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Breaking: Super Falcons Book 2022 AWCON Ticket

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

An 87th minute strike from Esther Okoronkwo was all the Super Falcons of Nigeria needed to record a 3-0 aggregate score line win over the Female Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire in the African 2022 African Women Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ifeoma Onumonu had scored a brace for the National Senior Female team at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, the nations Capital four days earlier in the first leg of the Second Round of AWCON qualifiers to put the team in pole position ahead of the second leg in Abidjan.

With the victory, Nigeria has booked a place in the AWCON tournament, proper, scheduled for Morocco in July.

The AWCON tournament also serves as the qualification for the top Four Semi-finalists for the FIFA Female World Cup slated for Australia and New Zealand in 2023 that will represent the Continent at the world showpiece.

Since 1991 when the FIFA Female World Cup has berthed, the Super Falcons has never failed to be at the World showpiece.

At the last FIFA World Cup in 2019, the Super Falcons got to the Round of 16 before they booted out by Germany.

Nigeria’s qualification for the AWCON tournament will see the Super Falcons defend the title it won in 2018, and will be gunning to hoist the Nation’s flag at the world mundial.

The Super Falcons have won the AWCON tournament 11 times. It won it in 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Judge Faults Security Threat Claim By Ondo Assembly Speaker For Absence From Court

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bamidele Oloyelogun - Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

Speaker of the Ondo state House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oloyelogun,  and two other Lawmakers who were due to be arraigned on Wednesday before a state High Court were absent.

Their Counsel, Mr Femi Emodamori, told the Court that the Lawmakers shunned the Court due to threat to their life during the last sitting.

The High Court sits within the premises of Olokuta Correctional Centre, Akure few kilometers away from  Akure city.

Presiding Judge, Justice Semiu Kuteyi, however, faulted the claim of the Speaker and the other two Lawmakers.

Oleyelogun, Felemu Bankole, and Olusegun Kayode were to be arraigned before Justice Semiu Kuteyi by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC) for alleged fraud committed in the Assembly.

 Mr. Emodamori, said the Lawmakers had written a letter to the Chief Judge asking the case to be transferred from the Court located at the Correctional Centre to another because of threat to their lives.

The Lawmakers alleged that at the last adjourned date, some unmarked vehicles were trailing them from the Court premises until they were able to escape from the view of the suspected assailants.

“After the last sitting, the defendants called and informed counsel that there was serious security breach affecting them.

“It was observed that there were vehicles packed with unmarked number plates at the junction of the court here.

“They were not conscious of it until the vehicles started to pursue them. They felt it was an abnormal security threat.”

However, Justice Kuteyi who said he came to the Court without a driver or security escort told the Counsel that the security threat was not credible because they were in his court at the last adjourned date.

“One of the defendants is the Speaker of the Ondo state house of assembly, number three citizen, people know his office, people know that he would go to work every day, they are likely to know his house.

“So why are you attaching security issues to this because he came to a court within Ondo state? As if he came from another planet.

“So if he wants to leave this court because people are pursuing him, they could have pursued him somewhere else.

“He is the Speaker of the Ondo state House of Assembly and other principal members.

“They know his routes, they know his political pedigree, they know his house. So why is it attached to a day he came to my court? That it is in the public domain that he came to the court.

“He has not been arraigned, no information had been served on him, but now after he left the court, he was going home and a vehicle pursued him, and he wrote to the Chief Judge that it was because he came to my court.

“I am not hungry for any jurisdiction. It was mentioned to me and I had even expected that the file would have been taken from my table.

“But as of today, the file is still on my table. I have not received any direction that I should transfer the file.

“But be that as it may, now that it has been raised officially before the court, I will await the Chief Judge’s direction on the prosecution of the case.”

The Judge fixed March 24 for the tentative arraignment of the suspects.

