₦airaland Forum

. Threaten mass action against him over breach of peace, violence in Igala land

. Call on govt, security agencies to wade in, protect Kogi East from desperate politicians


Stakeholders in Kogi State, especially those from Kogi East, have condemned the alleged instigation of violence in the senatorial district by the Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Muritala Yakubu, saying it is capable of disenfranchising voters in the zone and working against serious contenders from Kogi East.

The stakeholders who spoke on behalf of thousands of responsible Igala sons and daughters across the zone, and Kogites, generally, who are members of the Kogi East Patriotic Association, accused Ajaka of needless and reckless propaganda, being stage-managed at the expense of security in the area.

They spoke at an emergency press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, in reaction to what they termed the latest spurious allegation of attempted assassination by the SDP candidate and the involvement of a Police officer who was allegedly severely injured by Yakubu's thugs.

The stakeholders, who said they were not campaigning for any candidate in the forthcoming governorship election, noted that Kogi State indigenes and Nigerians were aware that other governorship candidates from opposition parties had been going about their campaigns without bloodshed or violence, but that the SDP and its candidate had, unfortunately, allegedly made orchestrated bloodshed the hallmark of their campaign.

"Each time Ajaka goes out, it is always blood, crying and tears for Kogites. Is he the only governorship candidate in Kogi State? Certainly not," they declared.

The Convener, Kogi East Patriotic Association, Abdulkadir Ojonugwa, who addressed the press on behalf of others, said, "We have never had a governorship candidate as unruly and crude as the SDP candidate, Muritala Yakubu, in the history of Kogi State politics.

"His handlers are also as clueless and have failed to realise that while elections would go on smoothly in other parts of the state and others would record more wins, their gameplan would only decimate the votes in Kogi East at the detriment of serious contenders. And we say no to this. Enough is enough."

They accused him of creating tension in the region even after he had refused to honour Police invitations and threatened to effect a citizens' arrest "and hand him over to the Police" if the horrible trend continues.

"Our people are getting fed up with all these violent shenanigans and if the Police and the state government refuse to do the needful, the people of Kogi East will have no choice than to effect a citizens' arrest of Ajaka and hand him over to the relevant authorities before he kills all of us for his inordinate ambition," Ojonugwa, who is from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi East, said.

On the Police officer in the purported video of assault, the stakeholders noted, "The Police officer seen in that video would have been made to say things under duress to save his own life because that was the only way that man could still be alive today.

"We could hear clearly as the thugs were shouting to be allowed to kill a police officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria inside a Police Station and turning around to blame all that on the state government."

The Kogi East stakeholders stated, "As bona-fide citizens of Kogi State from Kogi East, it is our desire to see a peaceful and credible election in our dear state. We have been monitoring developments in the state since the beginning of the campaign for the Kogi State governorship election and the trend of campaign of ethnic divisionism and violence has not escaped our attention. 

"Our sense of urgency in arranging for this emergency Press Conference was further heightened by the violence we witnessed yesterday in Kogi State whereby a senior Police officer was almost lynched allegedly by the thugs of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party under the spurious claims that he was involved in an attack against the convoy of Mr Murtala Ajaka.

"First, we must call on the highest authorities of the Nigeria Police to swiftly arrest all individuals who were involved in that dastardly act. If you watch that video closely,  you will hear some people shouting 'let us kill this idiot. You will die today' and so on. And to think that they succeeded in gaining access inside the Idah Police station and almost succeeded in killing that Police Officer inside the Police station was more than scary and so unfathomable."

"In this man's desperation to be governor, he doesn't seem to care how many lives can be lost and the extent of destruction that can pave the way to get him there.  He has perfected the means of engaging in propaganda to blame every violence he orchestrates on the state's government but every Kogite no longer buys his story. What happened yesterday was a stage-managed  bloody violence scripted by Mr Ajaka and his committee of thugs," they stated.

The stakeholders added that no matter the alleged "evil propaganda and lies manufactured daily by Ajaka and his cohorts", Kogi East votes had already been dedicated to those deserving of the votes.

"Even amongst us in Igala land, we know who we can trust. But we're not here to campaign for anybody but to warn those whose stock in trade is orchestrating violence and playing the victim that they can't put all of us at risk because of their unpopular ambition.

"We stand for peace, justice and credible election on November 11 and whoever will make that impossible must be caged by security agents before that time. The continued security, peace and prosperity of Kogi State is our ultimate desire and we will do everything to make it happen.

"We condemn politics of ethnic bigotry and violence in all ramifications. We are educated, knowledgeable and reasonable people in Kogi East and we will not tolerate dishonorable conduct from any politician even if he is our brother or sister," they declared.

. Say 'he's trying to save battered image, but committing political suicide'

. Ask him to go home and show Nigerians his supporters

The people of Kogi West have called on well meaning sons and daughters of the senatorial district to take a second look at the recent activities of Senator Smart Adeyemi, and realise that he desperately needs their help to overcome the fear of the unknown, which they said had allegedly made him to start exhibiting what they described as "severe signs of depression".

The Kogi West leaders, in a statement in reaction to Adeyemi's Channels TV interview on Wednesday, said his utterances were totally devoid of logic, especially as regards a state "where he has absolutely no followership."

The statement, signed on behalf of over 4,000 Okun indigenes, across all wards, by the Coordinator, Kogi Collective Interest Group, Abdul-Ganiyu Yusuf, challenged Adeyemi, who represented Kogi West Senatorial District in the 9th Assembly, to go to his ward to demonstrate his popularity to Nigerians, insisting that he would be booed as a result of non-performance while in office.

Yusuf, a High Chief from Ife-Olukotun, Yagba East Local Government, blamed Governor Yahaya Bello for "dashing him (Adeyemi) a third term", saying all Kogi West people were united in their determination not to allow the former Senator get the third term ticket but for the plea by the Governor on his behalf.

The indigenes called on Adeyemi’s family members "not to watch him grieve alone as he has started showing dangerous signs of depression."

"How can a man in his right frame of mind begin to hop from one TV station to the other, desperately, to say unfounded things about a matter that is already before the Supreme Court? Both the High and Appeal Courts have crushed his case. And any one who was in court on the day of the Supreme Court hearing already knows this man is completely unserious.

"He has absolutely no base in his hometown or state. He is begging to appear on TV stations desperately as if his life depends on it. Unfortunately, those that he is trying to seek their help know that he drinks palm wine and breaks the keg like his colleagues in the media have described him.

"Serious politicians are on the field aligning with one political party or the other and doing meaningful things with their time. Even as a Senator, he was a complete failure. He is the only orphan in the mix now. So, one should understand his grief and pity him, sincerely, instead of getting angry with a confused, battered, expired politician who, in the process of seeking to save a drowning image, is inadvertently committing political suicide.

"Please tell Smart Adeyemi to go home and show Nigerians his supporters and stop making a fool of himself on TV. The politicians we have at the top in Nigeria, as well as our indefatigable judges cannot be swayed by unintelligent serial betrayers and blackmailers. They know them when they see them and they can decode the signs of severe depression," they stated.

. We'll expose unfounded propaganda by confused politicians with massive votes for Ododo - Okun indigenes

Thousands of supporters trooped out, on Saturday, for a massive All Progressives Congress rally, held in Kabba, Kogi West Senatorial District, in support of the APC Governorship candidate, Usman Ododo.

Critical stakeholders, at the highly successful rally, which further underscored the massive support for the APC candidate in Okunland, specifically declared that there was no vacuum for opposition political parties in the area in the forthcoming governorship election.

The APC members said they were waiting anxiously for November 11 to expose what they termed "unfounded propaganda by confused politicians who had no base in Okunland" and to deliver massively for Ododo and his running mate, Joel Oyibo.

The various speakers and key leaders, drawn from all parts of Kogi West, said they could not afford to be in the minority and described the APC as a party that had offered them limitless opportunities since the creation of the State.

"We have the mandate of our people in Kogi West that there is no vaccum for opposition political parties. We are poised to deliver maximally for the APC," the Director General, Kogi West APC Governorship Campaign, Funsho Olumoko, said.

Former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Yomi Awoniyi, noted that Okun people had resolved to deliver for the APC with one voice.

"Our people have resolved to deliver for APC. Our people will vote for consolidation and sustainability in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State," he assured.

The Minister of Steel Development, Shaibu Abubakar, who is the Director General of the Kogi State APC Governorship Campaign, said the massive turnout by supporters indicated that the APC had no opposition, while expressing the confidence that the Party will win, impressively, come November 11.

"Let us come out en masse to vote for Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo. This will enable him build on the legacies of Governor Yahaya Bello in security, massive job creation, infrastructure and so many other areas. With the massive turnout here today, it is clear that we have no opposition," he stated.

Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Umar Aliyu, described Lokoja Kogi Federal Constituency as a no-go area for the opposition, noting that the people would reward the APC for giving them a sense of belonging and for the achievements in the area.

"Let me make it abundantly clear. The APC will be rewarded for the sense of belonging, infrastructure and appointments the people of Lokoja and Kogi LGAs have enjoyed," he said, adding that the people of the area had never had it so good.

Other speakers at the rally were the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Folashade Ayoade; Deputy Governor of the state, Edward Onoja; Suleiman Babadoko, and Taofiq Isah, among others.

They all noted that Kogi West remained a no-go area for the opposition, stressing that it had been sealed by the strength of the APC structure and the achievements of the current administration in the State.

In his remarks, the Kogi State APC Governorship Candidate, Usman Ododo, said he was committed to consolidating on the progress and development achieved by Governor Bello.

"I'm prepared to serve and to open a new page of development in the State. Governor Yahaya Bello has laid a solid foundation for the State and I'm poised to ensure sustainability and consolidation," he said.

Governor Yahaya Bello called on the people of Kogi West to join hands in forming a government that would meet their yearnings and aspirations.

"The achievements of my administration are visible for all to see. This is not time for us to be complacent. We cannot afford to be in the opposition, not with the many plans the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has for Kogi State.

"In the last couple of years, we have built and rebuilt our infrastructure. We have made Kogi money and resources to work for the people. We cannot afford to be dragged back.

"I appeal to the people of Kogi West to vote for the APC to enable consolidation, unity amongst our people and to ensure that the coming generation of the people of Kogi West can be proud of what has been achieved," the Governor stated.

Highlights of the rally were the receiving of decampees from the PDP and other opposition political parties and the presentation of flag to the APC governorship candidate.

The Campaign team earlier visited the Obaro of Kabba, HRM, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, who assured of the continuous support of traditional rulers for the State Government.

He stressed that the people would reciprocate the current administration's good gesture to the people of Kogi West.

Kogi guber: ADC state chairman, 3 senatorial chairmen, only Assembly member, dump Abejide, move supporters to APC

. Declare support for Ododo


The Kogi State Chairman of the African Democratic Party (ADC), Kingsley Oga, and other members of the party across the three senatorial districts have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC chieftains and members, on Friday, collapsed their entire structure into the APC and endorsed the party's candidate, Usman Ododo, for the November 11 governorship election.

The only ADC State Assembly member, Hon. Idowu Ibikunle, representing Yagba West State Constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly, also declared his support for the APC candidate, saying her would campaign widely for him despite being an ADC House of Assembly member.

