₦airaland Forum

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.

Elections are now over. Actually, they have been for a while. The swearing in of a new tenure for the same administration is here.

I should have written this a while ago, a little after elections, but I have struggled about whether I should express the views I have here. I have lost the struggle and decided to express them. Hopefully, hindsight won’t show that it was an error of judgment, but if it does, then, even that is part of the learning process the introspection and expression itself represents.

As the electioneering process concluded, I thought to myself; I really should keep to my few, mostly monotone dark coloured suits, go to work and be the “technocrat” (whatever that means) I was appointed to be, and prepare to continue a life after public service in what I know best; my professional calling, not just as a lawyer, but a practicing lawyer.

However, there is a realization that has come upon me; one I will be failing incredibly in personal, self-set and imposed responsibility if I don’t disclose. And since I am still too lazy to write a book (much to the irritation and aggravation of a key mentor of mine- a professor of law, perhaps the very best and strategic lawyer I know, a prolific author, the most outstanding political officeholder I have encountered and an exemplary big brother in age, but a guiding parent in wisdom and scope), I think its important I find expression for, or “publish” these thoughts somehow.

An election, and then four years on, another election have shown and taught me some things. I think one of the most important, is a dangerous and sad pollution of our elite class to a point that those who merit the honor of the appellation or membership are far fewer in the group than those who don’t. Worse still, their intellect, clarity, commentary and credibility now sometimes (albeit sometimes inadvertently) become enablers to the sinister at worst, or mediocre at best objectives of the polluting majority. The trouble with that is obvious and needs no elaboration.

The seasons and both cycles reveal that, unlike progressing societies where the elites are a small pool of sophistication, education and commitment to governance for the larger and more vulnerable populace, our elites in our country, consider governance an instrument for self, and against the larger and more vulnerable populace. In those societies, the elites are trustees and custodians of power and wealth for the purpose of shared prosperity, justice, equality and equity, but with us, elites are appropriators of wealth for the purpose of expanding poverty, promoting inequality, eschewing equity and discarding justice.

We have abused and redefined the characterization of “elite from the prevailing norm which is RESPONSIBILITY, SELFLESSNESS and SERVICE. For us, it is SUPERIORITY, SELFISHNESS and AVARICE.
Our small elite class has re-calibrated the volume of discourse to portraying the vocal and amplified minority as the louder voice and conscience of the nation at the expense, and to the exclusion of the silent, and sometimes voiceless majority, whose voices are many, and whenever they, if they ever find it, speak in whispers. We the so called elites now mistake or arrogantly adopt our loud and amplified conversations among ourselves as the true pulse of the nation because of the decibels.

There is nothing more grievous for a nation and more traumatic for a people than the travesty of those who aspire to lead, yet scorn and disregard the voices of the people. They miss it, and their disconnection and misalignment is unmistakable, yet paradoxically, mistaken. Their philosophy is at best academic, but more realistically, selfish. They characterize vital and needed critical social investment as tokenism and vote-buying. They dishonor and disregard the hardworking and honest majority as vote-sellers who are lacking in civic responsibility, but only want some change as exchange for their crucial obligation to self, family and and nation. In reality, what they call vote-buying is actually “VOTER BUY-IN”. The beaten and broken populace bought into responsibility and compassion manifesting through the Social Investment Programs (SIP) and exercised their franchise based on that. What they are doing is contrary to what the pundits or politically weaponized elites think or say; the masses are the ones buying, not selling. They buy into the fidelity, performance and commitment of leaders they believe and trust.

I know this a political live cable, I understand and respect dissent, but I am unapologetic about how I feel, what side of it I am, and the expression thereof. And if my introspection causes us to engage in some reflection, the hard work and overcoming the dilemma of whether to express is would have been well worth, because, if the walls of the pipe of our reflections is f[color=#990000][/color]rank honesty, then it should produce a guidance that starts the work of redefining elites, and re prioritizing the silent majority.

Babatunde Irukera, Director General, Consumer Protection Council

Ahead of the November 16 governorship election, a group of young men and women in Kogi state have adopted ‘Salvage Kogi 2019’ as its mobilization platform.

In a press statement signed by Ahmadu Abdullahi, the group vowed to present the state with a credible alternative.

The group vowed to mobilize the entire state for a journey to prosperity through enthroning a new, purposeful, resourceful and people oriented leadership in the next gubernatorial election.

The group which has launched her logo, website and jingles said they are not out to fight, insult or witch-hunt any politician but to stop the twenty eight years of vision less leadership the state has faced and still facing.

The group whose composition is still sketchy said its mandate is to salvage, reposition and empower Kogi for productivity for the good the suffering people.

The cat is now out of the bag. I watched with a great concern as Ayo, the TVC anchor man on journalist hangout program led the ever vibrant Jide and one other on the Kogi executive/judiciary crises. They brought this issue to the table and dissected it like medical Doctors busy performing a surgical operation to save a life. It re-ignited and refreshed my love for journalism as a profession. While they were at it, one thought kept stretching through my mind; so Yahaya Bello's antics is this naked before the public. We have tried our best to save our dear state from this ugly situation but Bello never mind this consequence.

Now, not from my mouth but from the mouth of the professional media, what we suspected, what we knew and tried to keep from public glare is now blown open for the general public. The crises arose because of Bello's desires for the Hon. Chief Judge to be taking orders from him on how certain cases should be tried. The CJ has insisted that all his life on the bench he has not done that and could not possibly for any reason on earth start that now. I should pause here to say thank you to Hon. Justice Ajana for NOT being a stupid man, for being incorruptible, for being an upright man, for not putting us to shame, for keeping the life and blood of the Kogi state judiciary intact. This is very far from praise singing, no, this is putting the facts very straight.

