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Facebook Taught Us How To Be Ritualists – Arrested Teenagers

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ogun Teenage Boys

By Akinwale Kasali

Oke Aregba, a community in Adatan, Abeokuta North Local Government Area in Ogun State became a must for Journalists following the slaughtering of 16 years old Sofiat Kehinde by four teenage boys. They held her down, beheaded her, and embarked on burning her head. They said it was for money ritual.

The boys within the ages of 17-19 years are: Wariz Oladehinde, Abdulgafar Lukman, Mustakeem Balogun and Saliu Majekodunmi, who masterminded the plot to kill Sofiat, his girlfriend.

The boys beheaded Sofiat, placed her head on a  local clay pot called calabash, and were  burning it before they were caught in the act and taken to Adatan Police Station.

Upon interrogation, they blamed Facebook. They confessed they got the guidelines on the popular social media platform, and were inspired by the guidelines, and decided to slaughter Sofiat.

The incident which happened over the weekend saw the Adatan Police transferring the case to the Ogun State Police Command at Eleweran, Abeokuta, the State Capital, where the suspects were paraded.

Sofiat’s boyfriend, Soliu, confessed that when the victim visited him on Friday, he strangled her and cut off her head immediately with the aid of his accomplices.

Soliu explained how they contributed money and purchased other ingredients needed for the ritual, while awaiting the day they would kill the lady, who he said was introduced to him in December 2021.

According to him, Mustekeem, who used to attend the same Islamic society (Asalatu) with Sofiat, was the arrow head of the heinous act, saying he was the one who brought the guidelines from Facebook and pestered the group of friends to carry out the act so as to become rich quickly.

He said, “Last year December, Mustakeem gave me her number that I should be dating her. The first time Sofiat came to my house, I informed Mustakeem that she was around and that she had agreed to my proposal for a relationship.

“The second time Sofiat came, I told him, but he told me that she is not a good girl and advised that we should use her (for money rituals).

“Mustakeem said he saw a guideline for ‘Osole’ (money ritual) on Facebook and he had a screenshot of it.

“Since then, he had been disturbing me that we should use Sofiat for money ritual, but I didn’t agree with him.

“In fact, on many occasions, I lied to Sofiat that I am not at home just to dissuade her from coming.

“During the process, Mustakeem had ensured that we all make contributions towards other items needed for the ritual.

“So, eventually, Sofiat came to my house on Friday. I was inside my room with her while Mustakeem was outside. Later Mustakeem told me that we should go ahead and use her since all other needed items for the rituals are ready.”

Soliu told newsmen that he had regretted his action, urging other youths who are in a hurry to make money quickly to wait for their time.

“I have regrets. If I knew it would end up like this, I would not have gotten myself involved in the act. My advice to those who don’t want to wait for their time is that, they should please wait for their time,” he said.

Reactions have have trailed the  confession of the teenagers.

According to Adeyemi Obadimu, Publisher of online news medium, Newsextra, “This is so pathetic and a grievous crime against humanity. How can these teenage boys delve into money ritual? At their age, we were learning craftsmanship, doing menial jobs to survive, and never had that kind of thought.

“This basically shows that we have lost our values, culture, ethics and decency. It is so appalling. All the boys should be killed at their fathers compound. The Police should take each and everyone of them to their family compound and killed  there in cold blood. This is unacceptable”, Obadimu said angrily.

In the same vein. Lateef Owodunni, a social commentator said that the teenage boys are risk to the society. “What the Police need to do his to take them to court with with a  Judge sentencing them to death, because these boys are bad influence to the society.

“Assuming these boys succeeded in this act, they will become rich and people will be celebrating them believing they are into cyber crime. It is so sad the way we celebrate mediocre in our nation. These boys should be used as an example to deter the minds of others from delving into it”.

For Seun Odekomaya, a resident of Abeokuta, she said the boys are just lying and trying to circumvent the investigation of the Police. She said before this boys could have taken such actions, there is someone that instigated them including the herbalist that told them to carry out that dastardly steps.

“The boys should be tortured and forced to take them to ye herbalists that gave them the advice. There is nothing of such on Facebook, they are just trying to hide the truth. Probably they have taken an oath not to reveal the identity of their godfathers. There is no way such would be put on social media”, she said.

