Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assurde that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working for the future of the country.
Akpabio, the number three citizen in the country gave the admonition on Sunday in Calabar, the Cross Rivers state capital at the UNICAL ’87 Law Class Reunion 2024.
His remark was contained in a statement from his office, stressing that there’s light at the end of the tunnel for Nigeria despite the current economic challenges.
He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is trying to build infrastructure, and save for the raining day, adding that many things were left undone by previous administration in the country.
President Tinubu is now correcting the past mistakes, Akpabio said, noting that the future generation will benefit from the hard decisions being taken by the current administration.
Akpabio: “The difficulties we are witnessing in our nation today were not caused by the present administration. These are as a result of years of maladministration.
“Any country that does not have backbone infrastructure, you don’t have something to develop, you don’t save for the raining day, when there is economic malaise such as we are witnessing in the world today, such country is bound to be affected.
“The good news is that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have hope today, that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“The things that we are trying to do now, we are doing for posterity. Not for ourselves. Be assured that this administration will leave behind lasting legacies that will guarantee a better future.”
The critics of the government however criticised Akpabio and other government officials for not living by example.
For instance, not a few Nigerians insist that they are already making a huge sacrifice but that the political class who has urged them to tighten their belts are living ostentatious lifestyles.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says Nigeria cannot survive without the anti-graft agency citing the agency’s commitment in tackling the endemic corruption in the country.
The spokesman for the agency, Wilson Uwajuren made the remark on Monday while speaking on Channels Television programme, the Morning Show.
The commission’s image maker’s spoke amidst its battered image among Nigerians in the manner it has handled its anti-corruption operations.
Not a few Nigerians have accused the Ola Olukoyede-led commission of scratching the surface of the country’s corruption problems, the agency has also received knocks for media trial of those alleged to have been involved in financial crimes.
Rather than go for the big corruption cases which pose a great danger to the country, critics of the commission say it has busied itself chasing internet fraudsters popular as Yahoo Boys.
For instance, the EFCC has come under strong criticisms over the sloppy manner it so far handled the alleged corruption case involving, Yahayah Bello, a former governor of Kogi state.
The former governor was alleged to have mismanaged over N80 billion belonging to the state, which he has yet to account for.
Efforts by the EFCC to bring him to justice has been largely unsuccessful as Nigerians continue to ask why his case is different from other corruption exposed persons who have been successfully prosecuted by the agency and made to answer for their crimes against the country.
Even more, the commission recently came under severe condemnations after it failed to arrest the former governor when he visited the EFFC office on September 18.
The occasion, analysts insist, presented the commission the rare opportunity to take Bello to custody having been a fugitive of the law for several months even though there’s a pending court summons against him to clear his name of the allegations of the preferred against him by the EFCC.
Reacting to the allegation, the commission said the former governor had a game plan to ridicule the EFCC, adding that he did not genuinely surrender himself.
Bello’s “presence at the EFCC on the 18th of September was more of a stunt not really that he wanted to abide by the rule of law,” EFCC said.
The former governor has since gone into hiding as Nigerians continue to wonder when he would be finally brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT in Maitama, Abuja on October 3, 2024 issued a public summon against Bello following his absence in a fresh arraignment on 16-count charges preferred against him by the EFCC.
Two opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, states in the south west are currently under the radar of the All Progressives Congresss, APC, to be captured.
Oyo and Osun states are currently under the control of the PDP while the APC controls Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo and Ogun states
The ruling APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje hinted of the plan to capture the two opposition states in Akure, Ondo state capital during his party’s stakeholders’ meeting.
The meeting held ahead the state governorship election slated for November 16, 2024 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is a member of the APC and one of the contestants for the critical election.
The magazine reports that the APC has appointed Governor Babajide sanwo-Olu as chairman of the National Campaign Council of the APC for the state governorship election.
According to Ganduje, the party is working seriously to win the Sunshine State as Ondo is well known, while Oyo will follow later. The governorship election in Oyo is slated for 2027.
APC is firmly in control of four states in the region, but “must deliver 100 percent” in the south west, Ganduje said yesterday, stressing that the party wants to ensure that the region is delivered for President Bola Tinubu. The president is from the south west.
