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Why We Will Never Be Part Of A Failed Government – Ondo PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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Akeredolu and Jegede

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in Ondo state has described as laughable the request by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu that its Governorship candidate in the 2020 election, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, should join him in rebuilding the state.

Governor Akeredolu had in his reaction to his victory at the Supreme Court, urged his runner up in the election to team up with him in the quest to develop the state.

But, the PDP in the state saw the request as unthinkable noting that the duo have no meeting point.

A statement by Mr Kenedy Peretei, state PDP spokesman said that “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter finds this request laughable.

“Our party and its candidate cannot be part of a government that has thrown out many students of tertiary institutions in the state because their parents can no longer pay the astronomical school fees charged by the Akeredolu Government.

“Our party and its candidate cannot be part of government that has crippled the health care system in the State. We cannot be part of a government that has withdrawn free shuttle buses for school children.

“It is unthinkable that Akeredolu can ask our candidate to join a government that has pauperised civil servants in the state through the payments of 30% salaries that are not even regular.

“Civil servants now have to take loans to be able to pay house rents or send their children to school. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa Chapter has just embarked on an indefinite strike. What has been the government’s response to all these myriad of problems?

“It is important to stress that, before the October 2020 election, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN and the PDP drew up a well articulated manifesto on Education, Health Care delivery, Agriculture, Industrialization, Welfare of Civil Servants and much more in contradistinction to what is obtainable now in the state.

“To this extent, there is no meeting point between what was designed  by the PDP and Akeredeolu’s score card.

“The Supreme Court verdict has also exposed the impunity which is the trademark and the foundation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its Government at all levels.

“All the seven Justices of the Supreme Court agreed that, Mai Mala Buni acted in clear violation of Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended).

“This has become the talking point of the political space since the judgement was delivered. Our jurisprudence on election matters has been enriched and everyone is grateful to Eyitayo Jegede and the PDP for not allowing the APC to drown our democracy in the sea of their impunity.

“Our party wishes to advise Akeredolu to channel his energies to improving the welfare of Ondo citizens instead of grandstanding and clicking of wine glasses over the Supreme Court Judgement.”

Nigeria’s Olympics Scandals: Nigerians Calls For Sack Of Sport Minister

By
The Source
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Blessing Okagbare

By Akinwale Kasali

When Blessing Okagbare, Nigeria’s Athletics Queen, and a medal hopeful in the on-going Olympics in Tokyo, bemoaned the banning of 10 Athletes in Nigeria’s contingent from participating in the Games in a blistering attack on Sports Administrators in Nigeria, little did she know that she would be enmeshed in a worse scandal 24 hours later.

Okagbare was not among the 10 who were banned because their drug tests before the Olympics were not complete. Angered over the ban, and relieved that she was not among them, she had lashed out:

“I have said it before and I will say it again. If you do not know the sport, not passionate about it/us [the athletes], then you have no business there as an administrator. The sport system in Nigeria is so flawed and we athletes are always at the receiving end of the damages. “They were busy fighting over power, exercising their pride over Puma contracts/ kits forgetting their major responsibility “THE ATHLETES ”. It’s sad that this cycle keeps repeating itself and some people will come out to say I am arrogant for speaking my truth. It is my CAREER.”

But 24 hours later, Okagbare  was given the boot from the Olympics. She failed a drug test after she took the first position in her heat.

This is Nigeria’s most scandalous outing to the Olympics, Nigerians bemoan. They are calling for the head of the Sports Minister, Sunday Dare.

Nigerians had high hoped that Okagbare would make it to the finals of the 100 meters sprint, having qualified for the semi finals scheduled for Saturday evening, but her ban has dashed that hope.

Okagbare and another Nigerian sprinter, Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha, had earlier qualified from their respective heats for the semi-finals.

Her suspension is the latest blow for Team Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics. The male Basketball team  D’Tigers, which gave so much hope for medals, have been crushed and bundled out, having lost in all their games.

The 32-year-old Okagbare who had  won World championship medals in the 200m and the long jump was  competing in her fourth Olympics. She had comfortably won her 100m heat in Tokyo on Friday with a time of 11.05 seconds, qualifying for Saturday’s semi-final before her ban.

