PDP Removes Hon Shola Adedoyin As Leader Of The Party, Suspends His Brother As Vice Chairman

The People's Democratic Party, PDP, Ekinrin Adde Ward has removed Hon Shola Adedoyin as the leader of the party and subsequently suspended his brother, Mr Festus Adedoyin as the party's Vice Chairman.

The party in a letter directed to its Ijumu local government Chairman and signed by the ward chairman, Mr Otitoju James Kode and Ward Secretary, Mallam Olamipekun Akeem accused Hon Shola Adedoyin of financial infidelity and total domination of the party's executives at the ward level.

The party said that Hon Shola Adedoyin Highhandedness and self aggrandizement has culminated into the party losing out in the last general election.

"It is high time we bring to your notice the misdeeds, lukewarm, ineptness and gross misconduct of Chief Shola Adedoyin. This is done in time before the matter escalates beyond restoration"

"Firstly, he is so immersed in bad habits such as highhandedness, self aggrandizement, inflexibility and unhealthy domination over party executives. He has also turned himself to a leader who nobody can talk to or offer piece of advice on matter concerning the general welfare and progress of our great party. A tree, they say, cannot make a forest. But he has turned himself to a giant Iroko tree that can make a forest in piloting the affairs of PDP in Ekinrin-Adde ward using his brother, Mr Adedoyin Festus, as a cohort in carrying out all these misdeeds. By claiming to be a giant Iroko Tree, he has never delivered his pooling unit in the past elections"

"In addition, his highhandedness and aggrandizement are exhibited and clearly evident in the removal and installation of the party executives without a genuine reason whatsoever. Does party constitution give such autonomy to any individual to do and undo?The recent is the circulation, within the ward, a suspension letter spearheaded by his younger brother luring some executive members to sign deceiving them that they would be given empowerment by the leader who asked him to gather their names and signatures.

"He has turned our great party to his personal organization which he can control and dominate at his whims and caprices. As a matter of fact, he abhors being corrected in any of his plights even if a fault is noticed, especially in any matter that concerns the party. It is interesting to inform your honour that his refusal to give out delegation money meant for the former youth leader of the party led to the defection of that boy to another party. More so, during the last general election, he cunningly deducted a wholesome of One Hundred And Fifty Thousand(N150,000) from the "pushing money" which he could not give a concise account for. This was repeated during the last governorship election when he singlehandedly shared the money without the presence of any executive members and leaders of the party
He is not even concern whether the party wins or loses in as much as he could gain his heart desires which is money"

"In conclusion, all these attitudes cannot do the party any good but wreck destruction on our party especially during this stiffness in opposition party. He has to be called to order before the forthcoming Local Government Election. We want the honorable leaders of our great party to invite us eyeball to eyeball to look into the case to let peace reign supreme and as a result, the party will progress successfully. We hereby remove him as our leader and suspend his younger brother, Festus Adedoyin as the Vice Chairman of the party in the ward"

Your Excellency sir, let me once again say a huge congratulations on your victory at the supreme court of Nigeria after all trials as at it affect your election for another term.

I received your victory with an open arm, as it indicate equity and the wish of the people of our peace loving state.

Your Excellency, I write this letter first as a concern member of your party, The All Progressives Congress (APC) willing to see that we do that which is necessary for records, and that history will be kind to you.

Your Excellency the wave of change that swept off some of your SSA on Security across Okun land, particularly Kabba/Bunu local government and Yagba federal constituency, simply confirmed the desperation, wickedness and the evil associated with an average Okun man whom will stop at nothing to see the fall of his fellow brothers. Strangely this sweep was only peculiar to western senatorial district. As a student of arts and science of government we are keenly watching the walking of a fish.Above all, Your Excellency sir, it is within your prerogative to choose whom you appoint to work through your appointment, this known fact as kept us off the demand of a square pen in our square hole across our local governments against this charlatan and school drop out that suddenly took over the local governments space in okun land.
Your Excellency Sir, time and space will not allow me to tell you if those within your government working daily for the fall of their fellow Okun brothers why they daily showcase a dwarf reputation, running while nobody is after them. Our leader, I can atleast assured you sir that God sparing our lives he will be bitten to the game in no time. Power belong to God and He elect people on his own term.
Your Excellency Sir, writing this letter become necessary in the wake of assertion by some of your Ex-SSA Security notable among them Mr. Moses Olorunleke of Kabba/ Bunu LGA who pride that your Excellency will impose him on the people of Kabba/Bunu local government, asserting that your Excellency will suspend all laws to effect his emergence.
Your Excellency sir, Kabba/Bunu is the home of enlightened people as such, we pride our selves that we have far above four(4) graduates in the Kabba/Bunu local government area in our line up interested in the local government election as such we expect your government sir and the All progressive Congress ( APC) to give us a fair ground to elect a chairman after our own heart, whom emergence at our party primary will confirm the wish of the greatest number of person(s). And not a fellow who could not complete his education at School of Health Tech. Idah. We challenge him to produce his certificate.
Your Excellency Sir, am not in doubt that out of your magnanimity Mr. Moses Olorunleke has occupy the chairmanship seat for above three years, and by virtue of your office you do have interaction with him inline of his duty. Your Excellency would never have appointed Moses Olorunleke to head any session in your company department, I hope my guess is equally your guess Your Excellency.
Your Excellency Sir, no man will ordinarily wish Moses Olorunleke to occupy the executive director position of his private business. The peoples governor, Our feeling as a people of knowledge and class, our pride as people who value class and outstanding performance is hurt by the continue display of Moses Olorunleke as if your Excellency cannot do without him.
Your Excellency Sir, We are home of enlighten and we seek your support in our quest for a chairmanship candidate that will project our party positively and the aspiration of the people of kabba/Bunu local government. We demand a fair participation for our best brain who have certified themselves worthy in learning and good conduct in the coming local government election. These young men and vibrant men are party loyal men, with record of good performance in their choice of field.
Your Excellency sir, we are your party men, some of this youth men showing interest committed their time, prayer and resources to your emergence in the last election, all bone out of their confidence in your leading, and people drive agenda.
The hour has come your Excellency sir, for us to stand with what is just,and fair.As a people of knowledge,we reject Moses Olorunleke for his poor human relation and want of education and satisfy credentials to pick our Chairmanship slot in give away.
Your Excellency Sir, Kabba/Bunu local government remain the home of enlighten in Okun land, and the choice of Moses Olorunleke will be an insult on the investment we made in ourselves as a race. Your Excellency sir, if Moses Olorunleke have interest in remaining a life chairman kindly allow all aspirants a level playing ground for his emergence.
Your Excellency sir, we humbly request for a free and fair primaries, you are the leader of this party and you enjoyed the loyalty of all members, all members of this party . I thank you sir for your time. Be assured of our continue loyalty to your government sir, and the aims and objectives the All Progressives Congress (APC).God bless the peoples Governor.
Messer Olu Adewale, Member, All Progressive Congress (APC) Kabba/ Bunu LGA chapter.

The Progressives Media Organization (PMO) has reacted to the naked dance of the opposition People's Democratic Party, over the alleged US ban on some APC governor's over the purported rigging of election.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Peter Lorter, the progressive media organization said that PDP's reaction to the US Visa ban is another example of the party's obnoxious relabelling strategy and propaganda.


The organization said that Nigerians are not oblivious of identity of individuals who through Machiavellian means have continued to undermine the country's electoral process, in a desperate effort to phase out of existence our thriving democracy.

"What we find laughable and amusing is how the supposed opposition party, the PDP has mustered temerity and effontery to engage in finger-pointing whenever issues of credibility in elections are talked about"

"From all indications, the PDP is struggling to make itself relevance in national affairs after it has been routinely rejected following their catastrophic 16 years of profligacy, plunder and self-service"

"Lest the party forgets, its 16 years of locust became further unpopular for its industrial scale corruption, election manipulation and rigging. It distinguished itself in electoral fraud, mandate stealing and massive rigging"

"PMO wishes to prod the memory of yesterday's ruling party to the open fact that its own chieftain and former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu confessed to the world how the party has regaled in the game of mischievous manipulation of the people's will for years"

"It is also on record that our country experienced the darkest days in the electoral management right under the PDP's nose where the magic of fraud allowed them to churn out figures of imaginary electorate that far outweighs the total number of registered voters"

"We must remind the PDP that the fidelity of electoral process was grossly compromised under them where names where written in hotel rooms and submitted to their unholy allies as winners"

"For the avoidance of doubt, the PDP needs not continue feasting on its flesh over elections it fatally lost in Ekiti, Osun and Kogi, which have since been laid to rest by the highest court in the land, the Supreme Court and the victory of our candidates affirmed. The men of yesterday should stop licking their wounds over their rejection by Bayelsans in 2019, a state they have mindlessly raped since the return of democracy in 1999"

"Nigerians expect that the PDP and its leadership desperately clutching to straw to remain afloat in the country's political firmament should by now apologize to them for defiling their wills as expressed through the sanctity of the ballot system"

"The recommendation for the prosecution of its accomplices in Akwa Ibom for electoral offences speaks volume to how much Nigerians have been deprived by the party's penchant for maneuvery in our electoral system"

"If anyone has the moral justification to hail the action of United States, it is not the rigging machine called PDP from whose hand President Muhammadu Buhari rescued our hard-earned democracy from imminent collapse"

"The era of shameless lies and propaganda by the PDP and its alm-seeking, attention-starved media handlers is now a thing of the past. Our people are wiser and will not be fooled by the gloating of the master riggers"

"Just in case they are craving for a talking point, our team of thoroughbred professionals can raise talking points that border on the infrastructural renewal our nation, currently enjoys across board. We can keep them busy with the massive investment in agriculture that has fostered food security in the country. If they are in frantic search for issues to talk about, the bloody nose this administration has given corruption, a creation of the PDP is there to talk about. PDP should revisit its drawing board, if it has any before playing the role of opposition. It is obvious they lack the rudiments"

"Lastly, PMO will continue to support the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari in its avowed commitment to sanitise our electoral system and create an enabling environment that could make the people's vote count"

By Samuel OJ Temibi


Member representing Ikeja Federal constituency and Chairman House Committee on finance, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke has hailed the supreme Court judgment on kogi state gubernatorial election.

