₦airaland Forum

The shameful conduct of Mr. Lamidi Apapa at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal today, 17th May 2023, has once again brought to the fore the desperation of certain elements in the political class to deploy all manner of subterfuge and criminality to divide and despoil the massive goodwill currently being enjoyed by the Labour Party all over Nigeria.

It is very unfortunate that Mr. Lamidi Apapa who continues to act lawlessly as an impostor ascribing to himself a vague status as the Chairman of the Labour Party and on the claims of representing the Nigeria Labour fong,ess is clearly receiving protection from institutions of the state the preservation of law and order.

The Labour Party which was founded by the Nigeria Labour Congress more than three decades ago confers institutional membership on the Nigeria Labdur Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC). Institutional representation of Organised Labour in the leadership of the Labour Party is at the behest of nomination by the leadership of the national labour centers, or from the affiliate unions or state councils of the NLC and TUC.

As at today, the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Oyo State Council of the NLC which Mr. Apapa Lamidi claims affiliation to has completely disclaimed giving Mr. Lamidi Apapa any mandate to act on their behalf in the Labour Party in any capacity whatsoever thus disowning him. The national leadership of the Congress then wonders who Mr. Lamidi Apapa is representing in the Labour Party.

This perfidy by Mr. Lamidi Apapa and his cohorts has been sustained by interested political actors in Nigeria whose abiding wish is the death of the Labour Party. It is clear that Mr. Lamidi Apapa is a meddlesome interloper who is being used by reactionary forces to deny Nigerians the benefit of an alternative political thought and organisation geared towards genuine national redemption and transformation.

The NLC Political Commission wishes to reiterate its earlier statement disowning the so-called factional leadership of the Labour Party led by Mr. Lamidi Apapa. Any attempt to allow Mr. Lamidi Apapa to foist the show of shame he and his minions exhibited today at the sitting of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal would be strongly resisted by Organised Labour.

We urge the Nigerian workers and people to retain its faith in our judiciary as the bastion of justice and the final refuge of the oppressed. We also call on all progressive Nigerians to remain vigilant as the court case by the Labour Party is considered by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

Organised Labour as the custodian of the ideology and values of the Labour Party of Nigeria will not sit back and watch conmen take advantage of our name and goodwill to sell the Labour Party to the highest bidder. The focus of the Political Commission of the Congress is the conscientization of workers and the Nigerian people on the need for good governance.

Comrade Chris Uyot
Secretary, NLC Political Commission

I am in disbelief that @SecBlinken called Tinubu, a contradiction to the publicly stated position of the US on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

This is inconceivable considering that America, as the bastion of democracy, is well briefed on the sham election of February 25. To give legitimacy to the widely acknowledged fraudulent election in Nigeria can be demoralising to citizens who have hedged their bet on democracy and the sanctity of the ballot @StateDept @POTUS @USinNigeria. -AA

The Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, and first black President of the World Methodist Council (WMC), Dr. Sunday Coffie Mbang,has died.

He was 86.

The first President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) of Methodist Church extraction, according to family sources, died Tuesday night in his sleep after a brief illness.

“The late Prelate Emeritus, has not been out for any public function of late, but preferred to receive some important visitors including his best friend, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was one of his few close associates that visited him two weeks ago for prayers and blessings,” a family member, who preferred anonymity said.

We are in awe of Hilda’s unwavering commitment to breaking the Guinness World Record for longest cooking by an individual🙌🏾🙌🏾

71 hours in and it’s undeniable how resilient she is. To cheer her on to triumph, we at Zaron are supporting her by providing 1 year free supply of skincare and makeup products❤️❤️❤️

We are rooting for you💪🏾
#HildaBaciCookathon

We are thrilled to announce that @vestiofficial will be offering an all expense paid trip to the Maldives this summer, to the phenomenal @hildabaci of @myfoodbyhilda on her daring and record breaking attempt at the #Guinness world record at 27years for the longest number of hours a chef has cooked.

We are inspired by this global feat and wish her the best as she attempts to break the record, and believe this will inspire the next generation of record breakers in Nigeria and on the African continent.

#globalwoman #hildabacicookathon #hildabaci #vestiofficial #vesti #maldives
@hildabacicookathon

2times2:
so what does the former title holder has to say about this?

The moment Vice President Osinbajo called to encourage Hilda!

The entire nation is rooting for her!

VIDEO: The moment Vice President Osinbajo called to encourage Hilda!

