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Anyim Mourns Tofa; Condoles Makinde, Ibadan, over Passing Of Olubadan

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The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

Former Senate President,  Anyim Pius Anyim, has received with deep sorrow, the news of the death of elder statesman and veteran politician, Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa.

In a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Sam Nwaobasi, Sen. Anyim, frontline Presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, noted that the Late Alhaji Bashir Tofa “was a committed Nigerian who throughout his more than 40 years of active partisan politics demonstrated his strong  belief in  politics of accommodation and consensus building. He was so committed to a peaceful Nigeria that throughout the electioneering campaigns leading to the 1993 presidential elections, in which he was the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC),  Alhaji Tofa never did anything, in words or actions, that could have instigated crisis in any form.”

Sen. Anyim commended Alhaji Tofa’s “politics without bitterness” and strongly recommends such disposition to politicians of today in the interest of the peace, unity and harmony of our dear country even as we approach the 2023 general elections.

Sen Anyim regretted that Alhaji Tofa died when his experience and elderly counsel would be most needed as the country battles with multiple challenges.

He condoled  the late Alhaji Tofa’s family, the good people of Kano State and Alhaji Tofa’s many friends and associates all over  Nigeria, and prayed that the Almighty God grants the  Alhaji Tofa eternal rest.

Tofa died on Monday, January 3, 2022, and was buried same day, according to Muslim rites. He was aged 74 years.

In another development,

Senator Anyim has, also, mourned the passing of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan.

In a condolence letter to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde which he personally signed, Anyim extolled the qualities of the late Oba, calling him a patriotic Nigerian.

Anyim noted that the late Oba’s reign “brought peace and great development to his kingdom  and the entire Oyo State.”

Following, is Chief Anyim’s letter to Governor Makinde.

CONDOLENCE ON THE DEATH OF HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, OBA SALIU ADETUNJI, THE OLUBADAN OF IBADAN

“I have received with sadness, news of the death of our highly respected traditional ruler, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan. Let me convey to your Excellency, the family of His Royal Majesty and the good people of Ibadan, my deepest condolences on this sad event.

“Late Oba Adetunji was a patriotic Nigerian who was deeply committed to the peace, unity and  development of our country.

His nearly six years on the throne brought peace and great development to his kingdom and the entire Oyo state.

“His demise will be greatly felt as Oyo State and the country at large would miss his invaluable advice and wise counsel as the nation searches for solutions to her many challenges.

“I pray that the Lord will comfort his family and grant his soul eternal rest in His bosom.

“Your Excellency, once again, please, accept my condolences.

“Anyim Pius Anyim, GCON.”

Tofa: I’m In Shock, says Kwankwaso

By
Uche Mbah
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By Uche Mbah

Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has expressed shock over the death of Bashir Tofa, former Presidential candidate under the defunct National Republican Convention, NRC.

Tofa, who contested for the Presidential seat against Chief MKO Abiola on June 12, 1993, died Monday morning after a brief illness. Abiola was widely believed to have won that election which was annulled by Military President Ibrahim Babangida.

Kwankwaso took to his Twitter account to mourn the political icon, describing his death as a shock.

“I received with shock, but with gratitude to Almighty Allah, the passage of one of the Nation’s eminent sons and nationalist, Alhaji Bashir Tofa.

“He returned to his Creator at a time the Nation needed his experience and counselling.

“We, the people of Kano State, will miss him dearly.

“Alhaji Tofa was a man of honour who put service to the people ahead and above personal self-interest.

” As a candidate on the ballot of the annulled June 12 election, his actions distinguished him as a Nationalist who loves Nigeria.

” I am pained by his exit but what we can collectively do as Nigerians to immortalize him is to ensure that we strive for good leadership at all times.

“We must always be the right compass with which current & future leaders would navigate through for the betterment of our people.

“I pray to Allah to forgive him his shortcomings an also reward him with Aljanah firdausi”, he concluded.

What Nigeria Needs in 2022 – Peter Obi; Commends Buhari

By
The Source
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The Vice-Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has described the past year, 2021, as difficult for Nigerians in all ramifications.

Answering questions from the Press yesterday at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, on what is needed for Nigeria to move on in the new year, Obi said that from the benefit of hindsight, the most serious problem militating against the progress of the country was the issue of insecurity and that for the country to move on, the security of lives and property should be a priority.