Addressing party members during the defection on Friday, Oga affirmed his position as the state chairman of the ADC but noted that the ADC members in the state had decided to abandon the ADC candidate and work for Ododo.

According to him, among all the governorship candidates for the November 11 gubernatorial election in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, the APC candidate, is the most suitable for the seat.

He said a five-man committee was previously set up to assess all the candidates contesting, and that the committee’s report concluded that Ododo was the right candidate to vote for in the upcoming election.

He emphasised the need to consolidate on Governor Yahaya Bello's sterling achievements across all sectors, noting that Ododo would continue from where he would stop.

The ADC Chairman commended Governor Bello for the remarkable achievements across the state during his seven-and-a-half-year tenure.

He also pointed out that, from what had been seen and heard about the APC gubernatorial candidate, he would undoubtedly perform well when he becomes the next governor of the state.

Hon. Idowu Ibikunlen, representing Yagba West State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, said he contested as an ADC candidate and won his election.

He added that, despite being a member of the ADC, he and his supporters had all decided to vote for the APC candidate in the governorship election.

All three senatorial chairpersons of the ADC also spoke, affirming their commitment to mobilising their people in the ADC to vote en masse for the APC candidate.

. Ajaokuta: We appointed your son as Steel Minister to protect your interest, Tinubu tells Kogites

. Thousands defect from opposition parties, say no alternative to APC

The people of Kogi State have been asked to provide the opportunity for the consolidation of the outstanding dividends of democracy that have been visibly provided by the All Progressives Congress in the state, by voting for the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo, in the November 11 governorship election.

The National Campaign Council for the Kogi State Governorship Election urged Kogites not to vote for strangers whose stock-in-trade was propaganda but sustain the trajectory of development in Kogi State by voting en masse for the APC.

Members of the National Campaign Council gave the charge at the official flag-off of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign and the official presentation of flag to the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo, in Lokoja, on Sunday.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the event, expressed the optimism that the APC would win the November 11 governorship election resoundingly, assuring the people of Kogi State that they were about to vote in a man with the intellectual capacity to consolidate on the many achievements of his boss, Governor Yahaya Bello.

He said the President had just approved funds for the construction of Ganaja Road, adding that the Abuja - Lokoja - Okene Road and Kabba - Ilorin Road would also receive the Federal Government's attention very soon.

The VP said, "For us to build on the legacy and for the purpose of continuity and consolidation, it becomes imperative for the people of Kogi State to align themselves with the power at the centre.

"President Tinubu is a man of courage and conviction, he is a man pregnant with ideas on how to reposition the nation, but Kogi, which is one of the frontiers of the North, Kogi, the Confluence State, cannot afford to have a state government that does not belong to the power at the centre.

"For the people of Kogi State to benefit immensely from the eight-point agenda of Pesident Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the people of Kogi State to benefit from the natural resources, it is absolutely essential that we should vote for a much more patriotic person who is grounded with the reality in Kogi State.

"Most important to the people of Kogi State is the Ajaokuta Steel Company that is the largest steel industry in the country. The President appointed a son of Kogi State from one of the prominent families in the state, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, to be the Minister of Steel Development. Fundamentally, he was given the appointment to promote, project and preserve the interest of the people of Kogi State to see to the realisation of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, which of course, is 98 per cent completed.

"The Ajaokuta steel company will help the Federal Government to fulfill the eight-point agenda of President Tinubu's administration with respect to job creation, huge investment and revenue generation.

"Ajaokuta steel company has the potential to generate over 500,000 jobs once Ajaokuta is designated as an industrial zone.

"The youth want jobs, better education and good life. You are better off if you follow the man who knows road, therefore give your votes to APC, give your votes to Usman Ahmed Ododo. This is a young man who can deliver the desired dividend of democracy to you."

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who is the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for Kogi State Governorship Election, insisted that APC was the only party in the State and urged the people not to make the mistake of not consolidating on visible gains, ensuring the continuity of good governance and aligning with the party in the centre.

He said, "I urge you to vote for consolidation by voting for the APC Governorship Candidate to enable him build on security, infrastructure, education and several other visible achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello.

"The APC will sustain the trajectory of development in Kogi State. Don't vote for strangers. Get your PVC and vote for the APC. In Kogi State, we have only one party and that is the APC,"  he said.

Governor Abiodun used the opportunity to welcome the thousands of defectors from opposition parties, who had just declared on Sunday for the APC, saying they had taken the best decision to stay with the winning train in the interest of the state's sustained development.

The defectors were from the People's Democratic Party, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party, Accord Party and the African Democratic Congress, among others.

The Campaign Council Chairman maintained that, with the massive defection into the APC from the opposition political parties, it was clear that Ododo would emerge victorious.

The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, called for the unity of APC members in the coming Governorship election and urged the people of the state to shun ethnicity, stressing that what everyone should look forward to is the victory party for the APC.

"Without mincing words. The only party in Kogi is the APC. We have all it takes to mobilise massively for the APC Governorship Candidate.
I'm looking forward to a victory party because we parade the best candidate who has uniting the people as his priority. Let's shun tribalism and ethnicity," Ganduje stated.

Governor Yahaya Bello said he thanked God that he had been able to place the State on the path of sustained development.

"Within the period of service to the people of the State, I have built and improved infrastructure, security, and recently made education in the state free at all levels in public, primary and secondary schools. I'm proud to state that we are leaving Kogi State better than we met it for those that will govern after us," he said.

"Without exaggeration, APC will win the November 11 Governorship election, landslide. This is because our work, achievements and our party will speak for us. Kogi is APC and APC is Kogi State," he added.

In his remarks, the Governorship Candidate, Ododo, promised to build on the outstanding achievements of Governor Bello, assuring the people that, if elected, their welfare would be his administration's priority.

"I'm promising more youth and women inclusiveness in governance. My agenda for the State is Kogi Agenda. I will not disappoint our leader and father, President Bola Tinubu; I will not disappoint my mentor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello; I will not disappoint our party and I will not disappoint the good people of Kogi State. We will consolidate on the achievements of my leader in the state and strive towards continuity and sustainability in the areas of security, education, agriculture, and improved infrastructure, amongst several areas the APC administration has made a mark," he said.

He concluded that his mandate would be for the overall development of the State, stressing the improvement in the achievements of Governor Bello and in the wellbeing of his people as his priority.

The Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre, Lokoja, one of the sterling achievements of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, could not contain the crowd that struggled to witness the historic inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign and presentation of flag to the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo.

As early as 9am, supporters, clad in different uniforms to distinguish their groups, as well as stakeholders from all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, trooped along the streets towards the Civic Centre in a way that suggested that a huge carnival was about to take place in the Confluence State.

Over 70 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to urgently ensure that politicians stoking violence in the state with inciting statements and political brigandage that have led to loss of lives and property are made to face the law.

The CSOs specifically called on the IGP to declare the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Muritala Ajaka, wanted, if he continues to ignore Police invitations for investigations  into acts of political violence in the state, moves about with "suspected thugs armed to the teeth" and undermines security efforts of the Police and other agencies as stated in a recent statement by the Kogi State Police Command.

The Coalition for Credible Elections in Nigeria (CCE), Kogi State Young Professionals, and concerned civic organisations, staged a peaceful walk in Abuja on Saturday, after submitting a petition to the IGP, titled, "PETITION FOR A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN KOGI STATE AND THE ROLE OF SDP GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE, MR MURTALA YAKUBU AJAKA".

They displayed placards with inscriptions such as "Anyone who ignores Police invitations must be arrested immediately", "arrest and prosecute killers of Khadijat now", "Gov. Bello, don't be soft on promoters of violence", "we demand peaceful elections in Kogi State", and "IGP must declare Ajaka wanted now", among others.

Addressing the press on behalf of others during the road walk, the Coordinator,
Coalition for Credible Elections, Comrade Israel Abiodun, noted that the major focus of the Peace Walk for Kogi State and material focus of the Coalition's petition to the IGP was the political violence being allegedly orchestrated by some politicians, ahead of the November 11 governorship election in the state.

The Coordinator was flanked by Barrister Jeff Uwaifo, Hajia Aisha Ibrahim and Comrade Fatimah Qudus.

He said, "We are concerned that the Police in Kogi State have mentioned one of the Parties' Governorship candidates in person of Mr. Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party, whose actions, the authorities said, had been undermining security efforts in the state.

"The Police, in a recent statement, said he had been invited on several occasions, just like other candidates, in line with investigations into allegations of violence but that he had refused to honour the invitations, yet, up till now, he has not been declared wanted when we all know that he doesn't have constitutional immunity but already acting above the law."

The CSOs also demanded justice for Khadijat Yahaya, a female All Progressives Congress (APC) supporter, who was allegedly killed by SDP thugs, saying that the claim by the SDP that the harmless lady was a thug did not make any sense, particularly coming from a party, whose candidate had been accused by the Police of moving around with "suspected thugs armed to the teeth".

They quoted the Kogi State Police Command as saying, "His (Muritala Yakubu) riding rough-shod and engaging in political brinkmanship and brigandage is an ill-wind that blows no one any good. For instance on the complaint of Breach of Security Against The Executive Governor of Kogi State at Banda on 3rd June, 2023, the SDP Candidate, Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, has consistently refused to honour Police several invitations to give his own side of the story!

"Again, since he applied for Police Security, he was invited to come but till date, he refused to show up, he moves around with a retinue of suspected political thugs armed to the teeth. Consequently, the above facts and scenario, coupled with his recalcitrance and obduracy have continued to jeopardise Police Investigation and maintenance of law and order in the State."

The CSOs, therefore, said, "It is for this reason that we are calling on the Nigeria Police Force to declare Mr Ajaka wanted if he fails to honour Police invitation, moves around with armed thugs, undermines security efforts and constitutes a threat to the peace of Kogi State, as has been said. Not acting on these allegations does not speak well of the fight against crime and political brigandage in Nigeria.

"We can't have a situation whereby anyone will be acting with impunity while people are dying. The young lady, Khadijat Yahaya, who was murdered in cold-blood allegedly by SDP thugs cannot be allowed to die like that without proper investigations, arrest and prosecution of culprits.

"The SDP managers have, unfortunately, labelled this lady a thug. She must get justice. We wonder how a man accused of moving around with 'thugs armed to the teeth' would turn around to call an innocent soul a thug.

"Mr. Ajaka has been fond of promoting ethnic divisions and supporting violence even by Police admissions and he cannot be allowed to continue riding roughshod on Kogi State without the intervention of security agencies."

A former House of Representatives member who represented Idah Federal Constituency in Kogi State, Hon. Ismail Inah Hussein, popularly known as Soul Lover, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress, along with hundreds of supporters.

Soul Lover was on Friday dressed and decorated with APC’s robes by the Kogi State Party Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, in Ajaka, Igalamela-Odolu Local Government Area, as a sign that he had fully pitched his tent with the ruling party.

Inah, a dedicated member of PDP in Kogi State, attributed his decision to join the APC to his desire to contribute to the development of Kogi State and the country as a whole.

He said the APC government, under Governor Yahaya Bello, had instituted unity, security and overall development of the state, hence, his decision to support the APC governorship candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo, for consolidation.

