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Police Debunk Helicopter Crash Story; Say It Was Controlled Landing

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The Source
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Nigeria Police

Nigeria Police Force has denied  Media reports  on Thursday to the effect that one of its Helicopters crashed in Bauchi after it took off from Abuja. 

In a statement by Force Spokesperson, CP Frank Mba, the  Police said the Helicopter, Bell 429 5NMDA, flying from Abuja to Bauchi on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, was involved in a controlled safe landing at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi. 

“The aircraft did not crash as being reported in some sections of the media and none of the occupants sustained any injury whatsoever. 

“All six (6) on board, including the pilot and co-pilot, are in good condition.  

“Similarly, the aircraft, which was flown by one of the best Police Pilots, was professionally safe-landed with minor damage on the rear rotor as a result of obstacle at the landing spot. The incident occurred around 7:30PM (local time).

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has commended the Police Air-Wing for their professionalism in safe-landing the aircraft and averting any serious air-mishap. He further noted that the Nigeria Police Air-wing – with a fleet of one fixed-wing aircraft, a citation jet and thirteen (13) helicopters – has got a strong history of air safety since its establishment in the year 1972.”

Media outlets on Thursday, reported the alleged crash and said those on board sustained injuries.

Imo: Ambrose Nwaogwugwu Alleges Kidnap Attempt, Indicts Uche Nwosu

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The Source
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Ambrose Nwaogwugwu Kidnap Attempt

By Charles Igbo

One of the Social Media hands in the Media Team of Governor Hope Uzodimma, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, has alleged a kidnap attempt on him.

He said the attempt took place on Thursday at the premises of the Imo State University, Owerri. He is pointing accusing fingers at former Governorship aspirant, in 2019, under the Action Alliance, AA, who is also a son-in-law of former Governor Rochas Okorocha, Uche Nwosu.

In a statement on his Facebook page, where he attached pictorial evidence of the alleged incident, Nwaogwugwu said he was followed to the Imo State University where the attempt to kidnap him was made. He  was saved by people standing around who witnessed the kidnap attempt, he said.

A couple of days ago, he disclosed that Nwosu has instituted a case against him for daring to write an article where he asked Nwosu to explain what happened to the bail-out funds given to the State during the administration of Okorocha. Nwosu was the Chairman of the Fund’s disbursement. The Fund was meant to off-set workers salaries and debts owed pensioners. But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, according to Nwaogwugwu, alleged that Imo’s was diverted.

Nwaogwugwu said Nwosu, allegedly, engineered the kidnap attempt, to intimidate him, and stop him from asking questions.

His post on his Facebook page reads:

“After failing to intimidate and silence me with court suits, Uche Nwosu sent his boys, today, trailing me to the premises of Imo State University, attempted to kidnap me, but thank goodness for patriotic Imolites who came for my rescue.

“They came with a black Toyota camry with no number. The same vehicle Mr. Uche Nwosu gifted one of the abductors few days ago.

“We shall continue to ask the right questions, most especially the questions concerning the alleged disappearance of Imo Bailout funds which was in the custody of Mr. Uche Nwosu who was the disbursement committee Chairman.

“We owe it a duty to those our parents and patriotic Imolites who lost their lives as a result of non payment of their salaries and pensions due to the alleged disappearance of the bailout funds meant to offset their bills.

“No kingdom of darkness can prevail against this patriotic and noble assignment.

“Aluta Continua!”

Nwaogwugwu, a former Head of the Imo PDP New Media Group, suddenly and shockingly defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and pledged loyalty to Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Before then, he had written all kinds of destructive and damaging stories against the Governor, most of them, lies and fabrications.  It got to a head when the Department of State Services, DSS, arrested him, and took him to Court to prove some of his very outlandish allegations against Governor Uzodimma.

The case died a natural death when Nwaogwugwu switched his loyalty from the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha,  Governor of the State before he was sacked by the Supreme Court in favour of Uzodimma.

These days, his very poisoned missiles are directed at Ihedioha and the Okorocha camp, a camp which he never stopped to hit from when they lost power in the State.

2023: Group To PDP: It’s Pay Back Time; Zone Presidency To South-east

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The Source
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A group within the PDP, Equity Group for South East, has kicked off a major campaign to urge the party to zone the Presidential ticket to the South East.

This was contained in a statement, signed by the National Coordinator, Nze Ugo-Akpe Onwuka,  Mr Amaechi Chukwu, National Secretary and Hon Ichie Ken Agbim, Director of Communication & Strategy.