In Obi’s words: “Security of lives and property must be a priority for the country to move forward. With  security, investments will flow into the country and citizens will also have the confidence to invest in the country. Until the people are secured, they will not think of other meaningful things to do.”

For the country to move on, especially now that election is approaching, Obi said, that  Nigerians must resolve to choose good leaders for the country. “ I am talking of leaders with verifiable antecedents and whose character and disposition are beyond reproach”, he said.

Speaking further, Obi said he watched the Arise  TV programme of New Year day and was struck by two critical things Gov. El Rufai  of Kaduna said  about Nigeria, namely, the need to restore security  and need to ensure that competent persons are elected.

“It was truthful of  El Rufai to have admitted that if security was guaranteed, that Kaduna state would have done better than she is doing presently. He did also mentioned that Nigeria is in a critical junction that need good leadership to salvage her,” Obi said.

Obi, also, commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to the North, especially to Borno State, amidst ISWAP bombing. He said that  such visits always boost the morale of soldiers and reassure the people of his commitment to security.

Tofa Dies, Buried In Kano

By
Uche Mbah
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Bashir Tofa

By Uche Mbah

Twenty nine years after he was widely believed to have lost to Chief Moshood Abiola in the June 12 1993 Presidential election, the remains of Bashir Tofa, the then Presidential flag bearer of the National Republican Convention, NRC, was laid to rest in a public cemetery in Kano.

Tofa reportedly passed on at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano Monday. He was aged 74.

Tofa was said to have been recovering from a brief illness when he suddenly  relapsed, and died.

The Cemetery was a Hajj Camp public cemetery.

His last journey started from his residence at  Gandun Albasa with the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, performing his funeral prayers.

Ibrahim Shekarau, a former Governor and close associate and former Minister of Agriculture, Sabo Nanono, were spotted at his funeral with other dignitaries.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, in a statement, signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said that Alhaji Tofa became a Councilor at an early age and never slowed down until his death.

According to him, Tofa was a leader and a philanthropist.

“The legacy of his political beliefs and triumphs will be important footnotes in the literature of Nigeria’s government and politics for generations yet to come.”

“He was a great man, a quintessential democrat and outstanding statesman who has left very bold prints both on the politics and political history of Nigeria” “the statement said.

Ayade Lashes Cross Riverians, Calls Them Ungrateful People

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Governor Ben Ayade

By Akinwale Kasali

Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade is angry.

He is annoyed with his people for not appreciating his sacrifices and for plotting to discredit his efforts at development and advancement of the State.

The Governor expressed sadness at the behaviour of the people for not regarding the extent of his personal sacrifices and generosity to them by displaying ungrateful character.

Expressing his displeasure over his people at a parley with Media Practitioners during the end of year festivities in Calabar, the State Capital,  the Governor lamented that people do not understand what he goes through daily as a governor.

“I don’t think I have ever slept up to five hours in a day since the last six years and more.

“I used to be happier and richer when I was not yet a Governor. But I am no longer,” he said.

Ayade said he used to be hailed for being a very generous man when he was not yet a Governor.

“But today irrespective of the extent of my generosity to people, it is always seen as grossly insufficient.

“No matter what I give, it is never seen as having done well,” he added.

He frowned at the lack of gratitude and how they prefer the spirit of ‘Bring Him Down Syndrome’.

He spoke about petitions by the people of the State aimed at crippling the efforts of Government officials, especially his efforts at transforming the state.

He advised that such an attitude should change for the better.

He also cautioned and admonished Journalists to endeavour to verify their reports, adding that if they cannot meet him in person, he has his officials who can provide the desired information.

“Some of these reports and petitions have caused this State fortunes in foreign investments.

“Some persons write about non-existent issues about Cross River. I think obviously what the Local Correspondents are doing, and how those stories get into their papers without verification, is rather worrisome,” he said.

“Sometimes I read that I am planning to go back to the PDP. What an untruth! Painful is that some of you work directly here from the Governor’s office.

“There are so many means whereby you can verify the information. Always verify the information.”

Ekiti APC Governorship Primary: Seven Aspirants Pick Nomination Form

By
Ayodele Oni
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APC Party
APC Party

By Ayodele Oni

Nineteen days to the Governorship Primary election of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in Ekiti state (APC), seven aspirants are confirmed to have picked nomination forms.