Electoral Act: Anxiety Over Buhari’s Assent Unnecessary, Says Uzodimma

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodinma

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has described as unnecessary, the worries expressed by some Nigerians that President Muhammadu Buhari was delaying his assent to the amended Electoral Act as passed by the National Assembly.

The amended Electoral Act is already  before the President waiting for his assent before it becomes operational and a legal framework.

Addressing the media in his office on Wednesday,  February 23, 2022, the Governor said the hullabaloo over the shift on the date from Wednesday (February 23, 2022) to Friday (February 25, 2022) for the signing of the amended Electoral Act was uncalled for and the anxiety unnecessary “as President Buhari has ample time within the constitutional provision to assent the amended document into law.”

Governor Uzodimma said:

 “To give Nigerians the best, the President has to study the Amended Act before signing it into law, and if in the process he discovers things in the Act that are not in the interest of the people of Nigeria he has the constitutional mandate to move it back to the National Assembly for corrections before his assent.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has expressly defined the processes a Bill or an Act must undergo before the President will consider it for assent and to the best of my knowledge as a Parliamentarian none of those processes has been violated by Mr. President.

“The President should be allowed to do his job without being put under unnecessary pressure, particularly the worries and anxiety expressed by some Nigerians, especially through the media.”

Governor Uzodimma also explained that the Friday, February 25, 2022 date should not also be seen to be sacrosanct, because the 30 days window from the time the amended Act was returned to the President still subsists. 

The Governor further explained that “even at that, if the President has observed anything that is not in the interest of the people he has the constitutional right to still send it back to the National Assembly for corrections to be effected.”

Governor Uzodimma’s words: “The  President, having been elected by Nigerians,  is the only person in a better position to reason out what will benefit the people, most especially as it concerns Security of the entire Nation.”

He, therefore, advised Nigerians who are worried to understand that “there are very many other issues that call for attention of both the President and the National Assembly,  what is before the President is an Amended Electoral Act and at the appropriate time the President will Assent to it.”

Commenting on the rescheduled All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention, the Governor said there is nothing to worry about.  

He also gave reasons.

“The leadership of the Party is strong, the membership of the Party is also strong and hopefully by March 26,  2022 a new leadership that will be acceptable to all will emerge in APC by concensus.”  

He said the APC is being careful not to be harassed into doing things that will not be in the overall interest of the Party.

He noted, for instance, that the APC has the history of all her past National Chairmen emerging through consensus, insisting that “there will be nothing wrong for the Party at the end of the day to have its National Chairman emerge through consensus.”

On the issue of the APC zoning the President of Nigeria, the Governor categorically said his Party is being  careful because “our interest is first to have a cohesive and united Nigeria that will take care of every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, greed or religion.”

“Therefore, while considering zoning as very important, the party will be looking at it as a family business,” Governor Uzodimma maintained.

Ekiti 2022: PDP In Crisis; Senator Olujimi’s Supporters Dump Party, Pledges Support, For APC

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Senator Biodun Olujimi

By Akinwale Kasali

As the Ekiti State Governorship Election draws close, opposition Party in the State, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is in disarray following the mass defection from the Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

PDP Governorship aspirant in the Party’s Primary, Senator Biodun Olujimi, is still disenchanted with the outcome of the Party’s Primary that saw her not getting the ticket of hoisting the Party’s Flag at the polls.

To underscore that, scores of her supporters in Efon Alaaye, home town of the PDP flag bearer in the June 18 election, Bisi Kolawole, has dumped the party and declared support for the candidate of the APC, Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji.

The PDP members, who belonged to the Repositioning Group, under the leadership of Senator Olujimi, cited the, alleged shenanigans of those at the affairs of the PDP, as reason for their decision to dump the party.

Ajayi Busuyi, popularly known as ‘Nanko’ from Ward 3, leader of the Group, speaking on behalf of other decampees during Oyebanji’s ‘thank you visit to Efon Local Government, said they had lost faith in the leadership of PDP and had no choice but to join the All Progressives Congress ( APC).

