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Direct Primary: APC Is Rolling Back Our Democracy – PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has described the passage by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Senate of direct primary for the nomination of candidates for election, by political parties, as a retrogressive provision that seeks to wipe off all the gains achieved in our electoral practice since 1999.

The party pointed out that the decision by the APC-controlled Senate is a humongous blow to the development of democratic norms and a plot to introduce anarchy during internal party elections as currently obtainable in the APC.

This was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the PDP, Mr Kola Ologbodiyan in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement added that “PDP holds that the provision is aimed at increasing the costs of nomination procedures thereby surrendering the processes to money bags against the wishes and aspiration of Nigerians.

“Our party makes bold to state that with the exception of the APC, which intends to deploy looted funds in future election, hardly will there be any political party that will be able to raise the cost of conducting internal elections under a direct primary process.

“This is why the decision of the Senate has elicited widespread rejection from Nigerians across board.

“The PDP therefore urges the Senate to immediately deploy its appropriate legislative instruments to reverse itself on the direct primary as it is not operable and does not reflect the wishes and aspiration of majority of Nigerians.”

Advent Of Democracy In Nigeria Breeds Banditry, Insecurity – Gov Fayemi

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti state Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi,  has blamed increasing wave of banditry and other insecurity in the country on the advent of democracy.

The Governor, made the remark, while delivering a lecture as the Guest Lecturer at the 7th Babarinde Oduyoye Annual Birthday Lecture Series, held at the University of Ibadan.

According to him, the major security concerns before the advent of democracy in 1999 “was the staccato of ethnic and religions violence that was common then, that was before the dawn of the Niger-Delta militancy which took almost a decade.”

Fayemi said since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999, sectarian clashes have claimed an estimated 70,000 lives across Nigeria.

“These clashes have not only been inter-ethnic or inter-religious; they have also been intra-ethnic and intra-religious.

“The increase in the incidence of conflict suggests that there is a correlation between democratization and violence.

“A major reason for this is the nature of democracy itself. After decades of military rule, democracy was expected to usher in peace and stability.

“But democracy has liberalised the political space unleashing tensions that were previously bottled up by the coercive might of the military.

“Repressed identities and resentments have emerged as powerful currents in the polity with renascent communities making claims and counter-claims on power under the banner of micro-nationalism.

“The current secessionist posture of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and self-determination activism from across most southern region of Nigeria, are reflective of the liberalised political environment.

“The intensity of political contest for power which often leverages the passions and sentiments of micro-nationalism and other forms of sectarian populism raise the potential for violence in our polity.

“In this way, politics itself, in an under-institutionalised country still struggling to entrench rule of law, generates significant security risks that must be accommodated in our threat assessment matrix.”

According to him,  “this moment calls for sober reflection and system overhaul, going forward, but the positive opportunity that these agitations provide will be for us to further renegotiate our constitution to produce a more localised federal power structure.

“The ungoverned spaces need to be closed up quickly by motivated men with the singular objective to save the nation. That takes us to the number two issue of financing and arming large recruitment.

“I believe one of the cheapest and fastest ways to handle this is to amend the law setting up the Nation Youths Service Corps (NYSC) such that we can use the existing orientation camps to train willing and able graduates to reflate the security personnel under a special arrangement that will be worked out.

“That way, the fund that is currently deployed to the NYSC can be used with just some additional funding which could be sourced through a national emergency fund for the next five to 10 years.

“Those who cannot join the military services can serve in their community without pay if we must still retain the NYSC for everyone.

“To incentivise those who may volunteer to serve, they will have a separate certificate and medal of honour in addition to having priority for military, paramilitary and civil or public service recruitment after service.

“We also need to encourage investment in the real sectors that can engage people and reduce unemployment which is a major source of insecurity.

“I urge Nigerians who have the means, to set up businesses and industries that support their primary goals. Let us consider joint ventureship in agro-allied industry in addition to building halls, malls and universities.

“Today, the greatest challenges facing the country is the youth explosion and the corresponding unemployment challenge.

“Investment in agriculture is smart for us as this will guarantee employment and food security. We must also understand that agriculture was the major industry that got us out of the two recessions we had to fall into by default.

“We also need to start confronting issues relating to our burgeoning population with boldness. There is simply no way we can continue to grow our population at this geometric rate.

“The girl-child now needs to receive priority and they all must benefit from free, compulsory and qualitative education till SSS 3. Education remains the greatest antidote to poverty.”

