The PDP is aware that certain elements who are scared of the soaring popularity of our candidate Dr Asue Ighodalo are going about peddling rumors that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo has been nullified.
Let it be on record that the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo as the flag bearer of the party for the 2024 elections remains intact and that the judgement of the Federal High court in Abuja did not in any way affect the candidature of Dr Asue Ighodalo
We urge our teaming loyal supporters to remain calm and resolute as there is no cause for alarm.
Peter Obi visits Holy Rosary College of Sciences in Emekuku, admonishes students to be good ambassadors of the school and nation at large.
He was accompanied by the Archbishop of the Catholic province of Owerri, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Director of the host institution, Rev. Fr. Justin Okoro, amongst others.....
He replaced the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu
Breaking: Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, emerges Chairman of the Southern Governors' Forum, Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, emerges Vice Chairman
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested the killers of the retired Brig.-Gen. Uwem Udokwere who invaded his residence at the Sunshine Homes area of Lokogoma, in Abuja.
THE WHISTLER reliably gathered that the operatives, led by CSP Victor O Godfrey, the Divisional Police Office of Utako, arrested four suspects in connection to the incident that occurred at about 3 am on Saturday.
The WHISTLER had earlier reported that armed robbers had invaded the residence of the military personnel and had carted away his pistol and other items.
The recent development, however, revealed that the suspects, all residents in the Apo area of the FCT had confessed to attacking the household of the personnel and killing him.
A situation report exclusively obtained by THE WHISTLER from a reliable source within the police revealed the names of the suspects as, Ibrahim Rabiu, 33; Nafiu Jamil, 33; Aliyu Abdullahi, 47; Mohammed Nuhu, 28, all residents of Apo Primary School.
The source revealed that the suspects had confessed to crimes of murder and armed robbery of the late General.
“They stated that during the armed robbery incident, they murdered the Gen. to prevent him from harming them with the pistols he brought out to defend himself but couldn’t effectively manipulate it.
“They also confessed to having stolen Laptops, and phones among other valuables from the deceased’s home. As fate would have, the knife in which they stabbed him to death was recovered.
“The deceased black GSM phone ‘Redmi’ made was also recovered,” THE WHISTLER gathered.
Our correspondent also gathered that the FCT police are trying to recover the two pistols and other suspects at large.
POLICE CONFIRMS 2022 CONSTABLE RECRUITMENT PROCESS MARRED WITH IRREGULARITIES, ALLEGED CORRUPTION
Calls for Review as Recruitment List Flooded with Non-Applicants
The Nigeria Police Force has raised alarm on the irregularities and alleged corruption of the recently released names of successful candidates in the ongoing 2022/23 Police Constables Recruitment Exercise. This became necessary upon being inundated with a series of complaints and allegations of corruption raised by unsuspecting candidates and stakeholders on the irregularities that marred the exercise most especially the disappearance of the names of screened candidates who were successful to the last stage.
Upon careful scrutiny of the list released on the PSC portal, it was discovered that i) Several names of persons purported to be names of successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise. ii) The published list contains several names of candidates who failed either the Computer Based Test (CBT) or the physical screening exercise or both. iii) There are those who made it to the last stage of the exercise but were disqualified having been found Medically unfit through the standardised medical test but who also made the list of successful candidates as published by the PSC. vi) Most worrisome is the allegation of financial dealings and corrupt practices leading to the outcome where unqualified and untrainable individuals have been shortlisted.
The Inspector General of Police had on 10th June 2024 written a letter of objection to the list addressed to the Chairman of the Commission, citing the discoveries listed above. The reaction of the IGP was without prejudice to the power of the Commission to recruit for the police as ruled by the Supreme court but this power does not include the power to recruit unqualified and untrained individuals for the police. Noting that it is the police that bears the brunt of recruitment of unqualified individuals and not the PSC. The same people who recruited anyhow for the police today will turn round to accuse the police tomorrow of inefficiency when their recruits start messing up. The Police therefore has since dissociated itself from the published list and called for a review that will be transparent and credible.