“Our decision to dump PDP is as a result of our conviction that APC is well positioned to provide quality leadership for Ekiti. We belonged to the repositioning group within the PDP and we had a strong belief that the group would revamp the party but all the plans were scuttled by some unprogressive elements within.

“As things stand, the future looks bleak for the PDP in  Ekiti, hence our decision to align with other progressive minds to vote in Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, as governor of Ekiti State, come June 18,”

Another member of the group, Alasi Gboyega, alias ‘Sweet Mouth’, from Ward 9 Efon promised, on behalf of others, that they would henceforth joined hands with APC members to woo more PDP members into APC, adding that they would not sit down and allow Efon Alaaye to be misled by selfish politicians.

Receiving the decampees, a former Chairman of the APC, Chief Jide Awe, said the development was heart-warming.

According to Awe, “Efon Alaaye is the sixth Local Government we would be visiting on this ‘thank you visit’ but it is now on record that this is the first time we are receiving decampees from another party. This is heart-warming and we sincerely welcome our brothers and sisters from the other side for crossing to the progressive camp.

“While welcoming them on behalf of the leadership of the party, we assure them of fair treatment and cooperation,”

The APC candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, who also spoke at the event described Efon Alaaye as his second home, adding he felt comfortable sitting with his people. He described the defection of PDP members to APC in Efon as a demonstration of love from his people.

“I feel at home being in Efon because of my early days’ upbringing in Efon and the fact that my father was once a Principal in the community. In particular, I congratulate the teachers here today because my parents were teachers and I’m going to be a teacher- governor. Another issue that impresses me here today is the defection of many people from PDP. To me, this is symbolic and a signal that Efon people are prepared for the task ahead. I assure those coming in of a level playing field in APC and I promise to always be there for our people,”

The leader of the team and  Chairman, Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission,  Chief Alaba Bejide, commended members of the party in Ijero, Ekiti West and Irepodun Ifelodun local Governments, for their support during the primary election and urged them to make sure they get their PVC before June 18 in order to be able to vote for Oyebanji.

“The primary election was just a phase,  the coming campaign is another phase, but the biggest assignment before us is the June 18 election. It is through the election we would be able to use our votes to elect Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji as Governor of Ekiti State.

“This can only be done if we have PVC which is our license to vote. Our findings have revealed that many of us are yet to get our PVC, especially those who were not up to age 18 during the 2018 election.”

Enugu: Local Government Elections Turns Violent; Five Killed, Bus Torched

By
The Source
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0
Unknown Gunmen

By Uche Mbah

Gunmen, Wednesday, February 23, 2022, swooped on some polling units, attacking voters who came out en mass for the Local Government Elections in Enugu state.

Many Governorship hopefuls are using the Local election as popularity contest towards next year’s General Election.

At Akpugo Ward 3, Nkanu West Local Government Area, eye witness accounts told this Magazine that the Special Assistant to the Governor, John Tochukwu Ogbodo, lost his car as some attackers, suspected to be from, and engineered by, opposing political party, set it ablaze.

Ogbodo, who belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the ruling party in the State,  reportedly escaped unhurt.

But five other people were not so lucky as they lost their lives during sporadic shootings, which saw, at least, three other vehicles, including a coaster bus, torched.

In the resultant stampede, many people sustained  injuries.

Eye witness account said a tricycle driver had his jaw shattered by bullets and was later rushed to the hospital. Corpses were littered all over the place.

Even Journalists were attacked as reporters and crew from the Local TV Station, Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, Chiamaka Ezeaputa and Chigozie Alex-Nwafor and driver, Ebuka Ogbozor narrowly escaped  abduction.