The entire nation is rooting for her!#Hildabacicookathon pic.twitter.com/j0ix4pYrmT

— CableLifestyle (@CableLifestyle) May 14, 2023

We see you, Chef Hilda, standing at the crossroads of history, ready to carve your name in the annals of world records. This is no easy feat, but we believe wholeheartedly in your grit and your passion. You are inspiring millions by showcasing the strength of the human spirit. May your energy remain unbroken, for you are on the brink of making history. We believe in you. Nigeria believes in you. -AA

I heartily congratulate the Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, whose 22nd goal of the season earned Napoli a 1-1 draw at Udinese and was enough to win the great Italian Football Club their first Serie A league title since 1990.

Today, Victor Osimhen's penalty against Fiorentina further pushed him ahead of George Weah as the Africa's highest goal scorer in Seria A history.

Osimhen's feat is more remarkable when it is recalled that Napoli last won the title during the days of the late legendary footballer Diego Maradona.

Osimhen's inspiring story of rising from the slums of Ojota Lagos to become one of the best footballers in the world is an eloquent testimony to what Nigerian youths can achieve if given the right atmosphere to pursue their dreams.

It is yet another proof that a new Nigeria is POssible if we harness the abundant talents of our teeming youths. -PO

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has allegedly moved against the choice of president-elect for the position of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, THE WHISTLER has learnt.

Sources with adequate knowledge of the development said Uzodimma is unhappy that despite huge support from the Southeast towards Tinubu’s victory at the 2023 presidential election, the zone is being overlooked.

The revelation came after a senator-elect from Imo North Senatorial District, Patrick Ndubueze, joined the race for the position of Senate President ahead of the 10th Assembly inauguration.

Ndubueze declared his bid in an open letter to the All Progressives Congress, APC and elected senators on Sunday.

It was gathered that the Southern caucus of the APC felt compelled to allow the Senate President to go to the Southeast but that Tinubu countered that and preferred the Southsouth, thereby settling for Akpabio.

Akpabio, who was a Minister of Niger Delta in the president Muhammadu Buhari administration was reported to have received almost 60 endorsement from the senators-elect who have been compelled to append their signature by the President-elect to ensure their compliance.

But the public declaration of Akpabio as Tinubu’s consensus pick in Calabar, Cross River State, by the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has riled other contenders against the move.

Ganduje while playing guest to Cross River State Governor, alongside senior members of the Buhari administration said, “Akpabio, the uncommon senator would be the next president of the Senate.”

The declaration was received with seriousness owing to his relationship with Tinubu especially when he added that, “it has been agreed” that it’s the former Minister of Niger Delta.

The declaration was followed by Akpabio’s public display of leadership in Rivers State on Thursday when he was seen introducing some of the senators-elect to Tinubu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Tinubu was in Port Harcourt to commission some projects executed by the State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Despite Akpabio edging closer to the prize, another senator-elect from Imo State, Osita Osinazu has continued to campaign for the position- a development seen as indication of Uzodinma’s opposition to the choice of the president-elect.

Also, former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari, has continued to campaign and has rejected the idea of having Akpabio as the consensus pick.

Yari said, “What is going to happen that day, it is going to happen based on the instructions of the constitution and not for anyone.”

In addition to the forces up against Akpabio, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, on Sunday rejected Akpabio, insisting the Northwest should be allowed to produce the next Senate President.

A statement signed by the chieftain of the ACF, Alhaji Musa Saidu said, “We hereby dissociate ourselves from the endorsement of Sen. Godswill Akpabio for the Senate Presidency by a coalition of Northern groups.

“No true Northern group will want to endorse Akpabio for a sensitive position like that of Senate President because he is not friendly with the North,” the forum said.

In his letter to the APC, Ndubueze insisted that, “In respect of current realities in this time which requires sensitive leadership in the Senate in the moulds of focused leadership, one that is people-centric and supportive.

“Having been persuaded of my track record as a ranking legislator, a politician of more than 35 years standing and a personal character that had stood the test of time for integrity and commitment to the people, I, Engr. Patrick Ndubueze, being a ranking member of the National Assembly, do desire to offer myself to contest the office of the Senate President of the 10th National Assembly strongly believing in my capacity to stand in the roles of the leadership required at this time.

“I trust that you will bless my aspiration as declared with your active support through appropriate counselling, advice and networking, to ensure that this noble cause sees the light of the day.

“While I await your kind acceptance of my declaration of intention, sir, please, accept, the assurances of my esteemed regards.”

He also despatched a letter to individual Senator-elect in the Red Chamber, saying, “Distinguished Senator, over the last 32 years, I have remained committed to the good cause of the Nigerian project.

“And had always been persuaded that our sovereign advancement inclusive of the desired progressions of millions of Nigerians is better enabled through the instrumentality of appropriately engineered legislations which are superintended by a knowledgeable and motivated political head of the National Assembly who is equipped for thoroughness, moderation and vision-driven compassion.