He added, “The two other states, I will not reveal our secret, but we assure you, we are strategising. Everything must be 100 percent behind President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Since the return to constitutional democracy in 1999, the south west has not been under the control of one political party.
No fewer than 11 persons were believed to have been killed in cult-related clashes in two Anambra state Communities on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
The Anambra police authorities however said they were still having scanty information about the incidents ,as at the time of reporting.
But the Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, informed that the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered the enhancement of security in the affected areas .
Rival cult clashes in Nibo Community in Awka South local council was said to have resulted in about eight deaths .
In Nodu Community ,Okpuno area of the same Local Government, about three persons were believed to have also lost their lives, when rival cult groups reportedly engaged themselves in gun battles during the celebration of the Onwa Asaa Festival in the areas on Sunday.
Sporadic exchange of gun fire by the rival gangs was said to have created unease, forcing community members to scamper for safety .
While Confirming the unfortunate incident, Ikenga noted that the police authorities have been alerted to the developments in two communities-Nibo and Nodu .
However, while noting that information about the incident was scanty, he appealed to the people, particularly witnesses to volunteer reports that could lead to the apprehension of the masterminds .
The Police spokesman assured that all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
President Bola Tinubu, has assured of his support to Ekiti Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration, commending his statesmanship disposition to governance, and urged him to continue with his leadership style.
President Tinubu gave the assurance in Ado Ekiti, on Sunday, during a thanksgiving service commemorating Oyebanji’s second anniversary, held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel.
In attendance at the service were former Governors Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose and Kayode Fayemi, while both Christian and Muslim clerics offered prayers for the governor and the Government.
The President, who was represented by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, said he was pleased with the giant strides being made by Oyebanji to develop the State, in addition to his leadership style which, according to him, has attracted more citizens of the state to participate in the governance process.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji
“I don’t want to stand here and tell the Governor that the President loves him, you know he loves you and you know he is supporting you.
“I have taken time to tell some people who were raising issue of misplaced priority against the new flyover you are constructing that it shouldn’t be a thing of worry. I told them you are enjoying special presidential intervention.
“I have assured them that you will go out of your way to create opportunities for Ekiti in every other sector by working round the clock.
“We don’t need any clairvoyance to tell us that our governor has performed well. He has served well and he deserves our support to make him succeed.”
Bamidele, who is also the chairman of Ekiti Caucus of the National Assembly, stated that Ekiti will be the first state, where all APC members and movers and shakers of politics will pick a consensus candidate as governor, assuring that the lawmakers are ready to form a workable partnership with Oyebanji for Ekiti to develop.
“You are a statesman, pls remain as a statesman. stay focused and allow politicians to play their games. Don’t be distracted. Be ready to double up and deliver for Ekiti masses.”
In his address, Governor Oyebanji, thanked all the former governors, national and state assembly members and every other critical stakeholders for the success recorded so far. He specifically thanked President Tinubu for his support for his administration.
Speaking on behalf of the former Governors, Dr. Fayemi appreciated God for the peace being enjoyed in the state under Oyebanji, adding that this has made the state peaceful and developing.
Fayemi, supported by former Governor Niyi Adebayo and Ayodele Fayose said Oyebanji is presently preoccupied with governance and was not really subsumed by ambition, assuring that his endorsement for a second term, as being done by various groups has their blessings.
“We thank God that Oyebanji is now a pride to us. We thank God we didn’t install someone who would bring shame to us. Without peace there can be no development, also without development, there won’t be peace.
“There is no point repeating the obvious, all the former governors all shared the same view. We thank God for the harmony our governor has promoted.
“I love the way the governor went out of his way to regularly seek advice from those of us who had occupied the office before him. He did this in a way that none of us is excluded from governance. I pray he grows further in this wisdom”, Fayemi said.
In his homily, the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev Andrew Ajayi, commended the governor for being compassionate and aggressive in his poise to develop the state, by extending roads, electricity and other public utilities to many communities.
“As a leader, do what is right. Your right is to create environment where people can excel. Think of how many people you have made.
