₦airaland Forum

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi has called for the resignation of the Speaker of the state house of Assembly, David Oloyelogun, describing him as ‘inept’ and ‘competent’.

Agboola’s statement is coming shortly after an impeachment plot against him by the state house of assembly fell through. Below is the full statement signed by his media, Allen Sowore, sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Sunday;

“The decision of the Chief judge of Ondo State, Hon justice Olanrewaju O Akeredolu in respect of the illegal and fraudulent move by a section of the Ondo State House of Assembly to impeach the State Deputy Governor, His Excellency Agboola Ajayi, has rekindled the confidence and hope of the people in the judiciary as a bulwark against tyranny, and totalitarianism.”

“His Lordship leaves no one in doubt about the need to adhere strictly to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and due process in modern democracy. The decision is a triumph for the rule of law against brigandage and anarchy.”

“With the decision, the judiciary of Ondo State has demonstrated its independence and thus made a clear statement about its commitment to secure and sustain the principles and lofty ideals of our constitutional democracy. We are reminded of the triumph of the human spirit across the age against totalitarianism and encouraged to bring to live the progressive provisions of our constitution that are antidotes to satanic demagoguery and maximum leadership.”

“The deputy governor is humbled by the epochal decision, and reinvigorated to continue to stand for the good of the people as arrow head of the move to return government to where it rightly belongs – the people of Ondo state.”

“It’s in this light that we demand the immediate resignation or removal of the inept and mediocre speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon David Oloyelogun, whose incompetence has brought the exalted parliament into disrepute. This will go a long way to preserve our democratic gains, restore the dignity of the legislature and the principle of separation of power.”

Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu says he is still in the State’s Governorship race in the Oct. 10 election.

This follows rumours of his disqualification from participating in the July 20 governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The screening, which took place from July 8 to July 10 in Abuja, was for the 12 APC governorship aspirants in the state.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Ojo Oyewamide, in a statement on Sunday in Akure, said the rumour was a ploy to distract supporters of Akeredolu.

He explained that it was another distraction “unleashed with the aim of deceiving the unsuspecting public and diverting attention from the self-imposed pains on the part of those behind the story.

“They are scavengers and will stop at nothing to sustain their trade of deceit. Ignore them, remain firm, be dedicated and prayerful.

“The governor, therefore, appeals to all his supporters to ignore the rumour and dedicate this period to God for His continuous grace, favour and protection,” he said. (NAN)

Is it true that you slept with your daughter?

May God not allow you to experience a spell from the devil. My first wife’s name was Deborah. She had three children for me but died from a brief illness on October 7, 2016. She was buried at our apartment in the Ijoko area of Ogun State. Before her death, I was offered an opportunity to carry out evangelical work by a church. The offer I am talking about is one where someone gave me an opportunity to work at one of his churches as an evangelist. The church is located along Ajilete in Idi-Iroko. After I was given the evangelism job opportunity; I was also given an apartment to live in with members of my family during the work. Since I moved into the apartment the church offered me, I needed to rent out my own house at Ijoko. The money I got from the rent was used for my children’s school.

Exactly a year after the death of my wife, that is, November 2017, I summoned my three children to a family meeting and told them that I would love to marry another wife. They disagreed with me with the excuse that they could not live in the same house with another woman. Also, they pleaded that I should be calm until they finished their education, and in the end, we all agreed that I would not marry another wife. My daughter had just completed her Higher National Diploma programme. The second child was offered admission for a National Diploma programme, while the last child was in SS2.

Are you a trained pastor?

I am the senior evangelist at the church. I have not been promoted to the position of a pastor.

How old is your daughter whom you impregnated?

She is 24 years of age. The second child is 21 years old, while the last child will turn 18 on August 1. They are aware of this incident.

How did the incident occur?
The first sexual encounter occurred between December 2017 and January 2018. She reported to me that she had missed her period after having sex with her for the first time. That got me scared and I took her to the general hospital in Idi-Iroko for an abortion. I paid N1,000. I presented her to the nurse as my girlfriend. In June 2018, the second sexual encounter happened and I took her to the same nurse for another abortion. At the time, the nurse confided in me that she was very fertile. I asked what I could do, and she gave me something (a contraceptive) for her but I didn’t know it was for family planning. A week after aborting the second pregnancy, she complained about a stomach ache.
What did you do?

I took her to a pharmacy in our community. The pharmacist administered drugs and injections to her, and she was relieved of the stomach ache. Two weeks after that day, she received her call-up letter for the National Youth Service Corps programme. She went for the service and returned home on December 29, 2018. She left again for Port Harcourt, Rivers State in January 2019. I used to tell her on the phone that I had someone I was dating and she never opposed me, but I promised her that I would marry the woman in the biblical way and the marriage would not affect any of my children. After she finished her NYSC programme, she returned home. But not long after her return, she pleaded with me that she would love to return to Port Harcourt to settle down and I refused, telling her she must stay with her younger ones. Whenever I heard cases of sexual intercourse between a father and his daughter, I always felt guilty and I promised myself that such would never happen between us again. That was why I insisted on marrying another wife. We have separate rooms. I have two daughters and one son. The two daughters share the same room, while the son sleeps in a separate room. It (having sex with her) was not intentional since she is not my wife. I used to feel reluctant while having sex with her but I didn’t know how she felt.