When the world asked if there is a single law officer in Bello's government, some persons would simple not understand the question. Now, what can be more embarrassing than journalists, i mean non-lawyers, reading the applicable provisions of the constitution and a statute of Kogi state, and infact interpreting same to Bello and his government? It is more embarrassing to Bello and his government that some facts are made public, facts such as trying to use the Hon CJ to keep Sen-Dino Melaye in custody without bail, attempting to remove the Hon. CJ because he sure wont be a ready tool in the planned removal of the deputy governor, the withdrawal of policemen from court premises last Friday thereby exposing parties, litigants and the presiding judge to the proposed invasion by thugs etc. These fact were laid bare by journalists on TVC's journalist hangout. i see it as humiliation of Kogi as a state but its so shameful that Governor Yahaya Bello can never see it as such. Its so nauseating. It is prodigal.

Talking about last Friday's drama at high court, koton karfi, yours truly was there. I was there powerfully on solidarity. I met the hashes of the burnt tires by touts of politicians who were said to have come with funny placards early about 6am claiming to be judiciary staff of Kogi state demanding for screening. That is the level the frustration of our adversary has degenerated to. This is so ridiculous. They could only resort to this cheapest and shameful act because the handwriting on the wall is becoming bolder now that failure from all angles stare them in the face. I mean an uncommon failure. When i told you last December that there exist a high level of discipline in judiciary and that judiciary is one and impenetrable, you wont just listen, and by that error you have subjected your ego to this unnecessary trauma. Those who gave you this very ill piece of advice, those who claimed to you that as ex-senior staff of judiciary they possessed the method of dealing with judiciary are sleeping very well in their houses and have only succeeded in granting the Governor sleepless nights. How would you, without justifiable reason pounced on hundreds of judges and thousands of staff and keep their only source of livelihood away from them? How would their creator watch you from far heavens and applaud this callousness. How do you sleep daily knowing people are not fed, their children withdrawn from schools, denied access to medication, some dead and dying all for your fault, just simply to tell the world how tough you are? Sure, all these were attempt to break our spirit, but to your continuous dismay, the more you tried the more energised we had become and the more our spirits are strengthened. You may now get this fact very straight; you can never break our spirit no matter how hard you try.

I said it at the beginning of this crises that as long as you hold onto the subventions of judiciary, that is how long the doors to our courts would be locked up. Am sure you can now finally believe me. Let me remind you that i once said that we were here when you came and we will be here when you will leave and another will come. Please, also believe that. My dear Gov Bello, there was never a need for this crises if your law officers actually read law and understood law. We are an arm of this government of Kogi state, we are not your civil servants but independent public servants who are directly under the JSC. Why is this difficult for your government to understand. If only for once you will listen to advice, simply end this crises by sending nine months due subvention to the account of the judiciary. There is no ego bash in that, it is called "doing the right thing." By doing that, we will all go back to our work and i assure you we will push this ugly incidence behind us with no victor no vanguished. Doing anything other than this would simply be complicating issues.

No right thinking person, considering how you came into power would expect your kind of leadership. No. That should bring me to this advice to all politicians; never you come into power with the inherited votes of a dead man. It would surely ignite something very different and unmanageable in you. Yours in all honestly is a story of a squandered goodwill.

Illegal immigrant stabbed his fiancée to death in Austria when she mocked him for having a small penis

A man has stabbed his fiancée to death in Austria after she mocked him for having a small penis.

The man named Daban K. and who hails from Iraq, killed the woman after she had sheltered him from the Austrian authorities for several years.

The woman hid Daban in her flat when he ignored a deportation order to be sent back to Iraq from Austria.

After he was arrested for murder, the 40-year-old blamed the attack, which saw him stab his partner at least four times in the neck, on her for mocking his masculinity and being unfaithful.

Daban K., who’s full name has not been released due to Austrian privacy laws, said in a conversation with court psychiatrist, Sigrun Rossmanith, that: “She was a very good woman to me, but she repeatedly insulted me.

“She cheated on me three times with other men and did not want to have sex with me anymore. One day she told me that my penis was too small.”

The migrant had received a deportation order that he ignored and meant he should not have been in Austria when he murdered Nagsha R. in 2017.

He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison by a court in the Austrian capital Vienna on Tuesday.

WAEC: This is mere noise about nothing

There are indications that some candidates, sitting for this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Utme), conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (Jamb), may be denied the opportunity of sitting for the examination, Saturday Telegraph has learnt.

This was as Jamb source declared yesterday that the examination body would not change the date, time and paper of its examinations, claiming that the fault was not from the body. The affected students, according to investigations, are those expected to write Animal Husbandry in the 2019 May/June Diet of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, which begins on Monday across secondary schools in the country.

This is as a result of the clash in the timetable of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and UTME, which falls on April 11. No fewer than 1.8 million candidates are expected to write this year’s UTME, while more than one million students had also registered for the May/June Diet of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination across the country. Meanwhile, by both timetable, WAEC students who are expected to write Animal Husbandry on April 11 by 9 am are also being expected to sit for their UTME on the same day and at the same time.

The Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) had on Thursday raised the alarm over the clash, calling for urgent review and reconciliation of the timetable by the two examination bodies to give the students ample chance to participate in the two examinations.