The Primary election is expected to come up January 20.

The seven aspirants, that cut across the three Senatorial Districts of the State, paid the mandatory N22 million to the coffers of the party in Abuja.

They are Demola Popoola, Kayode Ojo, Biodun Oyebanji, Adedayo Adeyeye, Bamisile Olufemi, Opeyemi Bamidele and Bamidele Faparusi.

The break down shows that One is from Ekiti North Senatorial district, Ekiti Central and Southern Senatorial Districts have three each.

Investigations revealed that various towns in the State are  agog as the aspirants meet with the people, especially party delegates, that are expected to vote at the primary.

Social media platforms are not spared as they are awash with pictures of the aspirants, while trying to outplay each other.

There are indications that the party may still adopt indirect option for the conduct of its primary due to the refusal of President Mohamadu Buhari to sign the Amended Electoral Act.

Incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi, whose second term in office  terminates on October 16, is from the North Senatorial District.

Some Agitators, mainly from the Southern part of the State, have been clamouring for power shift to the zone, which has not produced a Governor, 25 years after the creation of the state.

The Coordinator of the Group, Idowu Afuye has warned politicians from the South not to accept to play second fiddle to any aspirants from other zones.

Also, legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has blamed politicians from the zone for its inability to produce Governor since the creation of the state, urging them to close ranks.

Some of the aspirants have expressed the hope that Governor Fayemi will live up to his claim that he has no annoited one among them by being impartial during the primary election.

Members of the ruling APC have alleged that one of the aspirants, Biodun Oyebanji, who resigned as secretary to the State Government, is the Governor’s annoited candidate.

PDP Fumes Over Gov Akeredolu’s Profligacy As Workers Groan

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ondo State has predicted that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu would be chased out of the State very soon by starving workers.

This was containted in a statement on Monday in Akure, signed by the publicity secretary,  Kenedy Peretei.

The PDP was reacting to an alleged bankrolling, by the State Government of a concert, spearheaded by the Governor’s daughter

“The widely advertised and celebrated Sunshine Countdown Concert was anchored by Micheal Olatunde, Akeredolu’s son-in law.

“The Ondo State Ministry of Information parted with a whooping five hundred million Naira (N500,000,000.00) of taxpayers money.

“There was no Committee set up for the event, no State Executive Council approval was gotten for it.

Just hurriedly put together to patronise Teniola, Akeredolu’s daughter.

Everywhere you look in the State, what you find is Akeredolu, his wife, children and their spouses as though on rampage.

“The world of grandeur and opulence in which these people live is in direct contrast with the lives of the people of the State.

“Retired workers of the State-owned Owena Press Limited, Publishers of Hope Newspaper, had recently, in an emotional letter addressed to the Governor over the weekend, appealed for the payment of their gratuity.

“Around the same time, workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, took to the streets, protesting 13 months of unpaid salaries.

“The workers lamented that, while they were hungry, Akeredolu and his cronies were erecting new buildings in Owo, right before their eyes.

“In the same South West Nigeria, Oyo State Workers got thirteenth month pay in the month of December. The explanations of lean resources of the state can no longer suffice.

“Mrs Betty Akeredolu, on her part has ensured that, no Board is constituted for the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development  Commission (OSOPADEC).

“All the BEMORE and FOWOSO projects are fully funded by OSOPADEC. Short of directly signing cheques, Betty is the Alpha and Omega of OSOPADEC. The Commission has not executed a single project since the inception of the Akeredolu tenure.

“While the eighteen local Government Areas of Ondo State contributed eighteen million Naira for 3rd FOWOSO Summit last month, OSOPADEC paid Betty more than fifty million Naira for the Summit. Only a heartless person can undertake this kind of blind looting in the face of penury that is everywhere.

“The greed displayed by the First Family and their cohorts is only reminiscent of Ali Baba and the forty thieves, a folk tale from the One Thousand  and One Nights, added to the collection in the 18th Century by French Translator Antoine Galland.

“It is difficult to assume that all these are going on without Akeredolu’s permission or knowledge. Whichever way, if this continues, the people will chase him and his family out of the Government House very soon.”

Neither the Akeredolus nor the APC has reacted to these allegations which an Ondo elder described as ” frivolous and concocted meant to tarnish the image of the Governor and, especially, his wife who has worked so hard to elevate the status of the women folk in Ondo State.”

