₦airaland Forum

As Senator Samuel Anyawu aka Sam Daddy, a noble personality and distinguished leader, marks another anniversary of his birth, two amazing youth leaders, Mr Arthur Ugochukwu and Miss Adiela Nwosu, have taken their pen to celebrate the distinguished leader.

I am grateful for another opportunity to celebrate and appreciate you.

Looking back to where my amazing journey with you started from and the events that have graced the years, one thing remains constant and that's the fact that you keep bringing out the best not just in me but everyone who has genuinely come on board and under your tutelage.

Working with you is an inspiration on its own. Many youths out there testify and hold you in high esteem.
One of the many significant achievements I have today is the Leaders Of Today Global Youth Forum LTGYF which you motivated me to establish. Today to the glory of God, it's one of the most formidable Youth Organizations In Nigeria formed with a clear mission and vision.

I therefore stand bold today on behalf of the entire members and leadership of our great forum, to wish you a happy birthday Sir.

You're indeed valuable.

- Arthur Ugochukwu
P. A to Sen. Samuel Anyanwu

It's an honor to celebrate a Statesman, Mentor, Father figure, an Astute and well seasoned community leader.

You've been a source of encouragement and hope for many within and outside Imo state.
The huge impact you've made through the years testify of your passion and belief in a better Imo state, Igbo race and Nigeria as a Nation.

As a leader, You've consistently demonstrated strength and have shown that ; 'Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it's a still voice that speaks loudly in actions'. Your ability to be consistent in application of both physical and mental energy positively in every given situation is indeed a requisite for great success which I believe you will continue to have.

My utmost appeal and sincere prayer for you on this day is that you be strengthened as you keep overcoming life's challenges especially undemocratic elements that have featured in the past and may once in a while come your way and see them as nothing but stepping stones.

May God bless you with longevity, good health, sound mind, peace and wisdom for each new day.

Happy birthday Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Ms. Adiela O. B Nwosu

So who is now.the thief?

The wife of the former Head of State, General Sani Abacha has come out in defense of her late husband.

Maryam Abacha, in an interview to mark the twenty two years anniversary of her husband’s death, said her late husband was not seen as a thief until he died.

The widow of the former military leader, who had been quiet all this while, spoke on the alleged recovered monies her late husband was said to have stashed away in foreign banks.

According to her, “The truth about the recovered monies will soon come to light.”

Maryam, who wondered why her late husband was not seen as a thief until his death, accused the people of Kano of betraying her husband.

“What is this amount of money after 22 years you say oh we have found this amount of money and we are bringing it back? It is a shame to tell lies on a dead man! It is a shame to tell lies on your leader.”

“If he had done wrong, God knows. If other people are putting the wrong on him, it is a matter of time. They will kneel down like America is kneeling down now. Anybody that is evil will kneel down just like this corona has come to shut this world.”

The former First Lady disclosed that there are lots of people her husband helped in Kano that are no longer greeting her for no reason.

“He worked in Kano and he planted Kano people, but there are people he helped a lot but they are not even greeting me now for no reason. They just hate us. But why? It is Haram and Allah is watching us”, she stated

https://www.inform.ng/post/my-husband-was-not-a-thief-truth-will-be-revealed-soon-maryam-abacha

Governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki through his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategies, Mr. Crusoe Osagie on Monday in the state capital opened up on his refusal to inaugurate fourteen members elect in the state house of Assembly.


In an explicit narration of what led to the refusal of the governor in not inaugurating the fourteen members of the state House of Assembly, Crusoe echoed that the members not sworn in had the intention of impeaching the governor which is one of the nocuous agenda of Adams Oshiomole.

“Oshiomole was the one who handpicked those who ran for house of assembly seat because he wanted to do exactly what he has done today; what we would have seen about a year ago would have been impeachment of the governor because he was trying frantically to constitute the house and put all those who are loyal to him there and he broke all the rules in the books to ensure that, but as god would have it.”


“Some people in the house rejected it and elected their own leadership outside the directions of comrade Adams Oshiomole and that got him angry. He called those who are loyal to him out of Benin and camp them in Abuja, put them in hotels, paid because Oshiomole their Godfather instructed them not to. Now he turns back to say that governor Obaseki did not inaugurate members elect come to the house.”

“What is his interest in the leadership and organogram of the house of assembly if not that he has been gunning all along sine Obaseki turned his back on his irresponsible style that is against the people. He has been trying all along to clamp down Obaseki and one of the steps he wanted to use was the Assembly.”


“The only accusations is that they are trying to manipulate the system and he refused to allow them do so because if had, he would to be able to deliver the goods that he pro missed his people so there is no sin as far as I am concerned, just that Oshiomole is trying to play Godfather and we will resist that.”

Defining the All Progressive Congress as a party which has lost its preeminence, Crusoe Osagie said, a party superintended by Oshiomole is not great in any way.

“How do you rate a great party? The party which is superintended by a person like Adams Oshiomole, is the party still great? Oshiomole who has no respect for rules, constitution, laws and others, as long as his interest is not served, he is ready to bring down the roof."


"If that person continues to superintend over the party the way it is right now, look at the last time when he said the screening committee, the high court, the appeal Court, and he Oshiomole is the Supreme Court.”

“If such person is leading a party, I bet you that as long as such person remains that party cannot be great, I think the least party in Nigeria call it whatever you want to call it will be greater than APC under Adams Oshiomole because he has been irresponsible leader, he has been megalomaniac, he has been perpetual violator of justice and there is no greatness with the party anymore with Oshiomole at the top of it.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/governor-obaseki-explains-why-he-did-not-inaugurate-edo-legislators

Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, has declared that Governor Godwin Obaseki and all his loyalists were set to join the party.

He said Obaseki’s deputy, Philip Shuaib, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter would also defect.

The party leader made the disclosure in an interview with NAN on Monday in Benin.


Aziegbemi said the governor, “his deputy and the entire APC structure in the state will be joining PDP soon”.