Atiku’s Lawyer Wife Seeks Peaceful Settlement With Husband

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

Jennifer Abubakar, the wife of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has opened up on the divorse saga with the politician.  Mrs Abubakar, a lawyer who hailed from Anambra state said the irreconcilable  different with Atiku pushed her to seek a divorce. Jennifer, the third wife of the Adamawa born politician however, said she still prefers a peaceful settlement of the dispute with her husband.

According to her the major issue that has put  a wedge between the couple  is her decision to relocate to the United Kingdom, UK to look after their children. This, obviously, did not go down well with the former vice president but to Jennifer the issue ” is non-negotiable’.

Atiku’s estranged  wife in a statement  she sent to The Trent, a foreign based tabloid, said many associates of the politician and other prominence Nigerians have tried unsuccessful to settle the disgreement with her husband.

Mrs Abubakar who filed for divorce last June has recently been accused of trying to dispose off some Dubai, United Arab Emirate property belonging to Atiku, amongst other allegations. She denied the allegations, noting that her life is now under threat for seeking to divorce Atiku who has joined the 2023 presidential  race.

Read the full statement below:

“For some time now, especially in the last few weeks, there has been a whole lot of rumours and in circulation about the state of my marriage to his Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri Adamawa, GCON. The stories got more vicious as they continued to circulate. I deem it necessary to defend myself against the calculated propaganda to malign my character and position me in a bad light and damage my name. Without resorting to nonsensical talk, I would address the two key issues at hand:

(1) That I asked for a divorce because His Excellency got married again.
(2) That I sold his Excellency’s house in Dubai.
That I asked for a divorce because His Excellency got married again

• On June. 26, 2021, I asked His Excellency to grant me a divorce in light of the breakdown of our marriage. And, during that period, I told his Excellency that I remain at his Excellency’s service to continue to assist him in his activities even If I am no longer married to him. Suffice it to say that several friends of his Excellency tried to mediate in this matter. I thank them most graciously and remain grateful for their efforts, Peter Okocha, Senator Ben Obi, Tunde Ayeni, Captain Yahaya and Senator Ben Bruce.

• The core reason for the divorce was disagreement over my continued stay in the United Kingdom, to look after my children and several other long-standing issues. I needed to play the role of a mother at this time to the children who have gone through the absence of both father and mother growing up; especially, with the passage of my elder sister who used to look after them. Furthermore, in light of COVID times, choosing to stay with the children was nonnegotiable. And, in line with Northern culture, the new wife takes up the baton so I can also focus on giving the kids more care.

• Despite not informing us officially according to northern/Islamic culture, I knew about his Excellency’s new wife from the time Excellency was dating her and when his Excellency eventually married her. I have graciously invited our new wife to my son’s wedding in Dubai in 2018 without any ill feelings and congratulated his Excellency when our new wife put to bed.

• I was already aware that His Excellency had gotten married to our new wife but that did not deter me from supporting His Excellency and indeed, we went through a most rigorous electioneering campaign and garnered massive support for his election in 2019.

• That His Excellency married a new wife was never the cause of our problem as many have said. His Excellency is a Moslem and I have never questioned him about his wives or intended.
I hope this brings this issue to rest as I did not leave the house because of his new marriage.
Moving out of the matrimonial Home in Asokoro and Yola

• The Matrimonial home in Asokoro which we reside was gifted to me by him even before we moved into that home from a previous residence. Indeed, His Excellency caused his Private Secretary to process the DEED of assignment documents for the house, which he did and handed. me the documents. I then commenced processing the title to the property.

• During the initial mediation discussion, Excellency denied that he gifted the house even after I showed him
the document with the signatures of his aide, his Excellency asked me to give him the deed of gift. “When I asked him, where will me and the kids stay when we come to Nigeria?”, he told me that since I am the one that asked for a divorce, I should find a place to stay and subsequently, I moved out.

• His Excellency further gave orders to have my nephews living with me in the house ejected within an hour of his order and gave orders that I and my family members are not allowed to enter the house. Hence, during my last visit to Nigeria in December, 2021, I stayed at a hotel. I have long released these assets to him and hereby reiterate that thee titles are at his disposal to pick up whenever he deems fit.