It will be recalled that the leadership of the Police Service Commission, after the pronouncement of the Supreme Court ruling on the powers of the Commission to recruit for the Police, constituted a Joint Recruitment Board, to be headed by one of the Commissioners of the PSC, with the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Training and Development in the Police Force as its Secretary. But surprisingly, the Board was crippled and never allowed to carry out its mandate, insomuch that even the final list was not consented to by the Board.
The Nigeria Police Force therefore takes exception to this unpleasant development and calls for a total review of the process with a view to recruiting qualified, competent, trainable and productive hands into the Nigeria Police Force, in line with the vision of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's led administration on police reform.
The NPF hereby reiterates that we are not unconcerned about the plights and ordeals of prospective recruits, who have been subjected to all forms of rigorous screening exercise, assuring that it is our commitment to ensure that the process is thoroughly reviewed, stands fruitful and successful for the betterment of the Nigeria Police, and by extension the country.
ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI, FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, FOR: INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE
PRESS RELEASE DSS ALERTS THE PUBLIC OVER PLANNED PROTESTS
The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to plans by certain individuals and groups to stage physical protests in some parts of the country on 12th June, 2024. The protests are designed with sinister objectives to coincide with the Democracy Day Celebration. While citizens may have the rights of assembly and expression, such freedoms should not be used to undermine public safety and national security.
The determination by some non-state actors to incite mass disaffection through demonstrations that may turn violent will not be tolerated. However, it is instructive to note that violent demonstrations are at variance with the peaceful disposition of the Federal Government to amicably address all contentions including the minimum wage. Citizens are, therefore, called upon to resist any persuasions to be lawless or cause disorder and anarchy in the nation. Displeased persons are rather encouraged to appropriately channel their grievances through the right channels and procedures.
Consequently, the DSS reaffirms its unequivocal position to protect the country from inimical acts being orchestrated by disgruntled groups to cause a breakdown of law and order. It will also sustain collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including sister security agencies, to maintain the peace as well as protect lives and property across the nation. Law abiding citizens are enjoined to go about their businesses without fear.
The Service, while felicitating the government and citizens on this auspicious occasion of celebrating 25 years of unbroken democracy, calls for continued patriotism, unity and commitment in building a Nigeria of our collective dream. Meanwhile, the DSS website, dss.gov.ng; email address- dsspr@dss.gov.ng and Telephone lines +2349153391309;+2349088373514 remain open to the public in the event that there is need to contact it.
Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, fsi, mnipr Director, PR & Strategic Communications Department of State Services National Headquarters, Abuja. 11th June, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxKeF_tI3Fk We had a very fruitful deliberation and of course you know it's a technical subcommittee of a Committee and at the level of our committee, we have reached a consensus and it is our hope when we get to the plenary, we will have a complete agreement.
Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), shut the gates of the FCTA Secretariat on No. 1 Kapital Road, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, on Monday morning.
It was reported that at the earlier hour of today, the striking workers, following the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directive, had locked and blocked the gates with vehicles. The premises also house FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Senator Abubakar Kyari.
As NDLEA arrests 70-year-old grandpa, Nigerien, 3 others in Ekiti forest, FCT, Nasarawa, Katsina raids
Large consignments of codeine-based syrup and Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis worth over Two Billion One Hundred and Eighty-Five Million Naira (N2,185,000,000.00) in street value have been intercepted at the Port Harcourt seaports, Onne and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
At the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers with the cooperation of other security agencies on Friday 31st May 2024 intercepted a large consignment of Loud, packed in eight suitcases, containing 320 parcels with a total weight of 164.50kg of the strong psychoactive substance coming from Canada on a KLM flight via Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The consignment estimated to be worth N960,000,000.00, which was brought in by a passenger, Ughenu Nnaife Francis was discovered at the E-arrival hall of the airport by personnel of NDLEA, Customs and others during a joint search operation by the security operatives while the suspect was attempting to smuggle the suitcases out of the hall.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a resident of Germany but travelled to Toronto, Canada to transport the drug to Nigeria. During his interview, he claimed that he was recruited as a mule to convey the drug to Nigeria for an agreed fee of Six Million Naira.