They were attacked at Obeagu in Enugu South Local Government Area on their way to Agbani, Nkanu West Local Government Area. Some Journalists were reportedly abducted

US Govt Collaborates With Imo State On COVID-19 Vaccination

By
The Source
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Mary Beth Leonard

The United States has reiterated its commitment to support Nigeria and other countries around the world to address the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, shared the United States Global Action plan to help coordinate areas that the world has identified as the most significant barriers to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Ambassador spoke at the Flag-Off of the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Campaign in Imo State hosted by Governor Hope Uzodinma.  

The campaign will increase COVID-19 vaccine access and uptake amongst the people of Imo State.

Ambassador Leonard noted that the U.S. has recommitted increasing access to vaccines, boosting vaccine confidence by tackling misinformation, improving last-mile vaccine delivery, and supporting health workers to vaccinate people.  “Part of this commitment is reflected in the U.S. donation of over 21.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, accounting for over 35 percent of the total donations to Nigeria.” 

The United States Government’s commitment is reflected in the technical and logistics support to ensure vaccines get to all citizens who need them the most. U.S. assistance also focuses on getting vaccines into arms so that no vaccines expire unnecessarily when millions of people need them.  

“No one is safe from the pandemic until everyone is safe, and the only way to do that is through safe and effective vaccines,” she added.

Ambassador Leonard used the opportunity to recognize the efforts of the U.S. -CDC, USAID, and the U.S. Department of Defense Walter Reed Army Program for their support to Nigeria’s vaccine rollout.  In addition, she thanked U.S. CDC’s implementing partner, the Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria (CCFN), for their pivotal role in ramping up vaccine access and uptake in Imo and other states.

She commended Governor Uzodinma for his efforts to make the vaccines available.  She encouraged all those eligible to come out and get vaccinated to secure the health and wellbeing of the Imo people.  She called on community leaders and other gatekeepers to join hands with the government to safeguard the people’s health in the State. “We need your support to champion the vaccination of the people of Imo and protect them from COVID-19.  The U.S. Mission in Nigeria stands with you.”

Imo State is currently one of the states in Nigeria with the lowest vaccine uptake. Recent data ranks Imo as 35 out of 36 states (and the FCT) with only 2.3 percent coverage for COVID 19 vaccinations. The flag-off mass vaccination campaign event serves to accelerate and expand COVID-19 vaccination access and uptake. U.S. – CDC, through PEPFAR American Rescue Plan Act funding and its implementing partner, Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria, are at the forefront of providing that support to all the citizens of Imo State. Through PEPFAR, US CDC supports over 83% of the estimated people living with HIV in Imo state with comprehensive treatment services.

Nigerian Customs Reacts To Viral Video, Calls Manhandled Lawyer  Unruly

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nigerian Customs Manhandling A Lawyer

By Adesina Soyooye

The Nigerian Customs Service has reacted to a damaging viral video of its officers manhandling a Lawyer who had gone to its Headquarters in Abuja on behalf of a Client.

In the video, at least four officers were seen rough-handling the Lawyer,  pushing and forcing him into a detention cell.

As they did that, somebody, apparently, who came with the Lawyer was heard asking them why they would detain him, telling them: “He is a Lawyer, now, he didn’t do anything.”

The Lawyer and two others had gone there in respect of a Client’s car which was seized by the Customs.

But in a statement released in Abuja on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, signed by its Public Relations Officer, Deputy Comptroller, Timi Bomadi, the NCS said the incident was not a recent one. It said it happened in September 2021, and said the Lawyer was unruly.

Following is the full text of NCS’s reaction to the incident which has sparked outrage, and attracted absolute condemnation against it.

“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service has been drawn to a video that has gone viral on social media. This incident occured at Customs Headquarters Abuja on the 9th of September 2021. The individual being restrained in this video is a lawyer who came to represent a client whose car a 2013 Lexus ES350 was seized by our operatives in one of our sting operations.