She was also due to compete in the 200m as well as the 4X100m relay.

“The athlete was notified of the adverse analytical finding and of her provisional suspension this morning in Tokyo,”  the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), said.

The AIU is an  independent body created by the World Athletics that manages all integrity issues for the sport.

According to the AIU, Okagbare  tested positive for Human Growth Hormone.

“Human Growth Hormone is a non-specified substance on the 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List and a provisional suspension is mandatory following an adverse analytical finding for such substance under the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules,” the AIU said in its statement.

“The AIU collected the sample from Ms. Okagbare during an out-of-competition test on 19 July. The WADA-accredited laboratory that analysed the sample notified the AIU of the adverse analytical finding at mid-day Central European Time yesterday, Friday 30 July.

Sunday Dare- Minister of Sports
Sunday Dare, Minister of Sports

“The athlete was notified of the adverse analytical finding and of her provisional suspension this morning in Tokyo.

“She was scheduled to participate in the semi-finals of the women’s 100m this evening”, the AIU said.

Sport lovers in the country have called for the immediate sack of the Minister of Sport, Sunday Dare, and the Officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, expressing anger and disappointment over the disqualification of Nigerian athletes at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

According to Emmanuel Alabi, a Sport analyst and enthusiast, the ban on Okagbare and other athletes was expected, stating that it failed to put its house in order by doing the needful before going for such an important event.

“What were they expecting, for the IOC to allow them to compete after not meeting the minimum standard for testing? They must be jokers.

“Table tennis, we didn’t pass the three rounds in both male and female categories. Football, we didn’t qualify. Basketball, we have lost two matches. Taekwando, we didn’t qualify.

“Our only hope was in athletics, even this one too, we couldn’t do the right thing to enable us to compete. Our Sports Ministry is in total shamble. Sunday Dare must go, he has failed”, Alabi said.

However,  the Minister Dare,  has said the Ministry will investigate circumstances surrounding the disqualification of Nigerian athletes at the ongoing Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

In a statement by the Federal Ministry of Sports titled: Ministry Wades to stem crisis., said

Dare apologised to the athletes and promised the Ministry would look into some of the issues the athletes have raised and ensure they are  addressed soon.

But Nigerians say Dare’s apologies make no meaning, and is medicine after death.  The first 10 banned athletes had taken to the streets in Tokyo, to protest their humiliation.

The hope of the nation winning a medal at the games is gone, almost.

Gov. Buni Committee: Malami, Keyamo, Ogala Split APC

By
Bayo Bernard
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By James Orji

There’s no respite yet for the embattled Governor Mai Mala Buni-led All Progressives Congress, APC Caretaker Committee, following a recommendation by the immediate past Legal Adviser of the party, Babatunde Ogala that the committee should be sacked.

He called for the reinstatement of the former National Working Committee, NWC headed by Adams Oshiomhole, even though he said the former governor of Edo state must remained sacked.

Oshiomhole was removed last year by a presidential fiat which appointed Governor Buni in interim capacity.

Ogala made the call after a similar one by Festus Keyamo, the Minister of State for Labour. Both are Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs. Ndoma Egba, a top Presidential Adviser and a former Senate Leader is also among those calling on Governor Buni to step down.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, said in Abuja on Friday that the party’s state and local government congresses should go ahead across the country, noting that the Supreme Court’s ruling during the week would not affect the party in the future.

Following the Supreme Court verdict, on Monday, in the Ondo state Governorship Election, where three justices in the seven-man panel ruled that the Buni-Committee is illegal, the ruling party has been on the edge after some stalwarts of the party called for the sack of the committee.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s election was affirmed though, by the majority judgment but some party supporters have described the judgement as a narrow escape for the ruling party, after the minority judgment said the Buni-committee is illegal.

Festus Keyamo
Keyamo: APC Future At Risk

This development has polarized the party with some of its top guns calling on the party to organize an election where a substantive National Working Committee, NWC will be elected.

Ogala while lending his voice on the issue said the opposition could capitalize on the legal loophole cited by the Supreme Court over the Governor Buni committee to destroy the party’s fortunes in future elections.

