Going into the primary, Opeyemi Bamidele, Biodun Oyebanji, Dayo Adeyeye, Bamidele Faparusi, Kayode Ojo, Demola Popoola, and Femi Bamisile were the main contenders.
But at the moment, all of them — except Biodun Oyebanji — have refused to take part in the party’s primary election, citing irregularities.
The aspirants — Kayode Mojo, Demola Popoola, Femi Bamisile, Bamidele Faparusi, Dayo Adeyeye, Opeyemi Bamidele & Afolabi Oluwasola — alleged that the primary election committee is made up of loyalists of Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti Governor.
Led by Dayo Adeyeye, the seven disgruntled aspirants alleged that Kayode Fayemi is making an attempt to foist Biodun Oyebanji, a governorship aspirant, as the party’s standard-bearer in the state.
APC MEMBERS STAGE PROTEST
Meanwhile, hundreds of APC members in Ekiti have protested against the governorship primary election. “No election, no primary election in Ekiti,” most of the party members chanted.
Security operatives eventually quelled the protest and have now barricaded the APC secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, capital of the state.
The attention of His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State and Chairman APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, has been drawn to media publications with purported zoning of offices allegedly announced by him.
His Excellency has in clear and unambiguous terms denied the said list, saying, it is false, baseless, unfounded, misleading and has nothing to do with him
The Chairman of the CECPC, said the party has not taken any decision at any fora on anything relating to zoning of offices
The publication is just a figment of the author's imagination that has nothing to do with the Chairman and the party.
The public is hereby urged to disregard the purported list as it is misleading and completely false.
Governor Buni urged the press to resist unverified stories and rumours, and to always verify all issues related to the party assuring that the doors of the party are always open.
Signed Mamman Mohammed DG, Press and Media Affairs.
Terrorists known locally as bandits are currently attacking Ayu, Danko Wasagu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kebbi State, POLITICS NIGERIA.
Bandits attacks in Kebbi state have been on the ascendancy in recent months. Hundreds of the residents have fled their homes, relocating to other towns in the state and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
Recall POLITICS NIGERIA had exclusively reported the bandits attack that occurred on January 14: 17 residents were brutally murdered and many more abducted in a punitive expedition.
Four days after the carnage of January 14 in Dankade, the bandits raided Ayu, and abducted 29 villagers into the forest.
Unlike cases in other North-west states, attacks in rural Kebbi are hardly reported in the media. Over 200 lives were lost to banditry in the state in 2021 alone, this newspaper’s findings revealed.
Ayu ! Ayu !!Ayu !!! Ayu !!!! Ayu !!!!! Is Bleeding Enough is Enough i dont think Kebbi state Government is aware of what is happening with Ayu people 's So we need End of this Blood shield in Danko Wasagu East Its Over !!! May Allah be with Danko Wasagu East people protect them & their properties Save their life & Deal with bandits any were they're in this country including their sponsors
NAF Super Tucano Eliminate another ISWAP Commander Mallam Ari, others at Kirta Wulgo
The Nigerian military has kept to its commitment in targeting key terrorists as air interdiction strikes undertaken by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Super Tucano aircraft under Operation Hadin Kai have eliminated several ISWAP Commanders and terrorists at Kirta Wulgo.
PRNigeria gathered that ISWAP Senior Commander, Mallam Ari in charge of Kirta Wulgo and foreign mercenaries fabricating Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) for the terrorists were killed during the airstrikes by the aircraft.
A senior military intelligence officer said that the airstrikes were authorized after intelligence revealed over 40 terrorists converging at the fringes of Northeast Kirta Wulgo, close to a point where a suspected ISWAP flag was hoisted.
“Some were also seen with weapons around a nearby make-shift structure, which was a likely indication that the structure might have had a high calibre terrorist target.
“After the airstrikes, some of the surviving terrorists were observed making frantic efforts to put out the fire that ensued while others took to their heels.
“Indeed, the make-shift structures were significantly burnt and destroyed at the fringes.”
“Several ISWAP fighters were neutralized in the air strikes including one Mallam Ari who was identified as the Fiya of Kirta Wulgo.”
Fiya is a title held by the second in the hierarchy of the terrorists’ military structure.
When contacted, the NAF spokesperson Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed that the NAF indeed carried out some strikes in areas around Kirta Wulgo, but remained silent as the number or identities of the casualties.