At the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, NDLEA operatives on Monday 27th May intercepted a container marked TEMU 6807401 imported from India enroute C to C bonded terminal in Enugu. During a joint examination of the container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies, 1,750 cartons of codeine weighing 26,250kg, containing 175,000 bottles of the opioid worth N1,225,000,000, in street value were discovered.
In Abuja, a 25-year-old lady, Blessing Thomas, was arrested with 1.0kg methamphetamine by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kwali - Gwagwalada expressway on Friday 31st May while travelling in a commercial bus from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa state. In the same vein, operatives in Nasarawa state on Wednesday 29th May nabbed a 70-year-old grandfather, Muhammadu Ibrahim, with 57.2kg cannabis in Lafia, the state capital.
Two suspects: Suleiman Kazeem, 35, and Sunday Gbenga, 20, were arrested when NDLEA officers raided Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti in Ekiti state where they recovered 426 kilograms of cannabis sativa already processed and packed in big sacks, while they destroyed over 4,000kg of same substance on 1.66 hectares of farmland on Thursday 30th May.
In Katsina state,76 blocks of cannabis weighing 42kg were seized from a Nigerien, Suleman Audu, 29, when he was arrested by NDLEA officers along Zaria - Malumfashi road on Wednesday 29th May.
In the same vein, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others with equal vigour in the past week. These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of Community Secondary School, Okpuno, Awka, Anambra state; students and teachers of All Saints Church School, Jericho Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo state; students of Western Marine College, Ajido, Badagry, Lagos and students of Government Girls Secondary School, Buden Gari, Bichi, Kano state
While commending the officers and men of MMIA, PHPC, Nasarawa, Ekiti, Katsina and FCT Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) noted that their efforts and those of their compatriots across the country have in no small measure reduced access to and availability of illicit substances in Nigerian communities. He charged them to remain vigilant at all times and continue their collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders in their areas of responsibility.
At the commissioning of the University Road, Green Avenue & College Road in Aba
We as Yoruba Community in this environment and in this state, that you help us to be part of your administration. We pray it will not even end in four years, it will end in seven years time and so shall it be in Jesus name, Amen.
We ask that you help us, one of the community members if you wish to be one of your Commissioners or Special Advisers as you may deem it fit to be.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, has said the paucity of funds is responsible for the delay in appointing ambassadors for Nigeria.
The minister who disclosed this during the ministerial sectoral briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration was facing a significant financial and economic challenge.
President Tinubu had on September 2, 2023, recalled all career and non-career ambassadors operating the country’s diplomatic missions, embassies and consulates globally.
Nigeria has 109 missions, 76 embassies, 22 high commissions and 11 consulates globally.
The lack of ambassadors has raised concerns about Nigeria’s diplomatic representation and the effectiveness of its foreign missions.
However, the Minister said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not been receiving the necessary funding to operate effectively.
He noted that it was pointless to appoint ambassadors without the financial resources to support their travel and the effective running of missions abroad.
“We met a situation where Foreign Affairs was not being funded like the way it should be. It is a money problem. There is no point sending out ambassadors if you do not have the funds for them to even travel to their designated country and to run the missions effectively, one needs funding,” he said.
Despite these hurdles, Tuggar assured that the government was addressing the issue. “Mr. President is working on it and it will be done in due course,” he said.
A cocaine trafficking cartel headed by a couple: Bolanle Lookman Dauda and Olayinka Toheebat Dauda has been smashed in Lagos and Ogun states by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, with multi-billion-naira worth of the illicit drug recovered in two major operations following the arrest of the kingpin and his queen in one of the intelligence-led raids.
