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APC Governor Loses Brother To PDP

By
The Source
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Abubakar Sani Bello - Governor of Niger State

By Gideon Njoku

The Governor of Niger State,  Abubakar Bello, is in pains.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Governor, who is married to the first daughter of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, rtd, has lost his younger brother, Aminu Bello, to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Aminu defected to the PDP, with a sizeable number of  other APC members.

His defection is viewed, by many, as a vote of no confidence in his brother’s administration.

Noted the PDP Kontagora Central Ward Chairman, Umar Hassan, while welcoming them: “It is only a matter of time for those in the APC to realise the non-performance of the Government and start to move to the PDP.

“The incompetence, clueless essence and ineptitude of the APC is enough reason for their members to leave the Party.”

Niger State is one of the Northern States where insecurity is on a high.

Aregbesola Loses Ward To Oyetola

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The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

In what appears to be a taste of what to expect from the Governorship Primary  Election of the  Osun State All Progressives Congress, APC, Minister for Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has lost his Ward 8 Ifofin Ilesha East, to Governor Gboyega Oyetola.

Aregbesola had been on rampage for days, campaigning against Oyetola, calling him incompetent, saying he was imposed on the people by APC chieftain, Bola Tinubu, allegedly a nephew of his, and lashing out, unsparingly, at Tinubu.

The Minister had sworn to sack Oyetola, and reduce him to a one-term Governor.

But as the results of the Primary held on Saturday, February 19, 2022, begin to trickle in, one of the shocks is that Minister Aregbesola lost his Ward.

Perhaps, sensing what was likely to happen, Aregbesola was not available to even cast his vote for his preferred candidate  Chief Adeoti, a former Secretary to the State Government under him, who he had dumped in the Election that ushered in Oyetola as Governor.

Saheed Adegoke, the leader of the Aregbesola camp in the area, confirmed that the Minister was absent.

2023: If Given The Chance, Anyim Will Do Well – Jonathan; Buhari, Others, Honour Him @ 61

By
Uche Mbah
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Anyim Pius Anyim and Jonathan

By Uche Mbah

The International Conference Center, Saturday, February 19, became a Mecca for prominent Nigerians who  congregated  to celebrate with Anyim Pius Anyim, who turned 61.

Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation as well as a former Senate President, is a frontline aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the Presidential seat in 2023.

Prominent among those who graced  the occasion were President Muhammadu Buhari and former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Buhari was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Mustapha arrived the venue accompanied by aides and associates.

Jonathan was the Chairman of the occasion.

In his opening remarks, he eulogised Anyim, praising his tenure as Senate President and later Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

On Anyim’s Presidential ambition, Jonathan tacitly   endorsed him. “Anyim can do better if given the opportunity,” the former President said

Also present were former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and ex-Sokoto State  Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, among others.

More details later.

2023: Ondo North Senatorial Leaders Clamour For Change, Rally Support For Ipinsagba

By
Ayodele Oni
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Pastor Jide Ipinsagba

By Ayodele Oni

Leaders of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in Ondo North Senatorial District are rallying support for an aspirant, Pastor Jide Ipinsagba, who is eyeing the  Senate as 2023 General Election draws near.

Ipinsagba, who has commenced tours of the six councils that make up Ondo North promised to address the lingering problems of poverty, unemployment and educational backwardness of the people.

According to him, with these fully resolved, some of the problems that gave rise to  social vices in the area would have been addressed.

The aspirant spoke during his visit to Ose and Owo Local Government Party Secretariats, where he met with Local Government Executives and supporters led by the Chairman  of Ose Council, Chief Ladi Tenabe and Chairman of Owo Council, Samuel Olusanya.

Ipinsagba said he is the right person to lead Ondo North to the Promised Land, and promised to bring to bear exemplary leadership and ensure that democratic governance prevailed.

“If giving chance to run for the election by the people of Ondo North, I will ensure that the high poverty index, youth unemployment and other social ills in our area become a thing of the past.

“I also promise to make youth empowerment and general well being of the people my priority, if giving chance to represent the senatorial district.”

A former Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Mr Femi Idris, said the Senatorial District needs someone like Pastor Ipinsagba, at this present time because he has been tested and trusted.

“He has been tried and tested. He has a mega vision for the Senatorial District. He listens to the people and his plans are always for the collective good. That is the person we want to be our representative at the Senate.