“We call on the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to urgently rework their timetables to correct the clash of the days of the examinations of the two bodies, the group said. According to MURIC, the candidates had been complaining bitterly that the JAMB examination would hold on the same day they are to sit for some WAEC subjects.

In a statement issued by the Director of MURIC, Prof, Ishaq Akintola on Thursday, the group said the two bodies should review their timetable so that it would not affect the future of the students. But, while responding, a source at WAEC, who preferred anonymity, expressed dismay over the issue, saying he wondered why some people are merely making noise out of the timetable.

“Why are people making something out of nothing,” the source added, claiming that how many students or candidates are writing the subject (Animal Husbandry) in WASSCE and that the examination was conducted last year along with UTME without any noise. The source did not mention whether there was a clash in the timetable for the two examinations last year, and how it was resolved between the two examination bodies, if it really happened.

“People are just making unnecessary noise about the examinations. We did this examination last year and why the noise now,” the source further argued. Also reacting to the clash, JAMB source who spoke with Saturday Telegraph, recalled that the examination body met stakeholders last year where they all agreed to create a window to be free for the conduct of all the examinations. Now, the source, which claimed that the fault was not from JAMB, however, insisted that nothing could be done on the part of JAMB to change the timetable since the UTME paper and date had been fixed. The source said: “The fault is not from JAMB and Saturday Telegraph should talk to WAEC about this. We cannot change our examination because the date and paper have been fixed. I mean the fault is not from us.

“The window was created purposely for this kind of thing and we adhere to it, as we all agreed at the stakeholders’ meeting. We made use of the window.” But, worried by the development, MURIC had in its statement noted: “We call on both Waec and JAMB to quickly synergise. Some Waec subjects will be taken on a day that a crucial Jamb paper will also be examined."

When a prayer is answered, the person who prayed would be overwhelmed. Prayers work and answers may be so complete as to be overwhelmed. This expression may aptly describe the situation with Gov Yahaya Bello who became the 4th Executive governor of Kogi State in the most unlikely circumstance. I have no doubt of course that he prayed so hard to be able to get to that position but it appears that the position has overwhelmed him.

When his administration came on board, the catch phrase that was introduced was “New Direction " which became the basis for the New Direction Blue Print; a guide to the developmental strides and governance that was to be adopted by his administration. His youthfulness and a few other factors made Kogites both home and abroad hopeful. It was expected that he will bring some radical changes that will help alleviate the suffering of his people but before long, things began to fall apart.

To start with, there was the staff screening exercise that was incredibly woeful. Let me be clear that I am not against a staff audit that will help reposition the civil service for optimal service, but the process introduced by the Yahaya Bello’s administration was not only poor but diabolical. He got a lot of negative flacks for the screening exercise that seemed unending. After 2 years of engaging in the screening, salaries still remained unpaid, pensioners were still owed several months, there was a major downsizing and things just did not improve. The social media was agog with news of Kogites who lost their lives as a result of being unable to pay medical bills due to unpaid salaries by the state government. Yet in all of these, Yahaya Bello had a penchant for purchasing luxurious cars and building mansions while his people wallowed in abject poverty. Political appointees were living large in their SUV’s and marrying new wives while civil servants who are the engine room of governance suffered in silence.

Despite the administration’s claim to have improved the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the administration has not shown much in terms of infrastructure. A drive through Kogi State will make you wonder if at all there is any purposeful leadership. I am not talking about the few meters of roads that some of the political appointees in the state who want to caught the attention of the Chief Of Staff; Edward Onoja ask young social media users to post online as developed infrastructure, rather, I am talking about the terrible road network across the state whereas even the Governor himself cannot boast of enjoying decent roads leading to his hometown in Okene or within the town of Okene itself. Compared to the days of late Prince Abubakar Audu who literarily turned Kogi state to a construction site with even lesser funds than this present administration, it will be safe to say that Yahaya Bello has failed in the last few years in terms of delivering the dividends of democracy to the good people of Kogi state.

In the words of Calgacus who was a chieftain of the Caledonian Confederacy who fought the Roman army of Gnaeus Jukius Agricola at the Battle of Mons Graupius in northern Scotland in AD83, “Auferre, trucidare, rapere, falsis nominibus imperium; atque, ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant” - To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire: they make a desolation and they call it peace. Gov Yahaya Bello has succeeded in plundering the fortunes of APC in Kogi State, he has slaughtered the integrity of the party he has forcefully taken and given positions to underserving individuals within the party and in government appointments and has gone ahead to misname this as popularity as well as claim that the state is enjoying peace. The people who laboured so hard to build the APC were ousted by Bello for his own selfish gain and to ensure that only his stooges are in key positions. This has obviously affected his performance because you cannot expect excellence from mediocre. It may be safe to say that Gov. Yahaya Bello set himself up for failure.


Furthermore, the impasse between the Executive and Judiciary in the state is palpable. There has been a battle of wit between the Governor and the Judiciary. Bello has refused all entreaties by well meaning Nigerian to subdue his ego for the rule of law to prevail. While it is a known fact that the judiciary is expected to be an independent arm of government capable of running its own affairs under the chief Judge of the state, Bello wishes to run it as he has done with the legislature where he also holds sway through his boys there.

