₦airaland Forum

There are indications that embattled Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, may withdraw his resignation from the All Progressive Congress following the pronouncement of the Appeal Court that affirmed the suspension of the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole.

SaharaReporters gathered that some of the top party officials, who are also loyalists of Obaseki, have perfected a plan to take advantage of the ill-health of Deputy National Chairman (South), Abiola Ajimobi and upturned some of the decision made by Oshiomole.

Ajimobi has been appointed as acting chairman of the party amid concerns about the former Oyo governor’s health.

A source within the party, who pleaded not to be mentioned, revealed that the Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shaibu, might assume the role of Ajimobi and reject Obaseki's resignation from the party.

This, the source says, will make the coast clear for the Edo state chapter of the APC to hold indirect primary instead of direct primary as approved by the party.

Obaseki has not made any official announcement of joining any party since he tendered his resignation from APC.

The source said that for the Appeal Court to sit in the night and rule in his matter showed that he was fighting powerful forces in the government.




#SaharaReporters

https://www.inform.ng/post/obaseki-loyalists-may-reverse-resignation-from-apc

Embattled former chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Aliyu Oshiomole has reacted to his suspension following an order from the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Tuesday.

Oshiomole, who has been facing severe criticisms over the resignation of his successor and current Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki from the party following his disqualification from contesting the Guber Primaries. Oshiomole and Obaseki have been at loggerheads over the latter’s second term ambition.

However, in a statement on Tuesday night, signed by his spokesperson, Victor Oshioke, Oshiomole disclosed that he has engaged lawyers to appeal the judgement. The statement, read;

“Today the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja passed judgement on the purported suspension of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as a member of APC by three former Exco members of APC Ward 10, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State. In the said judgement, the Appeal Court upheld the decision of the lower court.”

“Lawyers for Comrade Adams Oshiomhole have immediately set in motion processes to appeal the judgement in the coming days. It is pertinent to state categorically that today’s judgement does not invalidate decisions and actions taken within the top echelon of APC at any time before now.”

“Expectedly, many fake news will by flying all over social media, merchandising concocted scenarios as privileged information. We call on the general public to ignore such sensational stories, remain calm and be rest assured that everything is under control. There is absolutely no cause for alarm.”

“We are conscious of the anxiety out there, and we will do everything possible to ensure that the truth prevails in this case.”

Oshiomole has been replaced with Former Oyo governor, Abiola Ajimobi. He would hold the position in an acting capacity. However, Ajimobi’s appointment has been challenged by a court order from the Deputy National Secretary and a member of the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, Victor Giadom.


https://www.inform.ng/post/suspension-embattled-apc-chairman-reacts-to-appeal-court-order

Kindly, take a look at these points and see how Oshiomhole's arrogance and lack of tact led to his potential political downfall.

* Oshiomhole was suspended by his Ward chairman as a MEMBER OF THE PARTY and not as chairman. And he didn't take it serious. In fact, he dismissed them.

* Instead of vacating it or appealing it, he continued "acting" as National Chairman of the the party.

* Instead, he chose to suspend them and supplant them (ward, local government and state excos of the party in Edo) and set up a parallel Exco.

* But the Anselm Ojezua-led Exco was the authentic state party chairman and he has court order to that effect which has not been vacated. And he also occupies the recognised Secretariat of the party.

* Oshiomhole needed to go back to his Ward and appeal the decision to suspend him so that the suspension could be lifted. But that is now late as the Ward Chairman is loyal to the Ojezua-led Exco who was in turn loyal to Gov. Obaseki.

* The last time APC had a National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting was in 2018. Yet, the constitution of the party MANDATES that NEC meeting "SHALL" be held FOUR times a year. It is MANDATORY!

* Yet, Oshiomhole has not called any NEC meeting since the one that was held to produce Buhari. He knew if he called it, they might turn it to a mini-convention and sack him.

* And during that last NEC meeting, it was decided that EACH STATE could decide the mode of primary election they liked and then get back to the national office of the party who would now appoint officials to supervise the primary. That was what they did in Kogi Bayelsa and that was why the Edo APC decided they didn't want direct primaries.

* The last two conventions held by the party were the one that produced Oshiomhole himself as National Chairman and the one that ratified Buhari as candidate in December 2018 for the 2019 Presidential election. In fact, the one that produced him was not conducted by him.

* He personally appointed Lanre Isa-Onilu as National Publicity Secretary and Bulama as National Secretary. Yet, these guys were supposed to be elected via a mini-convention while their deputies should act until they were duly elected.

* Technically, these officials are not recognised BY THE LAW as they were not products of a mini-convention of the party.

* Now, what has floored Oshiomhole was that suspension by an unknown Ward Chairman of his party in his hometown.

* Like my brother Akinloye NG told me, in party politics, after the National Chairman of a party, the most powerful (but mainly unknown) is the Ward Chairman.

My Take
And that is why Ize-Iyamu has to go back to his APC Ward and apply for waiver. The Ward Chairman will forward it to the Local Government Chairman of the party who will send it to state and then to Zonal and then to national secretariat. Then the National Working Committee, NWC, would meet, send it to NEC for RATIFICATION.

PDP has quickly held their own emergency NEC so they could grant waiver to Obaseki if he joins them.

Without waiver, as a new entrant, you are not qualified to contest.

So Oshiomhole should go and beg his Ward Chairman!