The chairman disclosed that they have been in touch “in the last few days”.

Aziegbemi assured that by Tuesday, he would “be able to confirm the exact date he (Obaseki) will be joining, along with his team.”

He added that he was not “aware that the governor has obtained our party’s membership card.

“I can also say that there is no automatic ticket in the offing for him at all”, Aziegbemi said.

https://www.inform.ng/post/we-are-ready-to-receive-obaseki-but-no-automatic-ticket-for-him-edo-pdp-chairman

An Indian passenger died on board an Air India evacuation flight from Lagos to Mumbai over the weekend.

The 42-year-old passenger who was seen shivering on board the aircraft, informed the Air India crew that he had malaria when questioned. He was provided with oxygen as he was finding it difficult to breathe, but collapsed and died on board the flight. It was further gathered that he bled from his mouth on board the flight which landed at the Mumbai Airport at 3:40 am.

Though Air India said that the passenger died of “natural causes”, there are now questions on how the passenger with fever was allowed to board the flight and how thermal screening are being conducted at airports amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

Air India said in its statement;

“Our Lagos medical screening team would have detected the same,” if that was the case.

“A passenger aboard AI1906 of June 13, 2020, from Lagos to Mumbai passed away due to natural causes today.

“A doctor on board along with our crew, who are trained to handle such medical emergencies, made a valiant attempt to revive the passenger, aged 42, who had suddenly collapsed, through resuscitation, but all their efforts went in vain. He was declared dead on board by the attending doctor.

“The MIAL doctors attended to the passenger after the flight landed and after all the procedures were complete, the body was sent to a hospital as per protocol. Relatives of the deceased were informed and aircraft taken for full fumigation in line with prescribed norms

https://www.inform.ng/post/indian-passenger-dies-onboard-during-flight-evacuation-in-lagos

May God heal our land

A total of 13 people, including two policemen, were killed in a communal clash in Benue State and bandits’ attacks in Niger State.

While 10 people were killed yesterday in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State following a clash between Adana, Olegeje and Olegogboche communities, bandits killed three people, including two policemen, in separate attacks on communities in Niger State.

Also, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have nabbed a local militia leader, popularly known as Alhaji Audu from Olegeje community, and recovered one AK-47 rifle and 60 round of ammunition from him during the clash.

Earlier, some militia groups had attacked three communities of Adana, Olegeje and Olegogboche all in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attacks were allegedly led by Audu and other members of his militia group.

They had launched an attack on Adana community which led to the death of 10 persons, while others sustained injuries.

It was initially alleged that the attack was carried out by herdsmen.

But a resident of the community, Job Emakwo, said it was a communal clash involving the three communities as a result of the activities of some militias in the areas.

He told reporters that Audu and his group went to Adana in search of one of their gang members and started shooting sporadically in all directions, killing two persons on the spot and injuring others.

Emakwo added that there was a misunderstanding between the three communities over a parcel of land, which earlier had claimed the lives of some persons.

He said immediately troops of OPWS stationed in Agatu heard about the clash, they rushed to the affected communities and stormed a militia camp and apprehended Audu.

Audu was said to have been later identified as one of the leaders of the local militia who instigated the fight among the three communities.

He said the troops recovered one AK-47 rifle and 60 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition with two magazines from Audu.

When contacted, OPWS Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Adeyemi Yekini, said he could not comment on the Agatu attack and directed further enquiries to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Information Department.

Also, the Public Relations Officer, Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed that there was an attack in Agatu, but the police were yet to establish whether it was caused by herdsmen or was due to a communal clash.

Anene could not also confirm the number of death at the time of the report, but said policemen who were deployed in the area to maintain peace were yet to establish contacts with her due to network problem in the area.

Also at the weekend, two policemen were killed in a shootout with bandits at Kussau village in Erena district of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The third person was earlier murdered in Gurmana village in the same local government area.

The two policemen were identified as an Inspector and a Corporal and were said to have accompanied some engineers of the Shiroro Hydro Electric Dam on routine maintenance of some installations.

They were said to have died after running into the gunmen and exchanging fire with them.

One of the bandits, according to a report, was killed though the engineers they were detailed to protect escaped.

The police, however, did not confirm the death of the policemen as the Public Relations Officer of Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said: “Two policemen are missing after an encounter with some armed bandits at Kusasu village in Shiroro Local Government Area.”

He confirmed that the two missing policemen were among those detailed to provide security to some engineers from Shiroro Hydro Electricity dam on routine maintenance work of power facilities



https://www.inform.ng/post/13-dead-many-injured-as-benue-community-clash-with-bamdotes

LibertyRep:
Time to declare state of emergency in Katsina

Supported

Another round of power show seems to be playing out in the nation’s seat of power, this time between aides to the number one citizen and those of his wife.

This has prompted wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha to appeal to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, to let go her aides in police custody.

The aides were said to have been detained by the police, following orders of the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the President, Idris Kassim.

Trouble started it was learnt, when a top aide to the President, Yusuf Sabiu also known as Tunde, recently returned from another state and refused to self-isolate.

The aides to the first lady, it was gathered were not happy that Sabiu entered the Presidential Villa without self-isolating, hence they forcibly removed him from the Villa.

Sabiu, who is one of the aides to the President, was said to have asked the CSO to arrest Aisha’s aides as well as her ADC, Usman Shugaba.

Consequently, Aisha, in a series of tweets on her verified Twitter handle, @aishambuhari, on Friday wrote:

“That Covid-19 is real and still very much around in our nation is not in doubt. Consequently, I call on all relevant government agencies to enforce the Quarantine Act signed by Mr President and ensure no one is found violating this law and the NCDC (Nigeria Centre for Disease Control) guidelines, especially on interstate travel without the necessary exemptions for movement of essentials.

“Anyone who does that should at the very least be made to undergo a-14 day mandatory isolation no matter who the person is, no one should be above the law and the police command will do well to remember that.