ISWAP leadership recently made sweeping changes to their structures due to the loss of some of its key members killed mainly through air strikes by NAF aircraft.
PRESIDENT BUHARI WISHES NIGERIAN ATHLETES PARTICIPATING IN BEIJING 2022 WINTER OLYMPICS SUCCESS, CONGRATULATES CHINA
On behalf of all Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari wishes Nigerian athletes participating in the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games success at the competition.
President Buhari trusts that Nigerian athletes participating in different events will excel at the competition, surpassing the previous record in PyeongChang, South Korea, in 2018, when the nation competed for the first time.
Recognising that the Olympic Games is a platform for closer friendship and cooperation between countries, the Nigerian leader sincerely hopes that all athletes, in the pursuit of their Olympic dream, would promote the core values of the Games: excellence, friendship and respect.
The President congratulates China on hosting the Winter Olympics, lauding Beijing for making history as the first “dual Olympic city” in the world’s Olympic history, having hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008.
As a friendly and brotherly country to Nigeria, President Buhari affirms the support of the Nigerian government and its people to China.
He believes that with China’s rich experience in organising international events, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, with the slogan “Together for a Shared Future”, will be delivered as a splendid, exceptional and extraordinary Olympic event for the world.
Femi Adesina Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity) January 25, 2022
A Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga has asked the National leader of the APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu to apologise to Nigerians over comments made years ago against Nigeria.
Zazzaga tasked Tinubu to apologise to the old and young for saying he does not believe in one Nigeria in 1999.
The APC Chieftain said although Tinubu made the comment many years ago, it is now being recalled by Nigerians especially as he declared his intention to run for office in 2023.
Speaking to journalists in Jos, Plateau State, Zazzaga said if Tinubu does not apologise to Nigerians, it will put his candidature and APC in a bad light.
“In Thisday publication of April 13th, 1997, Tinubu granted an interview in which he was quoted as saying, ‘I don’t believe in one Nigeria’. And that interview has resurfaced since his presidential ambition declaration, people began to raise eyebrows, asking damaging questions.
“So many people have been calling and mocking us, saying if he does not believe in One Nigeria, how come he wants to contest for the Presidency of a nation he did not believe in.
“This has been agitating the minds of members of the APC and it is not good for the well being of the party as the nation counts down to the 2023 general election.
“Therefore, the most honourable thing for Tinubu to do is to come out and apologise to Nigerians on the comments which he made before this democratic dispensation which began in 1999, and he should as well explain the rationale of the interview to Nigerians and point out if he was misquoted or not.
“Whatever his explanation would be, at least it will calm peoples nerves and save the party from being projected in a bad light.
“And that will not only project him as a true leader of the party or as a presidential aspirant but it will prove that he is a man of honour and dignity and someone who will take responsibility for his words, deeds and actions.
He urged Nigerians to believe in the APC as a party of progressives that has the capacity to move the nation forward, irrespective of the current challenges which nation will soon overcome.
The attention of H.E Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been drawn to a series of tweets from a twitter account @A_Oshiomhole commenting on recent national issues. Specifically, there was a tweet that originated from this account on January 20, 2022 which seem to insinuate that H. E. Seyi Makinde, Executive Governor of Oyo State is an "Overhyped Social Media Governor."
We wish to alert the general public that this twitter account is fake as it is not operated by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole or any of his aides.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole holds H. E Governor Seyi Makinde in high esteem and has no reason whatsoever to privately or publicly denigrate him.
Let it be on record that all tweets that have originated from this account or will originate from it in the future do not represent the opinions or sentiments of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
Our investigations have further revealed that there are other fake twitter accounts illegally opened with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s name and photographs.
Some of them are: @adamsoshiomhole @Oshiomhole @adamsosh @_adamsoshiomole @adamsOshiomhol @Adamsoshiomol4 @Adamsoshiomol5
Any tweets originating from the above fake accounts should be disregarded as they do not represent the opinions or sentiments of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
For the avoidance of doubt, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s official handle which will be verified soon is @aoshiomhole
Signed.
Victor Oshioke Senior Media Aide Office of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole Abuja, January 21, 2022.
The member representing Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State in the House of Representatives, Yaya Tongo, has tendered a letter of resignation of membership of the All Progressives Congress.