“It is for these reasons, and their fulfilment, Distinguished Senator, that I have decided to declare my intention to contest the office of the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I do not treat this declaration lightly, Distinguished Senator. I, indeed, have been on a consultation frenzy with critical stakeholders across the length and breadth of our country to positive acclaim.

“This letter to your good self is in continuation of the consultation I had embarked upon, by which, I am of the hope that you will avail me a time to physically meet with you, even as I now canvass for your support and advice as we head to the day of the election of the principal officers of the National Assembly.

“While thanking you, profusely, for the opportunity of this engagement, Distinguished Senator, please accept my highest regards for your good self.”

The APC has 59 senators-elect while opposition parties have 50 senators-elect, in the 109 Upper Legislative House.

A breakdown of the opposition parties standing shows the PDP has 36, the LP has 8, the NNPP has 2 seats respectively.

Others are the SDP with 2 seats and the YPP and APGA with 1 seat each.

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has dissociated itself from the endorsement of Godswill Akpabio for Senate Presidency by Coalition of Northern groups.

Musa Saidu, a member of the ACF, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Saidu, also the leader of the Arewa Community in Southern Nigeria, said that endorsing Mr Akpabio for the Senate Presidency would spell doom for Northern Nigeria.

“We hereby dissociate ourselves from the endorsement of Sen. Godswill Akpabio for the Senate Presidency by a coalition of Northern groups.

“The coalition is not speaking for the North, it is just speaking for itself.

“No true Northern group will want to endorse Akpabio for a sensitive position like that of Senate President because he is not friendly with the North.

“We are the people who know Akpabio, because we are resident in the South, we know those who are friendly with the Northern people and Akpabio is actually not one of them,” he said.

Mr Saidu added that the coalition must have made the endorsement out of ignorance.

“I want to condemn the endorsement in its entity because it was done out of ignorance.

“It is also possible that the groups were given some inducement to endorse Akpabio.

“I want to say that the Northern people are not beggars that will be endorsing people who are not friendly with them because of inducement,” he said.

Mr Saidu said that the ACF would continue to fight for the speak against injustice in the country.

“Why should the All Progressives Congress (APC) be bent on zoning the 10th Senate Presidency to the South, when we have competence hands in the the North.

“The North-West gave the APC the largest votes in the February 25 presidential election, why not consider somebody from the zone.

“I think it’s time for the party to reward the zone for the massive votes rather than start looking for somebody from the South as Senate President,” he said.

A Coalition of Northern Groups had endorsed Mr Akpabio for the Senate Presidency, saying he was best suited for the position.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has dispelled the rumours of him jostling to become Chief of Staff in President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

El-Rufai stated this in Gombe on Saturday while addressing newsmen.

El-Rufai was in the state to inaugurate the construction of 550 housing units and Gombe Geographic Information Systems (GOGIS) Service Centre.

He described the reports on the different portfolios being assigned to him and published on national dailies as “mere speculations”.

The Governor said he was more interested in contributing to the development of Nigeria than jostling for positions.

El-Rufai noted that being in government was not the only way to contribute to Nigeria’s development, saying even if he was not in government, he would remain committed to the progress of the country.

“I have not had that discussion with the president-elect and I don’t like to speculate.

“I read in the newspapers all kinds of portfolios assigned to me but you know, I am a committed Nigerian.

“I want to see my country make progress and whatever I can do to contribute to the development of the country, I will do it.

“But, I don’t have to do it working in government. Everyone who is working either in the private sector or the civil society is contributing.

“There is not just one way to contribute to the country and I will never stop working for Nigeria’s progress,” he said.

The Governor said upon leaving office in the next 22 days, he would take a break but be available to provide advice, where needed, on how to move the country forward.

“I will be in the private sector, not any chief of staff. I will take a break and advise people like Governor Inuwa Yahaya if they need it,” he said.

On Tinubu’s presidency from May 29, El-Rufai said Nigerians would not regret voting the president-elect, stressing that better days were ahead of Nigerians under Tinubu.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the conviction and eight-year sentence imposed on the former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina for laundering about N2.1billion.

In a judgment on Friday, a three-member panel of the court unanimously affirmed the November 8, 2021 judgment given by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abija, convicting and sentencing Maina.

Justice Justice Elfreda Williams-Daudu, in the lead judgment also affirmed the various interlocutory rulings delivered in the course of the trial at the Federal High Court, which Maina appealed against.

Justice Elfreda Oluwayemisi Williams-Dawodu, who resolved the two issues, identified for determination, against Maina, held that he was not denied fair hearing by the trial court and that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Three police officers were, on Thursday, killed when gunmen attacked their checkpoint in Umunze, a community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria’s south-east.

