A Senior Special Assistant, SSA to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state has resigned and refused to decamp to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Isikhuemhen Agatha Ono, an SSA to Obaseki, resigned from her position due to her ‘loyalty’ to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

 

It will be recalled that Obaseki decamped to the PDP after falling out with his predecessor and Ex-national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole.

Ono joins a growing list of government officials who have resigned due to the Governor’s move to PDP.

https://www.inform.ng/post/obaseki-loses-another-aide-to-ize-iyamu

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has called on Ohanaeze Ndigbo to assist it in working towards the deproscribing of IPOB.

As a consolidation of the peace accord recently established between IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leadership of IPOB today (4/8/2020) visited Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Executive Committee, NEC, at their monthly meeting.

This was made known  by Chief Emeka Atamah, the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to Ohanaeze President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

Led by one of its principal officers, Mazi Benjamin Madubugwu, IPOB said that they came in continuation of the rapport reached with Ohanaeze at the Anambra State reconciliation meeting.

Mazi Madubugwu said that there is an Igbo proverb which says that no matter how much a warrior is derided, he is always sought after when there is an outbreak of war.

The IPOB leader said that Chief Nwodo remains the undisputed leader of Ndigbo and expressed happiness with his fatherly disposition and fight for the Igbo in a country, he said Ndigbo were highly marginalised notwithstanding their contribution to the building of the Nigerian nation.

Mazi Madubugwu said that IPOB was not a terrorist organization, adding that it was just being given a bad name to hang it.

The IPOB leader said that most of the actions of their master, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had been coloured by the information given to him which he said, were sometimes distorted.

He assured that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was always available for discussions with Chief Nwodo on matters concerning the Igbo.

Also speaking, another leader of IPOB, Barrister Ejimakor, said that Chief Nwodo has the clout and charisma to help IPOB out of its present predicament, adding that he was happy that the gap hitherto existing between IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo had been bridged for a united voice for Ndigbo in Nigeria.

Responding, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, welcomed the IPOB leaders, reassuring them that he was always ready to accept his children back into the fold no matter their earlier recalcitrance.

Chief Nwodo recalled all efforts he had made to establish an amicable and complimentary relationship with IPOB since assuming office but were frustrated by the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The President General stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo had no quarrel with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and that he believed that whatever evil machinations of detractors has come to nought with the recent reapproachment between the two groups.

Chief Nwodo prayed that this latest development should be the opening of the door for mutual cooperation between IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and urged IPOB to also share views with Mr Tony Nnadi whom he said was working towards the same objective as IPOB. The President General called on Mazi Kanu to change his tactics of abuse and belligerence as a step towards building bridges for Ndigbo in the country.

Chief Nwodo reiterated that both IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo share in the same cause of fighting to emancipate Ndigbo and give them a lease of life and sense of fairness in the country but differ in the methodology or approach towards the realization of the objective.

He stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo still believes in dialogue and the restructuring of the country for an inclusive participation in the Nigeria project.


https://www.inform.ng/post/ipob-sues-for-peace-appeals-to-ohanaeze-for-deproscription

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Petroleum Products Marketing Company, has fixed the ex-depot price of premium motor spirit, known as petrol, at N138.62 per litre.

PPMC disclosed this in a memo signed by its Manager, Sales, Mohammed Bello, in Abuja on Tuesday.




The ex-depot price is the price at which depot owners sell the commodity to retail outlets.

It said that the new price would come into effect from August 5.

The PPMC also put the ex-coastal price of the commodity, which is the price at which the product is sold to depot owners, at N113.70 per litre.

The ex-depot price for automotive gasoline oil, also known as diesel, was fixed at N160 per litre and N165 per litre, for depots in Lagos and Oghara respectively.

It further fixed the ex-depot price for kerosene at N160 per litre.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Petroleum Products Pricing for Regulatory Agency was yet to release the monthly pricing modulation for petroleum products for August.

The pricing modulation determines the pump price that the products will be sold to motorists.

https://www.inform.ng/post/ppmc-announces-new-price-for-petrol-diesel-and-kerosene

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming election in Ondo state, Eyitayo Jegede, has finally met with his former principal, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, in his Ondo city home on Monday.

It was learned the visit was not unconnected with Jegede’s aspiration to win the October 10 governorship election in the state. Jegede was in Mimiko’s residence with two of his top supporters to seek the former boss’ support in the forthcoming election.




The meeting is coming months after his supporters mounted pressure on him to visit the former governor. Mr. Jegede has refused to seek Mimiko’s blessing despite numerous appeals from his supporters and eminent Nigerians before and after the primaries.

It was learned that the latest move by the PDP candidate is coming rather too late after Mimiko’s Zenith Labour Party had picked the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi as his candidate and created a third force wave.

Confirming the visit, the media aide of Mimiko, John-Paul Akinduro, said the PDP candidate visited Mimiko to inform of his aspiration to run for governor.

He said, “I was not at the meeting but it is true that Mr Jegede visited my boss on Monday evening. “

It was not clear if Mimiko and Jegede were able to resolve their differences or will still work together for the October election.

Recall that Mimiko, who is from the Central Senatorial District, like Mr. Jegede, ‘single-handedly’ made him the party’s candidate despite all odds.

The choice of Jegede by the Former Governor sparked protests leading to the defection of some party faithful.

https://www.inform.ng/post/ondo-poll-mimiko-confirms-meeting-with-jegede

The Archbishop of Kampala, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has triggered a controversy after he suggested to the government of Uganda to start deducting tithe from salaries of workers.
According to him, if persuasion fails, force must be applied. “Since you don’t want to pay your tithes voluntarily, it may soon be deducted from your salaries at the source”.

Lwanga said, the reluctance of Christians to pay their tithes lately is posing a huge problem for the churches as they cannot undertake certain necessary projects.




The Catholic Archbishop made the unusual request to the Ugandan government during a mass.

“Whenever we ask for tithe, everyone gives only what they have at that time. But the Bible says a tenth of whatever you earn belongs to the church.

“Give me your support as I front this proposal because it is good for us. Aren’t you tired of putting money in the baskets all the time?” Lwanga asked his congregants.

The Clergyman said that in Germany, the government deducts 8-9 per cent church tax (Kirchensteuer) from annual earnings of workers who are registered as Catholics, Protestants or Jews, and he thinks the same must be done in Uganda.

“I was told Germans made agreements with their government to deduct monthly tithe from their salaries and forward it to the church and this money they use to build and renovate their churches,” he said.


https://www.inform.ng/post/tithe-archbishop-asks-government-to-deduct-10-from-workers-salary-and-remit-to-church

Immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, monday gave an insight into why he lost his seat as the party’s chief superintendent.




Fielding questions when he featured on the Morning Show, the flagship breakfast programme of ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, Oshiomhole said he stepped on toes of powerful forces in the party, who, in a reprisal, engineered his ouster.

He, however, expressed no regrets over actions he took as APC national chairman, adding that if given a second chance, he would fight the same forces that removed him from office.

Oshiomhole was removed on June 16 after a Court of Appeal judgment ratified the verdict of an Abuja High Court that affirmed his suspension by his ward in Edo State.

His suspension had spawned a bitter leadership contest in APC that saw the emergence of three interim national chairmen within 48 hours.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari, in conjunction with other party leaders, moved in to arrest the party’s descent into the precipice by summoning a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party where the decision to dissolve the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, headed by Oshiomhole before his suspension, was reached.

Oshiomhole also listed the alleged sins of his successor as Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to include his alleged failure to stick with the Edo Development Master Plan, the arrest of and jailing of youth leaders and awarding of contracts to non-Edo indigenes for the smallest jobs, among others.

But Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, dismissed the allegations against his principal and accused the former APC chairman of being a victim of his indiscretion and unholy machinations.

In addition, Oshiomhole said it was President Muhammadu Buhari who invited him to lead the party and seize it from the cabal, which tended to take major decisions, and return it to party members.

On his relationship with top APC chiefs, the former party chairman said he rescued the party from some them and he had no regrets dismantling the political structures of those who felt they were bigger than the APC.