Let it be known to the world and anyone who cares to listen that the victory of the APC in Kogi state in the last election was simply as a result of the popularity of President Muhammed Buhari and his running mate Prof Yemi Osinbajo and not because Yahaya Bello is on ground. It is evident from how the State House of Assembly election became a do or die affair for Bello and his appointees. It is on record that Bello threatened immediate sack for any appointee who is unable to win his polling unit/ward/LGA. He gave them the go ahead to achieve this feat by any means necessary. I make bold to say that the 25/25 win bandied around as victory is total robbery of the people. The people will be at the mercy of legislatures and representative who are answerable to the Governor and not the people.
When it comes to the governorship election, there is no doubt that the people will resist the violence of Yahaya Bello and his cronies. I believe that to subdue the will of the people Bello will not slaughter all dissenting voices in Kogi to achieve the peace or empire he wants.

A dancer who dances moderately is the one who dances for long; the one who does not dance moderately courts shame. Yahaya Bello has refused to dance moderately, he has decided to fight too many battles on too many fronts, if APC allows Yahaya Bello to be its standard flagbearer without either easing him out or allowing for a free and fair primary, the party should be ready to lose Kogi State. The leadership of the party should be sensitive enough to see from the outcome of recent elections that governors who underperform are shown the way out by the people. There is no amount of photo ops with the President by Bello that will sway the will of the people. He is just simply unpopular and has become a liability to the party in Kogi State. The weakest candidate from the major opposition; PDP will defeat Yahaya Bello if an election is held today.

If the party must improve its fortune after losing out in key states where we had incumbent governors like Oyo, Bauchi and Imo, then Yahaya Bello must not be forced on the ticket or be allowed to force himself in as it is his usual style. If Kogi must be a part of Next Level engagements to the fullest, then Bello cannot be seen as the leader of the state. If need be, I urge the leadership of the party under Comrade Adams Oshiomole to evaluate opinions and ascertain if indeed, Gov Bello is a liability to the party. Kogi will be the focal point in the next couple of months and it will be really sad if APC loses the state. Let us not be deceived to think all is well. This is my kobo advise.

God bless Kogi State.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Adewale Victor
Concerned Kogite.

| By Martins Mejabi

I think, I began to have a warring emotions since that day the last elections went the way of boon for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC); with particular reference to Kogi State, Nigeria. I mean, my intense feelings is that ‘strange one’. And that feelings is that of personal synthesis of discountenance over everything comatose. That’s why even if it take me bearing the pain and burden of moving for the exit of Yahaya Bello, the incumbent governor of Kogi State, then let me be the lone busybody bearing the pain of that headache.

I have felt a strong sense of lost. Friends have called; poured their emotions and feelings for my safety. They said I should discontinued writing against this senseless government so that I will not be nailed. Some express fear, some feels it may not be necessary since the government whom I have been writing against does not in anyway remorseful. While, others think it is not my business to hold government on it’s kneel because they are beneficiaries of the sickle government.

But put it succinctly at any risk. I think I have developed insomnia; an act that is seriously grumbling at my murdered sleep. I think, I am this affective and cognitively immersed against the wanton embrace of the unthought, unreflected and the awkward of this setting. So, apology to those friends with a good intention for my safety ( I mean those true friends) to forgive me for breaking the rule of agreement on the promise I made that I will discontinued writing against the government of the day. I think I have a superior reality beyond the limit of this circumstances this time around. Please accept my apology.

The point is simply, am sympathetic to the frustration of Kogites. I share their frustrations. I read their horror stories and to the best of it, it could not have any best services to news-dailies to sell their tabloid with unproductive and depilating stories all the time. You may agree with me, the caption of the headlines no longer attracts readers. Because it has become normal; it’s no news. That’s how pathetic Kogi is immersed in that dirtied, muddled, confused, uncertain, and unpredictable and unbridle circumstances; shuffle in hanky-panky of a shambolic and chaotic evil government.

Since we inherited this Machiavellian contraption of entrapment of government from the misgiven of that paid court judgment, one which got Gov. Bello reign of terror foisted on the people; I already knew with enough impressions in my mind that the “Hobbesian state of nature - being brutish, nasty and cruel, may be an understatement to understand the reality we suffer gladly and pulled to many with punches, of such excruciating inanities of the current trauma”. It has been a torrent of a gestapo-self-styled of an “evil genius” who is to himself a contempt and impudent.

I am sure Kogites wouldn’t miss the irony of guile and high-handedness in the context of “new direction government” in a jiffy. For me, in the last three years of Bello’s reign, I already have stories that will last me a life time to tell. I have seen perks and guilt in this threshold. I have heard of countless streaks of hunger and squalor. I must confess, I have seen a governor who display arrogance as a serious business, makes careless deeds a virtue.

And to tell it all, I may be correct or not to say the most significant achievement for Bello could be a famous segment of that rigged election. You know why? Gov. Yahaya Bello had boasted to President Buhari that he will delivered Kogi votes 1001 percent, permit me to use it this way. I know he wouldn’t want to get a few stroke of Baba’s dreaded ‘atorin’. Even prior to this period, my governor had shown a solidarity to the President that if the later asked him to jump into the fire, that he will do same.

Obviously, my extensive studies of Mr. Bello takes me much deeper to the heck, why he so much adore Mr. Buhari than Kogites, his immediate people? This also may suggest the desperate adventure into importation of military wears some months into the election timetable. Painful discovery; for as much as that discovery received public outcry, yet nothing was done against that order. That also surmise the heavy armed possession by the APC-military during the just rigged and inclusive election (so to say).

I agreed that the last election stands as the primitive character in the context of conscious fatalism of these crude elements who are claiming they have integrity and are Caesar’s of anti-corruption. Buhari even went ahead saying anybody found snatching ballot boxes should be incarcerated. Alia!, it was a statement in delusion, a statement that clear a conceptual vacuum for the APCs to prove their superior toga against all odds.