“That is your joy after this office. Leaders don’t rely on their power to succeed, but in God, who gives and takes power. With this spirit in you, you will excel. You need to appreciate God for making you a good ambassador”.
In similar fashion, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev Felix Ajakaye, described the governor as a bridge builder, saying this was responsible for his large and cult- like supporters across Ekiti and party lines.
Rivers state factional All Progressives Congress, APC, chairman Tony Okocha has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sack his nonperforming ministers in his government.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the Rivers APC boss made the remark on Sunday in Abuja, the nation’s capital stressing that Tinubu’s performance have been under-reported by the ministers.
Okocha said, “President Tinubu’s achievements are not in the public domain because most of his ministers failed to do the needful and are not adding value to the administration and the country.
“Gone are the days when they say don’t blow your trumpet yourself. These days, you have to blow it loud.
“The president’s achievements in less than two years are unsung; until he has a broadcast, you won’t know what he has done.
“Someone has to be responsible for telling Nigerians what the administration is doing in the various ministries, and all of those combined are the president’s achievements.
”Some of these ministers who are not doing well should be sacked to make way for more serious ones.”
Okocha is the APC factional chairman loyal to former governor of the state and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike.
His remark comes amidst reported plan by President Tinubu to re-shuffle his cabinet.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s spokesman hinted few days ago that Tinubu was planning to re-jig his government for better performance, by replacing cabinet ministers who have under-performed.
The president’s return from his two weeks annual leave abroad, close watchers of the administration said, has further heightened tension in the administration, particularly among some ministers who are currently apprehensive that they will lose their jobs because they have not performed since they were appointed.
The Nigerian Army has clarified that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja is alive, urging the public to disregard news of his death.
Social media reports on Sunday had claimed that Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48hrs ago from a stage three Cancer, according to a senior Government official.
The report added that “The death of the Chief of Army staff has been kept secret because of intense lobbying by some Generals who want to take the position.”
A statement titled “Nigerian Army Operational and Administrative Activities on Course, Contrary to Insinuations in the Media Space,” the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu dismissed the reports as a baseless rumour aimed at causing tension and confusion among military personnel and the general public.
“Against rumours making the rounds on various media outlets on the purported death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigerians are advised to disregard such ill-fated and unverified reports.
“It is true that the COAS has traveled overseas but that for his annual leave and routine medical checkup. Before he left he handed over responsibility to his subordinate as required by law.”
Confirming that the COAS fulfilled all legal processes required by law before proceeding on leave, Major General Nwachukwu maintained that “To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances.
“Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he is away.
“It is rather very disappointing that some individuals who neither have a knowledge of his current situation nor access to any of his family members will rush to social media to announce the death of a man in very stable health.
“Clearly, this is the handwork of mischief makers and detractors bent on rubbishing his fight against terrorism and pushing him off the ladder but to their utter shame, he will surely return at the expiration of his leave to the saddle of command.
“As a detribalized Nigerian, the COAS has remained focused on fighting insurgency in the North, militancy and oil-bunkering in the Niger Delta, secessionists attempt by the IPOB now championed by the unknown gunmen in the South East, farmers-herders conflict in the Middle Belt and all terror related acts across the nation.
“His all-round approach to fighting crime and reaching every affected region of Nigeria has distinguished him amongst others.
“His unbiased appointments and redeployment of Major Generals, and Brigadier Generals amongst several other senior officers across NA formations and units in the country and recent personnel postings, promotions and training activities further cements his integrity and love for national unity and cohesion.
“The best Nigerians can do at this point for a warlord, who at sundry times has placed his life on the line in the interest of national security, is to ignore the baseless rumours and pray that he enjoys his vacation and return in renewed strength to continue his good works for our dear native land.
“The Chief of Army Staff is alive and active to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.”
The Katsina Police Command on Sunday October, 20, 2024, announced the frustration of a bandit attack in the Jibia area of the State.
It, also, informed that no fewer than six victims of abduction were rescued during a counter operation by security personnel.
A statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq, ASP, in Katsina said police operatives, acting on a tip off, Saturday, in conjunction with the military and personnel of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, and vigilantes was able to foil an attack by some banditry elements in Unguwar Batsaka quarters in Jibia town.