He added that he couldn’t condone the actions of an unnamed APC chieftain (then governor) because the chieftain conducted party primaries against the rules of the party even when it was clear that only the national body could do that.

He also mentioned the case of a former Minister of Communications, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, who he accused of disrespecting Nigerians by insisting that the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC) scheme was optional and, therefore, he could choose whether to serve or not.

The media had exposed Shittu for dodging the NYSC, a compulsory national service for university and polytechnic graduates not above 30 years as at the time of graduation.

The exposé, coming shortly after that of a former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, had triggered a national clamour for Shittu’s sacking.

Oshiomhole said he was invited to cleanse the APC by the president, who he said supported him until his decision to sack the NWC of the party, which he said led to his (Oshiomhole’s) removal.

He said: “I have no regrets whatsoever on the decision to sack the NWC, which of course put an end to my chairmanship. No regrets. The average Nigerian wants strong leadership; they want things to be done differently.

“You don’t want a situation where a few people control our political destiny. In trying to democratise and return the party to the party members, you have powerful forces, few in number, but have access to resources. Who will resist that?

“Whether anybody appreciates it or not, between President Muhammadu Buhari and myself, we agreed that we must return APC to APC members and that’s why we introduced direct primaries; we produced a membership register.”

Oshiomhole stated that the president backed the decision to change the pattern of conducting party primaries to direct primaries, noting that the decision, which set him against many state governors, was not unilateral.

According to him, “And of course, there were those opposed to direct primaries, but as a compromise, this is something I couldn’t really speak to, because at the end of the day, some governors said they wanted indirect and some of us, the president inclusive, said we wanted direct.

“That’s why we approved direct primaries for the presidency because indirect primaries, you can’t bribe everybody; but with the use of delegates, you can.

“So, if we were going to return, assuming I was going to return to APC tomorrow as chairman, I will sustain some of the radical measures which some people were not happy about.

“I do not want a tenure that is not eventful. I want to drive changes and the slogan of my party is change. If we thought things were perfect, why did we talk about change?

“We must continue to change the way we do things and continue to improve. Just try and do things better. I do not regret the fact, along with my colleagues in the NWC, to disqualify a serving minister who publicly said arrogantly that he didn’t do NYSC and that being a minister is a greater service than NYSC.

“You know that NYSC is obligatory and to default on it, you cannot hold public office. I am also happy that a governor said to me he is not going to do primaries somewhere in the South-west.

“That he’s going to do his own primaries even when the constitution of APC is so clear that only the NWC can conduct primaries. He went and did his own primaries, we did our own and I insisted that it’s only the one we did in line with the constitution of the APC that will be upheld regardless of the powers behind the other guy.”

The former party chair noted that he stepped on powerful toes, which led to his sack, adding that he will fight the same forces if he had the chance to return.

Oshiomhole said: “Of course, I am aware that when you step on powerful toes, they will fight back, but I had no intention that I was going to be a life chairman. No.

“The person who invited me to bid for that office is the president and I thank him for the support he gave me and his standing fast. I am now in history as the only chairman whom eight ward members out of 24 allegedly suspended and that was the basis for removing someone who was elected in a convention of 7,000 people.

“I decided I wasn’t contesting it because of my understanding of loyalty, particularly when you hold the office of trust, whatever has happened belongs to the past and I can’t do things differently.

“I have seen some analysts say, comrade ought to know that so so people are powerful, or some governors are powerful, how can I do that? Are the laws made for the powerless?

“In any case, from the age of 18, I had been fighting power. If power is abused, I have asked God to give me the power to confront and defeat power. Why do I want to survive for survival’s sake?

“I put my job on the line even as a daily paid worker, to fight what I considered to be unjust. But let me assure you that I do not regret anything that we have done because you cannot change Nigeria without offending some powers.”

On the problem between him and Obaseki, Oshiomhole listed the governor’s failure to stick with the Edo development master plan, arrest of and jailing of youth leaders and awarding of contracts to non-Edo indigenes for the smallest jobs as part of the reasons for the fallout.

He also said Obaseki’s alleged propensity for violence and his non-possession of requisite academic qualifications made him move against the governor’s re-election bid.

He is Victim of His Indiscretion, Unholy Machinations, Gov Fires Back

But Obaseki dismissed Oshiomhole’s allegations, saying “no amount of lies can controvert the fact that Oshiomhole’s political misfortune is self-inflicted.”

A statement issued yesterday by his media aide urged Oshiomhole to be courageous enough to tell Nigerians the truth about the circumstances that led to his removal, adding that bandying lies on national television will not save his drowning political image.

Osagie, who was responding to claims made by Oshiomhole on ARISE News Channel, noted that “contrary to the narrative being advanced by the sacked national chairman that he was a victim of power play, Nigerians who have followed the events that led to Oshiomhole’s ouster closely can attest to the fact that he was a victim of his own indiscretion and unholy machinations.

“In fact, in Edo State, Oshiomhole was the powerful force that millions of Edo people fought against so that the governor could breathe and deliver good governance to them.

“Nigerians know that Oshiomhole was sacked for his gross abuse of power and not the narrative he has been bandying on television. His obsession with power and absolute control of the same drove the APC to a near catastrophic situation.

“He was elected to build on the achievements of his predecessor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, but he frittered away the enormous goodwill he inherited and embarked on personal battles that cost the APC such states as Zamfara, Sokoto, Oyo and created factions within the National Working Committee of the APC. So it was only natural that the consequences of the strife, crisis and divisions that he caused would come calling someday.

“In Edo State, Oshiomhole turned against Governor Obaseki when the governor failed to yield to his subservience and his grand plot to rule by proxy. He literally invaded the Edo APC and set up parallel structures to hijack it. His predecessor, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, allowed the state’s structure of the APC to carry out its activities without any interference. To Oshiomhole’s immoderation, Edo State is today a PDP state and we are free from his inanities.

“The former national chairman of the APC mortgaged the internal cohesion of the party, which ought to have been his primary task, for personal interest and set the APC on a roller coaster to disaster, until the president intervened.”

The statement accused Oshiomhole of revisionism by “playing the victim in an event he was the sole protagonist.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/oshiomole-reveals-reason-for-his-removal-as-apc-national-chairman

THERE were indications on Monday that cracks had developed in the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This followed reluctance of the party’s governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, to accept embattled Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi as his running mate.




Also, the division in the state’s chapter of the party has been linked to the Cold War over PDP’s 2023 presidential slot.

Jegede is a close ally of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; he won the primaries, despite the support Ajayi got from five PDP governors.

The five governors had attempted to use the primaries to stop Jegede from becoming the party’s candidate.

Following the failure of the deputy governor at the primaries, the five PDP governors were said to be pushing Ajayi to run on the platform of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

It was gathered that their plot is to split PDP’s votes and stop Atiku from producing a governor in the Southwest to use as a springboard for 2023 presidential race.

But the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which was aware of the development in PDP, has been banking on the cracks in the opposition to consolidate its strength across the state.

The support of President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu added more bite to the campaign of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Worried by the new political mileage of APC in the state, it was learnt that some forces in the PDP have begun to prevail on Jegede to retain Ajayi as his running mate, instead of allowing him to defect to ZLP, which can affect the electoral fortunes of the state’s opposition party.

Jegede’s camp was said to be wary of Ajayi, who controls nine members of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

According to sources, Jegede’s strategists fear that Ajayi could become rebellious and impeach the governor, if the PDP wins in Ondo State.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Dissatisfied with the outcome of the PDP primary, five PDP governors allegedly instructed the deputy governor to open talks with the leadership of ZLP in the state.

“They have made commitments to bankroll Ajayi’s governorship bid, if he secures ZLP’s ticket.

“Penultimate Friday, Ajayi met with ZLP’s national leader and former governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, where discussions held on the deal to concede the governorship ticket to Ajayi.

“Precisely, last Tuesday, Ajayi was said to have dispatched a chartered aircraft to convey the former governor to Abuja, ostensibly to firm up arrangements with both the NWC of ZLP as well as the five PDP governors backing Ajayi.”

