EFCC beam searchlights on Amosun & three other Governors over alleged corruption

Ahead of May 29, 2019, handover date to newly-elected states helmsmen, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), has set up teams to probe some governors accused of perpetrating acts of corruption,

At least 12 states will have new governors on May 29 after the tenure of the current ones would have ended.

The states that will have new chief executives include  Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Zamfara.

Of the 12 states, however, four governors have been accused of corruption.

They include Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

Okorocha, who has been suspended by the All Progressives Congress, has been accused of diverting over N1bn meant for the campaign of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, who contested on the platform of the Action Alliance.

The EFCC said in an interim report that it had arrested the Accountant-General of Imo State, Uzoho Casmir, for allegedly helping Okorocha to launder N1.05bn for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

In Zamfara State, the EFCC is investigating Yari for alleged diversion of funds running into billions of naira.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had, in 2017, ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of N500m and $500,000 said to have been looted from the Paris Club refunds made by the Federal Government in favour of the 36 states of the federation.

The sums of money, said to have been recovered from two firms, First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited, and Gosh Projects Limited, were allegedly linked to Yari.

The EFCC alleged that the sums of money were fraudulently diverted from the NGF’s bank account on the instruction of Yari. According to the commission, about N500m from the money was diverted to offset Yari’s personal loan obtained from the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.

Ahmed of Kwara State, will also be invited by the EFCC once his tenure comes to an end.

His successor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, has also vowed to probe the governor once he loses his immunity.

Ahmed, who is the godson to Senate President Bukola Saraki, was accused of diverting state funds.

Earlier in the month, the EFCC arrested six commissioners and government officials in Kwara State for allegedly diverting N1bn a week before the National Assembly and presidential elections.

The EFCC said in a situation report that bank officials had been brought in for questioning and had made relevant statements.

Amosun, who has been suspended by the APC, has also come under probe by the commission.

The probe was sequel to a petition written by a group, Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate, over an alleged misappropriation of N4bn Anchor Borrowers’ Fund meant for Ogun farmers.

The group, in the petition dated February 20, 2019, alleged that the sum was made available to the Amosun-led government in 2017 by the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide jobs for the residents through the mass production of rice.

It alleged that Amosun staged a jamboree ceremony and set up fake rice pyramids to deceive the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, when he (Emefiele) visited the state last year.

The group further accused the governor of abandoning the project in spite of his promise to establish rice plantations in the three senatorial districts of the state.

The EFCC may, however, have to wait till 2023 before taking further action on five governors-elect – Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel, as well as Kano Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who are all being investigated for alleged diversion of public funds.

Should Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, win re-election in April, the EFCC will also have to wait till 2023 before taking any action against him.

A panel constituted to investigate the electoral and other offences perpetrated during the December 10, 2016 Rivers parliamentary re-run said that it recovered N111m from 23 INEC officials.

The Chairman of the panel, Damian Okoro, alleged that three senior electoral officers collected N20m each out of the N360m given to them by Governor Wike, while the remaining officers received N15m each.

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said all the corruption allegations would be treated on a “case-by-case” basis.

Orilade said, “I don’t have the full details of the cases but investigations have been going on as regards some of these cases and as soon as their immunity is gone, we will take further action and if there is a prima facie case, we will take the matter to court.

“As for those who have won and are going to be covered by immunity, it does not mean that investigations will stop. They are not immune from investigation but from prosecution as guaranteed by the constitution. And at the proper time, if there is a prima facie case, they will be prosecuted.”

@punch

Anti-CFA activist reacts over deportation from Ivory Coast

An Anti-CFA activist, Kemi Seba reacts to his expulsion from Ivory Coast earlier this week.

At a press conference, the pan-Africanist criticized Ivorian authorities, and his home country, Benin, accusing them of violating his fundamental rights.

Despite the aversion of several governments in West Africa, Kemi Seba says he is determined to continue his fight against the CFA franc, a currency common to 14 African countries and guaranteed by France.