The incident happened early in the morning, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

The gunmen were said to have stormed the checkpoint along Umunze-Ihite Road in the community and opened fire on the officers, killing three of them on the spot.

Residents said some shop owners near the scene of the attack abruptly closed their shops for fear of being caught by stray bullets.

A video clip, apparently shot after the incident, has been circulating on various WhatsApp groups.

In the now viral clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, three bodies of the slain officers were seen lying along the road close to the checkpoint.

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident in a statement, Thursday evening.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, described the killing of the officers as “unfortunate.”

“It is part of the highest prices security officers pay in serving the nation,” he said.

He, however, said the police in the state were not “deterred” by the development.

“The reinforcement teams are already in the area and the manhunt for the assailants is ongoing while joint security patrols have been intensified in the area,” the police spokesperson stated.

Increased attacks
Like other states in Nigeria’s south-east, security has deteriorated in Anambra State with frequent attacks by armed persons.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

The latest attack comes days after gunmen abducted an unidentified man at Afor Market Junction along Nnobi Road in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.

The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of the south-south Nigeria.

The Federal Government has commenced the payment of the 40 per cent pay rise arrears for civil servants, Saturday PUNCH has reliably learnt.

Our correspondent who spoke to some federal civil servants on Saturday learnt that workers started receiving bank alerts of the arrears on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

A high-ranking civil servant who spoke to our correspondent anonymously in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, noted that the arrears came in alongside the April 2023 salary.

“I received my own arrears today. Some of our other colleagues have also confirmed receipt of their arrears. It came in alongside our April salary.”

Another civil servant who confirmed the development via a chat with our correspondent in Ibadan said, “[b]Yes, it is true. Though I am a teacher with a Federal Government school, I can confirm to you that I received my April 2023 salary alongside my arrears.”[/b]

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd), proposed a 40 per cent pay rise for workers to cushion the effects of the planned removal of fuel subsidy.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Olajide Oshundun, who spoke to The PUNCH noted that the rise will be applicable to all workers from level 1 to 17.

Earlier in March, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed that the Federal Government had approved a pay raise for civil servants in the country.

He added that the pay rise had been included in the 2023 budget, noting that it would take effect from January 1, 2023.

Ngige described the pay raise as a peculiar allowance for civil servants in view of the current economic reality and it is meant to help government workers to cushion the effects of rising inflation, the rising cost of living, hikes in transportation fare, housing and electricity tariffs.

Federal Executive Council approves the granting of Nigerian Citizenship by naturalization to 317 applicants and Nigerian Citizenship by registration to 68 applicants who have met all the constitutional and administrative requirements.

Daniel Ogoshi, the official driver of Nasarawa Deputy Governor Dr Emmanuel Akabe, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

The Nation gathered Ogoshi was taken from the residence of his friend around 9:30 pm at Ombi 2, College of Agric, Kwandere road Lafia, leaving his phone and car behind.

A family friend, who confirmed the incident, said he received a call around 9 pm his brother had been taken away by kidnappers.

The family friend immediately alerted the police who rushed to the scene but the kidnappers had already fled with the victim.

The media officer to the Deputy Governor, Emmanuel Eyima, confirmed the incident, saying he was informed about the situation but did not have adequate information on what had transpired.

The police public relations officer of the Nasarawa Police command, DSP Ramhan Nansel, also confirmed the incident and said that the police were on top of the matter.

He, however, stated that he will not comment further on the issue until proper verification had been done.

Frank Lampard on Tuesday night, became the first Chelsea manager in the club’s 118-year history to lose his first four matches in charge.

Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge on April 6 on an interim basis until the end of the season following Graham Potter’s sack.

However, his return has not gone to plan, as there is no new manager bounce so far.

In his first game back, the Blues lost 1-0 at Wolves in the Premier League.

This was followed by a 2-0 defeat by Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.

Last weekend Chelsea lost 2-1 at home to Brighton in the league.

They were then eliminated from the Champions League with another 2-0 loss to Real Madrid.

Their next fixture is against Brentford in the Premier League.

In 1989, I was about to get married and I was searching for a good house to rent. I met my landlord, an elderly lawyer who obviously did more real estate than legal practice.

He let me know that there were 3 categories of people he would not rent the property in his care to - Ijebus, Igbos and Lawyers. I was disqualified on two accounts. He then said to me, pointing behind him in a few shrivelled-up books on a small bookshelf, that he had the arsenal to destroy any tenant in court if I gave him any trouble.

He later, to his embarrassment, discovered that I was a Law teacher and adviser to the then Attorney General of the Federation and that of course, I am also Ijebu.

I share this to illustrate the point that prejudice and bias are natural aspects of human nature. Everyone has prejudices and preferences that are reinforced by stories and narratives.