Another source added: “We are good to go and bounce back as a political family. It is true that our boss met some powerful forces who asked if there was enough war chest to prosecute this battle and our oga (boss) told them he could raise N10 billion for the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.

“It was at the meeting in Abuja with the five PDP governors that it was revealed that the current political drama in Ondo State PDP was all about the 2023 presidential ticket.

“These governors, led by their colleagues from the Northwest and Southsouth, also vowed to stop Atiku from clinching the PDP ticket and one of their grand plans was to stop Jegede from becoming the governor of Ondo State.” As at last night, Jegede had not shown conviction about choosing Ajayi as his running mate.

But the PDP State Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Zadok Akintoye, in a statement on Sunday, denied that Ajayi was joining the ZLP.


https://www.inform.ng/post/ondo-crack-in-pdp-as-five-governors-back-ajayi-zlp-move

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has appointed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed, as Chairmen of the two new committees the forum set up on Saturday.

The committees are Legislative Liaison Committee and Legal Affairs Committee.




The appointments were announced by the forum during its virtual meeting presided over by the Chairman, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

The meeting, according to the forum, deliberated on various issues concerning the Forum and the nation.

The forum said the Legislative Liaison Committee is expected to liaise with both the national and state legislatures on legislative matters.

It added that committee is also expected to guide the Forum on pending Bills, including the Electoral Act Amendment and Constitution Review matters as it affects the Forum.

Members of the Committee are as follows:
Sen. Bala Mohammed – Chairman
Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa – Member
Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Member
Gov. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel – Member
Sen. Duoye Diri – Member

While the Legal Affairs Committee, on the other hand, is expected to identify and coordinate legal matters affecting the Forum.

In particular, the Committee is expected to guide the Forum on local government, inter-state and federal government relations. It is also expected to explore various infractions of the Constitution by the Federal Government including the arbitrary and illegal deductions from the Federation Account.

Members of the Committee are as follows:
Gov. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike – Chairman
Gov. Darius Ishaku – Member
Gov. Seyi Makinde – Member
Gov. Samuel Ioraer Ortom – Member
Hon. Bello Mattawale Maradun – Member

The Director General of the Forum, C.I.D. Maduabum will serve as the Secretary to the two Committees.

The forum encouraged all Nigerians to continue various efforts to contain the COVID-19 disease; and, lend support to the cooperative efforts between the States and Federal governments in the fight against the pandemic and in reopening of schools in a safe and responsible manner.

The Forum also welcomed formally the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and congratulated him on his emergence as the leader of the PDP in the state and the party’s candidate in the forthcoming September Gubernatorial election.

Furthermore, it resolved to lend its complete and total support to the PDP in Edo State in order for it to emerge victorious in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

It also congratulated Eyitayo Jegede, on his emergence as the flag bearer of PDP in the forthcoming October Gubernatorial election in Ondo State and resolved to support him and the party to recover Ondo State for the PDP in the election.

It enjoined President Muhammadu Buhari, INEC and security agencies to “play an impartial role in the elections in Edo and Ondo States.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/wike-muhammed-get-new-appointments

The senator representing Borno South and chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume says the next presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) must come from the South.

Speaking in during an interview with Tribune, he added that such was the zoning arrangement put in place by the ruling party.


 

He further stated that a different scenario can play out in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

He concluded by saying fielding a Northern candidate in the next presidential election would be synonymous to fielding president Muhammadu Buhari for APC.




He said, “For APC, it is natural that the president should come from the South and I am a frontline advocate of that because I believe in equity and justice and where there is no equity and justice, there won’t be peace. When APC was formed, we zoned the president to the North.

“That is why four candidates from the North contested and one candidate only from the South-East. No candidate contested from the South-South and the South-West. Only one candidate which was [Rochas] Okorocha and everybody knew then he just wanted to exercise his rights.

“He didn’t even relinquish his gubernatorial ticket; he put his in-law there and when the result came out as expected, he went back and picked his gubernatorial ticket. This time round in APC, it is only natural for every person of conscience to support a candidate from the South, whether it is South-South, South-East or South-West.

“To me, in APC, supporting a candidate from the North is tantamount to a third term for Buhari, because the constitution is very clear. It says there must be equity in position, even in appointment. My position is known on that.

“I will not support a northern candidate and I don’t think APC will support a northern candidate. Southern candidate is the way to go. But for the PDP, it is a different ball game. I am not in PDP.

“The PDP scenario is different from that of APC. For the APC, as I said, to support the northern candidate is tantamount to a third term for Buhari"



https://www.inform.ng/post/senator-ndume-backs-south-for-2023-presidency

There were new twists in the lead-up to the September 19 governorship election in Edo State at the weekend, as families of the two leading candidates, Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), traded support against their own sons.

Some prominent members of the Obaseki family endorsed and pledged support for Ize-Iyamu, while notable members of the pastor’s family also threw their weight behind the governor as their choice candidate.


That was as the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, was alleged to be on the warpath against Obaseki over delay in the release of campaign funds barely six weeks to election.

The endorsement of the APC candidate by Obaseki’s family occurred during a meeting at Ize-Iyamu’s private residence in Benin City. One of the governor’s cousins, Victor Obaseki, while speaking at the meeting, admitted that although the Edo State helmsman was his kin, he would not get the support of the family.


Victor stated, “I am here today in company of my cousins to support Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki, the executive governor, is our cousin. Generally, the Obasekis have their own way of doing things. We are a different branch of faith

“We are supporting our brother, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, with an unalloyed support fully for him. I have supported him before, and I would continue to support him. We would do all our campaigns for him without let or hindrance, fully from the bottom of our hearts.”

Ize-Iyamu expressed his delight at the support of the Obaseki family, stressing that it is a confirmation of the poor administration that Godwin Obaseki has given to Edo State in the last four years. He also praised the Obaseki family for not allowing sentiment becloud their judgment in the choice of the right person to lead Edo State for the next four years.

Ize-Iyamu told the Obasekis, “Let me thank you for the endorsement. I have known some of you for many years and I am very happy that politics has not strained our relationship.

“It is true, as Osaro said, that far away in New York, I had the opportunity of meeting with him and other Edolites, where I shared my ambition. Osaro has been a good gentleman and humble man, and has always declared his support.

“He came out this morning to say, Godwin has not done well, and he would not because they bear the same surname continue to support him and go through the very poor performance that we have seen in the past four years.

“They will not allow the sentiments or even deceit of brotherhood make them vote for somebody they know is not qualified for a position.”

In addition, Edo Leaders and Patriots in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) endorsed Ize-Iyamu as their preferred candidate in the September 19 governorship election. President of the group, Hon. Isaac Ehigiator, disclosed this while addressing a press conference on Saturday in Abuja.

Ehigiator said while members of the group worked and lived in the FCT, their hearts remained with Edo and they would not allow distance rob them of the opportunity to participate in all that was happening back home. He said it was against this background that Edo indigenes resident in the FCT decided to participate in the election campaign process throughout the six area councils of the federal capital, for the purpose of mobilising Edo sons and daughters to return home for the election with zeal and vote Ize-Iyamu

He noted that the group believed Edo deserved better, adding that the task of repositioning Edo State should be holistic and driven with sincerity of purpose, emotional intelligence and respect for the traditional as well as all other leaders involved in the greater Edo project for the good of all.

According to Ehigiator, “Going forward, therefore, I want to affirm on behalf of the committee of Edo Leaders and patriots that the manifesto as presented by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the APC, as vividly captured in the SIMPLE Agenda programme for the greater Edo project, represents the true desires and aspiration of all Edo sons and daughters irrespective of where they reside anywhere in the world.

“We have, therefore, come to the conclusion that Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is the right person to lead Edo State in the next dispensation from November 2020 to November 2023, so that our dear state can take its rightful place in Nigeria.”

Ehigiator disclosed, “That the Committee of Edo leaders and Patriots in FCT does adopt Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and endorses him as preferred candidate for the September 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo State.

“That the committee with other Edo sons and daughters shall undertake visitations to the six area councils to mobilise and present the SIMPLE agenda to Edo people in those areas councils starting from 31st August, 2020 to 15th September, 2020.”

