₦airaland Forum

Former presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Adamu Garba, has claimed that the ruling party has plans in place to foist a consensus presidential candidate on the other aspirants.

This allegation comes less than two weeks after Garba quit the APC over failure to raise N100m to purchase the presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest forms of the party.

The presidential hopeful, who managed to raise N83.4m in donations from Nigerians, has since moved to the Young Progressive Party (YPP) to realise his ambition.

In an interview with The Punch, Garba revealed that while 25 presidential aspirants in the APC were traversing the country to solicit votes from delegates, the Abdullahi Adamu-led leadership of the party was plotting to hand the presidential ticket to a consus candidate.

“As we get ready for the primaries as a party, it was looking clear that there is a game plan geared towards installing somebody as a consensus candidate. It betrays the tenet of democracy completely.

“At the same time, we, young people, in the party are completely obliterated. The more you bring new ideas, new solutions and suggest changes, the more you are perceived as an enemy, and somebody that should be thrown out of the window,” he said.

Garba also warned that the APC was not a platform young people should aspire to be, adding that the reason he dumped the party was due to alleged anti-democratic policies.

He said, “There are certain steps that the APC has taken over time that seem to be anti-democratic. They just betrayed the whole democratic tenet.

“A situation where people went for a convention that turned out to be an enthronement. Nobody was given the opportunity to practise democracy.

“When you look at the whole thing, you will see we don’t have a future here. We have ‘financialised’ everything from health care, education, roads and even the office that is supposed to deliver the goods. That’s one thing that made me conclude that the party really doesn’t represent the future.

“That’s why you will see killings in Katsina, Zamfara, Niger Delta, South-East, North-East and nobody is doing anything about them. It is because we don’t care about humans but resources.

"That is the direction of the policymakers. That’s why our young people are running away from the country and nobody cares. In fact, some ministers are even saying it is good,” Garba concluded.

The aspirant recently revealed that he has used part of the donation he got from Nigerians to purchase the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the YPP.

UEFA's Technical Observer panel has selected its 2021/22 UEFA Europa League Team of the Season

#UELfinal

As the date for political party primaries draws near, more drama is unfolding in the Cross River State All Progressive Congress, APC, as Senator Ben Ayade’s anointed candidate, Senator Bassey Otu was not cleared by the party’s Screening Committee. Meanwhile, Otu’s closest rivals Senator John Owan Enoh and Hon. Chris Agara we’re cleared.

Senator Otu, who was announced as the consensus candidate after a closed-door meeting by the Governor in Abuja, is said to have failed to produce his primary and secondary school certificates. The Committee declared his clearance inconclusive.

The Committee, in the report signed by DIG Suleiman D. Fakai Committee Chairman, Hon. Chidi Nwogu Committee Secretary, and Amb. Paul Oyiborume Committee member said the petition alleging that Senator Otu was an ex-convict could not be substantiated and was thrown away.

The report partly reads: “The Committee, after due scrutiny of the content of the petition and the supporting documents, found no evidence to substantiate the allegation of conviction of the aspirant before any court of law.

“However, with regards to the allegation of questionable academic credentials, the subject could neither produce his First School Leaving Certificate nor his West African School Certificate. He could only produce his secondary school testimonial. In the circumstances, therefore, the Committee has no option than to declare this matter as inconclusive.”

GOVERNOR ATIKU BAGUDU CHAIRS EKITI STATE GOVERNORSHIP CAMPAIGN COUNCIL

DSP Omo-Agege, Akeredolu, Badaru, Uzodinma, Ayade, Fashola Named in 61-Member Council

The Council will be inaugurated by the APC Chairman, @SenAbdullahiA on Monday, May 23rd at the APC Secretariat, Abuja.

Lagos State Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alabi, on Thursday clarified that residents who operate motorcycles for courier services or other private dealings will not be affected the latest okada ban.

The state government had announced restrictions on motorcycles, popularly known as okada, from operating in six local government areas of the state.