Faleke, an erstwhile political foe of Gov. Yahaya Bello who is now rumoured to be the successor of the governor described the judgment as an affirmation of people's will.

The Kogi born Lagos political icon noted that the judgment has further solidify the integrity of the apex court because according to him, governor Yahaya Bello won the Nov. 16th governorship election overwhelmingly.

"The apex court ruling is an affirmation of the people’s will as expressed through the outcome of votes casted in the governorship election in the state"

"It is a great moment for democracy. The highest court in the country has finally settled the controversies surrounding the Kogi governorship election and affirmed Governor Bello and our great party as the true winner of the election"

Faleke urged the governor to keep pursuing what he described as a "true reconciliation of all aggrieved contenders in the election"

He wished the governor well and prayed for his success as he explore all routes to make kogi a great state.

By Obafemi Babajide

As Nigerians go through the pang of lockdown, with little or no palliatives in some area and no monetary compensations all over; and with a President and Commander-In-Chief of Armed Forces who is widely adjudged as upright and stern when it comes to matters of corruption; in fact, his negative dispositions to corruption had largely won him the sobriquet; Mr Integrity [mai gaskiya] among his people.

But in the face of this dwindling economy and serious hardship with a possibility of depression in the economy setting in which is currently facing the citizens of the Nation, it became pertinent to ask, if it takes only integrity to rule Nigeria and get the economy working again?

In 2015, when corruption in Nigeria became so endemic, so thick that it could cut through a piece of ice, a different coalition of aggrieved politicians came up with the idea of merging up. They collapsed structures to form a formidable team that could beat the best of existing political structure. Although they flew together, they were birds of different colours. It was crystal clear that, as many add predicted it, things were soon going to fall apart. And fall it did after they had gained power.

To many Nigerians, it started looking as if they had made the wrong choice in voting a septuagenarian. The General looked as if he had lost his steam to age and those cabals who surround him, power play, deals and who gets what when and how watered down peoples expectations of the new government.

To many, six months without coming up with the names of his cabinet was enough to adjudge Buhari as not serious. Would we have expected him to bring down the host of heaven to rule with him? Certainly not!

The list of those who made it eventually to PMB’s cabinet, to many Nigerians was not worth the wait. Except for just very few names who had shown brightly before and very few who could be termed technocrats, nothing was new. As a matter of fact, it was a list of names people had expected to make the list. So, why the long wait after all?

The General won his second term bid albeit a not too free fair or robust election, this time around, the integrity mantra was although played again, it was not as captivating as it was in 2015. Nigerians wanted more than integrity, they wanted the country to work, they wanted ease, which was not going to come easily anyways.

With the current in house wrangling, power tussle and inanities, one might take a guess that aside taming corruption, the man at the helms of affairs might have nothing much doing with the economy. In actual fact, with the hustle for 2023 being played so much in the open, the fight against corruption might just be forgotten so soon.

Goodluck Jonathan was sent out of power on the altar of the huge corrupt practices going on under him and also, that he was too soft and indecisive; he was also seen as leaving major decisions to the hands of the three women [two in his life and one in his cabinet], to make huge decisions. But with this niggling economy of the Nation and some flashes of corruptions, does it not look as if a dog was given a bad name in other to hang it?

In truth and fairness, one could still see rays of hope through a few progressive ministers working to deliver on the mandate of the portfolios given to them. A lot of those remaining, however, are square pegs in round holes. 

It is now too obvious that, although we needed an incorruptible leader who will be fair to all, we also need someone who is fairly tuned to the trappings of the present social-economic movements and issues. Someone who understands the jet age language, someone who could easily sway, someone who could process information swiftly, set the balls rolling and proffer a quick response to yearnings and aspirations.

With the biting lockdown and no solution in sight as to when the economy will come up again; it is crystal clear that integrity alone will not deliver good governance, administrative savviness, a swift but bendable leader with an updated and upgradeable administrative capacity will do. Nigeria’s problem is not only corruption, there is a huge deficit in leadership and followership. We need a total overhaul, we need to look deeply inward, and we need a leader who can manage both the corrupt, the incorruptible and those at the verge of becoming corrupt.

Obafemi writes from the top of "Akogba" hill in Ekinrin-Adde

Tuesday the 21st of July 2020 was another day of plenty drama and a big show of shame at the national assembly public hearing of the case that involved the ministry of labour and one of the agencies directly under it; the NSITF.

A similar but shameful drama had occurred a day before, involving a former senator, governor and a serving minister of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. This one involved either a voodoo play, ill-health or a classical Nollywood act.

I had in all honestly taken my eyes away from the tragic imbroglio, focusing instead on my beautiful wife of a decade and the matron of our boys’ hostel. Like a popular Yoruba adage says: “ igbe kinkin leti awo gebgiri, boju ba kuro nibe, se okan ma kuro nibe ni”? Simply means that when you see a little poop on the tip of the plate of your bean soup, even if you take away your eye from it, can you take away your mind?

I have keenly watched the back and forth dramas been acted by our men and women in power these days, from the Abike Dabiri, Chairman/ CEO of Nigeria Diaspora Commission versus Isaa Pantami, the Minister of Communication, to the Edo APC crisis which journeyed upward to the National APC level and which also consumed the two gladiators on the scene; Adams Oshiomole and Governor Obaseki.

Then to the eventual dissolution of the APC NWC by Mr President after a lot of foot-draggings, to the Ondo governor and his deputy’s crisis and attempt plus counter attempt to impeach him or not, down to the primaries in Ondo where winners and losers have emerged.

The pitiful drama did not cease! Then comes the NDDC Samaritan woman, Joy Nunieh who was met by the saviour Senator Akpabio beside the well of NDDC, “give me out of the water of this well to drink for I am thirsty, for if you give me, I might show you the riches of life” declared saviour Akpabio, “I am not in the position to quench your thirst sir, but, I do not mind to be shown the riches of life for life”, the Samaritan Nunieh enthused. “Go bring your husband, that I may bless your household”, again saviour Akpabio retorted. “I have no husband”, Nunieh answered. “You are right, for you have had four husbands, and the one that you cohabit with now, may not be your final bus stop”, replied saviour Akpabio. What a needless drama in unveiling the numerous warms that had eaten deep into the commission!

Who is afraid of the forensic audit of the cash cow called the NDDC?

And then to the drama of Ngige, the Lagos boy extraordinaire! I watched and read when and how Honourable Faleke accused Ngige of so many wrongdoings in handling the affairs of The Ministry of Labour and Employment, I also knew that he was invited to clear himself and prove all allegations wrong before the House panel that was handling the public hearing between the labour ministry and an MDA under the ministry, what I wasn’t sure of was if the house had indicated that the hearing will be based on age, state of origin and who mentors who.

For the cerebral ilk of Babatunde Fashola, Babatunde Irukera, Rotimi Amaechi et al, it would have allowed them to not only school the panel but also the public. It would have made them open up on facts and figures, it will make them bring up data’s, and it will allow them to analyse, re-analyse and proffer a solution or projections for the future.

Instead of clearing his name and that of his wife, and also setting the record straight, the white long goatee Ngige chose to dance naked in the market place at broad daylight.

Pray, tell me, what has been a VI boy, a Mushin boy, a Lagos boy or been an Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s boy got to do with the proper and efficient handling of the sensitive ministry handed over to him in trust by the President and Commander In Chief of The Armed Forces. Truth be told, Ngige’s unintelligent outburst confirmed to me that he was guilty as charged.

Although I am from the Yoruba part of Kogi state, I have lived in various parts of Lagos for more than a decade, I dare say with pride and unapologetically, that both states dwarf Ngige’s Anambra State in everything you can point to. It is despicable for a former governor and chief security of a state who was so kidnapped within the confines of his authority to even try and compare himself with a kingmaker in the guise of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. How dare Ngige, who did not win more than a term as a senator of his people and still woefully lost his constituency at all the elections that produced PMB refer to someone who not only has produced three governors in Lagos and some part of the South West after himself, has produced several senators and reps members, has made kings and has also helped PMB achieved his ambition of ruling and ridding Nigeria of corruption his age and classmate?

Where was Ngige when Abacha was ruling, reigning and raging? Without gloating, Ngige belongs to the class of late maturers, he is either few minutes late in reasoning or processing information, and hence his shameful dance in the public glare at noon.

I think it is time to single out Ngige and some of his low thinking class of ministers who will always drag PMB and his goal-getter/fighters ministers behind by few steps. Ngige and his dump class will always allow naysayers to ask if this is the change we truly bargained for.

Obafemi writes from isolation

Kogi Philanthropist, business tycoon and founder of ROTSHADE HELPLINK INITIATIVE, Dr Boluwafemi Rotimi has said that the initiative will distribute 5000 bags of rice and hundreds of motorcycles to residents of his local government Ijumu, in continuation with its COVID-19 Emergency Response.

The Initiative’s latest gesture is coming after its recent donation of over 2000 bags of rice to some Lokoja residents in Maigari's palace today, some churches in the state capital of Lokoja also benefited from the kind gesture of the initiative, this is to serve as palliatives in combatting the dreaded coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Founder of the Initiative, Dr. Bolufemi, its a philanthropic effort started from the state capital LOKOJA, where we distributed relief items to indigent residents. He said "We have more than 2000 bags of rice already distributed in lokoja but 5000 will be going to ijumu next week by God grace"

While commending the efforts of government and everyone who has contributed to the wellbeing of the people of the state, Dr. Bolufemi promised that ROTSHADE HELPLINK INITIATIVE would continue to join hands with others to help the people and win the war against Coronavirus.