Imo: Ayodele OnThe Cross; Samuelson Calls Him ‘Bet Naija Prophet’

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The Source
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Primate Elijah Ayodele

By Charles Igbo

The New Year Prophesies by all kinds of “Men of God” have become a ritual. Not many people take them seriously. Many find them  laughable, for indeed, when most of the prophesies are analysed, they are empty. Even childish. A product of guess work. Yet, they never fail to push them into the media, and a few politicians never fail to take them seriously, especially if such prophesies are political in nature, and favour them, and, more especially, if they are against their political opponents.

Some of the “Men of God” prophesy everyday. Their prophesies come ridiculously quick.

The most prominent in this group is Primate Elijah Ayodele, Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church. Hardly any week passes without Ayodele seeing one thing or the other. His visions are usually controversial. He enjoys being in the news, and, it doesn’t matter whether such visions or prophesies come true or not.

Yet, his most controversial came on New Year’s Day.

In one of the prophesies he just released, he descended on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

A first term Governor, Primate Ayodele asked the Governor not to border to waste money and time running for a second term. He told Uzodinma he would be roundly defeated; that he would be swept out of office  by a Coalition which nobody could ignore. Meaning that, according to him, Uzodinma will be a one-term Governor. He dismissed the prophecy, which he claimed brought Uzodinma into office, as not of God. That vision, you recall, was by another controversial Cleric, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry, Emene, Enugu. At the time of that vision, nobody saw it coming. Nobody believed it. But it came to pass.

It is not the first time Ayodele would be seeing negative visions about Uzodinma’s tenure as a Governor. In 2020, he saw a vision that the Supreme Court, on which ruling Uzodinma came into office, was about to throw him out of office, in a reversal of its earlier ruling.

At the time, nobody reacted to Ayodele’s prophecy. He was ignored. When the attention of one of the aides of the Governor was drawn to it, his quick response was: “If you investigate the prophesies of Ayodele, you will know he is not to be taken seriously.”

But Ayodele’s recent vision stung a number of Governor Uzodinma’s  supporters. A number of them have taken him on. One of them alleged he is after the Governor because he, Uzodinma, refused to take him as his Spiritual guide. Another dismissed Ayodele as fake, and totally compromised. One called him “jankara” Prophet. Another said he simply tried to put two and two together, and got the answer four, praying it would come true. “This Prophet Of doom has failed”, he submitted.

Indeed, many dismissed Ayodele’s prophecy as a product of the recent happening in the State. One of them said Ayodele spoke about a coalition because he saw former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, the man who was removed by the Supreme Court in favour of Uzodinma, at the funeral of Uche Nwosu’s mother on December 22, 2020. At the ceremony, both Nwosu,  and former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, his father-in-law, were chummy-chummy with Ihedioha. Hitherto sworn political enemies, Ihedioha was a surprise face at the funeral, provoking speculations of a possible coalition against Uzodinma.

It is in the midst of this speculation, in addition to the ill-advised arrest of Uche Nwosu in the Church on December 26, during an outing service in honour of his late mother, that Ayodele  made his prophecy on Uzodinma public.

One of the strongest reactions against Ayodele came from Ikenna Samuelson, a human rights activist. In a write-up, he dismissed Ayodele as a businessman and Bet Naija Prophet.

Samuelson’s reaction is published hereunder.

IMO GUBER 2024 : WHEN  A  FALSE PROPHET SPEAKS.

PRIMATE ELIJAH AYODELE AND HIS BET-NAIJA PROPHESIES

“It Is no longer news that false Prophets abound everywhere in Nigeria, Perhaps, due to inability to find a decent job. Many of them operate by reading the political barometer of a given system or situation, wrongly.  As a result, they have caused more harm than good, If Any, To The System.

“No wonder the Government of Ghana has, in the last few days,  given directives on the appropriate punishment to be served    “Men Of God” for false prophesies.

“In Nigeria, when businessmen, parading as Prophets fail in their clandestine  target of  extortion  and  exploitation of targeted  political leader, they follow it up with false prophesies against the Politician.

“My attention has, therefore been drawn to a mischievously sponsored Social Media orophesy by one Primate Elijah Ayodele, who parades himself as the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, a South-west based so-called  Church,  prophesying that Governor Hope Uzodinma Of Imo State won’t be re-elected in 2023 Governorship Election, warning him not to waste money on campaigns.

