The Asere, Arogbo Ijaw community of Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Thursday, cried out to the Federal government that Conoil Producing Limited is stoking grave threat to peace and security in the oil rich area.

In a joint statement by leaders of the communities, signed by Hon.Bonsuwe Ogonobibi Ominidougha, Chairman, Ijaw National Congress(INC), Akure, Ondo State Chapter, Pastor Ebitimi Dio- Posibi, Chairman, INC, Lagos State Chapter and Dr( Deac.) James Ashida, Chairman, Arogbo-Ijaw Community, Organization (AICO), they called the Federal Government to come to the rescue of the jolted communities.

The Ijaw National Congress and the community leaders alleged that Conoil Producing Limited is forcing itself into operations in the area without adherence to the procedures and regulations guiding the Petroleum Industry Act.

The Network gathered that the movement of the oil firm had caused serious threat to peace and security in the area.

The leaders cried out that Conoil Producing Limited blatantly refused to directly negotiate with landowners , (the Asere community) which is host to the oil company’s planned operations despite all efforts.

They added that the action has generated a lot of protests, which have been countered with brutal use of force and intimidation.

They warned that the tactics deployed by the company to arrest, detain and brutalize protesters who are sons and daughters of the community constitute a threat to peace.

The statement stressed that all the efforts and several attempts to resolve the issues raised by the leaders of the communities were ignored.

The leaders added that their attempts to meet with Conoil Producing Limited at its headquarters in Lagos were met with utter disdain and hostile rejections.

“We want to notify the Nigerian Government and the world at large that Conoil Producing Limited’s Impending Oil Operations in Asere Community, Arogbo-Kingdom, Ese-Odo Local Government Area,Ondo State has constituted threats to peace and security

“This is necessitated by the company’s Fire Brigade Approach without due process.

“It is very curious and surprising that Conoil Producing Limited is about forcing its way into operations without fulfilling the necessary procedures and regulations guiding the Petroleum Industry as contained in the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 with particular reference to sections 251 and 252 of the Act which state as follow:

“The Conoil Producing Limited has not directly negotiated with Land Owners, the Host Community (Asere Community). This has generated a lot of protests which have been countered by arrests and the use of naked and brute force against protesters

“That up till today there is no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in place. The EIA must be done by the Department Of Petroleum Resources (DPR) certified consultants which involve the DPR Representatives, Federal Ministry Of Environment, Land Owners and the immediate community

“That there is no Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Land Owners, the Host Community and the larger community in specific terms.

“That there is no Freedom To Operate (FTO) agreement which involves the Land Owners, immediate community, Access communities, and the larger community. (Arogbo-Kingdom)

“As these unpalatable situations came to the fore, we, under the auspices of Ijaw National Congress( INC) Akur, Ondo State Chapter, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Lagos State Chapter and Arogbo-Ijaw Community Organization (AICO) as leaders of our people made several attempts to resolve the issues raised but all to no avail

“Our attempts to meet with Conoil Producing Limited at its headquarters in Lagos were greeted with utter disdain and hostile rejections.

“As a result of this, we hereby, unreservedly submit that Conoil Producing Limited should suspend its planned operations in Asere community pending when all the issues mentioned above are amicably resolved.

“We call on all authorities concerned to give this cry the needed urgent attention and prevail on Conoil Producing Limited to settle with the stakeholders before its operations in order not to cause disaffection, confusion and conflict in our communities.” The statement concluded

Strong indications have emerged that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu may have ignored a Presidential directive on the pending issue of the appointment of a substantive rector for the Federal Polytechnic, Offa.

The delay in announcing a rector for the institution several months after a letter from the Presidency appointing a rector has caused a controversy over the appointment of a substantive rector for the institution.

The Network gathered that the issue of the appointment of a rector for the institution became controversial after the result of a selection examination and interview conducted by a Selection Board was released in February.

Investigations reveal that the best three candidates who sat for the examination were recommended by selection board to the Governing Council for the process of the appointment of a new rector for the institution.

The three recommended candidates according to the order of performance are: Dr Raji Sarafadeen who came first with 80.8 percent; Dr Kadiri Kumoru (79.9)and Dr Akinde Mukail who came third with 75.4 marks.

Findings by the Network revealed that the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, recommended the appointment of Kadiri Kamoru for the position Rector of the institution.

Kamoru came second in the selection examination.

However, the Minister’s position was overruled by the President in a letter of March 30, 2022 from the office of Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.

The President, in the letter, recommended Dr Sarafa Adebayo Raji who came first in the examination as the Rector of the institution.

Cross sections of ex staff of Mangu local government council of Plateau state on Saturday vowed to work against the Candidate of the People’s Democratic party PDP in the forthcoming Gubernatorial election in the state Hon Caleb Mutfwang over constant non payment of salaries while he was council boss of Mangu LGA of the state .