The immediate past legal Adviser of the APC said in a statement that “The reinstatement of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC) without the erstwhile Chairman who was suspended from office by Order of a court of competent jurisdiction should be seriously considered in order to cloak the impending Ward, Local Government Area and State Congresses as well as National Convention with the imprint of legality.”

He said the reinstatement of the dissolved NWC is a hard pill that the party must swallow, adding that the Buni Committee must not shy away from calls by majority of the party supporters to step down.

According to him “Just as the former NWC accepted their dissolution without much hassle, it is time for the current Caretaker Committee to sacrifice for the posterity of APC.

“The fate of APC is at stake in that all successes, victories and triumphs gained by the party will continue to hang on a very thin thread in the face of the progressive attitude of our courts on election and political matters.

Warning that it is better to err on the side of caution Ogala stated that it is “safe to conclude that the judicial attitude of the apex court is that APC would be dealt a fatal blow should Governor Mai Mala Buni remain at the helms of affairs of the APC and he is joined in a future suit.

“Therefore, in response to the well publicised opinion of my brother silk, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, the apex court gave the APC both a hint and a wink at the same time.

“The minority decision backed by the majority’s action of not ruling otherwise on this point sends a strong message which we cannot ignore.

“Without equivocation, the law is not on the side of perpetuating serving governors, including Governor Mai Mala Buni, in the leadership of the Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee. So what do we do as a party?”

He said the party must listen to the voice of wisdom, particularly calls by some stalwarts of the party that the Committee should be dissolved.

He said “I have read suggestions by my brother silk, Festus Keyamo, SAN to the effect that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party as well as its Board of Trustees (BOT) should take charge of the affairs of the party through a committee set up by either organ.

“This is a very wise proposition except that NEC alongside all other organs of the party was purportedly dissolved at a meeting convened and presided over by Governor Mai Mala Buni. Sadly, the Notice for the NEC meeting was issued by the same tainted leadership of the party.

“Therefore, it is my view that the meeting may not have been properly convened in the eyes of the law and its resolution(s) may have been void ab initio. This gives a leeway for the NEC to resume its duties and convene meetings immediately where it will decide the future of the party,” Ogala said.

Ondo: Supreme Court Minority Judgement, End Of APC’ Road, Says PDP; Party Calls Court’s Bluff, Holds Congresses

By
The Source
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The opposition People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) has said that the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) is currently reaping from its impunity and corruption.

In its reaction to the Supreme Court minority judgement on Ondo Governorship election, the PDP, in a statement advised those seeking elective positions on the platform of APC to think twice.

The statement, signed by its spokesman, Mr Kola Ologbodiyan, remarked that “The fate of the APC as a defunct party is already sealed and the party cannot come out of this self-inflicted quagmire even if it engages in the drama of appointing a new National Chairman in place of Mai Mala Buni.

But, apparently, the APC does not care at all about the implications of the judgment. Against all expectations, it went ahead with its Ward Congresses on Saturday. In the judgement, the Apex Court in more than one way, declared the  Mai Mala Buni Caretaker Committee illegal.

However, the PDP in declaring the end of the APC   argued:

“This is because the APC has become statutorily vacuous, without a valid National Working Committee, without a valid National Executive Committee (NEC) and without a valid Board of Trustees (BoT) to legally initiate or carry out any official function including convoking any platform for the administration of the party. It is end of the road for the APC.

“In this regard, the PDP counsels all aspirants for the planned APC ward, local government and state congresses as well as the national convention to note that the APC is now in a state of “let the buyer beware”.

“Such intending aspirants should be cautious of putting their precious time and resources in a damaged vehicle that has come to the end of an ill-fated journey.

“In the same vein, those hoping to use the APC as a vehicle to realize their ambitions as President, governor, federal and state legislators as well as other elective offices should note the fate that has befallen the party.

“Moreover, our party sympathizes with the APC governorship candidate in the coming Anambra governorship election over the misfortune of trying to journey in a political “one chance bus”.

“The PDP calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), state electoral commissions, the Judiciary, the National Assembly as well as other institutions of democracy in Nigeria to note this development and take appropriate actions.

“The fate that has befallen the APC is the direct consequence of its recourse to impunity, corruption, malpractices, recklessness, disregard to rule of law and total absence of internal democracy.