The supposed Cleric, also, said there will  be a Coalition that would “fight and conquer” Uzodinma in his bid to rule Imo State again.

“Continuing,  Primate Elijah Ayodele claimed through his  Media Aide,  Osho Oluwatosin,   that God was not involved in the declaration of Hope Uzodinma as the Governor of Imo State, adding that the prophesy that USHERED him in was A POLITICAL GAME and not from the Heavenly Throne,  sescribing Governor Hope Uzodinma As A “Saul”  in the State.

“From his 2022 Prophesies on Imo State Affairs,  one can rightly see that Elijah Ayodele is just a hustler.

“In the first place, a true Prophet of Almighty God does not prophesy through a Media Aide. A true Prophet speaks as he is directed by the spirit of God. Also, a true Prophet Of Almighty God  makes accurate prophesies on issues of concern.

“There will be No Governorship Election In  Imo State  for  2023,  but  for  2024.  Again, no Coalition has ever “fought and conquered”  a sitting Governor in Imo State.

“There was a Coalition against  Governor Achike Udenwa in 2003,  but he was still  re-elected. There was a coalition against Governor Ikedi Ohakim In 2011, but the  Coalition (Ifeanyi Araraume, Achike  Udenwa And Alex Obi Coalition In ACN )  lost the election. Ikedi Ohakim was defeated by Rochas Okorocha, a non member of the Coalition.

“There was a coalition against  Governor Rochas Okorocha’s re-election  in 2015, but he was re-elected. There was another coalition against Rochas Okorocha in 2019. Both the Coalition and Okorocha lost out. Rt Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, a non-member of the Coalition  was declared Governor, Almost  eight (8). months later, Distinguished  Senator Hope Uzodinma,  another  non-Member of the Coalition, was eventually declared the properly elected Governor of Imo State.

“I have gone through this memory lane to orove that Coalition against an  incumbent Governor  in Imo State has no capacity or muscle to effect political vhange. So who is Primate Elijah Ayodele to prophesy on Imo State affairs through a Media Aide?

“Let me at this point declare that this so-called Prophet, Elijah Ayodele has, in the last ten years made uncountable  false prophesies in Nigeria, claiming that Almighty God spoke to him. But God is  not an author of false prophesies. God is not an author of confusion. When God speaks through a real Prophet, you see it  manifest  itself. You feel the impact of the message.

“God is not a liar.  Real Prophets don’t make prophesies through Media Aides. Prophesies flow naturally from Almighty God to His anointed Prophets.

“Recently, a real Prophet of God in Imo State, Brother Nnamdi Akujor,  prophesied that Rt Honourable Barrister Kennedy Chidozie Ibeh  would emerge Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly. About six months later, the prophesy came to pass.

“God’s Word does not return to Him void. This very P

Prophesy was not dade through a Media Aide. It came directly from Brother Nnamdi Akujor, and the message was not  ambiguous.  It was a clear and  direct  message from God. The video clip of that prophesy can be goggled. When you watch it, you will feel the impact of the message Of Almighty God.

“Prophet Elijah Ayodele’s BET-NAIJA PROPHESY,   described the prophesy that ushered Governor Hope Uzodinma  in as a political  game. My Question Is : Why did it take this fake Prophet, Elijah Ayodele, two whole years to realise  the prophesy that ushered Governor Hope Uzodinma in as Governor  was a political game? Since it is a political game, Elijah Ayodele should have lrayed to his “God” to reverse the “political game”.

“The truth is that, having reportedly failed in his clandestine plot to extort money  from Governor Hope Uzodinma,  ELIJAH AYODELE  became frustrated, and in  desperate bid to get at the  Governor, reached out to political opponents of the Imo State Government, who then, allegedly,  bought him over.  The resultant effect is his BET-NAIJA prophesy on Governor Hope Uzodinma and the  2023 Governorship election in Imo State (Fake Prophesy).

“He plotted to be Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Spiritual Consultant,  but failed, hence he is now dancing provokecatively in the market square with his BET-NAIJA prophesy.

“It Is high time these fake Prophets were  dealt with, according  to the laws of the land for destabilizing the system through the  spreading of fake prophesies.