“There is a way forward and that is why we are fighting this fight, it is a way to reclaim our wealth, reclaim our resources, to fight against bad governance because there can be no healthy monetary system if there is no clean-up at the level of our elites, if there is no substantive work done to ensure that corruption disappears and that our resources as such are reclaimed. If there is no such work, dropping the CFAfranc would be pointless,” Seba said.

Kemi Seba gained fame for his pan-Africanism including his fight against France’s supposed control over the economies of some African countries.

Already, the activist has been expelled from Senegal and Togo since focusing on the fight against the use of the CFA franc.

AFP

Foreign: Over a million displaced Ethiopians return home

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has apologized for the deteriorating security situation that saw over a million and half Ethiopians displaced months after he came into office.

Speaking at a rare press briefing at his office complex in the capital Addis Ababa, he said a million people have returned to their places on origin.

“When I came to the office there were 1.1 million displaced people. After I came, an additional 1.5 million people were displaced. It is shameful that this happened in a time of change,” he told journalists.

The cause of most displacement was down to inter-ethnic tensions which were largely centered in his home region, Oromia. The majority of displaced were also sheltered in the region.

Over the period, most of the affected persons had refused to return to their homes citing the continued state of insecurity. The breakdown for the current returns are yet to be made public. International aid agencies have also yet to corroborate the figure by the Prime Minister.

Abiy also stressed the importance of ensuring security to prevent displacement in the first place, adding, “we are taking strong legal measures to ensure the rule of law is respected.”

Exactly a year ago, the ruling coalition, Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front, EPRDF, elected Abiy as its leader before he took office on April 2.

Abiy also spoke on issues within the EPRDF which he has led for a year with head spinning reforms at the coalition and national level in his capacity as Prime Minister and leader of government business.

The Candlelight holds walk against hunger to save lives

By Christian Agadibe

Hundreds of desperate and starving persons in Lagos have come to depend on the non-governmental organisation, The Candlelight Foundation, for free meals weekly to reduce hunger and boost nutrition in the face of harsh economic realities in which many families are unsure of their next meal.

The NGO, despite recording a steady increase in the number of its dependants as a non-profit soup kitchen, has forged on in its commitment to bringing succour to destitute Nigerians. 

In line with its mandate, The Candlelight Foundation has finalized plans to organise a ‘Walk Against Hunger’ and will seek donations to save lives. The kind gesture established by the Candlelight Foundation is supported by Providus Bank, FBN Mortgages, Indomie Noodles among others.  

The events are part of broader humanitarian projects that include the “Football Over Hunger” match between Fintech companies that are Pagatech and Fint and “Walk Against Hunger” and other initiatives of the NGO to raise funds and sustain the cause and get government’s backing.

Commenting on this year’s projects, the executive director of the Candlelight Foundation, Uzoamaka Okeke, said: “We are working on two projects at the moment. The Football over Hunger match and our annual Walk Against Hunger. The football match is between two organisations in the Fintech industry: FINT and Pagatech on 19th of April. 

“It is a novelty match to raise funds for our cause as well as a team-bonding opportunity for each organisation and an opportunity to be part of a great cause. The walk against hunger will be held on May 4th this year and will congregate at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

“It is another great opportunity to raise awareness of the hunger emergency in our country and band the public together to fight it.” 

Highlighting the focus of the NGO, Okeke stressed that, “The beneficiaries of our projects are always the less advantaged in our society. We provide free meals and adult education to the needy as well as get young kids off the street and put them back in school.”  

On the achievements recorded since inception of Candlelight Foundation, Okeke explained that there are many accomplishments: 

“We have been able to provide over 50,000 meals to the needy and give people jobs. Our adult education classes currently have more than 50 men and women in attendance. We have been able to educate on hygiene, and given over 100 men free haircuts and shaves. 