How was your sexual relationship with her exposed?

What actually exposed the secret was that I did not allow her to return to Port Harcourt. Around the end of March 2020, we had just finished a vigil when she came to meet me again that she would be going to Port Harcourt. I insisted that she would not go and she started shouting at me. I was upset and I slapped her, telling her that I am her father and the Bible does not preach that (disobedience). Few minutes after that incident, she came back to apologise and, immediately, I accepted the apology, not knowing that she had some other plans. She had earlier told me that she would embarrass and tarnish my image when I slapped her.

On April 1, she took her phone and some of her credentials and left; we did not know where she went. On April 14, she called me, saying I should not search for her and that she just wanted to settle down there and proceed with her career. She called me again the second day, telling me that she would make me regret that I beat her. I pleaded with her but she refused. I told all our family members to help plead with her on my behalf but she refused.

What exactly did she say that made you claim she willingly offered herself for your sexual desire?

Two weeks after the family meeting, I called her and asked whether she and her younger sister really meant what they told me about not wanting me to remarry. Her reply was yes. I asked her how I would manage my sexual urges but she kept quiet for a long time before she said she would bear the sexual responsibility. Immediately, I shushed her, but she insisted. I have not changed my statement since I was arrested in Owode. The deed has been done. It is better for me to say the truth so that God will save me and forgive me than to tell lies. On that day, she insisted that she would be bearing the sexual responsibility and that the secret would never leak. She was still studying for her HND at that time. I never knew that it was a spell and disgrace from the devil. It all happened between 2017 and 2018.

The chairman, All Progressive Congress, APC in Ese Odo local government area of Ondo state Samuel Olorunwa Ajayi, has officially tendered his resignation letter to the party and ceased to be a member of APC in the state.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that Mr Samuel Olorunwa Ajayi is also an ally of Ondo Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi. He submitted his resignation on Friday afternoon and has since joined the opposition PDP.

Ajayi confirmed his resignation via telephone adding that he resigned his position as chairman as well as being a member of APC.

The Presidency has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has been fair to the Igbos and the South East despite receiving low votes in the 2015 and 2019 elections.

Presidential Spokesman, Femi Adesina, made this known in a column entitled, ‘Buhari & S’East: Arthur Eze Nails It’ which was published on his website on Friday.

Adesina noted that the President has treated the Southeast region fairly in terms of political appointments and infrastructural projects such as the Second River Niger Bridge.

He noted that despite the region voting for the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, President Buhari has been fair and just to the region.

Adesina said that “69 different projects were being undertaken by the Federal Government in South East alone which cost around N680 billion.

He said: “Despite Buhari’s strong commitment towards transforming every part of the country, some “people with primordial antipathy” could not see anything good in the President’s regime.

“It is disingenuous for anyone to claim that President Buhari does not like any part of the country, most especially the South East.

“69 different projects (were) being undertaken by the Federal Government in South East alone, all amounting to about N680 billion. Of course, top on the list is the Second River Niger Bridge, which was built with mouth in the 16 years of the People’s Democratic Party in power.

“That is President Buhari for you. He gives every man his due, every region what they deserve. Fairness to all.

“Despite the sparse number of votes in the South East in 2015 and 2019 elections, would we be right to say the entire region is arrayed against the President?

“For President Buhari, when he does anything in any part of the country, he does it because it’s the right and fair thing to do. Most of the 69 projects going on in the southeast had been awarded before 2015. But they were never funded. The President reversed the trend, and most of them are proceeding apace, and will be legacies by the time the man exits from office.”

Forty-three staff of the Delta State Government House have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, made this known in a statement made available to POLITICS NIGERIA on Thursday.

He revealed that two media aides to the governor were part of those that contracted the virus and as such the Press Unit has been shut down.

Ifeajika named the media aides, Nelson Egware, Senior Special Assistant on Media, Fidelis Egugbo, Special Assistant on Media, and Kingsley Obiajuru, Public Relations Officer, Government House Press Unit.

He said that the workers tested positive for the virus on Wednesday after their samples were collected and forwarded to Irua Specialist Hospital in Edo State for screening.

Ifeajika said the two media aides and the Public Relations Officer were screened four days ago, adding that they tested positive for the virus and have been taken to the isolation centre in Asaba for treatment.