“Finally, I call on the IGP to release my assigned Staff who are still in the custody of the Police in order to avoid putting their lives in danger or exposure to Covid-19 while in their custody.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/buhari-aisha-aides-in-power-play-police-detains-aisha-security-details

No fewer than 50 bandits on Saturday morningreportedly attacked Mazoji Village under Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing the traditional ruler of the community.

This comes barely three weeks after the murder of the district head of Yantumaki in Danmusa Local Government, Alhaji Maidabino, by bandits.



A source told SaharaReporters that the bandits carried out the attack on Mazoji Village around 2am and operated for several hours before killing the traditional leader.

The bandits also reportedly set ablaze five motorcycles during the attack, while they rustled unspecified number of cows.

The source lamented that security operatives were yet to arrive the village even as at 7:30am.

Bandits attacks and kidnappings have been on the rise in Katsina State in recent times, leaving many deaths and displacement behind.

https://www.inform.ng/post/again-bandits-kill-many-in-katsina

June 12, 2020

Press Statement

...Says President's Silence on Violations Vindicates Our Party's Stance

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Democracy Day address as a huge and unpardonable slap on the face of our nation's democratic process.

Our party stresses that President Buhari's silence on the values of democracy as well as the myriads of violations under his watch has further vindicated its stance and that of majority of Nigerians that the Buhari administration has no regard for democracy and is not prepared to uphold its tenets in our country.

The PDP notes that on the day Mr. President himself set aside to celebrate democracy, he had no democratic scorecard to present; thereby directly confirming that he had taken no step to uphold democratic practice in the last five years.

Our party invites Nigerians to note that Mr. President’s speech had no space for Chief MKO Abiola. This only goes to show that the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have no regard for Chief Abiola and the essence of June 12, but only used their nomenclature to gain selfish political capital.

It is scandalous that on a day like this, President Buhari had no assurances on electoral reforms and credible election; which is the hallmark of democracy.

President Buhari’s failure to express any commitments to electoral reform in his 38-minute pre-recorded address shows that his administration has no plans to guarantee credible elections in our country.

Also, Mr. President had no words of assurance towards respect for our constitution, particularly the principles of separation of powers, federal character, equality, equity, fairness, transparency and respect for the sensibilities of our federal structure.

Furthermore, President Buhari had no words of commitment on how to tackle the constitutional and human rights violations under his watch, including reported intimidation and brutalization of citizens, disobedience to court orders, arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions, extra-judicial killings as well as hounding of opposition and dissenting voices.

Rather, Mr. President and his handlers sought to divert attention from their failures and violations associated with this administration by taking the nation on a merry-go-round of recycled false performance claims that are not backed by any empirical or verifiable data.

By this speech, President Buhari failed to appreciate that the progress of any nation is hinged on credible elections, equity, justice and adherence to rule of law.

Moreover, Nigerians have been at shock that while bandits were busy killing our compatriots in Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Borno, Kogi and various parts of our nation, even on the eve of his broadcast, President Buhari was claiming that his government had secured the nation.

It is even more distressing that Mr. President opted to use the COVID-19 pandemic to make excuses for the attack by the bandits even as he had no soothing words or decisive assurances for the victims beyond a cold passing comment lacking in expected human empathy.

The PDP however urged Nigerians not to resign to despondency or allow the failures and violations of the APC administration to erode their faith in our democracy but remain united in their commitment to the stability of our nation.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

https://www.inform.ng/post/buharis-june-12-broadcast-a-slap-on-democracy

The Presidency has reacted to the alleged rift between the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, and Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

It was widely speculated that Tinubu and Aregbesola have been at loggerheads over the control of the party bin Lagos state following the dissolution of Mandate Group and Justice Forum.

But in his weekly column via his Facebook page on Friday, Adesina described the alleged rift as a “mere distraction”.

He revealed that the speculation came a day Aregbesola was said to give an account of his ministry at the Federal Executive Council meeting.




Adesina wrote, “Wednesday, June 10, 2020, was ‘judgment day’ for Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola. Incidentally, the day had broken with stories of denials of a rift between him and his political mentor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former two-term Governor of Lagos State, and National Leader of All Progressives Congress.

“The APC had outlawed all party sub-groups in Lagos, where Aregbesola had his political foundations, and still maintains a stranglehold, despite having been a two-term Governor in Osun State.

“The buzz was that the Minister was possibly eyeing the Presidency in 2023, a diadem also reportedly coveted by his mentor, so the rug had to be pulled off under his feet early enough. Frost followed. Cold War, said the rumor mills.

“Strident denials came from the Tinubu and Aregbesola camps. And it was mere distraction for the Minister, as he had a huge assignment ahead of him on that same Wednesday. It was his turn to brief the Federal Executive Council, headed by President Muhammadu Buhari, on his stewardship, since assuming office in August last year.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/lagos-apc-ban-on-aregbesola-group-a-mere-distraction-buhari-spokesman

God save girl child

The police command in Benue on Thursday presented a suspected rapist, who allegedly dragged a seven-year-old child into a church hall and had carnal knowledge of her


The Commissioner of Police, Mr Mukaddas Garba, who presented the suspect in Makurdi said that the case was reported on Tuesday.

“On June 9, a case of rape was reported at Orokam Police Division that one of the suspects dragged a seven-year-old child into a church hall in Ogwurute area of Orokam and had carnal knowledge of her”

“The victim is currently receiving treatment at General Hospital, Ijadoga, while the suspect, allegedly confessed to the crime,” he said

He also presented three other suspected rapists and 32 others said to be involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and mischief in the state.

He said that on June 5, a report was received at the B Division Police Station, Makurdi that a man (name withheld), lured a six-year-old child to his house and defiled her.

Garba said that the suspect allegedly confessed to the crime during investigation and would soon be arraigned in court.

“Also June 9, a man (name withheld), who lives in Mechanic Village area of Kanshio, Makurdi, forcefully took a 14-year-old girl to an uncompleted building and allegedly raped her.

“The suspect has also confessed to the crime and will be charged to court soon,” he said.