Speaking during his admission into the party, witnessed by a mammoth crowd, the heavyweight political leader in Kogi East vowed to mobilise massively for his new party and ensure that APC wins overwhelmingly in the November 11 governorship election.

Also decamping was the former Women Leader of the PDP in Igalamela LGA, as well as the women leaders of the wards in the area.

The Commissioner for Transportation in Kogi State, Baron Okwoli, in his address, commended Inah and his followers for their decision to join the APC and assured that they would work together to ensure victory for the party.

Similarly, the Deputy Governorship Candidate, Joel Oyibo, said he was impressed by the high turnout at the ceremony to receive the former lawmaker. He noted that the attendance was evidence that people believed strongly in the APC despite propaganda by opposition parties.

He assured the people of Igalamela-Odolu and the entire state that the governorship candidate, Usman Ododo, when elected, would consolidate on the unity, security and infrastructural development instituted by Governor Yahaya Bello.

The state party chairman welcomed the former lawmaker and his supporters, and expressed the confidence that the APC would win, landslide, in the forthcoming election.

He assured of victory for APC in Igalamela-Odolu and urged the new members to remain steadfast and committed to party functions with a promise of equal opportunities alongside existing party members.

Dignitaries present at the event included former State Chairman of APC, Hadi Ametuo; Deputy Governorship Candidate, Joel Oyibo; Zonal Chairman of APC, Muhammed Alfa; member representing Idah Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, David Zacharias; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Sadiq Abubakar Ainoko, among others.

The Kogi State All Progressives Congress Governorship Campaign Council has called on security agencies to fish out those responsible for the unfortunate killing of a harmless female supporter of the party in Kotonkarfe Local Government Area of Kogi State and bring them to book to serve as deterrent to other criminals.

While commiserating with the family of the deceased, the people of Kotonkarfe and Kogites in general, the Campaign Council said the Social Democratic Party rally, in which the woman was allegedly murdered by thugs loyal to the Governorship Candidate, was a satanic ambush on the peace-loving people of Kotonkarfe.

The Director, Media and Publicity/Spokesman of the Campaign Council, Kingsley Fanwo, who spoke at the inaugural press briefing of the Council on Monday, noted that those "who threatened to kill and went ahead to kill have undoubtedly declared war on the Nigerian state", and must face the law.

He said while the APC candidate, Usman Ododo, had remained uncompromisingly committed to an issue-based campaign, devoid of violence, ethnocentric narratives or divisive tendencies, the Campaign of the SDP Candidate, Muritala Yakubu, had been divisive and inciting.

According to the Campaign Council, Yakubu's statements have been unguarded, inflammatory and acidic, and even the security agencies and well meaning Nigerians have taken note of this.

The Council, however, called on APC supporters to remain calm, noting that it was sure that the security agencies would not allow killers to walk freely without consequences.

The Kogi APC Campaign Council urged the public to do independent surveys on the strength of candidates jostling for the governorship seat in the state, saying an objective poll would reveal that the SDP candidate, even among those contesting from Igala land, was nowhere near the top contenders.

"The reason is that the good people of Igala land, having followed his activities over the years, and knowing that he lacks the intellectual capacity to represent them, would rather go with responsible candidates," the Council said.

Fanwo said the SDP candidate would be thoroughly defeated at the polls and would still have to account for his alleged "sins against humanity."

The Council stated, "The initial statement of the Police authorities have been reassuring. There must be justice for the murdered soul. It is high time Kogites called the blood-sucking campaign of the SDP to order. Elections are won on the ballot and not via the bullet. Even in the face of glaring provocation, our party and our campaign will remain peaceful and play according to the rules of the game.

"The unguarded, inflammatory and acidic statements of the SDP candidate, Alh. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka on national television have not gone unnoticed. What is of surprise to us is how he gets away after calling a whole ethnic group “a common enemy”. He also said they were ready for violence.

"His utterances and actions are not supported by the Electoral Law. And we are sure INEC and relevant authorities have taken note of this.

"His campaign has been divisive and inciting, yet he walks around spreading the propaganda of him being hunted. They commit visible crimes and turn around to play the victims.

"The quietness of the law enforcement agencies has emboldened him to spill the blood of an innocent woman. His desperation in the face of looming humiliation at the polls has undoubtedly put him in a very dangerous corner. Only Muritala Yakubu and the thugs he moves around with think he has a chance.

"Conduct your poll in Kogi State today, even in Igaland, you will find that he is not even near the top two contenders in the forthcoming governorship election. The reason is that the good people of Igaland, having followed his activities over the years, and knowing that he lacks the intellectual capacity to represent them, would rather go with responsible candidates.

"He is not even near the list of hopeful contenders. He will be roundly defeated at the Poll and he will still account for his sins against humanity."

Fanwo also pointed out that the attention of the Council had been drawn to calls, by those he described as hired guns, on the Director General of the Campaign Council to resign his appointment, citing divisive reasons.

He said the Campaign Council DG, Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu, had already made clear, his commitment to executing a campaign that would usher in the Ododo era of consolidation and continuity.

"No amount of ethnic parroting can distract the politically sagacious Minister of Steel Development, HM Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, from the historic task ahead. His late father, Prince Abubakar Audu, was committed to a united, prosperous and peaceful Kogi State. The Director General is only following his footsteps," he said.



The statement in full:

KOGI STATE APC GOVERNORSHIP CAMPAIGN COUNCIL

PRESS BRIEFING


Gentlemen of the Press

1.Our Candidate for the November 11, 2023 Governorship election, Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has remained uncompromisingly committed to an issue-based campaign that is devoid of violence, ethnocentric narratives or divisive tendencies.

Under the leadership of the Campaign Chairman, His Excellency Alh Yahaya Bello, CON, and the Director General, HM Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, our Campaign has been peaceful, uniting and a true reflection of the enduring legacies that have kept our party at the apex of political performance in our dear state.

2.Issue-based campaign entails tailoring our promises, assurances and social contract with the peace-loving people of our dear state through the media to the people. Ododo Ahmed Usman, OAU, wants the people of the state to be convinced by the legacies of the system he served in, his promises of consolidation and continuity, his antecedents and competence, as well as his message of unity. His clip to these ideals is iron cast.

3.We have invited you today to brief you of certain developments as we race to November 11, 2023. Chief among them was the gruesome murder of an unarmed woman at Kotonkarfe by people suspected to be the armed thugs of the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Alh. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka. While we commiserate with the family and the entire people of Kotonkarfe; we call on security agencies to ensure that those who threatened to kill and went ahead to kill have undoubtedly declared war on the Nigerian state, whose responsibility it is to protect the poor woman who was killed by bullets from the barrels of the SDP riffles.

4.It is on record that the SDP Candidate already said the Commissioner of Police was not aware of his rally. The rally was a satanic ambush on the peace-loving people of Kotonkarfe, leaving in its wake, the blood of an innocent woman whose only sin was belonging to the All Progressives Congress. We call on the supporters of our party to remain calm as security agencies are trusted to ensure that killers don’t walk freely without consequences. The Kogi State APC Campaign Council will await the full reports of the security agencies.

The initial statement of the Police authorities have been reassuring. There must be justice for the murdered soul. It is high time Kogites called the blood-sucking campaign of the SDP to order. Elections are won on the ballot and not via the bullet. Even in the face of glaring provocation, our party and our campaign will remain peaceful and play according to the rules of the game.

5.The unguarded, inflammatory and acidic statements of the SDP candidate, Alh. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka on national television have not gone unnoticed. What is of surprise to us is how he gets away after calling a whole ethnic group “a common enemy”. He also said they were ready for violence. His utterances and actions are not supported by the Electoral Law. And we are sure INEC and relevant authorities have taken note of this.

His campaign has been divisive and inciting, yet he walks around spreading the propaganda of him being hunted. They commit visible crimes and turn around to play the victims. The quietness of the law enforcement agencies has emboldened him to spill the blood of an innocent woman. His desperation in the face of looming humiliation at the polls has undoubtedly put him in a very dangerous corner. Only Muritala Yakubu and the thugs he moves around with think he has a chance. Conduct your poll in Kogi State today, even in Igala land, you will find that he is not even near the top two contenders in the forthcoming governorship election. The reason is that the good people of Igala land, having followed his activities over the years, and knowing that he lacks the intellectual capacity to represent them, would rather go with responsible candidates. He is not even near the list of hopeful contenders. He will be roundly defeated at the Poll and he will still account for his sins against humanity. 

6.We salute the people of Kotonkarfe for their perseverance and calm in the face of an unprovoked invasion and murder. We assure you of justice. The murdered won’t die in vain. Muritala Yakubu Ajaka must pay for the blood of the innocent woman.

7.In his characteristic way, the SDP candidate through his media handlers had claimed the poor woman was bearing arm. But they never showed us the arm she was bearing. The claim was a desperate attempt at sweeping the murder they committed under the carpet. You don’t kill the people who hold a contrary belief to yours. It was crude, criminal and callous.

8.Also, our attention has been drawn to calls by some hired guns, calling on the Director General of the Campaign Council to resign his appointment, citing divisive reasons for the call. The Director General of the Campaign Council is committed to executing a campaign that will usher in the Ododo era of consolidation and continuity.

No amount of ethnic parroting can distract the politically sagacious Minister of Steel Development, HM Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, from the historic task ahead. His late father, Prince Abubakar Audu, was committed to a united, prosperous and peaceful Kogi State. The Director General is only following his footsteps. It is obvious that the rising profile of the Minister and his unassailable inroads into the hearts of the people of Kogi State has become the nightmare of these befuddled politicians.

9.On the Supreme Court case between our Candidate and Sen. Smart Adeyemi, we have chosen not to be involved in prejudice, hence we will not make any serious comments on it. It is before a competent court of jurisdiction and they will determine whether his claims are justiciable or not. Our lawyers have shown proofs of the fact that primary was held. The lower court and the Appeal Court agreed with them. We will await the Supreme Court verdict.


Kingsley Femi Fanwo
Spokesman/Director, Media and Publicity, Kogi APC Governorship Campaign Council

...Say he moves around with suspected thugs, engages in 'political brigandage'

...Direct DCP, CID, SCID to investigate parties' accusations and counter-accusations

Police in Kogi have accused Murtala Yakubu Ajaka, SDP governorship candidate, of undermining security efforts in the state. This was in reaction to the circumstances that led to the killing of a politician in Kotonkarfe LGA of the state, on Saturday.

The police, in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer in Kogi, SP William Ovye Aya, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, said the command received a report where “some persons were said to have been killed and injured in the process through political violence.”

While assuring the people of the state that no stone would be left unturned to secure lives and property, the CP condemned, acts by some politicians, who he said had taken it upon themselves to cause mayhem and heat up the state through “their unguarded utterances and unregulated activities”.

Saying the SDP candidate “moves around with a retinue of suspected political thugs armed to the teeth.”

According to the CP, while other parties have been carrying the Police along in their activities, “the SDP Candidate has consistently and vehemently refused to honour any of Police invitations for investigation, or inform the Commissioner of Police nor the Command while embarking on political rallies.”