“We give out clothes and shoes regularly. Our centre in Surulere, Lagos, has shower facilities where they bathe for free. They also come and wash their clothes for free without fear of theft. We have been able to provide a non-judgemental place where they can come and talk, rest weary legs, take shelter from the sun and rain; we have provided a place where they can receive hope.” 

Asked what the Candlelight aims to achieve at the long run by setting up a non-profit soup kitchen, Okeke stated that: “Unless you have a heart of stone, just step outside your home and you will see the need. We started it because there was a need for it. Our aim is to affect the thinking capacity of every Nigerian by providing the basic nutrition one needs to be effective in society.  

“A hungry man cannot apply for a job nor sit for an interview. A hungry man will eventually become a nuisance when he has so much potential inside of him.” 

She also disclosed the factors that have made the NGO unique and outstanding. “There are so many NGOs out there doing great things. The Candlelight has found itself catering mostly but not exclusively to the less advantaged men in our society. These men are both socially and biblically head of household, but with little or no tools to function properly in that role, one can only wonder what kind of role model such a man is to his wife and kids.” 

The Candlelight director also opened up on the challenges of running a non-profit soup kitchen in Nigeria: “One of the major challenges to fundraising is the awareness of who we are and what we do. We are trying to get the word out and let people know we exist and that they could possibly save a life with just N200. 

“It costs only N200 to feed one person and give them hope that tomorrow could be better. I think the economy also has a role in the challenges to fundraising. It was quite a tight year in 2018. Somehow, I just believe this year would be much better. I am moved by the plight of the poor and I want to care for as many as I can reach.

“It is not an easy road. There is quite some backlash, but it is a road I have chosen and must see through, not to prove anything to anyone but because it is a noble cause; a cause I would gladly champion.”

APC wants DSS, POLICE TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED HACKING INTO SERVER TO FALSIFY ELECTION RESULT.

The APC has appealed to the Department of State Services and Mohammed Adamu,inspector general of police, to investigate the vanquished PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for allegedly hacking into server of the INEC.

Legit.ng on Monday, March 25, acquired this in an announcement marked by Festus Keyamo (SAN), representative of the APC presidential campaign council.

The announcement read: ”We wish you to take note of that INEC’s server is the back end of electronic records of INEC. This isn’t INEC’s site however its server

PRESIDENTIAL TRIBUNAL: How did the petitioner gain access to INEC servers without permission of the electoral commission? How did he know that 1.6mn votes were in his favour if not that the server was hacked, that's if figures are true. 

”Although, the purported results have been conclusively shown by public engagements to be false and even ridiculous, especially as the total number of accredited voters is exactly equivalent to the purported votes of the APC and PDP candidates, this criminal claim of the PDP has revealed a few things: ”It is now clear that some criminally-minded PDP operatives have access to the INEC server to be able to smuggle in fake results"

”The only means by which they could have access to the INEC server is by the criminal hacking of the server or through the criminal conspiracy of some INEC officials.

”The APC presidential campaign council hereby prays that the inspector-general of police and the director-general of the Department of State Services use your good offices to investigate the hacking of and/or illegal tampering with the INEC server by the PDP.

”The leadership of the PDP must be invited, interrogated and investigated and those identified as perpetrators must be arrested and prosecuted. Opposition is healthy in a democracy but it is not a license for criminality and illegality.

”A country governed by laws cannot be blackmailed or cowed into indolence by the perceived underdog status of the opposition so as to condone such a blatant criminal claim by the PDP of having illegal access to INEC’s server.

”Upon the last-minute postponement of the February 16, 2019 Presidential/National Assembly Elections, the nation was shocked to see already prepared presidential elections results floating around in the cyber space just less than 24 hours after the postponed election was originally billed to hold!.

”The fake results had details of the scores of the candidates of the major parties. Of course, the fake results gave victory to the candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, even when elections did not hold.

”The only conclusion one can draw from the above is that the PDP had prepared those results which were to be smuggled into the INEC Server. However, the sudden postponement of the election scuttled that evil plan, but it was too late to restrain the release of the fake results.”