The commissioner said that on the same date (June 9), a complaint was received at A Division Police Station that a landlord trespassed into his tenant’s house and forcefully raped a 15-year-old girl who was asleep.

“The man, who raped the 14-year-old, told newsmen that the girl, who was a virgin, had been his girlfriend in the last two months.

“The suspect said that he allegedly raped her after several efforts to convince her to the bed failed, ” he said.

He said that the command had recovered one locally made pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition, two camouflage p-cap, one black boot, four knives, two black berets, one cutlass, seven phones and assorted charms from the other 32 suspects.

Garba warned criminals in the state to repent from their deeds or be apprehended to face the full wrath of the law. (NAN)

https://www.inform.ng/post/man-arrested-for-raping-7-year-old-girl-inside-church

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Friday morning addressed Nigerians on the occasion of the Democracy Day

The 2020 celebration of Democracy Day marks 21 years of uninterrupted civil administration in our dear country. This day provides us an opportunity to reflect on our journey as a nation, our achievements and struggles

It is a day to honour our founding fathers who toiled to establish our republic and every Nigerian who has worked tirelessly to sustain it.

We are celebrating this year’s Democracy Day despite the COVID-19 pandemic which afflicts our nation and the whole world.

It is indeed a very difficult time for everyone especially those who have lost loved ones to the virus and those whose sources of livelihood have been severely constrained by the stringent measures we introduced at every level of government to contain the virus and save lives.

The dedication of our health and other essential services staff towards containing this virus is a testament of our courage and resilience as a people and as a great nation, and I use this opportunity to say thank you to all of you for your service to the nation.

Sustaining our democracy thus far has been a collective struggle, and I congratulate all Nigerians and particularly leaders of our democratic institutions on their resilience and determination to ensure that Nigeria remains a shining example of democracy.

In my 2019 Democracy Day address, I promised to frontally address the nation’s daunting challenges, especially insecurity, economy and corruption. I, therefore, find it necessary to give an account of my stewardship on this day.

We have recorded notable achievements in the course of implementing our nine priority objectives and are establishing a solid foundation for future success.

On the economic front, our objectives have remained to stabilize the macroeconomy, achieve agricultural and food security, ensure energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products, develop infrastructure, fight corruption and improve governance.

We have witnessed eleven quarters of consecutive GDP growth since exiting recession. The GDP grew from 1.91% in 2018 to 2.27% in 2019 but declined to 1.87% in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of the decline in global economic activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every single economy in the world has suffered a decline. Ours has been relatively moderate.

In order to stabilize the economy, the Monetary Authority took steps to build the external reserves which resulted in improved liquidity in the foreign exchange market.

The external reserves grew from $33.42 billion on April 29th 2020 to about $36.00 billion in May 2020 which is enough to finance seven months of import commitments.

Agriculture remains the key to our economic diversification strategy.

The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative programme continues to deliver significant quantities of affordable and high-quality fertilizers to our farmers.

This initiative has also revived 31 blending plants and created a significant number of direct and indirect jobs across the value chain.

Government is also revamping the cotton, textile and garment sector via a CBN Textile Revival Intervention Fund that would considerably reduce foreign exchange spent on cotton and other textile imports.

Through the food security initiative, we are promoting “Grow What We Eat” and “Eat What We Grow”. I am also delighted that more and more Nigerians are taking advantage of the opportunities in the agriculture and agri-business sector.

I assure you that government will continue to support the Agriculture sector through the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and similar schemes.

To protect our farming investments, we have deployed 5,000 Agro-Rangers and employed 30,289 in our para-military agencies.

We are also integrating rural communities to the formal economy by extending access to credit and inputs to rural farmers and building feeder roads.

Our efforts on growing non-oil exports have started to yield some results. For instance, in the past year, our revenue from Cocoa and Sesame Seed increased by $79.4 million and $153 million.

Africa presents a huge opportunity for our export base diversification and we are developing our strategy to grow intra-Africa trade through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

Nigeria has risen by 25 places on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking from 146th to 131st and is now rated as one of the top ten reforming countries.

This development is due to the Visa on Arrival policy, consistent promotion of initiatives that expand facilities available to Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, robust electronic registration and payment system, seamless processing of business registration and reduction of cost of registering business by 50%. We are confident that on-going efforts would result in further improvement of this rating.

We remain committed to expanding our mining sector. To this end, I have directed the resuscitation of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant based on Government-to-Government financing and a Public-Private Sector financing.

With foreign and domestic investments and the participation of Small Scale Miners, we are harnessing the supply value chain in gold production.

We would also be launching a fully digitized mineral rights management platform for quick processing of mineral rights application, digitization of records and plugging revenue leakages.

The Power Sector remains very critical to meeting our industrial development aspirations and we are tackling the challenges that still exist in the delivery of power through different strategies.

We are executing some critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme including the: Alaoji to Onitsha, Delta Power Station to Benin and Kaduna to Kano; 330kv DC 62km line between Birnin Kebbi and Kamba; Lagos/Ogun Transmission Infrastructure Project; Abuja Transmission Ring Scheme; and Northern Corridor Transmission Project. Our agreement with Siemens will transmit and distribute a total of 11,000 Megawatts by2023, to serve our electricity needs.

https://www.inform.ng/post/major-highlights-from-buhari-democracy-day-speech

A Piece By Adiela Nwosu

I read a piece authored by a certain Mr Ogu Bundu Nwadike titled, IMO PDP STILL THE BEST BEAUTIFUL BRIDE. As beautiful as the caption suggest, instead of sticking to the theme of the piece as the title suggest, the author was firing subtle shots at Senator Samuel Anyawu, popularly called Sam Daddy, the astute political figure and leader of Imo state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party. The author suggests that Sam Daddy defected from the PDP and is staging a return to "hijack" the party, and went further to liken Sam Daddy with Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo state and member of APC.

I find it laughable that a man that claim to be a member of the party in Imo state failed to realise that Sam Daddy is PDP and PDP is Sam Daddy as far as Imo state is concerned. In fact, Sam Daddy's loyalty to PDP is not a subject of debate as even a deaf, blind and dumb could testify to this.