The statement said the CP had directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), to commence an investigation of all acts of political violence, accusations and counter-accusations on all the Political Parties and Actors with a view to bringing offenders to book.

https://dailytrust.com/kogi-your-refusal-to-honour-our-invitation-undermining-peace-police-slam-sdp-guber-candidate/

A Coalition of 25 civil society organisations have called on security agencies to caution political parties against activities that could plunge states into serious crisis, ahead of the off-season governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.

The Civil Society Organisations, in a communique issued after a three-day election preview on the three states, specifically singled out the Social Democratic Party's slant of activities in Kogi State as an example of what security agencies must caution stakeholders against.

According to them, the wild allegations and ethnic profiling which have become the hallmark of the SDP's campaign in Kogi State, "are
capable of compromising the peace and security of the electorate, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, election observers and other candidates in the state."

The CSOs said they came to this conclusion after painstakingly monitoring campaign strategies of various political parties participating in the November 11 gubernatorial elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo States.

They pointed out that it was necessary to nip these activities in the bud to forestall possible security breaches and utterances that may provoke ethnic disaffection and electoral violence during the off-season polls.

The communique was signed by the Director of Research and Data Analysis of the coalition, Dr. Jaiyeola Isiaka, and jointly presented to the media, in Abuja on Thursday.

"The State's Police Commissioner recently had reason to caution the same SDP candidate as published by many media platforms not to drag him into the politics of the wild allegations he has been making which have the potential to overheat the state prior to the election," the coalition said.

On how Bayelsa and Imo States have been faring since their campaign activities began, the communique said, "In Bayelsa State, the signs of security concerns are already surfacing but not so serious. The tone of campaign language between the two leading candidates of the APC and PDP is becoming more accusatory and volatile. Security agencies must monitor the supporters of both leading candidates of APC and PDP in order to forestall any serious breakdown of law and order before, during and in the immediate aftermath of the election. Possibility and rate of violence is 35%.

"Imo State: This is the state that security agencies must pay serious attention to because of the seemingly worsening security situation in the state. The activities of the unknown gunmen are not helping matters at all. 

"Security agencies must up their game in Imo state because it is a major flashpoint in this particular off-cycle governorship election.
Just yesterday (Tuesday), eight security operatives - soldiers and policemen were ambushed in the state, and allegedly killed and set ablaze. The possibility and rate of security challenges are projected to be 55% or more."

The groups, while revealing their projections on voter turnout in these states said 35 to 40 per cent would come out to vote in Bayelsa, 20 to 25 per cent in Imo, while about 50 per cent turnout was expected in Kogi.

On the election outcomes, the communique read, "The following projections are based strictly on delegates' reports and research carried out by Coalition of Civil Society Organisations involved in this effort and are totally nonpartisan.

"Bayelsa State: The incumbent Governor seems popular in the state and, judging by the reports of the Bayelsa State delegates at this preview, the election is a straight action between the candidates of the APC who is a former Governor of the state and the incumbent who is flying the flag of the PDP.

The results are projected as follows: APC: 30% of the total votes to be cast; PDP: 40% of the total votes to be cast; Others: 30%.

"Imo State: The incumbent who is the candidate of the APC is a strong contender in this election. The influence of incumbency, among other things, are likely to work in his favour, all other things being equal. However, opposition Parties in the state are gathering significant momentum, especially the Labour Party.

"Our projections are as follows based on independent reports by organizations based in the state - APC: 35% of the total votes to be cast; PDP, 25%; and LP, 30%.

"Kogi State: Based on the reports of the Kogi State delegates at this conference and our research, the upcoming election in the state will be keenly contested among the candidates of the ruling APC, the SDP and the PDP.

"Our projections are as follows on the basis of independent reports by organizations based in Kogi State: Accord, 15% of estimated votes; APC, 45% of the total estimated votes; PDP, 10%; SDP, 15%, others,15%."

...Award underscores Gov Yahaya Bello's commitment to good governance - Finance Commissioner

Kogi State has again won the 2022 fiscal transparency and accountability award in a survey conducted across the states in North Central Nigeria.

The first position award was presented to the state on Tuesday in Lokoja during the launch of the 2022 North Central State Budget Transparency Survey Report carried out by the Social Economic Research and Development Centre (SERDEC).

The National Coordinator, State and National Budget Transparency Survey for the agency, Mr. Tijani Abdulkareem, who presented the report and the award, said the objective of the budget Transparency and Accountability Program was to promote focus and attention of Nigerian States towards the improvement of their budget performance in providing good governance to the people.

"Good governance starts from budgeting. This report and award are aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency to help build trust in government, facilitate accountability in public resource management and ensure sustainability in the participating states," he said.

He added, "It is evident from the 2022 SNBTS on the public availability of budget document and transparency that there are positive changes. Most of the North Central states now publish their budget documents in 2022 compared to 2020.

“Nevertheless, in terms of state by state performance, none of the states provided extensive budget information to the public in 2022. Only Kogi State can be said to be significantly transparent and provide adequate amount of budget information to the public, as they score more than 60 per cent.”

Tijani explained that the reports were collated across the six states of the North Central zone between 2021 and 2022, adding that the states were judged based on parameters such as Public participation, availability of budget, oversight functions of the state legislators and level of transparency of the procurement process.

He noted, “The survey was set up as a model to improve budget transparency amongst North Central states towards a better fiscal outcome.

“As in previous surveys, the SNBTS 2022 survey report employed a questionnaire approach like the International Budget Partnership, and Open Budget Survey questionnaires, which evaluate the availability of budget information (Transparency); Civic engagement opportunities in the budget process and methods; the strength of the legislature as well as the level of transparency of the North Central states’ procurement process."

The report, however, said the states' legislators failed in their oversight functions.

“On Civic participation in the budget process, the 2022 survey reveals clear evidence of a poor level of engagement or interaction between the Legislature and the public in terms of the depth of scope of the public hearings," the report said.

"Consequently, on the issues of Audit, the 2022 survey reveals that not much effort was made by the states' Auditors General to involve the public in the Audit phases of the budget process," it added.

The state commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning, Asiru Idris, said the award underscored the premium the state governor, Yahaya Bello, placed on providing good governance.

Asiru said, “The success of the state in the areas of fiscal transparency and accountability can be linked to self-discipline, as well as the institution of a transparent and accountable governance system by Governor Yahaya Bello from the inception of his administration.

“Kogi State is blessed with a Governor who provides leadership from all fronts, a professional to the core that has surrounded himself only with persons that have the capacity to deliver.

“The governor believes that governance is about the people and whatever you do must be open and transparent to the people.

"The philosophy of the Governor of the state is making every single kobo available work for the entity of the State, hence he has instituted self-discipline, as well as a transparent and accountable governance system from day one of his administration.”

According to the report, this is the second time in a row that Kogi State will top the chart in fiscal transparency and accountability in the North Central, having won the award in 2021.

The name, Micheal Omoloye is clearly a household name that readily commands huge respect amongst the leading players in Nigerian business climate. The name is quite synonymous with entrepreneurial success, financial independence and business excellence in the petroleum downstream subsector of Nigerian economy.

The name of Micheal Omoloye needs no introduction in the business climate of Nigeria and in Okitipupa where the business guru was born. Even across the stretch of Ondo State, the popularity of Micheal has steadily been soaring on account of his phenomenal business successes.

Omoloye can be likened to a prophet that has honour everywhere and even in his household as well as place of birth. He has done so well for his people and Nigerians by given them economic lifelines. A good number of individuals that may have been wallowing in grinding poverty now life in comfort by the virtue of the economic platforms provided by the young entrepreneur.

Mike, as he is popularly known, is the Chief Executive Officer of a successful petroleum marketing company, Revelation Energy Resources Limited. The company is basically concerned with the marketing and delivery of highest quality petroleum products to the door steps of discerning companies. The company also conscientiously ensures optimum satisfaction of its customers. More so, Micheal is a major service provider in both the onshore and offshore sector of Nigerian petroleum industry.

Interestingly, Micheal Omoloye is a business partner of a multi-billion naira petroleum marketing company, NIPCO Plc. He has also grown his Revelation Energy Resources Limited to the enviable level of owning the franchise of
Reveal Lubricants. The company has since secured technical and marketing agreement with the biggest and best petroleum marketers across Nigeria and in the sub-saharan region of Africa.
Reveal Lubricants are fast selling products that have become globally recognized and accepted for sufficiently meeting the expected standard of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

Mike is a seasoned Geologist with almost two decades of robust experience in the efficient
marketing of petroleum products, with a major concentration on the distribution of diesel to stakeholders in the telecommunications sector of Nigerian economy. The intellectual
Omoloye attended Oyemekun Grammar School, Akure where he passed his Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in flying colours. He thereafter took a giant academic leap by obtaining Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Geology.

The visionary Mike Omoloye was from the beginning very clear about his dream to be a successful entrepreneur and he has given his all to the pursuit of this path. He did have a short stint of practice as a Geologist after his graduation from the university; but quickly activated his entrepreneurial vision by setting up Revelation Energy Resources Limited. The company has since its establishment been moving steadily from one level of business success to another.

The Okitipupa born Micheal Omoloye is undoubtedly imbued with excellent leadership qualities, team playing attributes in addition to his outstanding negotiating skills. He is consistently committed to personal development; and for this reason, Mike has attended several courses and seminars within Nigeria and abroad.

The devout Christian also belongs to a number of professional bodies both locally and overseas. Mike is a member of Nigeria Mining and Geosciences Society. He is also certified in Negotiation Skills by the Spearhead Training in the United Kingdom. He has been a regular participant in the Offshore Technology Conferences that holds yearly in Texas, USA.

The astute businessman and administrator has severally been honoured for his outstanding successes in business. He was given the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Recognition Award and the NUPENG Recognition Award few years ago. Mike was in year 2020 given the award of Young Entrepreneur in the West Africa sub-regiin. He was also in year 2021 honoured wit the Man of the Year Recognition Award by the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS).

Aside providing employment opportunities for thousand of Nigerians, Mike Omoloye has also put machinery in motion to greatly impact huge number of lives and humanity through Felicia Omoloye Foundation; which is a humanitarian platform incorporated in honour of his late mother.

The strategic Micheal Omoloye unwinds by engaging in intellectual discussions, playing chess game and golf. As an ardent respecter of family values, Omoloye is happily married and blessed with healthy and responsible children.

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Adeyeri Stephen has warned politicians in the state to refrain from bitter diatribe capable of causing disaffection between Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Adeyeri said in lieu of fanning the embers hatred, politicians should harmoniously ensure cohesion in order not to retard the development of the Sunshine State, noting that some politicians are bent on disrupting polity in the state.

The APC Chieftain stated this in a statement he personally signed and issued to newsmen on Tuesday in Akure, the State capital.

Adeyeri who was reacting to a viral news suggesting that the relationship between the Governor and his Deputy have become strained, urged the people of the state to shun rumours which he described as “grapevine”.

He said, “I would like to clarify that the rumors circulating regarding the relationship between Governor Akeredolu and his Deputy Aiyedatiwa are entirely false and baseless.”

“Both individuals maintain a professional and healthy working relationship, focused on serving the best interests of the people of our state. Any claims suggesting otherwise are mere speculation and should not be taken seriously.”

“Some vested interests and politicians are needlessly causing disaffection, stoking hatred because of abysmal reasons best known to them. Governor Akeredolu is a man of peace who represents the true Omoluabi, while Aiyedatiwa is also a gentle man with calm spirit.”