Director-General of Ize-Iyamu Campaign Organisation in Edo South, Hon. Mathew Osagie, said in the last four years, contrary to the media propaganda of Obaseki and his government, a lot was undone in the area of governance and its impact on the people. Osagie added that when the governor was elected in 2016, the expectation was high, but he deviated when he waged war against his own party members.

Meanwhile, as part of the political twists in the state last week, many aides, appointees, and other government officials resigned their positions to back Ize-Iyamu. The governor and his deputy were also alleged to be on a collision course over delayed campaign funds.

Shaibu was said to have engaged in a war of words with Obaseki at a leadership meeting on Thursday following what insiders described as the governor’s failure to release funds for the election. Apart from the governor and his deputy, who were at the meeting, others present, sources said, included the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, Charles Idahosa, and Senator Domingo Obende.

It was gathered that trouble started, when the governor commenced the meeting by saying all hands must be on deck to be able to defeat APC. But Shaibu raised his hands to speak, and the governor recognised him to speak, a decision Obaseki was said to have regretted later. The deputy governor, allegedly, told his boss point-blank that he was not serious about winning the coming election. He reminded the governor that different committees were set up in the past two weeks but the governor had refused to fund them, lamenting that the APC has been in serious campaign while nothing has happened regarding the PDP campaign.

Tension heightened, it was further gathered, when he allegedly accused the governor of luring him to fight his godfather, Oshiomhole, and then showing no commitment or seriousness in funding the forthcoming election.

Shaibu was alleged to have said, “We have been sitting here doing nothing while Oshiomhole is all over the town. We are losing members every day and all we do is setting up committees every day without funding. I will not take this, you pushed me into fighting a man that made me what I am today, yet all we are seeing everyday is committees with no funding.

“Mr. Governor, I see you don’t understand what this election is all about. You are not serious about it. Do you think it is the little boys carrying laptops here that will do it? If you don’t want to fund the election, then, I have no business being here. I will back out.”

Attempts by Ogie to stop Shaibu were said to have further infuriated the deputy governor, who allegedly told Ogie to shut his mouth and sit down.

But Idahosa, a leader from Uhumwonde, allegedly, stood up and backed Shaibu, expressing his fear that Oshiomhole would send all of them to jail if they lose the election. He urged the governor to release money for the campaign.

Obaseki, whom a source close to the meeting said looked visibly confused at that moment, requested for the budget of each of the six committees. This request by the governor, the source said, further infuriated Shaibu, who thundered that he was still asking for the budget when APC had been campaigning day and night. He warned the governor that if nothing serious was done, he would walk back to his APC, which he said he left in pains.

However, the chief press secretary to the deputy governor, Mr Musah Ebomhiana, denied any such altercation, saying: “It is a wicked rumour, there is no iota of truth. I really don’t know where that is coming from. It is street talk with nothing to it. The relationship between my boss and his boss, that is the governor, is very cordial. The committees have since been inaugurated and campaign is going on. So there is no truth in it. It is a figment of the imagination of those peddling it.”

Equally reacting, special adviser to Obaseki on media and communication strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, denied any clash between Obaseki and Shaibu. He said in a statement that the story could only have emanated from the APC.

He stated, “The lie that there was a clash between the governor and his deputy should be dismissed in its entirety. Whatever incident they allude to only exists in the imagination of the purveyors.

“There was, indeed, a meeting with key stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which ended with everyone in high spirit. There was a spirit of cordiality and everyone shared their ideas and inputs on how to deliver the party in the September 19 governorship election.”

Osagie advised the general public to disregard such claims and other similar tales some dishonest people might spin in the days ahead as the election draws near.

https://www.inform.ng/post/edo-poll-obasekis-family-endorsed-ize-iyamu-ize-iyamu-family-back-obaseki

Former Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, remains the choice political party of the people of Imo State, expressing hope that the party will win subsequent elections in the State.

Speaking to journalists at the Nwankwo Kanu Sports Centre, venue of the party's State Congress, he said the PDP is the only political party in the State with massive followership and acceptance across the State.

"PDP will remain the party of the people in the State. We will win the next elections again and God will be on our side", he said.

He pointed out that the people of Imo State were demoralized over the exit of the party from seat of governance.

The former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives maintained that PDP remains the only democratic party not just in Imo but across the country, urging those who left the party to retrace their steps as the doors of the party remain open to them.

"I m just a member of the PDP and I expect everyone to identify his or her mistakes, retrace their steps, because truly the PDP is the only political party we have true and genuine democracy.

"In other political parties, it's either a one man business or more.

Ihedioha expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the Congress, assuring of a democratic and transparent process that will lead to the emergence of a new leadership for the party.

He charged incoming State Executive members of the party to stay focused, reminding them of the onerous task ahead to lead the party to subsequent electoral victories.

"When they emerge, I will advise them to be refocused and realize that Imo is a PDP State. They should know that our party is truly, a People’s Democratic Party, and we shall always continue to lead by example".

On his return to the State which has been hailed by majority of Imolites who came out in large numbers to receive him, the former Governor said he was overjoyed and greatly enamored by the show of love exhibited towards him by the people.

"I must say I was overjoyed by the show of love and affection shown to me by the people of the State.

"I urge our people to remain faithful in God. I believe at the appointed time, God's Will, will prevail" he concluded.

The Congress was attended by the party's members of the National and State Assemblies, key stakeholders, leaders, officers and delegates from the 305 Wards in the state.

Chibuike Onyeukwu
Media Aide to Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON

August 1, 2020

https://www.inform.ng/post/pdp-remains-the-choice-of-imo-citizens-ihedioha

Senator Barnabas Gemade of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has again decamped to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Gemade, who was the candidate of the SDP in the last general election has dumped the party in a low key ceremony at the weekend in his village, Gemade Village, Mbajov, Mbawar Council Ward of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.




Gemade, a former National Chairman of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, dumped the APC for the SDP shortly before the 2019 general election.

He contested for the Benue North-East senatorial district but lost to the incumbent Senator Gabriel Suswam.

Speaking at the ceremony, the former lawmaker said he “returned to APC after a due consultations with the leadership of the party at the national, state, local and ward levels.”

While receiving him, Benue State Chairman of the party, Comrade Abba Yaro, expressed joy over his return

Speaking further, Yaro said that Gemade as an asset to the party.



https://www.inform.ng/post/former-national-chairman-of-pdp-defects-to-apc

Another shake up in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has affected 20 Zonal and Heads of sections, who were redeployed to the Police.

It was learnt that the latest twist might be part of a plan to do away with police officers coordinating the affairs of the agency.




There has been agitation for trained EFCC cadets to take direct charge of investigation.

Most of those affected are rated as “crack investigators” who have worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency (NCA).

It was learnt that the mass redeployment of top conal officers and heads of sections was in line with the ongoing reforms in the commission.

It was learnt that the government was no longer comfortable with the large number of experienced police detectives in the commission.

Although the crack detectives had positively impacted the operations of the EFCC, the government has opted to move police officers in the EFCC.

There were concerns that most of the affected officers had been handling sensitive cases which require a transition timeline.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The government has effected another shake up in line with the ongoing overhauling of the system. A generation of detectives is affected including zonal officers and heads of sections.

Our fears border on the fact that some high-profile cases might suffer because investigation and trial of suspects may have to start afresh.

“I think there should have been a timeline for the de-secondment of these officers. We should not allow gaps which can erode the gains the EFCC has made in the last few yaers.”

It was unclear if a new generation of officers will be brought in or EFCC trained officers will fully take over.

The Presidential Investigation Committee on the activities of EFCC, led by Justice Isa Ayo Salami, has adjourned sitting till August 4.

The adjournment of sitting was announced on Wednesday to all counsel, witnesses and top officers of the EFCC, including the suspended Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

When contacted, the defence counsel to Magu, Mr. Wahab Shittu, said: “We have been notified that the committee will observe the Sallah break and resume sitting on August 4.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/shakeup-in-efcc-as-directors-get-redeployed-to-police

Re - Agboola Ajayi Visits Niger State Governor To Beg For Reconciliation With Akeredolu

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi on Tuesday, 28th July, 2020, honoured an invitation extended to him by the Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Reconciliation Committee for Ondo State, who is also Governor of Niger, Abubakar Sanni Bello at his residence in Abuja.