“It is interesting to note that Ondo North Senatorial District has six Local  governments. Owo/Ose Federal Constituency has gone to Senate twice, Akoko South West and Akoko South East currently at the Senate with 12 years (three terms). It is the now  turn of Akoko North East/Akoko West.”

Idris pointed out that Akoko North West presently has a Member House of Representatives, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo (BTO) and we want him to continue beyond 2023, because he has performed creditably and this will give Akoko North East the chance to produce the Senator.

In his address, the former Chairman, Ose Local government, Bola Adelegbe charged Ipinsagba to focus  attention and campaign on the the four Local Governments in Akoko area saying that 80 per cent of Ose people support him.

He pleaded with the Senatorial aspirant not to forget the teeming unemployed youths in the area.

In the same vein, the Party Chairman in Ose local government, Chief Ladi Tenabe, a former Permanent Secretary, said Pastor Jide Ipinsagba is a well known person to him, a distinguished  personality if given the chance, he will do well at the Red Chamber.

“He is the most qualified person to represent us at the Senate. There is nothing we are looking for in a senator that is not in him.”

 “We have been watching you over the years. You have been very wonderful. You have been consistent in terms of service delivery to the people of this senatorial district. You are focused and reliable.”

The Owo Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Samuel Olusanya Balogun in his address, said Pastor Ipinsagba remains the best for the position  in the North Senatorial District saying that he has been someone who has full knowledge of what governance means.

Balogun, therefore, called for prayers for Pastor Ipinsagba to enable him to harness the abundant resources for the benefit of the people in the area.

Ondo North Senatorial  District has been represented, since the past 12 years by Prof Ajayi Borofice.

Tension In Osun APC As Aregbesola Seeks To demystify Tinubu, Oyetola

By
Ayodele Oni
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Rauf Aregbesola and Oyetola

By Ayodele Oni

Will the Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, be given the Akinwunmi Ambode treatment  on Saturday February 19?

Will he, like the former Lagos State Governor, be rejected by his party, and thus, become a one-term Governor?

 Will the Minister for Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, a former fierce loyalist and, political godson of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, finally demystify his former boss? 

These are the questions being asked as the

Governorship primary election of the  All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State holds in the 332 wards spread accross 30 Local Government Areas.

As in the case of Ekiti, the party has adopted direct primary whereby all registered members of the party will participate in the exercise. It was the same method adopted in Lagos State in 2019, which sacked Ambode from office

The National leadership of the party has constituted an election committee, headed by Kwara state Governor, Abdulrasaq Abdulrahaam as Chairman.

From investigation, there is unlikely going to be a parallel exercise as warring factions, for the first time,  recognized the leadership of the party under the Chairmanship of  Prince Gboyega Famodun.

Situation as at Friday evening remained tense as supporters of the warring groups continued with their series of attacks against one another,  destroying Government vehicles with sporadic gunshots.

APC in Osun state has been divided into two parallel groups with Aregbesola in charge of one and incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola as the arrow head of the other group.

The Governorship Primary Committee, despite the situation, has promised to ensure free, fair, credible and acceptable poll.

The Committee, also, pledged to ensure justice in the entire process, noting that no member of the party would be unjustly disenfranchised as it is committed to ensuring a hitch-free process.

At a stakeholders meeting organized by the committee were a former Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Lasun Yussuff, and Governor Oyetola, all aspirants, as well as Prince Gboyega Famodun, the recognised APC Chairman in the State.

Adeoti and Yusuff are members of the splinter group within the Osun APC family known as TOP, which refused to accept the Party’s positions and programmes, including the results of the Congresses at every level.

The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party presented certificate of return to Prince Gboyega Famodun, confirming his Chairmanship, two weeks ago.

Yusuff and Adeoti, who had aligned with the Chairmanship of Rasaq Salinsile’s faction, however showed up at the Stakeholders meeting of the mainstream APC, under the Chairmanship of Famodun, in the build-up to the Gubernatorial primary.

Governor AbdulRasaq, who addressed the meeting said the Committee was fully prepared to maintain peace, urging members of the party to conduct themselves peacefully.

Other members of the Committee are Sen. Julius Ucha (Secretary); Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe; Hon. Abdulkarim AbdulRhaman; Hon. Wale Raji; Chief Mrs. Yetunde Imolehin; Mr Ofonmbuk Okon Bassy.