Who might even be an ordinary vulcaniser doing politics as part-time...

Written by Samuel O. Ajayi


https://www.inform.ng/post/how-ordinary-ward-chairman-nailed-oshiomholes-political-coffin

I hope it isn't Naira Marley factor

Lagos State has declared the indefinite suspension of the proposed reopening of churches and mosques for this weekend.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced this on Tuesday afternoon during a briefing at the State House, Marina.

https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-lagos-state-suspends-schools-churches-reopening

The Chief Executive officer of Executive Jet services, Dr. Sam Iwuajoku has given his reaction to the suspension of his company’s license by the Minister of Aviation, Haidi Sirika.

It will be recalled that the operating license of Executive jets was suspended on Monday after it was discovered by the Ministry of Aviation that Naira Marley and his crew broke the presidential order on ban of inter state travel.

In his response to his company’s suspension, Dr. Sam in a letter addressed to the Minister of Aviation explained he mistook the name Babatunde Fashola which was on the travel manifest as that of the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola. According to him, upon sighting the name on the manifest he signed the travel manifest. He went to reveal that he regrets this mistake saying if he knew it was “a bunch of useless people” (referring to Naira Marley and his crew) he would have declined to sign the travel manifest.

The letter read in part: “We hereby apologize for the above flight, with your permit ref: PMA/ATMD/0175/V/V/1268 dated 11th June, 2020,” the letter read.

“Please the flight was to carry a Judge to Abuja on Sunday 14th, 2020 as requested and permit was granted based on the application, but unfortunately when I called the Judge on Saturday morning to inform him that we have the permit, he then said that he has reached Abuja already with a different flight that someone gave him a lift to Abuja.

“So on Saturday morning 13th June, 2020 my staff called me that they have a charter flight to Abuja and that the passengers are already in the lounge as a rule passenger manifest is always sent to me before any departure, when I went through the manifest and I saw FASHOLA BABATUNDE I thought it was the Honorable Minister of Works going to Abuja with his men, so we decided to do the flight since (he) is a serving minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I didn’t know that it was a bunch of useless people.

“We are very sorry for this mistake and we promise that this would not happen again.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/naira-marley-and-his-useless-people-fooled-me-executive-jet-ceo

What manner of rubbish is this?

A former Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Adewale Omojuwa, is dead.

Omojuwa died on Saturday morning after he was rushed to a hospital in Ondo following a brief illness.

A family source, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that Omojuwa suddenly developed a "strange sickness" on Thursday.

He said, "Unfortunately, he died this morning around 9:00am, the entire family is in a sorrowful mood.

"His death is just too shocking to us and nobody was expecting the sickness would take his life."

Until his death, Omojuwa was the Director-General of the Campaign Organisation of Jimi Odimayo, one of the aspirants for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

https://www.inform.ng/post/breaking-omojuwa-is-dead

For about two years, Chizoba Ede hawked snacks around Lugbe, Abuja to raise funds she invested in second-hand cloth trading. Considering her humble beginning, raising N60, 000 to start the ‘okirika’ business by the roadside in Otako Market, Jabi, was a big dream come true in June 2018. She worked hard and ploughed back most of the profits she made.

As the trading grew in leaps and bounds, the 28-year-old extended her line of business to soap making. And within a year, her capital had spiked to about N500, 000.

The young woman planned to rent a small shop so she could fully establish herself and build on her success. Sadly, her plans cruelly went down the drain on June 10, 2019 while she was returning home from the market in the evening.

The driver of a cab she boarded en route home and the two passengers she met in the car turned out to be hoodlums popularly known as ‘one-chance’ robbers.

She stated, “They collected the N100, 000 cash I realised from my sales that day. They also collected my ATM card and asked for my pin which I gave them. They brought out a POS and inserted the card into it but the network didn’t come up to carry out transactions.

“They thought I gave them a wrong pin and beat me up. After a while, the network came up and they transferred all the N360, 000 from my account. They were communicating with their leader on the phone. They collected my phone and dropped me off around Wuse after the leader confirmed that he had received credit alerts. I later discovered that they equally withdrew N106, 000 from an ATM.”

The native of Enugu State explained she sustained injuries and was rushed to hospital for treatment. She stated that she broke her leg and underwent bone therapy for three months, picking up about N630, 000 hospital bills.

She said, “I reported the incident at Otako Police Station. One policeman was assigned to handle the case. Anytime I went to his office, he would tell me he was working on it and would ask me to come back. After one month, he referred me to one officer Femi at SARS office in Abattoir.”

Ede, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone on Saturday, explained that within a week, Femi invited her to his office and showed her the details of the POS’ owner who was later arrested.

She said the owner claimed to have given the POS to a lady who helps him to run a supermarket and promised to refund the money transferred by the robbers.

“I also demanded that he would pay my hospital bills. The man was released and afterwards the officer didn’t take the case seriously. I then reported the case at the Complaint Response Unit in Police Headquarters. They asked the officer to bring the case file four months ago but he did not respond until yesterday (Friday).

“He was trying to defend the owner of the POS at the CRU office but I stood my ground. I was surprised why a policeman would defend a suspect. The man claimed he didn’t know how the POS left the shop and promised to produce the lady operating it. We were all asked to report back on Thursday,” she disclosed.

Ede lamented that she had been jobless since the incident happened, urging the police to ensure justice in the matter so she could get back on her feet.