Explaining the reason behind the gesture, he noted that “in its years of existence, ROTSHADE has fostered and championed the cause of the less privileged through scholarships and several donations.

He said, “ROTSHADE has also been providing widows and youths with means of livelihood and survival.
He stressed that touching lives remains the primary goal of ROTSHADE HELPLINK INITIATIVE.

The actual date of distribution in Ijumu LGA will be communicated soon.

By William Jumbo

Why?

It is not ethical to discuss pending issues in court. However, the barrage of recent misleading, fallacious, defamatory, frivolous reports being fed the public by the deregistered Liberation Movement and its candidate, Vijah Opuama, and their sponsors in All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Chief Timipre Sylva and Timi Alaibe, an opposition chief in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are calculated to whip sentiments against the PDP, Governor Douye Diri, and his deputy, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrujakpo. Clearly, these tissue of lies are primed to mislead the tribunal into making a perverse judgement and misinform the public to believing that they have a viable and strong petition at the tribunal.


This, including the need to put the issues in perspective - as well as stop a lie which if been repeatedly told might become garbed as the truth- necessitated this piece to state the facts as they are.

To begin with, the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act clearly listed those who can be parties to an election petition. Also, the powers of an election tribunal are clearly defined. Election tribunals have no constitutional powers to deal with pre-election matters. These are matters to be determined by High Courts. In the case of Atiku Abubakar vs Muhammadu Buhari, the Supreme Court stated unequivocally that issues bordering on supplying false information in form CF 001 are issues of pre-election and should be determined by High Courts before the elections and not election tribunals.

Even at that there's a time frame that such a matter can be heard.
Early May, in the case of Musa Wada & others, Justice Ngwuta of the Supreme Court reiterated that by Section 31 of the Electoral Act, anybody challenging the presentation of false information in form CF 001 has 14 days within which to file an action challenging the qualification of the candidate for providing false information.

Therefore, bringing issues of alleged presentation of false certificate before an election tribunal is clearly an exercise in futility as this clearly is a pre-election matter, and tribunals are not empowered to deal with pre-election matters.

Similarly, in the unreported case of Jeremiah Useni vs INEC and Simon Lalong where the petitioner alleged that Lalong had several conflicting names is a case in point.

General Useni listed Lalong's name as follows; school certificate Sule Simon. IJMB A'Level Certificate Simon Lalong. ABU law certificate Simon Lalong Sule, and 1991 call to Bar certificate Simon Lalong Sule.
He further listed NYSC discharge certificate Sule Simon Lalong; Affidavit of change of name from Sule Simon Lalong to Lalong Simon Lalong Bako; Change of name in newspaper from Simon Lalong Sule to Simon Bako Lalong, LLM Unijos degree Bako Simon Lalong; and MBA practice licence Lalong Simon Bako.

As damaging as Lalong's case appeared- in comparison to the case of Bayelsa State deputy governor which, without conceding, is a spelling error, the election petition tribunal, the Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court as per Paul Galunje JSC held that in so long as the issue relate to affidavits and information in form CF 001, General Useni's petition cannot be determined by a tribunal as it had become statue barred. That, since all the information on Lalong were published before the Plateau governorship election, the petitioner and his witnesses, especially a certain Mr. Yaba Kudu who testified as to the content of Lalong's form CF 001 can no longer be heard.

Also, it is pertinent to state that for an allegation of false information and forgery to warrant a disqualification of a candidate in an election, either pre or post, it must be made with the intention of aiding the qualification of the candidate presenting the information or document. The question then is, (a) Is NYSC certificate one of the requisite qualifications for contesting elections in Nigeria by virtue of Sections 177, 186, and 187 of the Nigerian Constitution? The answer is No.
Therefore, all the noise about alleged forgery of NYSC certificate, and false information is just cheap media blackmail by Opuama and his sponsors. Such cannot in any way affect the chances of any governor or his deputy.

For the purposes of reminding those who may have been carried away, the conditions to be met by a person seeking election as governor or deputy governor known to the Constitution and Electoral Act are four. They are
(a) The person must be a citizen of Nigeria by birth.
(b) Must have attained the age of 35 as at the time of the election
(c) is a member of a political party, and
(d) has been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent.

From the above, has it been proven by the deregistered Liberation Movement, Opuama & Chiefs Sylva and Alaibe, that the deputy governor of Bayelsa State who hails from Ofoni in Sagbama LGA of Bayelsa State, is not a Nigerian by birth; has not attained the age of 35 at the time of the senatorial and gubernatorial elections having obtained his first primary school in 1976;/and does not belong to a political party having been sponsored by PDP in both elections, and that he's not educated to school certificate having obtained both school leaving cat and WAEC certificates?

Even from the averment of the petitioner and his several misleading publications, Opuama admitted that the deputy governor possesses all of the foregoing. And since the allegation of forgery of NYSC certificate and age declaration as well as degree certificate, without conceding, are not aimed at aiding his qualification which he already posses, no tribunal or court can validly disqualify his election. This is the position of the law, especially in the case of Ikpeazu vs Ogar in 2017. This was reiterated in the Useni VS INEC & Simon Lalong case.


Another reason the Liberation Movement's petition is dead on arrival is that the Nigerian Constitution does not recognize independent candidates. Membership and sponsorship by a valid and legal political party is a prerequisite for any candidate to participate in an election and file an election petition. Any election petition filed without the inclusion of the sponsoring political party is a nullity and dead on arrival.

An unregistered political party, to the extent of its nonregistration, is not a juristic person that can acquire rights or incur liability. Sadly for Vijah Opuama, Liberation Movement is one of the political parties deregistered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). On the INEC website, Liberation Movement is number 33 on the list of deregistered political parties. Apparently aware that Liberation Movement is no longer a political party, Opuama whilst filing his petition failed to include his party Liberation Movement as a party to the petition. Sources close to the defunct party say they're worried that the respondents have through preliminary objection raised the issues, the competence of the petition, and want the petition dismissed.

If, as gathered, it is true that these objections have been adopted and ruling reserved, the implication is that the matter is closed before the tribunal and can never be opened. But for the 4th alteration which now allows election petitions to run their full course, and not be solely determined by preliminary objection, this Liberation Movement petition ought to have been dismissed and thrown out.

Therefore, Sylva, Alaibe and others who are sinking monies in this so-called Liberation Movement bride with the sole aim of having triplets should know that their bride has been certified barren and therefore incapable of bearing children.

Even at that, a deputy governorship candidate isn't a necessary party in an election petition. Thus, if the Liberation Movement, its candidate, and their sponsors think they can succeed on this petition through maligning, defaming and ridiculing the Deputy governor, they should know that they're on an illegal wild goose chase that is certain to end in futility

A further reason why this LM's candidate's petition is dead on arrival is that election petitions are suis generis. That is, it is unique or has a life of its own. There's a stipulated time frame within which a petition can be amended. That is 21 days. There are a plethora of cases where both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal have held that election petitions cannot be amended. Olushola Oke and another vs Mimiko and others is a typical example where the Supreme court held that election petition amendment is strictly regulated and cannot be amended outside of the prescribed 21-day period window for amendment.

Curiously, after the deputy governor's preliminary objection to Opuama's petition on the ground that his party wasn't joined as a party to his suit, and the tribunal adjourned ruling, Opuama having realized the futility and nullity of his petition has asked his deregistered party, Liberation Movement to join the petition.

That this application came long after the whole hullabaloo of subpoenaing the deputy governor, the attendant negative backlash, and reservation of ruling, clearly shows that the non-joinder of Opuama's political party from the beginning makes his petition incompetent. Also, seeking to amend his petition after the mandatory 21 days after filing, shows that he's just realized that he had all the while been engaging in media trial, and that his petition stands no chance. Most sadly, this is an attempt to carry a baby already aborted to term.

Therefore, in law and in fact, it is crystal clear that Opuama and his sponsors do not actually have any competent case before the tribunal. The reason being that their petition was from the onset incompetent. You cannot amend an election petition after 21 days, just as you cannot reopen a case that's been closed and adjourned for judgement. To seek the leave of the tribunal to join Liberation Movement after the tribunal has heared the preliminary objection of the respondent drawing attention to the non-,joinder of Liberation Movement from the outset negates and violates the requirement of a political party as a necessary part of an election.

4. Equally, the Liberation Movement and Opuama's petition is dead on arrival because, by their own action, he and his party have reinforced the argument of the respondent that he cannot succeed in his petition without making Liberation Movement party to the petition. This is because their filing of application for joinder after the respondent had raised the illegality of their petition clearly shows that they've admitted that their petition is incompetent and the tribunal needs to take note of this admittance by Opuama and his party.

It is obvious that had the respondent not raised the matter, Opuama would not have stumbled on this afterthought to raise this frivolous deceitful application of joinder.

The so-called subpoena issued on the deputy governor that has made sensational headlines is again an exercise in futility based on the following.

First, an election petitioner can only subpoena witnesses listed to be subpoenaed by him. The petitioner never listed the 4th respondent who is the deputy governor of Bayelsa State as one of his witnesses. Therefore, they're estopelled from subpoenaing him.
Secondly, a tribunal or a court cannot subpoena a party that's already before it. As fourth respondent, the deputy governor is already before the court and has deposed to averments that are already before the court. Subpoenas are issued to witnesses who are not before the court and whose testimonies are required. Thus, it is both morally and legally wrong to subpoena the 4th respondent who you've already brought to court by virtue of your petition.