“It does not affect couriers, but the couriers will not carry passengers,” Alabi said during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. “We will have to make sure they are couriers and not pretending to be one.

“Then the other officers who are okada owners must be uniformed personnel who are going to their various place of work.

“Those who own power-bikes are not affected, because it’s not meant for commercial purpose.”

Battling crime rate
The latest ban on okadas in the state comes after a sound engineer, David Imoh, was allegedly lynched to death by motorcycle riders in the Lekki area of the state over a fare dispute.

This is not the first time the activities of okada riders have been restricted in Lagos.

Police Commissioner Alabi however said enforcement of the ban this time will be more thorough.

He said most okada riders are criminals and must be taken off the road.

However, the police chief acknowledged that banning okadas may have its side effects.

“We know that banning the Okada riders can actually increase crime rate. And we are not unmindful of that and we are already putting in place a lot of strategies to contend with it,” he said.

“We know that it will send a lot of them to unemployment. We are aware of that and are preparing for it.”

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed that he will not retire from partisan politics until he becomes President of Nigeria.

Tinubu who made the vow during his campaign visit to Benue State on Tuesday ahead of the APC’s primaries slated to hold this Friday, said if elected, he would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the governance of the country.

“I won’t retire from politics until I am the president of Nigeria. I will bring the experience of my leadership in Lagos state as a Governor to bare on my leadership style in Nigeria.

The former Lagos State Governor who insisted that he is the best man for the job said if he emerges as the Presidential candidate of the APC, he will surely win the presidential election no matter whoever emerges as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP.

“There’s no contest between me and whoever will emerge as the candidate of opposition PDP,” he stated.

The APC National Leader assured that if and when elected as president of the country, he would run a transparent and open government.

“I guarantee you that I will run a transparent, open government. Nigeria is rich. What we need is to redirect our resources and channel them in the right direction,” he said.

Earlier in a remark, Sen Kashim Shettima while extolling the virtues of Sen JS Tarka as leader and emancipator of the minority interest groups in Nigeria, insisted that Asiwaju Tinubu is the right person to take Nigeria to the promised land.

Anambra PDP in disarray as the leaders and elders protest the unholy alliance between the office of the national organizing secretary and chief Chris uba to whitledown the influence of Peter Obi in the national convention.

70% of members of all the electoral/appeal Committees have been chosen by Chief Chris Uba.

The most recent one is the nomination of an APC member and a lecturer in Abia state University, Comrade Chris Afuluike, who is a known associate of Hon. Nkiru Onyejiocha, the dyeputy majority leader of the House of Representatives and a known acolyte of chief Uba as the chairman of the appeal Committee of the national delegates Congress.

The leaders and elders of the state are demanding an immediate removal of the apc member and replacement with a respectable personality.

POLICE DECLARES SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CASE OF DEBORAH SAMUEL WANTED FOR CULPABLE HOMICIDE

*Prime suspects that claimed the murder of Deborah Samuel on the viral video were declared wanted*

*Others arrested at the scene while dispersing the mob were charged to court and remanded in prison*

The Sokoto State Command under the able leadership of the Commissioner of Police, *CP Kamaldeen kola Okunlola fdc,mnim* has declared the suspects spotted on the viral video wanted.

The Command is using these medium to reiterate its commitment towards apprehending the suspects. The command has already deployed all its intelligence and on the lookout for the suspects .

Members of the public are enjoined to cooperate with the police and report any mere identification to the command or any security outfit in their domain.

The command can be reach through its emergency number 07068848035

*E-SIGNED*
*ASP SANUSI ABUBAKAR*
*POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER*, *FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE SOKOTO STATE COMMAND*

A federal lawmaker in Zamfara Suleiman Abubakar Gummi representing Gummi/Bukuyyum federal Constituency at the House of Representatives has left the ruling All Progressive Congress APC to return to the People’s Democratic Party PDP

The green chamber lawmaker said the party in Zamfara has not been honest and fair to it Members and necessitated his defection to the PDP.