“The Akeredolu led-administration remains committed to the well-being and progress of our state, and we encourage responsible reporting and fact-checking in all matters.”

Senator Sadiku Abubakar Ohere representing Kogi Central Senatorial District has expressed optimism that he is confident of victory, as he heads to Appeal Court.

Abubakar stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen this evening.

The statement reads, “I received the judgement of the Tribunal with great shock.”

“Particularly worrisome is the aspect bordering on the Tribunal’s decision that as Respondent, I ought to have filed a cross-petition to be able to challenge votes in an election petition.”

“I feel strongly that, that decision is contrary to Paragraph 15 of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022. As a matter of fact, I presented before the Tribunal through my team of lawyers a decision of the Appellate Courts which held that a Respondent does not need to file a cross-petition to challenge votes in an election petition, if the ground for challenging the election is “majority of lawful votes”.

“While I am waiting for my team of lawyers to give me full details on the judgment, I urge all my supporters to be calm and peaceful as their mandate is not lost.”

“I verily know that I have option of Appeal to the Court of Appeal which I shall exercise after due consultation with my lawyers.”

“I am confident that we shall triumph at the next floor of justice by pointing to areas where we strongly disagree with the ruling. Your mandate shall be protected.”

“I urge my supporters not to be disturbed but to believe that we will get it right.”

...Says 'From all indications, we have no opposition in Kogi State'

. Look elsewhere for votes, Kogi not available for other parties, Sanwo-Olu tells opposition

The Chairman of the National Campaign Council for Kogi State Governorship Election, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, on Saturday, assured the All Progressives Congress' supporters that the national leaders of the party across the country would work together and provide all the necessary support to ensure overwhelming victory for the APC Governorship Candidate, Usman Ododo, on November 11, 2023.

Describing Kogi as an APC state, he said, from the reality on the ground, it was clear that there was no vacancy for any other party in Lord Lugard House.

Gov. Abiodun spoke at the inauguration of the Kogi State National Gubernatorial Campaign Council held in Lokoja.

He noted that, with the inauguration of the Campaign Council, election victory had begun in Kogi State, and commended the
resilience and hardwork of Governor Yahaya Bello, which he said had led to the restoration of peace and security in the State.

"Governor Yahaya Bello's outstanding achievements in virtually all the critical sectors of the state are visible for all to see and I assure you the next APC Governor will build on these achievements in the interest of the good people of Kogi State," he added.

The National Campaign Council Chairman said, with the result of the last general election held in the State, it was certain that the APC would beat any opposition party in the governorship poll.

He urged all APC members to join hands in securing victory for the party, stressing that the election was for the party to win with the palpable absence of opposition in the state.

Governor Abiodun expressed satisfaction with the caliber of people nominated into the Campaign Council, describing the election as the first test for President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

Also speaking, Co- Chairman of the Campaign Council and Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the opposition political parties to look elsewhere for votes, insisting that Kogi was a no-go area for opposition parties in the November governorship election.

The Lagos State governor urged the people of Kogi State not to be deceived by the rantings of opposition parties, saying there was no alternative to APC, "a party that has the interest of the people at heart.

On his part, the Chairman of the APC Governor's Forum, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, said the people of Kogi State had resolved to stay with the APC.

He said Kogi State had fared better under the APC-led administration, adding that the opposition parties were being driven by those who did not mean well for the State.

In his remarks, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State appreciated President Bola Tinubu for leading the way in the sustenance of the nation's democracy and promised not to disappoint him in the provision of gains of democracy to the people of Kogi.

He assured that the Party would deliver for the APC, landslide, in the November governorship poll, saying the election "is a done deal".

He described the APC flagbearer in the State, Usman Ododo as one "who is coming with a whole lot of experience to consolidate on the unity and achievements recorded in the State under our administration."

Governor Bello urged supporters to campaign based on issues and shun violence, stressing that Kogi State would remain united before, during and after the election.

The Pioneer District Governor of District 404A-4, Nigeria Dr. Kofoworola Jegede, PMJF, NLCF, LCIP has described as heartwarming the gains of her just concluded visits to some Media Stations in Ondo State.

Speaking at the end of the 3-Day advocacy visits to the Media Stations the District Governor said several commitments were gotten from the Chief Executive of the Media outfits that will further poulate the Lions Club with quality membership.

"It took us ten years to get District 404A-1 Nigeria bifurcated into District 404A-3 and District 404A-4, by the time the outcomes of our media advocacies and other networking strategies we are currently deploying begin to manifest, we will be on the fast lane of sustainable growth and another District might just be a matter of time",she said.

Dr Kofoworola Jegede accompanied by Lion leaders and Cabinet Officers during the tour visited the Chairman of Hope Newspapers Chairman / Editor-in-Chief, Sir Ademola Adetula; Head of Station, Crest FM, Mr Godday Ighoteguono; General Manager of Breeze FM, Mr Sunday Ajongbolo ; General Manager of ADABA FM, Sir Martins Ayoola and General Manager NTA, Akure, Mrs Olubunmi Oke with their respective management staff.

The Media Executives promised to collaborate with the Lions Club to showcase its ideals that are geared towards promotion of selfless services, national growth and responsible citizenship.

The visits were part of activities to herald the inauguration of District 404A-4, Nigeria and the Public Presentation of Dr Kofoworola Jegede as Pioneer District Governor to hold on Saturday 2nd, September 2023 in Akure the Ondo State Capital.

The Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissociated itself from news making the rounds that the National Working Committee of the party has replaced the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party as well as the former Zonal Organising Secretary.

The two party Chieftains resigned recently.

However, the State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Bello in a statement said he was surprised that the NEC Committee came up with strange names which didn't pass through the state chapter.

The statement partly read, “Consequent upon the resignation of the two officers from the party, the Kogi State All Progressives Congress under the leadership of the Governor, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello, CON , met to ratify and forward names of replacements for the national and zonal officers that left the party.”

“The State Chapter ratified Hon. Yahaya Ade Ismail as the new Deputy National Publicity Secretary and Hon. Isiaka Musa as the Zonal Organising Secretary for North Central. And in line with the provisions of our constitution, communicated the ratified replacements to the National Working Committee, through the North Central Zonal Chairman of the Party.”

“To our dismay, the National Working Committee came up with strange names which didn't pass through the State Chapter nor the North Central Zone of the party and purportedly went ahead to ratify them, citing "Presidency interest" as the rationale for their action. We strongly reject the action as we will not be parties to the blatant and flagrant violation of our party's constitution.”

“Our belief in Mr President as a man who respects the Constitution of our party and a man who believes in due process is unshaken in the face of the current confusion foisted on the party by people dropping the name of the President to achieve their selfish aims.”

“We call on the National Working Committee of the Party to reverse the unconstitutional replacements done on our behalf without our ratification or approval, and revert to our ratified list as they occupy those offices on behalf of the State Chapter of our party. We have delivered Kogi State to the APC and the least we will expect is for the party hierarchy to continue to support us to achieve greater heights.”

“The Kogi State Chapter of the APC therefore rejects the decision of the National Working Committee in its entirety and urge it to follow the constitution of our party and the due process our party is known for. We are confident that the interest of the party is for Kogi State to remain a stronghold of the APC,  especially now that we march towards November 11 to retain the state.”

. Says 'beyond lies, wild allegations, party has no image making strategy for candidate'

Spokesperson for a former Deputy Governor under the People’s Democratic Party in Kogi State, Abu Michael, has berated the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, especially its media handlers, over what he described as spurious lies and continuous unfounded allegations being churned out by them, mainly in the social media, as against constructive campaigns, which responsible Kogites are looking forward to.

Abu who was the Chief Press Secretary to Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, Deputy Governor to former Governor Idris Wada, said those he called "media mismanagers" of the SDP governorship candidate, Muritala Yakubu, had continued to display ineptitude as regards communication matters by sticking to an outdated strategy of cooking up lies against a sitting government to gain public sympathy.

He said in a statement released on Monday that, while the people of Kogi State were looking forward to issue-based campaigns of what the opposition would want to do better, what the state had witnessed in the last couple of months "is a reckless SDP campaign hinged on ethnic agenda with absolutely no blueprint for development."

He noted that, instead of this helping their cause, it had inadvertently portrayed their principal "as not having any other vocabulary in his dictionary other than violence", and might have also knocked him off the list of serious contenders prematurely.

According to him, "what people are insinuating is that the SDP might be trying to create an air of importance around their Principal, probably because they are aware that he may be the weakest contender in the governorship race in terms of track record and capacity."

The media practitioner said it was high time well meaning Kogites called the SDP to order, saying, "It is very unfortunate that besides fanning ethnic discords in a heterogeneous State like Kogi and making wild allegations that responsible media houses will not touch with a long pole, they have no image making communication strategy for the candidate of their party."

The statement reads in full: "It is no longer news that the Kogi State Governorship Election is a few months away. What is however becoming worrisome is the attempt to overheat the polity, particularly by the media managers of the Social Democratic Party.

"The need to begin to show concern over the spurious lies churned out in the name of propaganda or attempt to curry sympathy by the SDP media managers has now come to the fore if we must forestall breakdown of law and order as well as ethnic crisis.

"It is unfortunate that in Kogi State, the SDP has chosen to heighten tension in the state with spurious allegations, mainly fabricated lies, for no just cause, while other opposition parties have chosen to focus on issues.

"It is strange that, aside from the SDP, none of the others, including the PDP candidate, Sen. Dino Melaye, Hon. Leke Abejide of the ADC, Olayinka Braimoh of the AA, Hon. Hassan Baiwa of NNPP, Jibrin Usman of Accord, who are key contenders in the race, have been engaging in outrageous propaganda filled with lies.

"As a media professional, one skilled in the art of conflict sensitive reporting, I find it rather unfortunate that the SDP media managers have chosen the path of dishing out unfounded information and making unsubstantiated allegations, where others are showcasing what they have to offer the people different from what the current government is doing.

"What people are insinuating is that the SDP might be trying to create an air of importance around their Principal, probably because they are aware that he may be the weakest contender in the governorship race in terms of track record and capacity.

"It is high time responsible Kogites from around the world called to order, these so called media managers. It is very unfortunate that besides fanning ethnic discords in a heterogeneous State like Kogi and making wild allegations that responsible media houses will not touch with a long pole, they have no image making communication strategy for the candidate of their party.

"It won't take too long for their principal, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu, to discover that his media managers have, with their offensive communication style, been inadvertently portraying him as not having any other vocabulary in his dictionary other than violence.

"While the people of Kogi State are looking forward to issue-based campaigns of what the opposition would want to do better, what we have since witnessed, in the last couple of months, is a reckless SDP campaign hinged on ethnic agenda with absolutely no blueprint for development.

"Having been privileged to witness all elections held in Kogi State, since the advent of the current democratic experiment, I make bold to state that no section of the state has ever had the opportunity to produce a governor of the state without crossing the divide and building bridges with other ethnic groups of the state. But, in this their journey, they have chosen to alienate others in their propaganda around a certain agenda.

"I also find it laughable that those stoking the unwarranted tension in the state in the name of media managers are quick to mention the name of Gov. Yahaya Bello for every political misfortune.