Just In:

Factional Leadership emerges in the Labour Party, as suspended National publicity secretary Abayomi Arabambi and National Youth Leader Anselm Eragbe appoint new officers of the party.

The Factional Leadership of the Party also appoints Deputy National Chairman of the party Bashiru Apapa, as acting National Chairman.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike has on Thursday showered encomiums on his Kaduna state counterpart, Governor Nasir Elrufai for shunning personal interests for the unity of Nigeria, in the just concluded 2023 general election.

Governor Wike equally praised the northern extraction of the APC governors whom he said history will remember kindly.

Wike said this at the commissioning of a Link Road project in PortHarcout, Rivers state.

Recall Wike and 4 other PDP governors, known as the G5 were at loggerheads with the party leadership over zoning of chairmanship position of the party to a southern aspirant, a demand that became an alternative to zoning the PDP’s presidential ticket to the south after much internal party peace moves.

The Rivers governor described Elrufai as one who always speaks his mind boldly for the interest of Nigeria.

He said, “I want to use this opportunity to thank you and members of your team, particularly some governors from the north in the All Progressive Congress, APC, on behalf of the people of Rivers State.”

“When it mattered most in this country, when Nigerians are talking about unity, how this country will be united and progressive, people like Elrufai came out and spoke boldly that for the unity of this country, the presidency having stayed in the North for the period of 8 years, should move to the south, you stood firm, you were not personal about it but all you were talking about is the interest and unity of Nigeria.”

“I can assure you that history will be on your side tomorrow when it will be discussed with those who talked about the unity of Nigeria.
You would have as well said, well, coming from one of the most populated zones in the country, This is my second term let me throw in and vie for the presidency but you said no let it move to the south.

Wike noted that the people of Rivers equally voted for the president of the south, as the results clearly showed.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank you, on behalf of the people of Rivers State. We too here supported the president of the South. I don’t want to say who we voted for but the results show. I don’t know who took first, second or third. but it important that the people of the state-supported southern presidency.”

On his part, Governor Elrufai congratulated Rivers people for voting quality over sentiment.

A State High Court sitting in Benin, the Edo state capital, has restrained the Labour Party and all its members from any suspension or purported suspension of its national officers till the determination of a motion on notice.

A statement made available to news men and signed by the National Secretary of the Labour Party, Alhaji Umar Farouk said the party’s lawyer, G. C. Igbokwe (SAN) confirmed to journalists that he has got a High Court order that status quo be maintained and no action which may result to the suspension of any national officer of the party be taken.

According to the Senior Advocate, “Our attention has been drawn to a latter order purportedly from another court of equal jurisdiction restraining my clients. Of course, such order is of no consequence and will have no effect untill after the determination of the motion on notice.”

Recall that the entire leadership of Labour Party in Edo state including the State, Local Government and Ward executives on Monday had passed a vote of confidence on Abure, who was allegedly suspended by a factional group of the party.

The party recalled that some groups who claimed to be ward three executives of the party in Edo State, led by the Ward’s Chairman, Martins Osigbemhe, had earlier announced the suspension of the LP national chairman.

However, in a solidarity visit to Barrister Abure at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja, the chapters said the Osigbemhe faction are unknown to the party and are working for the opposition political parties.

Mr Kelly Ogbaloi, Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the party, while addressing newsmen said that the constitution of the party did not empower any group or party members to suspend a national officer.

Ogbaloi said that since Abure was elected by a national convention, “imposters “who are not registered party members cannot suspend him, so their action is out of ignorance. Those who did it don’t even understand the message they were asked to deliver.”

No date has been fixed for hearing on the matter.

A Port Harcourt-bound Aero Contractors aircraft, on Wednesday morning, developed fault mid-air and had to return to Abuja for emergency landing.

A passenger on the plane exclusively told LEADERSHIP that the aircraft took off at about 8:40am but few minutes into the flight, the pilot announced he had to return back to Abuja.

The passenger said those on board didn’t understand the gravity of the technical issues the plane encountered until it was almost impossible for the pilot to land safely in Abuja.

“We later realised that the engine had serious issues like hydraulic leakage or something like that. It was terrifying. Many people on board started crying and saying their last prayers. But we managed to land back in Abuja despite the difficulty encountered,” the passenger narrated.

The All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers State has suspended the party’s chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, and Legal Adviser, Iheanyichukwu Azubuike, over alleged anti-party activities and financial misconduct

The party’s State Executive Committee, led by Chike Eyinda, announced their suspension at a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The committee blamed them for the party’s poor performance in the 2023 elections in the state.