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, a thorough bred man and politician imbued with the virtue of respect couldn't have turned down an invitation from a sitting Governor. He couldn't also have asked Niger State Governor to come to his house.

Ostensibly, His Excellency Agboola Ajayi met with the Niger State Governor and discussed issues relating to political developments in Ondo State. On his way out of the meeting, he encountered some political leaders from Ondo State including Senator Ajayi Borofice, who currently represents Ondo North in the 9th Senate.

Since that meeting which was at the behest of Niger State governor became public knowledge, social media platforms have been awashed with insinuations and fake news that the Deputy Governor was in the Niger State Governor's lodge to beg for reconciliation with Governor Rotimi Akeredolu SAN. This is a callous misrepresentation of facts by Akeredolu's camp; it's mischievous and preposterously untrue.

Without equivocation, let it be known that the Deputy Governor is still a member of PDP and has not returned to the APC. He's committed to the party under whose platform he contested the recent gubernatorial primary election.

After the primary election of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) held on 22nd July,2020, where Eyitayo Jegede SAN emerged as the candidate of the party, the Deputy Governor has embarked on wide consultations with critical stakeholders within and outside Ondo State. He is also determined to reassure his teeming supporters following the PDP primary election. In a couple of days, Agboola Ajayi will announce his next line of political decision.

The deputy governor appeals to his supporters and the good people of Ondo State to remain steadfast in the collective desire to shake off one-man and clannish government in the state.

Comrade Allen Sowore
Media Adviser to the Deputy Governor
28th July,2020.

https://www.inform.ng/post/ondo-state-deputy-governor-speaks-on-reconciliation-with-akeredolu

Two former vice-mayors were executed yesterday for corruption, as Beijing shows it is being tough on graft – which Communisty Party General Secretary Hu Jintao has called one of the four dangers facing the party.

The two former officials, from the scenic and booming eastern cities of Hangzhou and Suzhou took more than 250 million yuan (HK$321.4 million) between them in bribes from real estate developers in exchange for helping them acquire land and related preferential policies, the Supreme People’s Court said.

The criminals were both government leaders in charge of urban construction work, and their major crimes were related to land use and construction.’

https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-china-executes-two-senior-officials-for-collecting-bribe

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his happiness with the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) interim leaders.

He stated this during Tuesday’s meeting, according to his Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Buhari met virtually with state governors elected on the ruling party’s platform and members of Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee.

In a statement titled, ‘President Buhari interacts with APC governors, commends party caretakers’, Shehu said during the meeting which had the Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo in attendance, the President said he was pleased with the work the caretaker committee has been doing.

He quoted the President as saying, “I am pleased with the chairman and the work of the committee.

“He is highly mobile in the efforts to coordinate and strengthen the party.

“I am happy with his personal efforts.”

Last month, Buhari dissolved the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, following the suspension of Adams Oshiomhole as the National Chairman.

Buni, who is also the Governor of Yobe State, was appointed as chairman.


https://www.inform.ng/post/presidency-shares-details-of-buhari-meeting-with-apc-leaders

A man from Niger republic who is suspected to be an arms supplier to bandits, has been beaten to death and his body dumped inside the river in Gada local government area of Sokoto state.


A statement from the spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, said on July 26, information was received at Gada Divisional Headquarters that the yet-to-be identified person from Niger republic, who was suspected to be supplying arms and ammunition to bandits, was intercepted at Diboni village of Gada L.G.A on his way to Zamfara State.

''His passage was obstructed by flood due to heavy downpour. The suspect sought community members to assist him bypass the flooded area, in the course of which a sack conveyed on his motorcycle was suspected by the villagers. The sack was forcibly opened against resistance by the suspect and a large quantity of ammunition was discovered to be concealed in the sack, which led to the subsequent lawless lynching and disposing of the remains of the suspect into a river by the Villagers.''

Sadiq said upon receipt of the information, the DPO Gada Divisional Headquarters led a team of detectives to the scene, recovered three thousand one hundred and forty-four (3144) 7.62x39mm calibre of AK 47 live ammunition and an unregistered Kasea Motorcycle.

He said that the Commissioner of Police Sokoto State Command, CP Ibrahim S. Kaoje psc had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to commence a full-scale investigation into the incident and ensure recovery of the remains for possible identification and autopsy.

https://www.inform.ng/post/community-apprehend-arms-supplier-beat-him-to-death

After months of investigation, the Accident and Investigation Bureau (AIB) has revealed why the helicopter, which conveyed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to Kabba in Kogi state crashed last year.

During the last election campaigns, Osinbajo had departed Abuja on February 2, 2019, on a chartered helicopter flight to Kabba in continuation of the family chats and next level engagements.




The helicopter, which conveyed the VP, an Agusta Westland (AW139) helicopter with nationality and registration marks 5N-CML, is owned and operated by Caverton Helicopters Limited.

It had 12 persons on-board, including the VP, his entourage and three crew members which included the captain, co-pilot and an engineer.

The cause of the crash was revealed by the Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru in a final report released by the bureau in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the bureau, the crew lost visual contact with the ground and external surroundings.

Also, the bureau faulted the crew for inappropriate landing techniques and limited planning before the commencement of the flight.

Giving details of what led to the crash in Kabba, Olateru said:

“At about 13:46hrs, the helicopter departed Abuja runway 22 for Kabba.

“Onboard were 12 persons including the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his entourage, and three crew members (Pilot, Co-pilot, and an Engineer).

“The flight crew stated that they sighted the intended landing area as a result of the cloud of residual dust generated by the downwash of a Police helicopter.”

He continued:

“After sighting the football field, the flight crew approached with the speed of 20ft to about a 100ft, and entered a hover to land.

“At about 50ft above ground level, a brownout set in. The flight crew lost visual contact with the ground and external surroundings.

“The co-pilot began radio altitude callouts “35, 30, 25, 20 and 15.”

At about 14:34h, the helicopter experienced a hard landing on the right main landing gear and rolled over onto its right side. All persons on board were evacuated uninjured.

“The flight crew encountered a brownout condition during the hover to land, which led to the loss of external visual references, spatial disorientation, and loss of situational awareness resulting in a misjudgement of distance and ground clearance, as the flight, the crew tried to control the helicopter’s movements for landing. The helicopter landed hard and rolled over on its right side.”

On other factors that may have led to the crash, he said:

“Inappropriate landing technique used, non-adherence to company procedures for known or anticipated brownout condition during landing and lack of risk assessment, limited landing site preparation, and planning prior to commencement of the flight.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/aib-explains-why-osinbajos-helicopter-crashed

A Wisconsin man who won the $22 million dollar jackpot last month decided to split his lottery winnings with his best friend to honour a promise he made nearly 30 years ago.

In 1992, two best friends, Thomas Cook and Joseph Feeney, promised each other that if anyone wins the lottery, they will split the winnings equally, 50-50. They did not write a formal contract but simply shook hands after making the deal.




In June 2020, decades after they made the promise, Thomas Cook of Elk Mound won the Powerball jackpot after purchasing a lottery ticket from a gas station in Menomonie.

After winning, Cook contacted his friend Joseph Feeney. At first, Feeney thought Cook was joking because the pair would buy lottery tickets every week with no luck.


Both men have agreed to take home $16.7 million and will receive $5.7 million each after federal and state taxes. Both men are retired and say they plan to go on vacation.

They also said they have many other plans to spend the money but want to have more quality time with their children and grandchildren.

“We can pursue what we feel comfortable with, I can’t think of a better way to retire.”

The gas station where Cook bought the ticket has also received $100,000 for selling the lottery ticket.


https://www.inform.ng/post/man-splits-22-million-lottery-win-with-bestfriend-to-honor-28-year-pledge

Leicester City and England striker, Jamie Vardy has won the Premier League Golden Boot after scoring 23 goals in 2019/20.