Thirdly, no party makes an adversary its own witness. The evidence act prohibits making an accused or adversary a witness to his accuser. Their intention is to malign the deputy governor hence they've decided to subpeon him when he is already a party before the court as a respondent and their case is against him. It is settled law that a plaintiff's case must succeed on the strength of his ability to prove all the allegations beyond reasonable doubt, especially when there is an imputation of crime, and not on the weakness of the defence case even where evidences are admitted by the defendant.
The subpoenaing of the deputy governor clearly shows that the plaintiff Opuama and his party cannot prove their case beyond reasonable doubt on the strength of their own case. And where a party by its own act has shown that it cannot prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, the court or tribunal is left with no other alternative but to dismiss the case of the plaintiff and not to aid it by subpoening the defendant to become witness to help a plaintiff prove his case.

It is immoral and illegal to subpoena a deputy governor who has to defend himself to help them prove their case. The law is that he who asserts must prove. Equally, no person can be a respondent and at the same time a witness in the same suit.. It is clearly an exhibition of legal neophancy to make the deputy governor a respondent and a witness to the plaintiff.

Therefore, Nigerians and the whole world of morally right people should know that Opuama and his sponsors, Alaibe and Sylva do not have any proof of their allegations of alleged forgery by the deputy governor.

More worrisome is that the same Opuama has subpoenaed the NYSC to testify to the authenticity of the deputy governor's NYSC exemption certificate. Being the issuing authority, NYSC is the only authentic and qualified legal witness that can certify the authenticity or otherwise of the certificate in question, and not the deputy governor who is being accused of forging it. He will only produce the same forged document which they are contesting and not the authentic one they claimed was issued by NYSC.

Equally, can the deputy governor be subpoenaed by virtue of section 308 of the Constitution of the country which confers immunity on him? The tribunal should not be misled into trampling on the Constitution as the summons clearly purports.

Furthermore, subpoenas are supposed to be personal service. However, from what has been awash in the media there is no evidence that the subpoena was personally served on the deputy governor. What was portrayed in the media was that an administrative officer in Government House, Yenagoa, received the subpoena. Does that amount to personal service as required by the law? If the answer is in the negative, which is it, of course, then it is clear there was no subpoena served on the deputy governor warranting him to appear before the tribunal.

Similarly, Opuama and his sponsors have made a lot of noise about the deputy governor's degree certificate issued by Rivers State University of Science and Technology, RSUST. It is an established moral fact that a man who speaks from both sides of the mouth cannot be taken to be speaking the truth. Opuama had in an earlier publication claimed that the deputy governor's name is not on the list of admission into the university. The same Opuama is now again claiming that the deputy governor having been admitted in 1991 ought to have graduated in 1994/95 because he was admitted for a four-year programme. The question is, which of his claims should be believed?
Is it the claim that he was not admitted, or the one that he was admitted in 1991 and ought to have graduated in 1994/95?

First, there's no law that stipulates that a student must graduate within a time frame set for a particular course and that if he fails to graduate within the said period, whatever certificate he obtains is invalid and forged.

Secondly, Opuama haven been a toddler at the time, he does not know that academic calendars were largely disrupted between 1992 and 1994 as a result of several ASUU strikes and the June 12 1993 election annulment imbroglio that led to the lockdown of several universities, just like we are currently locked down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nigerians should be informed that the deputy governor was admitted for a five-year programme, not a fou-years programe.. His academic records are still with RSUST, and any person who is in doubt is free to write to the institution to obtain the records of his grades in each of the courses he offered during his years of study. Furthermore, Nigerians need to informed that the deputy governor was admitted into the same RUST in 1998 to read an MBA programme and graduated with a distinction. Equally, he was readmitted into the same RUST to read a law degree and also graduated from the sane university. Based on the above, Opuama as the chief blackmailer is purporting that a university of repute such as RUST will issue one person three different certificates if the person did not have the requisite qualifications and merited the award of such degree certificates.

Again, it is only the RUST authorities and not the uninformed Opuama and his sponsors that can say the said certificate is authentic or not.

Finally, there are unconfirmed reports that the NYSC have written certain security agencies who were mandated to investigate the so-called forged NYSC certificate. It is my belief and candid opinion that if the allegations of forgery levelled against the deputy governor as being rumoured were true, the security
agencies would have made their findings of forgery against the deputy governor known,fully aware that some APC chieftains have been infusing some of these security agencies to return a verdict of guilt against the deputy governor.

Matters pending in court are not issues of media propaganda which is the stock in trade of Opuama's sponsors. It will do him a lot of good as a petitioner to focus on the trial inside the tribunal rather than this media trial which his sponsors Chiefs Sylva and Alaibe are helping him do as it the one who wins the war that is the ultimate hero, not the person who wins the battle.

From the foregoing, any discerning mind should know, and now know if they do not already know, that Opuama's petition is not only a storm in a tea cup, but dead on arrival.

Though I'm not a lawyer by training, but I'm only trying to make some legal common sense.

Jumbo writes from Warri

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On behalf of the Executive Committee, i bring you great complementaries of the yuletide season and wish all of us prosperous 2020 full of achievements and resolved accomplishments.

As you are reading this Stewardship Report, Oyo State Alumni Association is having End of The Year Diner in Ibadan.

Once again. I greet you warmly and enjoin you all to follow me as I enumerate our stewardship to you individually and collectively:

1. *CHAPTER LOGO AND LETTERHEAD STATIONERY:*
Ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that identity and means of identification are the most critical aspect of any organization. So, immediately we were sworn in, we embarked on creating a means of identification for the Chapter; we consulted graphics designer, got 4 logo designs deliberated on them in the Exco and pruned the numbers down to two and brought the two to you our people to make final choice and some of us participated and eventually a logo was chosen. We proceeded to making Letterheads for effective communications.

2. *REGISTRATION WITH NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION:* On the 2nd of March, 2019, your chapter (95Set Chapter) sent in her Letter of Intent to officially become a Chapter of the Association. Few issues were lagged and they were immediately addressed. The approval though going through normal bureaucracy, is expected to be issued in the next National Working Committee meeting coming up early next year in Minna.

3. *95SET COOPERATIVE:* Recall that our coop was properly setup almost at the same time when this Exco was inaugurated. It is pertinent to let you all know that ours has become the bride of National Alumni; at point the National Alumni wanted an absorption of our Coop but with of assistance of some of our members here, we were able to explain to them that our coop like any coop all over is an independent venture agreed to by a group of people. Thank you Engr Olatunde, Engr Atoyebi, Engr Adesope and Mr Akinyemi to mention but a few who assisted us in this regard.

4. *FELICITATION AND CONDOLENCES:* During the course of this year, we recorded the deaths of some of our colleagues. Some died here in Nigeria and two died abroad. These where low moments in the life of this Chapter. We shall continue to remember the times we shared together while in school and to some while out of school. May their gentle souls rest in peace. Amen.

Similarly, some of us lost either of their parents and condole with them too. May the souls of our departed parent(s) continue to rest in peace. Amen

To show our concerns to our fallen colleagues, members of the Chapter contributed monies to be given to their wives. Sadly these monies will soon be disbursed, why? We haven't completed the financial handover through our bankers.
In line with the above, we must be quick to appreciate our colleagues who represented during funeral ceremonies of our members. Ladies and gentlemen, as I type, pains and sorrow of loosing some of us to death is all over me but we all must take solace in the fact that one day we will died and allow that feelings to increase our apatite to love the more and follow God the more.

5. HOSTEL PLEDGE: Let it be on record that your 95Set Chapter is the only chapter, yes only chapter that pledged to donate (as a group) towards the proposed hostel that the National Alumni is embarking upon.

The above being said, it is sad that we have not been able to fully redeem our pledge of 1Million Nigeria Naira till date. Be sure that our inability to fully redeem this amount is not the fault of our members. The major fault lies with us the exco to a large extent: we were supposed to drive the appeal & collection, and that is what we have resolved to do henceforth, because not to make a promise is far better than making one and not fulfilling it. To this end, our Financial Secretary and yours sincerely the Chairman will drive the appeal, collection & redemption to a logical conclusion in January.
Fortunately what is left is less than 350k because the NWC will sitting Feb 2020, we must endeavour to close the payment before then.

6. DATABASE: We promised this house that a database of all the members will be collected to propagate our economic progression. To this end, a database program was deployed but it was not smooth enough for our intention and our zeal waned. As we go into the new year, we will reawake ourselves in this wise and look for a better software that can do that for us. We intend to produce a Yellow Book as part of the derivatives of the database.

7. BANK ACCOUNT: Keystone bank is our official banker. Till date we have not fully taken over the account. Though the last administration has officially written the bank of the existence of a new exco, withdrawal from the account has not been possible. However, to deposit money is not a problem. This exco has not made any withdrawal since our inauguration. This is the main why disbursement to affected people have not been done. All these will be perfected in the new year and announcement will be made here.

8. HEALTH INSURANCE: We have collected intent letter and conditions of services from Three nominated brokers. We have scrutinized them but yet to decide on which platform to use. Once this is concluded we will get back to you.

Ladies and gentlemen, we know that many here may want to use this stewardship report to grade us, but let me crave your indulgence not to tow this line, 2019 came with a lot of burden and challenges, we promise to do far more, reachout the more, and by God grace achievement more before we handover to the next administration.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Long live FUTMinna!
Long live FUTMAA!!
Long live 95Set!!!

E-Sign
Arc Adeleye A Johnson
Chairman '95Set Chapter

I've taken my time to do a comparative analysis of budgets in the past and present, within the Kaduna State and across borders, my conclusion thus becomes simpler than I had thought, the proposed budget for 2020 is nothing but a financial plan for modernization in the State.

After doing a thorough appraisal of the 2020 budget presented by Kaduna State Government, I was amazed to discover that about 73 percent of the total budget is allocated to capital expenditures.

This is a complete negation of the locust years where recurrent expenditures subsumed the capital expenditures, it is also a clear departure from what is currently obtainable in the Federal Government Budget.