Tongo was elected on the platform of the APC in 2019.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday met former President Olusegun Obasanjo for party matters and the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The NWC team, led by National Chairman of PDP, Ayu Iyorchia Ayu, which arrived around 11:57 am entered a private meeting with Obasanjo at his Penthouse within the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The elder statesman, an hour earlier, had participated in an interdenominational and interfaith service at Oba Adisa Odeleye Park, Abeokuta, in honour of the late Olowu of Owu Kingdom.
The meeting is still holding with the PDP bigwigs at the time of filing the report.
The PDP leaders in attendance were former Ondo Governor Dr. Segun Mimiko; former Cross River Governor Donald Duke; his successor; Liyel Imoke; 2019 PDP vice presidential candidate Dr. Peter Obi; former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido; former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Waziri and former Kogi Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi among others.
All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in all the Houses of Assembly in the North-East zone have called for zoning of the 2023 presidential ticket of to the northern region of the country while declaring their support for presidential aspiration of Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello.
“This is because the North will rule for 10 years at the end of President Buhari’s tenure, while the South has ruled for 14 years,” the lawmakers said while justifying their call in a communique issued at the end of their extraordinary meeting on Thursday in Bauchi.
The communiqué was signed by Alhaji Sadique Ibrahim from Gombe.
The legislators expressed their unalloyed support to the aspiration of Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi “who has, against all odds, decided to take the bull by the horn by aspiring to the office of the President of Nigeria, come 2023.
“We thank him for leading the clarion call for the presidency of Nigeria to come to the North-Central zone and urge him to have no fear or doubt in his race for the exalted office, as members of the North-East zone are solidly behind him,” the communiqué stated.
The lawmakers who met under the aegis of Conference of Nigeria State Legislatures, North-East zone also passed a vote of confidence in President Muhammadu Buhari and the Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee of the party.
The legislators said that the vote of confidence in the president was borne out of his sterling and cohesive leadership.
They urge Buhari not to relentless in ensuring that he left Nigeria a better country in 2023.
The lawmakers also commended Buni, who is leading APC’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, for his efforts at repositioning the party.
They expressed appreciation to the caretaker committee for attracting men and women of goodwill into the party, urging it to do more.
Former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday afternoon stormed Minna, the Niger State capital to confer with former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd).
The All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader arrived the hilltop residence of General Babangida at about 2.30pm and both went straight into a meeting behind closed-door.
Tinubu’s visit to General Babangida (rtd) popularly known as IBB after similar visits to some influential power blocs and individuals across the country, confirms LEADERSHIP front page story of Thursday, January 20, 2022 that certain power brokers in the country will determine the 2023 presidency.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, on Wednesday, revealed how he was “rigged out of office” during the 2003 governorship election.
Osoba said he had received an intelligence report about the rigging and he was advised to back out of the poll, but he insisted on going ahead in the contest.
He spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the book launch and the 60th birthday of his former Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Kayode Odunaro, on Wednesday.
Osoba, who contested the election on the platform of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) had lost to Otunba Gbenga Daniel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said he knew he would lose the election following last-minute reports from security agents.
The veteran journalist also said despite the last revelations, he bowed to pressure of his followers and shared N140million to electorate on the eve of the election.
Osoba added that he refused to challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal, despite the evidence at his disposal because he had put the experience behind him.
He said, “The 2003 election, I put it behind me many years ago. 2003 is bygone whatever happened although, in his (Odunaro) book he concluded that I refused to go to court, yes I did not, because the evidence was too much and he alluded to some of the evidence, but let’s forget about all that, it has gone, it is gone and the Ogun state people have had the chance to compare and contrast and they have given their conclusions and that is private to everybody.
“Nobody expected that the election would go the way it went, but I knew it will go the way it went because Prof. Adu of FUNAAB who was the returning officer had the figure already prepared.
“Some of the security people had given me the figure of the result that they were going to announce and I knew, he was referring to me spending money and some people taking my money to sleep in hotels, pocketed the money, I knew because in politics you must learn to engage in wasteful spending and you must learn to buy all kinds of lies, that is all part of politics.
“I knew that the election was concluded; I was warned, the electoral officer from Cross River had told me after the Presidential election that, ‘Chief don’t contest the Governorship, it is concluded’, but I said no.