"This could easily be linked by those concerned to the rejection they may be facing and their inability to cover some political mileage they might have envisaged with the ethnic card.

"They have continued to churn out lies on a daily basis with a view to misleading the public, to the extent that even major contenders in the next election from Kogi East have drawn the attention of Igala people and well meaning Kogites, in general, to these lies.

"Aside from the social media with no gate keeping tenet, no Editor worth his salt in the mainstream media would risk libel and unprofessionalism, going by the spurious and unfounded lies that have formed the bedrock of the strategies of the SDP mismanagers.

"In every society, particularly in election seasons, overzealous, unscrupulous elements do politically unethical things. But the manner in which the SDP guys have made propaganda and clout chasing their watchwords, it is easy for right thinking people to wonder if those attacks purportedly carried out by opposition were not perpetrated by SDP themselves to create content for their strange media strategy.

"When a state government facility was attacked in Kogi East by hoodlums recently, and properties carted away, the state government did not accuse opposition, it simply said the perpetrators would be fished out and dealt with. That is the hallmark of a government mindful of security. One area the administration of Gov Bello has received applause within and outside the State is in the area of securing lives and properties in the state. No amount of propaganda can take this fact away. And I'm sure, Kogites would not fold their arms and watch selfish and tactless politicians take them back to the old, chaotic days.

"For instance, while a recent action culminating in the attack on the Campaign Secretariat of the SDP will continue to remain condemned in strong terms, if truly it was not stage-managed, with strong appeal on security agencies to fish out the perpetrators, attributing the action to the Chief Executive Officer of the State with unprintable names and unsubstantiated claims, underscores the quality of the SDP campaign.

"It is important to state that it is within the constitutional right of the opposition SDP Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, to seek to wrestle power from the APC. However, those who are his genuine supporters should re-engineer his public exposure if Kogites must count him among serious contenders.

"Right now, it seems his media mismanagers have unwittingly knocked him out prematurely."

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has vowed to ensure the victory of the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Ododo Ahmed.

He disclosed his support for Ododo while receiving some defectors into the party, stressing the crucial significance of fostering unity among the diverse ethnic communities within the state.

The Zonal Chairmen of the Social Democratic Party in the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, officially dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress, along with all the party's chairmen in the 21 local government areas of the state.

The SDP top executives, who made their decision to join the ruling party public at the Government House in Lokoja, said they weighed their options and chose the continuous development of the state and wellbeing of indigenes above other considerations.

SDP's Zonal Chairman for Kogi East, Suleiman Isah, criticised what he described as SDP's campaign, based on ethnicity, saying it was detrimental to the state's socio-cultural wellbeing, and could undermine the peace enjoyed in the past few years.

"We are happy that this is happening today. Even while we were in the opposition, we were aware that you did a lot for the state. The infrastructure projects are what anyone cannot deny, Your Excellency. We have all decided to join the APC to support the efforts at further developing the state. And we will give all the necessary support to ensure victory for the APC candidate in the governorship election," Isah said.

He acknowledged Governor Yahaya Bello's commendable accomplishments in health, education, road infrastructure, and agriculture, among others, over the past seven years.

Governor Bello however, stressed that the timing of their movement from SDP to APC was significant, given his administration's noteworthy achievements in Kogi State, which had earned the APC widespread support.

He underscored the importance of collaborative, issue-based campaigns and noted that success in any election would depend on broad support.

The news media was awash with stories of the legal case filed by the embattled deputy governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, against his boss, the governor of Edo State, whom he accused of orchestrating an impeachment plot against him.

According to documents filed in the Federal High Court in Abuja, Shaibu is seeking a restraining order to prevent Governor Obaseki from proceeding with the alleged impeachment plot.
However, no concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims, leading many to speculate about the true nature of this dispute.

In response to Shaibu's allegations, Crusoe Osagie, the Governor's Special Adviser on Media Projects, released a statement firmly denying the accusations. The statement portrayed the deputy governor's actions as akin to "fleeing when no man pursues," suggesting that the legal
case is an unwarranted reaction to a situation that does not exist.

The statement also highlighted Shaibu's behaviour, painting a picture of an immature man driven by a sense of entitlement who is willing to create a crisis to further his ambitions of
succeeding Governor Obaseki “by any means necessary”.
Osagie's statement has cast serious doubt on Shaibu's allegations and raised questions about his suitability for leadership.

Political analysts have noted that the legal case comes at a time when rumours of Shaibu's desire to succeed Governor Obaseki have been circulating. Some believe that the legal
manoeuvre is an attempt by the deputy governor to position himself as the leader of the PDP in Edo State, while others see it as a sign of a deeper rift within the state's leadership.

Whatever the motivations may be, the legal battle between the governor and his deputy has put the political dynamics of Edo State in the spotlight once again.

The situation also raises concerns about the stability of governance in Edo State, as the discord between the two top leaders may hinder the effective administration of the state. Citizens and political observers alike will be watching closely as the legal case unfolds, seeking to understand the true nature of the allegations and the impact this may have on the political future of Edo State.

As the legal proceedings continue, the people of Edo State will be looking for reassurances from the deputy governor that his actions are guided by the best interests of the state, rather than personal ambition or baseless fears.

For now, the legal case stands as a symbol of a political system in turmoil, with a deputy governor who is at odds with his boss and the people of Edo State caught in the middle of a
dispute that many believe should never have reached the courts.

Only time will reveal the truth behind these allegations and whether the actions of Deputy Governor Shaibu are a sign of genuine concern or a political manoeuvre gone awry.

And, in fact, because many people were left very surprised by the verve and fervour with which a supposed political novice, Godwin Obaseki, fought and eventually defeated his predecessor and perceived political godfather, Senator Adams Oshiomole, prior to the 2020 elections.

Even Oshiomhole himself was reported to have been mystified by the audacity of Obaseki, whom he handpicked
to succeed him at the time.
What many people did not realise at the time, though, was that it was Philip Shaibu that stoked the tensions that eventually bubbled into a full-blown crisis that eventually led to the exit of the governor and his team from the APC at the time.

In fact, it is reported that a dismayed Oshiomhole lamented how the very man whom he had planted into office with the hope that he would checkmate an inexperienced Obaseki eventually led an onslaught against him.

Today, the reasons behind Philip’s actions are coming to the fore. In his childish mind, he had hoped that once he had orchestrated the demise of Oshiomhole, a grateful Godwin Obaseki would hand over governance of the state over to him in repayment of his “loyalties”.

Except that, like most of the politicians before him, he vastly underestimated his boss.

It is a matter of historical fact that Godwin Obaseki was one of the few governors in the history of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic to officially hand over power to his deputy several times while proceeding on vacation or leave.

The governor had also, on many occasions, elevated his status
beyond that of any other deputy governor in the history of deputy governors in Nigeria.

Such was the might of Philip Shaibu that he presided over virtually every affair of the government, enabled by a governor who, in his naivete, assumed he was upholding the rule of law and levelling the playing field.

Philip Shaibu superintended over the revenues of the state and was in charge of its political strategy- a role that he now seeks to weaponise against his boss.

None of the confidence that was reposed in him by his boss matters. All that is important is that he insists on succeeding the governor, and becoming the number one citizen of the state, no matter whose ox is gored.
This type of reasoning and behaviour is not surprising.

A few of us lonesome voices had warned the governor several times about the character of his deputy, but all our entreaties fell on deaf ears, and now, the chickens have come home to roost. We warned against the fight with Oshiomhole, but egged on by a self-interested deputy, the governor rejected all voices of reason.

Now, the governor has seen first-hand the true nature of his deputy. The shadow games played by Philip Shaibu reveal a desperate man fuelled by an over-inflated ego and a misguided ambition.

This is not the temperament of a leader, nor does it signify the level of strategic thinking required of somebody aspiring to the highest office in the state.
What is equally alarming is the foolishness with which the deputy has acted, as if the governor’s trust and responsibilities bestowed upon him were not privileges to be honoured, but tools to be exploited for personal gain. The tragedy here is that the people of Edo State are the ones who will ultimately suffer from this needless foolishness.
Instead of focusing on governance and the overall well-being of the people, the state's leadership is embroiled in a drama of ego, betrayal and misguided ambition.

The precious time and resources that could have been devoted to meaningful development are now consumed by a political theatre that serves no one but the lead character in his own drama.

This recent legal case is a clear sign of a man lost in his delusions. Philip Shaibu has lost touch with reality believing in his own hype, intrigue and conspiracy.
At the end of the day, his phantom impeachment plot is a clear sign that “our husband has gone mad again”.

Adams Osato Ogbemudia wrote in from Benin City.

Many Kogi State indigenes, under the auspices of Kogi Indigenes Collective Interest Group, have risen in fervent defence of their Governor over what they called  "unfounded and irresponsible allegation by an equally irresponsible fake news peddler whose stock-in-trade is either to blackmail for clout or cash."

In their response to a tweet that Governor Yahaya Bello bribed election tribunal Judges to influence them against the cases of some senatorial candidates in the last elections by one Jackson Ude, who they described as a notorious fake news merchant, the indigenes threatened to drag Ude to court and called on relevant security agencies to investigate and bring "the notorious fake news peddler to book once and for all".

According to them, Jackson Ude has turned himself to the laughing stock of the social media, having allegedly churned out many spurious lies in the past about innocent Nigerians and "is notorious for raising absolutely unfounded allegations with a view to blackmailing politically exposed persons".

The statement, signed by the Coordinator, KOGIC, Chief Abduganiyu Yusuf, on behalf of the indigenes from across the 21 local government areas of Kogi State, accused Ude of being a hireling of failed politicians who were desperate to use all foul tactics to pursue their dubious objectives.

The statement reads, "It has just come to our notice that a notorious blackmailer on social media and fake news peddler whose stock-in-trade is either to blackmail for clout or cash has released another unfounded and irresponsible allegation.

"Jackson Ude is notorious for raising absolutely unfounded allegations with a view to blackmailing politically exposed persons because he is a hireling of failed politicians who are desperate to use all foul tactics to secure whatever they are after.

"This time politicians who might have found that they do not stand a chance at the election tribunal have decided to recruit the well-known peddler of fake news to publish a laughable fiction claiming that Governor Yahaya Bello bribed tribunal judges with N300million to compromise them.

"Jackson Ude must provide indubitable evidence of his satanic allegations or be prepared to go to jail for a very long time as we will spare no legal means to commit him to prison.

"Our intervention has become incumbent due to the fact that, in his characteristic nature, Governor Yahaya Bello may just shrug it off and overlook what this fake news criminal has done and allow him go scot-free. But we,  as patriotic indigenes of this blessed state, won't allow that to happen. We will fight to defend the integrity of our state by protecting our Governor from a social media rogue who misuses his page for criminal libel and blackmail.

"We are giving Jackson Ude an 8-day ultimatum to produce concrete and indubitable evidence of his spurious allegation or be prepared to have his day in court.  Thankfully a colleague of his in the business of social media criminality just got a three-year jail sentence.

"Responsible media professionals must speak out against this stain on their profession by this man who pollutes the social media constantly with ridiculous, reckless, senseless and wanton fallacy. He should not be treated differently from criminals who kidnap for ransom."