Suleiman Gummi was elected Member of the House of representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019 but defected to the APC alongside Governor Bello Matawalle and other top Government Officials in June 2021

Ten months later, the Green Chamber lawmaker defected back to the PDP.

This decision he said was as a result of the sharing of elected political offices by the state Governor Bello Matawalle and former Governor Abdul’azeez Yari among other top APC Bigwigs ahead of the 2023 General elections which has affected his seat.

Suleiman Gummi announced his move and his supporters to the PDP at Political Gathering in Gummi, Local Government area of Zamfara State.

“We cannot Continue to remain in APC especially the way the party is going in Zamfara State. The party has lost focus and is not doing anything to deliver dividends of Democracy to the People” Gummi Said

“APC in Zamfara has shared position to Governor Bello Matawalle and former Governor Abdul’azeez Yari’s anointed candidates even before the party’s primary election ahead of next election and this is not politics” Gummi Kicked.

“Our move to the PDP will open a new page in Zamfara, because even as we speak, our children will not Participate in this year’s WAEC due to the Government inability to pay for their examination fees which has been the tradition here”

The Engineer turned politician promise to do more in affecting the live of his constituents if re-elected in 2023

” They offered me money not to contest in 2023 but I rejected. Let them use the money and build our bridge, equipt and supply drugs to our Hospitals etc” . He advised the Governor

Suleiman Gummi appeal to his supporters to remain calm and peaceful and assured them of Victory at the polls.

The Peoples Democratic Party according to him will bounce back stronger in Zamfara.

The Police Service Commission has confirmed the promotion of former Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mustafa Ibrahim Magu as an Assistant Inspector General of Police, along with five others.

AIG Magu Ibrahim who is proceeding on retirement, is the most senior in the CP cadre and missed the last two promotions after returning to the Police from the EFCC.

This is just as the PSC confirmed the promotion of Mr. John Ogbonnaya Amadi as a Deputy Inspector General of Police, to take over from late DIG Joseph Egbunike who represented South East in the Police Management team. Also promoted DIG is Zana Bala Senchi.

The other Commissioners of Police promoted to AIG are CP Abraham Egong Ayim; Okunlola Kola Kamaldeen; Andrew Amieengheme; Akeera Mohammed Younous; Celestine Amechi Elumelu; Ngozi Vivian Onadeko and Danladi Bitrus Lalas (Airwing).

A statement by Ikechukwu Ani, head of Press and Public Relations said 23 Deputy Commissioners of Police were promoted to Commissioners of Police

The new 23 Commissioners of Police are; Taiwo Olusola Jesubiyi, former DC, Admin and Finance, Akwa Ibom State Command; Kolawole Olajide former DC, Force CID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos; Julius Alawari Okoro, former DC, Maritime, Lagos; Adelesi Ebunoluwa Oluwarotimi, former DC DFA, Kwara State Command; George Chijioke Chuku, fomer DC Ops Ebonyi State Command; Paul Alifa Omata, former DC Ops, Kwara State Command; and Effiong Dominic Edem, former DC Ops, Zone 2 Lagos. Others are Yusuf Adesina Akeem, presently at the National Defence College; Mary Gbemudu George, former DC, Anti Human Trafficking Abuja; Etim Oqua Efiom, former DC Ops FHQ, Abuja; Mohammed Yakubu, former DC SCID Anambra Command; Ganiyu Alhaji Salami, former DC ZCID Zone11 Osogbo; Magaji Kontagora Ahmed, former, DC Ops, Lagos State Command; and Kolo Yusufu, presently O/c IGP Special Tactical Squad & TIU.