Dubai Home
• There has been a lot of speculation on the Dubai home. For a while now, I had purposely stayed away the Dubai until I took custody of that property September 2021 after his Excellency reneged on his word to give the current value of the said property in exchange. When I came to Nigeria, in early September, 2021. I asked to have a private conversation with His Excellency. During that conversation, I informed his Excellency that once I get back to the United Kingdom, I will go to Dubai and take over the house. He subsequently departed for his medical trip to Germany refusing to address any of the issues I privately wanted to conclude with him outside of third parties.

• I subsequently travelled to Dubai, and took custody of the said property. Once I did that, on 18 September 2021, His Excellency sent me a text and I quote: “I hear you have moved to Dubai to takeover the house. I am still in Germany for my medicals. Make sure all my properties including (redacted) are intact so I can collect all my properties. I wish you well’.

• I responded to him: “ Excellency, I am left with no other option as we need to get on with our lives amicably. I hope your medicals are coming up good. I wish you well too’.

• On 19th September, 2021 in response to his text that I am not being amicable and I quote ”Good morning, with due respect, Excellency, I told you on Saturday before you left for Germany, that I was going back to UK, take [our son]back for his test, then come to Dubai. I reiterated that day the need for an amicable resolution. I maintain that stance and remain at your service Your Excellency’.

• Further on Tuesday, 21 September, 2021, I asked His Excellency in another text whether he wanted me to pack up his clothes and give to Rahim (his driver) since the driver on his instructions was moving his cars. I also asked Excellency in that text whether he wanted me to have Rahim pack up his office. Then his Excellency sent me a text back and asked: ‘So its true you have sold the villa?

’• Subsequently, His Excellency sent the driver to take possession of all the cars.

The truth subsists with regard to the Dubai house. I will make no further comments on it because it is the subject of litigation filed by his Excellency against me.

I need to also put on record that if I wanted to take His Excellency assets, I would not have returned to him his property documents in Abuja and Jos and document, allowed the driver to collect his cars, gave up the house in Asokoro and Yola.

The last time I was in Nigeria I called to have the Asokoro and Yola documents delivered to him. It was never picked up and I still state that Excellency is free to send someone to have the documents picked up anytime he deems fit.
Threats/Intimidation

• Since this incident, I fear for my safety and that of my kids. His Excellency’s security operatives especially Ibro and others have making threats and calling my relatives, friends and staff and searching for my assets to seize and monitoring my phone calls and those of friends and relatiives. For that reason, I have exited my law firm and sold all my assets and moved abroad until peace reigns.

• I have done nothing wrong except to ask for a divorce and it pains me that I have to use this medium to address thorny issues but fear that at this point, I would have to put my side of the story on record. It is obvious that a campaign of calumny to total discredit and put me in bad light has begun.

Despite all that has happened, I reiterate that I asked for a quiet divorce which had if it had been granted, we would not be where we are today. Divorce is never an easy process for both parties. I reiterate that I hope we can settle our issues privately and I would remain at His Excellency’s service should he need my help, anytime.

APC: Crisis Looms As Plot To Postpone Convention Thickens

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

The Governor Mai Mala Buni-led National Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress,  APC may not be planning to leave soon despite the National Convention of the party slated for February  26, 2022.

The ruling party had fixed the convention for this month after President Muhammadu Buhari warned in an interview, last month that his party could lose next year’s  election if it failed to organise a convention where new members of the National Working Committee,  NWC.
It was however learnt that the caretaker Committee, with the support of some governors of the party is poised to stay in office beyond this month and is now working with some groups in the party to achieve this aim.
To underscore this point, some stakeholders in party, under the aegis of the APC Youth Development and Progressive Forum on Monday called for the indefinite postponement  of the convention, on the basis that organisating the convention could hamper the party’s  chances of wining next year election.
The group also warned that holding the convention  could truncate the nation’s democracy,adding that a cabal in the party led by some Northern governors has hijacked the party for their own selfish reasons.