A former staff of Mangu local government council of Plateau state who gave her name as Nanret Thompson, who spoke on behalf of the aggrevied former staff of the council said the constant owing of salaries of the PDP Governorship candidate while he was council chairman forced them to abandon their jobs for farming .

“We the former LGA chairmen of Mangu local government would never support him ,because some of us became beggers while he held sway as council boss .”

Mrs Thompson alleged that some of the workers about 15 of them had to jettison the local government council job while Mutfwang was council chairman because of the non payments of salaries.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Saturday ,she said ” I on behalf of other aggrevied former council staff would never support the Candidate of the PDP because of his pass records as council boss.

” Yes we are from Mangu local government council but we would not support the PDP candidate because of how he treated us when he was council chairman,the constant non payment of salaries as well as his absence while he was in office is the problem ,he was not accessible as council boss and then he did not pay us our salaries as when due .

In her words ,” If Mutfwang would treat us that way and manner as Council Chairman ,I wonder how he would treat citizens of Plateau if elected Governor ,so for that we would work against his candidacy .

“We are members of the PDP and we would support our candidate in the house of assembly and senate ,but for Governorship we would never support the PDP Candidate ,we have vowed to use everything within our capacity to ensure the success of another Candidate from our local government Mangu because we can not trust the state in the hands of Mutfwang .

I call on the people of Mangu local government to reject Mutfwang because we can not see the good intentions he has for Plateau .

She alleged that Mutfwang as council boss did not only fail to deliver but also allowed decay in critical areas like health and educational sectors in Mangu .

“There was also high insecurity in Mangu local government council due to menace of jobless youths when Mutfwang was council chairman .

We would work for the victory of another candidate from Mangu local government but not that of the PDP .

In her words ” my people are rallying around Mutfwang because he is from our local government ,I am calling on the people of Mangu to reject him at the polls and support a better candidate ,he has been tested as a council boss and he failed us .

We would do everything possible not to support him ,she added .

There were better candidates in the PDP but powers that be in the Peoples Democratic forced Mutfwang on us and we would reject him at the polls .

“In Mangu ,we have other candidates in other various political parties like the PRP and we would work for their victory ,she added .

Our correspondent reports that the spokesperson of the group was flanked by other members of the group during the press conference .

The Anambra State Government moved swiftly to suspend Mbamba from office over the alleged murder of his wife after massive widespread and public outcry for justice.

Anambra State Government suspends Mbamba from office over wife’s murder

Mr Mbazulike Iloka populalry known as Mbamba, the newly sworn-in TC Chairman in Nnewi North has reportedly murdered his wife Mrs Chidiebere Iloka after battering her.

Mr Mbamba as he is fondly called, has since denied the allegations, claiming his wife slumped and died instantly however, a credible source familiar with the family disclosed that the woman suffered domestic violence in the hands of her husband leading to the untimely death, with her family being aware of such incidents in the past though the woman tried to hide the true extent of the horrific abuse, till it took her life.

Another source also disclosed that Mr. Mbamba has continue to frustrate all effort of the family of the late wife to conduct autopsy insisting that his wife died a natural death, but his in-laws especially the brothers to the deceased, have not only termed MbaMba a liar but passed a vote of no confidence on his claims of innocence to the extent that they have petitioned him to their community deity as they strongly believe that the woman was murdered in cold blood, given the antecedents of MbaMba’s brutality towards her even though he has continued to insist his wife died from a cardiac arrest and blocking every insistence by the in-law for an autopsy.

Neighbours of the deceased has asked the state government and the IGP to investigate the matter, stating that his close ties to the Governor should not be abused in shielding him from the full arm of the law and granting justice to both the woman, her family and the community at large as the incident has left everyone shell shocked

From the pictures seen the deceased who is well known by many to be a very peaceful and loving personality had a deep cut on her forehead well as the glaring and fresh bruises on the side of her face as well as her back eye, not to mention that there are strong evidences and eye witness reports of the deceased usually seen with bandages and plasters on her head from time to time, which she tried to cover with wigs and other head gears

They insist Mr Mbamba has questionable character and always envious of the success and progress of the deceased especially since she was a high ranking staff of a Federal establishment, which means she was vastly more literate than MbaMba which was why MbaMba was using her bank accounts as she was the one who could read, understand and correctly interpret documents and lettered articles which made MbaMba develop inferiority complex which climaxed to the murder of his wife

With the Anambra State Government suspending MbaMba over this issue, it has given hope to the family of the deceased that indeed, MbaMba’s connections will not shield him from this terrible crime, even as Ndi Anambra insist that the Government should get to the root of the matter and make sure justice is delivered.

Everything about the Obedients are lies, fake news, insults and propaganda. Social media presidency folks.