Eyinda also knocked former transportation minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for saying the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, who was declared the ‘President-elect’, Bola Tinubu, influenced the choice of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Eyinda said, “We, the members of the State Executive Committee, therefore, resolve as follows: that Chief Emeka Beke, the Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, is hereby suspended indefinitely for anti-party activities, gross misconduct and financial mismanagement pending the outcome of an independent committee of inquiry as may be set up by the party.

“That until the outcome of the committee of inquiry, Mr. Omiete Eferebo, the Deputy Chairman assumes the office of the acting chairman with immediate effect.

“That Mr. Iheanyichukwu Azubuike, the Legal Adviser of the party also stands suspended for anti-party activities and financial mismanagement pending the outcome of the committee of inquiry.

“These leaders have been responsible for the mass exodus of members of the party as well as the failures experienced by the party in the just concluded general elections in the state.

“To demonstrate this, Rt. Hon. Amaechi, who contested and lost the presidential primary to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, in active connivance with the state chairman and the legal adviser, a week to the presidential election, called the leadership of the party to a meeting and directed all the APC members in the state to work for the PDP in the general election.”

Eyinda said the directive given by Amaechi badly affected the fortunes of the APC in the 2023 elections.

He described Amaechi’s statement allegation as an “affront to our President-elect and the highest level of anti-party activity”.

“Also, since the present chairman (Chief Emeka Beke) took over the mantle of leadership of APC in Rivers State, all funds released for the 2023 elections were disbursed by the chairman and his cronies without the consent and approval of any member of the executive working committee as prescribed by the party’s constitution.

“We urgently call on the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu to set up an independent panel of inquiry to look into the activities of the above-mentioned leaders with a view to finding a lasting solution to the problems of the party in the state,” Eyinda said.

PRESS RELEASE
The Commission’s Lagos Office Debunks Alleged Exclusion of Nigerians From Certain Regions as Ad-Hoc Staff For Governorship/State Houses of Assembly Elections

INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS STATE HEADQUARTERS 6, BIRREL AVENUE, SABO, YABA, LAGOS.
15Th MARCH, 2023

INEC LAGOS STATE READ WITH GREAT CONCERN ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA IN RESPECT OF THE REMOVAL OF ALL IGBOS AND SOUTH SOUTH STAFF IN LAGOS STATE FROM PARTICIPATING AS ADHOC STAFF IN THE STATE DURING THE FORTH COMING GOVERNORSHIP / HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ELECTION ON 18TH MARCH, 2023..

IT WAS EQUALLY ALLEGED THAT "OBIDIENTS IN LAGOS, SANWO OLU AND TINUBU WERE ON A CALL WITH THE INEC REC, IN LAGOS STATE TO FINALISE RIGGING PLANS FOR THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION"

IT HAS BECOME IMPERATIVE TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUS ACCUSATIONS IN SOME QUARTERS AND PUT THE RECORD STRAIGHT THAT THE ADHOC STAFF ._(COLLATIQN __OFFICERS) ENGAGED DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL / NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTION ON 25TH FEBRUARY, 2023 IN LAGOS STATE WERE 738 IN NUMBER BEARING IN MIND THAT THREE ELECTIONS WERE HELD.
THE FORTH COMING GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION WILL ONLY REQUIRE THE SERVICES OF 427 COLLATION OFFICERS BECAUSE OF THE TWO ELECTIONS INVOLVED.

IT IS PERTINENT TO STATE UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT MEMBERS OF STAFF THAT ARE IGBOS WERE ALL RETUNRED TO WORK AS COLLATION OFFICERS IN THE FORTH COMING GOVERNORSHIP/HOA ELECTION SCHEDULLED FOR 18Th MARCH, 2023 WHILE THE SPOs MAINTAINED THEIR POSITIONS.

THE HON, RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER FOR LAGOS STATE MR OLUSEGUN AGBAJE MFR, mni DID NOT-AT ANY POINT IN TIME ENGAGE IN ANY TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE THREE CANDIDATES MENTIONED - OBIDIENTS, SANWO OLU AND TINUBU IN FACT HE DOES NOT HAVE THEIR TELEPHONE NUMBERS. WHOEVER THAT HAS INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DAY AND TIME OF THE SAID TELEPHONE CONVERSATION SHOULD NOT HESITATE TO MAKE IT PUBLIC..

GOING FROM THE ABOVE FRIVOLOUS ALLEGATIONS IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE ORCHESTRATED STORIES WERE FABRICATED TO IMPUGN INEC AND TAINT THE REPUTATION OF MR OLUSEGUN AGBAJE MFR, mni THE HON RESIDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER INEC LAGOS STATE,
WITHOUT MINCING WORDS MR. OLUSEGUN AGBAJE MFR, mni IS A MAN OF INTEGRITY, SINCERITY, FULLY COMMITTED AND DEDICATED TO THE SERVICE OF THE COMMISSION AND THE ENTIRE CITIZENS OF NIGERIA IRRESPECTIVE OF ETHNICITY OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION..