The State plans to inject 31 percent of the budget into economy to boast the production in the State, this is commendable as any state that wants to break the yoke of backwardness must take investment into economy as a priority, John Maynard Kaynes formulated ideas that became the bedrock of development in the western world, the State must plan deliberately to develop the economy, the recent budget has shown that Kaduna State is already on the right path.

Also, anyone that follows the nature and structure of development of the Asian Tigers would understand that Education is a key sector that must receive special attention, the Tigers broke the jinx because they invested adequately in education, as a departure from the past, and also moving closer to UNESCO Standard, about 18 percent of the budget is allocated to capital expenditures in the education sector, this is indeed a great leap.

The state government has shown that the budget is made to alleviate the pains of the masses and elevate the state, the allocation for the helpless children on the streets is also worthy of praise, the sons and daughters of nobody have gotten attention from 2020 budget proposal.

Beyond sentiment, this proposed budget deserves approval from all, but it is imperative to also call the attention of the State government to agriculture, Kaduna is highest exporter of Ginger Products, the State Government should explore and exploit the hidden opportunities in this aspect, this will further boast the economy and create employment for the youths.

On a final note, the budget portrays an attempt to lead away from the status quo, the state is on the path to modernization, but it becomes imperative to remind ourselves that budget is just like a "wish list", or a "paper tiger", the proper implementation is what gives the budget a deserved accolade. As the executive prepares to implement the budget with total transparency, the legislature must be ready to do a thorough oversight function, while the judiciary must be prepared to hear the dissenting voice.

Limis Gamaliel Shayet
Msc, University of Abuja
limisgamaliel@gmail.com

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Relief came to the ways of over eighty students of Community Secondary School( CSS) Ayere,Ijumu Local Government Area,Kogi State when member representing Ijumu Constituency at the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon.Kilani Olumo paid their school fees.
Hon.Kilani who equally is the Chairman House standing Committee on Education ,Science and Technology made this known when he paid an unscheduled visit to the school to have a first hand knowledge of facilities on ground at the school.
The Lawmaker disclosed that his gesture to pay the students school fees is borne out his promise to ensure that no student in the area is denied the opportunity of going to school as a result of inability to pay their school fees.

Hon.Kilani while inspecting Computer laboratory,Science laboratory and Examination Hall promised to come to the aid of the school in ensuring a conducive learning and teaching environment .
In her response, the Principal of the School, Lady Evangelist Oluseyi who could not hide her joy thanked the Lawmaker for his kind gesture and charged the students to be more serious with their studies.
She thanked God for the victory of the Lawmaker at the appellate Court and prayed God to guide,protect and endow him with divine wisdom in the onerous task ahead.
Evangelist Oluseyi commended him for being a good and worthy voice of Ijumu Kingdom at the state House of Assembly.[color=#990000][/color]

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Member Kogi State House of Assembly, representing Ijumu Constituency, Hon. Olusola Kilani has felicitated with Nigeria and her citizens on the celebration of the country at 59th year of Independence.

Hon Kilani said that despite the fierce interference of the military rule, the country has been able to stand firm and undivided, stating that Nigeria is still on the right track of achieving greatness in the future

He added that even though Nigeria is still a developing country, it has the potential of becoming one of the great nations in the universe through its mineral resources if efforts are properly channeled towards harnessing the minerals for a sustainable economic prosperity.

He urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of unity, oneness and patriotism and eschew from promoting tribalism, terrorism and other social vices that are capable of relegating the country among its contemporaries.

He appealed to Nigerians to continue to have faith in the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and urged kogites to support the administration of Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, stressing that both of them have been able to foster unity and deliver the dividends of democracy to the door steps of the people.

Hon. Kilani acknowledged the efforts of the heroes who have pass away while fighting for the liberation of Nigeria as a country, he prayed that their labour will never be in vain

Ahead of the November 16th gubernatorial election in Kogi State, Barr Natasha Akpoti has emerged the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, having won the ticket of the party in the primary election held on Tuesday in Lokoja, the state capital.

Akpoti who was the senatorial candidate of the party in the last National Assembly elections was returned as the Guber candidate after polling a total of 751 votes in the election which she was the only candidate.

Presenting the flagbearer to the public, the Chairman of the electoral panel, Dr Benson Ogbonna said that she was declared winner having satisfied all the requirements as stipulated by the constitution of the party, and in line with the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended).

“Although Mrs. Akpoti was the only candidate for the election, but the SDP maintained that for her nomination to pass through due process, party guidelines and procedures, all 762 accredited voters from the 21 local government areas went through the voting process to fulfil the requirements for the nomination of Akpoti as the party’s governorship candidate,” he said.

Akpoti in appreciation promised better deals for civil servants, free education, development of SMEs, and collaboration with the Federal Government to revive the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Company.

Meanwhile, she is currently in court challenging the results of the senatorial elections which declared the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Yakubu Oseni as winner.

21th August, 2019.

FOR THE RECORD:

Kogi State was created by former Head of State, General Gbadamasi Ibrahim Babangida on August 27th 1991. After a series of agitations which originated since 1981 when many Elders of the old Kabba province such as Professor Albert Ozigi, Joseph Abu Ogbeha, Liman Umar, Walter Bako and Timothy Elukpo, had mobilised themselves and set up a committee, headed by Senator Ahmadu Ali, to lobby various successive governments.
Their lobby process suffered a lot of setback with various administrations, due to politic. The group submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly, in the Second Republic, Shagari's administration, for the creation of Kogi State separately from Kwara and Benue States.
That effort died with Shagari’s government that was eventually ousted from power a few years later by General Mohammadu Buhari, via a military coup.
There was nothing the group could achieve during the administration of General Mohammadu Buhari, because of his masses unfriendly policies initiated by his government. Many rights of the citizens was whisked away, and any group could hardly agitate for anything so called their rights.
The agitation for the creation of Kogi State later gained serious momentum when General Ibrahim Babangida assumed office.

After creating Akwa-Ibom and Kastina States in 1987, the government had warned that it ‘would no longer entertain request for state creation from self-seeking politicians and champions of ethnic groups. Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha, who refused to give up on the agitation, approached Babangida and in a veiled conversation presented the agenda of the creation of Kogi State. General Babangida and was denied. Some elders from old Kabba-Province, led by Timothy Walter Bako, paid a solidarity visit to Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha at Jaji in mid-1980s as part of the ‘lobby’ to actualise Kogi State. The solidarity team got the same message from Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha. He had encouraged his townsmen to make do with what was available in Kwara State and take advantage of the opportunities it presented. He also told them there was nothing to suggest their aspirations were going to be actualised as at that time.
But the table turned and General Babangida developed a change of heart and was set to meet with Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha once again in 1990 at the Abuja State House. And in company of his late wife, Jacinta Ogbeha, Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha paid General Babangida a courtesy visit and the Kogi agenda was further discussed with better in-depth analysis. Which led to the Head of State giving a nod for the creation of Kogi State.

At the critical stage of decision making, Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha had earlier travelled out of the country for vacation and was physically absent to further push his agitation. And due to pressure mounted on the Head of State by top ethic group leaders and high ranked military officers; his efforts became threatened. This lead to him reaching out to his friend and brother, General David Mark and General Abdulsalam Abubakar to keep the pressure on General Babangida and sustain the lobby (both men were members of the Armed Forces Ruling Council).

General Babangida announced the creation of Kogi State on the early hours of 27th August 1991, and it was a reunion of various ethic groups who has coexisted far before the colonial era and under the old Kabba Province for over 80 years.
At the creation of Kogi State in August 1991, Colonel Danladi Mohammed Zakari, was appointed first military governor. On Zakari’s resumption, the new Governor was accommodated in Brigadier General Tunde Ogbeha’s house; which also temporarily served as the Governor’s office.
From the above history; kindly take note of the sacrifice made by the people who fought for the creation of the state. And how they all come together from different tribes to actualize their objective.
EBIGO AGENDA:
The EBIGO Agenda as initiated by the state government is in total disagreement with what Kogi State stands for right from its inception by the heros who fought for the creation of the state. The state was created to harmonies all ethic groups who were former allies during the defunct northern region and prior to the colonial era. EBIGO Agenda is a movement that can further fuel division amongst other ethic groups who must already be feeling left out when it comes to governance in the state.
There are three main ethnic groups and languages in Kogi: Igala, Ebira, and Okun (a Yoruba Group) with other such as Bassa-Nge, a people of Nupe extraction in Lokoja and Bassa Local Government Area, Bassa-Komo of Bassa Local Government Area, Gwari, Kakanda, Oworo people(A Yoruba Group), Ogori, Magongo, Idoma and the pure NUPE people of Eggan community under Lokoja Local Government.
These groups mentioned above has totally been ruled out of the EBIGO Agenda proposed by the government of Kogi State and the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Kogi State Chapter. The the implementation and adoption of the EBIGO Agenda; these other ethic groups will have no hope of one day heading the affairs of the state. In totality, all groups in Kogi State have to rise up and put the EBIGO Agenda to condemnation, and rubbish to be scrapped; as this is far beyond political sentiment, but in a bid to see our dear State succeed without being hijacked by desperate political mongers.
My question to Yahaya Bello campaign team is: how do you intend to accommodate other ethic groups in your EBIGO Agenda? What will be the hope of an average Kakanda person hoping to one day rule Kogi State?
EBIGO Agenda is selfish and should not be welcome by any fraction of the state. The agenda stands as a threat to the unity and peace of all ethic groups in the state, and the agenda is not only a stain on what those who agitated for the creation of the state solicited for, but also a division tool formed to place the three major ethic groups far above other striving ones. And this makes me wonder what the founding fathers of the state will be thinking of: a man who knows nothing about how Kogi State came to be, but oppotuned to be governor, as chosen by fate. Governor Yahaya Bello has no political right to initiate an agenda such as EBIGO. Kogi State is for everyone and no tribe should be place above another. EBIGO; which stands for Ebira, Igala, and Okun, is an agenda that will successfully marginalize other ethic groups if allowed to flourish.
Every meaning Kogiet who have the love and unity for the state at heart, should rise up in condemnation of this movement, irrespective of political differences, religion background and ethic group. We all want Kogi State to succeed, and every tribe and ethic group should count.