No doubt, the first elections to be conduct under President Buhari is a monumental disgrace. It’s the worst election in the history of this country. Even the observers both locals and international, including global communities can bear witness to this curiosity of mine. It is a shambolic caricature and the outcome should be widely condemn without giving it any second thought.

The one conducted by Professor Morris Iwu; though widely condemn on the ground of bribery and financial inducement was considered a hallmark of electoral heist. I think this year’s own top-up the chart of the most unthinkable. This mirage kept me wondering whether Nigeria’s major problem is the intellectual boon of these professors. But that will be a subject for another day.

Kogi state played a host to an overheated mayhem. It’s a hotbed of brewing electoral violence, with no exception to any senatorial district in the state. Kogi have its pans of flesh chopped in the morsel of a home grown killer merchant, hirer assassin in the toga and regalia of APC and on APC election-must win live-chat? It was like one going to war front. The impression and laudable conduct of thuggery that Yahaya Bello wanted when he imported military wears was here with us in the State House of Assembly like a tip of an iceberg.

I said this, because Kogi is now in a tragic tramp; if Gov. Bello can tell all his appointees, including APC House members in their respective locations to held sway the people and subvert their will; subdued them and made away with their votes with some people been attacked by hoodlums and thugs on the payroll of the governor, and this was carried out in a torrential rainfall of bullets; then November, when the governor will himself pulled the string to jostle for his re-election bid if his party considers him worthy will be like one of the war zone in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) or even Syria where war has become a traditional way of life of those people.

Believe me, we had a brazen electoral fraud acted in the script of a reckless governor. And nothing more. And like I said, expect the unthought in November. I know how desperate my governor can be. The State House of Assembly was a bloody scam from the pit of hell.

The stories by the APC cronies that APC swept the 25 House of Assembly seats is a stories for the gods. A stories of disdain, of contempt, of brigandishment, of brutality, of banditry and of evil. What a stolen mandate! What a heist, what a crime against humanity. But one thing I know for sure, God is alive. That same God who crowns at His own volition and who also keep muted and allow man to manipulate his ordeal; is not confused, sleep, nor slumber rather.

I might not be justified as things stands now, because even the ‘mercy’ of the court may not be better seeked for those who believe in crying to court for redress. They may be little disappointed, for the court itself now needs more urgent help at this critical point to get their nine months salaries and emoluments paid, which was the reason for their 9 months industrial action.

Yes! Yahaya Bello makes it so, it’s a deliberate weapon to get him advantageously positioned. I have this persuasion and is hinged on the governor’s crusade for the culture of impunity. He was power-blind and appears as a rude commando with a wedge thrown into the ocean. He left no one in doubt where he stands on power-hunt and often delivers that in a language that hurts.

He has never been fair in his almost four years of reign. Too many “Iberibe” tales for one person. How did Kogites got into this? Is it true that God can be responsible for this irreparable suffering as some people says? If so, when will God be rich in panache and colorful in deliverance to Kogi from this dreaded confraternity? I therefore urge Kogites to pray and fast in order to pulled his evil government before and after November.

Martins Mejabi, is the Publisher Openreporters

A social media activist and the Director General Of Communication And Strategy For Otunba Shuaib Ipinmisho Campaign Council, Samuel Oj Temibi has warned the Ijumu Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against rigging the forthcoming House of Assembly election.

Temibi noted that the alleged plans by APC Ijumu to rig the forthcoming election has reach the maximum point to be noticed and condemned stressing that the consequences of rigging the election will be of immense magnitude if warnings are not heeded to by the party's bigwigs.

"For the past years, we have embarked on a peaceful electioneering campaign across the nooks and crannies of Ijumu, canvassing and convincing voters on the needs to vote for ADC, we let them know the stuffs we are made of, our campaign selling point is good governance. We made promise of what we will do if elected and to the glory of God, our people have seen the light in us and they have resolved to cast their votes for the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the person of Otunba Shuaib Ipinmisho. Unfortunately the information we recent gathered indicates that the administrator of Ijumu Local government in conspiration with some APC bigwigs across Ijumu have concluded plans to truncate the people's wish this coming Saturday by rigging the election yet to be conducted"

"Recently, we were reliably informed that the administrator of Ijumu Local government held some uncollected voters card which is not less that 15,000 pieces to be distributed across the villages in Ijumu, these voters card is said to be given to some groups of monetary induced persons who have no voters card to vote for the ruling party in the local government. Today, the information spreading across Ijumu is excruciatingly lugubrious where almost 40,000 ballots paper is alleged to have been thump printed by APC leaders across Ijumu local government masterminded by the administrator of Ijumu LG Hon Taofiq Isa"

"Let it be known to the general public that Ijumu residents will not tolerate the gross misconduct electoral fraud as practiced by the ruling party as we will adopt any conventional means aside violence to resist this electoral malpractice" Temibi said


Temibi urged the candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the forthcoming election to go out and campaign to the voters advising him not to rely on rigging method as the plans has already failed

Delegation of some past KSU National Presidents and Some Comrades in some schools across Kogi Sate Led by the Chairman of the committee Comr
BABATUNDE A.K.A BABYLON.
COMR ESEYIN ADEBAYO A.K.A AGBA OWE.
COMR.DADA DAVID AND
COMR.OLUGBEMI OLORUNFEMI A.K.A OJOTINA The immediate past NAKOSS PRESIDENT Kogi State University endorse Hon TEE-JAY YUSUF as their sole candidate in the forthcoming election

The students of kogi state university, kogi state polytechnic and federal college of education and the affiliated university in okene gave the committee a warm reception.