THE PUBLIC SHOULD SHUN FAKE NEWS, MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION AND ALLOW INEC IN LAGOS STATE TO FOCUS ON THE FORTH COMING ELECTION IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULT.

THE COMMISSION WILL CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF EQUITY, FAIRNESS, TRANSPARENCY, CREDIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN LINE WITH THE VISION AND MISSION TO BE A PRE-EMINENT LEADER IN DEEPENING ELECTORAL DEMOCRACY AS AN UNBIASED ELECTION MANAGEMENT BODY.. TADESE ADENIKE (MRS) HOD VOTER EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY FOR: HON RESIDENT ELECTORALCOMMISSIONER INEC, LAGOS STATE.

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra have emerged as the Top 10 terror group in the world according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) a report published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).

The deadliest terrorist groups in the world in 2022 were Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates, followed by Al-Shabaab, ISK and Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM).

IS, Alshabab, ISK and JNIM have remained the deadliest terror group globally for the eighth consecutive year, recording the most attacks and deaths in the world.

Romelu Lukaku will return to Chelsea at the end of this season, loan club Inter Milan have confirmed.

The Belgian striker, 29, has struggled to rediscover the form which made him a hero at San Siro prior to his £97.5million switch back to Stamford Bridge two summers ago. It was hoped Lukaku would pick up where he left off after his nightmare return to Chelsea, having guided Inter to the title in the 2020/21 season with an impressive 24 goals in Serie A.

But Lukaku has managed to deliver just a fraction of that figure this term, netting just five times in 17 appearances in all competitions during a season beset by injury problems, with Inter now ready to cut their ties with him. Inter CEO Beppe Marotta told Sky Italia: “The loan was for one season so on June 30 regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea."

Inter had agreed to loan Lukaku back from Chelsea last summer for a cut-price fee of just £6.9m for the season, plus further bonuses due if he helped them win the league title (they're currently 18 points behind leaders Napoli). He even took a 30 per cent pay cut to return as Inter covered the rest of his wages in full, with both camps believed to be keen to eventually make the deal permanent, despite there not being an option to buy clause inserted in the transfer agreement.

However, things haven't worked out as hoped. As Marotta explained: "This has been an unprecedented season. I’m referring of course to the (winter) World Cup. The problems we’ve experienced have been experienced by other clubs too and the players who played at the World Cup.

“Lukaku is a case in point. (Marcelo) Brozovic isn’t the Brozovic we know. Lukaku hasn’t found the fitness he needs to play his best football. He’s still not at his best or the player we got to see in years gone by.”

The situation leaves Lukaku in an awkward position, having seemingly burnt his bridges at Chelsea following his explosive interview in December 2021, where he admitted he was "not happy" with how his return to the Blues was going and that he longed to play for Inter again.

After failing to cement his place as Chelsea's lead No.9, he got his wish, but his parent club have since switched manager and moved on. Graham Potter is on the hunt for a new frontman though, potentially handing Lukaku a lifeline to revive his career.

Chelsea have struggled for goals during Potter's so-far troublesome reign, though with new owners at the helm, it is expected they will invest in a new striker in the summer transfer window. A recent report from the Daily Mail claims Lukaku is not part of Potter's plans for the club moving forward, with the Chelsea boss said to be 'not enthusiastic' about him returning.

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta on Romelu Lukaku: "The loan was for one season so regardless of how well he plays, he’ll go back to Chelsea.

“Lukaku hasn’t found the fitness he needs to play his best football. He’s still not at his best or the player we got to see in years gone by.”

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has challenged his predecessors in the State to come out and swear thart they have never pilfered the state treasury.

He said in an interview in Hausa monitored on a local TV and Radio station that his philosophy in governance was not to steal as he.was aware there would be a day of reckoning.

Hear him:

I’m happy that we constructed qualitative roads that would last for years. Not those kinds of roads they’ve constructed in the past which after 2 years, after 2 rainy seasons the roads would be bad.”

“We still have work to do..our plan is that we want all roads in Kaduna to be tarred.Anyone who comes to Kaduna would not see a muddy road.Every part of the town you visit will have tarred roads and solar powered street lights. That’s what we envisaged everywhere in Kaduna, in Kafanchan, in Zaria and in all Local Government Areas such as Soba, everywhere. That is what we want to see.”