“On the day in question the lawyer was admitted into Customs Headquarters in the company of two other lawyers, one of whom was his client. On being ushered into the investigation unit, they were requested to produce either the detention or seizure notice for the vehicle in question. This is a document issued to owners of goods seized or detained by Customs. It shows among other things, who made the seizure or detention, the item itself, where and from whom it was detained or seized. It is required as part of the Standard Operating Procedure for purposes of investigation to ascertain the real owner of goods detained or seized to avoid misrepresentations sequel to documentation and the taking of statements.

“The request of the investigating officer was met with a negative response by the lawyers who insisted that the investigating officer took his statement regardless of this fundermental breach in procedure. All attempts to explain the position of the Service in this regard was meet with vehemence and contempt. This left the investigating officer with no option but to demand their exit from his office as their continued presence consistituted an obstruction of duty contravening section 11, subsection (a) & (b) of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) especially when he had other persons to attend to. It was the unruly behavior of this lawyer at the investigation unit that called for him to be restrained and removed as clearly evidenced in the video. In restraining this lawyer, absolute care was taken to ensure that he came to no personal harm. Indeed his attitude was clearly at variance with that of his two other colleagues as he failed to comport himself in the manner beffiting of his noble profession.

“The Nigeria Customs Service holds legal practitioners and indeed all Nigerians in high regard. Our Legal Department is managed by a crop of distinguished lawyers whose invaluable contributions continues to stand the NCS in good stead. At no time did we contemplate disrespect for the institution of Justice or those who represent it. As a law enforcement Agency our procedures and processes are designed to ensure administrative and operational efficiency and effectiveness. We enjoin members of the public to respectfully abide by them anytime they have businesses to conduct with us. We thank all Nigerians for their understanding.”

Electoral Bill: CNPP Urges Nigerians To Step Up Pressure on Presidency, Gives Reasons For Delayed Assent

By
The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

Even though there are strong indications that President Muhammadu Buhari could sign the Re-amended Electoral Act on Friday, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on Nigerians to sustain the current pressure on Buhari’s administration to get the President to sign it as transmitted him.

In a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the CNPP said there were two major reasons the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration is not willing to sign the re-amended Electoral Act.

 “First, the APC Government envisaged that there would be a major uprising if the real reasons Mr. President was advised to withhold assent to the rejected bill were given.

“What we have come to realise, which we disclosed in an earlier press release, was that electronic transmission of election results was the reason the bill was returned to the National Assembly, not about the mode of election at party primaries as we were told.

“Secondly, we have discovered another reason the APC and their allies are now putting pressure on President Buhari not to sign the Electoral Act as re-amended in line with President Buhari’s demands.

“The APC finds clause 84 in the amendment unfavourable to the party. According to Clause 84 of the transmitted bill, “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election”.

“The implication is that all political appointees in President Buhari’s government would no longer be eligible, either as voting delegates or aspirants during the conventions or congresses of their political parties.

“We’re shocked that the APC has always stood against sanity, equity, and anything that would promote a credible electoral process since coming into power, even though the party came to power through electoral reforms by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

“The PDP introduced technology into the electoral process that increased the credibility of the election, which paved the way for APC to come to power.

“How come that APC is against Clause 84? Are they going to remain in power forever?

“Even the PDP desired to be in power for as long as 60 years, but in response to the demands of the people, Card Readers and other technological devices were introduced to enhance credibility of elections.

“Unfortunately, APC is an opposition party in some states of the federation. Are they saying that it is fair to have appointees of the governors in the states they are not controlling to be eligible, either as voting delegates or aspirants without first resigning their positions? Why is APC the only political party that is against the Clause?

“In any case, there is no perfect law in the world and that is why amendment provisions are inserted in all laws. “We should stick to doing the right thing and capturing the demands of the electorate who voted for the lawmakers who make the law, not putting the entire country into the straitjacket of a political party for selfish political gains. This will be detrimental to our democracy and inimical to good governance”, the CNPP warned.  

