Amidst Boycotts, Ondo Inaugurates LG Chairmen, Councilors, As SIEC Releases Results |The Source

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August 24, 2020

By Ayodele Oni, Akure

As expected, candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state have been declared winner in all the 18 local government chairmanship and 194 councilorship out of 198 seats contested for in last Saturday’s local government election.

Seven political parties participated in the exercise, which was held amidst cases of ballot box snatching and violence.

Announcing the election results on Sunday afternoon, Chairman of Ondo Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) Prof. Yomi Dinakin said results in four wards were declared inconclusive.

According to him, there was no election in five local governments and still results were announced, saying it was in line with the electoral act.

More reactions continue to trail the conduct and outcome of the council poll as the state chapter of Zenith Labour Party, (ZLP) said it fell short of democratic norms.

The ZLP statement, signed by the publicity secretary, Mr Felix Olatunde pointed out that “the exercise, in its conception, execution and predictable outcome, falls short of the minimum standard of democratic process and ought to be condemned by all lovers of democracy and good governance.

ZLP is one of the political parties that did not participate in the election but the party stated: “We watched from afar, the charade that was called election across the state and saw only what is at best a poorly executed and hurriedly packaged electoral heist.

“The Zenith Labour Party boycotted the scam, owing to our conviction that it was designed to arrive at the enthronement of cronies of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and nothing more.

“The myriad of malfoneasance, rigging and violence that occasioned the process show clearly that the APC, has lost touch with the electorate and reality.

“The poor turnout across the state and the desperation displayed by the APC in muzzling candidates from the few parties who jumped into fray show that the party has little or no credibility left.

“The ZLP is busy working to rally all lovers of democracy and rule of law behind our candidate in the forthcoming election and we therefore call on all and sundry to join the movement to put an end to the lack lustre era of the Akeredolu-led APC.

“We have looked at the structural composition of Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) and concluded that it was fatally compromised by the appointment of card-carrying members of APC while the recruitment of the ad-hoc staff was made an exclusive preserve of APC members too.

“APC, the outgoing party, employed thuggery and banditry during campaigns and legitimised open attacks on members of other parties.

“The most appalling of it all was the blatant denial of access to contestants from other political parties and their prospective voters to the polling centers while the voting was supposed to be ongoing.”

Apparently sensing legal action from aggrieved parties that participated in the election, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is to swear in the elected council officials today.

El-Rufai, Docks Anglican Bishop Over Presidency, Demolition, Southern Kaduna |The Source

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The Source

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August 24, 2020

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By Gideon Njoku

Not a few people think it’s a sacrilege, almost. But Kaduna State Government, on August 4, 2020, arraigned the Anglican Bishop of Zaria Diocese, His Lordship, the Rt. Rev. Abiodun Ogunyemi, before a Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Bishop Ogunyemi was charged for, allegedly, committing criminal defamation, injurious falsehood, and criminal intimidation against Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

Trouble started for the Bishop when the Kaduna State Government embarked on a demolition of structures, including Churches and Mosques.

The Cathedral Church of St George was marked for demolition. A Cathedral is not just any Church. It is the seat of the Diocese.

Bishop Ogunyemi had written a letter of appeal to the Governor, stating why the Cathedral should not be demolished. The land belongs to the Church. It was legally purchased. And there are documents, including a Certificate of Occupancy to boot. Many other people, also joined in pleading with the Governor, and protesting the planned demolition.

Finally, the Governor relented, and spared the Church the heartbreak. But according to reports, the Governor allegedly stumbled on other things written about him by the Bishop which he allegedly copied the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the DSS.

Part of the reasons the Governor took the step to prosecute the Bishop is allegedly a statement made by him when he was protesting the plan to dispossess the Church of another parcel of land, to the effect that the Governor would never be President.

The Bishop reportedly said: “The whole of the Sabongari market is our land acquired, in the early 1900, with genuine C of O which we have submitted to the State Government for re-certification.

“Any attempt by El-Rufai to demolish any of our properties in that market will be a direct assault on the Church in the whole of Nigeria.

“The Governor should know that he will never be President of Nigeria. I speak prophetically as a servant of a living God.”

The Governor, allegedly, asked the CP to discreetly investigate. The result is the arraignment of the Bishop before the Court.

It started with invitations to the Police. The last was on August 3, before he was arraigned.

He was taken on bail by a Canon of the Cathedral Church of St Michael.

Prosecuting the Bishop is the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP. When the case was called up on August 17, the DPP told the Chief Magistrate that consultations were going on to resolve the issue.

The Chancellor of Zaria Diocese, Dr John Omugbele, confirmed that the case has been adjourned to October 28th, 2020.

Perhaps, on that day, an agreement would have been reached between the Church and the Government.