The Atikowa Movement, a socio-political group, has described the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as Nigeria’s best chance to overcome its many challenges, pledging to mobilize voters at the grassroot to vote him as president in the 2023 poll.

The Movement, which is convened by Mr Oke Umurhohwo, made the pledge in a statement on Friday shortly after meeting the former vice president in Abuja.

The statement which called on Nigerians to reject the continuation of hardship and directionless leadership, said Atiku/Okowa partnership offers great hope of turning around the fortunes of Nigerians.

“At a time like this, it is not in question that the right man to lead Nigeria and get us back on track is no other but His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,” the Movement noted in a statement.

“Atiku’s policy document was a profound statement that he is prepared to fix Nigeria. Even more is his choice of running-mate, Ifeanyi Okowa– amplifying a resolve to turn around the fortunes of Nigerians and bringing to an end their hopelessness.

“This is why our Movement, Atikowa, is committing to the actualization of this noble goal, and in the next few days, we will commence an ambitious move to rally voters at the grassroots to give him their votes at the presidential poll.

“Our goal is for Nigeria to have a president that can solve problems, not just talk about them. A president that will treat all Nigerians as equal, not someone motivated by ethnicity or religion belief in decision making. A president that will listen to Nigerians and not just to satisfy personal ambition and greed.”

Earlier in the visit, Atiku welcomed the support of the Atikowa Movement in his quest to lead Nigeria in 2023, noting that he is pleased to see young Nigerians taking the charge on who leads the country.

Atiku who saluted Mr Umurhohwo and his team for coming up with the Movement, said the focus of the group for voters at the grassroots aligns with his consistent charge for supporters to canvass for voters at the various polling units across the country.

Highlight of the visit was the formal launch of the Atikowa Movement by Alhaji Atiku and the presentation of a jersey with the inscription of the group handed to him. Thereafter, a group photograph with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and members of the Atikowa Movement was taken.

Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress will today Monday meet in Lagos with the party’s Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to take final decision on the formation and structure of the party’s presidential campaign council for next year’s general elections.

WesternPost had earlier reported that the party leadership had settled for former National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, as the chairman of the campaign council, while Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai was picked as the Director-General.

Days later, WesternPost however gathered that Plateau State, Governor Simon Lalong, was being considered to replace el-Rufai as the campaign council DG.

Our correspondent further gathered that Lalong is being considered for the DG role because of his appeal to the Christian majority in the Middle Belt and the aggrieved Christians in the North.

Another major decision the governors are expected to take at the meeting in Lagos is the composition of the media and communications directorate of the campaign council which needs to step up their work as soon as possible ahead of the start of campaigns on September 28 as stipulated in the Independent National Electoral Commission’s guidelines.

For the past five months, Managing Director of Independent Communications Network Limited, publishers of TheNEWS, and Tempo and former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, has been the director of media and communications of Tinubu Campaign Organisation. Onanuga and his team pivoted the Tinubu’s campaign months leading to the APC presidential primary election and has been in charge since Tinubu emerged as the party’s flagbearer.

There are however interests within the party who are pushing for Minister of State Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, as campaign spokesperson.

Those against Keyamo taking up the position are of the opinion that he was one of the major backers of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi during the presidential primaries and that he (Keyamo) cannot come and displace those who have been doing the work.

Keyamo was Director of Strategic Communications for the reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 after being singlehandedly appointed by Amaechi who was DG of the campaign without recourse to the party structure and leadership.

While a section of the media reported today that Keyamo has been tipped as the campaign spokesperson and head of the Campaign Council Media and Communications’ team, impeccable sources told our correspondent that Onanuga will retain his position as the Director of Media and Communications.

Former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Dele Alake will come in as Director of Strategic communications, while Keyamo will work as the campaign spokesperson.

1. I am not aware that the Northern Christians within the APC family met anywhere to appoint spokespersons on their behalf. They will vote according to their individual conscience. Nobody has the authority to speak on behalf of every adherent of a particular faith within a party

2. Also & with the greatest respect, I am not aware that we have an official stratification of APC Northern Christians or Muslims in our great party. They are all APC members, simpliciter, and they registered as such into the party, not on the platforms of their different faiths

The SDP Presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo today joined his Eminence, Rev. Olasupo Samson Ayokunle the outgoing CAN president in handing over service to the new CAN president, His Eminence, Arch Bishop, Dan Okoh at the National Christian Centre Abuja, Nigeria,
Alongside other dignitaries who witnessed the occasion.

Borno state is just getting started for #BATSHET2023 https:///hpfb0FaMHN

What is this for Christ's sake?