“However, we couldn’t realized all our development plans because of the situation this government met.In fact we had to seek for loan to execute those projects. “

“The people can see that we executed those projects with the loan we secured. We did not syphon the money to Dubai and bought houses or go to Jabi Road and build a mansion. “

“We are not like such people. I became the Governor of Kaduna state with only one house located at Danja Street in Unguwan Sarki Kaduna..I’ve completed my tenure, Alhamdulillah…that is my only house. I.dont have any other house.I didn’t built a mansion. I don’t even need it.”

” I did not steal anybody’s money and I am challenging those who governed Kaduna to come out and swear that they ‘ve never stolen money, they should swear that they’ve not taken a kobo from Kaduna State. “

“Wallahi, l am ready to swear. I am challenging them ( former Governors) to come out,face the people of Kaduna State and swear that they’ve never stolen the people’s money.”

” We know them, they are neither the children of Dantata( legendary Kano billionaire) nor the children of Dangote.We know them right from our school days. Where do they get the money to build those houses?What was their profession?”

El Rufai said such was not their philosophy in governance because leadership was a trust bestowed on an individual by God and one day, a leader must stand before God to give account.

APC Senators-elect gather for a meeting with President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, on Monday.

Meeting is said to be part of early consultations on the issue of zoning of Presiding and Principal Offices in the 10th National Assembly.

Alhassan Ado Doguwa, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who is being tried on five counts, was granted bail on Monday by a federal high court in Kano State.

Charges include criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal firearm possession, mischief, and inciting a riot.

Following an exparte application for the enforcement of rights of Alhassan Ado Doguwa made before the court by his attorney, Barrister Nuraini Jimoh, the presiding judge, Justice Yunusa Muhammad, granted Doguwa bail.

Jimoh prayed the court to admit the defendant on bail, arguing that his client is presumed to be innocent, pursuant to the provision of section 35 sub 6 of the constitution of Federal of Nigeria (1999 as amended).

Ruling on the application, Justice Muhammad granted the application with N500m and two reliable sureties in like sum.

The court said the sureties shall be First Class Emir and any Senior officer in Civil Service.

Justice Muhammad similarly ordered Doguwa to drop his International Passport to Court Registry pending the trial.

Doguwa was earlier arraigned before a Senior Magistrate court by the Kano State Commissioner of Police and was later remanded in prison till March 7, 2023.

The State Collation Officer for the February 25 presidential election in Rivers State and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Prof. Teddy Adias, has alleged threat to his life and that of his family members by some persons who claimed that he was detailed to influence votes in favour of a candidate or political party at the polls.

Adias, who raised the alarm in a statement titled, ‘My stewardship, my bond as state collation officer for the 2023 presidential election, Rivers state’, said he had been receiving threat calls, messages, abuses and insults over the claim despite his neutrality.

Debunking the allegation, he explained that his job as state collation officer was simply to collate results that had been recorded at the units, wards and local government levels up to the state’s collation centre where all the scores were summed up in the presence of all concerned persons and groups, as well as party agents and the media.

He said, “By this arrangement it is quite impossible for a State Collation Officer for the Presidential Election to manipulate scores that had already been counted, recorded, confirmed, signed, and stamped by Officers at the lower levels of Collation (Unit, Ward, and LGA).

“Looking at the scope and modalities of my job as well as my neutrality as a Vice-Chancellor, how could anyone have imagined to the extent of alleging that I was out to favour any candidate or political party in the Presidential Elections?

“To put the records straight, I began to receive several phone calls and text messages threatening, abusing and insulting my person and family on February 26, 2023 while I was on my way to Port Harcourt to report to duty not knowing that my photograph and phone number had already been circulated on the social media, especially Facebook and Twitter alleging that I had been detailed to influence votes and scores for Candidate(s) in the elections by manipulating the BVAS machines in Rivers State among others.”

The vice-chancellor said he informed the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State, Johnson Alalibo about the threats and he roundly condemned it, promising him that his safety was assured.

He stated that he managed to comport himself as more threats and insults kept hitting his phone up till the evening of February 26 when he retired to his hotel to rest after collating the results for three local government areas, to prepare for collation the next day.

He, however, said that after considering the avalanche of threats he decided the following day to adjourn the collation of results and insisted that the INEC must address a press conference “to let everyone know about the several threats to my life and as they may affect the collation exercise.”

Adias, who stated that the commission carried out the press conference and the collation exercise continued and was concluded, stressed that it became necessary for him to also alert the public “because my image is far more precious to me than anything else.”

He further said, “Trust me; there is no iota of truth in the rumours that had been peddled. It is just a figment of the imagination of their bearers to what end I cannot really ascertain.

“I want to urge us to discountenance all the misinformation and lies that have been peddled about me in relation to the conduct of the 2023 Presidential Elections in Rivers State. Let us be assured that my patriotic zeal for the growth and development of our dear country will not be dampened, no matter the seeming discouragements.”