ALLEGATION OF MONOPOLY MOST UNFAIR – DANGOTE
Dons Eze
- July 27, 2024
UNEASY CALM IN RIVERS OVER HEADSHIP OF LOCAL COUNCILS
UNEASY CALM IN RIVERS OVER HEADSHIP OF LOCAL COUNCILS There is uneasy calm in Rivers State following a directive by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAS) to immediately take charge of the 23 council areas. Governor Fubara gave the charge in a statewide broadcast in Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday morning following the expiration of the statutory three-year tenure of the elected LGAs chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors on Monday, June 17. He said: “My fellow Rivers people, I come before you today with immense gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support to me and my administration. “I urge us all to reflect on the shared sacrifice we have all made to have a peaceful and prosperous Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria. It is my wish that we continue to live in peace and harmony as one. “Together, we have achieved milestones in different sectors of our economy which include infrastructure, health, education, workers welfare, improved service delivery, agriculture and social welfare that resonates deeply within our communities. “Your dogged and committed support has been the bedrock of our progress, and for that, I extend my sincerest thanks.“I also wish to acknowledge and commend the dedicated services of the outgoing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen and councilors who were elected and sworn in three years ago, and whose tenure expired yesterday the 17th of June, 2024, as provided for by the Law.“On behalf of the Government and the people of Rives State, I thank you all for your sacrifices, and commend your commitment to public service and our dear Rivers State. “I congratulate you all for the successful completion of your tenure and wish you well in your future endeavours. “As we move forward in making sure that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is upheld, and that law and order is maintained as we continue to strive to provide leadership and direction for our people, I hereby direct Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to continue to provide leadership in their respective local government areas. “Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) are hereby directed to immediately take charge of the Councils with renewed vigor and readiness to serve and await further directives as we navigate towards even greater accomplishments together. “I assure you, my good people of Rivers State, that we shall continue to defend you, provide infrastructural development, sound healthcare delivery, quality education and undiluted welfare service packages for all our people and workers. “Once again, I thank you my dear good people of Rivers State, for your steadfast support and dedication to our shared vision of unity, progress and prosperity.“Together, we will continue to build a brighter and better future for all.” The council executives, who are believed to be loyal to former governor and incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had vowed not to vacate office, thereby setting the stage for a showdown. A viral five minutes, seven seconds video clip, reportedly taken last Saturday, showing scores of armed men crossing a creek into the state has further heighten tension. In the viral clip, leader of the group, whose name could not be ascertained at press time, had declared that they were back from the river ahead of Wednesday, to eject any council chairman that refuses to vacate office. Ahead of the imminent showdown, scores of youths were spotted in some of the local government headquarters, chanting that the chairmen should go. In Degema Local Government Area and Asari-Toru LGA (ASALGA), some youths opposed to the elongation for the tenure of the council chairmen had occupied the headquarters, vowing not to leave the secretariats until Wednesday, when work would resume after the public holiday declared by the…
EX-EDO DEPUTY GOV, SHAIBU SHUNS PDP, DECLARES SUPPORT FOR APC GUBER CANDIDATE
EX-EDO DEPUTY GOV, SHAIBU, SHUNS PDP, DECLARES SUPPORT FOR APC GUBER CANDIDATE Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, a former deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, has distanced himself from the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo. According to Channels TV, Shaibu, who spoke on Sunday on the sidelines of the 2024 Father’s Day celebration at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in Benin City, said he prefers to support a homeboy. Shaibu, who was impeached by the Edo State House of Assembly a few months ago, claimed that the PDP candidate is an outsider. The former deputy governor stated that the governorship race began with himself and two other homeboys – Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP). He, however, declared his support for the APC candidate, warning that the victory of the PDP flagbearer would reintroduce godfatherism in Edo State. He said, “Today, I came in as a homeboy. We have only two homeboys in the major political parties in Edo State. One is in Labour, and one is in APC, and I choose to follow another homeboy in the APC. “The man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider, and we have also agreed that there is no more godfatherism in Edo.“So, the man the PDP is trying to portray in Edo now is the godson of Obaseki, and there is no way a godson will now be governor of Edo.”
