Confusion Rocks APC, As Governor Ododo’s Picture Surfaces At PDP Governors Forum Caucus Meeting

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August 24, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Barely 48 hours after the Supreme Court validated his victory at the polls, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, seems to be planning a switch of allegiance from the APC to opposition Party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Speculations are rife that Governor Ododo will soon declare his movement from the APC to the PDP. The Governor was seen at the gathering of PDP Governors’ Forum.

The PDP governors are currently meeting in Taraba State for political and matrimonial reasons; the daughter of the state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas would be giving his daughter’s hand in marriage today.

His pictures in the midst of the PDP Governors wearing matching outfits has flooded the media space, with his presence raising different posers.

Ododo and Kefas, it was gathered, have a cordial relationship, and political analysts say that the motive may be unconnected to any political reasons.

Another question that being raised by political analysts is why it was only Governor Ododo from the APC that was invited by the opposition to Governor Kefas daughter’s wedding.

New CJN: Agbakoba Demands ‘Radical’ Judicial Reform

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James Orji

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August 24, 2024

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Respected legal icon, Olisa Agbakoba, says the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, must ensure radical reforms in the nation’s judicial system.

Kekere-ekum was sworn-in on Thursday by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Agbakoba, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, the last time a judial reform was done in the country was many years ago under then CJN Dahiru Musdapher.

He said many CJN has been appointed in the country who failed to ensure reforms in the sector.

The country is now due for far-reaching reform of the sector, the SAN said in a statement on Friday.

According to Agbakoba, “We are witnessing yet another ritual of handing over the Judicial baton with the swearing-in of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

“But it’s not about swearing in!! It’s about whether we will see radical reforms finally. The last great reform CJN was the Late Dahiru Musdapher!!! I was his consultant on Speed of Justice.

“Unfortunately, CJN Musdapher only had six months in office. He set up a high-powered 29-person committee that produced a transformational report. The late CJN led a team to the then president of the senate, David Mark, to present far-reaching reforms to the constitutional structure of the Judiciary.

“As soon as the CJN turned his back, everyone forgot about it!!! The potential legacy of the new CJN is transformational and radical reform with the fundamental objective of case management driving how the courts work.”

The magazine reported that President Tinubu swore into office, two days ago Justice Kekere-Ekun, making her the second CJN in the history of the country following the footsteps of retired Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar.

Oyo: Robbers Attack Radio Station, Steal Equipment Worth Million Of Naira

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James Orji

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August 24, 2024

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Suspected armed robbers have invaded Ajilete 92.1 FM, one of Oyo State-owned radio stations owned by the Oyo state government, Leadership reports.

The criminals had invaded the station in the wee hours of Friday carting away equipment and other valuables belonging to the stations.

The radio station, located at Gambari area of Ogbomoso is one of the FM stations owned by the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS.

Checks also revealed that one of the security men at the station, a 70-yerr old was also injured by the assailants who carted away the equipment worth several millions of naira.

According to the newspaper, the armed robbers also raided the station’s power generator house, where they cut off armoured cables, and ransacked the transmitter house.

Sources said that a motorcycle belonging to the security guard of the radio station was also carted away by the criminals.

The 70-year-old security guard was also injured during the incident as he was beaten, tied with ropes and hit with the butt of the gun in the chest.

The elderly guard had been rushed to a nearby hospital where he is still receiving treatment as of the time of filing this report on Saturday.

The acting head of station, Kemi Ojelade who confirmed the incident said that the BCOS management had visited the station to assess the level of damage.

“Yes it is true. It happened on Friday. The BCOS management led by the General Manager, Mr. Goke Adelakun visited us for an on-the-spot assessment.

“The incident has been reported to the police. The Area Commander, Owode police headquarters, ACP Adigun Gbolagade has also visited the station,” he said

LGA Autonomy: Kebbi Assembly Reduces Chairmen Tenure Against Supreme Court’s Judgment

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James Orji

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August 24, 2024

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Kebbi State House of Assembly has amended the state’s law regarding the tenure of Local Government Chairmen to three years.

Before the amendment on Friday by the state house of assembly, local government chairmen in the state spent two years in office.

While amending the Local Government Law of 2008 and Other Matters Connected 2024 yesterday the assembly authorised the LGAs chairmen to now remain in office for three years.

The amendment, however, contradicts the judgment of the Supreme Court authorising LGAs chairmen to spend four years in office.

Recall that the apex court had in a landmark judgment on July 11 granting autonomy to the 776 local governments in the country ruled that LGA chairmen must remain in office for four years.