“We are here as members of the Osun Governorship Primary Election Committee of our party.

“Since yesterday, we have communicated necessary information to all the aspirants and that was done through SMS, WhatsApp and other means and all the aspirants have taken willingness to come and they were informed to come with 10 supporters and their agents in the 332 Wards.

“We came here with peace. Our party is a peaceful party and we are going to do everything to ensure that peace is maintained throughout the entire process. Fairness, equity, justice, credibility and peace are our watchwords.

“I want you all to come out peacefully and in large number to vote for your preferred aspirant. What we are looking for is peace and I can assure you that we will leave no stone unturned to ensure a peaceful, free and fair exercise.

Each of the aspirants was allowed to speak and pledged to allow a peaceful process.

The State Chairman, Prince Famodun, assured the committee of cooperation saying necessary mechanisms and apparatuses had been put in place to ensure, free, fair, credible and acceptable poll.

“I can assure you that the structure of the party is ready and we have put necessary apparatus in place to ensure that everything works for the success of the election. We have 332 Wards, 30 Local Government Areas and One Area Office.

“Necessary information and logistics have been sent across to ensure that the entire process is peaceful, free, fair and credible election. On behalf of the leadership of the party, I welcome you to the State.”

Aregbesola has vowed to sack Governor Oyetola from office, and thus hit Tinubu who he has, in the past couple of days, thrown daggers at, and painted in  very unflattering colours.

He said it was Tinubu, who imposed his brother, Oyetola  on the people of Osun State as Governor.

2023:  LAHA Speaker, Obasa, Urge INEC, FG To Avoid Fire Brigade Approach

By
The Source
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Obasa and Babajide Sanwoolu

By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2023 General Elections draw nearer, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, on Friday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Federal Government to avoid what he described as “fire brigade approach” to the 2023 elections.

Speaking at the Lagos State 17th Legislative-Executive Parley, Obasa stressed that adequate preparations is needed to make the elections successful, hitch free, free and fair.

The Speaker representing Agege Constituency in the State House of Assembly said that there is need for adequate voter education to avoid voter apathy, violence and cases of void votes during the exercise.

A statement by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Eromosele Ebhomele,  quoted Obasa as saying, “that the fact that Nigeria is preparing for the 2023 elections means that democracy has become entrenched in the country.

“The fact that Nigeria is planning another election after twenty three years of democratic transition is a sign that democratic principles have been widely accepted in spite of the myriad of problems confronting the process.

“As the nation shows growing commitment to its stability, the time is ripe for civil society to prepare itself and the citizenry to demand power sharing in a truly participatory democracy,

“As is evident enough, the negligence of the importance of voter education has been responsible for violence, a bulk of void votes, and apathy during past elections. It is unfortunate that Nigeria operates fire brigade approach in some of our undertakings, especially as regards to voter education.

“As it were, political education is a prerequisite for enhanced political skills, knowledge and participation in democracy.

“Electoral violence and other factors such as cultural practices, family background, institutional and low level of political knowledge, no doubt, militate against political participation.

“The citizens for want of security, consequent upon electoral violence, develop aparthy toward political participation. Therefore, to maximize the benefits of political education programmes and ensure sustainable democracy in Nigeria, the government and other political education agencies should develop a pragmatic political education framework,” Obasa said.

He, however, advised that the responsibility of educating potential voters should not be left to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alone.

“Political parties, civil societies, religious and traditional institutions, as well as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should also collaborate with the electoral body in this regard.

“The government should be willing to fund such organisations in the voter education campaign, from the grassroots level upwards. When this is prioritised, the process of complaints where one’s name is omitted, the dangers of violence and rigging, how to protect votes and how to make votes count generally will be avoided.”

Killing Of Eight Traders At Abia Cattle Market, Evil, Despicable – Anyim; Commends Abia Govt

By
The Source
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Anyim Pius Anyim

Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, 2023 Presidential hopeful has condemned, in the strongest term, the recent killing of traders at the New Cattle Market in Omuma-Uzo, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

Eight persons lost their lives in that mindless and senseless attack.

In a strongly worded statement of condemnation released on Friday, Anyim described the attack and killing of the innocent traders as barbaric and condemnable.

He lamented that the evil murderers were trying to stage one section of Nigerian against the other by taking the lives of defenceless and innocent citizens pursuing their legitimate businesses.