The Group says for justice and equity, for all the support the South-east has given to the PDP since 1999, it is only fair to zone the office of the President to the South-east.

The Group, also, said it smacks of injustice to deny the Zone this opportunity to occupy the Presidential seat, seeing that it is the only one in the tripod that holds Nigeria as a country which has not produced the President.

The statement reads:

“We of the PDP EQUITY GROUP FOR SOUTH EAST has watched with keen interest the jostling in the national political space for the 2023 Presidency and wish to join the clarion call for the zoning of the 2023 Presidency to the South East by our great party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

“This call has become urgent and expedient in view of the growing public opinion that the South-east, as an intergral part of Nigeria, and one of the tripod with which the country was erected should be given a sense of belonging with this singular action.

“It’s also pertinent to note that the South-east is the only geopolitical zone that is yet to produce the President or Vice President since the advent of our new democracy since 1999.”

“Events and situations have shown that there is no other better time to give the South-east the opportunity to offer leadership to this Country than the 2023 Presidency.

“It’s on record that the South-east has been one of the biggest supporters of People’s Democratic Party since 1999.

“There is no gainsaying that this is pay back time to the South-east by our great Party, PDP.”

“Information filtering in from various sources also suggest that in the spirit of fairness, equity justice and unwritten zoning arrangement between the North and South, other major political parties are wont to follow this line of thought.

“We, therefore, want to use this medium to urge the People’s Democratic Party to seize the moment and make history.

“We also extend our hand of friendship to beckon on all other aspirants from other geopolitical zones to rest their personal ambitions and fully support the South-east in recognition of the contributions of the South-east in the building of our great Party and Nation, and to promote National cohesion, unity, peace and progress which is the foundation upon which the country was founded.

“We also call on fellow Nigerians to support this call and create a united, peaceful and prosperous country of our dream.

“It is very obvious that it is the vital ingredients of inclusiveness and acceptance that would ultimately foster peace and national development.”

So far, in the PDP, only two people from the South-east have declared interest in the office. They are former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, and Biardroom guru, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.

From the other Zones, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was also the Party’s candidate in 2019, and former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, an aspirant in 2019, have declared interest.

However, it is expected that more of them, including the Governors of Sokoto and Bauchi States, Aminu Tambuwal and Bala Mohamed, respectively, will soon declare their interest in the race.

2023: PDP Says N3 Trillion Fuel Subsidy Padded; Demands Full Disclosure of Fuel Importation Costs

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The Source
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President Muhammadu Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), says it is appalled by what it describes as the bare-faced move of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration to hide under fuel subsidy, and allegedly, siphon and fritter a staggering N3trillion.

The PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo the described  it as “outrageous and unpardonable crime against Nigerians.”

Whilst the PDP says it is not against subsidizing petroleum products for Nigerians, the Party rejects “this wicked plot by the APC Government to use a heavily padded fuel subsidy claims to surreptitiously funnel trillions of naira into the pockets of corrupt APC leaders and their cronies in government ahead of their shameful exit in 2023.”

The PDP says it, therefore, demands “a full disclosure of specifics of the subsidy templates including details of cost of importation of petroleum products into the country to warrant the additional N2.557 trillion being requested by the corrupt APC administration.”

Said the statement:

“The PDP already has information of how corrupt APC leaders pushed for the additional N2.557 trillion to the N443 billion already approved for fuel subsidy in the 2022 budget just to create a surplus as slush fund ostensibly for APC leaders to share as well as deploy to rig the 2023 elections.

The APC government cannot justify the proposed increase in fuel subsidy in the face of incontrovertible evidence of slowing economy and consequential decrease in consumption of petroleum products in Nigeria due largely to the rudderless, irresponsible and insensitive economic policies of the APC as well as the adverse effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Nigerians have already noted that the proposed increase is consistent with APC’s typical padding of fuel subsidy ahead of every election cycle. Is it not revealing that while fuel subsidy was N24 billion in 2016 and rose to N144.53 billion in 2017, it spiked to N878 billion in 2018 ahead of the 2019 elections; remained at N551.22 billion in the election year of 2019, only to drop to N102 billion in 2020, after the elections?