The KSU students in all the above institutions pledge their support to our dear Hon Tee-jay Yusuf in this coming election because they cannot hide from the fact,that he has performed in given back dividends of democracy to his constituency.

The chairman of the committee comr Babylon pleaded with the aggrieved students who expressed their mind and solicit for their support in making sure we re elect our most performing hon Tee-jay for what he has been able to facilitate to our dear committee devoid of sentiment in his sharing formula.

We appreciated the students from various schools aforementioned for their support and prayers for the success and victory of he Tee-jay in the forthcoming election February 16, 2019.
The aforementioned schools endorsed hon Tee-jay Yusuf as their candidate and are ready to turn out massively to vote for him come February 16,2019.
Comr babatunde Babylon
The chairman of the committee.

MY MISSION

My mission in politics is to join efforts towards uplifting the lives of our people. To achieve this goal and with God on my side, I shall make the following my top priorities if elected the member to represent Ijumu constituency in the Kogi state House Of Assembly come 2019.

MY CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

Being a graduate of Political Science and having been a key player in partisan politics for close to two decades, I have seen and learnt a lot in the murky waters of Nigeria politics. In Kogi State, I have been actively involved in the democratic process towards engendering positive social and economic development to our people.

HEALTH

No meaningful development can take place in the absence of a healthy populace. If elected as a legislator to represent Ijumu constituency on march 2nd 2019, I shall use my office to lobby the state government to build more cottage hospitals in my constituency. My priority will not just be to ensure the provision of cottage hospitals but also to ensure that they are equipped with the best staff and equipments. I am familiar with the untold hardship many of the communities in our constituency are suffering today due to inadequate health facilities within their localities. I shall therefore give primary health care the attention it deserves if elected.

EDUCATION

Education is the main industry of our people. Development across the globe revolves around good education. In recent times the economic down turn has negatively affected the education of our children. In spite of this development we cannot afford to fold our arms and allow our generation to lie waste. I will give the education of the children of my constituency the quality attention it deserves. I shall always be a visitor to the state Ministry of Education and the government in power to ensure that my constituency is not denied its share of the right of educational programmed and projects.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy of our constituency with over 80 percent of our people engaged in it for their sustenance. In spite of their involvement in agriculture, access to farming inputs like tractors, herbicides and fertilizer have over the year remain a mirage.

I was born in Ogidi and I am always at home and had seen the plights of our farmers. If elected by the grace of God, I shall use my position to lobby and source for agriculture inputs from the private and public sector. I shall also lobby to ensure that the state government subsidizes farming inputs in the state. I strongly believe that by such efforts, our local farmers will be encouraged to invest more in agriculture while the school leavers and applicants roaming our streets would be encouraged to take interest in venturing into agriculture.

YOUTH/WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

It is often said that youths are the leaders of tomorrow while women are the sustainer's of the nation. No nation toys with the welfare of her youths and women because their critical role as the fulcrum of any meaningful development process. It is my sincere promise that if elected as a member to represent Ijumu constituency, I shall give attention to the welfare of the youths and women of my constituency.
By the grace of God I shall lobby for the creation of skill acquisition centers for the youths and women of my constituency. In my continued sojourn in politics, I have always believed that when these groups of people are empowered vices in our communities would be reduced to the barest minimum. I shall therefore give priority attention to our teeming youths and women of our great constituency if elected.

WATER AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

The health of our people is much dependent on their source of clean water and good electricity supply. Most of the diseases that afflict our people across the country are traceable to lack of access to portable water.

Most of boreholes provided by the previous government in our various communities have broken down. If elected as the member to represent Ijumu constituency, I shall lobby the state Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development to ensure the provision of water and electricity in our constituency.

CULTURE REJUVENATION

The Okun people are known worldwide for the high respect they accord to their God given culture. Our culture is very rich and it has attracted interest from tourists across the globe. If well harnessed, our culture is capable of generating employment, improving our socio-economic well being and enhancing peace in our various communities. Luckily, there is no Okun cultural festival in which I have not participated. I am an ardent lover of the celebration of our rich cultural heritage, if elected, I shall use my office to further upscale the development of our culture such that it could become a major revenue for our constituency.

*CONSTITUENCY PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE*

In successive elections in Nigeria, our constituency has continued to participate actively. The time and resources expanded by our people during elections are enormous.
The energy deployed by our people during elections must not be a waste. Bearing this in mind, I will map out strategies to ensure that the electorates of my constituency get into positions of authority both at the civil service and political level. By the grace of God, if elected it is my promise to also extend my tentacles to Federal MDAs to ensure that the people of my constituency gain employment.
The unemployment rate in our constituency is high. It is therefore my desire to do my utmost best and lobby for employment opportunities for our people if elected into office come march 2nd 2019.

SPORTS

I will encourage sports as entertainment and professional activities for life improvement and enjoyment.
It is my desire to harness effectively the enormous potential of the sports industry and create incentives for interested youths to participate and excel in sporting activities.
This efforts will encourage the vibrant youths of my constituency at relevant levels. This can be achieved by improving inter-school sports and by entrenching inter community sporting activities among various communities in Ijumu.