 

Source: Legit

FOREIGN: US gives Israel green light for full scale war on Gaza

The US has reportedly given Israel a green-light to launch a full scale military operation against Gaza, according to Agencies report.

Approximately 7 hours ago, a rocket was reportedly fired from the Gaza Strip, hitting a home in the North of Tel Aviv and injuring 7. Israel blamed Hamas for the rocket fire, however there has been no confirmation of who fired it.

Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, was on a trip to the United States and was due to deliver a speech to the Israeli Lobby group AIPAC on Tuesday. He has announced the cancellation of this speech and headed back to Israel, declaring that Israel will now strike the Gaza Strip.

Hamas have allegedly communicated, through Egyptian contacts, to Israel, that they will respond to Israeli aggression.

Israel have placed the Golani Brigade on standby, stationed the military surrounding Gaza and declared the surrounding settlement villages, close to the perimeter of Gaza, as closed military zones.

Israel have also informed Hamas, through Egypt, that “any retaliation to our attack on Gaza will result in a full scale war”.

Israel will commence its attack upon the Gaza Strip in the coming minutes/hours.

INEC early this morning declared Gov., Lalong of Plateau winner of the rerun gubernatorial election: Below is full text of his acceptance speech

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH OF 

HIS EXCELLENCY, 

Rt. Hon. (DR.) Simon BAKO Lalong 

EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE

AND GOVERNOR-ELECT FOR 2ND TERM IN OFFICE.

SUNDAY, 24TH MARCH 2019.

Fellow Citizens of Plateau State,

On 11th April, 2015 during the gubernatorial election, you came out enthusiastically and voted me as Executive Governor of Plateau State under the Platform of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

Taking on this mantle of leadership marked a significant milestone in our political and democratic journey as a people. It was also with a clarion call on us to deliver dividends of democracy along the 5-point Policy Thrusts that we had presented. 

Fellow Citizens, four years down the lane, without prejudice to the just concluded re-run elections of 23rd March 2019, and the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), you once again came out en-masse and voted us to serve a second and final term as Executive Governor of the State, together with my Deputy, Professor Sonni G. Tyoden. 

With gratitude to God Almighty, on behalf of myself and the Deputy Governor, I sincerely thank you all. We whole-heartedly accept this mandate to serve for a second and final term with all the humility it deserves. 

Above all, we accept this mandate by equally soliciting your usual cooperation and partnership as we strive to sustain the execution of our mandate.

The outcome of the exercise in the State was clearly an amazing show of confidence and trust. It was also referendum on our most cherished principles of Unity and Peace as well as affirmation of the desire to move to the Next Level. 

Moving to the next level in the light of equality and inclusiveness, which are core values fundamentally located in the heart of the Plateau spirit that speak to our sense of communality, diverse ethnicity, mutual respect, tolerance, peace, hospitality, humility and diligence. 

The unquantifiable sacrifices and support of the platform on which we stood and won, namely, the Executive Council and State Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Director-General and Members of the Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Volunteers, Canvassers, Agents, Religious Leaders, Election Observers, Family Members, Women, Youth and the Less Privileged are highly commendable and appreciated. 

We see our task as a call to greater service and accountability to you as a people, who rightly represent the voice of God.

To our electoral umpire, Security Agencies, Civil society Organizations, Stakeholders, and Gentlemen of the Press, we salute your courage and dexterity in upholding the tenets of your vocation, which contributed immensely to the success and peaceful conduct of this election. May God reward all of you with special graces and blessings.

Let me use this opportunity to urge my fellow citizens to regard this victory at the polls as victory for the whole of Plateau, with no victor, no vanquished. 

We had a dream, which we collectively and tirelessly worked towards achieving it and succeeded. 

To me, this victory is a mark of honour and clarion call for consolidation of our gains and the sustainable peaceful coexistence for the good of the State. 