 In a statement signed by Tobias Ogbeh the group’s general  secretary, the youth said APC risks mass defection and legal tussle  if the convention  is not postponed.
The statement reads in part:  “as you are aware, like any other political party in this country, the APC is presently weathering its internal issues, which have been made worse by certain Northern governors that have declared themselves emperors and absolute rulers that dictate what happens in the party.
“The most recent dictatorial act from these overbearing governors is their imposition of a date for the national convention of the APC, which they are touting to hold on February 26, 2022. It is a date they are tenuously holding onto even when it has been conclusively established that it flies in the face of logic, equity, and fair play. This is because these self-seeking elements have hijacked the party and are now insisting that a convention that is not in the interest of the party must take place on their appointed date.

“We would not go into details of all that has been at play in the APC since these are already in the public domain. What is obvious is that these people want the party to fail to oversee the affairs of the party from their secret covens. Serious-minded people and lovers of the party cannot and will not be a party to that kangaroo national convention that they are planning to hold.

“All reports available to stakeholders – political, strategic, logistics and security reports – now point to the fact that no convention can take place on February 26, 2022. Those that are peddling this phantom date have other plans as they are certainly not interested in the success of the convention they claim would be taking place on that date. In whose interest are the promoters of the February convention deriving their authority or inspiration knowing fully well that the party is not ripe now?

“We want to draw the attention of Nigerians to the following: with the lingering factional crisis in as many as 16 APC state chapters, even with the deployment of security on an industrial scale, there is no way of preventing the existing crisis from escalating. This implies that the promoters of the February national convention are encouraging the staging of the event in the expectation of an outbreak of violence. Even when the security operatives can prevent violence at the national convention, there is no way they can fan out to the 36 states – at least most of these states – prevent the post-convention violence that would be imported to the state chapters from the national event. The only way to prevent this is to postpone the national convention until thorny issues have been addressed.”

“In calling for this boycott, we hereby put the ruining cabal in the APC on notice that we will follow up with a legal challenge to invalidate whatever criminal outcome they procure from the event, which has already failed even before it held. We urge all loyal stakeholders of the APC to unite and agree on a germanane way forward, devoid of the destructive tendencies that this cabal has brought into the party.”
Meanwhile, the Buni led Caretaker Committee  said on Sunday that it has yet to zone political offices to any part of the country contrary to speculations.  It dismissed  as rumour report that it has zoned the presidency  to the south.

How Much Money Does Imo State Have That I will Steal? I Should Be Asking For Payment – Okorocha

By
The Source
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Rochas Okorocha

By Charles Igbo

Apparently in reaction to the 17 count charge slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged N2.9 billion public funds, allegedly misappropriated while he was the Governor of Imo State,  Presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Rochas Okorocha, says he should be the one asking the State to pay him.

Derisively asking how much money Imo State has, Okorocha said the State owes him a whopping eight billion Naira, an accumulation of Security Votes during his tenure which he did not collect.

Okorocha spoke Monday on a Channels Television programme. In addition to that, Okorocha said he fed himself and his family with his personal funds all through the eight years of his administration.

He denied touching a Kobo of the State, saying becoming a Governor made him poorer.

What, however, he did not explain was how he acquired the many landed property and acres of land  in Imo State within the period he was Governor. These also include a University.

Okorocha did not sound worried over the charges against him by the EFCC, saying he was not even aware of the suit which the Commission filed on Monday while he was declaring his interest to run for the office of the President in 2023.

He dismissed the charges as Political blackmail and witch-hunt.

Okorocha: “How much is Imo State government money?” Imo State is really owing me because I never collected my security votes; I am supposed to collect eight billion Naira if I have to make claims for security votes I did not collect.

“I fed myself throughout in the Government House when I was there, I used my personal cars. Those who say I was broke are liars. If you talk about Nigerians blessed by God, I raise my hand to be one of them. I was Rochas before I became governor. In fact, Governor made me poorer.

“I had Rochas Foundation Schools – so many of them, over 18,000 before I became Governor. To feed these children and educate them, it doesn’t cost anything less than N500 a day. Calculate that and know whether there is any day I wake up that N10 million, N15 million does not go out of my pocket.

“The story of Rochas and EFCC, the story of Rochas and politics of Imo State has been a long dragged one. I am not aware of this suit, but what I do know is that the stage I found myself with EFCC, I had an order against EFCC from Federal High Court on the abuse of my human rights, but the EFCC has refused to obey that order.

“It’s been one drama or the other but what is happening actually is that I don’t want to say it is politically motivated, but it is looking more like it.