CONCLUSION

My fellow Ijumu constituents, we have come a long way since the return of democracy in our nation. Past representatives of our great constituency have contributed their quota to the development of our people. I humbly appreciate the general contributions of our leaders and politicians who have held one position or the other and have thus enhanced the development of our great constituency.
The development of our constituency should always be seen as our collective responsibility. No one has the singular wisdom or resources to take our constituency to the promise land. The beauty of democracy hangs on its tenets of accommodating divergent views for sustainable development in the society. We must therefore make use of every democratic opportunity to elect a credible representatives who are capable of representing the interest of the masses of our people. As we approach the 2019 general elections, I humbly present myself as an aspirant to represent the good people of Ijumu Constituency at Kogi State House Of Assembly. My desire is to work for the good of our and promote its socioeconomic development.

I sincerely appeal to the delegates of our great party, the respected electorates of our revered constituency, the teaming civil and political leaders of our constituency to consider me for the position of the Kogi State House of Assembly For Ijumu Constituency.
I promise to represent you well. God bless you all.

OTUNBA SHUAIB ILESANMI IPINMISHO
Ijumu State Constituency Candidate For Kogi State House Of Assembly

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his entourage came out of his chopper unscathed after it crashed in Kabba, Kogi State.

Osinbajo is currently on his way to Obaro of Kabba's palace to pay homage.

The VP will proceed to Okene and Idah later today.

Full details later

The Senator representing kogi central and candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) for kogi central senate race, Sen Ahmed Ogembe has reacted to an ominous allegation against his person to eliminate the life of the flagbearer of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for kogi central senatorial race Barr Natasha Akpoti.

In a statement made by Sen Ogembe's media aide, Adetayo Opeyemi Duke, Duke emphasized that the senator representing Kogi central is a peace loving man who doesn't believe in killing to soothe his political interest.

Speaking with newsmen, Duke said "The attention of distinguished Senator Ahmed Ogembe has been drawn to a publication titled “evil machination : plans to incapacitate Natasha, blame it on APC exposed” credited to a faceless group which pride itself as Kogi Central media crew wherein they accused the senator and PDP of planning to kidnap and kill  Barr Natasha Akpoti. To set the record straight, Distinguished Senator Ahmed Ogembe is a peaceful man who do not believe anyone should die because of his ambition, he has conducted himself in a peaceful manner and urged his supporters to do same despite many provocations and violent attacks on him and his supporters"

"It is worthy of note that Senator Ogembe did not see Barr Natasha  or any other candidate for that matter running for the same office with him as an enemy who should be crushed and killed but rather partners in development of Kogi central who are encouraged by his impactful programs and peoples oriented projects and want to follow his footsteps"

Duke said that the whole world know who is desperate to kill the SDP senate candidate considering the recent events where her supporters were incessantly ambushed and killed by some political desperados.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the world know those who want Barrister Natasha dead, the world know those who unleashed violent attacks on the supporters of SDP and PDP alike, the world know those who killed Ojo Enesi. Arrest was made by the police and the culprit confessed in a viral video to be working for the APC and those in government"

"The antecedents of Senator Ogembe as a chairman of Okene local government is well known, he chaired a government that ensured peace in Okene and environs, he encouraged the youths to avoid crimes and engaged them productively but unfortunately, those gains and virtues has been lost to the current government of APC who is now championing and encouraging youths to carry arms against their own people in the name of politics"

"For us in PDP, we will continue to champion a peaceful campaign, our engagements will be issue based, we will continue to tell the people what we have done and what we will do to consolidate on our gains, we will continue to encourage our supporters not to engage anyone in violence as the blood of every of our supporters and opponents alike is precious to us and should not be spilled on the alter of politics" he said

The Senator draw the attention of security agencies especially the Nigerian police to what he described as a 'sinister' move by the APC led government in the state to create major crisis in kogi Central. He as well urged the police in the state to investigate the matter and punish those who are planning to plot evils on the him to face the full wrath of the law.

An angry woman has slammed the marriage between a young girl said to be 16 years old and a mentally unstable man in his late 50s, from a wealthy family in Ozubulu, Anambra State.
The woman said “This man in the picture carrying this girl on his leg is by name Izuchukwu Igwilo from the well known very rich Igwilo family in Ozubulu Anambra State. The man himself “Izuchukwu” is mentally unbalanced. He is suffering from demented brain. He is not normal and at the same time he is a drunkard, and he will be at least 56 years old. Now his family wants to marry a wife for him and they got this small girl for him. A 16 years old girl,
“This girl is from a very poor family… POVERTY IS A VERY BIG BASTARD …, The family of this small girl did not waste time to hand over their daughter to Izu’s family just because the Igwilo family are very rich. This girl is under age for Heaven sake. This is completely evil. Yes a big evil because Izu will not be the one to be servicing this girl because he cannot do anything. This girl will turn to a sex slave to that family and the community everybody will just be collecting their own share Devil shame on you. I know that they brainwashed this girls family that the girl will take care of Izu’s large share of land’s and other properties, but that will not make them to destroy this little girls future.
Ndi Ozubulu come and defend ur self
Culled from Daily Times
https://dailytimes.ng/16-year-old-girl-given-out-in-marriage-to-an-older-demented-man/

The Kogi State Chapter of The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has berated the Governor of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello and APC led government in the state for squandering billions of Naira accrued to the state.

NairaLand gathered that The Kogi State Chapter of African Democratic Congress accused the Gov. Of Kogi State Alhaji Yahaya Bello of embezzling the sum of 20billion Paris Club Refund (11.21bn, 6.02bn and over 6billion Naira in the first, second and third tranches respectively) the sum of 20billion bailout funds, and the whopping amount of 450 Million Ecological funds.

In a statement released by the State Publicity Secretary of the party Comr Bashir Ibrahim Ellah hinted that Gov Yahaya Bello has plunged kogi state into debt to the tune of 16billion Naira between may 2017 and January 2018.