KWANKWASO ACCUSES FG, APC OF CREATING NEW BOKO HARAM IN KANO
KWANKWASO ACCUSES FG, APC OF CREATING NEW BOKO HARAM IN KANO The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso, on Monday, accused the All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government of attempting to create a new breed of Boko Haram terrorists and insurgents in Northern Nigeria. Kwankwaso was reacting to the ongoing situation in Kano where security agencies have been backing the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero. Speaking at a flag-off ceremony for the construction of the 82-kilometre rural road networks in his hometown, Madobi, Senator Kwankwaso said the people of Kano will resist any attempt to undermine the constituted authority in the state. He said: “We have mass followership because people believe in us, we are pro-people and the NNPP administration is determined to serve them anywhere they voted for it. “We will not fold our arms and watch enemies of the state destroy the peaceful co-existence of our dear state, we shall do everything possible to support the governor to succeed. I am happy that he is not distracted and is focused on achieving his goals. “There are people from Kano, enemies of the state, who also suffer mental illness and are the ones advising the Federal Government on how to take over Kano through the State of Emergency. This is the madness of the highest order that the good, peace-loving and committed people of Kano will resist.” In addition, Kwankwaso said: “In the build-ups to 2027, some desperate politicians are already on a mission of disruption, but we will rather prefer the two of us to lose than to allow them to crush us unnecessarily. We dare anybody, who thinks he can victimise us politically, to go and be rest assured that we are ready for the fight. “We are not afraid to be out of power because we will remain politicians in or out of government, we cannot run away from our destiny, we are humans, we know what is good for us and we will pursue it vigorously.” The NNPP national leader further stated that the Federal Government is listening to some unpatriotic politicians from Kano, who will only contribute to its failure adding that the people of Kano will resist any attempt to undermine the constitutional responsibility of the Governor by any individual or group.“We are open to dialogue, truce and reconciliation, but we will not accept intimidation and political harassment of any sort. We know how to play politics and we have all it takes to protect ourselves from any evil,” Kwankwaso warned.
WHY I ORDERED ARREST OF ADO-BAYERO AFTER DETHRONEMENT – KANO GOVERNOR, YUSUF
WHY I ORDERED ARREST OF ADO-BAYERO AFTER DETHRONEMENT – KANO GOVERNOR, YUSUF Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has said he ordered the arrest of the dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the state. Yusuf explained that Ado Bayero’s decision to return to Kano State two days after his dethronement posed a security risk, hence the order for his arrest. He was reacting to an article, “A Rendezvous with Recklessness and Executive Rascality,” by Bala Ibrahim, who accused him of rascality and recklessness in power. However, speaking through his spokesman, Sunusi Bature, the governor said repealing the 2019 Kano Emirate Law gave him the power to abolish the emirates created by his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje. Recently, the Kano Federal High Court ordered the state government to pay Bayero N10 million for breaching his fundamental rights, personal liberty and freedom of movement. Citing Sections 35(1) and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, Justice Simon Amobeda held that it was wrong for Yusuf to order Bayero’s arrest without lawful justification, which he said forced the applicant into house arrest for fear of being arrested. Reacting via a statement, Bature said: “Does Bala Ibrahim actually understand the workings of government and governance? I do not want to go into judicial pronouncements, but the point I want to make clear is that the issue of Kano Emirship is straightforward with the repeal of the Kano Emirate Law (2019) and enactment of the Kano Emirate Law (2024), which gave Governor Yusuf the power to abolish the five emirates and return Kano to its glorious and historic position as one emirate. “This is the wish of the people of Kano State. The reappointment of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II did not also come to anyone as a surprise, because his dethronement (and consequent banishment) by Abdullahi Ganduje and his co-travellers was done out of malice. “Now, calling for the arrest of dethroned Emir Aminu Bayero was only done for the public good, as his entrance into Kano shortly after his dethronement posed a serious security threat which is being managed up till today.”Governor Abba Yusuf remains the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, and no sane leader would fold his arms and watch Kano snowball into a state of anarchy without taking action.”