This is a man that refused to defect to opposition party to run for election in 2019 after his mandate was taken from him and given to his closest challenger at the PDP Gubernatorial primary of 2018. This is a man that went ahead to work for PDP during the general election despite the injustice and hijack of his mandate. This is a man that have reiterated in several quarters that he rather remain to build the PDP than seek solace elsewhere because he sees PDP as his home.

I understand that the sponsor of Nwadike is uncomfortable with the faith reposed on Sam Daddy by the national leadership of the party, and the recognition of his importance to the party. Nwadike's sponsor is embittered that the national leadership of the party under the leadership of Prince Uche Secondus, chose Senator Samuel Anyawu to be part of the team of dedicated party men and women to conduct ward congress of the PDP in Edo state; that would elect adhoc delegates from the wards for the forthcoming governorship primary election in Edo state.

How can a so-called PDP member claim that Sam Daddy is scheming to hijack a party that he is seen as a leader by majority of the members of the party? This is preposterous!

My advice to Nwadike's sponsor is to desist from further bringing PDP to disrepute by continuously defaming a man whose only offence was to keep faith with the party. It is not the fault of Senator Samuel Anyawu that most members of PDP in Imo consider him as their mentor and a pillar, and the national leadership acknowledge his value and importance to entrust him with national assignment.

Indeed, the PDP in Imo has suffered enough, at this point in time we need unity and oneness so as to reclaim the state in 2023. We can't continue to fight and destroy the party for the selfish interest of a minute few.

Conclusively, nobody can be more PDP in Imo state than our amiable and charismatic Sam Daddy


Enough is Enough


©Adiela Nwosu

(Ada Obike)

https://www.inform.ng/post/senator-samuel-anyawu-is-a-pillar-in-imo-pdp-adiela-nwosu

Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River says all the public schools in the state will resume on Tuesday, June 16.

The Guardian reports that this was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen in Calabar by his special adviser on media and publicity, Christian Ita.

This as Governor Ayade unveiled the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) made at the state-owned garment factory and is being mass-produced.

Governor Ayade said the protective gears, which include face shields and PPE overalls, will be distributed to schools free of charge for the use of students and medical personnel in the state.

He said the state government does not want children to continue to stay at home as doing so will foster moral decadence and laziness.

“I think it is wise for the kids to go back to school and I have seen this happen in China where kids are back to schools with their nosemasks and shields.

So you wear your nose mask and you wear your face shield when you get to school you drop the mask and wear only your shield to allow for more ventilation and more breathing,”Ayade explained.

Governor Ayade also mentioned that it is high time the federal government started "to also show love and support to Cross River state" as it has started mass producing PPE which will help save health workers in the country.

He said the state government has seriously invested with the PPE production, adding that best quality materials are being used while experts from India who specialise in mass production have been brought in.

The governor appealed to the federal government for patronage, saying that the production of the protective gear was part of his administration’s effort to fight the global pandemic.

He added: “I think that the federal government will be excited to encourage the resumption of schools because obviously the coronavirus has come to stay with us and the reality is that countries that have attempted to resume schools have had to contend with the increase prevalence of the virus but obviously how long can we wait as a country?"

On his part, the state commissioner for education, Godwin Amanke, described the planned resumption as "trial resumption".

He said: "Students will wear face masks and face shield to school. Once at the school gate the children will wash their hands and legs.

"Hand sanitizers will also be used. When the children enter the classroom, they will remove the face mask and use only the face shield so as to get enough ventilation.

“Upon closure, they will wear back their masks and wear the shields and go back home. Teachers will wear same and undergo the same coronavirus protocols in the classroom.”

Nigeria confirmed its index case of Covid-19 in February. Months after, the virus has spread to 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

So far, Nigeria has a total of 13,464 Covid-19 infections, 4,206 recoveries and 365 deaths. Cross River state is the only state in the county without any case of the ravaging virus.

In a related development, students in Lagos state may soon resume academic activities as the state government on Thursday, June 4, said the decision to reopen schools will be taken in two weeks.

The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, made the disclosure during a press briefing.

He said the decision on the reopening of schools would be taken after a meeting is held with stakeholders in the education sector
https://www.inform.ng/post/governor-reopens-school

KADUNA STATE PDP.

PRESS RELEASE.

INAUGURATION OF SUCCESSFUL WARDS EXCO MEMBERS

Kindly recall that Wards Congresses were conducted by the Party in all 255 Wards of the State on the 14/03/2020. The results of the congresses held could not be released due to a restraining Court Order obtained by one Gambo Bala and 5 others from High Court, Zaria on 19/03/2020.
Since the Court Order has lapsed, the NWC of our great Party, by its letter dated 10/06/2020, released list of successful candidates in 238 Wards. The NWC directed the immediate inauguration of successful Wards Executive Committes whose tenure of office is for 4 years effective 30/04/2020.

It further directed for a re-conduct of congresses in 17 Wards spread across 4 Local Govt Areas. The Local Govt Areas affected have been duly informed. Since the Covid-19 Protocols of Social Distancing as prescribed by the NCDC is still in force, it has become necessary to inaugurate the successful Wards Excos by Virtual method. Consequently, I hereby INAUGURATE the 238 successful Wards Excos.

While congratulating you for your successes at the congresses, may I remind you of the need to ensure inclusiveness in handling Party affairs. You must equally maintain the open door policy that the Party is known for.

I solicit the support of our teeming party members and sympathizers to enable them discharge the functions of their respective offices successfully.

The remaining 17 Wards should remain calm as we await further directives from the National Headquarters of the Party.

Once more accept my hearty congratulations and best wishes.

Hon Felix Hassan Hyat,
Chairman CTC,PDP, KDS.

https://www.inform.ng/post/pdp-inaugurates-ward-executives-in-kaduna-state

A Federal High Court in Benin City, Edo State has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop the planned primary election in Edo State ahead of the September governorship election.