“We shared N140million on the eve of the election and I knew it was a wasted money, but I shared it because if didn’t share it, they will say if I had not given them the money, they would have won.”
The former governor while commenting on the book titled, “Colour of Perception – An Autobiography”, scolded his former media aide for playing down the intrigues that characterised the 2003 election in the book.
Osoba described the author of the book as a courageous, dedicated journalist and a good ambassador of Yewaland.
In his welcome address, Oduanro explained he decided to write the autobiography to expose his work experience to the world, particularly the upcoming journalists and media managers.
Odunaro announced donation of the book to all libraries and tertiary institutions in the state.
Reviewing the book, Dr. Festus Adedayo, said the 318 pages and 38 chapters autobiography offered different colours of the life and service of the writer.
Adedayo added that the book, which he noted is combination of aesthetics and intellectual richness, is beyond biography but historical rendition of military and civilian administration.
Ahead of the February 26 convention, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied zoning party positions.
The National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator James Akpanudoedehe, while addressing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, said the committee has not taken a position on zoning.
He described the report in some sections of the media that various party positions had been zoned as falsehood.
The secretary said, “We are also here to rebuff the fake news going round the social media that we have zoned party offices, we are yet to meet on the issue of zoning.”
However, in a statement signed by Akpanudoedehe at the end of the Party’s 19th regular meeting on Wednesday, he said they considered and adopted the timetable/schedule of activities for the convention.
He said sale of forms to all aspirants vying for national offices would commence on February 14th.
The Islamic State franchise in Northeast Nigeria and Lake Chad, ISWAP, has posted a video online showing the regimented indoctrination and training of children, prepared by the group to be the next generation of fighters.
In the 27 minutes long video shared on Tuesday, Jan. 18, children of different age groups wearing balaclavas were shown passing through a series of activities crafted for indoctrination and combat training.
Titled “Empowerment Generation,” the video appears to focus on the terror group’s programme to model its upcoming set of fighters. This is unlike the theme of other videos such as the “Makers of Epic Battles” released in 2021, which showed the group’s attacks as well as light and heavy weapons arsenal.
In the recent video, young boys guided by instructors were shown engaging in a regimented style of activities including waking up before dawn, weapon handling training, physical fitness practice, as well as religious and indoctrination classes held in the classroom.
The clip had sections where children were exposed to other Islamic State materials. Multiple instructors also appeared, speaking on the terror group’s training programme to model the young members into fighters and the nature of instructions.
The children are seen being guided through martial arts and negotiating obstacle courses, in addition to weapon handling and firing positions using Ak pattern rifles. The young boys also conducted a mock assault using an abandoned building with two captives.
The children are additionally shown executing three people, including a man in military fatigue and another man who identified himself as a soldier of the Nigerian Army abducted in Kanamma in April 2021.
Kanamma is a border community and the headquarters of Yunusari Local Government Area (LGA) in Yobe State.
The footage which included drone shots showed an environment consisting of grass vegetation, shrubs and wetland type terrain, indicating that the clip or parts of it was taken somewhere along the Komadougou-Yobe river or near Lake Chad.
Children have often appeared in videos of terror groups in the region. They have also been used in attacks. In 2021, ISWAP rival group, Boko Haram, released a video showing child soldiers undergoing religious and combat training in a camp.
Amnesty International in a 2020 report highlighted how children have been among those most impacted by the insurgency, including through repeated attacks on schools, widespread abductions, recruitment and use of child soldiers, and forced marriage of girls.
TROOPS DISLODGE IPOB/ESN STRONGHOLD AT LILU FOREST IN ANAMBRA STATE
Troops of the Nigerian Army(NA) in a joint operations conducted with other security agencies have dislodged a notorious stronghold of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra ( IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN) at Lilu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Lilu is a border town between Imo and Anambra States, which was hitherto known to be used as an operational base of the dissidents.
The operations, which was conducted in the early hours of Monday 17 January 2022, led to the neutralization of some gunmen in a fire fight that ensued.
After dislodging the dissidents from their fortress, the dogged troops recovered 10 Pump Action Shotguns, two locally fabricated guns, One Revolver pistol, rounds of 7.62 mm special, live cartridges, machettes and IPOB flags. Other items recovered are mobile phones, laptops amongst other dangerous weapons.