Biafra; DSS Releases Actor Chinwetalu Agu

By
The Source
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Chinwetalu Agu

By Charles Igbo

The Department of State Security Services, DSS, on Tuesday, October 12, released Veteran Nollywood Actor, Chiwetalu Agu from its custody.

The release comes four days after the DSS took him into custody the day he was released from the custody of the Military in Onitsha.

Agu had entered into trouble when  he was arrested by soldiers of the Operation Golden Dawn in the Upper Iweka Area of Onitsha, on October 7, 2021, donning a long dress made of the colors of the  Biafran flag.

The Army accused him of incitement, and of seeking support for the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, a separatist group, seeking independence for the South-east Zone from Nigeria to be called the Republic of Biafra.

Bur Agu had said he was on a charity drive, giving away N10,000.00 worth of bread to the underprivileged.

On Friday, October 8, he was released by the Army to the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, which leadership intervened. But the DSS took him into custody same day.

On Tuesday, October 12, after another intervention, according to the AGN, he was finally released to its leadership again.

Unlike when he was released by the Army, and still donned his Biafran flag dress, he no longer wore it. Instead, he wore a short-sleeved T-shirt on a black pair of trousers.

Announcing his release in a post, AGN’s Director of Communications, Monalisa Chinda, was full of commendation for AGN’s leadership.

She wrote:

“The National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Ejezie Emeka Rollas, has again secured the release of Actor Chinwetalu Agu  from the custody of the DSS.

“On behalf of the Guild, I was at the DSS office with my colleague, the Senior Special Assistant on Military Affairs and Inter Government Relations to the President, Steve Eboh, to receive Mr Agu today.”

It is not known yet under which terms the Actor was released.

Uzodimma Gives Izombe Youths 7-day Ultimatum To Surrender Arms In Their Custody

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, on Tuesday visited Aborshi Autonomous Community in Izombe in Oguta Local Government Area to assess the level of damage caused by the recent face-off between youths from the community and security operatives that resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property.

Addressing the community made up of the traditional, political, business, women and youth leaders at Central School Aborshi, the Governor expressed shock at the level of destruction following the mayhem and tasked all on peace or be ready for the consequences of recourse to violence.

The Governor blamed what happened on the activities of dissident and criminal-minded youths who have decided to make themselves lawless, including going to the extreme of attacking the security operatives who were sent to the  community to protect them.

Governor Uzodimma said he was “highly pained because Izombe is not supposed to be known from the negative point of view.”

The Governor had asked: “Where is the problem coming from? Where did Izombe people get it wrong and who are these youths and young men painting Izombe black? Where are the parents of these youths? Where are the leaders of Izombe?”

Governor Uzodimma told the audience that a situation where criminal-minded young men have taken over affairs in the community and become uncontrollable is not good and “that is why the communities here are suffering today.”

He regretted the death of the soldiers and consequently, heavy damage to property of innocent citizens and asked both the Military and the people of Izombe to bury the hatchet,  sheathe their swords and pursue peace.

To achieve sustainable peace, the Governor informed the audience that Government with set up a Committee to look at the level of destruction, its impact on the people and community and find a way to assist them.

He immediately directed the ISOPADEC Managing Director, Chief Charles Orie, to quickly send relief materials to the area to cushion the effects of the destruction suffered by the people.

His words: “Izombe must be peaceful. Imo State must be peaceful to attract development and prosperity. Nigeria must be peaceful.”

Governor Uzodimma who noted that most of the criminal-minded Izombe youths were being used by politicians appealed to them in particular and all yours in Imo State people in general, to return weapons that are still in their possession within seven days from now or regret not doing so.

The Governor who, also, appealed to the Military authorities to “forgive and forget,” equally appealed to the politicians, traditional rulers, women and youth leaders to think of working together to bring development to Izombe, Imo State and Nigeria.

Before Governor Uzodimma left the people he asked those who ran away from the community to return home and reassured them that “there will be no more killings and molestations,” and that “what happened will never repeat itself.”

The Governor who had earlier visited the Palace of the traditional ruler of Aborshi Autonomous Community,  HRH Eze Pius Muforo, said his visit to the community was “a condolence visit to commiserate with the people of Aborshi and the entire people of Izombe Community over what happened.”

Briefing the Governor on what transpired, a community leader in Izombe, General Kalu Anthony Egwuagu (Rtd.) expressed delight at the visit of Governor Uzodimma, describing it as “a soothing-balm on the wound being nursed by both Izombe people and the Military.”