“It is clear that the APC increased fuel subsidy to N1.4 trillion in 2021 and now barefacedly seeks additional N2.557 trillion to have a cumulative subsidy bill of N3 trillion in 2022 to prosecute the 2023 elections having realized that it has a tough battle with Nigerians because of its monumental failures.

“It is even more disturbing that the proposed increase is to be funded through external borrowings, which will further impoverish Nigerians, mortgage the future of our nation and burden future generation of Nigerians just to finance the insatiable greed of APC leaders.

“The PDP, standing with the Nigerian people, vehemently rejects the bandying of incoherent, unsubstantiated and heavily doctored figures by the APC government in its desperate lies on domestic consumption and landing costs.

“Our Party challenges the APC to present the details of importation costs to Nigerians as no genuine pricing template can support such criminal increase in fuel subsidy beyond the appropriate pricing which experts posit cannot be above N500 billion.

“The PDP, therefore, calls on the National Assembly to stand with the people and reject the scandalous N2.557 trillion addition for fuel subsidy at this critical time as approving such would be a great and unpardonable disservice to Nigerians.”

The Federal Government proposed a complete removal of fuel subsidy, but was resisted by the Nigerian Labour Congress and many groups and individuals, including former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, rtd. It was forced to suspend the idea by 18 months.

Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, had on Wednesday told Nigerians that as long as they continue to resist the removal of fuel subsidy, for so long will the Buhari Government continue  to take loans.

Recall that during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the then candidate Major General Muhammadu Buhari, had dismissed fuel subsidy as a scam.

AFCON 2021: Gambia, Equatorial Guinea March On In Quest For Glory

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Gambian Team

By Akinwale Kasali

This is a dream year for Gambian football.

It has never had it this rosy in its African football history. In its maiden edition at the Continental showpiece, against all odds, the Gambian team  has made it to the Quarter Final stage of the 33rd Edition of the African Cup of Nations.

Grouped alongside Tunisia, Mali and Mauritania in Limbe, Cameroon, the Scorpions of Gambia proved their mettle as no pushovers  Despite being debutants, it defeated Mauritania, Tunisia and played a 1-1 draw against the Eagles of Mali.

The coordination among the players is second to none. The compactness from the goalkeeper to the defense, midfield and attack have been top notch, and this played out in their Round of 16 triumph against a highly rated Syli Nationale of Guinea.

Gambia is set to battle host, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a fierce Quarterfinal match at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with the host enjoying a massive support from their home crowd whoch could be intimidating to the lowly rated West African Country, but regardless of the outcome of the match, the Gambians would be proud to have come this far.

The National Thunder Football team of Equatorial Guinea surprisingly, booked a place in the Quarter Final with a hard fought penalty shoot out win against the Eagles of Mali at the Limbe stadium, after 120 minutes of action with both teams deadlocked, it took penalties to separate both team with Equatorial Guinea goalkeeper, Dennis Owono saving three spot kicks.

Equatorial Guinea like Gambia came into this tournament as one of the whipping boys in Group E that comprises of Desert Warriors of Algeria, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire and the Lone Stars of Sierra Leone, but they sprung up surprises putting the football enclave in a fix.

After a 1-0 loss to Côte d’Ivoire in their first match, a more determined Equatorial Guinea side defeated AFCON defending Champion, Algeria 1-0 and Sierra Leone by same margin to garnered Six points, ousting Algeria out of the tournament and booking a slot in the knockout phase.

The National Thunder team are average players who play mostly in Portugal and Spain, but they have been able to play as a Unit.

On Sunday 30th January, 2022, the Equatorial Guinea side will face the Teranga Lions of Senegal who managed to defeat Nine-Man Blue Sharks of Cape Verde 2-0.

Senegal has played below expectations at this tournament registering just Three goals in the Four games played so far in this tournament with Sadio Mane registering Two goals from their 1-0 win over the Warriors of Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, their Bamba Dieng strike in the knockout stage.

The Senegalese team drew two matches in the Group stage, playing a 0-0 draw against Malawi and Guinea, with their solitary strike against Zimbabwe their only win in the Group stage.

The Pharaohs of Egypt have also marched on in the AFCON 2021 tournament, defeating Côte d’Ivoire 5-4 on penalties after playing goalless all through the 120 minutes of action.

The Mohammed Salah led Egypt team are set to face Coach Vahid Halilhodvic Atlas Lions of Morocco, who defeated the Flames of Malawi 2-1 in their Round of 16 contest.

