State Of The Nation: Buhari’s Government Seized; Why It Is Failing – Ndume |The Source

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November 16, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial District, has expressed his discontent over the way President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is being run.

Not for the first time, he has again criticised some policies of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Party he also belongs to.

Ndume this time alleges that some certain kleptocrats in the present Government have seized control of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and thus derailed it

The Senator made this assertion while speaking on a Channels Television programme, Sunday Politic.a weekly

Ndume failed to name the alleged kleptocrats, rather, but suggested they dominate the government, and are now betraying the objective of the Buhari administration.

“The president is a genuine person that has the interest of the common man at heart.

“He has integrity and the competence. But unfortunately, the kleptocrats in the government have formed the majority and, therefore, betrayed the laudable policies that the president wants to implement”.

Ndume rated the Buhari administration high on his three-point agenda, which include: Security, Anti-Corruption and Infrastructure.

He also noted that the implementation of certain policies as put forth by the president is where the problem lies.

According to the lawmaker, the president cannot do it all by himself, so he had to appoint persons to act in various capacities. But some have failed to deliver on the job.

Obodo Released By Abductors, Says They Told Him They Lost Football Bet |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 16, 2020

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By Adewale Kasali

The abducted Super Eagles midfielder, Christian Obodo, has been released by his abductors.

It is not known if Obodo paid any ransome for his release, but he told Brilla FM on Monday that he was locked up in the boot of a car for hours.

The 36 year old footballer was abducted while buying bananas along the Refinery road, Warri, Delta State, the PPRO of the State Police Command, Onome Onavawakpoyeya, said.

It is also not known if they knew his identity before he was kidnapped, but Obodo said they told him how they lost a Football bet on Super Eagles on Saturday, thinking the team would score more goals in the second half of the match played between it and the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Benin last Friday. The Super Eagles played a four-four draw, despite leading the Leone Stars by four goals to zero in the first half.

Obodo said he was not hurt by his abductors, or intimidated, but agrees that being locked up in a car boot was very uncomfortable, especially, with the heat.

It is the second time the former Udinese midfielder, who has 21 caps, will be kidnapped. The first was on June 9, 2012, when he was kidnapped on his way to Church, in Effurum, Warri.

Akeredolu’s Campaign Org. Mocks PDP’s Jegede; Urges Police To Ensure His Safety |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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November 16, 2020

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Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State — Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

The Akeredolu/Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organization has described the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, in October 10 election, as an attention seeker.

The organization noted that the PDP candidate, who came second behind Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, is in the habit of seeking unnecessary attention.

Reacting to a death threat alert raised by Jegede on Sunday, the Akeredolu campaign organization, described it as mere tactics to seek attention.

In a statement issued in Akure on Monday, the organization described the latest outburst by Jegede, on an alleged threat to life, as a ruse.

“Jegede has been known with his series of attention seeking tactics, even during the electioneering campaign, ahead of the October 10 Governorship election.

“The news of the allegation of threat to life credited to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election is, therefore, another lame attempt to stir unpopular discussion around an exercise that has been concluded by the good people of Ondo State.

“It is clear that while the resounding victory of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN against Jegede’s expectation is no longer news, the PDP candidate perhaps still lives in an unfortunate illusion.

“Without prejudice to the tribunal, we make bold to say that the alarm raised by Jegede over what he termed “threat to life” is an evasive strategy to further hoodwink his unsuspecting followers into believing in his legal voyage which has held them spellbound.

“If anything, Jegede should look within his party, the PDP and beam searchlight into its leadership crisis, particularly the internal wrangling which has led to the brickbats as seen in the media lately.

“Instead of seeking undue attention with unfounded claims and infantile alarms, Jegede should face his petition at the tribunal and allow the cause of law to determine its merit, even as this alarm seems preemptive and defeatist in reasoning.

“While recalling the different show of violence by the PDP in the build-up to the last election, we want to say emphatically, that, as candidate of a political party who marketed violence, Jegede can not be threatened by anyone. Nevertheless, we urged the security agencies to provide adequate protection for him.

“The APC is a peaceful political party that respects the wishes of the people. At least, we are sure that not anyone from the APC would threaten Jegede’s life, especially with the shallow document called election petition he has deposited at the Tribunal.”

Jegede had, on Sunday, raised an alarm, alleging threat to his life since he filed a case against Governor Akeredolu’s victory at the Ondo Governorship Election Tribunal.

2023: S.East APC Group Begins Campaign, Slams PDP |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 16, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

A Group under the aegis of the All Progressives Congress propagating an APC South East Presidential Candidate, has slammed the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, for deceiving the South East members of the the Party, by promising that the 2023 Presidential ticket of the Party is going to the region.