The duo were arrested on Saturday 25th May 2024 by operatives of a special operation unit in NDLEA with the support of Drug Enforcement Administration of the United States at Ibiye, along Lagos-Badagry expressway while attempting to cross the land border to deliver the consignment in Ghana.
At the point of their arrest, 42 blocks of the Class A drug weighing 47.5 kilograms were found on them. A swift follow up operation in their residence at Plot 24/25 OPIC extension, Petedo road, Agbara, Ogun state, led to the recovery of additional eight blocks of the same drug weighing 10kg, bringing the total weight of the cocaine seized from the couple to 57.5 kilograms.
In another raid by the special operation unit, no fewer than 1,100 ampoules of lethal synthetic opioid, fentanyl, weighing 6.48kg were recovered from a member of a drug trafficking syndicate, 34-year-old Ikeh Stanley Ifeanyi at the popular Idumota market in Lagos Island.
No less than 790 ampoules of the dangerous opioid weighing 5.273kg were equally seized from another member of the fentanyl syndicate, 48-year-old Chieze Ogechukwu Benjamin who was also arrested at Idumota market. Fentanyl, a lethal synthetic opioid, which is 100 times more potent than heroin is currently responsible for over 70% overdose deaths as well as a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the US.
Two other persons: Olayiwola Aremu Kazeem, 37, and Ogunfowora Taofik Ajibola, 35, were arrested on Lagos Island in a different raid by NDLEA officers with 432 grams of methamphetamine recovered from them.
At the Tincan port in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 25th May intercepted 15 parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis weighing 7.5kg concealed in the doors and body crevices of a Toyota Highlander SUV in a container marked MSMU 7294325. The container declared as containing three units of used vehicles including the Toyota Highlander originated from Toronto and shipped to Nigeria via Montreal, Canada.
A swift follow up operation led to the arrest of two suspects: Sunday Sodade and Oriyomi Adesina, who were to receive the vehicle and the drug consignment. A bribe of six million naira offered NDLEA officers by the sender of the container based in Canada through his agent has also been registered as exhibit for the prosecution of the case.
Reacting to the arrest of the drug kingpins and the seizure of the dangerous illicit drugs, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men of the special operation unit for their resilience in targeting and taking down drug cartels and barons. He equally praised the result-oriented collaboration between NDLEA and its local and international partners, urging all commands and formations of the Agency to remain unrelenting in their offensive action against the drug underworld.
As NDLEA busts drug trafficking syndicate at Lagos airport, arrests 4, seizes 15.6kg Meth, Loud; intercepts cocaine consignment in paint buckets going to UK; nabs physically challenged dealer in Edo
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a 48-year-old Paris, France-bound businessman, Emmanuel Okechuku Orjinze for ingesting 111 wraps of cocaine, which he excreted after days of observation in the agencys custody following his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja.
Okechukwu who also claims he is a professional footballer in Europe was arrested on Tuesday 21st May during the outward clearance of Airfrance flight AF 878 from Abuja to Paris, France. After a body scan confirmed he ingested illicit drugs, he was taken into custody where he excreted a total of 111 pellets of cocaine that weighed 1.603 kilograms over a period of three days. The suspect claimed he does business in the maritime sector while still scouting for any European football club to engage him.
In the same vein, NDLEA officers operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos have dismantled another drug trafficking syndicate at the airport. This followed the arrest of four members of the network and the seizure of a total of 8kg of methamphetamine and 7.60kg of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis imported from South Africa.
The lid was blown off the syndicate when an official within the airport system was intercepted with a backpack and a bag at the departure hall of Terminal 1 of the airport by NDLEA officers with the support of Aviation Security officers on Tuesday 21st May 2024. A search of the bags led to the discovery of the illicit substances.