“On our part, the PDP, as a bastion of democracy in Nigeria remains committed to our ideology and vision of our founding fathers and will continue to rally with Nigerians in the collective quest to rescue our dear nation from the misrule and stranglehold of the now crippled APC.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alerts Nigerians and the international community that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become technically invalidated and now lacks the statutory structure to operate as a political party in our country.

“This is given the pronouncement of the Supreme Court which clearly pointed to the nullity of APC’s subsistence and activities as a political party, for having a sitting governor, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, as its Chairman, in total violation of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the provisions of Article 17(4) of the APC constitution.

“A further interpretation of the pronouncement of the Supreme Court showed that all activities of the APC under Mai Mala Buni, including nomination of candidates for elections, agreements, official decision reached, establishment of committees for statutory activities as well as its planned ward, local government and states congresses now hang loosely on  the threat of invalidity.”

Not a few people think that based on the Supreme Court  judgment, the Congresses being held by the APC under Governor Buni’s leadership is an exercise in futility.

Beautiful Actress, Racheal Oniga Dies of COVID-19; Colleagues Mourn

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Rachael Oniga

By Akinwale Kasali

She was as beautiful physically as she was while interpreting the scripts given to her. She was a natural while acting, and a must to watch.

But all that was cut-short on Friday, July 30, 2021,when the news of the death of veteran actress, Rachel Oniga was announced.

Oniga reportedly died of COVID-19 complications.

The Theatre Art Movie Practitioners of Nigeria, TAMPAN, whose member she was, was thrown into infectious mourning thereafter.

In a statement by the association, it said it was saddened by the exit of the thespian who  impacted much on the industry.

It however pray that God will gives the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, stressing that she would be solely missed, as she served as a mentor to younger ones in the industry. Oniga was one of the most recognisable faces in Nollywood.

Her death came as a shock to the make believe industry which is struggling to come to terms with the demise of the legendary actress.

Confirming her death, Oniga’s son, Olatunji, said her  Mum passed away on Friday night around 10pm.

“She passed last night around 10pm. She had malaria and typhoid,” Olatunji disclosed.

Oniga featured in scores of Nollywood movies —both English and Yoruba— before her demise.

Born on May 23, 1957; the delectable actress began her career in 1993. Her first movie was the blockbuster, Onome, while her debut movie in the Yoruba speaking sector of the film industry was Owo Blow.

Her career in the industry spanned over 27 years. A multiple award-winning actress, she  featured in movies like The Wedding Party, The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, 30 Days in Atlanta, Sango, Out of Bounds, among others.

The 64-year-old actress used to work for a European engineering consultancy firm with its regional head office in Nigeria.

She debuted her acting career in 1993, shortly after her divorce from her husband.

She worked briefly at Ascoline Nigeria Limited, a Dutch Consultant Company before her first movie titled Onome.

In Imo State, Fake News Reigns Supreme

By
The Source
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APC Party
APC Party

By Gideon Njoku

The dismissal of news as fake was made popular by the immediate past American President, Donald Trump. He was fond of dismissing Media Houses as fake, and every news from such Media Houses as fake.

The era of the Social Media ushered in an unprecedented reign of fake news. In Nigeria, it’s boom. It’s a big business.

Of particular note, among many are two that left most Nigerians aghast.

The Fake news booming business once snatched President Muhammadu  Buhari from his wife, Aisha, and married him off to his Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouk.

They displayed invitation cards, celebrated both the traditional and white weddings, held reception, and had gifts  – with photographs. All the while, the Minister was out of the country. She was forced to issue a disclaimer, and professed her closeness to Aisha.

Meanwhile, Aisha who had been in London for many weeks, perhaps, coincidentally, flew back to Nigeria the same morning of the “wedding.”

The second was the “funeral” of Prophet T.B. Joshua. Long before Joshua’s funeral was held, the Social Media had buried him – with a lying in state ceremony, casket, mourners, Church services, and interment to boot. Full photographs displayed.

But in no State  does fake news reign as king, an emperor, than in Imo State. Theirs is no fun. It is so bitter, so hateful, so full of incitement, that one begins to wonder if it is just politics.