He said, “It’s unfortunate that two media aides, Nelson and Fidelis Egugbo have tested positive for COVID-19 and they will immediately commence treatment at the isolation centre. When the governor ordered that all the workers in Government House Press Unit should carry out test for them to know their status, we complied immediately.

“We have shut down the Press Unit and we are working online until everyone is treated for the virus, especially for those who tested positive.”

Former Governor of Imo state, Rochas Anayo Okorocha has raised alarm over an alleged plot by Hope Uzodinma, the current state governor, to humiliate him and his family.

Okorocha’s media aide, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, in a statement issued yesterday, said that Uzodinma’s ongoing probe of Okorocha’s administration was targeted at humiliating him.

Onwuemeodo disclosed that reports that a court declined Okorocha’s request to stop his probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were untrue.

The statement reads in part, “Quickly, we want to state that the court presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed did not decline or refused to stop the probe of Senator Rochas Okorocha by EFCC and the Imo State Government.”

“If that report was true, the court would not have again adjourned to Tuesday, July 14, 2020, when the court would decide on the orders sought by Okorocha”

“The most exciting thing that happened in the court on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, was that the judge extracted oral undertaking from the lawyer that represented the Attorney-General of the State, Mr Joseph Matthew, that the panel would not sit again during the pendency of the matter.”

Okorocha is a facing an investigation over allegations of massive fraud and embezzlement during his tenure as governor.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded the immediate resignation of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo following an alleged indictment in the probe of Ibrahim Magu.

An online platform, Pointblanknews, had alleged that Mr Osinbajo received N4 billion recovered funds from the suspended acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But in a statement signed by his media aide, Laolu Akande, the vice president denied the report describing it as fake news and misleading.

However, speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, Dr Emeka Kalu, the Nation­al Publicity Secretary of PDP Youth Alliance (PDPYA), asked Osinbajo to step down in order to allow a comprehensive probe.

He also called for the resignation of Yakubu Mahmoud, Chairman, Independent National Electoral Com­mission (INEC).

According to Kalu, Mahmoud must resign over purported plan to rig the forthcoming gubernato­rial election in Edo State for the All Pro­gressives Congress (APC).

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi is facing impeachment proceedings in the Ondo state House of Assembly today.

According to an Impeachment notice seen by POLITICS NIGERIA, 7 allegations were levelled against Agboola as grounds for his removal. Read them below;

1. Gross Misconduct

2. Abuse of office with actions likely to bring down Ondo State Government

3. Financial Recklessness

4. Abandonment of office, official duty and other Assignments

5. Actions on Sunday 21st June 2020 likely to cause breach of peace in reference to 1983 political crisis with the intent to incite the citizens against the government of Ondo State in a video clip at Government house-ground
before the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State.

6. Publications dated Tuesday 23″ June 2020 on new media and prints media by his sacked aide Babatope Okeowo credited to his person and office by Sahara Reporters, Sunrisebulletin.com and others maligning the credibility of the legislative arm of Government with false allegations of cash inducement.

7. Petition from All Progressive Congress (APC) Ondo Chapter on his alleged movement to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having sworn-in as the Deputy Governor on the Party’s Ticket with Mr Governor for a 4 years term.

A Coalition of Public Interests Lawyers and Advocates, COPA, are beginning to mount pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

The convener of the group, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a statement on Tuesday, said the pressure became necessary following allegations of corruption against Mr Magu from different quarters. According to the group, Mr Magu’s continued stay in the country’s anti-corruption office when he had corruption allegations levelled against him, made a mockery of President Buhari’s fight against corruption.

Mr Olajengbesi noted that Mr Magu’s lack of transparency in the management of recovered loots is part of the reason behind the petition by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to the president.

“It is imperative for the public to recall that acting on an indicting report from the Department of State Service, DSS, on corrupt practices against Magu, the 8th National Assembly refused to confirm his nomination as substantive EFCC chairman.

“Most public opinion at that time called for a replacement of Magu as EFCC chairman; a legislative and public outcry that was curiously ignored by Mr President, and regrettably today, Magu’s leadership has continued to be blighted by corruption allegations.

“There have been little done on his part to dispute the allegations or more importantly, the accusation of his numerous owned private properties in Dubai and the mismanagement of public fund.

“Magu’s continuance in office might mean that the president is concerned about raising strong men than strong institutions, and might also mean that he is ready to sacrifice the integrity of a critical institution to reward loyalty to him.

“Also, any further or delayed action as per the removal of Magu as acting Chairman of the EFCC will be lending legitimacy to his position as acting chairman about five years and on.

“This is a procedural abnormality in civil service not contemplated by our laws or public service culture,” Mr Olajengbesi stated. He advised the president to ensure that the EFCC was protected at all cost from rot and disrepute, considering its importance to the economy as the corner-stone agency in the country’s fight against corruption.

The COPA convener noted that there were competent people in the country that would pilot the affairs of the agency without fear or favour, and who would bring a fresh atmosphere to its leadership.