Gen. Egwuagu said the circumstances surrounding the mayhem was quite unfortunate and thanked the Commandant, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze,  Brig. Gen. S. B Utsha, “for having a listening ear which led to the halt in the continued destruction in the Community.”

He assured the Governor and people of Imo State on behalf of his people, that “such will not repeat itself in Izombe.”

Eze Muforo who welcomed the Governor to his Palace prayed for peace in Aborshi and Imo State and requested for Government’s assistance over the huge loss his community had suffered from the mayhem.

The Traditional Prime Minister of Aborshi, Chief Obilor Ukachukwu, who painted a gory picture of the incident noted that “the regrettable situation has brought untold hardship” to his people as “the reprisal attack resulted in the burning of houses of natives who are living at home and in the  Diaspora.”

He, however, thanked the Governor for the visit, saying it will go a long way in assuaging their pains.

The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor,  Prof Placid Njoku, the Chief of Staff, Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, and all Members of the State Security Council, led by the Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Imo State.

Activist Writes Akeredolu, Wants Recommendations Of EndSARS Panel Implemented

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Human Rights lawyer, Mr Tope Temokun, has urged Ondo State Government to implement recommendations of the Judicial Panel on EndSARS protest submitted to it six months ago.

The plea, coming a year after the endSARS protest, which rocked the entire country, was contained in an open letter addressed to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu by the Activist.

While receiving the report of the panel, headed by Justice Sidiq, Governor Akeredolu admitted that the endSARS protest actually took place but was along the line hijacked by hoodlums that used the opportunity to embark on political vendatta in the state.

The protest led to the destruction of offices of the two political Parties In Ondo state, the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) and All Progressive Congress, (APC).

The Governor had vowed not to pay the sum of N755 million recommended by the panel saying he would have preferred spending such fund on meaningful projects.

The lawyer stated in the letter that “While I agree partly with Your Excellency that not all cases presented before the panel and which got favourable recommendation for monetary compensation really deserve such compensation.

“I appeared before the panel in some petitions filed on behalf of genuine victims of police brutality and I know that some big politicians filed petitions too that their multi-million naira houses were burnt and wanted the government to pay them for their loss.

“We did not re-open our case before the panel. We simply presented our judgment before the panel and prayed the panel to recommend that the judgment be complied with, as we have written to both the commissioner of police of Ondo State and the Inspector-General of Police, demanding compliance, but all to no avail.

“We had also written to the Attorney-General of the Federation, seeking consent of the AG to execute the judgment against the fund of the Nigeria Police Force, before the panel came and we saw another public platform to canvass compliance.

“Cases of similar or same character with the above form the bulk of cases before the panel and it would only amount to greater injustice against this class of citizens whose cases deserve government attention and intervention if they are categorized generally with others and written off as cases of politicians settling scores.

“However, the precious time and state resources invested in the panel, both by the government and the public, would simply have amounted to a waste of precious time and public resources, if the recommendation, particularly, the deserving cases therein, is not implemented, for the real victims of police brutality to go away fulfilled that justice has been done.”

Breaking: Finally, Senate Endorses e-Collation Of Election Results

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Senate has empowered the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), to follow the provision of the Nigerian Constitution to determine the best way to transmit election results.

INEC has been clamoring on their constitutional rights to determine ways and means of transmitting election results, while the upper legislative chamber showed reluctance in allowing the election umpire use electronic mode to transmission of elections.

Their position has been backed by a faction of Northern elites who argued that both teledensity and internet connectivity is low in certain parts of the North-sn argument that was immediately faulted by INEC.

By this development, the electoral umpire will now determine how to transmit election results — either electronically or manually. They are, however, expected to opt for electronic transmission, since that is what they have been fighting for.

Beside this, the Senate also mandated all political parties to use the direct primary mode to pick candidates vying for different electoral positions.

FG’s Community Policing Kicks Off, As Buhari Approves N13billion

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nigeria Police

By Ayodele Oni

The Community Policing initiative of the Federal Government is set to take off as part of efforts to boost security nationwide.

President Mohamadu Buhari has announced the approval of the sum of N13.3billion for its take off.

The President disclosed this in Abuja at the opening of a two-day Mid-Term Ministerial Performance Review Retreat to assess progress made towards the achievement of the nine key priorities of his administration.

He stated: “We have, also, approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of the Community Policing initiative across the country, as part of measures adopted to consolidate efforts aimed at enhancing security nationwide.