“Go to Code of Conduct Bureau and see my worth before becoming governor and since I finished. There has never been any property of the Government, any cash of Government found in my coffers or (that of) any of my family members. There is not anything that I have that has been traced to Imo State Government’s money while I was in office.”

The Imo State Government would disagree with Okorocha over these claims.

Till date, properties worth billions of Naira, allegedly acquired by Okorocha and members of his family and some cronies have retrieved by the Government after Judicial Probe Panels indicted the former Governor.

I Will Run For The Office Of The President – Peter Obi

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

Former Vice Presidential Candidate under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, says he will run for the office of the President in 2023.

Speaking in an interview with Njenje TV on Monday, January 31, 2022, Obi, a former two-term Governor of Anambra State, stated that he has the capacity to turn Nigeria around. Obi, however, gave the condition under which he would run.

To run, Obi said, would depend on his Party. And that would also depend on two conditions. If his Party, the PDP, zones the office to the South, he would run. If the Party, also, throws it open, he will run. But if the Party zones it to the North, as it did in 2019, he will not run.

Obi: “All the Elections that I have followed in the past,  the Party that I belong to today, the PDP,  made a pronunciation and took a stand. At least, in 2019 when I was involved, where I can say Atiku graciously chose me as his running mate which I eternally remain grateful to him for, the Party decided that the candidate should come from the North.

“I believe that the Party owes it a duty to say where its stand  is. If the stand today is South, be rest assured I am aspiring. If they say North, I can’t do otherwise. If they choose the option that everybody is free, then, of course, you will be hearing from me.”

He urged Nigerians to, in 2023, focus on a President that has competence and integrity.

Obi has been under pressure from people of all walks of life to go ahead and run for the office of the President in 2023.

The South-east is asking all Political Parties in Nigeria to, for the sake of equity and justice, zone the office of the President in 2023 to the South-east.

In Obi’s PDP, from the North, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal declared interest in the office of the President on Monday, January 3, 2022. Just before him, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki had declared interest.

Atiku is, also warming -up. And so is Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.

There is a strong speculation that former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso will also take a shot at the seat.

From the South-east, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim and former boss of Niemeth Pharmaceuticals, Sam Ohuabunwa, have both declared interest. For now, Anyim remains the frontrunner, and says he would run for the office whether his Party zones it to the South or not.

Okorocha In EFCC Trouble After Declaring For President

By
Bayo Bernard
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Rochas Okorocha

By James Orji

Barely hours after former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state declared for president the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed N2.9 billion fraud charges against him.

The former governor was arrested in 2019 by the anti-graft agency for alleged financial fraud and grilled him for 48 hours before he was eventually released.

Okorocha who has now joined the 2023 presidential race has been in a tug of war with his successor Governor Hope Uzodinma for allegedly cornering properties belonging to the state. Some of the properties have now been seized from the former governor, who once claimed that the state owed him N8 billion security votes.

“As Governor, I sacrificed my security votes. Imo State Government still owes me. If I’m to go by my 250 million…, I have 8 billion now in Imo State. I was Rochas before becoming a Governor.

“The projects I’ve done in Imo State, nobody can say he beats my record in the history of the state. I challenge anyone with a contrary view, I’ll resign from politics if you do. The people who speak against me, in the next 20 years, cannot do what I have done.

“Since I left Imo State Government, no single project has been built by my successors, except maintaining what I already built. Even the…chamber that was commissioned by Buhari, I built it,” the former governor said last September.

The EFCC charge sheet indicates that Okorocha was charged alongside Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.

In the 17 counts filed on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, EFCC alleged that the defendants conspired to steal N2.9 billion public funds.

Two years ago EFCC grilled the senator after tracing some properties to him, including residential estates, schools, and shopping malls.

Among the sealed property and investments traced to Okorocha in July 2019 were Rochas Foundation College, Owerri, East High Primary and Secondary school, Owerri which belonged to Okorocha’s first daughter, Uloma Nwosu, and All-In Supermarket, Owerri, Imo State.

In the run-up to the last general elections, the EFCC had placed Okorocha under investigation for allegedly withdrawing over N1bn from the state government coffers to aid the campaign activities of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, during the governorship polls in Imo state.