The National Coordinator of the Group, Dr. Chinedu Ogbuagu, said that the attention of the Group has been drawn to the mischievous and regrettable savage attack by Ologbondiyan on the APC which the Group said is also an attack on a key objective of South-East APC Presidency Project 2023.it said the PDP is using the promise of Nigeria’s President of South-East extraction in 2023 to attract decent and progressive individuals still in PDP and other parties to the PDP.

According to Ologbondiyan, “Nigerians expect a few credible individuals still trapped in the APC to immediately leave that pirate ship before it is too late.”

But Ogbuagu said his group begs to differ from the PDP on this, as it disagrees with them on many of their other views. Contrary to the false picture they have painted, the predatory elements in the President Buhari administration are not APC.

Ogbuagu: “They are persons known or unknown to President Buhari who are either PDP or have no known party allegiance. Their mission in the administration is simply to pillage and vicariously give APC a bad name. They are mercenaries in the administration – soldiers of fortune committing atrocities outside APC’s progressive manifesto and ethos.

“What APC should do and must do with President of Nigeria of South-East extraction on APC platform from 29th May 2023, would be to sanitize the party by expelling the sort of PDP elements and other mercenaries who from 2015 to date have posed as APC members or sympathizers just to partake in a supposed APC-controlled Federal Government.

“We say “supposed” because APC cannot be said to exert any influence in Government policies and actions that our detractors mischievously credit to APC.

“That is what Dr. Salihu Lukman, Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, alluded to when he said that some so-called APC leaders behave like criminal bandits”.

“A true progressive does not shy away from the truth, even if opportunistic anti-people party like the PDP would quickly take advantage of our sincerity and desire to change-the-change in-house.

“PDP is not a change agent and should not attempt to deceive Nigerians that it can ever be one; unless it is to change from bad to worst.

“APC has a manifesto (a very fine one at that) and PDP should apologize to Nigerians for detailing its mercenaries in the Buhari administration – including Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Agency CEOs, Board Chairmen, Directors, Security and Intelligence Chiefs – to ensure that policies, programmes, projects and practices of the Buhari administration are not reflective of the APC manifesto.

“The agenda of South-East APC Presidency Project 2023 is also to religiously implement APC manifesto using only true APC members as government functionaries. APC has clear progressive ideology and that would manifest in the lives of all Nigerians with Nigeria’s President of South-East extraction from 29th May 2023.

“Contrary to PDP mischief, it is the few progressive persons still in PDP (like Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Nyesom Nwike of Rivers State, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Kola Ologbondiyan himself) who should abandon that ship of notorious pirates and roguish characters for the progressive train of our great party, the APC.

“Soon, very soon, APC-controlled Federal Government will not have any PDP or non-APC members anywhere near our corridor of power. The sanitization should start in the remaining lap of the Buhari administration but its full implementation would be guaranteed with President of South-East extraction on APC platform from 29th May 2023”.

2023: Ohaneze Threatens PDP, As Umahi, Two Other Govs, Beat Defection Drum |The Source

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The Source

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November 16, 2020

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By Charles Igbo

In what is seen as the most serious political blackmail since 1999, the People Democratic Party, PDP, could be divorced by the South-east. To avoid this, however, the PDP has a choice which is to go back to the Zoning arrangement in its constitution.

Since Nigeria became a democracy, again, in 1999, the South- east has always been the bedrock of the PDP. It, however, lost its balance, a little, when APGA, fielded Peter Obi, and won in Anambra State. It worsened when Senator Orji Kalu’s party then, PPA, won both Abia and Imo States.

Kalu, as a PDP Governor, founded the PPA, as a fall back, when he was having problems with then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The PDP, however, got the two states back when the then Governors, Imo’s Ikedi Ohakim, and Abia’s now Senator Theodore Orji, dumped Orji Kalu and his PPA, for the PDP.

But in 2011, the party lost Imo, again, to APGA, when the now Senator Rochas Okorocha, swept Ohakim out of office. Okorocha went ahead to do what was thought to be the impossible when he jumped over to the APC, and gave Imo to it.

The PDP had a reprieve, for seven months, with Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s victory in 2019. Sadly for the party, the Supreme Court cut its victory short when it removed Ihedioha, and declared Senator Hope Uzodinma winner.

Yet, even with the hiccups, the South-east people are majorly PDP.

But if the ambition of a couple of the South- east Governors is anything to go by, that is likely to change. The zone could become APC.

Leading the pack is the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, who has never hidden three things:.

* His love for President Muhammadu Buhari which he professes at any given opportunity. As a PDP Governor, with then President Goodluck Jonathan in office, and running for a second term, he had said he was going to vote Buhari.

*His ambition to be either the next President or Vice President.