She added, “All I want is justice. I have been walking around without having anything to do. I am just frustrated. All the money I had is gone. I sold snacks before I could raise my start-up capital. Unfortunately, I am back to square one.”

The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, did not pick up our correspondent’s calls to his mobile. He had also yet to reply to a text message on the incident as of press time.


https://www.inform.ng/post/abuja-trader-loses-n500000-to-robbers

■ Narrates how deceased requested food and he laced her drink with sleeping pills
Evil boyfriend: Man who killed 55-year-old widow in Abuja opens up

■ Why he dumped the body in underground septic pit

The police in Abuja are working hard to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of a 55-year-old woman killed and buried in a soak-away by her assailant.

The deceased Mrs Janet Nnenna Ogbonnaya was killed on May 14, at Gwagalada Abuja.

Already the main suspect in the murder of the widow has been arrested and kept in police custody.

Incidentally, the culprits are siblings of the same parents.

The suspects: Johnson Emmanuel, 38; Gideon Emmanuel, 31; and Success Emmanuel, 27, were arrested in their home town where they relocated to after killing the woman.

Johnson, who is the principal suspect in the murder claimed that he was dating the woman before she died.

Johnson, a welder and the eldest child of a family of seven, said that though he met her on Facebook, they attend the same church.

He said that the deceased used to come to his house at Wumba, in Lokogoma, but had never spent the night there for reasons best known to her.

The deceased lived in Gwagwlada before her death

But the police would not buy any of the claims by Johnson that the deceased was having an affair with him because at the time her body was exhumed from the soak-away, the police said she was fully dressed with her pants, brassier, tight, and gowns on.

The police believe that somebody who went to her boyfriends house to have an affair would not have been dressed that way, pointing out that there was no way the killers would have been able to dress her in that way.

It is believed that her murder was carefully planned and executed by the perpetrators who also took her vehicle, changed the colour and particulars.

Police sources said that the deceased who wanted to go into poultry business may have met her assailant in the process as she would have been deceived into believing that he had something to offer.

The police also said that the ransom the suspect asked from the family was not paid because the family insisted to speak with their mother before parting with the money which the suspect refused.

His arrests was made possible after police arrested his younger brother, the panel beater and the man who helped him to change the vehicle particulars and number plate.

He was arrested by police operatives at the junction leading to his village where he positioned to receive the vehicle.

In this interview with Sunday Sun, Johnson, speaks on how he met the deceased, how she died in his house, how he buried her with the help of his younger brothers and lots more. Hear him:

My name is Johnson Emmanuel, I am 38 years old and I am a welder by profession. I am also into CCTV installations.

I have been a welder for a longtime, I was working in Port Harcourt before I moved to Abuja in 2018.

I came to abuja in 2018, I am from Isiekenesi, Ideato Local Government Area of Imo State.

I was arrested by the police over the death of Mrs Janet Ogbonnaya. She came to see me in my house on May 14.

How I met her

I have known the deceased for two years now, we met on Facebook and we have been chatting and have been meeting. You know she is a member of Cherubim and Seraphim and she got to know that I am also a member of Cherubim and Seraphim, but there is no Cherubim church at Wumba, where I live I go to Logos assembly, so we began to date.

She stays at Gwagwalada. I have never been to her house, she only showed me the place because she doesn’t want people to see us together. My house to her house is only two hours journey. I toasted her, I told her that she was beautiful and that was how we started dating. She was good to me, she was not a bad person. We have been having sex, God is my witness. She comes to my house, but she has never spent a night. We have known ourselves for the past two year now. So, on this fateful day that she came to see me in my house on 14 of last month, I wanted her to sleep over at all costs, but she refused. I then asked her what she would eat so I can go and buy food, she said she would not eat Garri because she has ulcer and told me to buy rice instead. So, I went out to get her food, but diverted to a pharmacy shop where I bought sleeping drug and put it in her drink and gave her.

Why did you drug her if she is your lover?

Like I said I did it because I wanted her to pass the night, she doesn’t like to sleep out because of her children. Immediately she finished taking the drink, we slept together and the next morning I prepared bread and tea and tried to wake her up to eat, but she did not respond. I then started to feed her, but she was still sleeping and not responding and when I touched her, I saw that she was stiff and I confirmed that she was dead. That was on Friday so I had to call my younger brother, Gideon, to come to my house that was about 9 O’clock in the night. She came to my house on Thursday evening and by Friday morning she was dead. My brother didn’t know why I was calling him and he came. When he came, I told him that my girlfriend died in my house and I don’t want my neighbours to know. He was afraid and asked me what I wanted him to do and I begged him to help me. So, he said we should put her in the car and dispose her body by the road side. I told him people will see us and call the police, so I suggested that we dump her into the soak-away and he helped me and we dumped the body inside the soak-away at the back of my house. But I became very uncomfortable and afraid that I will get into trouble if people found out this woman died in my house. After the burial, I decided to sell the house at a give away price of N7,000,000. It’s a one bedroom flat and two self-contain apartment that was still under construction. After selling the house, I relocated to the village. I told my brother Gideon everything, it is only this my younger brother, Sucess that does not know anything about the matter. I convinced my brother Gideon that I will give him money to start a new business that was why he agreed to follow me.