Also promoted CPs are Bzigu Yakaba Kwazhi Dali, presently on secondment to ECOWAS Commission, Guinea, Bisau; Ahmed Ammani, presently at the National Defence College; Afolabi Babatola Adeniyi, former DC, Ops Yobe State Command; Njoku Henry Eronini, former DC, JTF, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State; Abiodun Oladimeji Asabi; Dankwara Adamu Mohammed, former DC, SPU FHQ, Abuja; Mohammed Usaini Gumel, former DC TIU FHQ, Abuja; Ogundele Ayodeji, former DC Central Intelligence, Force CID Annex, Lagos and Idris Nagoyo, former 2i/c Force Animal branch.

The Commission also approved the promotion of 23 Deputy Commissioners to the next rank of Commissioners of Police; 31 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners of Police.

The statement said, “The 15th Plenary Meeting which began on Wednesday, May 11th 2022 was presided over by Alhaji Musiliu Smith, Chairman of the Commission and former Inspector General of Police. DIG Amadi also approved the promotion of 31 Assistant Commissioners of Police to DCPs, and 63 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners of Police.

“Other decisions taken by the Commission at the Plenary were the promotion of 57 Superintendents of Police earlier skipped when their mates were promoted to the next rank of Chief Superintendents.

“Other categories of Superintendents of Police such as the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, Course 4, Inspectors Course 37 and regular ASP’s course 25 and 26 were also promoted to Chief Superintendents having met established requirements.

“The Commission also promoted 1698 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) to Deputy Superintendents of Police, 6119 Inspectors who attended the recent Departmental Selection Board (DSB) were promoted to ASP11 while 1965 ASP11 were confirmed ASPs.

“The Commission also approved the conversion of 19 Engineers from General Duty to Specialists and upgraded to the rank of Deputy Superintendents of Police which is the statutory entry level for Pilots and Aircraft maintenance engineers in line with Aviation scheme of service.

“The 31 Assistant Commissioners of Police promoted to Deputy Commissioners include: Peter Ugochukwu Ezebuike, Anambra State Command, Gabriel Onyilo Elaigwu, NIPSS; Ajewole Adebayo, Provost Headquarters Annex, Lagos; Emefile Tony Osifo, 54 PMF Onitsha; Umar Ahmed Chuso, Ops Delta State Command; Mohammed Abubakar Guri, Mopol 45, Abuja; Aina Adesola Police Training School Oyin Akoko; Uduak Otu Ita, Ogun State Command; Sylverster Edogbanya Nnewi Area Command, Anambra; Naziru Bello Kankarofi, Ikot-Ekpene Area Command, Akwa Ibom. Others are Nandel Joseph Gomwalk Life Camp Area Command, FCT; Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, Finance and Admin Zone 2, Lagos; Wilson Aniefiok Akpan Ops, Kwara State Command; Morkwap Dongshal, 39 PMF Osun; Abdullateef Ajape Yusuf, Commander 69 PMF Toto, Nasarawa State and Audu Garba Bosso, Area Commander, Ugo-Niyi Orhinmwon, Edo State amongst others.

“The Commission re-confirmed its earlier approval for the rectification and harmonization of promotion date and proper placement of eight Chief Superintendents of Police and subsequently promoted them to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police.

“They are Sunday David Ogenyi; Andrew Simon Ali; Manger Iorlumun Fergus; Juliet Ireju Barasau; Moses Aikuola; Francis Osagie Irabo; Ahijo Ditina Lawson and Ukponge Ephraim.

“The Commission also approved the promotion of another set of 55 CSPs to ACPs, which included; Janet Ademuyiwa Salami, Oyo State Command; Francis Ebhuoma, Lagos State Command; Iliyasu Tanko Doma X Squad, SCID, Kaduna and Ogonnaya Okpara, DPO, Ogui road, Enugu State Command.