Non-service Of Court Papers: Okorocha Risks Arrest By EFCC

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

Unless the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, decides to obey Court Oders against them in favour of a former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, according to him, there are fears that two things might happen. The  anti-graft Commission could arrest him, or the trial Judge in a case filed against him by the EFCC could issue a warrant of arrest on him.

The EFCC had filed a 17-count charge against Okorocha and others, before a Federal High Court, Abuja, ironically on January 31, the day he addressed a World Press Conference, and declared interest in succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari in office in 2023.

On February 20, when Okorocha and Co. were arraigned in Court before the Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo, Okorocha was not present. Of all those charged to Court by the EFCC, he was the only one absent when the case was called up, prompting the Court not to hear the case, and forcing an adjournment.

The Counsel to the EFCC, Cosmas Ugwu,  proffered a reason. He told the Judge that Okorocha has not been served the Court papers because he has been deliberately evading being served. Ugwu said all efforts made to serve him personally has been thwarted by the Security personnel attached to the former Governor who is currently the Senator representing Imo West in the Senate.

Ugwu: “My Lord, the matter would have been for the arraignment of the defendants but the first defendant (Okorocha) is not in Court.

“Effecting service on him has been difficult, but we have served all other defendants.”

Ugwu asked for more time to enable the service of the Court papers on Okorocha, and arraignment was adjourned to March 28, 2022.

Okorocha was charged to court along with Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Ltd, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Ltd, Consolid Projects Consulting Ltd, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Ltd.

They are alleged to have between 2014 and 2016, within the period Okorocha was the Governor of Imo State, conspired  to criminally embezzle public funds belonging to the  Imo State Government, to the tune of N2.9 billion.

But Okorocha claims persecution by the EFCC and the Imo State Government both of which he says are owing him the sums of N500m and eight billion Naira respectively.

He says the EFCC owes him from Court judgments, while the IMSG owes him for Security Votes he claimed not to have taken for the eight years he was in office.

He has, according to him, reported the EFCC to President Muhammadu Buhari, who, he said, assured him he would intervene.

He also said he has a couple of Court orders stopping EFCC from harassing him.

However, there are fears that either the Commission could go after him if he does not show up in Court on the adjourned date, or that the Court could issue a warrant of arrest.

Zamfara Assembly Impeaches Deputy Governor Aliyu Gusau

By
The Source
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0
Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau

By Gideon Njoku

The Zamfara House of Assembly has, finally, impeached the Deputy Governor of the State, Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Gusau.

Gusau was impeached on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, during Plenary.

This followed the endorsement of the report of a Panel  set up by the Chief Judge of the State,  Justice Kulu Aliyu to investigate the Deputy Governor on a number of allegations heaped on him by the Assembly. The seven-man Panel found him guilty.

The Assembly had accused Gusau of  abuse of office, criminal self-enrichment using public funds, and non discharge of his duties.

Not a few people believe that the allegations were trumped up charges and false.

Trouble started for him when he parted ways with the Governor, Bello Matawalle.

On principles, the Deputy Governor had refused to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Party under which both were sworn into office, after the Supreme Court sacked all the elected candidates of the APC who won the election. The APC-winner of the Governorship election and his Deputy were sacked less than 24 hours to their swearing-in ceremony, and thus, made way for Matawalle and Gusau in 2019.

But in late 2021, Matawalle had, inexplicably, defected to the APC. Since Aliyu-Gusau refused to join him, things have never been the same as he was rendered irrelevant in the affairs of the Government.

He was, finally, sacked from office on Wednesday, even when there is a Court order against that. The PDP is, also, in Court to recover to recover its mandate from Matawalle, given the fact that the Supreme Court had, in 2019, declared that the APC had no candidates.

If the ruling favours the PDP, Aliyu Gusau would automatically become the Governor of the State. But that is a big if

The sacked Deputy Governor is a son of the influential Lt.  General  Mohammed Aliyu Gusau, rtd,  former Chief of Army Staff, former National Security Adviser, and former  Minister of Defence.

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