He added: “The Ibrahim Magu-led EFCC is a luxury that can no longer be tolerated as it is a disservice to the country’s anti-corruption war, and encourages ‘strongman politics’ as against solid institutional systems.”

The News Agency of Nigeria, reports that Magu was on Monday interrogated by a presidential panel investigating allegations of wrongdoing against him. The interrogation took place at the State House and he was accompanied by one of the EFCC lawyers, Rotimi Jacobs.

bakayokoko:
Na una dey finger that clown. WILL YOU DIE IF YOU DON'T QUOTE HIM?? Una matter tire me for this thread.

Former Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose has described President Muhammadu Buhari as an ‘Accidental President’ over recent comments made by his spokesman, Femi Adesina.

Adesina recently disclosed that President Buhari could have chosen to deal with Fayose and Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike if he wanted to. Reacting to the Adesina’s statement, Fayose took to twitter to attack the president adding that he could not defend his own family.

“On the comment by my brother and friend, @FemAdesina, on the President not “dealing with myself and Gov Wike,” President Buhari, in my opinion, is an “Accidental President,” who is not only clueless but unconscious of happenings in his own Presidency.”

“A man who can’t defend or protect his immediate family is not in any way better than an effigy. If not, those around him won’t be talking about a President “punishing” serving governors or even ordinary Nigerians as if they are his servants.”

“Femi Adesina, do you realize I have been quiet for a while, having concluded that Buhari’s Presidency is deaf and dumb? So don’t wake a sleeping lion so as not to be confronted with consequences you can’t contend with.”

THE search for a new national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun in earnest, and the party has four months to fill the position at its national convention.

Leading the search are some governors and leaders of the party, including close political associates of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Party sources hinted on Saturday that the new chairman being sought may emerge from the South-East.

The objective is to create a sense of balance in the party and assuage the feelings of the people of the zone, some of whom often accuse the party of marginalising them.

The person so chosen will replace Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

It was also gathered that the ongoing rebuilding of the party by the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee may also entail the dissolution of State Executive Committees of APC in states where the party is factionalised.

Some governors are said to be pushing for a nationwide dissolution of State Executive Committees (SECs) in all the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, although there are fears that APC may become more divided and plunge into a fresh crisis.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the South-South may have lost out in the bid to retain the chairmanship of the APC.

Of the three zones in the South, the South-West and the South-South produced the first three national chairmen of the party, namely Chief Bisi Akande (South-West); Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (South-South) and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (South-South).

All the past chairmen were former civilian governors from different parties.

Findings however showed that some governors and some leaders of the party have started leaning towards the ceding of the national chairman slot to the South-East.

Although the choice may be left open to the South-East, investigation revealed that a former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, is top on the list of those being considered by some governors.

Nnamani is a member of the Caretaker Committee of the party.

As Senate President, he resisted the Third Term agenda of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Some governors however favour the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who was once a governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which merged with others to form APC.

The Minister is rated as “a man of fidelity” with rich experience in party politics.

A top source who is privy to the undercurrents in the party said: “The affected governors and leaders want a break from the South-West and the South-South in choosing the next national chairman.”

The source painted the picture of the next chairman as one who must be:

A strong character with a sense of fairness, equity and justice
A true democrat in spirit and action
Possess an effective leadership style which will make all the organs to function as enshrined in the APC constitution
Capable of leading and sustaining the party beyond the vision of the founding fathers of APC
Make APC a model party in Africa

The source said: “So far, the search for a new national chairman of APC has started.

“Governors and leaders of the party are already considering different names, but the most recurring are Nnamani and Onu.

“Since we still have about four months to the convention, the first step being taken is to build a consensus on the need for the South-East to produce the next chairman. This is the only geopolitical zone in the South that is least represented in government and in the party.

“Some leaders in the party are uncomfortable with the South-East because its contributions to APC’s performances in 2015 and 2019 were insignificant.

“They are also claiming that giving the APC national chairman slot to the South-East will not attract political mileage for APC because the is a territory of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

Meanwhile, there were indications that the APC National Caretaker Committee may approve the dissolution of State Executive Committee of the party in some states because of crises.

It was learnt that although some governors are pushing for the sack of all State Executive Committees nationwide, there were fears that such a step might lead to a complex crisis in APC.

Another source said: “Left to some governors, there should be an overhaul of the party’s structures from the ward to state levels.

“It looks impossible because to hold the national convention, party members need to elect delegates. If we overhaul all levels, it may cause more challenges for APC. It is like starting all over.

“The most tenable argument now is to dissolve State Executive Committees in some troublesome states where reconciliation seems unachievable. This will enable such states to elect their delegates to the National Convention.

“When a new National Working Committee is put in place, it can conduct fresh party elections in the crisis-ridden states. This is the option being considered.