“Two Superintendents of Police skipped in the earlier promotion – Adebayo Olayinka and Abdulrazaq Bello, were promoted to the next rank of Chief Superintendents of Police. Some DSPs promoted to SPs were: Ibrahim Lawan Rano, SPU Base 7 Abuja and Lucas Yohanna, Adamawa State Command, Nnadozie Peter, Enugu State Command; Chinemelu Martholomew, Force Headquarters; Christopher Umukoro; Suleiman Yahaya, PPRO Adamawa Command and Umar Sani;

“One thousand, six hundred and ninety eight (1,698) Assistant Superintendents of Police promoted to Deputy Superintendents of Police include; Yesuf Umar Faruk, IGPs Secretariat; Okwor Lovina Obiageli, B Division, Awka, Anambra State Command; Esson Aigutun, PMF 38 Akwanga; Roseline Damilola Ogunleye, Ojaoba Division, Osun State; Sunday Ogodo Ogbodo, Enugu State Command; Daniel Ndukwe, PPRO, Enugu State Command; Rabiu Shittu, 24 PMF, Zamfara State Command; Ochenehi Mathew, Commander, Judges Protection Unit, Force Headquarters; Eziulo Susan Uchenna, CPS, Umuahia; Tochukwu Ogalagu, Force Legal Department; Kunde Lovet Hambadoon, Gwagwa Division, FCT; Ugwu Regina, Anambra State Command.

“Also promoted are Iguisi Usunobun, 44 PMF, Abuja; Odetayo Owolabi Iniobong, Ago Okota Division, Lagos; Ani Dennis Ekene, CPS Awka; Johnson Agwu, CPS Onitsha; Grace Ishaya Waziri, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Adigo Peace Uloma, Force PROs Office; Eboko Okwudrichi Egwu, Independence Layout Division, Enugu; Ayuba Felix, Kogi State Command; Eze Chidebere, PRO, Force Medical; Kwaghiri Fanen, Kwara State Command; Obeji Ibeabuchi Eric, CPS Umuahia and Agbelemose Deborah Busola, Ojaoba Division, Kwara Command.

“Others include Obasi, Theresa Nkechi, Anambra Command; Tukur Abdullahi; Opayemi Kadara; Mavi Ogbaudu; Chukwuegbo Nnaemeka; Elvis Ibe; Osondu Ifeanyichukwu, Unit Commander 3PMF, Enugu; Aneke Nkechi Loveth, Intel Command Onitsha; Akuma Igbota Irene Ifeoma, CPS Awka, Ozoeze Victoria Chekwubechukwu; Omeoga Princess, CPS Umuahia; Loveday Chibuike Ukaenyi, Nsukka Division, Enugu, Ambi Kadiri, Nasarawa State Command, Awa Henry Ifeanyi, CP Monitoring Unit, Abia State Command, Ruth Danladi, Crack Squad, FCT Command; Orji Linda, State CID, Port-Harcourt and Idris Ibrahim Shippo

“DSP Musa Garba Kuta, one of the Members of the Police Airwing whose conversion were approved by the Commission was promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police while others were promoted to DSPs. They include; ASP Ajama Samuel Timi; Inspector Haliru Badamasi, Inspector Erigbara Franklin; Inspector Ihukor Sixtus Valentine; Inspector Kanja Victor; Inspector Jimoh Samuel; Inspector Ezeme Charles; Inspector Aruleba Kayode and Inspector Adedosu Adeyemi. Others upgraded and promoted to DSPs were; Sgt. Ekheomo Fredrick; Sgt. Oyejobi Olusegun; Sgt. Nweke Chekwube; Sgt Abel Ukpong; Sgt. Uba Shedrach; Sgt. Igba Joseph; Sgt. Ibukun Benson and CPL. Bello Suleiman.