Together, we will do more. I urge all citizens to celebrate in harmony with even the opposition without harassment, intimidation and provocative statements against any person or group. 

To my fellow Contestants, who not only participated in the historic Gubernatorial Debate, prior to the elections and also contested with me, I wish to congratulate you for your matured conduct during and after our electioneering campaigns. 

I also extend my hands of friendship and urge you to share in the patriotic zeal of building a virile Plateau so that we can bequeath a positive and lasting legacy for the younger generations.

I equally extend my congratulations and hands of friendship to the newly elected and returned members of the Plateau State House of Assembly and indeed the National Assembly. 

I look forward to a mutually beneficial and more robust working relationship with all of you. I pledge that government will continue to cooperate with the Honourable Members-Elect at all times.

Finally, as I look forward to presenting a State-wide address and unveiling our next programmes and policies during my inauguration on 29th May 2019, I once more thank you immensely for the confidence reposed on us and promise to sustain our loyalty, diligence and service to you all and to the Glory of God. 

God Bless Plateau State.

God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Rt. Hon. (Dr.) SIMON BAKO LALONG

Executive Governor and Governor-Elect

Plateau State.

Sunday 24th March 2019.

source:Yakubu Dati, Hon Commissioner of Information, Plateau State.

Posted by Lateef Lawal for Nigerian Eagle News

On Political Trail ahead of Saturday's Gubernatorial Election

APC will complete the take-over of Delta on Saturday, says Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has said next Saturday’s elections will complete the cycle of the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) take-over of the affairs of Delta State.

Buhari spoke at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun, Uvwie council area of the state yesterday when he addressed the party’s stakeholders and other stakeholders of the state, including traditional rulers.

Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also assured the stakeholders that the Federal Government would ensure adequate security during the elections.

“What happened last Saturday is a great victory for us, but it is only the beginning because the completion of that victory is going to come by the grace of God on Saturday March 9, 2019 when we vote in our own governor, Great Ogboru, who will by the grace of God be a governor from that very day.

“It is very clear to everybody and to the world that Delta State can never be the same again. It’s impossible for Delta State to go back after what happened on Saturday. As the APC chairman said, we all watched to see what will happen in Delta State. Delta State was a focus of all of our attention.

“Just as the chairman has said, we have seen a Delta state where the PDP was unable to recall a vote of 1.2 million and we knew they wrote the result. We wanted to see what way they can be curtailed, but you all proved that ‘you can tell a lie for a thousand years, but one day the truth will catch up’ and the truth caught up with them last Saturday. That truth will manifest itself fully this Saturday when we hold the next election. Delta State has proved a very important point that this state is ready for change to the next level.

“The other reason why it is so important for us to ensure that Delta State become an APC state has been pointed out. The social investment programme that we put in place, it is only APC governor that can implement such programmes faithfully. We believe that once we are able to have an APC governor such programmes will be implemented,” the Vice President said.

Osinbajo went on: “I heard talks about Delta Steel Company (DSC); after so many years, the Itakpe-Aladja railway has been completed 35 years after being on the card. It’s this same President that completed it. PDP has been in power all these many years, why didn’t they complete it? They (PDP) are the ones who created this mess.

“Even the Warri seaport which we are now dredging has been there for years. They didn’t do it. All of these times that PDP has been in power. Sometimes, it surprises me that with the resources that Delta State has had for so many years, where are the fruit of the resources. Look at the Warri Seaport, it could have been seamlessly be done by the state. Here we are, we (APC) are completing the dredging of the channel. Even the East-West raod, this is the first government that has put resources for its completion. We are putting large amount of money into the East-West road. We all will benefit from it.

“Delta State should not be an opposition state. Why should Delta be an opposition state? Why? There is no reason for it at all. For all the periods that Delta State has had high resources, what we need was a change from a progressive party. The time has come. This is the moment, let us seize that moment. You have shown courage, it is only the courageous that wins”, he said.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier, various speakers had urged President Buhari to ensure strict security cover for the state to prevent the rigging of next Saturday’s election by the PDP, saying that the party (PDP) would repeat its alleged rigging pattern during the governorship and state House of Assembly election if there is no proper security to deter such.