“As part of the efforts towards strengthening our national security, we have increased investments in arms, weapons and other necessary equipment; expanded the National Command and Control Centre to nineteen states of the Federation; and established a Nigerian Police Trust Fund, which would significantly improve funding for the Nigeria Police Force.”

He further told the two day retreat that the Ministry of Defence has been instructed to create a modest military-industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the country’s armed forces.

The establishment of the industrial complex, he said would address Nigeria’s over-dependence on other countries for military equipment and logistics.

The project is being implemented under the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), a military department responsible for arms manufacture.

On other efforts to strengthen national security, Buhari said it was gratifying to note that Nigeria had received six A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.

He said the propeller-driven aircraft are being used for training, surveillance and attack by the military.

BREAKING: Terrorists Invade Kaduna Catholic Seminary

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Unknown Gunmen

By Uche Mbah

Reports indicate that terrorists invaded St. Albert the Great Institute of Philosophy, a Catholic-run major seminary in the Fayit community in Kagoma Chiefdom, Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Monday night, at about 8 pm.

On entering the school, they started shooting sporadically. Reported eyewitness accounts indicate they operated for over an hour.

No security agent came to the rescue of the school.

It was the local hunters and vigilante groups that finally came to the rescue to drive away the criminals.

As at press time, it was not clear yet the number of casualties, though there were fears that some students may have been abducted, killed, or wounded.

No official reaction has been forthcoming as it was difficult to contact them.

Details later…

Bank CEOs Must Declare Their Assets, EFCC Insists

By
Bayo Bernard
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Abdulrasheed Bawa

By Tosin Olatokunbo

Abdulrasheed Bawa, the executive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has insisted that chief executives of commercial banks must declare that assets, despite subtle resistance from those concerned. The EFCC boss said the directive was not meant to witch-hunt anyone, but necessary to prevent another banking meltdown in the country.

Bawa disclosed this, on Monday, at the opening session of a capacity-building workshop organized by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC for the law enforcement agencies in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The anti-graft agency boss had on assumption of office in May this year, issued a statement directing bank CEOs to declare their assets, saying that it was necessary for them to do so, in other to promote financial transparency, adding that its directive was in conformity with Section 1 of the Bank Employees, ETC. (Declaration of Assets) Act 1986.

Bawa said then in the statement said, ”We are doing our best to ensure that this country is free of financial crimes. We understood that the tail end of every financial crime is for the criminal to have access to the funds that he or she has illegitimately gotten, and we’re worried about the roles of financial institutions.

”We hope that all financial institutions, particularly the bankers, will declare their assets as provided for by the law, in accordance with the Bank Employees Declaration of Asset Act. And that the EFCC, come June 1, 2021, will be demanding for this asset declaration forms, filled by the bankers so that the line that we have drawn from the first of June is really complied with by bankers in particular.”

“Section 1 of the Bank Employees, ETC. (Declaration of Assets) Act 1986 makes it mandatory for every employee of a bank to make full disclosure of assets upon employment, and annually in subsequent years.

‘’The law under Section 7 (1) stipulates that it shall be an offence for an employee of a bank to own assets in excess of his legitimate known and provable income. The penalty for violation of the Act as spelt out in section 7 (2) includes imprisonment for a term of ten years.

‘’Any employee guilty of an offence under subsection (1) of this section shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for ten years and shall, in addition, forfeit the excess or its equivalent in money to the Federal Government,’’ Bawa said.

Speaking again on the issue yesterday, the EFCC boss said it will press ahead to implement the directive despite resistance by those concerned. He, however, stated that the Commission was not particularly after any CEO, adding that the measure became important in other to rid the financial sector of corruption.

According to him, “I recall that upon assumption of office, one of the major pronouncements I made was giving a directive to bankers to declare their assets before June 1, 2021.

“It is obvious that those who kicked or are still kicking against the directive are ignorant of the unmistakable details of the Bank Employees Declaration of Assets Act.

“The nation cannot afford to go through another serious crisis in the banking sector, and this explains the constant intervention by the EFCC.”

In 2010, many commercial bank CEOs were sacked and later charged to court by then Central Bank Governor, Lamido Sanusi over mismanagement of customers deposits.

Discordant Tunes In Ondo Over Planned Return Of Ex Gov Mimiko To PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The reactions have been sharp, laced with anger, as news filtered that former Governor of Ondo state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko plans to lead some of his former Aides back to the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).

Since Monday morning when the social media flashed the report, there have been mixed responses, especially from notable members of the party in the state.