The operation was jointly conducted by troops of 82 Division, Nigerian Navy, 211 Quick Response Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police. It was a well coordinated dawn attack on the fortress, where plans were been perfected to violently enforce the illegitimate sit-at-home declaration by the irredentist groups.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU Brigadier General Director Army Public Relations 18 January 2022
Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC rose from their meeting Sunday night in Abuja with a resolution to go ahead with the national convention of the party in February.
No fewer than 20 of the governors were at the meeting which took place behind closed doors at the Kebbi state Governor’s Lodge in the Asokoro District of Abuja. The meeting ended at about 11:30 pm.
The governors were said to be divided as to whether to go on with the convention in February shift it to a later date.
Among governors in attendance at the meeting were Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Mohammed Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi).
Others were Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos), Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).
Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Chairman of the Forum and Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said the forum passed a vote on confidence on Gov. Buni and two other governors in the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee – Abubakar Sani Bello and Gboyega Oyetola.
He said the governors also agreed to go ahead with the national convention slated for February.
He however did not give a specific date, saying the CECPC would have to consult with other stakeholders so harmonize all positions and announce a suitable date.
Gov. Buni hails Buhari, Lawan for improved security in Northeast, cooperation in governance
The Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni on Sunday praised President Muhammadu Buhari for his untiring efforts at restoring peace and normalcy particularly to the troubled north eastern part of the country.
Buni acknowledged that there is now a significant improvement in the security situation in the Northeast particularly in Yobe State.
The Yobe Governor also commended the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan for providing the right leadership at the National Assembly and for providing the much needed support and cooperation to enable the executive arm of government perform.
Governor Buni spoke at the 2022 Annual Machina Cultural Festival which started on Monday and ended on Sunday.
Buni said the large and peaceful congregation that witnessed the cultural festival was an evidence that the security situation had improved.
He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the security personnel the required resources to secure lives and property in the country.
"As a result of this, the people in the north eastern part of the country can now sleep with their two eyes closed.
"In case there is still anybody in doubt, this large congregation at this event is enough proof that the security situation has improved," Buni said.
Buni also thanked the traditional rulers, other community leaders and Imams for their prayers which, from evidence, had been answered by God.
Governor Buni also made glowing remarks about the Senate President for leading a legislative arm which provided cooperation and support needed for the executive arm to deliver on its mandate to the people.
Buni said the various projects that the government had executed or are now being implemented were the results of the cooperation and support which once eluded the Buhari's administration the first four years but are now being provided by the current Assembly.
"I have earlier acknowledged Ahmad Lawan as Sardaunan Bade. He is not Sardaunan Bade alone but Sardaunan of Northern Nigeria.
"He was voted here as a Senator because this is his constituency. But God has made him Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
"Since he assumed office as Senate President, the support and cooperation that he gives the executive arm of government led by President Muhammadu Buhari has brought about the development in the country that we are witnessing today.
"That cooperation and support by the current National Assembly is what is responsible for the development we are seeing today in Nigeria because the first four years of President Buhari, he did not enjoy this kind of cooperation and support by the National Assembly.
"This is why we are seeing projects of national and rural development and the likes and these projects will get to you here very soon," Buni said.
Besides Lawan and Buni, Governors of Jigawa State, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu were also at Machina to witness the cultural festival.
Lawan and the three Governors were all honoured with chieftaincy titles by the chief host, the Emir of Machina, HRH Alhaji Dr. Bashir Albishir Bukar Machinama.
The Machina Paramount ruler gave Lawan letter of appointment as the Danmasani Machina.
Lawan was once Danmasani Bade but having been elevated by the Bade Emirate Council in Yobe State as Sardaunan Bade, his first son, Ibrahim Ahmad Lawan now bears the title.
The Yobe State Governor received a letter of appointment as Zanna Gargamma, Jigawa State Governor as Dugajin Machina and Kebbi State Governor as Dan Maliki Machina.
The week long activities which became an annual event in 2006 were rounded off on Sunday with grand Durban which was a beautiful display of horsemanship and led by the Machina Paramount ruler himself, HRH Alhaji Dr. Bashir Albishir Bukar.
The colourful event was also witnessed by the Shehu of Borno, HRH. Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai Ibn Al - Kanemi.
Signed:
Ola Awoniyi Special Adviser(Media) to President of the Senate
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pays a condolence visit to the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, in Katsina, on Sunday.