When contacted, the Deputy National Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena said: “When we get to that point, it will be a public notice.

“What the Caretaker Committee is concentrating on now is Edo and Ondo elections.”

On the national convention holding in November, Nabena said: “The task given to the committee is six months. Let us see how it goes.”

The Federal Government will meet with states on Tuesday to discuss the modalities for the safe reopening of primary and secondary schools, Sunday PUNCH has learnt.

Schools across the country have remained shut since March in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country that has resulted in the infection of over 25,000.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, had on Monday announced the resumption of schools, saying it was meant to allow pupils in graduating classes to resume preparation for examinations.

However, the Nigerian Medical Association and the Nigeria Union of Teachers argued that the move was not only badly thought out, but could also expose both teachers and pupils to the deadly infection.

Despite the directive of the Federal Government to reopen schools, much still hangs in the balance as state governments struggle to decide on dates to reopen schools.

The Edo State Commissioner for Education, Mr Jimoh Ijegbai, told Sunday PUNCH that the state had yet to conclude the modalities for schools resumption.

He said, “I just got an invitation from the Minister of Education and we are meeting on Tuesday. The truth is that we have not drawn out the modalities for their resumption. I have sent a memo to Mr Governor. We need to buy infrared (thermometers). We need to fumigate all the school premises, get hand sanitisers and personal protective equipment for teachers.”

The Chairman, Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board, Lawan Buhari, said the state ran educational programmes on the state radio and television to enable the pupils to keep up with their curricula at home.

He, however, added that, as for the resumption date for terminal pupils in primary and secondary schools, “we have yet to decide on that.”

Similarly, the Osun State Government, on Friday, said no date had been picked for school resumption in the state.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr Jamiu Olawumi, however, told one of our correspondents that teachers would resume before pupils in terminal classes returned to schools.

In Bauchi, the Commissioner for Education, Dr Aliyu Tilde, noted that the stae government was waiting for federal directives.

“Everything will depend on the guidelines provided by the Federal Government/NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control). All states are waiting,” he said in a text message.

Ogun State also said it would reopen schools for graduating pupils to sit their examinations but added that it had not agreed on the protocols.

Similarly, the Enugu State Government stated that it was putting all necessary safety measures in its schools before announcing a resumption day.

The state Commissioner for Education, Prof Uche Ezeh, said Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi “will make the appropriate announcement at the appropriate time.”

In the same vein, the Plateau State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Elizabeth Wapmuk, said the state government was still consulting with stakeholders on when schools in the state could reopen.

In Delta State, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Patrick Ukah, also stated that the state was still meeting with stakeholders on schools resumption.

The Commissioner for Education in Gombe State, Dr Habu Dahiru, said efforts were underway to fumigate the schools for prompt resumption of pupils within the specified classes. He did not, however, give a specific date for the reopening.

The Niger State Government also noted that it was weighing the risk of reopening schools and putting in place sufficient plans.

The Commissioner for Education, Hannatu Salihu, said, “We got a directive from (the state) government to conduct a stakeholders meeting, which is ongoing and it involves critical education and inter-sectoral stakeholders, including health, water, information, environment and all relevant partners.”

Also, the Taraba State Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Danjuma Adamu, stressed that “though the Federal Government has directed the class of Primary 6, JSS3 and SS3 should reopen, the governor still reserves the right to set a date that is convenient for schools in the state to open.”

The Benue State Government had, on Wednesday, after the State Executive Council meeting announced a partial reopening of schools for graduating pupils.

However, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Dennis Ityavyav, told one of our correspondents that no date had been fixed for the state-wide resumption.

Kwara State Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Fatimah Ahmed, also stated that there was no directive yet as to when pupils in terminal classes would resume.

The Ebonyi State Government, similarly, said reopening schools for terminal pupils in the state at present was equal to endangering their lives.

In Cross River State, the Commissioner for Quality Education, Dr Godwin Amanke, was not available for comment when one of our correspondents visited his office. He also did not respond to calls and text messages.

However, an official in the state government who spoke on condition of anonymity said no date had been fixed for schools resumption, adding that a statement would be issued once the government had decided on it.

In Rivers State, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Kaniye Ebeku, noted that the state was ready for schools to reopen but that it was awaiting the appointed date from the Federal Ministry of Education for synergy with other states.

Private schools plan four-hour daily classes

Meanwhile, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools has directed its members to run classes for only four hours daily and that pupils should stagger their resumption.

In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, NAPSS National President, Chief Yomi Otubela, said most state governments had not announced their resumption dates, but that for those which had done so, private schools would begin the fumigation of their premises accordingly.

He stated, “We are not going to spend the number hours as it used to be. We are considering a little time of about three to four hours in school. This is to ensure that there is no room for children to go on break and play around the premises.

“And we have also canvassed with our members that there should be staggered resumption. Staggered resumption means that if the JSS3 pupils come to school by 8am, SSS3 pupils can come by 9am while Primary 6 pupils can come by 10am. This is to ensure that we don’t get the entrances and exits crowded.”