Jamie Vardy beat off competition from the likes of Arsenal's Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Manchester City's Sergio Aguero to win the accolade.




Man City's Ederson won the goalkeeper of the season while De Bruyne won the 'Most assists' of the season.

Here is a full rundown of all the winners for the 2019/2020 season.

Premier League Top Scorers

Jamie Vardy, Leicester – 23 goals

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal – 22 goals

Danny Ings, Southampton – 22 goals

Raheem Sterling, Manchester City – 20 goals

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool – 19 goals

Harry Kane, Tottenham – 18 goals

Sadio Mane, Liverpool – 18 goals

Raul Jimenez, Wolves – 17 goals

Anthony Martial, Manchester United – 17 goals

Marcus Rashford, Manchester United – 17 goals

Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won the Golden Boot last season

Premier League Most Assists

Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City – 20 assists

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool – 13 assists

Andy Robertson, Liverpool – 12 assists

Son Heung-Min, Tottenham – 10 assists

David Silva, Manchester City – 10 assists

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool – 10 assists

Best Goalkeeper

Ederson, Manchester City – 16 clean sheets

Nick Pope, Burnley – 15 clean sheets

Alisson, Liverpool – 13 clean sheets

Dean Henderson, Sheffield United – 13 clean sheets

Kasper Schmeichel, Leicester – 13 clean sheets

Rui Patricio, Wolves – 13 clean sheets

https://www.inform.ng/post/vardy-emerges-top-scorer-in-epl

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has finally picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the National Assembly to name lawmakers who got contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The minister, in a document attached to his response to the threat by the House of Representatives to sue him over the allegations that federal lawmakers were the major contractors of NDDC, listed four senators as receiving 74 contracts from the commission between 2017 to date.

He also accused the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of inserting 19 contracts worth N9 billion into 2019 NDDC budget.

House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had last week given Akpabio a 48-hour ultimatum to identify lawmakers that are NDDC contractors as he alleged during his testimony before the House Committee on NDDC.

However, a few hours after the expiration of the ultimatum, Gbajabiamila had signified the House’s readiness to head to court to seek the prosecution of the minister for criminal defamation.

He was to later read a letter from Akpabio, in response to the one written to him by the House Clerk, in which the minister reportedly denied making the allegations.

However, it was learnt at the weekend that Akpabio’s annexure to the letter included a list detailing the names and NDDC jobs given to the lawmakers.

According to the list, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, allegedly executed 53 NDDC projects from 2017 to date.

He also accused three other senators namely: Matthew Urhoghide, James Manager and Sam Anyanwu of executing a total of 21 NDDC contracts during the period under review.

But in a swift reaction, Nwaoboshi described Akpabio as a confused individual.

He told THISDAY yesterday that he is challenging Akpabio to publish the names of the directors and shareholders of the companies that executed the said 53 NDDC contracts.

“He (Akpabio) is confused. I challenge him to publish the directors and shareholders of these companies. I don’t award contract and I don’t pay for contracts. My brother, go to CAC and find out the truth. I pity him,” Nwaoboshi said.

But in the bulky document with a three-page covering letter entitled: “Some Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Contracts Allegedly Given to some Members of the National Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives,” Akpabio also fingered the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC in 19 contracts worth N9 billion inserted into the 2019 NDDC budget.

The contracts listed against Nwaoboshi’s name included Emergency Repairs of Asue Street, Owa Phase 2; Emergency Repairs of ldumuogbe Road via Ojemaye; Emergency Repairs of Otolokpo College Road, Otolokpo; and Emergency Repairs of Police lshu Ani Ukwu Road, Issele Uku in Delta State.

They also included Emergency Repairs of old Sapele Agbor Road, Obiaruku; Emergency Repairs of Ehwerhe Obada Road Agbarho Road; Emergency Repairs of Hon. Ifeanyi Eboigbe Street, Boji Boji Owa/Goodwill Street, Owa Alero; and Emergency Repairs of Ahiama Okwu to Obuocha Okwu among others, all in Delta State.

Other lawmakers that Akpabio listed projects against are, Senator Mathew Urhoghide (six projects), Senator James Manager (six projects); former Senator, Sam Anyanwu (19 projects), and others simply identified as Ondo and Edo representatives while the project cost was not supplied by the minister.

Akpabio also listed one Mutu’s name against 74 projects which included various emergency road projects in Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers States.

In accusing the Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on NDDC, Tunji-Ojo, of padding the 2019 budget of the NDDC with 19 contracts worth N9 billion, the minister revealed that “in the 2019 budget, the Executive Director in charge of projects forwarded to me the attached list of 19 Nos. old contracts amounting to almost N9billion after tax, that the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on NDDC, Honourable Tunji-Ojo, insisted that the IMC of NDDC must pay before 2019 budget details could be released to the commission.”

In the letter addressed to the House speaker routed through the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Akpabio further stated, inter alia: “It has always been known that the two chairmen of the committees on NDDC in both chambers yearly exhibit unusual influence to the exclusion of committee members and even the management of the NDDC in appropriating funds to details embellished in the budget after the passage of line items at the plenaries.

“To show you some typical examples, herewith attached are documents showing nature of contracts amount of such contracts (in some cases), date of awards and beneficiaries. Some were awarded to the two chairmen of both committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively, serving at the period of the awards (Annexure ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’). However, due to the 48 hours’ notice, the forensic auditors could not sift through the thousands of files in their possession to provide more.

He stated: “The investigating Committee on NDDC refused and/or neglected to give me the opportunity to explain that reference to most NDDC contracts yearly being awarded since 2001 from the records allegedly to members of the National Assembly in both Chambers were done without the knowledge of the alleged beneficiaries.

“However, the two Chairmen of the Committees in both Chambers had adequate knowledge;

“I never referred to members of the 9th National Assembly as beneficiaries of NDDC contracts as NDDC is yet to fully implement any NDDC budget since the commencement of the 9th National Assembly. In fact, the 2019 budget passed in February and harmonised between the 4th and 5th of March 2020 was received by the commission in the middle of April 2020, when same was designated to expire on the 31st of May, 2020.

“However, it is pertinent to point out that the Clerk of the National Assembly forwarded a letter Ref. NASS/CNA/115/VOL.38/1175, dated March 20, 2020, without attaching the budget details indicating that the 2020 budget of the NDDC passed into Law was being forwarded (copy of the letter is attached as Annexure ‘A’). This anomaly was brought to the attention of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating a purported financial recklessness by the management of the commission in July 2020, though the first outcry was on allegation of missing N40bn which was totally untrue.”

Rising in his won defence, Tunji-Ojo described the Akpabio’s allegation as spurious and diversionary.

In a telephone interview with THISDAY yesterday, he insisted that the allegation made by NDDC was a ploy to divert the attention of Nigerians from the real issue, which has to do with the mismanagement of NDDC resources by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) from January to date.

The committee chairman denied padding the budget and even challenged the IMC to provide evidence to back the claims.

He said: “He didn’t say I padded the budget; what he wrote in his letter that was read which I heard was that the Executive Director in charge of Projects told him that I said they should pay for 19 old contracts before we could pass their 2019 budget. That is what he said, not that I padded the budget, they are two different things.

“I have never made such request and I have challenged them to bring evidence that I told them to do that. These are just spurious allegations as usual. And again, thankfully, he did not say the contracts are my contracts; he said 19 old contracts; that is, they are already existing contracts, not new contracts.”

The lawmaker said even though there was nothing criminal in asking the NDDC to pay contractors being owed, he insisted that he did not make such a request.

Tunji-Ojo said: “Even though there is nothing criminal to say go and pay your debtors. After all, I’m not asking them to pay me. But I did not even say so and I have challenged them since last week Thursday publicly that they should go and bring evidence.

“There is nothing like that; all these things is just to divert attention from key matter and of course, that’s what they are trying to achieve. There is absolutely nothing like that. They started by saying I have 17 kilometres of road, later on, they came back and said it is six kilometers, later on, they came back and said that I told them to make payment. They have said too many things over too many times. Lies are variables, only the truth is constant.