Meanwhile, the former governor who currently represents Imo West in the Senate has reacted to claims of police brutality in the country. Okorocha who spoke on Monday during his presidential declaration in Abuja, the nation’s capital said there is nothing like police brutality in Nigeria.

In October 2020 many Nigerian youths staged protests across the country under the aegis of ENDSARS demanding an end to police brutality and reform in the NigeriAn Police Force, NPF. The protest later became bloody after soldiers shot and killed some protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.

But the former governor said what is obtainable in Nigeria is youths brutalizing youths. “There is nothing like police brutality. There are only youths brutalising youths,”

2023: EFCC Spoils Okorocha’s Fun, Slams 17 Count Charges On Him

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The action couldn’t have been more devastating.

On the day former Governor of Imo State, and now, the Senator representing Imo West; Rochas Okorocha, addressed a Press Conference to declare his interest in the 2023 Presidential Race, for the third time, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) stole the thunder out of it.

It charged Okorocha, with a 17 count charge of alleged conspiracy with others, including an APC politician and five companies, to steal public funds to the tune of N2.9 billion.

The  filing of the charges on Monday, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, became the news, and overshadowed Okorocha’s Presidential declaration.

In addition to Mr Okorocha, other defendants are Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.

Okorocha, a former two term Governor of Imo state declared his intention to run for presidency in 2023, saying Nigeria needs a President who can create wealth.

He described himself as a candidate for justice rather than zoning arranangement being canvassed by some stakeholders across the nation’s political space.

He appealed to the leadership of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), to create level playing field for the aspirants no matter their region, promising to establish a new Nigeria where poverty will be adequately addressed.

He promised to bring back free and compulsory education to Nigerian youths describing himself as a bridge builder at 56, between the young and old.

Monday’s declaration will be the third time Okorocha will attempt to contest for the highest political office in Nigeria.

He slugged it out with late Musa Yaradua, incumbent President Mohamadu Buhari in 2015 and his latest attempt.

He is entering the race without the support of his home Government who recently stripped him of properties, lands, including a University, worth billions of Naira, which he, allegedly, illegally acquired as the Governor of the State along with his family and cronies.

Delta 2023: Edevbie Decries Non-payment Of Pensioners By Okowa, Promises Full Payment

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Olorogun David Edevbie

By Akinwale Kasali

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, aspirant for the 2023 Governorship election in Delta State, Olorogun David Edevbie, has assured pensioners in Delta State of full payment of their entitlements if elected as Governor of the State.

Pensioners in the State  lament the failure of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration to pay their entitlements in full.

But Edevbie has promised to change the narratives if given the PDP ticket, and become the Governor of the State.

Speaking on a Delta Broadcasting Service programme, Meeting Point, anchored by the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists on Monday, January 31, 2022,  Edevbie said it amounts to insensitivity for senior citizens who have contributed to the development of the State  and participated in the contributory pensions scheme to live in deprivation of their entitlements and subjected to hardship.

Edevbie who was the  former Commissioner for Finance in the State said though the State Government is very concerned about the situation of pensioners but constrained by funds, he will deploy his financial management expertise to generate the funds within his early days in office.

Articulating his vision for the development of the State, the immediate past Chief of Staff to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said in addition to sustaining the existing free primary and secondary education programme, part of his plans for the elevation of the educational sector will be to introduce a students’ loan scheme, for those who might need it, in addition to seasonal bursaries and scholarship programmes.

He said his administration will invest greatly to upgrade the tertiary institutions in the state towards producing graduates who will meet the global standards and employability in the public sector.

He hinted that he will prioritise the provision of power and security to drive his main agenda of the modernisation and industrialisation of the state.

This, he said will entail the investments in the training and greater motivation of public servants for greater efficiency and productivity, consolidating on the efforts of Governor Okowa on roads and other infrastructure.

Analysing the nerds of the three senatorial districts, he said his government will invest more to open up the riverine areas especially in Delta South and North.

On Delta North, he promised to commit to elevating physical infrastructure in Asaba and its environs, fighting the scourge of erosion and providing more roads while also ensuring the industrialization of the area, especially the Asaba Industrial Zone, to ensure job creation, youth employment and wealth creation.

On Delta Central, he said he will work hard to ensure its old glory as an industrial hub.