I traveled to the village and from the village I started to make arrangement on how to sell off the vehicle to cover up my tracks because I didn’t want to get into trouble. I know that if I leave the vehicle where it was parked, they would come after me, so I took the vehicle to a panel beater to change the colour from green to red. Also made arrangement and changed the vehicle papers which I got for N45,000, and the vehicle number plate for N25,000 and changed the colour for N40,000. I then sought the assistance of a police woman who I knew to help me provide escort for my brothers to drive the vehicle to the village and she agreed. I did not tell her how I got the vehicle. I lied to her that I bought it and wanted her to help me.

When I discovered that she had died, I used her phone to call her family pretending to be a kidnapper and asked for N5 million ransom. I did not do that because I wanted to collect money, I only did that because I wanted them to think that she had been kidnapped, that was why I refused to show up on the day that they agreed to pay the money.

I changed the colour of the car and got new vehicle particulars and number because I don’t want anyone to suspect me.

Are you married?

Yes, I am married, but I am no longer with my wife, but we have four children. My wife has remarried, but my children are with my mother.

How do feel?

I feel very bad about the whole incident because I didn’t plan it that way.

Arrest

I was arrested in my village when my brother came to deliver the vehicle. I didn’t know they had been arrested.

On his part, Gideon said: “What happened that day was that my elder brother called me that very night that I should come to his place and I was very angry, but had to go. When I got there, he told me that his girlfriend died in his house and I have never seen him with this woman before in my life and I never met her. So, I told him we should report to the police because there is nothing I can do because I was very afraid and he begged me and I could not say no to him as my elder brother. So, I said he should put the body in the vehicle and drop it by the road side and he said no that people will see us and that will be more dangerous.

I never knew anything about him and the woman, it is here in the police custody that I am hearing too many things about my brother and I am very bitter about everything.

I don’t know if the lady was his girlfriend or not, but if the lady could visit him at his place then I believe that, even if she was not his girlfriend, they must have known themselves.

I was there when he dragged the body out of the room and took it to the soak-away, but I was afraid to report the matter to the police because he is my blood brother until I was arrested. It was after I was arrested that I started telling the police what happened on the fateful day that he called me before they took me to Imo State where he was arrested.

Are your parents aware of this?

Our parents are in the village and I believe they must have been aware of what is happening now.

I feel so bad and ashamed about the whole thing because I was even asking him that why must you call me that night of all days. May be he called me because he knows I wouldn’t call the police because he is my elder brother. The only thing I am praying for is for God to intervene in this matter and help me.

On his part, Success who police say was not involved in the scenario, said: “Johnson is our elder brother and the first child of our parent. I am number five in the family. I feel so very bad because this is a very big blow for my family.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/i-didnt-plan-to-kill-her-killer-of-55-year-old-widow-opens-up

Popular Nigerian pastor, Prophet Odumeje who calls himself The Liquid Metal becomes the first pastor to ever seal an endorsement deal.

The cleric became a house hold name throughout the country after series of videos clips showing his rather awkward way of performing miracles surfaced online.

He is also know for calling himself funny names such as "Indaboski", "Bahose" and other catchy phrases he do used to describe himself.

https://www.inform.ng/post/odumeje-makes-history-as-he-becomes-the-first-pastor-to-sign-endorsement-deal

Dancer and daughter of the late Afrobeat originator, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Yeni, has finally answered the question that many have been asking for a long time. She told our correspondent when she would eventually be getting married. She said, “I have a partner and we have started our marriage plans. We would get married when I am 75 years old.”

Kuti also noted that the closure of event centres, including the New Afrikan Shrine, had taken its toll on the entertainment sector. She said, “With this lockdown, I’m broke. Our kind of business is not what one can run online. People have to come to the Shrine to enjoy themselves and that’s when they patronise us.”

The retired dancer also maintained that it was wrong to flaunt luxurious items in the midst of excruciating poverty in the land. She said, “I don’t do that (post flashy things). Even if I can afford it, I am not that kind of person. In a country where so many people are hungry, why should one want to flaunt designer products? You can do that if you are in America where most people are comfortable. I could post a picture of myself dressed up but not wearing designer items. Life is transient. All the things in this world can’t be taken anywhere with one when one dies. Now, we are not even allowed to attend any social gathering, so if one has the best shoes and clothes, one can’t wear them to anywhere.”

She also admonished Nigerians not to feel depressed by whatever they saw on social media. She added, “I don’t think they should feel oppressed. Some people actually post things to make themselves feel good. They too might be having issues in their lives and maybe it is those postings that make them feel better. I don’t think anyone should lead their life based on what others are doing. I don’t do that; I do what I feel is right. One shouldn’t be envious of any other person because you don’t know what the person is going through.”

https://www.inform.ng/post/i-will-get-married-when-i-turn-75-yeni-kuti

RESPONSE ON MY WALL FROM HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR OF ADAMAWA STATE, BONI HARUNA (1999-2007) ON THE CURRENT FAKE NEWS GOING ROUND IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA

"It is a well crafted Fake News. Some of us are still very much around to say something on this claim. Alhaji Dahiru Bobbo was the Director General of the National Boundary Commission from 1999-2006. He definitely has something say on the news of Nigeria ceding 24 Local Government Areas to be part of a socalled UNO State of Cameroon.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is also one personality that was well placed to say something. As Vice President then, he was the statutory Chairman of the National Boundary Commission. He was in a good position to know if there was anything that was done under his watch to cede 24 Local areas including his own LGA to Cameroon while he was in office as the number two man in the country then. If there was any document that was signed by President Obasanjo and Paul Biya in respect of ceding certain areas between their two countries, it was only with regards to the implementation of the judgement of the International Court of Justice in the Hague on Bakassi and the need to establish the boundaries of the two countries.