The judgment had attracted jubilations from not a few Nigerians who said the tenure of LGA chairmen will now be guaranteed unlike in the past where state governors remove them from office at will.

The highest court in the country had ruled in the judgment that it’s fair for local government bosses to spend four years in office like the president and state governors in the country, declaring the shortening of LGAs chairmen tenure to less than four year by state governments as “one tier of government’s inhumanity to another tier of government.”

Speaking to journalists after passing the law, the chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muhammad Dangoje who sponsored the bill said the amendment was necessary to stabilise promote stability and development at the local government levels.

According to him, the law seeks “to provide stability and continuity in local government administration, allowing council members to implement long-term development projects while the second bill establishes the Kebbi State Local Government Service Commission, repealing and re-enacting the Kebbi State Local Government Service Board and this new commission will be responsible for overseeing the management of local government staff, ensuring professionalism and efficiency in service delivery.”

Meanwhile, some legal analysts who spoke with the magazine insist that the Supreme Court is the highest court in the country, that its judgment regarding administration of local government remains sacrosanct.

“Hunger Killing Nigerians” – Clark, Urges President Tinubu To Declare State Of Emergency On Food

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Ayodele Oni

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August 24, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

An erstwhile Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin Clark has stated that Nigerians are hungry and that President Bola Tinubu should find practical means of alleviating poverty.

He pointed out that fuel subsidy removal was inflicting pain on Nigerians.

He charged President Tinubu to quickly declare a state of emergency on food, saying Nigerians are hungry and angry.

Clark made the call at his Asokoro residence in Abuja, when the President of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas ( HOSTCOM) High Chief Benjamin Tamaranebi led a delegation of his team to pay him a courtesy visit.

On the recent protest by Nigerians, the elder statesman said that the government cannot stop the people from protesting, stressing that it was their right to protest.

According to him, President Tinubu too organized a protest that lasted some weeks against the then President Goodluck Jonathan when he removed oil subsidy.

The leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF), maintained that Tinubu should not be blamed for the removal of fuel subsidy since the budgetary provision for it ended in June 2023.

Clark, however, urged the government to find practical means of alleviating poverty, adding that fuel subsidy removal was inflicting pain on Nigerians.

“Oil subsidy is a big problem in Nigeria. Oil subsidy is not confined to Nigeria alone, but everything in Nigeria does not work because of poor management and poor leadership. True, we all realize later that the oil subsidy was a scam.

“That was why in 2012, during the administration of Jonathan, in January 2012, his government removed the oil subsidy.

“During the 2023 presidential campaign, all the major parties talked about removal of subsidies. But in 2020 and 2021, President Buhari, as well as the Minister of Finance, Ahmed, and the Minister of State Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, announced to Nigerians that there was no longer subsidy in Nigeria.”

Crime: Police Zone Five Gun-runners, Recovers Locally Made Guns

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Ayodele Oni

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August 24, 2024

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Godday Ebhodaghe and Ehichoya Omoiwade guinruners arrested

By Ayodele Oni

Two suspected gun runners, Godday Ebhodaghe and Ehichoya Omoiwade, alleged to be supplying arms and ammunition to kidnappers, cultusts and armed robbers have been arrested by police, zone five headquarters, in Benin city, Edo state.

According to a statement by Zone 5 Command’s spokesman, DSP Tijani Momoh, while parading the suspects, said in his bid to mop up illegal arms as the governorship election approaches, men of the command embarked on operation search.

The statement added that the Assistant Inspector-General, (AIG) of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, covering Delta and Edo State Police Commands, Arungwa Nwazue, has ordered for a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the case of crime and criminality.

“On 23rd August, 2024 at about 0500hrs, eagle eyed operatives of the Zonal Intelligence Response Squad, led by ASP Mohammed Usman acting on credible and actionable intelligence stormed Ileh community in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State and successfully arrested two suspected gun runners namely; Godday Ebhodaghe ‘m’ and Ehichoya Omoiwade ‘m’.

“The operatives also recovered 30 locally fabricated guns, consisting of 23 single barrel and 7 double barrel guns, one English made double barrel gun was also recovered. 13 live cartridges, a giant tool box and a drill machine used for the fabrication of the illegal firearms were also recovered.

“Preliminary investigation into the case has revealed that the suspects were in the business of selling and also renting out these firearms to kidnappers, armed robbers and cultists, who then use these illegal weapons for their operations, terrorizing the good people of Edo state and its environs in the process and will be arraigned in Court for prosecution.”

The AIG however called on law-abiding citizens of Delta and Edo States to be vigilant as they go about their lawful activities and to report all suspicious activities and persons to the nearest Police Station.