Update: How Shodipe, Suspected Serial Killer; Was Re-Arrested; IGP Commends CP Okoye |The Source

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Adesina Soyooye

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August 23, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

The Force Headquarters has confirmed the re-arrest of Sunday Shodipe, a suspected serial killer who escaped from Police custody on August 11, 2020.

In a statement on Sunday, DCP Frank Mba, Force Spokesperson, disclosed that Shodipe was re-arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command. Mba said Shodipe was nabbed “today, Sunday, 23rd August, 2020 by Police operatives at the Bodija area of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital”.

According to Mba, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has commended the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu and his team for a job well done. He also thanked members of the public for their support while thr search for the fugitive lasted.

He recalled that “the erstwhile fugitive is a prime suspect in multiple murder of innocent citizens at Akinyele Local Government Area, Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State.”

However, the IGP warned “against any form of complacency on the part of the operatives of the Oyo State Police Command, stressing that all hands must be on deck to bring the case to a positive and successful closure.”

Sodipe had escaped from Police custody on August 11, in a dramatic incident which raised suspicion of Police connivance, and sparked protests in the Akinyele LGA.

AfDB: FG Consolidates Adesina’s Position Ahead This Week’s Election

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Bayo Bernard

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August 23, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Nigeria has moved ahead in her quest to secure the re-election of Akinwumi Adesina as Africa’s Development Bank, AfDB President.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had rallied African leaders for Adesina after a corruption allegation threatened his second term bid.

The AfDB is Africa’s biggest multilateral bank, and its shareholders include 54 nations on the African continent and 27 countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Adesina’s had faced stiff opposition to his bid to run the multilateral lending institution for another five years after he was accused of corruption by the United States of America, USA Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, but was later cleared by an independent investigative panel.

USA is one of the single foreign largest stockholders in the continental lender.

But Bloomeberg reported Nigerian has now increased its share to 16.8 per cent, a move seen by many to double its votes in the bank to secure Adesina’s re-election.

The Buhari administration has also brightened Adesina’s chances Nigeria after paying subscriptions it had pledged as part of a general capital before the January deadline.

That move has ensured that Nigeria is now the biggest shareholders in the bank, followed by Germany with 7.4 per cent and the U.S. with 5.5 per cent, according to a memorandum sent to governors on Aug. 20, Bloomberg reported.

The virtual election in AfDB is billed to hold later this week where the incumbent is expected to be the sole candidate for the prized office.

The situation was slightly different from 2015 when Adesina squared up with other two candidates, Chadian Finance Minister Kordje Bedoumra and Cape Verde’s Agriculture Minister Cristina Duarte.

Recall that that an independent panel set up, last month found no evidence of wrongdoing against Adesina.

The probe was initiated after unidentified whistleblowers accused Adesina of handing contracts to acquaintances and appointing relatives to strategic positions at the Abidjan-based lender.

2023: Sagay Accuses The North Of Bad Fate; Tackles Mamman Daura; North Says He Cannot Intimidate The Region |The Source

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Adesina Soyooye

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August 23, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

From a surprising corner came a rebuke for the North over the 2023 Presidency.

Prof. Itse Sagay, Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, has strongly disagree with Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s uncle, on the question of Rotational Presidency.

Daura had, in an interview a couple of weeks ago, condemned the idea of a Rotational Presidency, saying the most competent person should be the President.

He was responding to a question on if the Presidency should now rotate to the South, after the North’s right years which ends in 2023.

Daura responded by saying the Presidency should not be “turn by turn”, and should go to the most competent person.

A number of people had responded Daura, asking him if Buhari was the most competent person when he won the Presidency in 2015.

Speaking on the issue, without mentioning Daura’s name, Sagay said he was surprised that anybody would now be talking of competence, asking if there was a region in the country without competent people.

For him, the response ought to have been that any competent person from the South should be the President.

Flowing from that, Sagay accused the North of bad fate, saying the region had plans to retain power in perpetuity.

On competence versus rotation, Sagay said:

“People should not be clever because I’m seeing some cleverness in those who are now talking of competence. I would be more comfortable with them saying that, if the part of the country from which they do not come has spent eight years, then, if they talk of competence, I would take them very seriously.

“I see some of these talks of competence as a disguise for wanting perpetuation of power in one section of the country. There is no doubt about it.

“Both sides of the country have competent people. There is no monopoly of competence. If this is an arrangement that assuages all the feelings of the people to give them confidence that they have a role in running the country, and that their side of the country is respected in a manner that things are done and organised in the country, then, that political peace and quietude that rotation brings is worth it, and be respected.

“Either side has competent people. Those who are calling for competence should say, let somebody who is competent from the side, in this case, the South, come out and we support the person. Otherwise, there will be room for suspicion that we are dealing with irredentism or some sort.”

But Sagay’s submission has angered the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, which has warned Sagay that he cannot intimidate the North.