The Adamawa State Government had cause to interface with the office of the DG of the National Boundary Commission then when the area ceded to Nigeria, Burha Vango was to be officially handed over by Cameroon. On 24th September, 2005, the ceremony for the handing over of the ceded area was held in Burha Vango under the watch of members of the United Nations which included Nigeria's Representative in the International Court of Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, members of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission which included our own, Alh Dahiru Bobbo, the Governor as representative of Adamawa state and the Governor of that region from Cameroon. It was a colourful ceremony.

Immediately after the the area was handed over to Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission and the Adamawa State government took steps to provide basic facilities to the people towards ensuring their integration into their new country. This what happened in Adamawa in respect of ceded area. It is also to be recalled that Gwoza in Borno, Madagali, Michika, Maiha, Mubi North, Mubi South, Jada and Ganye in Adamawa, Serti in Taraba were then administered as United Nations Trustees until the 1963 plebiscite when the people elected to remain in Nigeria. It is not on record that people from these areas have ever agitated to renounce their citizenship to join UNO State of Cameroon. We hope this is not politics taken too far and a build up to 2023 to cause confusion in the country.

https://www.inform.ng/post/former-adamawa-state-governor-speak-on-new-state-of-cameroon

The Nigeria Police, on Friday, arrested the richest man in Abba, Njikoka, Anambra State, 9news Nigeria has learnt.

The man who happens to be only billionaire in Abba was arrested in Awada Onitsha with an illegal gun.


According to report, he is the owner of BEST ALUMINIUM LTD and currently leading Abba people to protest against the Supreme Court judgement in Favour of Ukpo (Aurthur Eze).

An eyewitness who shared the report with our correspondent said he was arrested by 1:00pm today.


https://www.inform.ng/post/police-arrest-abba-richest-man

DPO, 21-Year-Old Female Recruit Among Kogi Robbery Casualties

Yesterday, 5th June 2020 was a black Thursday in Isanlu, the Headquarter of Yagba East local government area of Kogi state as Masked Armed Robbers numbering about 8 in total invaded the community to rob the First Bank in the town.

The robbers first went to the police station in Isanlu where they shot and Killed the Divisional Police officer (DPO) and seven other police officers on duty at the station. They also shot two inmates who were in the cell at the station and another civilian making it a total of 11 people killed in the robbery attack.  

Pictures taken me

Among the officers killed was PC Aminat Yusuf who is just 21 years of age and just passed out from Police training school about a month ago.

May God in his infinite mercies console families of the eleven victims. Others killed were Officer Charity, Oluwaseyi Ojo, Officer Friday and Orobo. Kombu Margret of Kwande LGA was shot leg but she survived it.

The attack began around 4:30pm yesterday evening and lasted for over one hour. The robbers were able to escape because most of the police and Soldiers had been deployed to nearby Kabba were the state governor had ordered a total lockdown.

FILE PHOTO

There was a fire incident at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, described the incident as minor.

Shehu attributed the fire incident to an electrical spark.

The presidential aide said the incident was recorded Thursday afternoon at a store near the State House Chapel in the Presidential Villa.

He said: “The incident, linked to an electrical spark, was immediately brought under control by alert staff using available fire extinguishers well ahead of the arrival of the Federal Fire Service trucks stationed just outside the premises.”

“Luckily, no injury or serious damage was recorded,” the presidential spokesman added.

 https://www.inform.ng/post/fire-guts-store-of-presidential-villa

The federal government of Nigeria has hinted on the possibility of having the restriction on interstate movements completely lifted from Friday June 12th.

This was however disclosed by Mr Sani Aliyu, who serves as the national coordinator for the presidential task force (PTF) on COVID-19 during the committee briefing in Abuja.

Recall that the federal government had earlier placed a ban on inter state travels in a bid to help curtail the spread of the corona virus pandemic in the country.

Although, there has been so many reports of violations of the ban on interstate movement with security agencies tasked with the responsibility of enforcing the orders reportedly encouraging the violations.

However, according to Sani, since local flights have been given a clearance to operate, it would not be ideal that the movement by roads to states be continually restricted.

Hence, the general public should expect our roads to be opened up for interstate movements in no distant time.

https://www.inform.ng/post/fg-make-new-announcement-on-lifting-restrictions-on-interstate-movement

All Progressives Congress (APC) has sued the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole and National Working Committee (NWC) of the party over a waiver granted to Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a governorship aspirant of the party.

Ize-Iyamu, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in December 2019 to join the APC, was also listed as a defendant in the suit before an Edo State High Court.

Other plaintiffs in the suit marked: HAB/05/1/2 are; Unweni Nosa, Mathew Ogbebor, both from Ize-Iyamu’s Ugboko ward, and Benjamin Oghumu, the APC chairman in Orhionmwon, the local government of Ize-Iyamu.

During the preliminary hearing, the plaintiffs, through their counsel, Ken Mozia (SAN), sought an order “restraining Ize-Iyamu from parading himself as a governorship aspirant entitled to participate in the APC primary election billed for June 22.”