“The Commission also approved the Confirmation of unconfirmed Assistant Superintendents of Police ASP11 to ASP 1. They include Egbo Obianuju Rosemary, Department of Operations, Delta State Command; Sanusi Hammari, Sokoto state Command; Zakka Bulus, FCT Command; Elegbe Kudirat Omolola, Lagos Command and Okpaleke Felix, Police Staff College Jos amongst others. .Inspector Kenneth Asogwa, Anambra State Command; Thaddeus Utazi, Zone 13 Zonal Command Ukpo; Aliyu Okajine, FIB, Kaduna and Abdullahi Ndakolo, Niger Command were among the Inspectors elevated to the rank of ASP11.

“Chairman of the Commission, Musiliu Smith congratulated the promoted Officers and charged them to redouble their efforts in the service of their fatherland. He said the Commission will continue to monitor their performance and will not hesitate to discipline any Officer found wanting in the discharge of his/her duties.”

Amid fuel scarcity that has gripped the nation’s capital in the past week, it has emerged that top politicians of political parties procured fuel in most petrol stations in Abuja ahead of their primaries.

Many Abuja hotels have also been fully booked on Saturday, including smaller hotels on the outskirts. THISDAY checks showed that some presidential hopefuls paid for fuel in most petrol stations.

A source told THISDAY that one top politician paid for fuel in eight filling stations for the benefit of his delegates.

“You are seeing long queues everywhere because the politicians involved have purchased fuel in most of the petrol stations,” stated the source. “One popular politician paid for petroleum products in eight filling stations while others are also competing to buy up fuel in other stations to enable the movement of their delegates.”
The source also mentioned that political parties had secured accommodation in various hotels in Abuja for delegates.

“All the hotels in Abuja are fully booked. My boss sent me to secure a hotel which we were initially told was available, but when I got there, we were told another group beat us to it,” revealed the source. “Even in Gwagwalada and other hotels in the outskirts, it is the same thing. They are all booked.”

Another source said, “The same politicians buying up petroleum products as we were told even booked hotel accommodation two weeks ago.”

During political party primaries, most parts of Abuja are flooded with party delegates and their teeming supporters. Some delegates sleep inside party support vehicles and sometimes on the streets.

PHOTO NEWS: National leader of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, visits Kano Central Senator, Ibrahim Shekarau, at the latter's Mundubawa residence in Kano, on Sunday.

PHOTOS: Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, former Member of Parliament for Kiru and Bebeji Constituency, joins NNPP after leaving the APC.

Kano State NNPP Chairman Umar Haruna Doguwa presided over the ceremony at his Kofa constituency in Bebeji Local Government Area on Sunday.

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state has visited senator representing Kano central senatorial district, Ibrahim Shekarau.

Daily Trust reports that the former governor (Shekarau) is said to have concluded plans to announce his decamping to the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) on Saturday as the crisis within the Kano All Progressives Congress (APC) reaches tipping point.

Both former governors had a closed door meeting at Shekarau’s Kano home late Friday.

While the outcome of their meeting was not known yet, sources close to the former governor said Governor Ganduje came to forestall the planned decamping of Shekarau to NNPP, which is led by another former governor of the state, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

“He just left. They went inside and discussed, but nobody can tell what they really talked about,” the source added.

Daily Trust gathered that Kwankwaso arrived in Kano on Friday as parts of planned to receive Shekarau into the NNPP fold.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has downplayed the possibility of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, achieving self-determination in Nigeria.

Mohammed said it would be difficult for IPOB to achieve self-determination in Nigeria because Igbos own half of the country.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential aspirant spoke while wooing party’s delegates in Anambra State on Friday.

According to Mohammed: “When I was minister of Federal Capital Territory, the Igbo capital investment in Abuja was over 50 percent.

“That is the true position, not only in Abuja, but in Kano, Lagos, Kaduna and other states. So, we are interrelated and connected as a people in Nigeria.

“We need to stabilise that symbiotic bond that binds us together. When IPOB is talking about self determination and self actualization, for where? When you owe over half of the country.

“God may not give you everything. He has given something to you. That is the truth. Because of this, I am calling for this unity and fraternity among us. If the Igbo youth understand this, they will now know the need for peace and unity in the country.”