The statement which he personally signed reads:

“The unfortunate incident at the New Cattle Market in Omuma-Uzo, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State where hoodlums attacked and killed eight traders is despicable, barbaric, and condemnable.

“These evil men spilling precious human blood and trying to set one group against another must be stopped at all cost.

“The insecurity In the South East and the country at large should be a matter of serious concern to every well-meaning Nigerian”, he cautioned.

Anyim who is contesting the Presidency of Nigeria on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, also, commended “the Government of Abia State for condemning the dastardly act in strong terms and promising to take steps to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“I urge Abia State Government to expedite actions to fish out the perpetrators as that will demonstrate to the whole world that the people of Abia State and indeed the entire Ndigbo of the South-East geopolitical Zone are lovers and protectors of their neighbors and visitors alike.

“I condole with those whose beloved ones died in the attack and pray that the Almighty God grants eternal rest to the souls of the departed”, the former President of the Senate stated.

Osun APC: Aregbesola Says He Regrets Supporting Oyetola’s Emergence As Governor In 2018

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Rauf Aregbesola and Oyetola

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than 24 hours to the Osun State All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship Primary, Minister of Interior and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola says he regrets working for the emergence of Adegboyega Oyetola to become Governor of the State in 2018.

Oyetola succeeded Aregbesola as the Governor of the State. Sadly, things fell apart between the two months after the emergence of Oyetola, leading to the  factionalisation  in the State APC.

Dropping a bombshell at Ikire in Irewole Local Government  Area of the State during the consultation tour and presentation of former Secretary to the Osun State Governor, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti as his group’s Governorship aspirant in the Saturday primary election, Aregbesola said that he has realized his mistakes  that the person that was supposed  to be  put forward  was neglected.

According to him, Governor Oyetola has continued to wage war against him since his emergence, adding that the Governor has always believed that he didn’t want him to emerge in the first place.

Canvassing for support for Adeoti at the APC Primary, Aregbesola said: “I served this State with the whole of my heart, I also served Oyetola so that he can succeed me in office.

“When we came to this Ikire for his campaign, we were drenched in rain from Akire’s palace to this place. He is now in that office, he now claims that  I am his enemy. Those who contested against him during our party primary were the ones he pulled closer while he fights me.

“I sent people to help me beg him, not that i asked that he should like me but that he shouldn’t abuse me or destroy my legacies but he wouldn’t listen.

“All that I told and warned him not to do, was what he did. He oppose what I did, all the things I did together with him for eight years, he opposed and reversed.

“He thought he can destroy me through my work, nobody was pushing him, he is pushing himself. He deliberately tows that path. He has deliberately waged war against me.

“When I observed that he would not listen I  decided to call people to chart a way forward because i believe that  progressives family must not be destroyed”.

“We are the ones that bear the flag of this party, we fought for it since 2004. The owner can not stand while his possession is destroyed. Those people who don’t know how we built the party are unpredictable, they can do and undo.

“The party chairman, Famodun, was poached   from PDP, he may return to that party, we must be careful so as  not to allow  him lead us astray”.

It would be recalled that Aregbesola had also lambasted APC National Leader and Presidential Aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the alleged imposition of Oyetola on the people of Osun against their wish, saying that Tinubu is playing god and promoting godfatherism in the APC.

Breaking: The End Comes For Okagbare; Banned 10 Years For Doping

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Blessing Okagbare

By Akinwale Kasali

The career of Nigeria’s sprinter, Blessing Okagbare, has been dealt a big blow.

Her career has ended in disgrace

It  came to an abrupt end following her ban, for 10 years,  by the Athletics Integrity Unit of the International Association of Athletics Federation, IAAF, for failing a doping test,  and her refusal to co-operate with the investigation, the Athletics Integrity Unit said on Friday.

Okagbare’s crisis started at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games held last year, when ran a wind-assisted 10.63 seconds at the Nigerian trials in June, before winning her heat in Tokyo in 11.05.

She then “tested positive for human growth hormone” on 19 July, 2021,  which ruled her out of the semi-finals at the Games.

The 33-year old was  booted out of the Games. She  tested positive for human growth hormone at an out-of-competition test in Slovakia on July 19.

Announcing her 10 years ban, the AIU issued a statement saying: “The Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare for a total of 10 years.

“Five years for the presence and use of multiple prohibited substances and five years for her refusal to co-operate with the AIU’s investigation into her case.”