The event gathered leaders and stakeholders of the party in the state, including the governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, Minister of State of Petroleum Resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and others.

SDP, ZENITH PARTIES ADOPT PDP CANDIDATE IN OYO

More opposition parties in Oyo State yesterday adopted the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Seyi Makinde, as a consensus candidate for the March 9 poll.

This is coming three days after the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Mr Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) publicly declared his party’s adoption of the PDP’s candidate.

The latest candidates to join the adoption train include Senator Olufemi Lanlehin of the African Democratic Congress and Mr Sharafadeen Alli of Zenith Labour Party.

The proposed plan to conclude on the coalition suffered an initial set back when former governor Christopher Alao-Akala of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) withdrew and declared support for the APC candidate, Mr Adebayo Adelabu.

Former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who mediated the coalition as a chieftain of ZLP, according to sources, will address a news conference today.

The final agreement on the adoption of Makinde was reached at a meeting held at the Bodija, Ibadan residence of Ladoja.

The final agreement was signed by directors-general of the campaign committees of the four political parties.

The signatories are Director General (DG), PDP Campaign Committee, Chief Bayo Lawal; DG, ZLP Campaign Committee, Mr Waheed Akanbi; DG, ADC Campaign Committee, Bashiru Lawal; and DG, SDP Campaign Committee, Chief Matthew Oke.

The document entitled: “Coalition Meeting of 4th March 2019”, released at the end of the meeting held on Monday, read in part: “Agreement has been reached by members of the coalition parties to adopt Engr.  Seyi Makinde, as its gubernatorial candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. Full details will be made available later on.”

Makinde has congratulated the people of Oyo State on his adoption by a coalition of political parties in the state.

A statement from his campaign office by Prince Dotun Oyelade said: “Leaders of the parties, led by the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja; Senator Femi Lanlehin, Barrister Sarafadeen Ali and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, displayed unsurpassed broadmindedness and political maturity in agreeing to adopt him to face the APC, which is the nemesis of our people.”

Edo APC begins voter education to avoid void votes

Ahead of Saturday’s House of Assembly elections in Edo State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has embarked on voter education to enable its supporters vote appropriately.

Candidate of the APC for Oredo East Constituency, Mr Osaro Obazee, who spoke to reporters in Benin City, said the purpose of the voter education was to avert high number of voided votes as recorded in the February 23rd presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.

Obazee added that the high volume of voided votes was responsible for the defeat of the APC in the presidential and some seats in the National Assembly.

He said: “Our party did not lose; we did not lose that election. The agents of our party, some of them were not too experienced, some of them were not too confident. If you look at the void votes, if you add them to the votes they scored, you will see the difference so what we have embarked on is voters education.”

Bayelsa women to Buhari: suspend election in our community

Women in Nembe Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Indepedent National Electoral Commission to suspend the forthcoming election in the troubled community.

Spokesperson of the Women, Mrs. Sotonye Samuel-Johnson, said the call to postpone the election in the community was to safeguard the lives and properties of women and children in the area.

Samuel-Johnson said that women and children, who fled the community to nearby Ogbolomabiri and Yenagoa had not been able to return to their homes.

She urged the President to order investigations to the activities of the thugs and their Army collaborators which according to her had assumed a frightening dimension.

Youth Groups,Traders &  Artisans lend support for Sanwo-Olu,Dapo Abiodun and Adelabu

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu; Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, have been endorsed by group of youths, traders and artisans under the umbrella of Grand Council of Yoruba Youths (Agbarijo Egbe Odo Yoruba).

Representatives in the umbrella body include National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Market Women Association, Non Indigenes Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Okada Riders Association, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Egbe Omo Odua (USA and UK), as well as Civil Society Organization led by Comrade Mrs Kehinde Olaoni.

