By Adesina Soyooye
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, of Ondo State, has been re-elected for a second term in office.
He was announced winner Sunday afternoon, after the October 10 Governorship election.
Akeredolu scored a total vote of 292,830 to defeat his closest rival, Eyitayo Jegede of the PDP, who scored 195,791. The Deputy Governor of the state, and candidate of the ZLP, Agboola Ajayi, who scored 69,127 votes.
Details later….
By Akinwale Kasali
It came as a big surprise to Political observers when Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s aide on Media, Salihu Tanko Yakasai, slammed President Muhammed Buhari over his failure to directly address young Nigerians demanding the end of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad(SARS).
For days, Nigerian youths have been on a nationwide protest over the brutality, extortion and extrajudicial killings by SARS operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, on innocent Nigerians.
Jimoh Isiaq, a student of Ladoke Akintola University Ogbomoso, was shot dead by the police on Saturday, during the #EndSARS protest in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Many youths have been arrested following the protest.
The protesters, who gathered at the Nigeria Police Force’s headquarters were also dispersed with tear gas when they insisted on meeting with the Inspector General of Police before leaving.
However, despite the intimidation and the continuous show of brutality by police officers, the Nigerian youths refused to down on their demand for the scrapping of SARS.
According to the youths, the government had promised to reform the controversial police unit over the years, but nothing positive was done Instead, more killings and extortions were recorded.
However, the protest against police brutality has continued for over a week and has gathered international recognition.
This drew a strong reaction from Salihu Tanko Yakasai who knocked Muhammadu Buhari’s administration despite the fact that his principal, Abdullahi Ganduje belongs to the same political party as the president.
“I’ve never seen a Government with zero empathy like that of Muhammadu Buhari,” Yakasai stated on Sunday.
“So many times when his people are going through a difficult time and expect some sort of tap on the shoulder to reassure them that he is in charge, but he failed to do so. The ‘ I-don’t- care attitude ‘ is on another level.
“To speak to your own people over issues that are bedeviling them has become something like a favour you’re doing to them. Over and over again, you cannot spare 5 minutes and address the nation to calm them down, the same people you went to the 36 states to beg for their votes, it’s heartbreaking.”
Yakasai, however, urged the Nigerian youths not to back down until their demands are met.
“Whatever you do in life, make sure you never lose your voice. Speak up against injustice, speak up against inaction, speak up for what u believe in, demand for ur right, and never let a temporary position or privilege stop u from standing with the people. Enough is enough! #EndSARS,” he added
By Adesina Soyooye
While collation of votes is still on, and official announcement of the winner not expected till Sunday afternoon, it is very obvious that Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is back to his seat. His camp is already celebrating.
In the results, so far, uploaded by INEC, the Governor, who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC , trounced the candidates of the PDP, Eyitola Jegede, SAN, and that of the ZLP, Agboola Ajayi, mercilessly in an election which everybody thought would be tight between the three of them.
Out of the 18 LGAs which results have been released so far, Akeredolu has won I 17 of them.
More details, later.
By Ayodele Oni
Civil Society Organizations, (CSO) that observed the Ondo State Governorship election have said it is an improvement over that of Edo state poll which was held in September.
Centre for Democracy and Development, (CDD) Kimpact Development Initiative, (KDI), and YIAGA Africa, in separate analysis, submitted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has done well.
In their first report on the election, made available to journalists in Akure, the CSOs pointed out that there are still rooms for improvement.
CDD, through the Director, Mrs Idayat Hassan, said voters resilience by insisting on voting, despite early morning downpour and their presence till votes were counted as well as early arrival of voting materials, are worthy of commendation.
Mrs Hassan called for more security presence to protect INEC personnel especially during votes counting.
KDI in its assessment, noted early commencement of voting, which it described as better than Edo election.
Executive director, Bukola Idowu, advised INEC to prepare for natural incidents such as rain that can disrupt elections in future.
The YIAGA Africa director, Mrs Aisha Abdullahi, said money still played major role in determining voters’ choice in Ondo election.
Mrs Abdullahi, also advocated for deployment of more security personnel in future elections.
She commended the friendly posture of security personnel in Ondo election, but observed that some of them turned their eyes away when voters were being induced with money.