- Foreign Affairs
- June 18, 2024
- 44 views
FOUR KILLED, 12 INJURED AS VEHICLE IN CONVOY OF MALAWI’S VP KILLED IN PLANE CRASH RAM INTO MOURNERS
FOUR KILLED, 12 INJURED AS VEHICLE IN CONVOY OF MALAWI’S VP KILLED IN PLANE CRASH RAM INTO MOURNERS A vehicle in the convoy of the late Malawian Vice President, Saulos Chilima’s funeral procession has killed at least four mourners and injured no fewer than 12 persons. The vehicle, which was part of a motorcade conveying the remains of the late VP, rammed into mourners on Sunday night in the Ntcheu community, a village in central Malawi. It was gathered that thousands of mourners had lined up in the streets to catch a glimpse of the vice president’s coffin when the incident happened. The spokesman of the Malawian police, Peter Kalaya confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday morning. “Due to the impact, two female and two male pedestrians sustained severe head injuries and multiple fractures and died whilst receiving treatment,” said a police statement. It will be recalled that a military aircraft conveying Malawi’s Vice President and other top government officials went missing last week after it failed to land. After an intense search, the wreckage of the aircraft was discovered with no survivors.The VP and the nine others were on their way to the funeral of a prominent Malawian lawyer, former Attorney General and Justice Minister, Ralph Kasambala in Mzuzu when the plane crashed.
POLICE TAKE OVER RIVERS LG SECRETARIATS AMID TENSION OVER CHAIRMEN’S TENURE
POLICE TAKE OVER RIVERS LG SECRETARIATS AMID TENSION OVER CHAIRMEN’S TENURE The police have stationed armed operatives at the secretariats of four local government councils in Rivers State following the expiration of the tenure of LG chairmen in the state. Police vans are currently positioned at the entrances of Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ahoada East and Ogu/Bolo LGAs. Earlier, youths in Degema and Asari/Toru LGAs occupied their respective council secretariats in protest against the extension of the tenure of the LG chairmen. The youths were seen in viral videos on social media chanting solidarity songs in support of those Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to appoint to manage the local councils on a temporary basis. The outgoing LG chairmen, who were loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, had their tenure extended by an amended Local Government Law Number 5 of 2018 by the faction of the State House of Assembly headed by Martins Amaewhule. However, the extension was nullified by a Rivers State High Court ruling on May 21, 2024, which declared the Local Government Law No. 2 of 2024 as inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution. Despite the court’s ruling, the chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Samuel Nwanosike, had vowed to remain in office. Two LG chairmen from Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro, who are loyal to Fubara, celebrated the expiration of their tenures with a thanksgiving service on Sunday.Meanwhile, Fubara had yet to release an official list of Caretaker Committee Chairmen to manage the affairs of the various LGAs following the tenure expiration.
BREAKING: FORMER ACCOUNTANT GENERAL DIES IN UK
BREAKING: FORMER ACCOUNTANT GENERAL DIES IN UK Former Accountant General of Nigeria, Jonah Ogunniyi Otunla has reportedly died. According to The Street Journal, Otunla passed on in the United Kingdom shortly after celebrating his 70th birthday. Until his death, Otunla was being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in relation to two cases — the alleged diversion of about N24 billion meant for disengaged staff of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and N2 billion allegedly received from the office of the national security adviser (ONSA). He later refunded N6.3 billion to the coffers of the Federal Government to avoid being prosecuted for looting the treasury. He served as board member of the Central Bank of Nigeria. On June 1989, he was appointed Accountant General the State, a position he held until March 2004 when he got a transfer to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. On June 28, 2011, he was appointed the Accountant General of the Federation by former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.On June 12, 2015, Otunla retired honourably from the Civil Service after attaining the mandatory age of 60 years.