They prayed for a declaration that any waiver purportedly granted by Oshiomhole to Ize-Iyamu on May 21, 2020 or any other date was in gross violation of the provisions of the 1999 constitution and the 2014 amended constitution of APC.

“Having regard to provisions of Articles 31(2) and 31(3)(II) of the APC constitution, Oshiomhole cannot validly grant a waiver to the 3rd defendant (Ize-Iyamu) without the approval of the National Executive Committee of the party and without Ize-Iyamu formally applying for such waiver through his claimed ward, local government and State,” the plaintiffs submitted.

The judge, Justice E. O. Akhamiojie, however, directed that counsel to all the defendants have 10 days to respond to the originating summons while counsel to claimants has two days to respond to the processes of the defendants.

The matter was thereafter adjourned to June 17 for the adoption of all processes filed.

https://www.inform.ng/post/ize-iyamu-waiver-edo-apc-drags-oshiomole-apc-nwc-to-court

The Federal Government has shortlisted 91 directors for the next round of examination towards becoming permanent secretaries in the civil service.

The 91 directors are those who were successful in the written examination conducted for all applicants in Abuja on Monday.

Examinations had earlier been fixed for June 1, 4, 8 and 9, 2020 to pick 16 new permanent secretaries in the federal civil service.

A memo announcing the 91 successful candidates dated June 3, 2020, was signed by the Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, I. A. Mairiga, on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.

The memo, marked, “HCSF/CMO/AOD/012/VOL. VI/41, read, “Following the conduct of the written examination for the appointment of permanent secretaries in the federal civil service on June 1, 2020, I am directed to invite the following 91 shortlisted candidates to the computer-based test.

“Accordingly, the candidates are to report for the test on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at the CBT Centre, Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Kubwa Expressway, Abuja, by 8am prompt.”

Yemi-Esan had in a May 6, 2020 circular announced dates for the examinations.

According to the circular, after the written examination of June 1, the second stage, which is Information and Communication Technology assessment test, will hold on June 4 and will be opened to only candidates shortlisted from the first stage.

The circular further indicated that those shortlisted from the second stage will take part in the final stage which will be oral interview/interactive session with a broad-based panel of experts and practitioners which will be held on June 8 and 9.

She added that to be eligible, such officials must hail from Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Cross River, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states and should not be retiring from service earlier than on December 31, 2021.

The last time permanent secretaries were appointed in December 2019 when the Federal Government approved the appointment of nine new permanent secretaries.

Those appointed then were Musa Hassan from Borno State; Ahmed Aliyu from Niger State; Olushola Idowu from Ogun State; Andrew Adejoh representing the North-Central zone; Umar Tijjani  representing the North-East zone; Nasir Gwarzo from the North-West zone; Nebeolisa Anako representing the South-East zone; Fashedemi Peter representing the South-West zone; and Evelyn Ngige from the South-South zone of Nigeria. 



https://www.inform.ng/post/fg-shortlists-91-directors-for-promotion

Ita-Giwa to Agba Jalingo: You’ve murdered sleep

I could not help noticing a curious confession contained in your last miscommunication about me. You let slip that since 1989 as a teenager you had been hearing about me and follwing up on how I more or less stole funds from the Cross River State meant for the supply of hospital beds in Atabong and Abana.

I wonder how a teenager could be so fixated on an older woman to the point of hallucinating about her business transactions. One begins to wonder wether or not your late mother noticed your obsession at the time, because she obviously didn't seek psychiatric help for you then.

Nothing gives fillip to your growing notoriety as a serial blackmailer and liar than your claim that I stole funds meant for hospital beds in Atabong and Abana.

This is because the year you accused me of stealing the funds, both Atabong and Abana communities were being administered by Cameroon.

How then could the Cross River State Government have awarded me contracts for the two communities? Maybe Paul Biya of Cameroon awarded the contracts.

As it is, your fixation with me has trolled you into adulthood, as you appear to still be having hallucinations about me. By your admission presumably as an adult you approached the Afokang Correctional Centre for the documentation of my detention as a result of the alleged hospital bed supply fraud. According to you, they explained that the documents may have been destroyed in a rain storm.

In keeping with my commitment to always provide succour for my people during these trying times of the Covid 19 pandemic, I moved hell and high water to make my way to Calabar on the 2nd of May to be close to my people in order to support them with some palliative relief, only to be accused by a non entity of being smuggled in by Governor Ayade to perpetrate a fraud against the very people I am sworn to protecting. What arrant nonsense coming from a buffoon like you.

This your obsession with me now has me worried for my physical safety because your failure to assaninate my character could transform you into a full blown psychotic stalker intent on causing me physical harm.

In my capacity as a grandmother that you call me, I come across remarkable personalities all the time, some of them young and enterprising. Unfortunately, I don't recall ever meeting an inconsequential pest like you. I am told that you are a man of small stature, which apparently mirrors your status as a cerebral midget. So, unfortunately I will be unable to identify you in person.

I will therefore, have to take the necessary precautions to secure my person against you in order to frustrate any potential physical attack from you or your agents.

I now challenge you to produce the following documents to back up your wild and fallacious allegations:

1) The letters of award of the contract or contracts for the supply of hospital beds to Atabong and Abana

2) A copy of your letter of request under the Freedom of Information Act for the detention warrant of my incarceration at what used to be known as the Afokang Prison addressed to the Nigerian Correctional Service .