A swift follow-up operation at Ajao Estate area of Lagos led to the arrest of two other members of the syndicate: Chris Nwadozie and Chinedu Nwaosu. Further investigation led to the arrest of another member of the cartel working within the airport system on Saturday 25th May.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO export shed of the Lagos airport have arrested a freight agent, Sonubi Mariam Abiodun over her attempt to cargo 8 parcels of cocaine weighing 2kg concealed in three out of six paint buckets containing shea butter packaged for export to the United Kingdom on Wednesday 22nd May.
In another part of Lagos, precisely at Igbo Elerin in Ojo local government area, NDLEA officers on Tuesday 21st May arrested a suspect, Odumegwu Obijofor producing and distributing skuchies, a mixture of black currant and illicit drugs. No fewer than 2,480 litres of the New Psychoactive Substance, NPS, were recovered from his clandestine factory when he was arrested.
In Cross River state, while Ogar Emmanuel, was arrested with 2.5kg of cannabis at Ukpada Utugwan village, 29 sacks of the same substance weighing 290kg were recovered from the warehouse of another suspect, Usani Ikpi, who is currently at large. Three suspects: Sa'adu Sule, 23; Mukhtar Nura, 23; and Hamza Nura, 18, were nabbed at Jabiri Funtua, Katsina state on Friday 24th May with 129 blocks of cannabis weighing 70kg coming from Ogere, Ogun state.
No fewer than five suspects including: Ezekiel Munda, 30; and Sule Mustapha, 21, were arrested by NDLEA operatives on Thursday 23rd May during raids at Karu Abattoir, Jikwoyi and Tora Bora hill area of FCT, Abuja, where 95.01kg of cannabis and different quantities of opioids were recovered from them.
In Edo state, operatives arrested a physically challenged notorious drug dealer, Zekere Sufianu, 45, at Auchi town on Wednesday 22nd May. At the time of his arrest, he was found with 751 grams of Loud, 178 grams of tramadol and pills of swinol.
In like manner, the various commands of the Agency across the country continued with the War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, advocacy campaign in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitisation lecture for students and teachers of Baptist Grammar School, Iresi, Osun; students and teachers of Anwar-Ul-Islam Grammar School, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo state; students of Shalom Secondary School, Saminaka, Kaduna; students of Government Day Secondary School, Gandu, Gombe; students of Pakoto Senior High School, Ifo, Ogun state; students of Nwafor-Orizu Demonstration Secondary School, Awka, Anambra and muslim faithful at Central Mosque, Abudu, Orhionmwon LGA, Edo state.
While commending the officers and men of the NAIA, MMIA, FCT, Lagos, Cross River, Katsina, and Edo Commands of the Agency for their outstanding feats in the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) equally applauded their counterparts in all the commands across the country for intensifying their WADA advocacy lectures.
Femi Babafemi Director, Media & Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters Abuja Sunday 26th May 2024
The action of the Federal Government in deploying soldiers in Kano in the tussle over the throne of the ancient city is an upset to the peace and security of the state and also in breach of the 1999 Constitution as Amended.
In performing their constitutional duties of law-making, the Kano State House of Assembly (KSHA) passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 in consonance with the provision of Section 4 of the Constitution 1999 as Amended, whereas the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf subsequently signed the bill into law. The law, therefore, repealed the 2019 version, which balkanised the ancient Kano Emirate into five.
The foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the Governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the Kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and accordingly handed him a letter of appointment.
It is surprising that in the early hours of today, at or about 5:30 am, the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by Federal might, made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.
We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years, and any attempt to destabilise the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted. Recall that when Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March 2020, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas. -AA
There was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, as detained Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, who is facing a money laundering charge, slumped in the open court over alleged ill-health.
The development occurred shortly after the matter was called for trial continuation before Justice Emeka Nwite.
As soon as the case was called by the court registrar, Gambaryan did not step forward to the dock from the back row seat where he was seated.
Justice Nwite then asked where the 2nd defendant (Gambaryan) was and one of the lawyers in the defence team, who sat beside Gambaryan, held him by the side towards the dock.