Goals from En Nesyri and a stunning free kick from Achraf Hakimi was all the North African needed to cancel out Gabadinho Mhango strike for Malawi.

Morocco have been in superb form at this tournament scoring Seven goals enroute the Quarter Finals.

Having recorded a 1-0 win over Black Stars of Ghana, 2-0 win over the Coelacanths of Comoros and a 2-2 draw with the Panthers of Gabon, the Halilhodvic side have not looked back.

It will be a North African affair when both teams square up against each other in a fierce battle on Sunday.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia that eliminated the high rated Super Eagles of   Nigeria will be hoping to continue their fairytale run at the tournament when they play the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the first Quarter Final.

Tunisia qualified to the knockout phase as one of the Third Best Place team and will be aiming to have a solo run over the Burkinabes who are gunning for the AFCON glory that has eluded them.

Burkina Faso came close to wining the AFCON tournament in 2013 but were denied by the Super Eagles of Nigeria. With some of the stronger soccer powers in the Continent already out,  Burkina Faso will come all out in achieving success against a depleted Tunisia team that has over 12 players on isolation after contracting COVID-19.

The weekend promised to be a cracker in the AFCON tournament as the remaining Eight teams battle one another for the coveted AFCON trophy.

2023: Sanwo-Olu Says Tinubu Best For President; Inaugurates ABAT Movement

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The Source
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Bola Tinubu
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Akinwale Kasali

The Presidential ambition of the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has continued to gather momentum as he receives support from his allies and associates.

Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State upped the ante when he described Tinubu as the best for the Office of the President.

Sanwo Olu said that for the nation to be effectively managed, the nation needs a Tinubu to manage human and material resources for visible progress.

He said his antecedents  stands him out as the most qualified Nigerian to be president in 2023.

The Governor said Tinubu’s qualification rests on his demonstrated capacity in deploying a mix of genius and statecraft to nurture a city on the brink to a flourishing economy, noting that the progress in Lagos remains a visible experiment initiated by the APC National Leader.

Sanwo-Olu drummed support for the Tinubu candidacy during the formal inauguration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ABAT, Movement’s Working Committees in Ikeja, the State Capital.

The Movement was conceived and set up by members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos for the actualisation of the Presidential ambition of the former Lagos Governor.

The Governor was in company of his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and all members of the State Executive Council.

Also, APC leaders across the State’s 57 Local Councils and a large number of party supporters thronged the event’s venue to lend their support.

Sanwo-Olu said Nigeria had continued to shoulder the burden of the black race, stressing that the country’s transformation into a stable economy would be a source of pride to the black man.

Sanwo Olu said that as 2023 draws closer, the country needs a capable leader with progressive ideas to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari and build on the progress recorded by the current administration.

Tinubu’s practicable ideas in governance, Sanwo-Olu said, makes him the most qualified successor and salable choice for the job.

“Our country is the most populous black nation in the world and the responsibility that comes with that is enormous. No doubt that the destiny of the entire black race is tied to the greatness of Nigeria. If our country must be great, we have the responsibility to choose the leadership that will bring about true transformation across every facet of our national life. Who is that rallying figure that should lead us in this journey?

“The answer is deeply connected to our mission and purpose here today. That person must be a detribalised Nigerian and a bridge builder, who has been tested and trusted. A thinker who must sustain the legacy our current president is leaving behind. That person is the reason we are inaugurating this Movement for the actualisation of his presidential ambition. That person is our great leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Let us tell the naysayers and those who are still in doubt that we are ready to work for the realisation of this ambition, because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the Number one salable candidate for the president. We will preach this gospel with diligence, dedication and high sense of commitment. Asiwaju is an unfolding success story our nation deserves at this time.”

Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu’s name is synonymous with growth and development, noting that the APC National Leader possessed a midas touch to positively turn around the resources of the country for general good.

The Governor said the event was to raise foot soldiers, team leaders and cheerleaders who would pursue the Movement’s objectives and cascade down its messages to every voter at the ward level with commitment and passion.

He charged all selected for leadership roles in the Movement to reflect Tinubu’s political ideals of openness and tolerance in their engagement and mobilisation.

Sanwo-Olu said: “We must see ourselves in line with Asiwaju’s political ideals. To be open to all, tolerate various interests and embrace everyone. We must reflect those ideas of our leader in our utterances and actions. You cannot afford to disappoint us on this mission.”

In the same vein, APC stalwart, Cardinal James Odumbaku, said  the forthcoming General Election presented another opportunity for Nigerians to make the right choice to keep the country on the path of development.