One of the PDP Chieftains, Mr Bode Obanla, in his reaction traced the genesis of the former Governor’s foray into the politics of Ondo state.

Obanla concluded that Dr Mimiko’s membership of the PDP in the past has been a disaster to the party and vowed to challenge his present return in court.

“In the last few days, the only talking point of Ondo State politics has been the rumoured return of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, former Governor of Ondo State  to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), a party founded by him, and  in which he is national leader.

“Ordinarily, it would have been a thing of joy for a person of Mimiko’s experience and pedigree to join the PDP, but considering his antecedents in the party, l wait for him to officially join the party before l take the necessary legal actions to protect our great party from suffering harm from him, like in the past.

“It is also a measure to strengthen our democracy in the face of nomadic politicians, whose conscience is so fluid that, they can be found in a political party in the morning and change to another by the evening of the same day.

“Interestingly, the 2017 PDP Constitution (as Amended) envisaged situations of this nature and had made adequate provisions. In chapter 2, section 8 subsection 17, the Constitution states expressly that  “A person who has earlier decamped from the Party, but later decides to return to the Party shall lose the seniority and privileges conferred on him by his previous status”.

“This is the part of our Constitution l intend to give effect to through a competent Court of jurisdiction.

“Perhaps, it might be necessary to briefly x-ray the activities of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and how it had affected the PDP that has necessitated my actions as a loyal PDP member.

“In 2003, shortly before the Governorship Elections, Mimiko joined the PDP. His first request was the Deputy Governorship slot which had been ceeded to Otunba Omolade Oluwateru.

“As compensation, Dr. Olusegun Agagu announced Mimiko’s appointment as Secretary to Government, from the Akure Sports Complex inauguration ground on May 29, 2003.

“Thus becoming the first political appointee of a party he just joined after abandoning the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Government of Chief Adebayo Adefarati.

“When Chief (Mrs) Mobolaji Osomo, was dropped as a Federal Minister, Dr. Mimiko replaced her in 2005 as Minister of Housing.

“The magnanimity of the PDP did not discourage him from quitting the party. He floated the Labour Party (LP) in 2007 under which platform he dealt the most devastating blow on the PDP.

“The Court of Appeal, sitting in Benin gave victory to Mimiko and the LP at the Governorship Elections ending the six years reign of Dr. Agagu as Governor.

“The truth is that, the PDP has never been the same  in Ondo State since 2009 when he, Mimiko, became Governor.

“Before the end of his eight year tenure as Governor, Mimiko manipulated himself back to the PDP in 2014. This was when he went for the final kill of the party.

“As sitting Governor, he caused the entire PDP structures from Ward to the State to be dissolved and installed his loyalists as party executives.

“While, he literally hijacked the party structures, he never allowed any PDP member to be part of the State government as against what was agreed as part of the merger.

“The 2015 general elections where he promised to deliver 2 million votes for former President Goodluck Jonathan, became a calamity as the PDP lost miserably in Ondo State.

Many major stakeholders who were frustrated with his antics left the party for him.

“This was the situation before the 2016 Governorship Elections. We did not need a soothsayer to know that the PDP vehicle was no longer capable of winning any election the way we were- badly fractured and disorientated.

“Having led the PDP to its  catastrophic outing, Mimiko now left the PDP to float ZLP, a party under which platform he contested Senatorial Elections in 2019. He lost to the PDP candidate Senator Ayo Akinyelure.

“This is the background to the Mimiko and the PDP story in Ondo State. I will save myself the details of Agboola Ajayi, the ZLP Governorship candidate in the 2020 Election who is aboard the Mimiko return flight.

“As long as effect is given to the provision of our Constitution, l have no qualms with their return to the PDP family. The more the merrier.”

Another party chieftain, Mr Oluwasomi Sunday, simply put it that “Mimiko has nothing to offer Ondo State PDP.

He continued “So Mimiko is coming back to destroy this party again?

“In 2006 he left the party and dismantled it to the root. For 8 years we struggled to get ourselves together, till today we haven’t recovered from his devilish act against us.

“In our 2020 governoship election, Dr Mimiko stood solidly against us and made sure we lost the election. We will never forget his activities against us in the election.

“This party needs to beg this man not to return to our party again, we have had enough of him, his coming back won’t add any value to us.”

However, another reaction from Mr Segun O. simply welcomed the Defection saying “Political parties are not prison yards, there are room for free entry and free exit especially in Naija.

“There are vehicles used by politicians to actualize one political aspirations or the other and no Single individual can lay claim to the ownership of any party.”

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