TENSION IN RIVERS AS ANGRY YOUTHS BLOCK SECRETARIAT, PRO-WIKE CHAIRMAN FLEES
TENSION IN RIVERS AS ANGRY YOUTHS BLOCK SECRETARIAT, PRO-WIKE CHAIRMAN FLEES Youths in Rivers State have closed down operations at the Asari Toru Local Government Secretariat, demanding the ouster of their Chairman. This development unfolds amid a tense standoff between Local Government Area (LGA) chairpersons and Governor Sim Fubara. The Chairman, whose term concludes today, reportedly fled his office as residents stormed the secretariat. The incident is linked to an ongoing legal dispute between the LGA chairpersons and the state government, currently under judicial review, with the next hearing scheduled post-tenure. Security personnel have been deployed to uphold order at the council secretariat. Earlier, LGA chairpersons aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike had vowed not to vacate office in June. According to Chief Hon. Dr. Irastus Awoto, Legal Adviser to the 21 LGA chairpersons and Chairman of Andoni LGA, the Chairpersons intend to extend their tenure by an additional six months. Awoto affirmed, “We were elected in 2021, and our term ends in June. However, local government elections were expected to have concluded by now, with winners awaiting inauguration.”Given the Assembly’s acknowledgment of the delayed electoral process, we advocate maintaining democratically elected Chairpersons until elections are conducted, in accordance with local government law.”
EMIR SANUSI BOOED AFTER EID PRAYERS, POLICE EXPRESS CONCERN
EMIR SANUSI BOOED AFTER EID PRAYERS, POLICE EXPRESS CONCERN Kano State Police Command has expressed concern over the booing directed at Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II by certain individuals as he returned to his palace after Eid prayers. This incident occurred as the Emir deviated from his usual route as part of his religious obligations. SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the command’s spokesperson, issued a statement on Monday addressing the incident. He emphasized that the booing took place near Festival Primary School and Zage/Zango areas by unidentified persons. Kiyawa underscored the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order during the Sallah celebrations, with heightened security measures in place to address any potential security threats. “We are closely monitoring all Sallah events to ensure peace and order,” Kiyawa stated. “The police command warns individuals planning to disrupt the celebrations to refrain from such actions.” He added that sufficient security personnel had been deployed across the state to apprehend anyone attempting to cause disturbances. “The police also cautioned the public against carrying weapons during and after the festivities, noting that violators would face severe consequences.”Comprehensive stop-and-search operations and patrols are ongoing in all Local Government Areas (LGAs) within the metropolitan area to ensure a peaceful celebration,” Kiyawa concluded.
UMAHI INSPECTS FEDERAL ROAD PROJECTS IN ENUGU
UMAHI INSPECTS FEDERAL ROAD PROJECTS IN ENUGU Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, on Sunday, inspected some Federal Government’s projects in Enugu and other states. Upon arriving in Enugu State, the Minister visited the ongoing reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan Bridge at Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. The minister also moved to inspect the ongoing construction of a 23-span mega twin flyover bridge at Emene in Enugu State. Umahi described the flyover as the best thing that never happened to the people of Enugu and neighbouring states. This was contained in a statement signed by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uchenna Orji. The road, which links many suburbs within the state and the neighbouring states, has for many years been a nightmare for vehicles, some of which ply the route through Benue State to far parts of Northern Nigeria and some others to parts of South South through Cross River State. The statement reads in parts, “The administration of Mr President thought it expedient, in keeping with his agenda of robust economic revolution for a sustainable future of our country, to construct for Enugu State a mega twin flyover that will beat the elegance and utility of all flyovers ever built in the South East. “This flyover, when completed, will change the face of Enugu State, attract trade and investment to the State, reduce accident and insecurity, improve safety and increase patronage to the economic facilities, including Airports in Enugu and Ebonyi States and that of other neighbouring states. “Mr President means well for Nigeria and is determined to revolutionize the economy through road infrastructure development.“The Honourable Minister has this as a task that must be accomplished. He knows the job. His passion to deliver is unequaled.”