In a judgement on Monday, the court restrained the ruling APC and its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, from conducting the election pending the determination of the suit on June 11, 2020.

Details later...

https://www.inform.ng/post/court-stops-apc-from-holding-primary-in-edo

Edo PDP is pleased to report that His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki has granted approval for our party to use the Samuel Ogbemudia Staduim for our Governorship Primaries.

As a law abiding party and in compliance with the extant COVID-19 Regulations in the State, we applied for use of the stadium in line with Regulation 2(2) of the Dangerous Disease (Emergency Prevention) Supplementary Regulation dated 22nd May, 2020 (gazetted vide Gazette No. 20 vol. II )

Edo PDP governorship primaries is scheduled to hold on 19th and 20th of June, 2020.

Signed

Chris Osa Nehikhare
SPS PDP EDO STATE

https://www.inform.ng/post/edsg-grants-pdp-approval-to-use-ogbemudia-staduim-for-its-governorship-primary

God help APC

The ruling All Progres­sives Congress (APC) may summon an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to find a solution to the protracted political crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the party ahead of the gov­ernorship primaries slated for June 22.

Speaking with Daily Inde­pendent on Monday, a mem­ber of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The meet­ing has become imperative as the presidency appears to be in a quandary over the issue”.

The Edo chapter of the APC and the national leader­ship of the party are current­ly locked in a battle on the mode of primary to be used in choosing the flagbearer of the party.

While Edo APC led by An­selm Ojezua said it is adopt­ing the indirect primary method for the emergence of the party’s flagbearer in the September 19, 2020 governor­ship election in the state, the NWC led by Adams Oshiom­hole had written to the Inde­pendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 19, saying it has adopted the direct primary option.

Despite interventions by President Muhammadu Bu­hari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the party’s National Leader and governors elected on the party’s platform last week, the stakeholders are still spoiling for battle while no agreement has been reached on the mode of primaries to be adopted.

According to our source, “The Edo APC is calling for indirect primary while the NWC has adopted direct method. But Abuja (presiden­cy) is interested in a system of primary that will main­tain social distancing so that COVID-19 will not spread as a result of the primaries.

“What a lot of people do not know is that the system that can maintain social dis­tancing is the direct primary method. This is because un­der direct primary method, people will be required to vote in their various wards.

“In most cases, direct elec­tions are done in public plac­es maybe schools. The voters will be asked to queue up and maintain physical distancing from one another.

“Under the indirect pri­mary method, you are going to make use of delegates. Over 50,000 of them will be required to gather in one place and the COVID-19 pro­tocol said more than 50 peo­ple must gather together in one place.

“So, right now, Abuja is in a quandary and it is likely a NEC meeting will be sum­moned on the matter. But contrary to the impression that it is indirect primary method that will encourage social distancing, it is actu­ally the direct method”, he said.

Also on Monday, the Edo State government said it has alerted the Commissioner of Police in the state and other security agencies of plans by loyalists of Comrade Ad­ams Oshiomhole and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a gover­norship aspirant in APC, to import thugs from the Ni­ger-Delta into the state.

Speaking with Daily In­dependent, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strat­egy, said those behind the move are planning to cause mayhem in the state so as to make it difficult for the state government to enforce the guidelines on COVID-19.

According to him, Gover­nor Obaseki is putting every necessary measures in place in order to ensure that the primary exercise and the gov­ernorship election is peaceful and violence-free.

“We have received a lot of intelligence that Ize-Iyamu and other people who are representing Adams Osh­iomhole in Edo State are procuring arms and ammu­nitions, and they are import­ing thugs from parts of the Niger-Delta with the view to cause mayhem in Edo State and make it impossible for the government to enforce the regulations on the move­ment of people with respect to the spread of COVID-19.

“I’m sure you are aware that the state government has made a law that prevents political gatherings that can endanger the lives of people with respect to the spread of coronavirus. On their part, they feel that law will prevent them from having their way in the primaries on June 22.

“To that extent, they have now gone to states within the Niger-Delta, especially from Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa to import thugs and bring them to different locations within the state, with arms and ammunitions in order to un­leash mayhem on the state. Their primary mission is to make impossible for the state to enforce that law”.

Save APC From Oshiomhole’s Impunity, Jibrin Tells Buhari, Tinubu

Meanwhile, Captain Mo­hammad Bala Jibrin (rtd.), a former Deputy National Auditor of the ruling All Pro­gressives Congress (APC), has called on President Mu­hammadu Buhari and Sen­ator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s National Leader, to take decisive steps to save APC from imminent collapse and curb the alleged rampart impunity and excesses of Comrade Adams Oshiom­hole, the party’s “divisive national chairman”.

Jibrin, who was also Na­tional Auditor of defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), one of APC’s legacy parties, said this week­end, warning that the party is at the threshold of yet an­other misadventure in Edo State.

Recall that Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is seeking sec­ond term as governor, have been at the opposite ends of the stick as the battle for gov­ernor of Edo State rages.

Capt. Jibrin, in a state­ment, also charged Tinubu and other well-meaning leaders of the party to speak up against the alleged serial abuse of the APC constitu­tion by the party’s national chairman before it is too late.

The APC chieftain said he is alarmed that Buhari who he said stood and fought against impunity and manip­ulation of the electoral pro­cess since the return to civil rule would now turn blind eye as his national chairman perpetuates impunity and manipulation.

“We have followed Presi­dent Buhari’s political career since 2003, and the biggest he confronted and fought was impunity, manipulation of elections and rigging and injustice. President Buhari himself was a victim of all these.

“Now, here we are, Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of his party, is engaged in not only abuse of office but is trampling on the APC constitution simply to perpetuate impunity and in­justice just because he holds the office of national chair­man”, he said.

Citing several instances of abuse of the APC statutes, Jibrin said that Oshiomhole has usurped the powers of the NEC of the party by de­ciding the mode of primary election for Edo, all in a deter­mined effort to manipulate outcome of the governorship primary. He cited instances of rape of the APC constitu­tion.