Otubela said schools had been instructed to have infrared thermometers and that teachers should avoid marking students’ books manually.

TheRealProphet:
God when? See cash out

Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described as irresponsible and cheap politics the statement credited to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and signed on its behalf by one Yekini Nabena in which it tried to link him with a cyber-crime suspect.

Ramon Abbas who was recently arrested in the United Arab Emirates and extradited to the United States. Saraki in a statement issued in Abuja today stated that he has no form of association with the said suspect, Ramon Abbas otherwise known as Hushpuppi and neither does he know him in any way.

“The statement credited to the APC, the ruling party in our country, is one of the ways by which our anti-graft agencies are weakened and why the fight against corruption in the country is often viewed with suspicion by the international community.”

“This is because when these cyber-crime suspects were operating freely and openly displaying wealth, the APC saw nothing bad in their activities. Also, the party at that time did not deem it necessary to call on the anti-graft agencies to investigate their activities.”

“Also, since the arrest of those cybercrime suspects and the subsequent damage to the image and the economy of Nigeria as well as the crisis it created for Nigerians engaged in lawful businesses across the world, the ruling party had been muted.”

The only time the APC deemed it necessary to make a statement was when it thought it should play dirty, cheap and irresponsible politics.

“Dr. Saraki was the only political leader who has publicly made a statement through an Op-Ed article published in the Daily Trust newspaper of July 1, 2020 titled “Cyber Criminals: Confronting The Few Who Dent Many” and this opinion article had been widely circulated online and on other platforms. In that article, he strongly condemned the activities of these cybercriminals and called on the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to make decisive interventions to checkmate their activities.”

“He has also got a research institution, the Politeia Institute, whose board he chairs to commence research on the best ways to tackle the menace. Such a noble intervention in tackling a menace is what Dr. Saraki believes in, not mudslinging and playing politics at the expense of the nation’s image.”

“At this point, we call on the APC leadership to rein in the so-called Yekini Nabena and compel him to desist from making and circulating such malicious, odious and offensive claims”, the statement concluded.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over the plan by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to allegedly use foreign “election mercenaries” to rig the September 19 Edo governorship election.

The PDP made the allegation in a statement on Friday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan.

According to the party, the APC is plotting to import election mercenaries as observers to attempt to scare the people of Edo state, suppress them and steal their mandate.

It said that the ruling party has mandated the trio of Governors Ganduje, Hope Uzodinma of Imo state and Yahaya Bello of Kogi State for the job.

The statement read: “Part of APC’s plot is to import election mercenaries as observers to attempt to scare the people of Edo state, suppress them and steal their mandate.

“The PDP and indeed, the people of Edo state are already aware that the trio were selected by the APC to lead its campaign so as to force a combined formula of Kano and Kogi electoral violence as well as Imo state mandate robbery to subvert the will of the people of Edo state in the governorship election.

“It is however not surprising that such is the drift of the APC campaign, given that it has neither messages nor plans for the people of Edo state.

“Whereas our candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, enjoys the overwhelming support of the Edo people due to his enthusing track record of personal character and performance in office for which even APC leaders have praises for him, the APC candidate has nothing to present to the people.”

GOVERNOR Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has said that he would not transmit power to his defected deputy, Hon Agboola Ajayi despite his COVID-19 status.

Akeredolu who tested positive to the pandemic on Wednesday and had since gone on isolation said he would work from home.

The governor denied that government activities have been grounded as a result of his COVID-19 status

Speaking through his Information and Orientation commissioner, Donald Ojogo in Akure, the governor said that the deputy governor “is a threat to good governance in the state.

According to him “ Mr. Governor will not be advised to hand over to his deputy, it is not done because there is no reason for that.

“ The deputy governor has since left our party and has since left governance, even though he has not left government.

“You cannot hand over government to someone who has left governance , or handover the rein of government to someone who attempted to pull down government.

“ ln any case, those of us in government and believe strongly in this government see the deputy governor as the greatest threat to good governance in Ondo state and you can’t attempt to handover to people like that. Agboola Ajayi is the greatest threat to this government.

“ l don’t know how and we got into this, what we witnessed in 1983, the level of treachery that was deployed against late Adekunle Ajasin.

“Except for those who have the opportunity to witness what we are seeing in Ondo state , one may be tempted to say that was the height or nothing could surpass level of treachery but what we are seeing today represent the fact what Omoboriowo did in 1983 was a child play compared to what Agboola Ajayi is doing now.

“ You don’t rock a boat that has taken you across the ocean, so it is a non issue and we are not even considering handing over to Agboola Ajayi and I know as a matter of fact that no one who believes in good governance in the state will even advise Akeredolu to hand over to his deputy. What would be the compelling reason when governance is not grounded

“ He has created an unusual scenario upon which he wanted to climb to his next political ladder and we have already seen as a misadventure, we cannot toy with what we have built over the years, we cannot risk it and attempt to hand over to someone who has exhibited mindless level of betrayal and an unquestionable level of treachery.