"January 27th is not an auspicious time for kogi state government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello to celebrate rather it is a day for self-assesment and sober reflection for the Gov and his government. It is in the best interest of our collective humanity that we use this period to identify and analyse how kogi state government had managed (or mismanaged) the billions of Naira accrued to the state since the Government took over, with the lessons to determine how best to forge a better future by avoiding the pitfalls of the past"

"Today, it’s unfortunate that the State government can not till the moment pay all the entitlements owed civil servants in the state with unpaid salaries and pensions running into 24months, it was strange that inspite of the huge amount that came in form of bailout, Paris Club Refund and Ecological funds in the last three years many workers were still being owed several months arrears ranging from 5 to 24 months, while some have been receiving percentages of their salaries"

"After three years, the government can not accurately give account of N20 billion PARIS Refund(N11.21bn, N6.02bn and over N6 billion in the first, second and third tranches respectively), what about the N20 billion Bailout funds received and the withdrawer of N450 million Kogi ecological fund without due process.
The Kogi state government in the last three years have also plunged the state into debt to the tune of N16 billion between May 2017 and January 2018.

Comr Bashir Ibrahim bemoaned the deteriorating socio-economic and infrastructural condition of the state noting that Kogi State government has not done anything meaningful to make live easy for the people of the state.

"After three years, our hospitals still suffer from scarcity of funds for operation, obsolete equipment, power failure, incessant doctors' strike and poor working environment. As it were, only the rich can afford better healthcare services in mostly privately owned hospitals. The economical affluence of kogi state has now dwindled due to lack of experienced economical expert to diversify the natural resources we had in our state into wealth, we now struggle to eat two square meal a day as people. Eighty Eight(88) medical doctors resigned from Kogi civil service over poor condition of service, this is not kogi state of our dream"

"After three years, the state of insecurity in Kogi is worrisome. Armed banditry, kidnapping, political thuggery, assassinations and militancy have gradually become the order of the day. Just the other day, at the ADC campaign rally, members of our party were attacked with dangerous weapons at Anyigba and OFU which led to damaging of our campaign buses, cars and office equipments. Some of our members were also hospitalized"

The party advises Gov. Bello to be prepared to face the imminent defeat this year as the people of kogi state are eager to oust him out of power on the 22nd/23rd of November this year.

"The upcoming 2019 elections must be our collective responsibility and should be a watershed and complete break from the past. Kogites must be enthusiastically happy to vote massively against the Gov in the forthcoming gubernatorial election. We urge Kogites to come out and subsequently vote for all credible candidates of African Democratic Congress(ADC) in the State, irrespective of tribe and religion"

Comr Bashir Ibrahim assures kogites that the era of hijacking the political process by all comers and rascals will come to an end when they cast their votes for ADC in the state.

"As we reflect and reminisce, the African Democratic Congress enjoins all Kogites to join hands to move the State forward by being politically conscious and aware of the fact that, at the end our action and inaction will determine what future tomorrow holds" he stressed

We are at the cusp of the 2019 general election. As expected, politicians and party stalwarts are going back to the drawing boards, political campaigns have begun in earnest, political pundits are pontificating and the political atmosphere is already getting charged.

Kogi the ancient state of the confluence seem to be sitting on the keg of the gun powder as explosion is imminent. While we don’t pray for disaster of any kind to befall our darling state, caution should be taken. Measures need to be taken to stop the the rising cases of political assassinations that is gradually coming back to Kogi polity.

Thuggery and intimidation of perceived political opponents is at an all-time high. Kogi is gradually descending into the unenviable state of lawlessness and anarchy. It’s an unfortunate decent into the Hobbesian state of nature where life is summarily “brutish, nasty and short.



Recently, in Ihima, Enesi Ojo a young energetic Social Democratic Party (SDP) youth leader and a ward coordinator of Bar. Natasha Akpoti door to door campaign for the Kogi Central senatorial seat was hacked down to death. This dastardly act is alleged to be carried out by thugs loyal to the All Progressives Party (APC). The APC has since denied the accusation.

On the 14th of January, 2019, the children of anarchy took their evil mission to Ogugu in Olamaboro local government and its environs. It is on record that Hon. Linus Enenche and his immediate entourage were attacked by a pack of vicious looking thugs obviously baying for blood. They smashed windscreens of vehicles, and left so many people wounded. This action is an obvious crude show of force to inflict pain and induce fear on the political opponents and the voting public.They went further to disrupt an ongoing PDP ward meeting in various locations in Ogugu. This cowardly and dastardly act should be condemned in the strongest terms. This ugly narrative must change before the general elections.

Another ugly trend in Kogi polity, is the destruction of party campaign posters, bill boards and cyber bully by uncouth millennial citizens. These evil practices should be condemned in its entirety. No society thrive in an atmosphere of violent intimidation for political gains.

WAY FORWARD

There is an urgent need for a stakeholders meeting of all the political parties, opinion molders, religious leaders as well as representatives of social organizations to come together on a round table, to discuss the way to achieve peace, before, during and after the 2019 general elections. It is against this backdrop that a summit is been organized and scheduled to hold on the 23rd, January, 2019, with the theme “Violence Free Election 2019”. It is been organized by Mustapha Mona Audu, a passionate and an untiring advocate for peace and democracy. The Kogi Peace Summit promises to offer robust discussions and lectures all aiming at achieving a violent free election in 2019.



– Gabriel Ohiemi wrote from Enugu.
gabrihems@yahoo.com