“We provide some in­stances. The APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) not the National Working Committee (NWC) has the final say on the mode of the primary election. Article 20 (IV) – Procedure for Nomina­tion of Candidates (E) states: “Without prejudice to Article 20(u) and (iii) of this consti­tution, the National Working Committee shall subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee make rules and regulations for the nomination of candidates through primary elections.

“This shows that the pow­ers to determine the mode/ type of election to be used for the nomination of can­didates rests with NEC and not NWC, or at least must get the approval of NEC. So, the truth is that Edo State APC chapter was correct to say that only the NEC has the final say on the matter and not the NWC.

“We would recall that on August 29, 2018, the APC’s NEC delegated this func­tion to NWC and the state chapters of the party only for the purpose of Osun and Ekiti primary elections and not in perpetuity. Its resolu­tion on this was: ‘That the State Executive Committee (SEC) shall in consultation with critical stakeholders in each state identify and agree among themselves the mode of the primary election to be applied in their state’.

“Therefore, when we take the constitutional provision, and the decision of NEC to­gether, it is evident that the NWC has no power whatso­ever on these matters until they go back to NEC. Howev­er, both were flagrantly disre­garded and disobeyed by the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole”.

Capt. Bala Jibrin, who as­pired for the party’s guberna­torial ticket in Bauchi State in 2018, said Oshiomhole must not be allowed to ma­nipulate the outcome of Edo APC governorship primary, ascribing sinister motive be­hind the letter Oshiomhole wrote to INEC three days before the NWC met.

“In his bid to continue with illegalities and acts of impunity, which he perpe­trated on a large scale during the November 2018 APC pri­mary elections, the National Chairman, Adams Oshiom­hole, without conscience and sense of fairness and justice wrote a letter to the Indepen­dent National Electoral Com­mission (INEC) that the APC had decided to adopt direct primary for Edo State APC governorship.

“He did this three days ahead of the meeting of NWC that was supposed to decide on the matter. Under normal circumstance, this immoral action is enough to remove him from office because it is not just an infraction but a desecration of anything just and fair. The NWC members are also culpable on that”, he noted.

He, therefore, called for emergency National Execu­tive Council (NEC) meeting of the party to address the emerging crisis in Edo and the alleged ongoing abuse of the party’s constitution by the Oshiomhole led NWC.

“It is only proper for the National Working Commit­tee (NWC) and Adams Os­hiomhole to subject them­selves to the NEC, as the only constitutional body that has the final say on the issue. This means that to ensure checks and balances and roll back the creeping impropri­eties and lawlessness of the national chairman, NEC should summon an emergen­cy meeting and thrash out the issues once and for all”.

He said a number of par­ty loyalists are beginning to wonder if its national chair­man was a mercenary.

“Unless Adams Oshiom­hole has an agenda to weak­en APC and lower its esteem before millions of Nigerians, it is inexplicable that he re­mains at the centre of all the party’s crisis that has engulfed the state chapters of the party since November 2018. From Zamfara to Ogun, from Imo to Rivers, from Bauchi, Adama­wa to now Edo, you can see his hands and his self-centered tendencies visibly.

“Rather than become a unifying factor, Adams Osh­iomhole has become the most divisive party chairman in the history of party politics in Nigeria. Because of the fla­grant violation of the party’s constitution by Adams Osh­iomhole, the APC has now be­come a shadow of its former self. Its 2013-2018 format, in which party members feel at home and have a say in the af­fairs of the party is no more.

“The APC is at risk of los­ing its core if it has not lost it already. Because of Adams Oshiomhole’s ways, the APC is now at the crossroads.”

Oshiomhole’s Membership No Longer Valid— Okechukwu

Again, ahead of the forth­coming governorship prima­ries of APC in Edo and Ondo states, a chieftain of the party, Osita Okechukwu, has cau­tioned leaders of the party to be circumspect about the fragile membership status of Oshiomhole.

Okechukwu, who is the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), said that in view of the yet to be dis­posed appeal court’s matter over the suspension of the APC national chairman ear­lier this year, the party must be careful allowing him to manage primaries for Edo and Ondo states.

He said, “May I once more crave the indulgence of the leaders and members of our great party – the All Progres­sives Congress (APC) – to take due caution as Comrade Ad­ams Oshiomhole is no longer a valid member of our party. This means that we must call him to order, indeed stop him forthwith before the Zamfara or Bayelsa State fiasco.

“For all his shenanigans of presiding over the affairs of our party, as a suspended member, may in the full glare of the law be adjudged null and void. For it is truism that the appeal court has not de­livered final judgment over his suspension.”

 https://www.inform.ng/post/apc-may-convene-nec-to-resolve-edo-crises

What for? If you are tired of being an American, kindly come back home. No place like home

The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on Monday backed the move by a social critic to sue his wife, Betty Akeredolu for alleged defamation.

The governor, while reacting to a letter being circulated on social media and addressed to his wife over a planned legal action following the First Lady’s altercation with a social critic and political commentator, Jimmy Adekanle, said that his wife does not enjoy immunity, hence the lawyer should proceed with his client’s request.

Last week, the governor’s wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu had in a social media post called the social critic who is based in Canada a rapist.

The post by the First Lady was sequel to a post made by Adekanle who is popularly known as ‘JAF’ alleging that the First Lady broke the federal government’s inter-state travel ban when she travelled to Ondo State from Imo State amid the COVID-19 pandemic.


Responding in a post, the First Lady said, “Jimmy Adekanle Jaf shut the hell up. You are still talking. Canada lresivist. This has entered in Ondo social media lexicon. I even heard that you are a sex offender and you ran away to Canada. Shame on you! Come back. Police is waiting for you. And my office is after scumbags like you. You are in real trouble. Arabinrin has no mercy for rapists like you. Jail term awaits you. FAKE HUMAN IRESIVIST… ”

While demanding a retraction and withdrawal of the alleged defamatory post within a stipulated seven-day period, the social critic’s lawyer, Tolu Babaleye said that “a profound and unreserved apology” must be tendered to his client for the psychological and social effect the post had cost him.