Collation of the election results is ongoing at the various centres and state INEC office in Akure.
By Ayodele Oni
The people of Ondo state trooped out enmasse on Saturday for the Governorship election.
As early as 8.00 am, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) had resumed at the various voting centres ably manned by policemen and officials of the NSCDC.
Armed soldiers and special police squad were stationed at highways, checking movement of vehicles.
Despite the downpour, voters remained on queues in an orderly manner, waiting for their turn.
Apart from reports of sporadic gunshots around Ijomu/Cathedral area of Akure, which was promptly curtailed by security agents, no case of violence recorded in other parts of the state.
There was a report of a boat conveying materials and INEC officials that capsized in the coastal area of the state, but no casualty was recorded.
There was also a video report of crises and confusion with sporadic shootings at rh Governor’s voting point, which alleged that the state’s First Lady, Betty, was attacked while voting. But it has been confirmed to be fake, as there was neither any disruption, nor attack on the first Lady.
By Ayodele Oni
Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has promised government action to stem the flood affecting Ilawe Ekiti and government quick action to mitigate the sufferings of those who lost properties during the downpour of Thursday.
The Governor was exchanging views with Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti and Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Obas, Oba Adebanji Alabi, during a tour of the affected areas and houses destroyed by the flood.
A heavy downpour on Thursday evening led to the massive flooding of some communities in the state with the Palace of Oba Alabi affected at Ilawe.
The Deputy Governor of the State, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, had earlier visited Ilawe community to assess the extent of damage.
Oba Ajibade Alabi thanked the Governor and his Deputy for the swift response to his distress call over the flood that ravaged a section of the community.
The monarch expressed displeasure at the lack of proactiveness on the part of Ekiti South West local Government which contributed in no small measure to the disaster.
He advised the Local Government not to allow the building of make shift-plank stores on water ways and commence the sanctioning of people dumping refuse inside the drainage.
The Monarch. also called for the quick chanelisation and expansion of narrow water ways in the community.
He pleaded with the State Government to come to the assistance of his people who were greatly devastated by the unfortunate incident.
By Akinwale Kasali
The flambouyant Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, would forfeit his Abuja Hotel, following an alleged N5 Billion Debt he owes Ecobank Plc.
To this effect, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, will on November 30, deliver judgment on an application filed by Ecobank Plc seeking an order authorising it to sell the Abuja hotel belonging to Obat Oil and Petroleum Limited, to recover the debt owed by Oba Akinruntan.
Justice Hassan Babangida fixed the judgment date after parties to the suit made their final submissions on Thursday.
The bank claimed in its suit, filed on October 18, 2019, that it has reached an agreement with Obat Oil, which is owned by the popular monarch in Ilaje Local Government to sell the hotel, to offset the company’s N5bn debt.
The hotel, Febson Hotels & Malls, is located on Plot 2425, Herbert Macaulay Way, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
Ecobank’s lawyer, Kunle Ogunba, said the agreement between it and the firm to sell the hotel to offset the N5bn debt was adopted by the High Court of Lagos State as a consent judgment delivered on March 15, 2017.
He said the bank and Obat Oil signed a memorandum of understanding on November 27, 2019 to give effect to the content of the letter.
But the company, he said, reneged on its promise to sell the hotel or pay the N5bn debt as contained in both the November 16, 2019 letter and the November 27, 2019 MoU, both of which were presented in court as exhibits.
This Ecobank Plc says Obat Oil has defaulted prompting the Bank to seek redress in Court over the failure of Oba Akinruntan’s owned Company.
He urged the court to grant his client’s prayers and not to be swayed by technical arguments canvassed by Obat’s legal team.
But responding, Obat’s lawyer, Ojo, urged the court to dismiss the suit.
Justice Babangida fixed November 30 for judgment.
By Uche Mbah
The COVID 19 lockdown, which is being gradually eased off by the government of Lagos state appear deliberately silent on the easing off on markets in the state. Markets are still operating at one day on, one day off basis, the source can report.
Field reports indicate that Markets were made to operate alternate days within the pandemic period and after. All the broadcasts by the state government, curiously left out the opening of markets to its pre-COVID state.
Most markets are overseen by the local government under which they operate, but it appears that the same thing operates in all parts of the state.