“They keep changing their stories just to get public sympathy to divert the attention of Nigerians away from the crux of the matter, which has to do with the activities of the IMC from January till date.”

Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has asked the House Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to make public the list of federal lawmakers, who benefitted from the contracts awarded by the NDDC, as contained in a letter sent to him by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Akpabio, last week.

President of the group, Mr. Solomon Adodo, who made the call, while addressing the press declared: “Mr. Speaker did not do us justice when he did not disclose to the National Assembly that the list of the beneficiaries he demanded had been disclosed and attached to the letter sent to him.”

According to him, the speaker’s decision to cover up his colleagues is unfair to the fight against corruption, the quest for transparency, and to the commonwealth of the nation.

The group stated: “We, therefore, urge Mr. Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to rise up and expose the lawmakers, who were awarded contracts but failed to execute them.

“All the National Assembly members who benefitted from the contracts without executing them should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to those who may want to follow a similar path. It is a clear case of organised crime to have individuals who benefitted from illegality now rising to probe the fact that their illegality is being exposed.

“We call on all the anti-graft agencies and security agencies to, in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, immediately proceed and go ahead with their investigation of the matter.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/akpabio-names-nass-members-that-are-nddc-contractors

Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, has revealed that she has forgiven her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, for the sake of her son, King Andre.

The pair have been in a social media war after their marriage crashed in the year 2017.




I have forgiven my ex-husband, Churchill for the sake of my son - Tonto Dikeh lailasnews
The duo got married on August 25 of 2015 but things came to an end in 2017. Their separation and subsequent divorce was a messy one as they accused each other of several things and called each other unprintable names.

Although they share a son King Andre from their failed union, the former lovers remained cold towards each other with occasional jabs from either party at the other.

In a recent interview with journalist, Dele Momodu, Tonto Dikeh revealed that she has forgiven her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill for the sake of their child, King Andre.

The actress while speaking on the importance of forgiveness, said she forgives so she would not be stagnated in life, career and other ares and that she has gotten to read the part of the bible where God said he wouldn’t forgive us if we do not forgive others.

She also stated that she forgives easily now but doesn’t like being provoked by the things a person does after she has forgiven such a person.

It can be recalled that Tonto Dikeh had earlier this year revealed that she is now in a new relationship and that her boyfriend is a Muslim.

Tonto Dikeh recently posted a photo of herself in an Islamic regalia and wished her Muslim fans a Happy Ramadan. She wrote:

“Ramadan Mubarak to all Our Muslim Brothers and Sister, May Allah accept our Prayers, Bless Us and Heal the World..
.
.
We are with you in spirit and in Truth..
Allah Bless you”

A follower then asked if she was a Muslim or Christian, She replied;

“I am a Christian, i live in a Muslim community and have a Muslim boyfriend…we good?”


https://www.inform.ng/post/i-have-forgiven-my-ex-husband-churchill-tonto-dikeh

…two informants nabbed

Three kidnappers were on Saturday morning killed in a gun battle with a team of local hunters along the Lokoja-Okene highway




The hunters including, members of the Neighbourhood Watch from Okehi and Adavi local government areas of the state, raided the hoodlums at their hideout were they were allegedly planning to stage an attack on commuters plying the Lokoja- Okene road.

Upon getting to their hideouts, the hunters engaged the kidnappers in a shootout during which three of them were gunned down while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Three pump action riffles, bullets, masks and charms were recovered from the suspected kidnappers.

Meanwhile, two men believed to be those supplying kidnappers with information have also been arrested. Godwin Peter, a native of Ikeje in Olamaboro Local Government Area, and one Sanni Habib, from Idoji Community in Okene Local Government Area, were apprehended at about 4:30 am by the patrolling hunters. Upon interrogation, they both confessed that they were informants who give information to kidnappers for their operations.

The Senior Special Adviser (SSA) Security in-charge of Okehi Local Government Area, Hon Abdulraheem Ohiare and his Adavi counterpart, Hon Joseph Omuya Salami, led the hunters to the den of the kidnappers following intelligent report. Speaking after the successful operation, Hon Ohiare and Hon Omuya thanked Governor Yahaya Bello for his determination to secure Kogi State and rid it of all criminalities. Governor Yahaya Bello has maintained his stand of not negotiating with any criminal elements in the state and advised the criminals to turn a new leaf or get ready to be crushed.

https://www.inform.ng/post/kogi-hunters-foils-kidnap-operation

Deputy Director-General of the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Campaign Council, Mr. Gideon Ikhine, has described Governor Godwin Obaseki as God’s gift and a blessing to the people of Edo State, noting that the governor has performed excellently and will be reelected for a second term in office.







Ikhine, who spoke to journalists in Benin City, said Obaseki is a man that works and builds infrastructure without making noise about his achievements, adding that the governor has over 3000 completed projects that are yet to be commissioned.







The DG noted: “When I became close to the governor, I saw the quantum of the projects that he has done, yet, he is not commissioning them and I became very humbled. I have become a student to learn from him what it takes to handle government. I might know politics and business, but when it comes to running the governance of this state, we have the best gift that God has given to us.”







He continued: “We must learn to separate politics from governance. In the aspect of governance, Governor Obaseki is the round peg in the round hole. He is a leader that is passionate about the common man. He has been prudent in the management of available resources. With such a man, should Edo State be looking for another aspirant or another candidate from another party? No! What I see is a question of continuity. Fortunately for the governor, there is no other candidate or rival in the September 19, 2020 Governorship election in Edo State.”







Ikhine added: “I know that Governor Obaseki will be returned elected because the lives of Edo people have been transformed positively. It is beyond the commissioning of roads or schools and other infrastructural facilities. Besides, it is not a question of putting Christmas decoration on a dead wood that will make the dead wood live. Obaseki does not have such time.







“Obaseki is a man that works and builds infrastructure, yet does not make noise with his achievements. He knows that it is his own responsibility to work for the people.







He has over 3000 projects that he has done which he is yet to commission. One of the significant projects the governor has executed that everybody sees but has not been mentioned is prompt payment of salaries. Since the advent of the governor, workers in the state get their salaries before the 26th of every month.”







“How many pensioners in the state have died since the past four years while waiting for their monthly entitlement(s)? Do Edo people want to go back to that era? The era of one person selling a parcel of land to 20 people in the name of Community Development Associations (CDAs) is over. The action of those few individuals hindered development in Edo. When good people are in position, people tend to suddenly forget what they have gone through in the past.”


https://www.inform.ng/post/obaseki-is-my-role-model-he-deserves-second-term-ikhine-ex-pdp-gov-aspirant

The Nigerian military has reintegrated 601 ex-Boko Haram terrorists into the society.

They include 14 foreign nationals from Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

The Coordinator, Operation Safe Corridor, Major General Bamidele Shafa made the announcement on Saturday.

The former fighters were freed at the DRR Camp in Mallam Sidi, Gombe State.

General Shafa said on arrival at the camp, “the clients went through documentation processes to obtain vital background information and were subjected to comprehensive medical screening to determine their health status”.

The military officer disclosed that their DNA samples were also collected and biometrics captured by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for future references.

“The background information serves as a guide for the experts, Local Treatment Team (LTT) to properly place the clients for treatment therapies and vocational training.”

He added that LTT are specialised experts in various fields of deradicalisation and rehabilitation therapies drawn from the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS).

https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-boko-haram-nigerian-military-frees-601-ex-terrorists-into-society

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Bauchi state has expressed shock at the news of the defection of former Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara back to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chairman of the party in the state, Hamza Akuyam said he was shocked at the news of Dogara’s defection, because, according to him, “the former Speaker was allowed to nominate commissioners and other political appointees currently serving in Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration”.




When asked whether Dogara’s defection was due to disagreement between the governor and the former Speaker, he denied knowledge of any internal strife in the party.

He further said that until the former Speaker officially notifies the party, to him, Dogara remains a member of PDP.

Meanwhile, Dogara is still enjoying support of the Zaar Development Association (ZDA), his tribe’s foremost pressure group, despite his rumoured defection to the APC.