PDP GOVERNORS MEET IN PORT HARCOURT TO CONSOLIDATE ON RESCUE AND REBUILD NIGERIA PROJECT
The PDP Governors Forum will hold a Special Meeting on Monday 17th January 2022 at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt , the first in the new year.
The meeting will review the state of the States, the state of the nation and readiness of the PDP to provide the necessary leadership to RESCUE and REBUILD Nigeria.
All the elected PDP Governors are expected to attend the meeting to be presided over by the Chairman of the Forum, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR .
The meeting will be preceded by a Gala night to be hosted by the Chief Host, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
The PDP Governors are working in concert and consultations with other leaders of the party and in particular the Senator Dr Iyorchia Ayu led National Executive Committee of PDP to craft a credible process and programme for Nigeria's positive rebirth. Dr Ayu has been invited to attend the Port Harcourt meeting to hold consultations with the Governors on strategies for executing the Rescue and Rebuild Nigeria project.
Hon CID Maduabum, LL.M Director General PDP Governors Forum
Fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province on Saturday, attacked Mainahari community near Wakabiu in the Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, The PUNCH has learnt.
According to a source from the Army Barrack in Biu, the insurgents threw bombs to the village around 3pm today.
However, the insurgents were successfully repelled by men of the Nigerian Army.
“We were at the barrack when we began to hear sounds of bombs around 3 o’clock this afternoon. Then we heard that they were trying to enter Mainahari village near Wakabiu but the army were on alert and they immediately engaged the insurgents.
“There was no casualty on the side of the Nigerian Army but we are told the Army killed scores of the insurgents, seized a gun truck and many ammunition from the fleeing insurgents,” a civilian source at the barrack told The PUNCH.
This attack followed an alleged attack by the ISWAP terrorists on Friday in Biu town after attacking the army institute of peace and war college Buratai barely five days ago.
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, announced a donation of N50 million to Zamfara communities recently attacked by bandits.
Mr Tinubu announced the donation shortly after he commiserated with Gov. Bello Matawalle in Gusau, Zamfara.
The APC national leader called for sustained prayers to overcome the insecurity situation in the state.
“I could offer prayers for the people from anywhere, but coming in person is important.
“The enemies of knowledge, Boko Haram and other criminal elements will be defeated through commitment in humanity.
“We pray for the entire country to be stable and if the enemies refuse to stop the carnage, we shall eliminate them.
“We believe in President Muhammadu Buhari’s ability to restore law and order and bring back our country to stability and tracks of development,” Mr Tinubu said.
He was accompanied on the visit to Gusau by Kashim Shettima, former Borno governor, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu and former APC national vice chairman, South-West, Pius Akinyelure.
Mr Matawalle, who received the APC leader, said that his visit would further console the bereaved communities and the entire people of the state.
“It is my pleasure to welcome His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Jagaban Borgu, who has spared time out of his tight commitments to visit the state to commiserate with our people over the recent tragic incident of banditry attacks in some communities of Anka and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas,” Mr Matawalle said.
He described Mr Tinubu as a doyen of contemporary Nigerian politics, a dedicated leader, and a bridge-builder.
Similarly, he cited him as someone who had spent the past 23 years of the nation’s democracy fostering unity, nurturing, and raising individuals who had equally distinguished themselves in various spheres of human endeavour in contemporary Nigeria.
The governor noted that the problem of banditry in the state had persisted for over a decade.
“When I assumed office in 2019, I made it my utmost priority to address this issue as no meaningful development could be accomplished in an atmosphere of insecurity.
“Considering the reality that the conflict is tied to ethnic fault lines, I initiated a dialogue and reconciliation programme, which leaders of thought overwhelmingly accepted all over the state.
“As a result of our programme of dialogue and reconciliation, hostilities ceased for a period of over nine months.
“Hundreds of kidnapped persons were unconditionally released by their captors,” Mr Matawalle said.
He explained that as the disarmament process progressed; the glorious era of brotherly love, and mutual coexistence among segments of the Zamfara communities returned.
According to him, for the first time in more than a decade, the annual Fulani festival of ‘Sharu’ was held in Gusau in 2019.
He, however, expressed sadness that the achievement became bad news for some “self-serving politicians in the state.