He added that the electorate must get it right by electing a tested and credible leader to steer the leadership of the country, stressing that the movement believed Bola Tinubu remains the right man for the top seat.

He said: “Tinubu is a tested leader to lead Nigeria out of the woods. We will work with passion to ensure he emerge as party candidate and also win the presidential election.”

GAC leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi described Tinubu as “a genius” in statecraft, saying the APC National Leader is a salable article in the political market.

“We have to be prepared and determined, because the contest would be a battle of might and strength,” the GAC leader said.

The Movement’s Director-General, Honourable Oyinlomo Danmole, said ABAT structure was different from other support groups set up across the country for the actualisation for Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Reeling out the organs and structures, Danmole said all cluster groups within the Lagos APC have representation in the movement, with the inclusion of every locality in the State.

The DG said a seven-man Committee had been set up in each of the 57 local councils in Lagos, with each committee headed by coordinators.

At the Ward level, he said the Movement maintained similar committee structure of seven persons across the 377 wards, adding that registration to be part of the ward committee would be made open to Lagosians in the coming days.

Other speakers at the event included the former Deputy Governors, Mr. Femi Pedro, and Abiodun Ogunleye, and representative of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dolapo Badru, among others.

Soludo Toes Obi’s Line, Plans Uncommon Administration

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The Source
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By Charles Igbo

For Anambrarians who had, in the past seven years plus, yearned for an uncommon Administration, devoid of any kind of flamboyance, their prayers seems answered.

The incoming administration of Professor Charles Soludo, seems all set to usher that in.

Soludo, elected Governor by a landslide on November 6, 2021, is talking differently. He is behaving differently. His body language is different, so different from the man he is taking over from – Governor Willie Obiano.

Since Soludo’s election, he has shown signs of seriousness, signs of  preparedness to get going.

First, in naming a Transition Committee for a smooth handover of power to him, he went for technocrats, 80 of them, and made the blunt and no-nonsense Oby Ezekwesili, a former Minister for Education in the President Olusegun Obasanjo Government, Chairman.

The question was why Ezekwesili, a known critic of not a few administrations and a non-APGA member who had sought to be Nigeria’s President on the platform of another party? Going through the names of the members and their pedigree, not a few people said Soludo was not interested in pleasing anybody or any group. Not his political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, not Governor Obiano, not any godfather, not the many politicians and contractors already hanging  around to perch on him.

As if that was not enough, he let it be known that all those who plan to possibly make his Cabinet, would go through both a written and oral interview. It is no longer going to be business as usual. It is no longer going to be a question of one godfather foisting  an incompetent character on the Governor. One has to be competent to make  the list.

A few days later, he barked and laughed at some people in the outgoing administration who, he said, were appointing their cronies as revenue collectors. He told them he would not stop them, as he was not in charge yet.  But he let them know that the end of their appointments come as soon as he is sworn-in. He said he would sign an Executive Order same day, to get rid of them.

This is like saying: “The  nonsense that is going on now, I will not tolerate. The stealing going on now will be gone as soon as I’m sworn-in.

Yet, his most heart-warming  decision, which should make other South-east Governors put on their thinking cap came on Wednesday, January,26, 2022.

Addressing stakeholders in Awka, he told them his official cars would come from Innoson Motors. The vehicle manufacturing company is owned by a son of the soil, Innocent Chukwuma Nwala. Situated in Nnewi, Innoson’s biggest customer was Anambra State Government during the Peter Obi administration.

That Innoson was allowed to remain, and continue in business, is thanks to Obi who intervened through then President Olusegun Obasanjo when the Nigerian  Customs Service was bent on messing it up.

Thereafter, Obi made their products the in-thing in Anambra State. A couple of other States, as well as the Military, Police and other Paramilitary organizations followed. But no Governor in the South-east, past and present, used any of their products as his official vehicle. Soludo is just about to this unpleasant.

And, then, this.

Soludo said the only clothes he would wear,  all through his tenure, will be  made of Akwete material.

Akwete, rich in texture, by  the way, is produced in Abia State by Akwete indigenes.

It is their exclusive. Now, this will be a sharp departure from the flamboyant dressing of the out-going Governor Obiano.

By choosing Akwete over his usual dapper suits, Soludo is making a statement. He is marketing the South-east to the world. He is saying he is proud of the Zone’s local products. He is saying he believes in them.