3) The reply from the Nigerian Correctional Service stating how a rainstorm may have destroyed the requested proof of my incarceration at Afokang.

Failure to expeditiously provide the above listed documents will compel me to ask my solicitors to institute yet another libel suit against you.

Your pretence at being an activist and journalist is unravelling and I promise you that your quest to dance naked in the market square has my full support.

You are a classic example of an agent provocateur with an agenda to cause disaffection in Cross River State. How come in the history of the state no Efik son or daughter has ever cast aspersions on the many prominent and illustrious indegenes of your northern zone?

If anything the Efiks have celeberated the many iconic and colourful leaders from the northern zone of the state. Now an upstart like you has the temerity to attempt to pour scorn on me a respected Efik leader.

When I told you I have your time, you took it as an empty threat. Well, be prepared for a marathon epic battle, because I will never give in to the cheap antics of a blackmailng hustler like you.

I have worked too hard and paid my dues and therefore, will never allow a runt that you are cast aspersions on me. I'm sure you have heard the adage of the child who seeks to deny a "grand mother" sleep that the child shall also never find sleep.

Clearly you are ignorant of what it takes for a woman toascend the height of my political achievement in Nigeria.

If you did, youwould have hesitated to tango with me. Do you know the epicpolitical battles I have had to fight and win against formidable forces?

Have you a clue the quantum of insults and invectives i have had to endure for a Liliputian like you to challenge me?

Since you have decided not to respect my old age I too have decided to dedicate the rest of my years on earth to teach you a lesson. You have murdered sleep, prepare for the consequences. I am ready for you .

Dame, Senator (Princess) Florence Ita-Giwa OON

https://www.inform.ng/post/you-are-a-nonentity-and-serial-blackmailer-sen-ita-giwa-tells-agba-jalingo

NCDC might be talking about another Kogi State somewhere; definitely not our own. Their desperation has made them lost touch with their rules of engagement and protocols.

The machines they are bringing to Kogi State has been programmed to record a thousand cases for Kogi, using the FMC, Lokoja.

Anyone that goes to FMC Lokoja will be declared by them to have tested positive for CoviD-19; that is their agenda. The sample collection kits they are bringing are already infected with Covid-19. So the moment they insert into the nose, the person automatically tests positive for the virus.

We have no case yet in Kogi State. The State Government Medical and Health Team has moved to Kabba/Bunu LGA.

Contact tracing has started and testing too. Governor Yahaya Bello will lead from the front. We wont allow NCDC kill our people with their fake figures and desperation to get rich quick by toying with the health of the people. We will not allow that in Kogi State.

Their figures are false, fake, fallacious and should be ignored. Kogi is still Covid-19 free till date. We can't be bullied. We won't join the business.

Kingsley Fanwo,
Commissioner for Information and Communication.

https://www.inform.ng/post/not-our-state-kogi-state-government-insist-state-has-no-covid-19-case

PTF GUIDELINES FOR WORSHIP CENTERS

1. Places of worship must comply with all non-pharmaceutical measures such as mandatory use of face mask by worshippers, hand washing spots at the entrances, hand sanitizers with at least Sixty percent alcohol content and mandatory temperature checks.

2. Facilities should be structured in a way that physical distancing is observed.

3. Worshippers are advised not to touch each other in a manner such as hugging, shaking, kissing etc.

4. Families are advised to stay together during the worship services.

5. Church/mosque volunteers(ushers, choir, security etc.) that have underlying illnesses should not be allowed to serve.

6. The time for worship services should not be more than one hour.

7. Churches/mosques with high number of worshippers can divide their services into two or three depending on the number to ensure physical distancing, and should have break of at least 30mins between the services to allow worshippers wash their hands or to disinfect the centers.

8. Mosques are to open 20mins before Prayers and close 20mins after prayers.

9. No Islamiya schools.

10. Prayer sections should be staggered.

11. Worship centers should have different entry and exit points.

12. No social gatherings before or after services.

13. Business outlets at worship centers should remain closed.

14. The elderly above 55 are advised to observe there worship services at home.

15. Churches/Mosques should improve there environmental hygiene.

16. Windows should be left open during services, as it's more dangerous to hold services in enclosed places.

17. Open-air services are preferable.

18. There should be frequent cleaning of Centers.

19. Surfaces should be cleaned with diluted bleach.

20. Worshippers with COVID19 symptoms should not go to places of worship.

21. Churches/Mosques should keep record of staff and worshippers for contact tracing purposes.

22. Persons identified with high temperature after temperature check should be turned back.

23. It is better to stay at home and worship than to go to worship centers.

PTF ON COVID19.

https://www.inform.ng/post/covid-19-fg-advises-elderly-people-to-stay-away-from-religious-gathering

More pictures

Senator Samuel Anyanwu shares food items
#Covid19 Palliative

By: Adiela Nwosu

www.nairaland.com/attachments/11472860_img20200504wa0016_jpeg4059c9cfbdfbfd430e8a9e2c9a0eb167

As the world unites in the fight against CoronaVirus also known as #Covid19, Leaders of various countries have reached out to citizens to show support. In Nigeria, the government both at Federal and state level have been reaching out to Nigerians to provide relief in one way or another. Politicians, Celebrities, Businessmen, highly influential and indeed other well meaning Nigerians haven't been left out in the show of love and Oneness. Senator Samuel Anyanwu, is one amongst such people who have shown a great deal of concern especially for Imolites.