Yerima Shettima, its President General, who spoke on its behalf, described Sagay’s opinion as sad and unfortunate, adding that it was unbecoming of a man of Sagay’s status.

However, Sagay is on the same page with a number of the elite in the North, including Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, and former Secretary to the Federal Government, David Babachir, who say it is only morally right that the Presidential seat rotates to the South in 2023.

Not a few people think it should be the turn of the South East. The region is the only region from which Nigeria’s President has not emerged.

Borno: Zulum Denies Boko Haram Occupation Of LGAs |The Source

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Bayo Bernard

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August 23, 2020

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By Fola James

Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno state Governor has criticised the Nigerian Military again, few weeks after his convoy was attacked in Baga, which he blamed on the nation’s armed forces.

In his recent outburst, Governor Zulum warned that the many Internal Displaced Persons, IDPs camps have now become recruitment centers for the insurgents, adding that some vulnerable displaced persons may have been brainwashed to join the extremists’ group.

But the governor suggestions that the insurgents, who controls a swathe of land in the Lake Chad and Sambisa Forest, are still in control of many local governments in the state.

Zulum, a professor has consistently blamed the military for failure to end the Boko Haram insurgency in the north east a la his state.

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ has however, denied not doing enough to rein in the religious fanatics who have stepped up their attacks in Borno state in recent weeks.

Speaking to the BBC Hausa Service on Saturday, Governor Zulum stated that the sect “is working on people to join them,” adding that the only way out of this is to make sure that the IDPs returned to where they came from.

Governor Zulum said “If the IDPs living in camps could not get what they are looking for, especially the opportunity to go back to their various towns and return to the farm, they may be forced to join the Boko Haram sect.

It is important that they go back to their various towns because no government can continue to be feeding them continuously.”

He explained those displaced from places such as Baga, Marte, Malam Fatori and Guzamala, should be provided security by the soldiers to return home.

He urged the military to throw everything into the war to root out the insurgents from all their hide outs.

According to him “The sect members are hiding at the Lake Chad area and the Sambisa forest. There will still be a problem unless they are traced to their hiding places. Chasing them away from their headquarters is one of the solutions towards ending the insurgency.”

The governor also denied suggestions that the sects are still in control of many local governments in the state.

“Truly, there is no place under the occupation of Boko Haram. But there are places with no people there. What I mean is that people are yet to return to their places of origin.

“I swear by Allah, before the coming of Buhari, the security situation in Borno had deteriorated. At that time, 20 local government areas where under Boko Haram. Now, it’s not so,” Zulum said.

Recall that Senator Ali Ndume recently shocked many Nigerians when he said some local governments are still under the firm control of the insurgents.

His comment that some repentant Boko Haram members resettled by the federal government, have gone back to joined the killer group also riled the Presidency.

Police Re-arrest 19- Year Old Serial Killer, Shodipe |The Source

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Adesina Soyooye

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August 23, 2020

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By Adesina Soyooye

The Police in Oyo State has redeemed its battered image.

On Sunday, its spokesperson, Gbenga Fadeyi, announced to a relieved public, and an embarrassed Police Leadership, the 19-year old serial killer, Sunday Shodipe, who escaped from Police custody, has been re-arrested.

Shodipe, a serial killer, had embarrassed the Police, and instilled fear in the Akinyele LGA, when he escaped from Police custody after he was arrested.

Before his escape, he had admitted to killing five people.

When he mysteriously escaped on August 11, the people of the LGA, had been up in arms, threatening to burn down Police stations. They embarked on protests, alleging connivance on the part of the Police.

Both the Oyo State Government and the Police High Command, Abuja, had given the State Command, marching orders to rearrest him.

The IGP of Police deployed some of the best in the Police to Oyo state to smoke Shodipe out. The state Command offered the sum of N500,000 to anybody that could give them a clue to re-arrest him.

The Traditional Rulers in the area mobilised Hunters and Vigilante groups as well as unorthodox methods to help rearrest him.

It is not yet known how he was rearrested, but the Police said he was re-arrested at his grandmother’s house in the Ojo area of Ibadan.

It is not known if any of those who hid him, or were aware of his whereabouts, and kept quiet was arrested with him, but he is back to Police custody.

Meanwhile, all the Police personnel on duty on the day he escaped, are in detention. Those who were culpable of negligence, will face Police disciplinary action.

Ondo: APC, Opposition Parties In Ondo Trade Words Over LG Election |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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August 23, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

As results of last Saturday’s election in Ondo state are still being awaited, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), is already salivating victory despite criticisms that trailed the exercise.

Flaws that greeted the exercise include ballot box snatching, open display of thugerry, and falsification of results.

To members of the ruling APC in the state, the exercise was a success, but to opposition parties, it was a sham.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who voted at Ijebu Owo Ward five Unit six in Owo local government, with his wife, Betty, described the election as a huge success, saying the turnout was impressive.

State Chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin told journalists in Idanre that there was no violence in the town.

He charged members of his party to conduct themselves the same way during the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

Adetimehin urged the people of the town to troop out to perform their civic right on October 10, 2020.

Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun

said the ODIEC performed creditably very well. He disclosed that the voting materials arrived early.

But the PDP disagrees.

In a statement, the party justified its decision to boycott the election, saying it was an exercise marked with shameless impunity, unpardonable brigandage, and violence.

“Twenty four hours before the election, APC thugs unleashed violence on opposition parties in Ondo town, Idanre and Owo that attempted to participate in the election. In thousands of polling units, neither voting materials nor ODIEC personnel were seen at about noon on election day. Where they were seen, ballot papers were in short supply.

“We have been vindicated by all the actions of ODIEC and its pay masters as incapable of conducting free and fair elections. They should go ahead and announce the election results as previously compiled in all the wards and local government areas.”

In a statement the party’s publicity secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, noted that ODIEC has not only failed the people of Ondo State, it should be disbanded as a matter of urgency, because its outing is not only a sham but shameful.

2023: Gov. Tambuwal Meets Obasanjo, Begins Consultation |The Source

By

Akinwale Kasali

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August 23, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

In what is being interpreted as a step towards his interest in the 2023 Presidential election, the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The former President and Tambuwal met at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Both men were, also, said to have discussed the worsening insecurity, governance, and other challenges confronting Nigeria.

During the meeting behind closed doors, Tambuwal was said to have consulted the former president for solutions on insecurity spike in northern region and across the country.

Confirming the meeting, the Special Assistant on Media to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi, through a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, stated that the governor met with Obasanjo behind-closed-doors and the meeting lasted for an hour.

After the meeting held at Obasanjo’s Presidential Library Pent House, Tambuwal was said to have described the former president as a statesman and that he was still relevant for consultations on issues of governance and challenges affecting the country.

The Governor stressed that Nigerians shall continue to learn from the elder statesman.

“You know Baba is our leader, statesman. And it is always good for us to come around to see how he is doing, pay homage and to consult him on very many issues of governance, that is why we have come this afternoon. And, we brought him the greetings and felicitations of the good people of Sokoto state.

“We shall continue to learn from him, drink from his wealth of experience and fountain of his knowledge and wisdom on issues of governance and challenges of today.

“We pray that God Almighty shall continue to give him good health as I have met him today, and may he and all of us survive this Covid-19 pandemic”.

But another source speculated that Tambuwal, who is desirous of being Nigeria’s number one citizen, may have had his ambition tables before the former President.

His ambition was one of the reasons he decamped from the APC, back to his original party, the PDP, in 2016.

He had a strong backing from the Govermor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, but former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, beat him with a wide margin. He came second.

There are strong speculations he might tango with Atiku again in 2023.

Why NDDC Is a Rotten Institution – Prof Sagay |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 23, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Prof Itse Sagay, has taken a swipe at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, labelling the Commission as rotten.

This stems from the Corruption sleaze and monumental fraud being probed by the National Assembly.

Prof. Sagay in a recent interview with a National daily said that the NDDC is a rotten Commission, that has decayed as a result of corrupt practices.

Prof Sagay stressed that, “I won’t say from the beginning, as the first three or four years appeared to have been okay, but since then, it has been a rotten edifice, which people who have aspirations to become wealthy overnight have hung their claims.

“People from all over the country, including Niger Delta people themselves don’t give a hoot for the purpose of which NDDC was established, which is to develop the Niger Delta area and bring them out of misery, to provide them with modernity of life, to compensate them for what they are contributing to the country so that they have a good standard of living; they don’t care about that.

“These people from the beginning have gone there to share whatever it is that is available for the NDDC and they have a few projects here and there, pretending that something is being done when in fact the bulk of the resources is being shared by individuals at the expense of people of Niger Delta.

“The whole edifice is rotten, it is such a terrible shame, it shows very low standard of humanity among us”.

The Professor of Law said that as Chairman of PACAC, he had, on behalf of the committee, stated that the interim committee should be dissolved and that the Minister of Niger Delta should be made to resign or should be removed with immediate effect, and a fresh task should be given.

He added that he also recommended that whatever group that is appointed, by the National Assembly, there should be a monitoring committee that will monitor them and monitor every contract that is awarded; not only monitor in terms of the project, the cost of the project, they must monitor the progress of the project and make sure that the project is being completed at a certain pace agreed upon at all times.

Prof Sagay stressed that if the above recommendation is not followed to the letter, an alarm should be raised.

“The NDDC needs an extreme monitoring and new group of people who will handle the job of managing the Commission the right way, and not Corrupt individuals that are bent on embezzling and enriching themselves as against the purpose of the establishment of the Commission”.