“They, therefore, perfected plans to sabotage the peace process. In some cases, security reports fingered them as having direct involvement in the planning and execution of kidnapping, ostensibly to embarrass the government.
“For instance, based on the figures confirmed by the affected community leaders when I visited the communities after the recent attacks, a total of 58 people lost their lives in contrast to the outrageous figures being published in the media,” he stated.
Mr Matawalle said that his government had in addition to the dialogue, committed enormous resources in the provision of logistics and allowances for security forces deployed to the state.
In 2019 alone, he said that his government procured and distributed 200 brand new Hilux pickups for the security forces in the state.
The Governor added that his administration would continue to do everything within its power to bring an end to the menace of banditry in the state.
“As we get closer to 2023 general elections, we will be more vigilant and proactive, knowing that these destabilising forces are not likely to tone down their antics.
“They may continue to plot nefarious schemes in order to obtain political gains,” Mr Matawalle said.
He thanked the APC leader for taking time out to visit and commiserate with the government and people of the state.
“May Allah richly reward you and fulfil your desire of building a strong bond among Nigerians across all the divides.”
Frontline journalist and publisher, Dele Momodu, Thursday, met with national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu with a declaration of interest to run for the Office of the President in the 2023 election.
Decked in black “babariga” with a cap to match, Momodu presented Ayu with a letter of interest, describing himself as “the best, most prepared aspirant,” to turn around the fortunes of the country.
He enjoined the leadership of the country not to be hasty in choosing the party’s flag bearer, noting that 2023 offers the PDP the opportunity to seek the nod of Nigerians to reposition the country.
He vowed not to be intimidated by money bags whose illegally acquired wealth has for many years, done the country more harm than good.
President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Ogun State on a one day working visit where he’s expected to commission projects embarked upon by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.
The President who arrived at the 14th Kilometer Ijebu-Ode/Epe Road in Ogun East for the commissioning is also expected to commission two-three other projects before departing the State.
The President was welcomed to Ogun State by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, his counterpart from Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Mai Mala Buni, amongst others.
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has denied reports that it has shifted its National Convention earlier slated for February to June.
John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Mr Akpanudoedehe described the report as fake news.
“The general public is advised to completely disregard a fake news on the reported suspension of the planned National Convention of the APC till June, as reported by some media outlets.
“Dates for party activities such as meetings, primaries, congresses, National Conventions are communicated through well-known official channels and not through sources.
“The faceless authors and sponsors of fake news on APC activities, in this case the planned National Convention are simply bent on causing confusion and formenting crisis through misinformation,” he said.
He further added that as a focus driven, process oriented political party, the APC CECPC under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni would not be distracted by self-serving antics of these sponsors of fake news.
He said the APC CECPC was already embarking on nationwide consultations with party stakeholders to prepare the grounds for a rancour free National Convention.
“To this end, the sub-committee on budgeting and other substructures will be set up in due course,” Mr Akpankudohede said.
He noted and appreciated the continued support of well-meaning members and leaders of the party as its Caretaker Committee undertook the immediate task of addressing contestations within its fold.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved February for the conduct of the APC National Convention to elect new National Working Committee, NWC, members to manage the party’s affairs.
The party’s affairs are presently being managed by the Gov. Buni-led CECPC.
Five Convicted Fraudsters in Abeokuta to Return $4,641 to Victims
The Ibadan Zonal Command of the EFCC, on Monday, January 10, 2022, secured the conviction of five fraudsters who were ordered to return a total of $4,641 to their victims.
They were convicted by Justice Ayokunle Rotimi-Balogun of Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta. The convicts are: Opeyemi Oluwaseun Ayede (a.k.a Mary Mark, Nicolete Shea), Taiwo Adeniyi Onasanya (a.k.a Fred Howard),Winner Chuks Olubor(a.k.a Tracy Richards), Sodiq Olamide Ganiu(a.k.a Rosemary) and Adebowale Taofeek Jimoh(a.k.a Schulist Carleen).
They were convicted and sentenced to four months imprisonment each, for the offence of obtaining money under false pretences, contrary to section 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State,2000. The court also ordered the convicts to restitute their victims.
Politics › Protest, Withdrawal Of Aspirants Mar Ekiti APC Guber Primary (Video, Pictures) by Kwanza(op): 11:42am On Jan 27, 2022