One of the promises he made during his campaign was that he would turn Anambra State, and by extension, the South-east into the Dubai of Nigeria.

Given his experience, given the moves he is already making, he seems to be saying: “I mean what I said.”

Ekiti APC Gov Primary: Six Aspirants Withdraw Over Allegation Of Favouritism

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
APC Party
APC Party

By Ayodele Oni

Six Governorship Aspirants of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), in Ekiti State, announced their withdrawal from the contest on Thursday, just as the Primary Election was about to commence.

Apart from their sudden pull out, early morning, unconfirmed reports say that the election has been shifted but the Secretary of the Committee handling the exercise, Mr Victor Olabimtan, doused the rumour.

Those that withdrew from the contest include former Minister of Works, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, former Commissioner of Information in Lagos State, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and five others.

Their withdrawal may pave the way for the emergence of the former Secretary to the State Government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji as winner of the poll.

According to a statement on Thursday, others who withdrew are a former Governorship Aspirant, Kayode Ojo; Demola Popoola; Femi Bamisile; former House of Representatives member, Bamidele Faparusi; and Afolabi Oluwasola.

They claimed that the Governor is attempting to impose former Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, as the Ekiti APC governorship candidate.

They also alleged that the Primary Election Committee consisted of loyalists of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, who before now, rooted for Oyebanji.

Also some members of the party staged  protests against the process of the Governorship Primary which they said has been compromised.

A statement from them reads, “The seven aspirants herein received with rude shock and dismay the purported list of local government election committee and ward election committee made up solely by party members and political appointees that had before now openly endorsed the candidacy of Biodun Oyebanji the immediate past secretary to the state government.

“It is on record that the government of Governor Kayode Fayemi has given its unwavering support to the candidacy of Biodun Oyebanji, it is common knowledge that the Governor and most appointees of the governor are openly rooting for and supporting Biodun Oyebanji’s aspiration to become the flag bearer of our great party.

“What is more disturbing is the fact that a simple glance at the names of the persons appointed as members of both committees would reveal that it is made up of appointees of government, who are all supporters of a candidate in the primary election they are appointed to superintend on.

“The seven candidates herein are loyal, faithful and committed party members who are sincerely concerned about the chances of the party in the forthcoming 2022 governorship election where an imposition is allowed to override a democratic primary election for determining its flag bearer.

“We request that both the Local Government Election Committee and Ward Election Committee that were constituted on the list already in circulation be disbanded and replaced with names that would reinforce internal democracy and uphold the aims and objectives of the party.”

In a statement by the Secretary of Election Committee, Mr Olabimtan stated “The Governorship Primary election of Ekiti State fixed by the National body of the APC slated for today, Thursday January 27, 2022 will hold as scheduled in all the 177 wards of Ekiti State.

“The Ekiti State APC Governorship Primary Election Committee wishes to assure the general public that a level playing field that will guarantee fairness, openness and transparency has been adopted by the Committee.

“It is an incontrovertible fact that every member of the appointed Electoral Officers for today’s primary election is a bonafide member of Ekiti State APC.

“You will recall that during the stakeholders’ meeting between the Committee, aspirants and others yesterday, this issue was raised and exhaustively discussed, and to reinforce confidence in the process, it was agreed that each aspirant should nominate 20 people each to be part of the process.

“All the aspirants took advantage of this window of opportunity and submitted the list of their nominated electoral officers.

“All the submitted lists have been added to the existing arrangement, assigned into various wards and local governments. They have all been incorporated.

“We hereby call on all well-meaning APC members in Ekiti State to go to their respective wards to fully exercise their voting right without fear or intimidation. The adopted option A4 is the most transparent form of election.”

More Parties Likely To Participate In Ekiti Gov Election – Survey

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Independent National Electoral Commission

By Ayodele Oni

There are indications that the number of political parties that will participate in the June Governorship election of Ekiti State may increase.

This follows anticipated defection of some Governorship aspirants to other parties after their failure to secure their party tickets.

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP),had held its Primary Election on Wednesday, January 22, while that of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) is expected to be concluded on Thursday.

Those that are being rumours say  may likely decamp include Chief Segun Oni who lost his bid to former Governor Ayo Fayose annoited candidate, Bisi Kolawole.

Already, two former aspirants on the ticket of APC, Dr Oluyede has defected to  African Democratic Congress, (ADC) where he is now the sole candidate and Otunba Reuben Famuyibo, is now sole contestant on the ticket of Accord Party, (AP).