During the campaigns which led to the APC Governorship primary and the main election, former Governor, and now Senator representing Imo West, Senator Rochas Okorocha, shockingly, told his audience, publicly, that the then aspirant and later, Candidate  Hope Uzodimma, was an HIV carrier. Aside from the fact that it was patently false, Okorocha put it as HIV is a death sentence. It is not. The gullible believed him.

The first time they set an eye on Uzodimma’s wife, First Lady, Chioma, many swore that he married her as soon as the Supreme Court declared him the Governor of Imo State.

At the time this story was circulating, the couple already had four lovely children.

For months, Uzodimma suffered fake news. He was said to have renamed Imo State University to Abba Kyari University in honour of the late Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari who “imposed as Imo Governor.” He was said to have created five Emirates in Imo and installed Emirs. He was said to have built Islamic schools in the three Zones of the State. He was said to have established RUGA in the 27 LGAs of the State. He was said to have, using the prerogative of mercy, pardoned jailed hardened criminals and fraudsters who, they alleged were his friends. And the list goes on.

On a number of occasions, letters were forged, using forged Imo State Government letter-headed papers, and signed off using the name of the Governor’s Media Adviser/Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku.

And the fake news has not been one-sided.

Recently, a deliberately forged statement was accredited to the immediate past Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, to the effect that he hailed the Federal Government for re-arresting IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Aside from the claim being patently false, the aim was to put Ihedioha on a dangerous collision course with IPOB. His Media Aide had to issue a disclaimer to dismiss it as the fake that it was.

A few days later, it was the turn of Okorocha to feel the heat. A letter, patently fake, was circulated to the effect that he has been expelled from the All Progressives Congress, APC. The fake letter was signed off in the name of the National Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the party.

It took a strong denial from Okorocha’s Media Aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, and the National leadership of the party to debunk it.

The most recent fake news was just yesterday, Friday, July the 30th. Nationwide, the APC Ward Congresses began today, July 31st 2021, in total denial of the Supreme Court’s stand of Thursday, 29th July, which questioned the legality of the Caretaker Committee, led by Yobe State Governor, Mai Buni. In a split judgment  – 4 to 3 –  on the Ondo State Governorship seat in a suit instituted by the PDP candidate, Eyitayo Jegede,SAN, challenging the legality of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s candidacy, the Caretaker Committee was declared illegal.  The Apex Court stopped short of sacking Akeredolu on that score. He was narrowly spared because four of the Justices wondered why Buni and the APC were not joined  in the suit.

Many, including some APC members, expected the party to halt the Ward Congresses, as they are being organised by the Buni-led Committee.

The Minister for State, Labour, Festus Keyamo, SAN, in a letter to the party, advised strongly against holding the Congresses.

The APC leadership insisted on going on with it.

However, in Imo, it is the fake news of the cancellation of the Congress in the state that reigned.

Quoting a fake Court judgement from an unnamed FCT High Court, by an unnamed Judge, a press release went off that the Court has suspended the Congress in Imo.

“Consequent upon today’s (yesterday) Order of the High Court of the FCT, the Imo State APC Ward Congress is hereby suspended forthwith”, the release read in part.

For good measure, it was signed off in the name of the Director General of the Imo State APC Media Centre,  Cajetan Duke.

But dismissing the release for the fake that it is, the Imo APC, in an authentic release, signed by the same Duke, accused  Senator Okorocha, whose supporters are definitely not part of the Congress, of circulating the fake news.

Emphasising that the Congress holds as scheduled, the party admitted: “We are, however, aware that the former Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha had, through a proxy, Okay Anikwa, approached an FCT High Court seeking injunction to stop the APC from holding its Congress in Imo, albeit unfruitful, as the court presided by Justice Valentine Origi, in his wisdom, declined such obnoxious motion.”

But this is Imo State.  Fake news, no matter how shameless, dangerous, no matter how inciting, is not about to stop.

It has become a veritable weapon in the hands of politicians, their supporters, and their Media Managers.

The beat goes on.

ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC), IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

RE: COURT ORDER: APC CONGRESSES IN IMO SUSPENDED

– MEMBERS URGED TO REMAIN CALM, COMPLY WITH DIRECTIVE

The All Progessives Congress, APC, in Imo State by this statement wishes to acknowledge receipt of the order of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which has mandated cancellation of every arrangement for the Congresses slated for, tomorrow, Saturday, July 31, 2021.