As they walked slowly to the dock, Gambaryan fell down and the lawyer assisted him to sit in the front row seat.
His lawyer, Mark Mordi, SAN, explained to the court why his client could not stand as soon as the matter was called.
Mordi said Gambaryan had been indisposed and a written application letter had been filed to notify the court of his failing.
“My lord, the case may not certainly proceed today,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) observes that throughout the proceeding, the cryptocurrency firm’s agent rested on the arm of the seat where he was sitting.
NAN reports that Justice Nwite had, on May 16, dismissed Gambaryan’s bail application on the ground that the EFCC had been able to establish that the defendant, who is currently being remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre, would jump bail if granted.
It would also be recalled that the alleged tax evasion charge filed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) against Binance Holdings Limited and Gambaryan could not proceed on Wednesday due to his absence in court.
Following the recent unrest at Banex Plaza in Wuse, Abuja, on Saturday 18 May 2024, by yet to be identified hoodlums who launched a brutal attack on some Nigerian Army personnel, a swift intervention by soldiers and policemen on internal security duties salvaged the situation and rescued the attacked personnel from being lynched by the hoodlums.
It is important to note that the soldiers attacked were unarmed, did not engage in any form of aggression, and posed no threat to anyone. Therefore, the cruel treatment meted out to them was entirely unwarranted and unjustifiable.
In response to this unfortunate incident, a meeting was convened with the management of Banex Plaza to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act by temporarily shutting down activities in the plaza to ensure that the hoodlums who have been using the Banex neighborhood as a sanctuary to pose a security threat to the Federal Capital Territory were apprehended.
This, is in furtherance of the need for extensive investigation to be conducted at the scene to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of this mayhem. This investigation ultimately aims at ensuring the security of the Federal Capital Territory and to prevent such unwarranted attacks on own personnel and other security operatives, as has been observed in other areas, such as the unfortunate attack in Okuama.
The Nigerian Army will equally ensure that it diligently investigates the circumstances surrounding the presence of the personnel at the plaza and the attack that ensued. Nonetheless, such acts of violence against personnel are not only condemnable, but could degenerate to a breakdown of law and order, orchestrating threats to national security.
Accordingly, the NA enjoins members of the public to exercise caution and restraint in dealing with military personnel and other security operatives, especially when they are in uniform. There are established channels through which grievances or misconduct by personnel could be reported to the appropriate authorities. It is imperative that these channels are utilized to maintain order and respect for those who serve and protect our nation.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU Major General Director Army Public Relations 21 May 2024
A major showdown is imminent between the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the 23 Local Government Chairmen of the state as he warned the council bosses to be mindful of their actions as their tenure elapses in a few days.
Fubara handed down the warning at the flag-off of the Elele-Omoku Road in the state on Thursday.
The governor advised against hurting anyone in the guise of supporting any politician in the state.
He stated, “So I’m advising those people who call themselves local government chairmen. You have a few days in the office, conduct yourself. Politics will come politics will go, and we will still live our lives.
“Don’t let anybody deceive you, if you deliberately hurt anybody in the course of maybe expressing your support nobody will forgive you. You will pay for it.
While noting that his government is ready to account for all the funds expended so far said 50 per cent of money budgeted for the 3.3km Road has already been paid.
Recall that last week, council chairmen in the state under the auspices of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria had accused the governor of withholding their funds.
The State ALGON Chairman and Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Allwell Ihunda, who said this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt, also vowed that he and his colleagues would remain in office for another six months following the Local Government Law recently amended by the state House of Assembly.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday struck out a suit filed by the Labour Party seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct fresh election in the Rivers House of Assembly to fill the seats of the defected lawmakers.
Justice James Omotosho struck out the suit after counsel for the party, F. I. Adariku, applied to withdraw the suit.
In the suit, the LP had sought the order of the court to compel the commission to conduct fresh election to fill the seats of the lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress.
But INEC, through its lawyer, Victor Giwa, disagreed with the LP.