“Primate Elijah Ayodele should be  arrested and  charged for his numerous false prophesies  of  doom  in Nigeria. It is  obvious he is not called by God. He is just a hustler parading as a prophet, with  his BET-NAIJA prophesies.”

SERAP Urges Buhari To Probe Alleged Misuse Of Security Votes By Governors

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

By Akinwale Kasali

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to “direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly and thoroughly investigate allegations of systemic mismanagement of security votes by State Governors since 1999.”

SERAP said: “Anyone suspected to be responsible should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any mismanaged public funds should be fully recovered.”

Buhari had; in his 2022 New Year Message, raised concerns about “the persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country,” and promised to “remain resolute in our commitments” to give “utmost attention to the problem.”

In the letter dated 1, January, 2022, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The most satisfactory and effective way to demonstrate the oft-repeated commitments to address the insecurity in the country is to promptly and thoroughly probe persistent allegations of corruption in the spending of security votes by state governors.”

It continued: “Probing the spending of Security Votes and ensuring accountability for any cases of corruption would improve the ability of your government to deliver on the promises to ensure the security of Nigerians, and to keep them safe.”

The letter, read in part:

“Ending impunity for allegations of corruption in the spending of security votes and recovering any mismanaged public funds are matters of public interest.

“As revealed by a recent report by Transparency International (TI), most of the funds appropriated as security votes are spent on political activities, mismanaged or simply stolen. It is estimated that security votes add up to over N241.2 billion every year.

“On top of appropriated security votes, State Governments also receive millions of dollars yearly as international security assistance.

“Long-standing allegations of corruption and mismanagement of security votes have hugely contributed to the growing insecurity in the country, and the failure of authorities to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibility to ensure the security and welfare of their own people.

“Pervasive tendency by public officers to regard or treat security votes given to them for security of the state as their personal entitlement or funds is antithetical to the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and international standards. Security votes should be used for improving the security situation in the states or returned to the public treasury.

“Successive governments have failed to effectively discharge their primary and constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of the Nigerian people. This is patently contrary to Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides that: ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.

“Against the background of well-documented cases of abduction, killings and ongoing security challenges in several parts of the country, the time has come to end the culture of impunity for allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds meant to ensure the security of life and property of Nigerians.

“Similarly, your government’s responsibility to guarantee and ensure the security and welfare of the Nigerian people is interlinked with the responsibility under Section 15(5) of the Constitution to ‘abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of office.’ This imposes a fundamental obligation to ensure accountability for the spending of security votes by state governors.

“While sitting State Governors may enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution, they do not enjoy immunity from investigation. Any allegations of mismanagement of Security Votes against sitting Governors can, and should be investigated pending the time they leave office and lose immunity. The findings of such investigation can also be the basis for initiating impeachment proceedings against any indicted governor.

“SERAP urges you to instruct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly track and monitor spending of security votes by the 36 state governors.

“SERAP notes that in your 2022 New Year Message to Nigerians, you raised concerns about ‘the persistent insecurity in certain parts of the country,’ and the effects on the socio-economic conditions of millions of people, as well as promised to ‘remain resolute in our commitments’ to give ‘utmost attention’ to the problem, and to address ‘human security at the grassroots.’

“SERAP also notes your expressed commitment to give ‘the utmost priority to fighting corruption and other related offenses’ in any part of the country.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, the Incorporated Trustees of SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”

The letter was copied to  Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Popular Nigerian Musician, Slim Joe, Is Dead, Colleagues Mourn

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Slim Joe

By Akinwale Kasali

The nation’s entertainment industry was thrown into mourning early in the New Year, with popular Musician, Joshua Olonitan, better known as Slim Joe, Dies.

The ‘O ti Yanyan’ crooner reportedly died on Sunday, January 2, 2022, after a prolonged battle with kidney disease.

He was 30 years old.

Breaking the news of his demise, his colleague, Raymond Gbaji, confirmed via his Facebook post, where he penned a touching tribute to Olonitan.

Before now, the singer had needed N15 million for surgery to rise to his feet again.

The entertainer, who ruled the airwaves with ‘O ti Yanyan’ and many other hit songs and collaborations, was diagnosed with  kidney failure and was on dialysis for some time.

The versatile entertainer from Odo-Ayedun in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, had called for the kind support of Nigerians to raise the required amount to stay alive.

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