS Informed Military In Advance Of Plan To Attack Kuje; Buhari Does Not Know What Is Happening – FFK

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Femi Fani-Kayode

By Akinwale Kasali

If the Nigerian Military had acted on the advance intelligence information passed on to it by the Directorate of State Services, DSS, of  a planned attack on the Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, Nigeria would not be facing the embarrassment it is facing now. Nobody would be ridiculing President Muhammadu Buhari and asking him to resign. A helpless and thoroughly frustrated President wouldn’t be asking the questions he asked on his visit to Kuje. “How did this happen?, I want to know, I want details, Buhari asked nobody in particular.

For a man who swept into power promising to deal decisively with insecurity, the situation, for him, is a big let down. Yet, he has, from day one, been fighting it frontally.

Not a few people suspect sabotage from within and outside the country.

In the Kuje incident, for instance, multiple sources informed this medium that the Army was told, by the DSS, of the impending attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre long before it happened. They were told where the terrorists were. They knew exactly where and how to rout them. Why the Army ignored such a priority security information is what nobody can fathom.

Same was the case with the, also, embarrassing Abuja-Kaduna train kidnap incident. The DSS also tipped the Military off.

The Kuje incident was the limit. The most embarrassing. The anger, it was avoidable. For two hours and counting, terrorists held Kuje Correctional Centre by the jugular, wreaking havoc.

With superior weapons – bombs, grenades and assorted high calibre guns.

There was no significant resistant. They had a field day killing and maiming. And razing houses and vehicles. They released over 800 inmates, including all of the 65 Boko Haram terrorists and other dangerous detainees therein. Only about 400 of the Prisoners have either returned or been recaptured – none of them Boko Haram.

They also had enough time to steal over N80 million and $36 million belonging to a number of high profile prisoners and detainees.

There is outrage in the land. And there are questions. Why, for instance, is the Military not acting on the information passed to them by the DSS?

Nobody captures this outrage and asks these questions, and offers solutions more that Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Aviation Minister and a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC. He says President Buhari likely does not know what how bad the situation is or even what is happening.

His words:

“Over the last one month, we have had series of chaotic events in Nigeria and this calls for concern and alarm.

“What are those events? Over the key one month we have had a case of Herdsmen and ISWAP entering a Church in Owo, Ondo State, killing more than 50 persons.

“About a week later, that is three weeks ago, we had a situation where ISWAP killed not less than 90 people in Zamfara State.

“Next event, not too long after that, in Niger State, we had ISWAP Warriors attack a community and killed not less than 45 people, 30 of them were soldiers.

“And finally, just a few days ago, ISWAP warrior attacked Kuje Prison Facility and bombed their way in freeing not less than 600 inmates, 300 were recovered and found later.

“According to Defence Headquarters, 60 of them were Boko Haram Fighters. As a matter of fact, all the Boko Haram fighters within that vicinity were freed.

“I know the facility very well, I have been there for sometimes and it was the British that built it , and it is an extraordinary place and it is hidden and they freed their fellow terrorists.

“Now, the most disturbing thing about this issue is that there is clearly an orchestration behind all this, one month all this things happened. One funny thing about this Kuje Prison attack is that the DSS had informed the Military about the attack and when it was going to happen, and the military knew about this and nothing was done about it.

“The military ignored those warnings about where those boys were hiding and were not rooted out and they carried out their operations.

“One thing is that the Soldiers posted to this Area were withdrawn 24 Hours before this operation and this event took place and their Boys operated for three hours bombing, killing, maiming , pulling down walls and freeing their colleagues.

“Again, there is an orchestration and it is getting worse.

“About three months ago, we had the Kaduna-Abuja train attack.

“I can tell you authoritatively that the DSS informed the military that this was going to happen and the military didn’t put soldiers to man the areas and flush these boys out. Again, the Military said No.

“The question is why is it that the military refused to do anything when they get this information.?

“In the case of Niger State, when those people and those soldiers were killed, nothing was done. The military offered no response, after their own soldiers had been killed and slaughtered.

“What is going on in Nigeria?

“In my view, like I said earlier, there is an orchestration. I think it has an international dimension. Most of this fighters are non- Nigerians. Most of these people come from outside Nigeria.

“They are well armed than our military, if not better. They are courageous, they are highly motivated and they are very brave.