His administration, he said will also focus on improving the agricultural sector with value addition, support the small and medium scale businesses and energise the creative sector by consolidating on Governor Okowa’s establishment of a film village.

On managing the multiplicity of ethnic groups in the state and the tendencies for disaffection, Edevbie pointed out that all Deltans are brothers and there is no basis for contentions.

The panacea for harmony, he said, is to establish a development plan, legislated and transparent, in which various groups and their representatives can see and are assured of a place.

Buhari To Sign Re-Amended Electoral Bill This Week- Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
President Buhari
President Buhari

By James Orji

The National Assembly has transmitted the re-amended Electoral Act Amendment Bill to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

The magazine learnt that the president is not likely to reject the bill this time around like he did last year after it was first transmitted to him.

“The president will sign the bill without any further delay since the NASS has addressed the issues he raised when the bill was transmitted to him last year.

“It is most likely that President Buhari will sign the bill before the end of the week. This is will not only promote the mutual relationship between the executive and the NASS, it will also set the template for the INEC to release the time table for next year’s election without further delay.

INEC Chairman Professor Mahmood Yakubu had stated penultimate week that the commission was awaiting the presidential assent to the bill before releasing the 2023 election time table.

“On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the Commission is encouraged by the Senate President’s assurance to give priority attention to the Bill when the National Assembly reconvenes from its recess, which it did yesterday and the commitment by the President to assent to the Bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved. We look forward to a speedy passage of the Bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections.

“As soon as it is signed into law, the commission will quickly release the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election based on the new law,” the INEC boss said in Abuja.

Buhari, we’ll recall rejected the bill last November citing some reasons, including the provision that made it mandatory for political parties to chose candidates for election through direct primary election.

The president also cited the cost of conducting direct primary elections, security challenges, and possible manipulation of electoral processes by political actors as part of the reasons for withholding his assent.

The NASS has now re-amended the bill with the provisions that political parties can adopt direct, indirect and consensus arrangement to select candidates for election.

Senator Bbajide Omoworare, the Senior Special Assistant on NASS Matters (Senate), to President Buhari disclosed on Monday that the bill has now been sent to the president for his assent, adding that the transmission of the bill was in line with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004.

The presidential aide further stated that the Clerk to the National Assembly, Olatunde Ojo, transmitted the authenticated copies of the bill to the President on Monday.

According to him, “the Clerk to the National Assembly Mr Olatunde Amos Ojo has transmitted the authenticated copies of the Electoral Bill 2022 to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on 31st January 2022,” he said.

“This was done in accordance with the provisions of Section 58 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2 LFN 2004.

“Mr. President had withheld assent to the Electoral Bill 2021 transmitted to him on 19th November 2021. The Electoral Bill was thereafter reworked by the National Assembly and both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed same on 25th January 2022.”

Both the House of Representatives and Senate, last week passed the harmonised version of the bill.

2023: Tambuwal Shuns Power Shift, Declares Presidential Interest

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal is not one of those Northerners who believe in power rotation. He does not think that the time has come for the office of the President to move from the North to the South. Proof?

On Monday, January 31, 2022, Tambuwal joined the list of aspirants jostling to take over power from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

This will be his second shot at the office of the President  under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

In 2018 when he first tried, he was roundly defeated at the Primary held in Porthacourt by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who lost to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 general election.

From 2011 to 2015, Tambuwal was the Speaker of the House of Representatives before joining the Sokoto Governorship race, where he won the PDP Primaries and was victorious at the polls.

He is on his second term in office as Governor, having won by a slim margin of less than 500 votes in 2019.

It is expected that Tambuwal is likely to lock horns again with at least, two of those with whom he locked horns in Porthacourt. While one of them, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has announced his interest in a Facebook post, Atiku is expected to declare soon. Already his foot soldiers, led by  PDP Chieftain, Chief Raymond Dokpesi,  are criss-crossing the country watering the ground for him for the big day.

With Tambuwal’s declaration under the PDP, he joins another  former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, Saraki and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa in the line-up of those who have already declared interest in the Presidential office under the PDP.

For the records, Tambuwal was one of the PDP Chieftains who decamped to the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2014, and made it possible for the PDP to lose the 2015 elections to the APC. He redecamped to to the PDP in 2017.

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