However discomforting this development might be, as a law abiding party, the State Caretaker Committee and the leadership of the party, rising from an emergency meeting, this evening, direct thus:

  1. Consequent upon today’s Order of the High Court of the FCT, the Imo State APC Ward Congress is hereby suspended forthwith.
  2. All officers, stakeholders and members of our party are also directed to comply with this resolution, maintain decorum and await further directive from the party.

It is important to clarify that this temporary setback is a handwork of enemies of our party, using one Okey Anyikwa, who parades himself as Chairman of our great party in Ideato South Local Government Area.

We therefore urge our teeming members to remain  calm, law abiding and not to be irked by this unbecoming provocative activities of disgruntled elements.

CAJETAN DUKE
Director-General,
APC MEDIA CENTRE
July 30, 2021

Usifo Ataga, Super TV Boss, Buried; Tears Flow Freely; Wife, Inconsolable

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Ataga Usifo Burial

By Akinwale Kasali

Tears rolled down the cheeks of his adorable wife, Brenda, as he watched the remains of her late husband, Usifo Ataga, lowered to the grave at Ebony Vaults Cemetery, Ikoyi, Lagos.

She couldn’t control her emotions when she performed the dust to dust rites. When the pall bearers lowered the coffin to Mother Earth  she wept uncontrollably. She was inconsolable.

The remains of the Super TV Boss were buried at about 12.30 pm in a low-key ceremony attended by his family members, and friends.

The late Ataga was murdered in a short-let  apartment on Adebowale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase I where he had checked in with his girlfriend, 21-year-old Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos.

Chidinma admitted to have stabbed the late Ataga about three times on the  neck with a kitchen knife, leading to his death when paraded by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, at the  Lagos State Police Command on June 24, 2021.

In an unprecedented about-turn, Chidinma later changed her first confession,  saying she was not present when he was killed, as she went out to buy food and  drugs. She said she came back to meet his bloodied body on the floor. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu dismissed her second story as that of an active criminal. However, the CP later disclosed that more arrests have been made in connection with Ataga’s heinous murder.

The disclosure confirms the long held opinion in not a few quarters that Chidinma had accomplices with whom she murdered Ataga.

At the funeral service held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lagos, the officiating priest, Very Rev. Fr. Julius Olaitan, described the deceased as a focused man who achieved many things.

He noted Ataga was a man of many parts that meant many things to different people.

“He was a man with enemies, his manner of death is a testimony to that. It is a duty for those in authorities to do the right thing by finding those who brutally murdered him.

“Who can imagine what Usifo went through in the hands of those who tortured him? We should be mindful of what we say on social media.

“Please spare the family of the good name. Our common humanity demands that from us,” he pleaded.

“Death is a terrifying mystery. We’ve not lost him but we’ve gained a soul in heaven. Usifo is now in a place where he can be with reward of his earthly sojourn,” the cleric added.

Mother of the deceased, Sylvia Ataga, who was present at the Service of Song held for her late Son yesterday, said that his death was undeserved, imploring the Police to get to the root of the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.

On her part, Brenda, Ataga’s widow, said the news of her husband’s demise was heartbreaking.

“Finding out of your demise was the worst news imaginable. My mind had raced through all the possibilities of where you were and what could have happened but death, death wasn’t an option,” she said.

“The girls and I were looking forward to seeing you, to celebrate your milestone.

“I had imagined how surprised you would be when you walked in to see a place set up for you. I had imagined the infectious smile.”

Ataga’s  eldest brother, Isi Ataga, thanked the Church and other sympathisers for standing by the bereaved family through the difficult moment, hoping that justice is served.

The late Ataga is survived by his wife, Brenda, their two daughters — Eboselulu and Emoata,  three siblings, parents with other extended family members.

FG Gas Project to Create 1m Jobs, Gas Price Slashed

By
Bayo Bernard
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0
Timipre Sylva

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Federal Government has reduced the price of industry power gas from $2.50 to $2.18 with immediate effect, in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari push for industrialization, particularly in the Northern part of the country, even as the administration said the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK Gas Pipeline Project will create 1 million jobs.