“We need to find out precisely who is behind all these that is happening and what is the objective.

“My view is that the objective is to ensure that we have chaos in this country and destabilize the country and terminate our democracy with a military coup, and ensure we have an interim government.

“Is this acceptable? No, because nobody wants that but some deluded individuals clearly are up to no good and I think that the NIA, DSS and Nigeria Police have done their best they can. They have been excellent in this circumstance.

“The only security agency that does not seem to be functioning properly is the Military and it is not just the military but the military High Command. The Junior Officers and the Boys on the field are dying like flies. They are killing them and they are sacrificing their lives for Nigeria, but the Military High Command has failed.

“And I use the opportunity to call on not only the Chief of Army Staff but all Serving Service Chiefs to resign and bury their heads in shame, and I also call on President Buhari to change them and bring in new people that can fight this menace and restore sanity to our country.

“There is another dimension to this apart from the fact that they want chaos. They  want to justify what is it that they want to do, and they want carnage so that people will say fine, something needs  to change, so the government need to go and destabilize the government.

“Apart from that, there is also another objective, to ensure that the 2023 election does not hold. Where you have chaos and fighting you cannot have an election. If the election does not hold , what they will do during and after the election is an aftermath of that  contrived act in which everything will be destabilized and we are back to square one.

“Somebody in and outside Nigeria, international collaborators are working on destroying and destabilizing us and pulling us down, and we are focused on 2023. We have taken our eyes off the ball, what we are after is who wins the Primary and Presidential election in 2023.

“Who won the Primaries weeks back and the Candidates we support , whether it is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, well, whatever. Meanwhile we have taken our eyes off the ball, our country is boiling, our security agents, DSS are killed on the field, and our government has not done anything about it, and we need to do more.

“This government and our country are target and victims of well orchestrated conspiracy to destroy us and humiliate us and bring us to our knees and create chaos in our country, and I strongly believe that the globalists that are responsible for Ukraine are the one responsible for this as well and we need to be careful, be prayerful and the government and the president need to sit up and open their eyes, get a coffee and grab the Bull by the horn and do something.

“The military has failed. The President needs to remove all the military hierarchy.

“The President needs to address this issue and act strongly with power. I suspect strongly that he doesn’t even know what is going on because those around him have not briefed him properly. We need to share this video and let it get across to the President because he need to know.

“All the Governors are trying their best but they are frustrated with the situation and the President needs to find those behind this evil conspiracy to destroy our country and bring us to our knees.

“May God Guide Us.”

“Journey To Nigeria’s  Rebirth Begins Today” – Obi As He Presents Running Mate Baba-Ahmed

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi said Friday in Abuja that Journey to Nigeria’s rebirth begins with the presentation of his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba Ahmed at a ceremony at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.

In a brief remark, Obi told the gathering and his numerous supporters he referred to as the Obidient family that “finally, after very long and wide consultations, we in the Labour Party have found an eminently qualified Nigerian who will be my partner as we embark on our march to a secure, united and productive Nigeria.

He noted that his running mate Senator Baba-Ahmed, is “one of Nigeria’s youngest and brightest personalities, who has distinguished himself in various areas of human endeavors”

Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed brings to this mission, great personal, academic and entrepreneurial strength ; impeccable credentials and added value of rich experience as an ace DMI Ian, businessman, public servant, economic and development expert, and politician. He is a recognized wealth creator and manager; who fits well into the mold of a transformative and adaptive leader.

“ Today, I will not dwell too much on our national challenges. yet I will be remiss to gloss over them completely. These are extremely difficult times for our country. Nigeria straddles the lowest rungs of the global development indices. We are hugely indebted and the poverty capital of the World. Nigerians are hungry and angry; and fed up with bad leadership. Times like this, does not call for politics of business as usual “

According to a statement from his media office, Obi reiterated:  “ my mission is to give full expression to our democracy by moving our country from consumption to production noting that with the completion of the Presidential team “we will in the days ahead, unveil our governance principles, priorities, and programs for turning Nigeria around, which shall be anchored on the the 17 Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs)

The Labour Presidential flag bear  said that with Dr Baba-Ahmed by his side” we shall ensure that in moving Nigeria forward, no state or community will be left behind”

Pursuant to its statutory responsibility to protect, our Government will promote the rule of law, ensure that governance is inclusive, cost- effective, transformative, less transactional; and national investment s regenerative.