...Hail GYB for complete turn around of state

Over 300 appointees who served in the administration of former Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, on Sunday, commended Governor Yahaya Bello over what they described as the complete turn around of critical sectors of Kogi State, saying they had decided to totally submit to his leadership.  

They also declared their total support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 11 polls, Usman Ododo, describing his detrabilised personality as a good selling point.

Speaking on behalf of the others during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Lokoja, the leader of the delegation and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abubakar Sadiq Ainoko, highlighted specifically that it was pleasant to see that the first flyover in the state had been watered to fruition by the pragmatic leadership of Governor Bello.

He added that the project completion had improved the rating of Lokoja in terms of aesthetics.

He said, ‘’The Reference Hospital at Okene and of course the establishment of two citadels of learning - Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara (CUSTECH) and Kogi State University, Kabba - are also legacies that the people of Kogi State will cherish till eternity.

"Mention must also be made of the completion of Anyigba-idah road and several other landmark projects of your New Direction government.’’

Ainoko thanked the governor for approving the courtesy visit in record time despite his tight schedule, asserting that the workaholic and historic Governor Bello had shown his love and magnanimity which had endeared him to many hearts, including themselves.

The former Commissioner pointed out that one area the governor had also excelled is his penchant for human development, attesting that many people who never thought they could be appointed to positions of authority had found themselves at the driver's seats of many government agencies while some of their members had also benefited from this unique posture endowed on the governor by God.

Also speaking, former commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Kayode Olowomoro, commended the governor for his developmental stride across the state, especially his effort in securing lives and livelihoods of the people.

The former appointees also lauded the recognition of their Principal, Captain Idris Wada, as the first leader of the state visited by the Governorship Candidate of APC, Usman Ododo, during his post primary election ''Kogi Agenda'’ consultation.

They described the gesture as a display of maximum respect, which gladdened  their hearts, while also expressing commitment and readiness to support Governor Bello’s drive towards achieving a Kogi State of everyone’s dreams.

Court of Appeal refuses bail applications of suspected criminals allegedly linked with Kogi SDP guber candidate, Muritala Yakubu



The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday, refused the applications for bail of suspected criminals allegedly associated with the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, Muritala Yakubu.

The Appellants/applicants' motion for bail had earlier been refused by Hon. Justice Jamil Isah of the Kogi State High Court, sitting in Lokoja.

The Court of Appeal, presided by Hon. Justice Mohammed Mustapha JCA, in a well considered judgement delivered on Friday, in the appeals marked "CA/ABJ/PRE/CR/544MI/2023", also refused their bail applications.

Ojonimi Apeh, Esq appeared for the Appellants/Applicants, while Badama Kadiri, Esq (DPP) appeared for the Respondent.

The Appellants - Kabiri Echi Iyalo, Adama Kerim, Kabir Abdullahi and Salisu Isah Umar - were intercepted during a joint operation of security agencies on their way to Abuja on March 26, 2023, according to a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Department of State Services, Peter Afunanya, on that day.

The suspects were found with dangerous arms and ammunitions in their vehicle after credible intelligence made available to security agencies that some thugs loyal to one Alhaji Muritala Ajaka and who were disgruntled by his suspension and consequent exclusion from the Kogi State APC gubernatorial screening exercise were planning to storm the venue of the screening exercise in Abuja to disrupt the exercise.

The applicants were charged and arraigned before Kogi State High Court for offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, terrorism and unlawful possession of weapons contrary to sections 97, 418 and 424, respectively.

Their motion for bail was refused by the Kogi State High Court, sitting in Lokoja.

Thereafter, in a bid to secure the bail of the defendants, their counsel filed an application for bail pending appeal and filed an interlocutory appeal at the same time.

The Counsel for the respondents, on behalf of the State, vehemently opposed the application for bail separately filed for each of the four Appellants/applicants. The application was argued and reserved for ruling and was ultimately refused.

. Says he's not a contender, only forcing on himself garment of importance

. 'SDP Candidate should sort his problem with security agencies'

. Warns those spreading falsehood to prepare to face the law



We wouldn't have bothered to respond to the watery, evasive and sympathy seeking sinking candidate of the Social Democratic Party, who is dipping himself in the messy mud and and having an ignominious macabre dance on the sensibilities of Kogites and Nigerians as a whole.

It is important to tell Nigerians and the world that Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, the said Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, is on a blisteringly shameful agenda of whipping sentiments, spreading falsehood with reckless abandon so as to put on himself, a garment of importance and create unnecessary air around himself as a contender that he is not.

Kogites and Nigerians know Muritala Yakubu Ajaka and they know that his intention is to create ethnic division and blow his own ego. We know the contenders and the pretenders and he is not a political threat as far as Kogi State is concerned.

The ignorance of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka and his team is such a flourishing folly, thinking that the Governor is an interested party and would therefore allow his state to become a state of anomie and lawlessness.

The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello, CON, is the Governor of all the people of Kogi State and he owes them a duty of care and security. He swore to protect them and protect them he shall.

The State Government has no clandestine plan to frame up anyone, not to talk about political Lilliputians with questionable character.

As a Government, we will not condone reckless statements as we urge the security agencies to arrest the current trend by acting decisively against inflammatory statements. A lack of action has emboldened some political opportunists to think they can spread lies, incite the people, play politics of ethnic profiling and still get away with them.

Muritala Yakubu Ajaka knows what he has done and should carry his cross boldly instead of hiding behind one finger. We have no hand in the problems that his unbridled inordinate ambition has brought upon him.

The tactless and dubious attempt to blackmail media practitioners shows the myopia of Muritala Yakubu Ajaka and his co-travellers to political oblivion. History has shown that no one can ever defeat the media, especially when practitioners are on the path of truth. The media won't be cowed by an unknown, misled, dubious and unguarded political minor.

Let me use this opportunity to assure all political parties and candidates of their safety as they go about their electioneering. The State Government will not succumb to the blackmail of the unpopular candidate of the SDP.


E-signed: Kingsley Fanwo
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications

. Vows to do everything lawful to guarantee peaceful poll in November

. Reiterates endorsement of recent joint security operation

. Reveals it has reduced crime by 40%

. Says 'we'll never submit our authority to criminals'



The Kogi State Government has reiterated its endorsement of the recent joint operation carried out by security agencies in the state, in which a notorious gang leader was neutralised, saying that the operation has reduced crime in the area by over 40 per cent.

The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, who said this at the quarterly press briefing of the ministry on Monday in Lokoja, stressed that no amount of blackmail by desperate enemies of the state would stop the government from protecting lives and property of Kogites and cooperating totally with law enforcement agencies to rid the state of crime.

He said the Kogi State Government would not submit its authority to criminals, while calling on security agencies to invite those tagging the operation an extrajudicial killing and inciting violence for thorough investigation.

"They must be held to account for their claims," he stressed, adding, "We can't come this far taming terrorists for the past 90 months only to lose it to the garrulous crime-sponsors defending a criminal."

The Commissioner said the government would do everything within the curve of law to guarantee a peaceful poll in November, warning that intimidation, ethnic/ religious profiling and other anti-social and unconstitutional acts would be met with stiff resistance.

"It is our responsibility to give confidence to our people that they are free from attacks while exercising their franchise," he noted.

Fanwo stated, "The recent happening at Ejule was a necessary stitch-in-time led by security agents in the state to rid our state of criminalty. For the upteenth time, we reiterate our endorsement of the operation that has brought down insecurity in that area by over 40%.

"The late Kabir Bala popularly known as Okwo was a terror in the East, kidnapping and raping young women and housewives and terrorising the entire Kogi East.

"Motorists traversing the state were subjected to 'Okwo levy' to the embarrassment of the State, among other acts of extreme intimidation and criminality.

"Chapter 4, Section 33 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria talked extensively about the various rights conferred on the citizens of Nigeria, one of which is the right to life. But these rights have limitations.

"Kabir Bala opened fire on security operatives with the intent to murder them. According to the report by the security agencies, they engaged his gang at this point and he was neutralised in the process.

"A person who attempts to evade lawful arrest and even attempts to kill security agents can no longer hold on to such rights. His killing couldn't be termed extra-judicial by any standard.

"The question you need to ask the SDP fans of the late Kabir Bala is: What is their interest in the criminal enterprise of the late crime-lord? Was there a pact between them and the late notorious leader to assassinate members of other parties?

"We are patiently waiting for the Law Enforcement agents to unravel the mystery by inviting those making unguarded, reckless statements without minding the approbrium of being associated with a serial killer.

"Our Government will not submit its authority to criminals. We can't come this far taming terrorists for the past 90 months only to lose it to the garrulous crime-sponsors defending a criminal. We call on security agencies to call the actors inciting violence for thorough investigation. They must be held to account for their claims."

.Ask Kogites to shun mischievous politicians playing victims, sponsoring crime

. Call on DSS, others to fish out, arrest politicians behind anti-security propaganda



Lawyers, leaders of Civil Society Organisations and professionals across all sectors of the economy have called on Kogi State indigenes at home and in the Diaspora to help security agencies to make the state uninhabitable for criminals masquerading as politicians in the state, especially as the November 11 governorship election draws closer.

They called on the good people of Kogi State to resist those they described as criminal political merchants trying to blackmail security agencies in the interest of their "unpopular ambitions."

Representatives of more than 50 CSOs and scores of lawyers, under the broad platform of Lawyers and Activists for Good Governance, made this position known at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.

Barr. Mohammed Abdulrazaq Sani, a lawyer from Igalamela LGA, Kogi State, and Co-Convener, Lawyers and Activists for Good Governance, who addressed the press on behalf of others, said, "Personally, I am from Kogi State like a few of those on this high table. Therefore, we know exactly what is happening in that state beyond the propaganda engaged in by some unscrupulous elements in the state fond of trading in blackmail and crocodile tears.

"An average Kogite who understands the state's terrain very well would testify that Kogi State in the last seven years plus has witnessed the uprooting of violent criminals like kidnappers, terrorists, armed robbers and others from the state since the inception of the current administration in the state."

The activists, however, warned that some mischievous political figures in the state were working towards bringing back the dark days of instability by supporting criminal elements to cause chaos.

The same sponsors of criminal activities, they said, would, thereafter, quickly rush to the public to point accusing fingers at security agencies or the state government.

"These characters would rather that criminals and terrorists be left to run amok unchallenged while law abiding Kogi State residents and indigenes who have been enjoying peace and security for over seven years live in fear and panic," the lawyers and activists said.

They called on security agencies not to relent in their efforts to rid the state of criminal elements, saying their backers must be arrested and prosecuted for the peace and stability of Kogi State.

The activists' statement reads, "This Press Conference is necessitated by our concern over the activities of some desperate politicians in Kogi State who are in the practice of orchestrating violence and at the same time playing victim in order to deceive unsuspecting members of the public by pointing fingers in the wrong direction.

"Personally, I am from Kogi State like a few of those on this high table. Therefore, we know exactly what is happening in that state beyond the propaganda engaged in by some unscrupulous elements in the state fond of trading in blackmail and crocodile tears.

"Of recent, we have seen an upsurge in the activities of some of these desperate politicians boldly sponsoring antidemocratic forces to consistently blackmail the security agencies who are carrying out their legitimate constitutional duties of protecting lives and properties and tagging them as being overzealous in keeping criminals out of the streets of Kogi State.