God bless Kogi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State prepares for its governorship, alarm has been raised over plans to camping delegates for the election in a secluded area by the executive governor of Kogi State who is seeking reelection, sources also confirmed that the governor has also perfected plans to distribute already purchased attire and the sum of N1m each to delegates.

Alleged Attire Bought By Governor Bello For Party Excos and Delegates
The Governor who wanted to win the party’s ticket by all possible means have perfected plans to camp the delegates in yet to be disclosed area.

The action was taken out of desperation and fear of losing the primary of the party.

These delegates who never knew the intention of the desperate Governor, will be invited for a meeting but only to be confined and never allowed to go home until after the primary.

Strict measures have also been put in place by the Governor and his cronies to deal with delegates who will not be cooperating, some of them are to be substituted or intimidated into submitting to the wishes of the Governor.

This is to call on all party excos and delegates to be observant and vigilant of any antics aimed at undermining their choice of voting their preferred aspirants as every aspirant has his pocket of delegates that will vote for him during the primary election.”

The statewide tour of Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin Rtd. and his entourage received a rousing welcome at the Yagba Federal Constituency in the continuation of the tour of the local government areas in the western Senatorial District of Kogi state

The first meeting in the constituency is at Egbe town hall, the headquarters of Yagba west government Local Area Area. the royal Father, the Elegbe of Egbe Oba Ayodele Irukera, the gathering was informed,prefers to be called His Royal Highness because in his humility and total submission to God Almighty infers that only God is Majesty,

In paying homage yo the royal father, Admiral Jibrin informed the people of Yagba West that Kogi people have suffered greatly, terribly pauperised due to reasons very strange and the state need to be urgently salvaged,

Admiral Jibrin informed his royal father that Kogi state is at the moment confronted with monumental challenges that needs to be confronted with every sincerity of purpose.

He pointed out that he noticed with joy that Yagba East LGA is highly blessed with great and abundant Agricultural lands the state can harnessed for the betterment of the state

The road between Kabba and Egbe is unfortunately in sorry state, our youths are not employed and had become instruments of thugery in the hand politicians.

These challenges he pointed out propelled him to come out to contest for the governorship position and as such had come to inform HRH, obtain his royal blessing and that of other the royal fathers in council and to tell them and indeed the people of Yagba West Local Government Area that enough is enough

Welcoming Admiral Jibrin and his entourage to Yagba West, the royal father expressed joy at meeting Admiral Jibrin eye to eye

The royal father prayed that God will grant Admiral Jibrin success and protections in his ambition at rendering service to the people

Kabba, the city of Obaro, the ancestral home of Owe speaking people of Kogi state was agog as the front line aspirant for Kogi governorship election, Admiral Usman Jibrin the Oggah Attah of Igala Kingdom today Sunday the 18th day of August, 2019 paid visit to his brothers/sisters and friends in the western senatorial districts of Kogi state.

This is the first leg of Admiral Jibrin's tour of the seven local government areas in the district, continuation of his statewide tour ahead of the August 29th Primary election in the state.

Admiral Jibrin paid glowing attributes to HRM Obaro and acknowledged that he is the first to be received in the new extension of the palace.

He also gave glowing attributes to Hon.James Abiodun Faleke for his tremendous contributions to the political development of Kogi state

Admiral informed His Royal Majesty that he is lucky to have many friends and military colleagues in Okunland prominent among whom is General Ibilaiye.a

In recognition of his respect and love for Okunland, he engaged the royal father's son of Owe kingdom Engr. Olushola George Olumoroti as the Director General of his campaign team.

No leader rises above the collective intellect of his people Admiral hinted the royal father that. He pointed out as well that any leader that cannot be approached and advised by his people can not come out well. Such unfortunately is our situation today in Kogi statej

These scenario created the need for us all to be involved in rescue mission for the sake of posterity.

Welcoming Admiral Jibrin, the visibly elated Obaro Kabba,His Royal Majesty Oba Solomon Owoniyi the chairman, Okun traditional council in the company his council chiefs, was full of happiness and joy at the visit of Admiral Jibrin and his encourage to his royal palace calls Admiral Jibrin "Your Excellency"

Congratulated him for his courage in coming out to contest and his efforts at the pools.

When you become the Governor of Kogi state kindly don't forget us in Okunland,Obaro advised.

He pointed out that Kogi is strategically position end in Nigeria and must not be turned to a theatre of war in the search for power

Obaro then called on the Chief Imam of Kabba Alhaji Ahmed Abubakar Ejibunu and an elder to offer prayers to Admiral Jibrin and his entourage.

As Kogites get ready for the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the Kogi State, the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Jibrin Usman (Rtd), has taken over the state with his ongoing courtesy visits and consultations with traditional rulers and executives of the party in the 21 local government areas of the state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) highly rated gubernatorial aspirant was conferred with the highest chieftaincy title of the Igala Kingdom, ‘Oga Ata Igala’ by the Ata Igala and the Chairman, Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Royal Majesty, Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni II over the weekend when he visited the monarch in Idah Local Government Area.
The monarch emphasized that the former Naval Chief deserved the title for his unprecedented positive contribution to the development of the state in general and Igala Kingdom in particular.

The Monarch told the aspirant to as a matter of emergency prioritise rehabilitation of roads in their domains if he wins the party’s ticket and secure the mandate to rule the state at the November polls.
Likewise, the Kogi East Monarchs across the Nine Local Governments also cried out to the APC frontline ticket contender, Admiral Usman Jibrin (Rtd) to fix all awful roads, pay salaries as and when due and build new social infrastructure in the district, mostly those linking to other states in order to improve the economy of the state.

The Monarchs which include His Royal Highnesses, Ejeh Of Ibaji, Aguma of Bassa, Ohigba of Mozum, Etsu of Bassa Nge, Ejeh of Dekina, Onu Ife(Ojogba) of Omala, Ejeh of Ankpa, Onu of Ankpa and Ejeh of Olamaboro from Kogi East dropped this advice during a courtesy visit to their respective palaces by the APC gubernatorial aspirant, Admiral Jibrin (rtd).
The monarchs, the Eje of Dekina, Alhaji Usman Obaje; Etsu Bassa- Nge, Col Abu Ali(rtd); the Aguma of Bassa, HRM Williams Keke; the Oyeigba of Mozum, Alhaji Ali Bukar; Onu of Ibaji, Egwemi and host of others expressed their fulfilment over major contributions of the former naval boss to the development of the state, especially in the eastern district.

The traditional rulers showered encomium on Jibrin for bringing all naval institutions and establishments to Kogi State, they include a Naval Outpost Base in Idah, Nigeria Navy Ship Lugard Banda and the Nigeria Navy Secondary School in Okura where their children and others across the nation are receiving education on different fields of human endeavours.
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The monarchs asserted that Admiral Jibrin had made remarkable marks in his chosen field, carving a niche for himself making him reach such an enviable height in the Navy, they said the former Naval boss has all it takes to take Kogi State to dream land.

The Etsu of Bassa-nge in Bassa local government, Col. Ali while addressing the people said the former Naval Chief ” is a powerful man who had made the Igala nation proud on many occasions”.
He stated that he has no doubt in his mind that if given the ticket and the mandate, he will fix Kogi for the benefit of all in the state.
According to him, “I know him as a very vigorous, determined person. He has fought many wars and came out victorious

“I have a dream, that there will be a bridge on River Niger between Shintaku and Lokoja, that the road linking Shintaku to Dekina will be constructed, that social amenities that makes life worth living will be on ground,”.
The Oyeigba of Mozum, Alhaji Bukar, who said he ascended the throne of his ancestors at the age of 25, said he had got to understand in life that “there are shoes, but shoes have different sizes”.

He added that Jibrin has a pedigree that endeared him to the people of his community.
Oyeigba of Mozum, who personally thanked the APC chieftain over his role in the educational pursuit of his children in Naval secondary school in the district, said the ancestors of the land and his good works will speak for him in his bid to become the governor of Kogi state.
However, the royal fathers admonished the supporters of Admiral Jibrin to shun betrayal and get working seriously to see that the APC chieftain realise his ambition and deliver the state from the present challenges.
“No double game. You brought him. Politicians should endeavour to play their role and we will do our own. No betrayal! You have to cultivate before you harvest. No royal father can deliver him, it is you, his supporters that brought him here that will deliver him at the polls,” Etsu Bassa-Nge said.
The Director General of Jibrin’s political campaign group, Engr. Olusola Olumoroti commended the Ata Igala and other monarchs for receiving them with rousing welcome, saying they visited to receive their royal blessing and to solicit for their support in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
He stated that Jibrin and his team were out to ameliorate the hardships in the land which was deliberately created by the present administration in the state.
He told the royal fathers and APC party delegates in the district that the guber aspirant remains the hope of a better Kogi state.
Olumoroti added that the current sorry situation of the state can only be corrected by the person in the mould of Usman Jibrin.
He noted that their votes is a vote for liberation, security, development and a rise in living standard of the people in the state.

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Says Establishment Of RUGA Will Compound the Killings of the farmers in Okun Land.


The foremost students leader of Kogi state, Comrade Ajagun Opeyemi Samuel has warned Kogi state government from acceding to the establishment of RUGA in Kogi state and Okun Land.


Ajagun hinted that such policy will further pave way for the Fulani herdsmen to continually victimize and maim the residents of the communities. Ajagun warned against such development saying that the life and properties of the citizens must be protected.