Senator Baba-Ahmed in his brief remarks pledged to join the large chunk of Obidient family both home and in diaspora, particularly Nigerian youths, to rescue and take back our country.

The ceremony was attended by members of the National Working Committee of the Labour Party led by its National Chairman Bar Julius Abure other notable supporters of the Obidient family including Senator Victor Umeh.

Ondo: Protest Over Death of Poly Student Shot By Amotekun

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Students of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo state on Friday protested the death of one of their colleagues, Folarera Ademola, a first year national diploma student from the department of Science Laboratory Technology.

He  was said to have died after being fatally  shot by an officer of the Amotekun corps.

The protesting students have now issued a 24-hour ultimatum to the state government to hand over the said officer to the Nigeria police for proper prosecution, take charge of the deceased’s Burial, and compensate the family.

But the security outfit, in its reaction said the deceased was mistakingly shot  while trying to evade arrest, and during a strugged with an officer.

Amotekun also claimed that the deceased was found among some suspects that specialize in snatching motorcycles at a hideout somewhere in Owo.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the Students’ Union President, Olorunda Oluwafemi, confirmed that the boy was shot on the 27th of June by an officer of the Amotekun at his house.

Oluwafemi added that the deceased suffered the gunshot wounds for 10 days before he was taken to the Federal edical Center Owo, where he gave up the ghost on Thursday.

Amotekun statement reads “Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network “Amotekun Corps” and Office of the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matter have received with dismay and sadness the news the death of a Student of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo allegedly shot by one of the Amotekun men in Owo during an operation.

“It is necessary for the Corps to explain to the public what transpired few days ago that led to the unfortunate death of the student.

“In its avowed determination to ensure that Ondo State is rid of criminal elements, the state Amotekun Corps is investigating the case of a syndicate that specializes in attacking Okada riders with dangerous weapons and dispossess them of their motorcycles in the process.

“Luck however ran out of one of the syndicates who was given a hot chase into a building in Owo by men of the Amotekun Corps where other members of the gang were met,15 men in the building, 7 out of the men naked inside the room filled with smoke. And four Okadas were also found inside the bedroom.

“After introducing themselves to the men, the men struggled to disarm the operative whose alarm attracted the other two outside.

“In an attempt to apprehend the suspect, they swung on men of the Corps, trying to disarm them and in the course of the struggle, one of their riffles triggered off and hit one of the suspect and an Amotekun officer.

“At that instance, non of them told Amotekun officers that they were students.”

According to the State Commander of the Amotekun Corps,  Adetunji Adeleye, his men eventually overpowered the suspects, arrested and took them to the Corps Office in Owo, where they were detained while investigation continued.

The incident, he explained, occurred on June 27 and 28.

‘He was released on health ground, with a promise to return to the corps custody so as to continue investigation.

“The suspect left our facility on same day, 11 days after the incident to get first aid treatment with the promise to return in continuation of the investigation.

“Surprisingly, the news of the death of the injured suspect filtered yesterday after 11 days the incident occurred.

“We sincerely register our Condolences to the family and friends of the deceased while we continue with our indepth and thorough investigation to the real cause of his death.”

Ekiti: I Won Gov Election,  Oni Says As Gov-Elect Rallies Support

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Segun Oni

By Ayodele Oni

The first runner-up in the just concluded governorship election in Ekiti state, Segun Oni of the Social Democratic Party, SDP) has challenged the winner as declared by Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressive Congress, APC.

This was contained in a 1,095-page petition filed before the Ekiti State Election Petition Tribunal.

Oni said he’s challenging the election outcome at the tribunal in view of the fact that he defeated the APC candidate who was declared winner by INEC.

Oni, who spoke to journalists at the tribunal shortly after his legal team submitted the petition, said, “I’m here to submit my petition in accordance with the law and we are doing this to defend the sanctity of the system. I am challenging the election result because I believe that I won.”

It would be recalled that the SDP candidate said last week that he would not congratulate Oyebanji because he did not believe he won the June I8 election.

But INEC had declared Oyebanji winner  having polled 187,057 votes against Oni who scored 82,209 votes to come second among the 16 candidates that participated in the election.

Chief Oni was accompanied to the secretariat of the Election Petitions Tribunal, in Ado Ekiti, by his counsel, Mr Owoseni Ajayi, and Morakinyo Ogele.