When Peter Obi was chosen over him for the PDP Vice Presidential slot, his anger knew no end. Before then, businessman, Chief Arthur Eze, had presented him to Buhari, at a rally in Abuja, as a successor, if he was looking for one from the South-east.

*His love for the APC.

For long, the rumour has been strong that Umahi was all set to decamp to the APC. He had reportedly told both his supporters and cabinet members so, and asked them to prepare to join him. Last week, one of his Commissioners quit, allegedly, for not wanting to join him in the APC.

The other time, the Ebonyi PDP had, strangely, under Umahi’s watch, threatened the PDP to zone the Presidency to the South- east or face consequences.

Now, Umahi, is, reportedly, wooing two other Governors in the South-east to decamp along with him to the APC, ostensibly to make the APC zone the Presidency to the South-east. One of the two being touted is, not surprisingly, Anambra’s Willie Obiano, whose party, APGA, is becoming extinct.

The next, unconfirmed sourcees say, is Abia’s Dr Okezie Ikpeazu. With a combination of Imo’s Uzodinma, if the plans work out, the South-east would automatically become an APC zone.

To worsen it, the Youth wing of Ohaneze Nd’Igbo, Ohaneze Youth Council, OYC, has been convinced to join the fray. The group is threatening the PDP to make a statement that it would stick to its Zoning policy, as is enshrined in its constitution, or lose the zone to the APC.

The Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, worldwide, in its threat, claimed that three governors in the South-east would lead a mass defection from the PDP unless the party zones the 2023 presidency to the Zone .

In a statement signed by its President-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro Comrade Achionye, Deputy President General and Okwu Nnabuike, Secretary-General, it told the PDP that the proposed emergency PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, November 18 meeting, and the National Executive Council meeting scheduled for November 19 2020, should be an opportunity to revert to zoning as enshrined in its constitution.

The OYC says the party zoning formula favours Southeast for presidency come 2023.

For that, the OYC has warned it would deal with any Igbo politician who dares negotiate for the Vice Presidential slot.

“Failure of PDP BoT and NEC to stand down the NWC’s decision for an unconstitutional “open Contest” and revert back to zoning formula, will inevitably lead to collapse of PDP machinery in Southeast as three igbo Governors will lead Igbos into mass defection from PDP to APC. This is the final warning to PDP,” OYC warned.

Analysts are laughing at the OYC. They ask how far the OYC thinks its threat would go. They also ask how they know that the APC, for example, would zone the Presidency to the South- east. For now, a political analyst, Chief Uche Emerenini, told this magazine, “The focus of the APC is on the South-west. The party has an array of candidates it is considering. They are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fasola, SAN, and Ekiti Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.”

They are also laughing at Umahi. Said Chief Chinedum Onuoha, “How Umahi thinks APC would skip those in the South-east zone who have been with the party from the beginning, and give him the Presidential or Vice Presidential ticket is funny. Our people should get serious.”

NDDC: Ijaw Leaders Warn EFCC Against Diversion of Funds |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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November 16, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Several millions of dollars belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC may be diverted, Ijaws in the Niger Delta have said, warning that any plan to further steal what rightfully belongs to the oil producing areas, will be resisted.

“We shall resist every force against our development, even in the midst of persecution, relegation and oppression, as we have resolved to occupy the streets of the Niger Delta to disrupt the operation of the IOC’s and their facilities until such perceived broad daylight manoeuvring of funds is stopped,” some Ijaw leaders declared on Sunday.

Following the forensic audit of the account of the NDDC, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed earlier in the year that remittances from international oil companies, IOC, be paid into the account of the anti-graft agency until ongoing investigation was completed.

The funds, said to be running into several millions of dollars have been paid into EFCC account in the last six to eight months, according to the concerned people of the oil bearing states who said the huge funds could be diverted if not well monitored by the federal government.

This concern was raised by the National Coordinator of Ijaw Interest Advocate otherwise known as Izanzan camp, Arerebo Yerinmene and the Chairman Emeritus of Ijaw Youth Congress, Eastern Zone and National President of Patriotic Ijaw Youth Leaders, Sir Sammy Gorge, who said funds meant for the development of the Niger Delta were being diverted.

The advocacy groups called on the President Muhammadu to investigate the issue and stop the injustice against the people of Niger Delta region.

Failure to do this, will be met with violence, the leaders said, insisting that they are not prepared to watch while the people of the area were being impoverished.

Vowing to take the destiny of the region in their hands, the Ijaw groups declared that they will not “allow anybody, for any reason whatsoever, to impoverish us further and any further attempt to loot the commonwealth of our people, we shall resort to occupying the streets of the Niger Delta.

Still battling to clear their names of corruption allegation, the NDDC management has remained in the eye of the storm following reports, last week, that the interventionist agency, has purchased vehicles for auditors employed by the federal government to look into it books.