Analysts insist that by agreeing to a price slash the administration, has effectively bowed to pressure from the organized Labour in the country to reduce the price of industrial gas.

Last month, the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, ANED, Sunday Oduntan, called on government to bring down the price of gas in the interest of the sustainability of the power sector.

Oduntan stated, “Most of Nigeria’s power generating plants are thermal plants. They use gas as their fuel and as long as the price of gas is high, the cost of generation and the eventual tariff to the end user will also be high.

“At present, the energy generation mix is around 80% thermal and 20% hydro. More so, the cost of gas is also affected by fluctuations in Foreign Exchange (Forex).

“So while the cost of gas and generation will rise due to forex fluctuations, the tariff is fixed in Naira and may not account for this difference. Especially because of the absence of a commitment to adhering to periodic tariff reviews.”

Speaking at the 2021 Gas Sector Stakeholders (Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, AKK Gas Pipeline Project) Forum held in Kano, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari said that the government has already agreed to sell Industry Power Gas at the approved price of $2.18 instead of $2.50. He said the decision has been communicated to the relevant stakeholders for compliance.

The minister stated that the change in price was to allow quick industrial revolution in the country.

He said, “Following the successful negotiation between the Federal Government and the organized labour unions and the detailed review of the gas pricing framework in Nigeria, the price of gas to power has been reduced from $2.50 to $2.18 with immediate effect.

“The outcome of the negotiation and reviews have been communicated to relevant stakeholders.’’

According to him, the completion of the project would help in revitalizing dead industries as well as create more jobs opportunities in states such as Kano, Kaduna and Nasarawa states.

He said, “The project is the focus of facilitating increased gas penetration in the Northern part of the country, especially the AKK pipeline corridor of FCT, Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Nassarawa and other neighbouring states.

“Therefore, the forum is geared towards sensitizing the entire northern parts of Nigeria of the upcoming opportunities to bring both new and hitherto moribund companies back to life.

“Kano State alone is dotted with several industrial parks. These and others in other states justify the need to optimize value creation from these industries.

“Experts estimate that it will take at least two to three years to rehabilitate and position these industries for optimal performance. Thus, today’s collaboration with all stakeholders is geared towards kick-starting the required activities that will guarantee full usage of the delivered gas through the AKK pipeline when completed.

“Today’s event reinforces our commitment to realizing the inherent potentials of Gas usage as the National Catalyst for Achieving Economic Diversification from Crude oil and transition fuel from fossil fuels of today to the renewable energy of tomorrow.

“It is this commitment that informed our support and commission of two gas-powered plants, vessel pipeline operated in Kano State in December 2020 in achieving the uninterrupted delivery of over 30 megawatts of power supply to the industrial hubs.

“Our successful collaboration and the completion of the AKK in 2023 will significantly enhance Mr President’s vision and current drive for increase domestic gas utilization as the mainstay for national industrialization, increase foreign investment, government revenue growth and ultimately provide more job opportunities for Nigerians.

On his part, the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mele Kolo Kyari, said when the project is completed it will create 1 million jobs.

2023: Atiku Meets With Wike, Says Nigerians Waiting Anxiously For PDP

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Atiku Abubakar and Nyesom Wike

By Akinwale Kasali

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate during the 2019 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has disclosed that Nigerians are waiting eagerly for the PDP to take over power at the Federal level from the APC in 2023.

Speaking to journalists at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, Atiku said his meeting with Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was fruitful.

He explained that party affairs brought him to Port Harcourt, and he had spent the time reconciling touching issues with Governor Wike.

According to him, the issues bother on how to ensure unity and stability in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that are critical for the party in clinching electoral victory in 2023.

“Well, I came here to reconcile with the governor on party affairs and how we can ensure that there is unity and stability in the party.

“So, that we can take over government in 2023. I believe that Nigerians can’t wait for 2023 to come, so that PDP will return.”

Speaking on the current insecurity challenges that have overwhelmed the capability of the All Progressives Congress(APC) led-Federal Government,  Atiku described the prevailing situation in the country as bad.

He urged Nigerians to wait for the appropriate time when PDP shall unveil its policies on how it wants to address the issue of insecurity across the country.