People are being requested to pay 500k to support a candidate that'll not be getting near 2nd position next year?Them take fraud swear for una?�‍♂️�‍♂️�‍♂️ https:///W1cFP2TTKP

MY ISSUES WITH COALTION FOR PETER OBI -When I said a a cabal has been trying to pressure groups supporting @peterobi some thought I was being arrogant. Fact is the ‘Coalition’ has been demanding N500,000 from PO support groups like mine to be ‘recognized’? I think it’s disgusting

I did not want to go public with proofs of their demand for N500k but today when the Nat Youth Leader of LP clarified that no group needs to register with any other group, they all went on attack against me for asking for clarification. it’s time to resist the scammers publicly

@PeterObi became a hot nationally name becos everyone was doing what they can to promote him. Now this Coaltion for Peter Obi is trying to take advantage of that by asking big support groups like mine to register with them & pay N500,000 for the priviledge to promote PO. Whaaat?

I told them ‘NEVER!’ becos The PO movement is supposed to change SCAMMY activities like this and I told them I would NOT pay for privilege to use my resources to promote PO . They then said it’s VOLUNTARY. Still they insisted I must attend an INTERVIEW b4 I can be recognized.

To avoid accusations of arrogance, I applied and attended their ‘compulsory’ interview all in the hope they will leave me alone. When I got to the zoom interview, 6 of them claimed they are the custodians of peter obi mandate. I asked for proof of authority but they had none

They also demanded to know who gave me authority to build a mobile app for Peter Obi Nation (my support group). I also asked them who gave them authority to police the Peter Obi brand. They could not show me. I challenge the Coaltion to post the recording of that 80min interview

The issue of the N500k fee came up again & they now said it’s voluntary to recoup their expenses for their 1 million man march. I told them my Org had expenses too but am not asking anyone to reimburse me since its all voluntary.

Though they now claimed d N500k is voluntary they still refused to register us for over 30days. Then they started sponsoring posts to delegitimize us and the app our PO group had created. They denied they were not behind the campaign but @Doc_steena admitted it in a chat tonight

I am not naive and know it’s becos we didn’t pay their voluntary ‘donation’ of N500k
that they decided to blackmail us. They even accused me of being an apc mole who wants to steal data & claimed @segalink built the app though sega didnt even know I was building any app!

Like I said last week, I am all for cooperation among Peter Obi support groups but NO COALITION should try to force any group to join them or try to delegitimize others becos they don’t want to join their coalition. There MUST be mutual respect. This is Afterall all voluntary.

Like I have often repeated, I don’t want anything for supporting @PeterObi other than good govt by him. So nobody can force me to succumb to any shady coaltion . If they had bothered to check me out they would know I would NOT accept blackmail or injustice no matter what.

I had asked them if PO knew they were collecting N500,000 ‘voluntary’ contribution from groups to be ‘recognized’ by them, but they couldn’t answer. They didn’t even have courage and to put it on their site but come to your inbox to demand it it. It’s disgusting and shameful

Finally, at this point, peace with evil be damned. Even if the COALTION approves our application now,we will decline and dare them to stop our promotion of Peter Obi. We don’t need anything from them and don’t want to sit at their scammy ‘table’ for N500k ‘voluntary’ donation.

The Labour Party’s candidates were conspicuously missing in the list of candidates and political parties published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2023 general elections in Ogun State.

In the list placed at the INEC office in Abeokuta, 13 parties were listed to participate in the governorship election next year, while 26 would take part in the House of Assembly polls.

Abayomi Arabambi, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, told PREMIUM TIMES on Monday that the absence of the party on the INEC list was an “administrative error.”

“We are going to Abuja tomorrow (Tuesday) to correct this,” said Mr Arabambi.

But Niyi Ijalaye, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, insisted that the Labour Party did not submit any name for the elections.

“Let them (Labour Party) go and correct it in Abuja because what I’m saying is that, my head office in Abuja was the one that forwarded these records to us so if there is an administrative error, it must be an error on their (Labour Party) part,” Mr Ijalaye told PREMIUM TIMES.

According to the list published by the INEC, the parties and governorship candidates for the 2023 general election in Ogun State include the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dapo Abiodun; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ladi Adebutu; Social Democratic Party, Ojeshina Anthony; Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Okusanya Adedeji; African Democratic Congress, ADC, Adelanwa Kayemilola; African Action Congress, AAC, Harrison Adeyemi; All Peoples Party, APP, Falana Olufemi; Action Democratic Party, ADP, Shokunbi Kazeem;

Others are National Resistant Movement, NRM, Ogunrombi Tofunmi; ACCORD party, Adebisi Oyewale; Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Jolaoluwa Olutoain; New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Kassim Jakie and Action Alliance, AA, Iskil-Ogunyomi Safiat.

Today, I led SDP presidential team to visit Christian Association of Nigeria for consultation. CAN and I agree that Nigeria's diversity is a blessing from God and that honest leadership is what Nigeria needs for #HopeAgain2023. I'm grateful for the prayers of CAN for our quest.