Others who accompanied the SDP candidate include Dipo Anisulowo, the Director General of his campaign organization, and Dare Bejide.

Meanwhile, the Governor-elect has continued his bridge building mission by visiting the People’s Democratic Party, PDP candidate in the election, Bisi Kolawole.

The PDP candidate has now declared his support for Oyebanji.

Speaking when he received Oyebanji at his Ado- Ekiti resident,  Kolawole said the fact that he contested against Oyebanji in the election did not mean that they should remain as enemies.

“Until June 18, we were candidates of two different parties but one of us, another respected Ekiti man won the election. In the interest of the state and our people, we must all rally round him, offer necessary advice and move Ekiti forward.

“It is my pleasure having you here. I am happy that you are being magnanimous in victory. It is only God that appoints a king and gives victory to whom he wishes.

“Being from different political parties should not disturb us from working together. This is all about Ekiti and Ekiti is bigger than any political party”

Recall that Oyebanji had last month visited Ekiti State strongman and former Governor Ayodele Fayose in his Lagos residence to seek his support for his incoming government, amongst other notable political and traditional leaders in the state.

Obi vs Kwakwanso: Northern Youths Berate Former Kano Gov

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

A group, The Arewa Youths Progressive Alliance, has faulted former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s comment on Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP.

Kwakwanso, had while reacting to the failed alliance between LP and his party the NNPP, said northerners will not vote for Obi in next year’s presidential election.

Victor Umeh, a Senatorial candidate of the Labour party, said the alliance collapsed due to irreconcilable differences bothering on who will be the Vice presidential candidate within the alliance.

The Source magazine gathered that the ANPP had already made up their minds that Kwankwaso will not concede the presidential ticket to Obi.

At a point during the alliance talks, the NNPP candidate was said to have demanded from Obi a huge financial support, to which the former Anambra governor declined on the basis that the alliance has not materialised.

Reacting the Northern Youth body, said in a statement that the people of the region will not consider where a candidate came from before casting their votes.

They described Kwakwanso’s comment as xenophobic, adding that the region is not insulated from the problems affecting the country, promising to vote for a candidate who can turn the country around for better.

According to their spokesman, Sambo Galadima; “The North is neither anti-progress nor xenophobic against other Nigerians.”

The statement reads further: “Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso’s utterances portrays the North as retrogressive and the average Northern voter as insensitive and unconcerned about the sufferings of Nigerians and the high rate of insecurity and economic woes bedeviling Nigeria, and rather concerned about having “fellow Northerner and fellow Muslim” perpetuate themselves in power.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. The Northerner experiences the same level of frustration with the state of governance in the country that the average Nigerian from any part of Nigeria experiences and wishes like every Nigerian that things improve for the better and that the most capable and most prepared individuals take charge of governance at different levels, including the presidency of the country, for the betterment of Nigeria.”

He said the North has suffered more while its leader hold sway in government.

“The former governor of Kano State insults the North by portraying us as some insensitive group of people without the capacity to think for ourselves. This is not true. He sends the impression out there, that our votes are owned by some elites and that it is these elites who will decide how we will vote in every election. If that was true in the past, that is set to change, because we are not slaves.

“We are capable of dreaming and holding strongly to our dreams. We are capable of working for and participating actively in political activities, independently and with the aim of bringing about the kind of government that shall serve the best interest of the average Nigerian.

“In the last seven years, more than 100,000 Northerners have been killed by bandits and terrorists, thousands of our daughters, wives, mother’s and sisters have either been raped, abducted or forcefully married out. Our farms are lying fallow and our harvests haven’t been poorer. Yet, a Northerner is the President.

“We voted for this Northerner, not because he is a Northerner, but because we believed he had the best of intentions and had the capacity to turn things around for good, for the benefit of all Nigerians. But, we are disappointed.”

According to him, this time the North shall vote in line with the best interest of Nigeria at heart.

“We want to assure fellow Nigerians that Northern Nigeria is not some kind of slave colony, where some elites drag us by the neck to vote on the basis of sectionalism or religion.

“We shall vote for the best candidates who hold the best promise to recharge Nigeria and get her working again, because, like every responsible citizen, we want the best interest of our country and we want a brighter future for our children,” the youth leader said.

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