"Diverse opinions have emerged through debates and social media in the past few weeks on RUGA - A Federal Government initiative aimed at establishing rural grazing areas in each State.

"Some States in the North welcomed the idea while some others in the South West totally rejected it.
The Ekiti State Governor earlier announced that the State will not partake in the programme likewise his counterpart from Ondo State"

"Okun Land have been known as a safe haven until the sudden attacks from these herdsmen began.
Cases of Kidnap, Rape and murder have been on the rise in Okun Land. Farmers can no longer farm in peace, travellers are being kidnapped and maimed.
These ugly trends keeps repeating itself daily"

"This warning wouldn't have been necessary in the first place if the Governor shares the pains of the people.
We the people of Kogi West needs to remind the State Government its limits concerning federal policies it imposes on people"

"The Federal Government hasn't for any time sent a bill of such to the National Assembly, why then should Kogi State be trying to buy the people through the State Assembly?

"We wish to State categorically that, nobody in Kogi west is ready to sell the people's conscience. We jointly say no to RUGA."

"Kogi West has a vast land...yes. Our major occupation is farming. As vast as our land is, its not even enough to cultivate. We can't just imagine a future where Cows are more in Population than humans.
Presently, these Fulanis have been knocking on our doors at Yagba, Ijumu and other towns."

"Recently, the People of Kogi East precisely the Igala Nation have written to reject the Federal Government suspended grazing reserves for Fulani herdsmen"

"We hereby call on Mr. Governor to listen to the people and shelve his plan of accepting RUGA in our dear land"

"We also call on Mr Governor to beef of Security and make sure Kogi is a safe place. Kogi west has had enough of all these evil acts perpetrated by these Herders"

"We hope to see a better and safer Kogi State where we can travel home without fear, where farmers can cultivate for farm produce, where we can raise our future generation without fears"

"We hope to read a total cancellation of your plans on RUGA very soon Mr. Governor. Please do this and receive honour"

God Bless our dear land.

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A civil society group in Kogi State, Kogi Salvage Group 2019 has raised the alarm over alleged plans by governor Bello to use the last tranche of N30.8 billion bailout fund to prosecute his governorship ambition and fund his campaign in the November election.

The bailout fund from the Federal Government is meant to offset workers’ salary arrears.

Kogi State has just received the last tranche of 30.8 billion bailout funds from the federal government for the settlement of arrears of workers’ salaries and emoluments but sources revealed that the funds have been diverted for other purposes ahead of the November gubernatorial election, thereby defeating the purpose of the government’s effort to provide succour for the workers.

The State government failed to apply the amount received from the federal government to settle their indebtedness to their workers, leaving them enmeshed in huge arrears of salaries to the staff despite collecting the bailout cash.

The fund is said to have been diverted to settling individuals in ensuring that Governor Bello gets the party APC ticket ahead of the November governorship election leaving only a meager amount to pay workers salaries in percentages as usual.

The former chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety (PICOMSS), Air Vice Marshal Saliu Atawodi (retd.) was reported to be in touch with Governor yesterday at the government house Lokoja over the disbursement of Kogi bailout fund for other unethical purposes. Sources is yet to revealed how much of Kogi resources was given to Atawodi.

The Leader of the group, Josiah Adewale who spoke on behalf of the group said it is unprincipled, sacrilegious, and the height of perfidy of public trust that a government who should chair over the logical use of the State resources is nursing a cancerous agenda of diverting funds meant to better the lots of workers to sponsor the governor’s reelection bid.

“ Sources from Lugard House clearly reflect that It is unethical and unjust for the governor to start a plot to massively lavish our collective patrimony on his re-election.
The bailout fund is meant for our workers and not meant to be squandered on individuals to ensure Bello gets the forthcoming APC governorship ticket ahead of the primaries.

We collectively condemn this devopment and will do everything possible to stop the illegal money sharing fiesta,” he said.

Conclusively, we call on Mr. President to impress on his self acclaimed son to channel the bailout funds towards payment of salaries in line with his commitment before the said fund was released.

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Ambassador Dele Nihi, the incumbent President Of the National Youth Council Of Nigeria has been conferred with an Award of the Most Decorated Youth Of Ohon Aiyegule gbedde Community And An Exceptional Youth Leadership Award By the Kogi West Youth Awake (KOWYA)

The award which was presented to him by the president Ohon Youth Vanguard, Comrade Abdulazeez Abdulateef at the palace of His Royal Highness, Oba Michael Ayeni (Aladuge II)

According to the president of Ohon Youth Vanguard, Ambassador Dele Nihi is a "worthy son of the soil who has invested hugely in the development of his community" while receiving the award, the president of Youth Council Of Nigeria Amb Dele Nihi appreciated the youth of his community for finding him worthy by giving him a seldom award and standing by him at all time.

In the same vein, Ambassador Dele Nihi received an Exceptional Youth Leadership Award by the president Kogi West Youth Awake (KOWYA) Comrade Olorunfemi John. According to Comrade Olorunfemi, Ambassador Dele Nihi is an "epitome of youth with an impeccable leadership Proficiency who has given hope and sense of belonging to Nigerian Youth"

He said" the major aim why we are here is to show appreciation and to tell you that we're proud of you and to assure you that Kogi West is solidly behind you. We have not for once given an award to anyone of your age. But we must do what we have to do, because you have already made your mark. Never give up on the good works that you have started" Comr. Olorunfemi stated.

While receiving the award presented to him, Amb Dele Nihi thanked the Association, promised them of his continued supports toward the course of fighting for the youth.

"I am determined to use my office to build the youth of this nation and your association will not be left out. Our Youth Rebirth Blueprints is for every Nigerian Youths he said

9th July, 2019.

The President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Amb. Oladele John Nihi, who was ably represented by the National Youth Council of Nigeria Secretary General, Comr. Rikki Chinedu Nwajiofor, sealed a deal with The Nigerian Sports Summit Project (NSSP).

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed today by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, for the partnership, cooperation and facilitation on The National Schools Sports Championship and Olypic in Nigeria (NASSCON). And The NASSCON Explosive Raffle Draw Promotion.

The project is to cut across five selected states in the country, and to engage in total, 3, 870 athletes in the country.

While welcoming the NYCN Executives, the NSSP spokesperson, Mr. Martins Obi Bisong, who is also the chief consultant for NSSP, mentioned that they are happy to be working with the NYCN, and especially the leadership of Comr. Oladele John Nihi.

"We have worked with 22 other agencies before now, and yours makes it the 23rd. We welcome you to the signing of this MoU. One of the negligence we have in sports is lack of grassroots activities; which is what this project is all about. We have talents all over the place, that needs to be annexed. We are set to make sure that the youths are the paramount head of this project. Sept 16th has been set aside for the unveiling, and we will require the assistance of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, to make it a success" Mr Bisong stated.

While responding to Mr. Bisong's statement; Comr. Rikki Nwajiofor thanked the representatives of NSSP, for the warm reception. He also assured them of the Council's readiness to make the project a reality.

"There are hidden talents in the grassroots and you've not made a mistake by coming to the National Youth Council of Nigeria, for partnership. Our President is a workaholic, and I can assure you that once this MoU gets to his table, he will do everything possible to see it fly. Having verified what's in the MoU, we are fully ready to sign this and kick-start the project" Comr. Nwajiofor said.

The Secretary General also applauded the Director of Sports, Comr. Oscar Nereus, for making this possible.
In closing, he thanked the Nigerian Sports Summit, again, and assuring them of a 100% commitment.

Signed:
Kelvin Oluseyi Eleta,
Chief Press Secretary to the President, NYCN.[color=#000099][/color]

In a tweetstorm on Saturday, Vicki Royce, a singer and performer, who was born as Victoria Kehinde Bandele 25 years ago, narrated how she was raped by the so-called man of God at a guest house in Ikotun, Lagos in November 2012.

“I was raped as a virgin and the pain felt like hell.. by a pastor who claim to be a prophet,” she wrote.

Although Vicki did not mention any name in her tweets, it was clear who she was accusing: Pastor TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations.kotun, Lagos. Nov 17 2012. I was almost 19. The date, the time, the spot, the circumstances…I’ll NEVER forget.

I don’t want to talk much tbh(to be honest). But even if I shorten this story I’ll always remember the trauma. The deceit. The helplessness.

I went with this my friend and her boyfriend to meet this ‘man of God’.
Well because my choices were limited (in my opinion) back then. And I really needed a miracle to feel better about myself with an admission into uni. Amongst a few other issues.

They took me to meet him and he was all fatherly and dependable-looking. I felt at ease, for real. He asked for my parents’ names and I told him. Man of God, who doubts them for no reason?

In short I was told to come for a special prayer the next week. By myself. But that I should fast that day and break when I’m in the church

The day came,I was fasting. Then I went to the guest house he’d told me to meet him at. Still find it hard to believe I didn’t suspect ANY ulterior motive. My friends trusted him so it didn’t even occur to me to be worried AT ALL

He wasn’t there but the receptionist, a lady, told me to take the keys to “my room”. That was the first inkling that this was awkward but I wasn’t afraid. I hadn’t been told it was a room thing but I told myself to be grateful that he wanted to respect my privacy.

He came in like an hour after I got there. Welcomed me with smiles and asked if I’d remembered not to eat. I reassured him that I hadn’t. Then he asked if I was a virgin. Couldn’t lie to a man of God.I confessed that I’d never had sex.

Gave me ‘anointing oil’ and told me to rub it on my pubic area when he leaves the room. Also gave me a white garment to wear after changing.

He came back like 30 minutes after. Told me with a straight face “emi mo ni e”.
Meaning “I own you”.

Huh? Kile mean sir? That was my thought. What do you mean by that?

Next thing this man with the Bible told me to UnCloth and lie down. Not kneel for prayers, lie down. I was shy of course but how would I disobey and still get my miracle, my healing?