“This is not done and unthinkable, un-debatable and if that is the reason he has been sponsoring write ups to say there is likely to be vacuum, the governor must hand over to him, he’s only joking.

“ It is not going to happen because the governor is hale and hearty. COVID -19 is not a death sentence and the governor is strong enough to work.

“ For the deputy to insinuate, incite or instigate people to be stirring the water to say that the governor should had over to him, confirms our fears in the last ten months that Agboola Ajayi has been striving to take over power through the back door and God will not allow him.

ChoCho54:
A million buhari can't commit ObJ to prison. You are a foolish boy to say this and I'm very angry at you right now. Buhari commit ObJ to prison? Are you crazy son?

Let Jagaban keep talking and decieving his zombies. Remi will soon go on air with insider info on the matter

TheRealProphet:
Fucklovejnr fucklove alert seen..thanks...drop acct for disbursement

The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu has refused to hand over the reigns of power to his deputy, Agboola Ajayi following the former’s COVID-19 diagnosis.

Akeredolu tested positive for the deadly virus a few days ago and has proceeded on self-isolation. He is supposed to handover to Ajayi but has refused to.

Speaking through his information and Orientation Commissioner, Donald Ojogo in Akure, the governor said that the deputy governor “is a threat to good governance in the state.

“Mr Governor will not be advised to hand over to his deputy, it is not done because there is no reason for that. “The deputy governor has since left our party and has since left governance, even though he has not left government.”

“You cannot hand over government to someone who has left governance, or handover the rein of government to someone who attempted to pull down the government.”

“ln any case, those of us in government and belief strongly in this government see the deputy governor as the greatest threat to good governance in Ondo state and you can’t attempt to handover to people like that. Agboola Ajayi is the greatest threat to this government.”

“I don’t know-how and we got into this, what we witnessed in 1983, the level of treachery that was deployed against late Adekunle Ajasin. ” Except for those who have the opportunity to witness what we are seeing in Ondo state, one may be tempted to say that was the height or nothing could surpass the level of treachery but what we are seeing today represents the fact what Omoboriowo did in 1983 was a child play compare to what Agboola Ajayi is doing now.”

It’s no longer news that Akeredolu and Ajayi have been at loggerheads. Their rift ultimately pushed Ajayi to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He is currently contesting against his boss in the upcoming state elections.

Ningen:
What?!

This is a heartless and gruesome act! Shit. I am always skeptical of people who use children as domestic help. They are wicked & evil incarnate.

A Woman, Mrs. Ifeoma Ezeugwu has been arrested by the police in Enugu state for drilling nails in two places into the head of a-10 years old girl, Miss Chinonye Nnadi.

The woman also allegedly used hot electric iron all over the body of the teenage girl.

The WomenAids Collective, WACOL, who made disclosure of the incident to newsmen in Enugu described the incident as “Evil and Horrific violence on a girl-child.”

Founding Director of WACOL /Tamar SARC, Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo said her office was alerted, on Friday, about the case of the ten 10 years old Chinonye, who sustained grievous bodily harm at the hands of the so-called ‘Madam’ relative that she works for as domestic help.

This is gory and torture of a young innocent girl whose only crime is being born to a poor widow who had to give her up to live with someone in the hope that she will get an education and survive. We pray that she recovers.
“We demand full wrath of the law on this woman that inflicted such a level of physical injury on this girl.

“I spoke to the distraught mother of the victim. She is a poor widow living in a rural village in Aku, near Nsukka, Enugu state.
“It is time to eradicate child labour, ban and punish heavily anyone using children as domestic help. The Child Rights Act and the NAPTIP Act must be effectively enforced. WACOL will follow through to ensure that justice is done in this matter.”

Ezeilo appreciated Enugu residents who she said severally informed and sought WACOL’s intervention on such matters.

tobicool:
No noise pls...

JAOS:
money dey inside vault so no cause of alarm

The APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday night declared that there was no differences to be sorted out in the party.

Tinubu, also said, “there is no crisis in the party, hence, no fight to reconcile.”

He made the declaration shortly after a closed door meeting with Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee and other members at his Bourdillon Residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Buni, also Governor of Yobe, led other members of the APC National Caretaker Committee to the Lagos meeting with Tinubu.

”We have no differences to be sorted out in the APC; we just had consultation and it is how our party, the APC, would continue to be a progressive party,” he said.

According to him, the committee is a consultation and not reconciliation committee since nobody is fighting anybody.

”There are instances when you disagree, but it doesn’t mean that you cannot discuss it over and be a good example in leadership and politics,” Tinubu said.