How Security Operatives Rescued 20 Kidnapped Medical Students, House Officer

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Adesina Soyooye

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August 24, 2024

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By Adesina Soyooye

Joy unlimited has greeted the rescue, by Security Operatives, of 20 Medical Students and a Medical Officer from the den of their kidnappers.

Nigeria faced a huge embarrassment when on August 16, 20 Medical Students – males and females – from the Universities of Maiduguri and Jos, and a (Medical) House Officer, were kidnapped.

They were on their way to Enugu for a convention of Catholic Medical Students when their vehicle was intercepted by kidnappers in the Otukpo area of Benue State.

The incident sparked a national outrage and an international embarrassment for Nigeria.

However, on Friday, August 23, the good news that the 20 students and the Medical Officer have been rescued broke.

Their rescue, without any casualty, was not easy as it required a huge dose of intelligence gathering and surveillance.

The Police had to deploy helicopters to overfly forests within Benue State and nearby States.

It took a combination of Security Operatives from the Military, Department of State Services and the Police, with the help and cooperation of the Benue State Government to rescue them.

However the details of their rescue is still shrouded in secrecy. For instance, it is not known if there was a shoot-out between the hoodlums and Security Operatives; if there were injuries, the exact place and/or State from where they were rescued; their state of health, and if any ransome money was paid or not.

Recall that earlier, the hoodlums had asked for the sum of N50 million in exchange for the release of the abducted.

Imo: Heartbreak, As Heartland FC Loses Coach In Fatal Crash

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Adesina Soyooye

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August 24, 2024

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Heartland FC Loses Coach - Christian Obi

By Adesina Soyooye

It was supposed to be a day of celebration in Imo State and Owerri, the State Capital in particular. The Election of Senator Hope Uzodinma as the Governor of the State in the November 11, 2024, had just been affirmed by the Supreme Court. And celebrations engulfed the capital city. It was in the midst of the good news that the devil chose to strike.

The State’s Football Team, Heartland Football Club was on its way to Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, to take part in a Football Tournament – TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Preseason Tournament.

Accompanied by their officials and Coaches, the Players left their base, Dan Anyiam Stadium, at about 3.30pm. They were in high spirit as they drove off in a three-vehicle convoy. Their mood was high.

But suddenly, all that was cut short. While still within Imo State territory, about 30 minutes after they took off, one of the buses was involved in a fatal accident.

Just about 4.00pm, it rammed into a stationary truck, badly parked along the road as the driver tried to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

It was a fatal collision with the parked truck.

The Team’s respected and hardworking Coach, Christian Obi, was in the ill-fated vehicle.

The impact of the collision left him unconscious. Still, there was hope because he had only what was thought to be a small cut on the right leg. But apparently, the sudden collision caused him to enter into shock. He did not regain consciousness. He passed. A number of the Players suffered injuries. But only Coach Obi passed on.

The Club is in deep mourning. In a statement announcing Obi’s passing, it lamented the fate that befell Obi and the Team’s great collective loss. He was a pillar and guided the team to successes. “His name would continue to remain etched in the history of the club following the club’s unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League throughout the 2022-23 season a feat that culminated in the club winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State”, part of the statement read.

Following, Heartland FC’s statement which announced Coach Obi’s passing.

“Heartland FC announces the passing of Coach Christian Obi

“With sadness in our heart and with total submission to the will of God, Heartland FC is announcing the death of Christian Power Obi who died on Friday 23rd August, 2024 from a road accident en route Abakaliki, Ebonyi State to participate in the TICO/SELECT Ifeanyi Ekwueme Preseason Tournament.

“The heart breaking day saw the Heartland FC team departing the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri for the preseason Tournament with enthusiasm at around 3:30pm in three vehicles but at about some minutes after 4pm, one of the vehicles rammed into a carelessly parked truck in its attempt to evade an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver tried as he could but the impact of the collision caused a sudden shock to our coach, Christian Obi who was unconscious with a slight injury to his right leg upon evacuation from the badly affected part of the bus.

“Coach Obi and other injured players were rushed to the nearby hospital at Okwelle in Onuimo LGA of Imo State but despite the best efforts of the medical personnel our revered coach gave up the ghost.

“Words alone cannot fully capture how the news of his death has thrown everyone at the club into deep mourning because of how precious Coach Obi was to the club.

“His name would continue to remain etched in the history of the club following the club’s unbeaten run in the Nigeria National League throughout the 2022-23 season a feat that culminated in the club winning the NNL Super 8 in Asaba, Delta State.