“I have never seen it (insecurity) this bad. I am 70 years plus, I have never seen it this bad in terms of security challenges, in terms of economy, in terms of unemployment. This is the worst.

“Why can’t you give us time .We will come up with our policies. We will present them to Nigerians when the time comes.

“We have done that before. Under PDP, we recorded the highest economic growth, the best foreign reserves, we reduced unemployment. You know that we can do it?

The former Vice President, also, acknowledged the tremendous leadership success recorded by Governor Wike , who he described as a topmost Governor among his peers in the party.

“I think he (Wike) is the topmost governor we have in the party. There is no doubt about that in terms of projects, youths and employment, in terms of security. Yes, we have security challenges all over the country.”

He further commended the Governor for his outstanding leadership and sterling performance in office.

Before now, the former Vice President had been criticised for being indifferent to Party Affairs, preferring to spending more time in Dubai.

APC Congress Faces Imminent Postponement, Govs Lock Horns With Buni-Committee

By
Bayo Bernard
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0

By James Orji

The All Progressives Congress, APC state and local government congresses scheduled for Saturday July 31 may be shelved, if information at the disposal of the magazine is anything to go by.

The state governors elected on the platform of the party are currently meeting in Abuja “with the aim to ensure that the congresses are cancelled in line with the popular aspirations of many members of the party,” a party stalwart privy to the meeting told the magazine on Friday.

He said majority of the governors want the congress cancelled “to avoid a repeat of the Zamfara episode where the party candidates were disqualified by the Supreme court for not being validly nominated. These governors will surely push for postponement at today’s meeting,” the source who does not want his name mentioned because he was not authorized to speak on the issue said.

The Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee, had on Thursday said the congresses will not be postponed despite reservations by some stalwarts of the party, following the Supreme Court judgement on the Governorship Election in Ondo state, where three members of the panel raised issues about the legality of the Buni Committee.

Four members of the panel, though affirmed Governor Rotimi Akeredolu election, the minority judgment challenged the nomination and affirmation of Governor Akeredolu, as the candidate of the APC in the October 10, 2020 governorship election, by the Buni Committee.

This, obviously, is not enough to change the mind of the committee which said it will press ahead with the congresses to elect party officials at the states and local governments levels across the country.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, John Akpanudoedehe, national secretary of the APC caretaker committee, said apex court’s verdict on Ondo gubernatorial poll has no bearing on the Committee

The Scribe said “The clarification is against the backdrop of personal opinions being expressed by some individuals on the status of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and its capacity to conduct the Congresses.

Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Akeredolu’s Election Affirmed

“While it is not our intention to join issues with these commentators, the Supreme Court’s Wednesday judgement affirming the Election victory of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN had no bearing on the CECPC’s status and its membership.

“Party members and aspirants should therefore come out enmasse and peacefully to participate in the ward Congresses, come Saturday,” Akpanudoedehe said.

His position is in contrast to those of Festus Keyamo, the Minister of state for Labour, who in a secret memo to the party, warned of serious consequence if the party went ahead with the congress. He said the party won the Ondo governorship election at the apex court by a hair’s breadth.

The minister said the ruling party would have lost the case if the PDP Governorship candidate in the election Eyitayo Jegede had joined Governor Buni in the suit.

Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN said “The little technical point that saved Gov AKEREDOLU was that Jegede failed to join GOV. Mai Mala Buni in the suit. Jegede was challenging the competence of Gov. Mai Mala Buni as a sitting Governor to run the affairs of the APC as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee.

“He contends that this is against Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution which states that a sitting Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever. In other words, had Buni been joined in the suit, the story may have been different today as we would have lost Ondo State to the PDP,” he noted.

Babatunde Ogala, a former National Legal Adviser of the party said on Friday that the Supreme court judgment is causing serious disquiet in the party, adding that many leaders of the party are worried of the future of the party if the leadership issue is not resolved quickly.

Speaking on TVC programme, Ogala said President Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the party are worried of the booby trap set by the apex court judgment.

Governor Buni of Yobe state was appointed as caretaker chairman following the removal of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman of the party last year.

The governor has since been running the affairs of the party against the wishes of some members who felt that a substantive National Chairman should be elected. The aggrieved members have now armed themselves with the Supreme court judgment to force the Buni Committee out of office.

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