The former Lagos State governor also said that politics without seeming media crisis would be less interesting.

”But the question is, are we committed to building this party and Nigeria? That is what we are all about.

”We are steering the ship of our nation and our party in the right direction,” Tinubu said.

He said that the party leadership had trust and respect for the chairman of the caretaker committee and would support him to succeed for the party to continue in its progressive governance of the country.

The committee chairman, who led other members to the meeting, said that the meeting was part of the consultation the committee was making.

”You know the task before us is daunting, and we need guidance, experience and prayers from our leaders,” Buni said.

The host Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, expressed his pleasure to have his colleagues in the state.

”It’s been a very fruitful discussion we have had here this evening,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Other members of the committee in attendance included the Chairman of Progressive Governor’s Forum, Gov. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Secretary of Caretaker Committee, APC, Sen. James Akpan Udo-Edehe and Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday in Edo State displayed the forms of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Godwin Obaseki, and those of 13 others at its annex office, located at the former state secretariat of the PDP on Sapele Road in Benin.

Our reporter, who was earlier at the Auchi Road main office of INEC, near the Federal High Court (FHC) and the Court of Appeal, being renovated, was directed to the Sapele Road’s annex office of the electoral commission, following the renovation of the flood-prone main office.

On INEC’s notice board at the annex office, Obaseki filled West African School Leaving Certificate, 1973 and Bachelor of Arts (B.A. Hons.), 1979, as his qualifications. He did not present his Higher School Certificate (HSC).

The governorship candidate of the PDP will slug it out on September 19 with the standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and others in what is popularly referred to as a rematch, to elect a new governor from November 12.

Ize-Iyamu has LLB from the University of Benin.

In 2016, Ize-Iyamu was the governorship candidate of the PDP, while Obaseki was the standard-bearer of the APC.

He had the backing of the then Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who later became the National Chairman of the governing party, before last week’s dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) by APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC), headed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The other governorship candidates are Obhafuoso Paul, Action Alliance (AA); Akhigbe Ehiabhi, African Democratic Congress (ADC); Ibio Emmanuel, African Democratic Party (ADP); Lucky Idehen, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Igbineweka Osamuede, Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Amos Areloegbe, All Peoples Party (APP); and Osifo Isaiah, Labour Party (LP).

Others are Agolebun Tracy, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); Stevie Ozono, National Rescue Movement (NRM); Felix Obayangbon, Social Democratic Party (SDP); Jones Osagiobare, Young Progressive Party (YPP); and Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena, Zenith abour Party (ZLP).

Federal Government has flayed the poor medical attention given to patients by healthcare workers, saying the development was responsible for the spate of deaths witnessed recently in public hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Minister for health and commissioner of FCT, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and Muhammad Musa Bello, respectively, in separate remarks at a meeting with medical directors of government-owned hospitals in the FCT, yesterday, said they had received reports of sick persons being rejected outright or told there were no beds for them in hospitals, saying majority of such patients ended up dying while searching for care.

The ministers also decried situations where patients were left unattended to at hospitals after admission, or abandoned while waiting for results of tests for COVID-19 or other ailments, which often took several days, with some of the patients dying before the results were released.

“This is unacceptable and not good for our image and profession. We cannot afford to continue to lose so many of our people, who have found their way to hospitals, only to lose their lives to health conditions, some of which could have been cured. We know that not all emergencies are COVID-19 and we also know that our professional oaths oblige us to save lives and do something medically possible for those who come to us for help. Our calling as doctors and health workers is simply to save lives. We cannot, at this time, abandon such divine responsibility, especially in case of emergency, when our services are most needed. The situation calls for re-examining our system,” said Ehanire.

The minister said he understood that health workers were rightfully concerned about their safety and that government, in response to their fears, had provided personal protective equipment (PPEs), necessary training and an infection prevention and control protocols for doctors, nurses and other health workers to discharge their duties safely, without risk to themselves

The minister disclosed that, alongside his FCT counterpart, they would monitor and ensure that all steps are taken to minimise the suffering of persons trying to access treatment and to reduce incidents that hurt the reputation of Nigeria’s health system.

GeneralPula:
You said rigging... Isn’t the same rigging that brought him to power?

New voters would not be registered ahead of the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.

During a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure on Wednesday, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Rufus Akeju, said only accredited voters that had voted in past elections would be allowed to vote.

The INEC official also disclosed that the commission will not conduct any Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise and distribution of permanent voters card (PVCs) in the state before the governorship poll.

“It is important for me to inform you that the commission has suspended the CVR exercise and the implication is that, the window of opportunity for new voters to register, distribution of PVCs, transfer of registration and replacement of lost or defaced PVCs has been shut for the meantime due to COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Akeju assured the people that INEC would organise a free, fair, and credible governorship election in October. He, therefore, enjoined politicians and security agencies to support INEC in its bid to organise a credible poll.