The Senator who represented Imo East in the 8th Senate has again today in addition to the huge donation he made to the government of Imo state two (2) weeks ago, in his support in this war against Coronavirus and in support of the outreach to Imolites in these trying times, donated food items and other forms of relief Materials not only to Amaimo which is his hometown but has ensured that all materials gets to the 29 autonomous Community in Ikeduru LGA.


A commitee was set up and the senator gave strict instructions to ensure that all items get to the poor and vulnerable persons in Ikeduru LGA to help ensure that politics is not played with the distribution of palliatives.

One of the highlights of today is the presence of Ihitte Ubi people who are strongly represented by their women. It might interest you to know that Ihitte Ubi is a Community in Ahiazu Mbaise and not in Ikeduru but it does share boundary with Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA which is another indication that the senator is benevolent not only to his immediate community but also to neighboring communities.

While distribution of palliatives was ongoing members of the committee were seen sensitizing the people on the need to adhere strictly to directives from the Federal Ministry of Health, the NCDC and the WHO which insists on social Distancing, and maintenance of high level of hygiene amongst people.

The indigenous people of Ikeduru were seen showing great appreciation over the Senator's kind gesture as they collected these relief items amidst prayers for him and over the pandemic; a strong demonstration of their belief in God that the pandemic will come to an end soon.

Below are a few pictures and video of today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBIz0UjPhNU

Casalindal:
To think someone could subject a pregnant woman into this stress. Why are human so ungrateful? Someone who doesn’t know you from Adam sent you her hard earn money and all you could do after seeing the alert is to call her fake. Wow I’m done with human

You need tto get a life outside Nairaland

Casalindal:
It’s a shame this is the last I will be kind to anyone here again but it’s fine this has taught me a lesson.. if you guys need my bank statement I will go get it as well

Your screenshot looks fake and doctored

PRESS RELEASE

23rd April, 2020.

Dr. Samuel Ortom,
Governor
Benue State of Nigeria,
Government House,
Makurdi.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FROM PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM ON YOUR 59TH
BIRTHDAY

The PDP Governors' Forum under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,
CFR, and all the other PDP Governors, congratulate His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom
on his 59th birthday anniversary.

2. As you mark your 59th birthday, the Forum wishes you good health, wisdom,
strength and God's blessings as you continue to serve Benue State in particular and
Nigeria in general.

3. We congratulate you on this auspicious occasion and ask God to continue to guide
you in the discharge of your duties as the Governor of Benue State and as a member of
the PDP family. Indeed, your stewardship has been characterised by your uncommon
devotion to the security and welfare of the people of Benue State, including remarkable
improvement in the infrastructural development of the State.

4. As you mark this occasion, please be assured of the support and solidarity of your
colleagues of the PDP Governors' Forum.

5. Thank you and God bless.

HON. C.I.D MADUABUM, LL.M
Director-General
PDP Governors’ Forum.

creativeguru:
Call and Whatsapp 0905 6921 737

Let me know when you get the contact to delete the number.

interested

Titusolufemi:
Offer still going on. A pack of facemask for #9,000.
Contact me immediately.
Location is Oyo state.

Lemme have your WhatsApp number

azpekuliar:
Face masks available

50 pieces/pack (10 packs left)

N7,500 per pack

Location: Aboru, Ipaja, Lagos

Can I have your WhatsApp? Can you supply in larger quantity?

Abbeylanre15:
7500 for a pack of Face Mask containing 50 pieces, n 1900 for a pack of hand glove containing 100 pieces n Sanitizer price varies from 1050, to 800 to 600 at Olorunsogo Area Ibadan

Can you help me buy in large quantity?

[img]https://1.bp..com/-9a7FXaF3_Nk/Xn2QPlX35DI/AAAAAAAADl0/bQ0Ld7s0qcs-c0GlLxdLJFw1PIjBewY9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_20200327_063255.jpg[/img]

In a tweet chat hosted by Abuja Discourse, a public health specialist Dr. Shola Molemodile Dele-Olowu (@DrDelwu) drew attention to the fact that our public healthcare system is facing serious challenges in the fight against Coronavirus being that as a result of years of bad leadership on all levels of government, the healthcare system has been underfunded, understaffed, poorly equipped and overworked.

In the face of a global pandemic, the healthcare system in Nigeria is looking bleak, but she remains hopeful asking all Nigerians to follow laid down safety measures as given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

On electing the right political leaders Dr. Shola opined that Voters need to understand that priority placed on health and education across all levels of government are the most important for social and economic development. According to her, health must be used as political currency; voters need to look at the state of health facilities and human resources for health in the communities and ask themselves if they have a functional health center within 5km of their dwelling? Stating further that one good outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic is that the political class is more aware of the importance of healthcare. Expressing hope that after this battle has been won, political leaders on all levels will place a premium on the quality of public healthcare and facilities.

This episode of the weekly tweet chat by @AbujaDiscourse was extremely educating, eye opening and engaging as Nigerians engaged Dr. Shola with questions ranging be from individual responsibility to cubbing the pandemic to political responsibility among others.

To follow up in subsequent tweet chat series and also to catch up on earlier discourse follow @AbujaDiscourse on twitter and follow the hashtags #ADTweetChatSeries.