Giwa, in a preliminary objection filed on INEC’s behalf, prayed the court to dismiss the suit for being frivolous and incompetent.
According to the lawyer, the suit is an abuse of court process.
He urged the court to decline jurisdiction in the case as the plaintiff (LP) lacked the locus standi and territorial jurisdiction to institute the action.
Giwa, a human rights activist, argued that there was a pending case currently ongoing at a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt judicial division with suit number: FHC/PH/CS/25/2024 before Justice E.A Obile.
He said the Port Harcourt suit had same parties and concerned same subject matter which was filed earlier before the instant suit in February.
However, after INEC filed its objection, the LP approached the court to withdraw the suit.
Adariku, who held the brief of Kehinde Edun, the party’s national legal adviser, sought to withdraw the suit, praying the court to strike it out.
A. S. Adisa, who held the brief of Giwa, did not oppose the application.
The lawyer, however, sought for N500, 000 cost.
The judge, in a ruling delivered on May 3 but its certified true copy sighted on Monday, ordered LP to pay N50, 000 cost.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: that this matter having been withdrawn is hereby struck out.
“That the cost of 50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) is awarded against the plaintiff in favour of the 29th defendant (INEC),” Justice Omotosho declared.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that other defendants in the suit were Gov. Siminalayi Fubara, Dumle Maol, Major Jack, Franklin Uchenna Nwabochi, Christopher Ofiks, Azeru Opara, and Enemi George.
It also included Granvill Wellington, Ngbar Bernard, John Iderima, Queen Uwuma Williams, . Loolo Opuende and Abbey Peter.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun is his dance partner.
Obasanjo made the remark at the inauguration of a VIP lodge in Osun Government House, on Sunday in Osogbo.
He, however, told Adeleke, who is usually referred to as the “dancing governor,” to focus on governing the state and do so with honesty and integrity.
“You remember that at one time I phoned you; I told you I didn’t have problems with your dancing. I said, ‘Don’t leave dancing, but as you are dancing, ensure you are working’.
“Some people once despised you as just a dancer, but I said only happy people dance; you are my dancing partner.
“You have to be honest with your conscience, with the people, and with your God.
“You have to be a man of character. Let people say ‘when he sees an opportunity to dance, he will dance, but he is a man of integrity, he is honest, and works hard. It is very important.
“Anywhere we meet, we would dance and rejoice, if anybody wants to abuse us, they should go ahead,” he said.
Obasanjo also commended Adeleke on his developmental programmes in Osun.
According to him, what he heard and saw since his arrival in the state was a testimony to the good work the governor was doing.
“You are working on roads, don’t joke with it because when we make necessary provision for the people to have jobs, the state will work.
“Many Yoruba people want to work, but what is impeding that is the road to ply.
“When we provide wherewithal for them, they would work. I will plead with you to continue with that.
“You said government is a continuum and that all the abandoned projects are being completed. God will make it good for you,” he said.
In his remarks, Adeleke said that his administration would continue to ensure that laudable projects were completed for the common use of the people.
The governor, who noted that the VIP lodge was started by the APC government, said that he completed it due to his belief that public infrastructure should not be politicised.
“We assure all lovers of good governance that our administration is passionate about delivering on quality pro-people policies for the benefit of all residents of the state,” he said.
Intimidation has a time, when the time expires, it's over, it's over. Even in the Bible, Pharaoh intimidated the children of Israel, or the Hebrews, is it not? But it got to a time, did the intimidation work again? It didn't work.
So every bad thing that has a beginning has an end. That's why I said so don't worry, we don't have any problem. We have kept that behind, we are looking ahead.
The face-off between Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, deepened on Friday as policemen took over all the entrances and exit to the House of Assembly quarters located along Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
Both the first and second gates to the lawmakers’ estate were safeguarded by about 30 policemen, while about 25 patrol vans were used to block the other two entrances.