Investigations at Ado Ekiti, the state capital, revealed that several other political parties which hitherto have no offices or presence, have started renting available apartments to make their presence felt.

Early this month, the Independent National Electoral Commission,(INEC) announced that only eight political parties have notified the Commission of their intentions to conduct primaries.

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Dr Festus Okoye, disclosed that the parties are the Peoples Democratic Party,(PDP), All Progressives Congress,(APC), Action Alliance,(AA), African Democratic Congress,(ADC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance,(APGA).

Others were Allied People’s Movement,(APM), Peoples Redemption Party, (PRP) and African Action Congress,(AAC).

According to him, “So far, as at afternoon January 7, eight political parties have given the commission the statutory notice of their intention to conduct primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for the Ekiti governorship election scheduled for June 16.

First Bank Holdco: Okonkwo Assumes GMD Role Amidst High Expectations

By
Bayo Bernard
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By Bayo Bernard, Business Editor

The group managing director of First Bank Nigeria, FBN Holdings Plc Nnamdi Okonkwo did not have to wait for too long after he retired from his former position as managing director/ chief executive of Fidelity Bank Plc, to pick up another appointment in Nigeria’s oldest bank.

Okonkwo retired from his former job in December 2020 after a successful career with the new generation bank, transforming a once regional bank to a financial behemoth with a national outlook.

His achievements of transforming Fidelity from ‘Igbo’ bank to a booming bank with a national outlook, as it seems, may have worked for him considering that many of his contemporaries and former managing directors of banks in the country were not so lucky; while some were disgraced out of office for one reason or that other, those that escaped the hammer of disgraceful termination of appointment were either prosecuted over crime they committed while in office.

Others remain irrelevant for the rest of their lives as soon as they left their plum job as chief executives.

But that obviously was not the case with the Anambra state born banker and financial guru, who never had the unfortunate experience of becoming irrelevant in the banking and financial sector of the economy where he has put in at least three decades of his working life: as soon as he ceremoniously left  his former job, he was quickly employed by First Bank less than a year after he retired.

For FBN Holdings Plc, Okonkwo fits right in following the voluntary retirement of UK Eke. His appointment also confirms First Bank’s mantra of choosing the best in the industry to occupy sensitive positions in the oldest financial institution in the country.

For instance, the magazine learnt that picking Okonkwo out of the long list of A-list candidates did not come as an easy job, particularly considering serious pressure that piled on the management by prominent Nigerians who wanted their own candidate to land the premium job.

“The magic that worked for Okonkwo is the fact that he’s still very young, despite putting in decades in the industry in some of Nigeria’s top banks, capping it up as the chief executive. For us, we think he still has more to offer the sector, having performed excellently, with good records to show that he’s a high performer, particularly the manner he engineered the transformation of a one-time regional bank to a national bank with a solid capital base within a short time.

“Apart from this, Okonkwo has a solid clientele of high-profile Nigerians and foreign investors which he can bring to the fore in his new job. This, for us, is the most important selling point” a top source in the bank said.

Another investor in the country informed the magazine that he’s happy with Okonkwo’s appointment, because according to him, he keeps his word with people no matter the circumstances.

The ebullient banker has come a long way

Okonkwo started his banking career in the financial sector in 1990 at Merchant Bank of Africa. In 1993, he moved to Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank) and rose to become a branch manager before he joined United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.

While at UBA, he held various managerial and leadership positions. First as Regional Bank Head in Lagos; Regional Director, Federal Capital, Nigeria; Project Director, and Head of Corporate Banking and Multinational Corporates Division; Managing Director/CEO of UBA Ghana; and finally, Regional CEO of the bank’s West Africa Monetary Zone covering Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

In 2012, Nnamdi Okonkwo left UBA and joined Fidelity Bank Plc as the Executive Director in charge of the Bank’s businesses in Southern Nigeria. He was tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the bank’s entire business across Southern Nigeria excluding Lagos and West.

He held the Executive Director position until January 1 2014, when he was appointed the Managing Director/ chief executive officer, CEO of the bank, where he eventually retired on December 31, 2020 having set the commercial bank on a solid track.

Many stakeholders have high expectations that Okonkwo will not fail in bringing his expertise to fore in his new role as Group Managing Director, GMD First Bank Holdings, FBN Plc.

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