The endorsement programme which held at Western Hall, Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Secretariat, Ibadan, yesterday was chaired by Senator Ayo Fasanmi, who was represented by Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede.

Noting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s performance and intention earned him the second term ticket, Otunba Ogunkeyede explained that the administration of President Buhari which was initially termed ‘go slow’ after it was inaugurated in 2015 was slowed down by the leadership of the National Assembly, which he said consists of people with questionable characters.

The convener and Chairman, Planning Committee, Comrade Awa Bamiji, enjoined people in Oyo, Lagos, and Ogun states to come out on Saturday, March 9 to vote for the candidates of the APC to ensure sustainability, even and rapid development of South West region.

Mrs Iswat Ameringun, who represented the Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, Mrs. Kehinde Olaoni and other representatives said they were all in support of the candidature of Adelabu, Sanwo-Olu and Abiodun.

Adelabu: I will sustain school feeding

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Adebayo Adelabu, has promised to sustain the school feeding project if elected by the people of the state on Saturday.

He gave the assurance during his campaign across the state.

Adelabu, who also hailed the return of many breakaway members of the party across the state, assured teachers of higher wages if he succeeds in the election. He described education as the bedrock of human and nation’s development, stressing that teachers are a major pillar of quality education delivery, hence need to be motivated.

The APC candidate said without teachers, he would not be who he is today, adding that all great men and women owe the development of their minds to their teachers. He said he holds teachers in high esteem so much that he believes that they are a class of workers whose welfare should be a priority in the society.

Ajanaku returns to APC for Adelabu’s success

As part of plans to ensure the victory of the All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, the candidate of the Zenith Labour Party for Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency in the just concluded National assembly election, Dr Rotimi Ajanaku , has returned to the ruling APC.

Ajanaku, accompanied by his supports at his Oke Ado base, noted that although he did not win the election, his  absence and that of his supporters was felt in the APC camp.

He said his return to the APC was made possible by the “timely and uncommon intervention of the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi who unequivocally fast-tracked the whole process, through his assurances of immediate re-integration of my followers into the party hierarchy and other worthy considerations.”

Stop victimising civil servants, Abdulrazaq urges Ahmed

Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday accused Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed administration of victimising civil servants.

He urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government to stop victimising civil servants on flimsy and petty excuses.

Abdulrazaq, in a statement by is media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye said: “We are aware that civil servants who did not agree to do the bidding of the ruling PDP are being sacked or victimised in one way or the other. This is wrong, inhuman and unlawful.

“Civil servants are humans and are covered by the social contract. Any government, such as the one currently in Kwara State, with no regard for the social contract cannot expect the civil servants to remain silent in the face of tyranny.

“Once elected, we will look into the cases of all the civil servants who were victimised or sacked on account of refusing to compromise their professionalism or integrity. We will restore their rights and dignity as Kwarans,” the statement quoted AbdulRazaq as saying.

“It is outrageously hypocritical for a government that is notorious for coercing and blackmailing civil servants to do its political bidding to turn around and accuse civil servants of getting involved in politics,” the statement added.

Polls not war, says cleric

A Catholic cleric in Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, has called on Nigerian youths to resist the temptation of being used for violence ahead of Saturday’s Governorship and Houses of Assembly elections.

He urged them to embrace orderliness and peace, describing elections as  brotherly contests.

Speaking yesterday at Blessed Iwene Tansi Catholic Church, Umudioka, Obimma, popularly known as Fr. Ebubemonso, enjoined the electorates to come out enmass to vote candidates of their choices.

He said: ‘’2019 general elections particularly this Governorship and House of Assembly elections is a brotherly contest and not a war.”

Oyo: We did not endorse another party, says AAC

The African Action Congress, Oyo State chapter has said it is not part of any endorsement of any other governorship candidate for the March 9, governorship election in the state.