“When it comes to Rt. Hon. Dogara, it doesn’t matter whether or not he rejoins APC, the Zaar people will always follow him to wherever he wants to pursue his political ambition. We are yet to know why he left PDP, but we all know that he the APC last year because of the issues he had with former governor of Bauchi state, Muhammed Abubakar.

“He has done more than what is demanded of him as a legislator. If you look at the projects he has directly and indirectly executed in his constituency, you’ll see why his people will never leave his side. That’s why we voted him for four consecutive tenures,” he said, “and will we continue to do so whenever he calls on us. If APC finds qualified for a bigger assignment, for us, it is a welcome development because we know he is equal to the task. Although he is yet to address us but we believe and acknowledge that the former Speaker’s defection back to APC is based on his strong instinct and conviction that it is what’s best for him and us.”



https://www.inform.ng/post/kinsmen-of-yakubu-dogara-backs-his-defection-to-apc

Fake Story!

She was 21 when she met you and a nurse yet gave you N2m she was saving before meeting you.

How much is the salary of a nurse? How long has she been working to save N2 million?

Secondly, you claim to be 29 in your thread, yet you claimed to be 27 years on July 4th, SERIOUSLY?

Thirdly, your story sounds too fictional! Your previous thread only shows you are a troll.

Second Republic Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Abulkadir Balarabe Musa has insisted that for the sake of peace, justice and national unity, the presidency should go to the South East region of the country in 2023.

Reacting to the clamour for the presidency to shift to the South East, the former governor said, “I stand by what I’ve said, that the Presidency should go to the South East, for the sake of peace, national unity and justice. I’ve talked quite a lot about that, I don’t need to say anymore”.




However, foremost Labour leader and former governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Kwara State, Mr Issa Aremu argued that the constitution should be the determinant factor in the choice of the next president.

According to the labour leader,”we should go with the spirit of the constitution. The constitution has defined how we can produce a President. It’s not about geographical location, it’s not religion bound, it’s not gender bound, there is no region limit, no state limit to where a president can come from. So, I think we need to first get that clear, that the Presidency, the governorship, the chairmanship of local government, are open to all Nigerians who meet the conditions as spelt out by the constitution.”

While calling on the media to promote the spirit and the content of the constitution, he however noted that there would always be political calculations and alliances, based on what the parties perceive as fairness and equity.

“But that would be the job of the parties. As a member of Labour Party, I can’t tell you from where the President should come from beyond what my party agrees upon. Those are parties arrangements, they will work it out”, he said.

Aremu argued that “as someone who held many superior positions in the labour union, Nigerian workers never asked me which region I came from. The Nigerian workers put confidence in you based on your ability to represent them, protect the interest of the workers and advance their welfare..”

“Nigeria Labour Congress has produced six Presidents, I don’t think anybody cared which region they came from. I think what is good for Labour is good for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There is no regional President, it is not known to the constitution, it has to be pan Nigerian.”

He added that, “I think rotational leadership, turn by turn arrangement will never deliver Nigeria, what will deliver Nigeria is the ability to serve selflessly. The kind of presidency we need now in 2023 has to be all inclusive, it not only has to be pan Nigerian, it has to be pan African because the problems facing us go beyond Nigeria. Whoever will lead should think beyond the narrow confines of Nigeria, whoever will lead Nigeria in 2023 should be able to think how we can drive the African Continental Trade Agreement and has to think about the ECO currency which the French are undermining in the sub region. So, I think Nigeria’s political class should get their thoughts right and stop this turn by turn mentality which is unhelpful. All this talk about rotational presidency may make sense before COVID-19, but after COVID-19 the world has changed,we must re-set ourselves. We need a new language, this is not the time of sharing, it’s the time for survival,”he said.

In his own contribution, Shetima Yerima, leader of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, said that contrary to his previous position that power should remain in the North in 2023, he has now changed his position.

“If you look at it, I have now changed position. By the time you are thinking that power must reside in a region,you may cause havoc. My view now is on competence, any side of the country should mobilize adults who are competent,” he said.

Nastura Ashir Shariff of Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, said they have not commenced deep discussions into the politics of 2023 which to every discerning mind was dicey at the moment as well as very uncertain.

According to him, “that notwithstanding, the likely turn of events that will shape the politics of 2023 will be agitations for a major paradigm shift. Nigeria deserves a shift of power from its present base in the hands of old people with spent ideas and approach.

“There has to be a new thinking along a generational power shift rather than the current divisive and counterproductive quest for regional or sectional shift. We should all start thinking Nigeria, not regional or ethnic. What we should be concerned with is to have a new breed of leaders with fresh, up-to-date ideas and dynamic energy to inject into governance. It may therefore no longer matter which region or section of the country the president is coming from but rather his capacity, competence and reach would”.

Meanwhile, efforts have commenced towards galvanizing younger elements across the northern states towards achieving a paradigm shift in politics and development issues, a new movement of young Arewa people has said.

According to the Arewa Paradigm Shift Movement, 2023 politics in the north will be different because a paradigm shift in the focus of Arewa politics and development challenges is now underway.

Nasir Dambatta, the group’s Director of Publicity said that “it is high time fresh ideas were injected into governance in Nigeria by young and dynamic new breed politicians. It is abundantly clear by now, that only the young Turks are making waves on the nation’s democratic space today,” he said.

The group said it would not join a section of Northern elite, which has been merely lamenting over the prevalence of poverty, insecurity, palpable healthcare, sorry state of education, gross lack of economic empowerment and the poor infrastructure that does not positively attest to years of northern leadership of Nigeria.

“We’re not persuaded by the claim that the young politicians now making waves on the democratic space are unprepared to assume the mantle of leadership, or mentor other younger ones, just because of one or two isolated cases. Our resolve was informed by the blatant failure on the part of the older brigade of politicians to considerably move Nigeria and Nigerians forward since they took over the reigns of governance in 1999.

“The passage of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill, was to mobilise and further the interest of young, vibrant and versatile Nigerians to completely relegate our older politicians to playing advisory roles in the background. And we’re determined to fire the imagination of young politicians and crush their crisis of confidence in taking over reigns of democratic power in Nigeria by 2023.

“We’re fully prepared to boost the confidence of innovative and hardworking young politicians, especially in the North to step forward and stop being bystanders in power calculations that could determine what our future should look like, as from 2023″, the group said.


https://www.inform.ng/post/2023-presidency-should-go-to-southeast-balarabe-musa

Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha has reacted to the death of Malam Isa Funtua, a close associate of her husband.

Aisha Buhari said Funtua will be remembered for supporting women in politics.




In a series of tweets, the President’s wife said the deceased supported the appointment of women into several boards in the past four years.

She wrote: “Inna lillahi Wa inna ilaihi Raji’un. On behalf of my family, I extend our condolence to Mrs Hauwa Isa Funtua and the entire family on the sudden death of Malam Ismaila Isa Funtua.

“We pray that Allah SWT will grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua will be remembered for his support to female politicians, especially his role to get them appointed into different boards in the last 4 years.”

Mrs Buhari also prayed that God grant the deceased’s family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

https://www.inform.ng/post/late-isa-funtua-was-a-pillar-to-nigerian-women-aisha-buhari-reveals

The Senate Tuesday adopted a resolution calling on the Service Chiefs to resign or be sacked due to the multi-pronged security challenges in the country.

The Presidency notes the resolution, and reiterates that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative, and President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
July 21, 2020

https://www.inform.ng/post/resolution-on-service-chiefs-buhari-asks-senate-to-mind-their-business

President Muhammadu Buhari has received his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, at the State House in Abuja.

Arriving at the President’s office at about 11am, the former President went into a closed-door with Buhari.



Although the agenda for the confidential meeting would not be disclosed immediately, The Nation gathered that it might not be unconnected with the recent assignment Jonathan was charged with by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Inform NG had reported ECOWAS recently appointed Dr. Jonathan to head the political reconciliation in Mali where there is leadership tussle.

The Jonathan – led committee had recommended Government of National Unity in the West African nation but the opposition group had turned down the recommendation.

Details shortly…

https://www.inform.ng/post/president-buhari-receives-jonathan-in-aso-villa