Fayose Declares Interest In Presidency, Says Buhari Not Better Than Him |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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November 16, 2020

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By Fola James

Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti state has one message for Nigerians on his 60 birthday; he wants to become the most powerful man in the country; the president.

After serving two terms as governor of the state, widely known as the land pounded yam and professors, Fayose said his last wish is to become the occupier of Aso Rock and Commander-in-chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces.

The suggestions that he’s gearing up to contest the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, has somehow raised the blood pressure of his opponents in the state, because of his popularity among his peoples, but the ex-governor said he does not want to be a lawmaker. .

The only thing uppermost in his mind, having served twice as Ekiti helmsman is to be Nigerian president “I don’t like to be a senator who will be making laws that the executive would not have the courage to implement,” Fayose said on a radio programme in the state capital, Ado Ekiti on Saturday.

The former governor, who spoke as part of activities marking his 60th birthday anniversary, said, those that have been occupying the office are not better than him, insisting that the presidency is where he can make a big difference because of the power attached to the office.

Fayose said “I am eminently qualified to become Nigeria’s President if people like Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari could be so ‘graced’ to be presidents.”

He said he’s the man of the people after contributing to the development of the state since he joined politics.

The former governor did not say exactly whether he would throw his hat in the ring in 2023 when the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari, who has been randomly criticized by the former governor, is expected to leave office.

Again, Ex-Super Eagles Player, Christian Obodo, Kidnapped |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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November 16, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Super Eagles midfielder, Christian Obodo, has been kidnapped. He was reportedly kidnapped on Sunday, 15th, November, 2020, along the popular Refinery Road, Warri, Delta state by gunmen.

The former Perugia and Udinese Football Club of Italy playmaker was said to be in the company of a friend, in the friend’s Car when the gunmen overtook the car, double- crossed them, kidnapped Obodo, and sped off.

As at the time of filing this report, nothing has been heard of the whereabouts of the former Super Eagles midfielder, who represented Nigeria at the 2010 African Cup of Nations tournament in Angola, and would have made the squad to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but for a recurring Achilles injury.

This will be the second time the former FC Ebedei midfielder will be kidnapped in his fatherland. In 2012 when he visited Nigeria from his base in Italy, he was kidnapped in Warri, Delta State, but was later set free after paying the ransom requested by the kidnappers then.

The Family said it has informed the Delta State Police Force of this development and expecting the Police to rescue the player from the kidnappers.

PDP’s Eyitayo Jegede Cries Out Over Threat To Life |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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November 16, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

Who wants the Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) Eyitayo Jegede in the October 10 election dead?

This is the question being asked by the Eyitayo Jegede Campaign Organisation, a body which coordinated his campaigns during the electioneering. It has, therefore, called on security agencies to beef up security around the PDP flag bearer.

A statement, Sunday evening, signed by spokesman of the organization, Gbenga Akinmoyo stated that: “There is security threat to the Candidate of the PDP in the election of 10th October 2020, especially in relation to the petition which he lodged against the APC at the Election Tribunal.

“Sources confirmed that various meetings have been held at very high quarters by those who feel threatened by the step taken by the Candidate.

“We use this opportunity to notify the security agencies of this threat and/or likely breach of security around our Candidate, we believe the security agencies will rise up to the occasion and take the threat seriously.”

Jegede who was defeated by incumbent Governor, and candidate of the APC, Rotimi Akeredolu, is changing his defeat at the State Governorship Election Tribunal.

Neither the Governor, nor the APC has reacted to Jegede’s claims.

Again, Gunmen Take Over, Wreak Havoc On Kaduna-Abuja Highway |The Source

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Adesina Soyooye

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November 15, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

Travellers along the Kaduna-Abuja highway saw hell, on Sunday. Many of them are gnashing their teeth in the den of Kidnappers who took over the highway.

Gunmen, suspected to be kidnappers, reportedly, abducted a yet to be confirmed number of them along the highway,

The incident, allegedly, took place in the afternoon at about 3:53 pm.

Sources disclosed that the incident happened close to Rijana Community.

They confirm that a Mecedez Benz E320 and a Toyota Corrona, of golden colour, were abandoned at the scene of the attack. Their doors were ajar, suggesting that the occupants may have been forcefully taken away by the gunmen

An unconfirmed source quoted a traveller as saying that on their way from Abuja to Kaduna, they ran into vehicles which were making u-turns.

They stopped, but when they got to the spot, after the road had been cleared, they discovered that the two vehicles, a Mecedez Benz and a Toyotal Corrona, have been attacked, and their doors left ajar.

Soldiers who arrived the spot restored normalcy.

The Kaduna Police is yet to confirm the incident.