Rather, the party said it remains focused, committed and determined to bring about a government that is welfarist concern for the people who have been deliberately pauperised by the ruling class since the beginning of the current political dispensation.

It added that its governorship candidate, Mr Akinwale Laosun, remains the candidate and best option for the people of the state in the coming election.

He urged the people of the state to open their eyes to the reality of selfish and self-centered politicians who would rather work for their personal interest and that of their allies, but camouflaging same in the name of the masses.

Vote for APC candidates, Boroffice begs Ondo Indigenes

The senator representing Ondo North senatorial district, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, has urged the people of Ondo State to vote for candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Senator made the appeal during a thank-you rally organised by his supporters in Oka-Akoko on Saturday.

Boroffice said an APC-dominated House of Assembly would guarantee good governance and political stability in Ondo State.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Science & Technology urged his supporters to troop out massively to vote for all APC candidates into the Ondo State House of Assembly.

Boroffice(Ondo North) is the only APC Senatorial Candidate that returned to the Upper Chamber after the recent Presidential/National Assembly polls held on February 3.

Assembly Election: Oyetola solicits votes for APC candidates

Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola has enjoined residents to vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Saturday’s House of Assembly election.

The Osun State governor said for his administration to be properly established for good governance and smooth running, there was the need for an APC majority in the House of Assembly.

Oyetola added President Muhammadu BUhari’s re-election had vindicated the resolve of the APC-led Federal Government to raise the bar of good governance, sustain steady development in the country and put Nigeria to the path of progress and prosperity.

The governor spoke on Monday during a ‘Thank You Tour’ to Ilobu, Ifon, Erin-Osun and Ede in Irepodun, Orolu, Ede-North and Ede-South Local Government Areas.

The tour was to appreciate the people for supporting President Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the APC in the Presidential and National Assembly elections

He lauded the courage displayed by the electorate to ensure victory for the APC in the February 23rd elections.

Oyetola who described the Assembly election as important for entrenching democratic government, called on the electorate to vote all APC candidates in Saturday’s elections.

He said the decision to elect APC candidates to the House will give his administration the opportunity to actualise all its planned policies and programmes.

According to the Governor, the House of Assembly election is as important as other elections as it defines how the structure of government will be formulated.

“We embark on this ‘thank you tour’ to appreciate our people who came out in large numbers to re-elect our President and other candidates of our party- the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“We have taken a noble decision to sustain continuity and steady development in Nigeria with the re-election of President Buhari as this will help to engender more development and transformation for Nigeria,” Oyetola added

49 parties, 32 candidates back El-Rufai

Thirty-two governorship candidates in Kaduna State, under the auspices of Kaduna State Progressive Governorship Candidates Forum, have stepped down for Governor Nasir El-Rufai of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

They made their decision public yesterday, when the 32 candidates and 49 political parties endorsed El-Rufai’s candidature.

The chairman of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Comrade Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, said they came out to support the governor towards ensuring that he continues with his good works, stressing that he has done well to deserve the endorsement.

source: Nation

APC suspends Amosun, Okorocha for anti-party activities

....NWC recommends their outright expulsion to NEC

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended both Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun, and Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha, for anti-party activities.

The Adams Oshiomhole-led committee reached its decision during a meeting in Abuja on Friday, March 1, 2019, and has forwarded a recommendation to the party's national executive committee (NEC) to ratify the expulsion of both governors.

Both governors were just recently elected Senators on the platform of the party in the February 23 National Assembly elections.

For months, both governors have been engaged in a war of words with the party's national leadership over the party's governorship candidate in their respective states, as they both failed to get the party's ticket for their preferred successors.

Both governors have publicly backed their preferred choices, who are now opposition candidates, against the candidates of the party for the March 2 Governorship elections.

While Amosun is backing Adekunle Akinlade of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) against the APC's Dapo Abiodun, Okorocha is backing Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, of the Action Alliance (AA) against the party's Senator Hope Uzodinma.

 

sorce: Pulse