Stressing that the apology must be published, Babaleye stated in the letter that his client will be left with no option than to approach the court for redress if the First Lady failed to do the needful.

Meanwhile, reacting to the development, Governor Akeredolu in a social media post told the lawyer to go ahead with his client’s request.

The post reads, “Tolu Babaleye, please go ahead with your client’s further instructions and file the action. The First Lady does not enjoy immunity,” the governor said.
https://www.inform.ng/post/sue-my-wife-she-has-no-immunity-akeredolu-tells-lawyer

...Demands Immediate 100% Increase

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the slashing of the 2020 budgetary allocations for basic health care from N44.4 billion to N25.5b, and the Universal Basic Education (UBE) budget from N111.7 billion to N51.1 billion, by Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as the height of insensitivity to the plights of Nigerians.

The party charged President Buhari to immediately recall the budget rework the figures to reflect a 100% increase in the initial figures as a step forward towards meeting the needs of the citizens at these sub sectors.

The PDP insists that in slashing the budget for the primary health need of the people to N25.5 billion (a 42% cut) and UBE budget to N51.1 billion (a 54% cut), in a country of over 200 million people, who are already economically overburden, the APC and its administration have further exposed that they have never had the welfare of Nigerians at heart.

The party said no government, which genuinely means well for its citizens, will vote a paltry N25.5 billion for basic health care for 200 million people in 774 local governments, particularly at this time our nation is facing huge health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, while allocating a bigger sum of N27.7 billion for renovation of the National Assembly complex, which is not even in a distress state.

While the PDP has nothing against any effort to improve on the working condition of our federal legislature, placing the renovation of the National Assembly complex above health care at this critical time is a scandalous misplacement of national priority by President Buhari and APC Presiding officers.

Moreover, our party has been made aware that this development does not reflect the views of majority of the federal lawmakers.

A critical analysis of the allocations indicates that with the N25.5 billion voted for primary health care in a country of over 200 million citizens, President Buhari and the APC plan to spend only about N125 per Nigerian at the primary health care level, within the 2020 fiscal year.

In the same vein, with the N51.1 billion allocation for basic education in a country of estimated 43 million school-age children, the APC Federal Government is deeming it proper to spend only N1,186 per child at the UBE level in 2020 fiscal year.

The PDP wonders if the APC government targets to achieve more out-of-school children as well as more health need deficit in our country.

Our party therefore rejects this collusion by the APC-led Federal Executive and their presiding officers in the National Assembly to downgrade the health need of our people as well as the education necessity of our children.

It is even more distressing that the APC administration would still cut the primary healthcare budget in spite of the recent confession by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, that our health sector had gone moribund despite claims of interventions by the current administration.

Moreover, the slashing of the budget, for basic education despite the poor state of the sector since the last five years, shows that the APC administration has no value for education and prefers to draw our nation back in global competitiveness in critical sectors.

The PDP therefore charges President Buhari to prioritize the welfare and development of Nigerians by cutting the size of his government, clipping its luxuries, curbing the unbridled corruption by APC leaders so as to make more resources available for the health and education need of our citizens.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

https://www.inform.ng/post/pdp-rejects-slash-in-health-education-budgets-berates-apc-buhari-presidency

Barrister Olusegun Bamgbose, Esq, the National Coordinator, Concerned Advocates for Good Governance, CAGG, has hinted on having Yusuf Buhari, son of the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, as his running mate in the 2033 presidential election.

The race to the Presidential Villa has actually begun, with many political actors directly or indirectly showing their interests in the position currently being occupied by President Buhari.



In 2023, Nigeria will have a new President, and all things being equal, Bamgbose has noted that though zoning is actually not constitutional, it’s advisable it’s respected considering the diversity of the country.

The senior lawyer, who said his political party would be announced in due course, also warned the North to stay away and relinquish power to the South, recalling that in 1999, the North magnanimously agreed to support a Southerner to be the President with Olusegun Obasanjo coming on board.

“The South West will forever remember the North for this political gesture,” he noted.

“Even though some political pundits may argue that the North only compensated the South West for the loss of MKO Abiola, who was acknowledged to have won the elections. Whichever way, the North should be appreciated for such a gesture.

“Olusegun Obasanjo handed over power to Yar’adua in 2007, when he died, Jonathan took over. In 2015, the South joined the North to install Buhari.

“It’s therefore politically justifiable for the North to equally support a Southerner to take over power come 2023.

“Obasanjo never disappointed the North and Nigerians, Olusegun Bamgbose will not disappoint Nigerians.

‘As a matter of fact, I’m considering Yusuf Buhari as my running mate come 2023. It’s high time the youths took over power in Nigeria.

“This consideration of mine might look awkward to many Nigerians but it’s because they can’t see what I’m seeing.

“Yusuf Buhari is a material for leadership. I’m blessed with the gift of seeing beyond the physical.

“I remembered vividly that I once told Jonathan’s Aide that suicide bombing was coming, he doubted me but we all know what’s happening now.

“In 2015 I told Nigerians that Buhari will defeat Jonathan, many thought I was talking nonsense but it came to pass.

“Earlier this year I told Nigerians that a new Chief of Staff will emerge, that has equally happened. Yusuf Buhari is an asset.

“I see him soaring higher politically, other things being equal, he will be my running mate come 2023.

“He has some hidden potentials which will soon begin to manifest soon to the delight of many Nigerians.

“Whichever you look at it Buhari’s name will be difficult to erase in the political history of Nigeria.

“Even after the exit of Buhari as President of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari will still be prominent and very useful. There is something I’m seeing in her that many Nigerians are ignorant of.

“She is an asset. Nigerians are yet to know the wealth stored in her… I hope to meet Yusuf Buhari soon for some serious political discussions.

“In all, the North should concede power to the South come 2023. They won’t regret it.”