He brought out his penis, holding a Bible with the other hand and chanting scriptures in Yoruba. Actually saying prayers for me..I could hear. But what’s penis doing with prayer? I was petrified. Yet didn’t want to miss ‘blessings’

Oh he’d said my grandma put something in me as a kid and it had to be removed for me to make a headway. Didn’t even know which of the grandmas. And he now repeated that this was the way ‘it’ could be removed.

Summary he had his way with me while i cried and screamed. Nobody came. Want to believe nobody heard. He kept whispering ” I own you, don’t be afraid. I own you”

He ejaculated and stood up. I was bloody, sticky. He opened the bedside drawer,gave me #200 for transportation. Told me I should give it a week and see the effect of his ‘prayer’. I was crying but told myself it was for a good reason. Never thought I’d give my virginity this way

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/06/29/how-pastor-tb-joshua-raped-me-another-nigerian-woman-speaks/[color=#990000][/color]

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A Peoples Democratic Party Aspirant says Gov. Yahaya Bello needs help moving forward, described his best as not good enough for another term.

Speaking to newsmen at the PDP state Secretariat where he formally declared his intention to seek the position of governor in the forthcoming governorship election, Bayo Adobanyin Averehi, says enough of trial and error, says he has what it takes to move the state forward.

He said that the incumbent has given all his best,with nothing left in him to offer the people.

“The Governor has tried his best, that is all he has to offer. You cannot give what you don’t have, he definitely needs help and I am ready to provide that help by wrestling power from him to better the life of my people” he said.

According to Bayo Averehi, his entrance into the governorship race is to redefine democratic government in the state by correcting the prevailing wrong perception about democracy, says enough of authoritarian and dictatorship, says enough of tyranny, inimical to democracy.

While noting that democracy is about the people, urged Kogi people to use their thumb to entrench good governance, accountability, which he represent.
He noted that if given the PDP ticket, the people would not just exit, but would live life where they can afford the basic necessities of life, security of life and properties and would create jobs for the teeming youths.



The guber hopeful promised to establish structures that would promote sustainable unity and good governance, promised to also enhance continuous progress and development even beyond his tenure of service.
He promised to make his words his bond, promised that in four years when elected, he would the state around, says he is not in the race because of godfatherism, nor family political history.

He hinged his believe to secure the PDP ticket on God, said he needs the people to join hands with him to turn around the negative fortune of Kogi state.

Bayo Averehi lamented that for a state that is abundantly blessed with human and capital resource, promised to maximize the rich arable land for prosperity.

He described his vision and aspiration as his propelling force, urged delegates of the PDP to see in him the vital leadership qualities that is needed to make the state an envy, solicited the PDP and the peoples overwhelming support to actualize quality governance in the state

A man identified as Richard Olunwa was reported to have beat his 6years old son to death in port Harcourt

According to multiple online sources, the man accused his child of stealing N3200 on Friday night and beat him till 1am on Saturday. The little boy was found lifeless this morning after the father t[color=#000000][/color]ried to wake him up to run an errand for his pregnant wife.

It was gathered that the boy had been maltreated by his father and step-mom since his mother left, including being starved on a daily basis.

Gov. Yahaya Bello, Kogi state governor has taken state influential traditional rulers to beg Mr. Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigeria President for his endorsement for the November 11 state governor election.

All the prominent traditional rulers in the state followed Bello to beg Buhari, except Mr. Ado Ibrahim, the Ohinoyi of Ibiraland.

Ibrahim has said he cannot support Bello because he finds it difficult to convince his subjects to vote for Bello citing the Governor failure as a reason why he can’t endorse him for a second tenure.

NairaLand gathers that Buhari has asked the traditional rulers to go and convince their people to vote Bello and not to come to him for an endorsement.

Bello has lost popularity among his people, with many not wanting to vote him for a second term.

A situation he is working hard to ensure he gets his party ticket and run for the election.[color=#006600][/color]

19th June, 2019.

Okun born University Of Abuja Student, Comrade Ajagun Opeyemi Samuel has said that it is the time of an Okun man from the Western Senatorial District Of Kogi State to become Governor of the State.

Ajagun made the statement during the meeting held by the University of Abuja chapter of the National Association Of Okun Students (NAOS) in the school premises today in Abuja.

Ajagun said that this is the proper time for the leaders of various political parties across Okun Land to put heads together and synergize on how to get the governorship ticket for an Okun man to become governor of the state in the forthcoming governorship election slated to hold on the 16th of November 2019.

The Okun Students Leader said that it is time to let go of the minority mentality stressing that with cooperation, synergy and timely strategy an Okun man can become the governor of Kogi State.

"There is power in unity, for instance, I am trying to penetrate into a room that has been locked inside with padlock but I couldn't, if this and that person(s) join me, we can even break the door and have our way in. This door is the door of Lugard House, Our Leaders should team together in one voice and fight for our right to become the governor of Kogi State. For how long shall we continue to see ourselves as the minority? For how long shall we continue to subject ourselves to a devastating marginalization in our own state? When are we going to get it right if not now?

In an infuriated manner Ajagun criticized the political heavyweights from Kogi West for not realizing the damage it has done for the district for not speaking in one voice to meeting up with the people's expectation.

"Kogi State was created in 1991, almost 28 years now. Since the return of democracy in 1999 our leaders can not speak in one voice. It is now 28 years of a stupendous marginalization of the people of Kogi West specifically the Okun speaking people of the district despite the numbers of the influential political juggernauts from the zone. We are not limited to becoming deputy governor or speaker of the state, we can also be governor. Just as we are asking our leaders what they were doing when other tribes are becoming governor of the state, one day, our own children will also ask us same question if we don't get up and do something now"

"It educe alot of reaction and concerns the nonchalant attitudes of our leaders in Okun land concerning the 2019 governorship race. In a situation where almost 20 people have already shown interest to run for the office of the governor from Kogi East, our own leaders are quiet and they seem not having interest in the race, I ask, does that mean we have totally succumb to the magnitude relegation of our tribe in our own state? I ask, does that mean we no longer have those political leaders who can take the bull by the horn and do the needful? We have been grossly marginalized and we are comfortable"

"We are appealing to the traditional rulers across Okunland and most especially the Obaro of Kabba who doubled as the chairman Okun traditional council to summon all the politicians in Okun land across different parties for meeting on how to put end to this slavery of our tribe. We also solicit the efforts of all the sons and daughters of Okun to team up in unity and fight this battle, this is a collective struggle to fight for liberation of our land"

Ajagun noted that an average Okun politician is competent and capable of sailing the ship of the state to an enviable destination. He challenge the political leaders across parties in Okunland to come together and speak in one voice towards the forthcoming election promising to mobilize the youths and students across Kogi west to agitate and support any Okun man who make it to the primary under the two ruling and oppositional parties.

"Henceforth, we shall continue to agitate for this course until our leaders come out and do what is expected of them. Our agitation will cut across the state and we shall be granting different type of Press statements both on print and electronic media to effect this agitation he concluded.[color=#990000][/color]

Lol

The governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello is confident of emerging winner of the forthcoming governorship election in the state saying what people should be bothered about is the margins of victory between him and his opponents.

Bello who spoke with newsmen at the Kebbi governor’s lodge in the Asokoro area of Abuja shortly after the Progressive Governors Forum on Sunday night dismissed the threat by Senator Dino Melaye to unseat him as a non-issue.

He said that to challenge him for the governorship seat, the Senator representing Kogi west must be prepared to pass through the eye of the needle, while assuring that the election in the state will be peaceful


He said: “In Kogi state, we know the election is coming up and of course, a lot of people will come out for the challenge. But the reality is that we are on ground. From within the party to the General election, we are not just talking of victory, we ‘re talking of the margin of the victory of APC over any other party that will come next because of what we have been able to do in the stage delivering on all our promises.

“You are going to see election like never before. Kogi election is going to be as smooth as anything and we are very confident of victory.”

On whether he was confident of getting the party ticket considering the quality of opposition emerging from within the APC in the state, he said “where will the ticket go outside myself?”

On Senator Dino Melaye’s threat to unseat him, he said “anytime you talk, we should talk of somebody that is good. Apart from that person, you are talking of, let him justify the mandate given to him by showing his people what he has done. For him to come and challenge me means that he is ready to pass through the eye of the needle.”

He expressed confidence in the ability of the President to deliver on his campaign promises saying he “thank Nigerians for giving Mr. President the mandate for the second time to reposition the country. What he has done in the last four years and what he is going to do in the next four years requires the support of every Nigerian and we are very confident that Mr. President is going to take us to the next level.”


Credit: The Nation[color=#000000][/color]

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VICTOR HUGO once remarked: “You can resist an invading army; you cannot resist an idea whose time has come.”

It is no longer news that most individuals that has represented the good people of Kogi State in Lugard House since return of our democracy in 1999 have all tried but their best has not been enough to give us the Kogi State we desire.

As we draw closer to another election year, opportunity has once again present itself for us to either make or mar Kogi State for another four years politically. The choice of who becomes the Chief Security of the State will go a long way to determine this. Will you be part of patriots who wants to see Kogi rise again? Remember wishing and wishing earns no man greatness, we must make a choice, a choice to move forward, a choice to grow, a choice to develop and most importantly a choice to MAKING Kogi State great again.

Dr Victor Alewo Adoji happens to be one of the youngest and focused aspirants in this race and he sure deserves our prayers and support because it is obvious he will deliver as our governor. He has got the charisma to lead the good people of Kogi State.

Adoji a vocal, intelligent and seasoned banker has catch a niche for himself.

The time is now, I present to you DR. Victor Alewo Adoji as governorship aspirant of Kogi State 2019 under our great party PDP.
Credit - OKUN PDP YOUTH VANGUARD.