“On October, 19, 2024, at about 23.25 hrs, a distress call was received at the Jibia Divisional Police Headquarters on bandits’ attack in Unguwar Batsaka quarters in Jibia town in their numbers, armed with dangerous weapons shooting sporadically with intent to kidnap some residents of the area.
“The DPO mobilised a team of operatives in collaboration with the military, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps, KSCWC, and vigilantes to the scene, where they engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted for about an hour, forcing the bandits to flee the scene with varying degrees of bullet injuries.
“The team successfully rescued six kidnapped victims and were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention due to injuries sustained as a result of the bandits’ attack .
“However, regrettably one of the victims, simply identified as Rabe Mai Shayi, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment” the Police Spokesman stated.
He noted that concerted efforts are underway to track down the fleeing banditry elements.
To this end, he implored members of the public to volunteer credible information that can assist security agents in hunting down criminal elements in the state .
The Source reports that Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi states are the most seriously challenged by banditry, abduction and other criminal activities within the North West region of the Country.
But of late, the vibrancy and commitment of personnel of the KSCWC and vigilantes, working in collaboration with orthodox security agencies have greatly reduced banditry and other criminal activities in Katsina state.
Governor Dikko Umar Radda, only recently challenged the various communities to stand up and confront the threat posed by banditry elements.
Coming after he pledged unalloyed support for the second term bid of Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji,
Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recommended former Governor Ayodele Fayose for expulsion from the party.
Fayose, a PDP chieftain, said: had declared at project commissioning to mark Oyebanji’s second year in office that “I don’t care what people say about me, I am with you and whoever that is not pleased should take their party away.
“The people are speaking for the governor, they love him, they want him back and I can’t be against my people.
“I can see you are leaving a legacy that will outlive you. All of us former governors will adopt Oyebanji for second term, because he has done well.”
PDP caretaker committee in the state revealed on Sunday that “the party had taken a significant step towards expelling former Governor Ayodele Fayose from the party due to alleged anti-party activities.”
Dare Adeleke, chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, who announced the decision in Ado-Ekiti, stated that “Fayose’s expulsion was recommended to the Tom Ikimi-led Disciplinary Panel and the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Reconciliation Committee.
“Fayose’s actions, deemed detrimental to the party’s interests, include publicly endorsing Governor Biodun Oyebanji, a member of the opposing All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This move has raised concerns among PDP members, with some labeling Fayose an ‘APC spy’ within the party.
“The party’s decision to expel Fayose aims to address his alleged gross misconduct and anti-party activities, which have caused tension within the PDP.
“This development highlights the internal conflicts within the party, with some members questioning Fayose’s loyalty to the PDP.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
According to a statement on Sunday by Stanley Nkwocha, an aide to the Vice President, Shettima will be representing President Bola Tinubu at the meeting.
VP Shettima will join King Charles of England and other World Leaders from 56- member countries at the first CHOGM to be held in the Pacific small Island of Apia, Samoa from October 21 to 26 with the theme “One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.”
The theme will focus attention on how member countries can harness their strengths through resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth.
At this meeting, Nigeria and other member countries will also elect and appoint the next Commonwealth Secretary-General.
In line with the Agreed Memorandum on the Establishment and Functions of the Commonwealth Secretariat (revised 2022) and the principle of regional rotation, the next Commonwealth Secretary-General will come from the Africa Region.
The candidates for the role are from Lesotho, Ghana, and The Gambia, while Nigeria will have a major role to play as the largest African member in this regard.
Consolidating the progress made at CHOGM 2022, VP Shettima and other world leaders will also deliberate on the global economy, environmental and security challenges, discussing how Commonwealth countries can work together to build resilience, boost trade, innovation, growth, and empower the Commonwealth’s 1.5 billion young people for a more peaceful and sustainable future.
The Vice President is expected to use the platform provided by the Commonwealth Business Forum to further attract investors to Nigeria, as global experts from businesses and the private sector convene to recommend and champion solutions to global challenges.
Shettima will also participate in the People’s Forum, the single largest opportunity organized by the Commonwealth Foundation for people to engage with leaders on global development issues. He will also engage in bilateral meetings and other executive sessions