Our correspondent reports that one of the entrances is adjacent to the Mobile Police Force 19 Division, while the other is beside the Port Harcourt office of the National Identification Management Agency.
The police took over the place shortly after the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, accused Fubara of planning to demolish the legislative quarters.
The governor had paid an unannounced visit to the facility on Thursday afternoon, explaining that he was there to access the place following the emergence of a new speaker.
“Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?
“You are aware of the developments. We have a new speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people,” the governor said.
Our correspondent reports that following the alarm raised by Amaewhule, the anti-Fubara lawmakers and some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) kept vigil around the estate till Friday.
A Rivers court had earlier restrained the Pro-Wike lawmakers from parading themselves as legislators, saying their seats had been declared vacant.
Meanwhile, a group, the ‘Sim Media Volunteers at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Friday, called on the Inspector-General of Police to monitor activities of policemen in the state and ensure they observe the rules of engagement.
The Convener, Frank Kilsi, who made the call decried the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police saying the development could lead to anarchy.
Kilsi stated, “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restraint by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good.
“We, the youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers do hereby emphasize the need for peace, justice and development in Rivers State.
“We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times.
“To this end, we would like to acknowledge and applaud the great youths of Rivers State for being peaceful and law-abiding even in the face of provocation”.
Kilsi commended the governor’s peaceful disposition and commitment to the security of lives and property in the state and asked him to continue on such a path of development.
The immediate-past Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, and his daughter, Fatimah, have arrived at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
Sirika and his daughter will be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for an alleged N2.7bn fraud in connection with the botched Nigerian Air project.
They are to be arraigned on six counts before Justice Sylvanus Oriji.
The National Working Committee NWC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has reacted to the order of a Kano State High Court which affirmed the suspension of its National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, describing it as a nullity.
The development came on Wednesday as Ganduje received the APC Ward Executives from his Ganduje Ward in Kano State, who were at the national secretariat of the party to affirm their confidence in him.
Addressing the ward executives, Ganduje said those who purportedly suspended him were impostors.
Also speaking, National Legal Adviser of the Party, Prof. Abdulkarim Kana said the Kano High Court order is not enforceable as it was obtained by fraud.
He said the ward executives would petition the National Judicial Council NJC to call the high court judge to order.
Godwin contested as Labour Party candidate for the Federal House of Representatives seat of Akoko-Edo Federal Constituency during the 2023 elections
Over the past few weeks, the Edo State House of Assembly carried out its constitutional role by providing checks and balances in our democracy, and today, they impeached the former deputy governor.
At no point in this journey did I envisage that I would be having to work with two deputies before the end of my 8-yr run in office. As there cannot be a vacuum in govt, we have, by consensus, selected Omobayo Godwins to take over the baton as the new Dep. Gov. of Edo State.
At 38 yrs old, my new deputy, Omobayo, is a symbol of our undying belief in the power of our youth to transform our dear State, bringing vigour and renewed energy to the drive to place young people at the centre of our politics and developmental agenda.
Omobayo is a man for this season. Together, we will be working in these last few months of my administration as we make progress on our promise to finish strong for the benefit of our dear people.
About 60 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives have threatened to quit the party over the ongoing crises in Rivers State and 10 other chapters.
Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House from Imo State, and five other members issued the threat at a press conference at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Monday.
The lawmakers also demanded the removal of Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagum, before its rescheduled National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
They said they were speaking on behalf of 60 members of the PDP in the House. There are a little over 100 PDP lawmakers in the lower chamber.
“PDP can’t be handed over to the APC. APC officers can’t emerge from our party officials in Rivers or any of the 10 states with alleged imposition of APC interest. Let the world know that why they are hell-bent on imposing APC officials as our party caretaker members is to fulfil a planned bigger plot,” Mr Ugochinyere said.
Politics › Ighodalo Is Still Our Flagbearer, No Court Sacked Him - Edo PDP Chair, Aziegbem by chisomkachy(op): 4:28pm On Jul 04, 2024