“We appreciate the concerns from all and sundry on the unfortunate incident but the club demands that its privacy and that of the Late Obi’s family be respected during this dark period. The club will not be making further statements for the time being.

“Coach Obi’s remains have since been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, (FUTH) morgue in Owerri while the injured have been referred to the same hospital for more proper care.”

“The Supreme Court Rose Above Blackmail And Intimidation Against Me” – Governor Uzodinma On His Governorship Victory At Apex Court

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The Source

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August 23, 2024

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Hope Uzodimma - Imo State Governor — Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.:

A happy and contented Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma has thanked the Supreme Court for rising above the conspiracies, intimidation and blackmail, against him, which atimes were extended to the Their Lordships, The Honourable Justices of the Court, to affirm him as the Governor of the State.

Uzodinma had, in an overwhelming victory, defeated his main opponents, Senators Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Athan Achonu of tye Labour Party. He defeated in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the State.

But both men challenged Uzodinma’s victory from the State Election Tribunal to the Supreme Court.

On Friday. August 23, the Supreme Court finally told Anyanwu and Achonu the truth, which is that they have no case and simply wasted funds and time.

In a personally signer statement, Uzodinma was full of appreciation to God, Ndi Imo and the Supreme Court.

Finally, he rededicated himself to the Service of Imo and its people.

Congratulatory messages have been like claps of thunder to Uzodinma from within and outside the State.

Following, the Governor’s statement.

“A few hours ago, the Supreme Court confirmed me as the duly elected Governor of Imo State, arising from the November 11th, 2023 governorship election.

“It is, therefore, with a heart full of gratitude that I thank God Almighty for granting me another victory after I had also emerged victorious at the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal

“I express my gratitude to the Supreme Court for upholding the law despite the barrage of blackmail and intimidation by those who wanted sentiments to obfuscate justice.

“When Imo people overwhelmingly reelected me last year as their governor, it was simply based on my sterling performance, which remains unprecedented in the modern history of the state.

“During my second tenure inauguration, I pledged to serve them with renewed vigour, with honesty and transparency and accountability and with the fear of God.

“Today, with this Supreme Court victory, which I dedicate to all Imo people, irrespective of political or religious affiliation, I rededicate myself to the service of the good people of Imo state.

“To my brothers who contested with me during the election, I reinvte them to join me in the task of reinventing Imo to the state of our shared dreams. My doors will continue to remain open to all Imo people genuinely committed to the betterment of our society.

“Now that all issues pertaining to the election have been resolved, let us all work for the peace and progress of our dear State.

“Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, Governor.”

Imo: Again Uzodinma Gives Anyanwu, Achonu, Technical Knock Out As Supreme Court Affirms Him Duly Elected Governor

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

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August 23, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, on Friday, gave his opponents in the November 2023 Imo Governorship Election, a technical knock out for the fourth time, beginning from the day the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared him winner of the Election.

Uzodinma had won the election in an unprecedented landslide. He defeated his opponents in all the 27 Local Government Areas of the State.

Surprisingly dissatisfied, given the huge defeat, the Candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Senator Athan Achonu of the Labour Party, LP, dragged Uzodinma to the Governorship Election Tribunal, alleging all kinds of things.

As expected, Uzodinma trounced them. Not satisfied, they proceeded to the Appeal Court, where he, again, trounced them.

Still not satisfied, both Candidates proceeded to the Supreme Court.

Finally, on Friday, August 23, 2024, the highest Court in the land kicked the appeals by both men out, and dismissed them as without merit.

The surprise is not that Uzodinma dealt Anyanwu and Achonu a fatal blow at the Election, Governorship Tribunal, Appeal Court and Supreme Court, the surprise is that both men had the temerity to challenge the victory. Given the situation of their parties, everybody knew that their journey to the election was going to be fruitless.

For PDP’s Anyanwu, over 50% of his Party men and women were against his candidacy. They were rooting for the Rt.Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who suddenly quit the race for Anyanwu.

And for Achonu, he had no footing at all. Until a couple of weeks to the election, not many people knew exactly who the LP candidate was between him and another LP member who claimed ownership of the ticket.

The Imo State Governorship election was an off-season election held in November, 11, 2023.

In challenging Governor Uzodinma’s victory, Anyanwu and Achonu cited substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and malpractices among others as reasons.

The five-man Supreme court panel which unanimously upheld Governor Uzodinma’s election, dismissed the appeal against him as lacking in merit.

All the issues raised in the petition ,were also resolved in favour of the Governor ,by the panel led by Justice Mohammed Baba Idris.