Okagbare — who also won long jump silver in the 2013 world outdoor championships where she added a 200m bronze — was not named, but clearly identified in an indictment last month brought against her alleged supplier, Texas therapist Eric Lira.

US justice department officials in New York said Eric Lira, a 41-year-old “naturopathic” therapist based in El Paso, supplied drugs to two athletes for the “purpose of corrupting” the Tokyo Games.

The indictment included encrypted correspondence from Okagbare — identified only as “Athlete 1” — and Lira where the Nigerian testifies to the effectiveness of the substances following Olympic trials in Lagos on June 17, where she clocked a wind-assisted 10.63sec in the 100m.

“Hola amigo / Eric my body feel so good / I just ran 10.63 in the 100m on Friday / with a 2.7 wind / I am sooooo happy / Ericccccccc / Whatever you did, is working so well,” Okagbare wrote.

In a later message, Lira said Okagbare was poised to “dominate” in Tokyo.

“What you did . . . is going to help you for the upcoming events,” Lira wrote. “You are doing your part and you will be ready to dominate.”

The indictment, also, included details of further exchanges between Okagbare and Lira after she is informed of her positive test.

“Call me urgently. . . [t]hey said one of my result came out positive on HGH . . . I don’t understand,” Okagbare wrote.

The case is the first time charges were brought under the Rodchenkov Act — a law introduced in the United States in 2020 in the wake of Russia’s state-backed doping scandal.

The law, named after Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, enables US authorities to prosecute individuals involved in international doping fraud conspiracies.

The AIU said it is working closely with USADA “to follow developments in the matter (the criminal investigation),” regarding Lira and the ‘sole arbitrator’ that worked on her doping case had identified Okagbare as ‘Athlete 1’.

“On 12 January 2022, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced the unsealing of a first criminal charge under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act against Eric Lira, a US based “naturopathic” therapist, who is alleged to have supplied performance-enhancing drugs to athletes before the Tokyo Olympic Games.

“The sole arbitrator concluded that Athlete 1 named in the criminal complaint is Blessing Okagbare.”

Okagbare won silver in the long jump at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and was the poster lady for the nation’s female athletes.

2023: Tinubu Says He Still Relies On Aregbesola Despite Their Feud

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

Barely one week after the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola lashes out at Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state and ruling APC National Leader, as a traitor Tinubu has described the minister as a loyal and trusted friend. Tinubu in his congratulatory message to Aregbesola on his 63rd birthday described him as ‘loyal and dependable’ and a bold politician who is not afraid to speak his mind.
The minister had while barring his mind on the feud between him and Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state, his successor blamed Tinubu for the political problems in his state. He said Tinubu is trying to play God and is supporting Governor Oyetola to undermine him and destroy his legacies in the state.He accused Tinubu of not standing by him during his trying times with Oyetola, adding that he served the APC stalwart loyally.

, “We followed him (Tinubu) dutifully with all sense of loyalty. Some people even thought that we were no longer Muslims because of how we cooperated with him. 
“We dealt with him without treachery but we never knew he planned evil for us. We exalted him beyond his status and he turned himself to a god over us and we had sworn to ridicule anyone who compare himself to God. God has no competitor; He is enough to be God,” Aregbesola said.
But in his congratulatory message to the minister, Tinubu who has declared to run for president, said he can still rely on Aregbesola.He said Aregbesola proved his feat while he served in Lagos as a commissioner and has also proven his mettle as a performing minister.

According to Tinubu, “Ogbeni Aregbesola has done a lot for his state and country. He laid the foundation for the infrastructural development of the State of Osun and turned it to what it is today: a modern state.
“He is creative and innovative. He provided inspirational leadership in Osun and now at the centre in Abuja. “An engineer and political activist, 
“Aregbesola made the difference in Lagos as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure for eight years, in Osun as governor for two terms and at present as Minister of Interior.
“He is resolute and committed to worthy causes. He is bold, courageous and always eager to take decisions that would impart the lives of a majority of our people. “Aregbesola is loyal and dependable. He is someone I describe as my partner, comrade, friend and brother.
“He is an exceptional grassroots campaigner and mobilizer. And he remains valuable to us in APC,” Tinubu said.Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ikeja, James Faleke has described Aregbesola as an ungrateful person. Rather than abusing Tinubu, Faleke said the minister should be grateful to him for making him what he is today.

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