"These characters would rather that criminals and terrorists be left to run amok unchallenged while law abiding Kogi State residents and indigenes who have been  enjoying peace and security for over seven years should live in fear and panic.

"These sponsors of disharmony specialize in playing one ethnic group in Kogi State against the others in their wicked and evil agenda to make sure that crisis erupts in the state which they reckon could work in their favour to clinch political offices, especially as the state's governorship election is approaching.

"They have been engaging in criminal propaganda on social and regular media to create mass disaffection against the incumbent government in the state. An average Kogite who understands the state's terrain very well would testify that Kogi State in the last seven years plus has witnessed the uprooting of violent criminals like kidnappers, terrorists, armed robbers and others from the state since the inception of the current administration in the state.

"But there are mischievous political figures in the state who wish to bring back those dark days of instability by supporting criminal elements to cause chaos in the state and thereafter quickly rush to the public to point accusing fingers at security agencies or the state government.

"This is in a failed bid to cover their poorly disguised criminal tracks, especially when security agencies go after their criminal protégés.

"These are the same political goons who move round the state to erect structures of ethnic acrimony and suspicion for political advantage. They don't mean well for the state and Kogites are enjoined to resist anyone or group desperately trying to fan the embers of disunity and mutual acrimony in the state. They are atrocious  characters with wicked and evil agenda to benefit from the crises they are provoking.

"We urge the security agencies not to relent in their efforts to rid the state of not only the criminal political merchants, but also to ensure that their backers are arrested and prosecuted for the peace and stability of Kogi State.

"No purveyors of organized crimes and criminalities should be allowed to roam free no matter how highly placed. Kogites must shine their eyes well and not allow expired politicians with zero political relevance to hoodwink us into a sophisticated trap of political waterloo for the sake of their insatiable and pitiable ambition."

The Lawyers and Activists for Good Governance, the parent body of the Concerned Lawyers And Activists Coalition, is an organization with the primary focus of advocating for justice and peace. It consists of over 50 Civil Society Organizations made of activists, lawyers and other professionals.

1. The Kogi State Government wishes to state clearly and unequivocally that the good people of the state are totally in support of actions being taken by the security agencies to rid the state of crime and allow the peace that has been enjoyed over the years endure.

If there is anyone on the streets protesting against the peace and security of the state, that person must immediately be regarded as a criminal whose trade has been cut short by the "zero tolerance for criminality" approach of the security agencies.

We want to state clearly that there are no extrajudicial killings in the state as some naysayers and purveyors of violence who were hard-hit by the recent onslaught on criminals in the state want people to believe.

They have been mourning a criminal, gunrunner, kidnapper who was taken down by security agents after his attack on security operatives in the state. We cannot sacrifice the peace of the state on the alter of violent politics.

2. The need for us to clear the air on the matter is occasioned by a purported protest by ill-informed political agents in wigs, who are clearly acting the script of sponsors of violence in Kogi State.

The protest was a deliberate act to misinform the general public and create an impression of crisis in the confluence state ahead of the Guber poll. It was a part of a list of activities that was drawn by some unpopular political actors who desperately want power and are banking on using killers and criminals to achieve their blood-drenching ambition.

3. We wish to inform members of the general public that the Kogi State Government will continue to make deliberate and legally-certified efforts at ensuring peace and security in the state, as that remains the principal responsibility of the Government. Politicians harboring criminals with the intent of disturbing the peace of the state will always have security agencies to contend with.

4. We again call on security agencies to invite politicians expressing sadness over the death of a criminal for questioning. Our people should go about their normal business without let or hindrance as Kogi will be made safe before, during and after the poll. We are Kogi and we will keep our state safe.


Kingsley Femi Fanwo
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications

04/07/2023

The Pioneer District Governor, Lions International, District 404A-4 Nigeria, Lion Dr Kofoworola Jegede,PMJF, NLCF LCIP has outlined her projects of service across the three states that make-up her mandate areas.

The Pioneer District Governor assured that her tenure will be action-packed in view of several activities lined up to make life worth living for the needy, especially the youths within the mandate areas of Ondo, Edo, and Delta states.

Topical on the projects is the building of a Youth Empowerment and Recreational Centre to be sited in Akure, the Ondo State capital to serve as a hub for the training and retraining of young persons across professional callings.

Addressing Journalists at her Maden Press Briefing in Akure, Lion Dr Kofoworola Jegede said the Centre will scale-up the professional skills and competences of the youths along the path of sustainable development and global competitiveness.

According to her, “If you look at the average profile of a great number of our youth, their thinking is about money, 419 and Yahoo business, and the image of this country has been bastardized through them, and that is why we have to target and engage them in a positive way for a better society.

“We must arrest this disturbing trend and re-orientate them to channel their energy positively, and it is because of this we are doing this. My project is to provide for them a functional facility, where they can have the freedom to come together to brainstorm for the benefit of our society.

“When we talk about skills and intelligence, we are there, so all hands must be on deck to assist these youths".

On the thematic areas of Lions Club, which include Vision, Diabetes, Feeding, Environment, and Paediatric Cancer, Lion Dr Kofoworola Jegede said that the club would mobilize actions and resources to carry out diabetes screening programmes in Ondo, Delta and Edo States.

"Also, we will go round to screen people for diabetes. Diabetes is on the increase due to what we are eating, so because of that, we want to go out to screen people and refer them to the hospitals in order to reduce the increase of this ailment.”

While reiterating the inherent joy in serving the needy, Dr Kofoworola Jegede called on persons with heart of service to join the lions club to make the human society better for all.

"In Lions Club there is no barrier to serving the less-privileged. Neither Religion, Politics nor Ethnicity is a barrier. We network for greater opportunities and actualisation of potentials", she said.

She equally called on the media to be a collaborative partner showcasing the various programmes of the Lions Club which is the only Non-Governmental Organisation, NGO, that has a seat in the United Nations.

The Press Briefing which had in attendance, PCC Tokunbo Jegede;PDG Adekunle Adedipe; Cabinet Secretary, Lion Olu Akinsiku; Cabinet Treasurer, Lion Foluso Bodunde; District Chief of Protocol, Lion Bode Akinwumi; District GLT Coordinator, Lion Queensly Adedipe and representatives of clubs in Regions 1, 2 and 3.

Bode Akinwumi
Chairman Media Committee
District 404A-4

. Advise him to limit Kogi politics to Kogi Elders Forum


Longstanding members of the Arewa Consultative Forum have warned the new Chairman of the forum, Gabriel Aduku, to desist from dragging the ACF into his personal political warfare in Kogi State or risk being removed as Chairman.

According to the members, representing the different Arewa states, the idea behind the formation of the ACF is, among others, to promote the development, unity, peace and prosperity of the Arewa North as an entity, while having a healthy relationship with other areas of the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, titled, "Stop Using ACF For Your Political Fights in Kogi State", jointly signed by
Dr. Asha Manga, who was the Governorship Candidate for Action Alliance in the just concluded elections; and Alhaji Sadiq Bulama, member, Borno State/ Secretary to the immediate past chairman of ACF, among others, the Arewa leaders said the ACF was never meant to be a divisive political tool in the hands of an individual or a few to use for their local political fights.

"This Press Release is necessary to quickly inform the general public that the recent position taken by the new chairman of ACF, Architect Gabriel Aduku, on the politics of his home state of Kogi should not be considered as the position of the ACF as an organization but a personal expression of his political sentiments," they stressed.

The ACF stakeholders noted that though Aduku was barely two months in office, any leader of ACF,  especially its chairman, was expected to be a father to all, irrespective of political affiliations, and not a champion of divisive politicking that could undermine the unity and peace of any part of Arewa.

"We are to unite the North, not divide it. Limit your Kogi politics within your Kogi East Elders' Forum, don't bring ACF down into it," the ACF members cautioned the new Chairman.

"It is a public knowledge that Architect Aduku who also doubles as Chairman of the Kogi East Elders' Forum has recently thrown his weight behind one of the governorship candidates in the November governorship election in Kogi State. Therefore,  he cannot claim to be a disinterested party in the election. So, for him to now proceed to the ACF headquarters in Kaduna where he made scathing partisan political statements that are extremely divisive with regard to the November election could be mistaken as the collective position of the ACF which is not," they said.

Those who signed the statement include Alhaji Ahamed Musa Kumo, ACF member, Gombe state; Hassan Mohammed, Bauchi State; Alhaji Tanko Malami,  Kebbi State; Alhaji Munir Mohammed,  Katsina State; Alhaji Nasiru Zakaria-Gwarzo, Kano State; Alhaji Bello Wadata, Sokoto State; Malam Usman Kabiru, Taraba State; and Umar Modibo, ACF member, Adamawa State.

The statement reads in full:
"We are members of the Arewa Consultative Forum from different states of Northern Nigeria. Most of us have been members of the ACF since the year 2000 and even prior.

"We wish to restate that the idea behind the formation of the ACF is, among others, to promote the development, unity, peace and prosperity of the Arewa North as an entity, while having a healthy relationship with other areas of the country.

"Therefore,  ACF was never meant to be a divisive political tool in the hands of an individual or a few to use for their local political fights. This Press Release is necessary to quickly inform the general public that the recent position taken by the new chairman of ACF, Architect Gabriel Aduku, on the politics of his home state of Kogi should not be considered as the position of the ACF as an organization but a personal expression of his political sentiments.

"It is a public knowledge that Architect Aduku who also doubles as Chairman of the Kogi East Elders' Forum has recently thrown his weight behind one of the governorship candidates in the November governorship election in Kogi State. Therefore,  he cannot claim to be a disinterested party in the election. So, for him to now proceed to the ACF headquarters in Kaduna where he made scathing partisan political statements that are extremely divisive with regard to the November election could be mistaken as the collective position of the ACF which is not.

"Architect Aduku is barely two months in office. Any leader of ACF,  especially its chairman, is expected to be a father to all, irrespective of political affiliations, and not a champion of divisive politicking that can undermine the unity and peace of any part of Arewa. It is highly condemnable for a person of Architect Aduku's status to be fanning the embers of violence and instability by promoting such pessimistic political scenario in which he is suggesting that the November election might not hold.

"This could be taken to mean that he is engaging in a ridiculous fear-mongering that could instigate mass violence or cataclysmic bloodletting in the state.

"A real leader would never engage in promoting division but cohesion,  especially a leader of our beloved ACF, which was founded on the honorable sociopolitical pedestal to promote peace, harmony and progress of every part of Arewa without exception.

"Mr. Aduku must stop this nefarious political adventurism or, at least, desist from dragging the ACF into his private political warfare. There are many ACF members in Kogi State and all of them belong to various political persuasions. They cannot afford to see their overall chairman giving the erroneous impression to the public that the ACF had anointed his own candidate in the next election and, therefore,  utilize the platform of ACF to engage in political blackmail against his perceived political enemies.

"He either stops this kind of conduct immediately or resign from office or be removed.

Any further unguarded statement like this from him will lead to massive protests against him and we'll ensure his immediate removal from office.

"We are to unite the North, not divide it. Limit your Kogi politics within your Kogi East Elders' Forum, don't bring ACF down into it."