Churches and mosques are already open, normally, though the Government claims they are open 33% and should observe all COVID protocols. But nothing was said about markets.
Aswani Tuesday market, which is a special market for clothes, for example, was expected to be open since it operates once a week. But the authorities insisted they must change to Wednesday. They have been operating on Wednesdays instead of Tuesdays since the COVID era.
This has caused a serious disruption in the supply chain since people come from all over the country to Aswani to buy goods on Tuesdays.
A trader in the market, simply identified as Mama Emma, lamented that this has impacted the sales, beyond the fact the developers have ‘’simply destroyed the markets in the name of constructions. We sell under rain”, she said.
Asked about the return to Tuesday, she said officials told them they must “come to the office and see us. They demand ridiculous amounts as bribes to return to normal. We cannot pay. There are no sales. So they refused to return us”, she said.
The story is the same in other places like the computer village. According to traders who talked to this magazine on condition of anonymity, people who bribed the officials are opening on a daily basis but others are still observing alternate days. “The officials are not hiding it. They openly tell you to see them if want to open daily’, Osas, a trader in the computer village Ikeja said.
The State Government is mum.
By Uche Mbah
N208.5 billion dividends from Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG is being targeted by the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration to fund the 2021 budget, which was estimated at N13.08 trillion.
The President, Thursday, presented the Budget to the National Assembly for debate and approval. The National Assembly has been making serious attempts to reverse the budget year to January to December.
President Buhari said he is anticipating a total of N7.88 trillion revenue and plans to raise N5.19 trillion through borrowing and other sources.
Out of this, the Government plans to borrow N4.28 trillion to fund the deficits.
Part of this is the expectation of the new major revenue source, natural gas. N208.54 is targeted by the government on investment in this source. This is besides the earnings from signature bonuses from oil blocks sales and renewal of licenses from upstream operators. This is expected to yield N677.01 billion towards the funding of the appropriation bill.
Other sources of income the government is relying on for the financing of the budget include N32.67 billion recoveries from looted funds, assets, taxation, and fines and fines and expected revenue of N500 billion through Stamp Duty collection in the course of the year. Then foreign aids and grants are expected to yield N354.85 trillion within the year.
Government, however, plans to spend on debt servicing a whooping N3.34 trillion. This amounts to about 24% of the total budget. Out of this, N94 billion goes to service foreign loans and N2.18 trillion on borrowing from the domestic debt market and N220 Billion used for the retiring of maturing loans.
Nigeria owes China, the European Union, and the USA, Trillions of Naira, and the debt servicing appears to be crippling the economy.
However, the Presidency is still applying to borrow more from Brenton Woods Institutions.
Early in the week, a former Vice Presidential candidate under the PDP, Peter Obi, had advised the Federal Government against borrowing for consumption.
Speaking at the 60th founders day celebration at the university of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he is an alumnus, Obi said government should look to borrow ideas from China, not money.
By Akinwale Kasali
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has urged the Federal Government not to dismiss calls for the restructuring of the country and other views expressed by the people as ‘unpatriotic outbursts’.
The advise by Governor Ortom was borne out of the Presidency’s recent reaction to the statement made by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, who suggested that the way out of the myriad of socio-economic problems in Nigeria is the restructuring of the country.
In a statement by the Governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, he stated that Nigeria is practicing democracy which guarantees the freedom of speech to all citizens and not military regime which suppresses the right of the people to voice their opinions about challenges facing their country.
Governor Ortom stressed that it is incumbent on the Federal Government to listen to the views of the people and evolve acceptable ways of addressing the problems confronting the country instead of engaging in a combative style, anyone who dares to suggest alternative approaches to tackling the challenges.
The Governor says there is nothing new, or strange, about Pastor Adeboye’s call which he says should be considered as patriotic and selfless.
He emphasized that great nations of the world got to their enviable status by harnessing and utilizing ideas of their citizens, not by discouraging those who made bold submissions on the development of their countries.
Ortom, however, tasked the Federal Government on the need to respect the rule of law and end the wave of impunity through its actions and policies.
He, also, reaffirms his belief in the unity of Nigeria and the potential of the country to overcome its current economic, security and other challenges.
