The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Fayose’s loyalist Aluko, others dump PDP for APC

    Fayose’s loyalist Aluko, others dump PDP for APC

    Razaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti

     

    AHEAD of the 2022 governorship election in Ekiti State, a staunch loyalist of former governor Ayodele Fayose, Dr. Tope Aluko, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Aluko and his supporters were received into the party by the APC state Chairman, Mr. Paul Omotoso, at Ward B Secretariat in Iyin-Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government.

    Aluko, who led his followers from across the 16 local governments into the APC, said he joined the progressives fold because of the good work of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Kayode Fayemi.

    He expressed his readiness to work for the APC to retain Ekiti in the coming 2022 governorship election, saying his joining the party would strengthen it in the state.

    Read Also: PDP Southwest: Will Fayose laugh last?

    Aluko, the former PDP state secretary, said he consulted with his former leader, Fayose, whom he described as a mentor and friend, before joining the APC, stressing that the defection wouldn’t affect his relationship with him.

    He said: “In December last year, I told Fayose that I want to settle down at Iyin-Ekiti and play my politics. With what Governor Fayemi has done for us here, the APC remains the only party here and I have to join the train. I told him I would be joining the APC and he approved it. So, this defection won’t strain our relationship in any way.

    “I am coming to add value to this party. I am not here to cause trouble. They have given me the guidelines and I am ready to abide by them in the interest of discipline in our party.”

     

     

     

  • Offa robbery: Judge blames prosecution for delay in trial

    Offa robbery: Judge blames prosecution for delay in trial

     Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

     

    THE presiding judge in the April 5, 2018 bloody Offa bank robbery case, Justice Haleemah Salman, on Monday blamed the prosecution for the delay in the trial of the case.

    At the resumed hearing of the suit, Justice Salman washed off the hands of the court in the expeditious dispensation of the matter.

    She said: “The court is not happy about the news in the media that it is delaying adjudication on this matter. If anybody is to be blamed for the delay in this trial, it’s the prosecution. The case was adjourned on September 7, 2020 to December 21/22 to enable the prosecution bring its key witness (Inspector Joseph Danjuma) to court. But on December 21, the prosecution was still unable to produce the witness, citing administrative bottlenecks.”

    Prosecution counsel Bola Gold had filed an application at the court seeking the replacement of his key witness, Inspector

    Danjuma, with Inspector John Newoke.

    He told the court that Danjuma was outside the country on an official assignment.

    He thereafter sought an adjournment of the case to enable the prosecution assemble the gadgets needed to interpret videos and CCTV footages.

    Read Also: Offa Poly expels convicted student

    “The witness is to give evidence on videos and CCTV footage and we need to arrange gadgets in the court for this purpose. We will need an adjournment in view of the technicalities involved in this,” Gold said.

    The defence counsel, Mathias Emeribe, agreed for an adjournment.

    He, however, reminded the court that the health challenge of the first defendant, Ayoade Akinnibosun, had not be attended to as ordered by the court on the last adjourned date.

    Justice Salman, who said the subsisting order of the court on the need for the doctor at the Correctional Service Centre, Ilorin to attend to the health challenge of the first defendant is still in force, gave a definite order asking Dr. Paul Olaleye to give Akinnibosun proper treatment.

    Before adjourning the case, Justice Salman said: “It is your case.

    I don’t know whether you are working for the defence. Just state your case and I will record.”

    She adjourned the suit till February 17.

     

     

  • Kwara APC caretaker executives reject purported replacement of Bolarinwa

    Kwara APC caretaker executives reject purported replacement of Bolarinwa

     Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

     

    MEMBERS of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Executive in Kwara State on Monday rejected the purported replacement of Mr. Bashir Bolarinwa as their chairman with his deputy, Abdullahi Samari, by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).

    The APC members alleged that the letter of appointment being paraded by Alhaji Samari on the social media did not emanate from the national headquarters of the APC.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the Caretaker Vice

    Chairman, Theophilous Oyebiyi, said Bolarinwa had remained impeccable, adding: “Bolarinwa, who led the party to 100 per cent victory in the last general election, deserves to be celebrated and rewarded. He remains our state chairman. All of us had the equanimity of mind and character to work together for victory at that time… why not now?

    “The decision to embark on this unlawful route is said to be based on  a purported suspension of Bolarinwa by the state erstwhile exco.

    This is at best a wicked concoction and nothing can be farther from the truth.

    Read Also: Okorocha: I’m still in APC

    “As erstwhile exco we are not aware of any wrongdoing that would have warranted any enquiry, let alone investigation and a far-reaching

    decision of suspending Bolarinwa as the state chairman.

    “He presided over our last three working committee meetings of which all members attended on November 16 and 30 and December 7. Records of those meetings are available. Where and when did the suspension take place when NEC decision was taken on December 8?

    “It is unfortunate that the national body of our party will rely on any purported suspension as contained in Samari’s letter displayed in the social media. Neither did Bolarinwa see the petition, let alone defending himself if there was any.”

     

     

     

  • Sokoto fire: Fed Govt to assist rebuild market

    Sokoto fire: Fed Govt to assist rebuild market

    Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

     

    THE Federal Government on Monday promised to support the reconstruction of Sokoto market with 16,000 main and makeshift shops.

    The market was destroyed by fire last week.

    The Federal Government made the pledge through a five-man delegation it sent to the state to sympathise with the government and the residents over the loss.

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, led the delegation.

    Other members of the delegation were former governor and  Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Aliyu Wamakko; Ministers Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi (Police Affairs); Isa Ali Pantami (Communications and Digital Economy), and Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq (Disaster Management and Humanitarian Services).

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal received the delegation in Sokoto.

    Read Also: Fire guts Sokoto new market

    Gambari said President Muhammadu Buhari expressed concern and showed solidarity with the state government and its people over the damage the fire caused.

    He described the Sokoto market as an industrial hub to the state and national economies.

    Gambari said: “President Buhari was touched by the incident and expressed a high level of concern to the people of the state. This is why we are here to convey his message.”

    Tambuwal, who said the fire razed 60 per cent of the shops, expressed the gratitude of the residents, especially the victims, to the President for the Federal Government’s gesture.

     

     

     

     

     

  • My administration’s plans for security, by Sanwo-Olu

    My administration’s plans for security, by Sanwo-Olu

    Our Reporter

     

    LAGOS State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has spoken about what his administration has done to make the state a safe place for residents.

    He said besides strengthening security, his administration plans to improve efficiency of the security architecture.

    The governor, who spoke on a live television programme, “Sunday Politics”, anchored by Channels Television, said Lagos would continue to push for domestication of state policing as a strategy to combat crime and beef up security.

    He stressed the need to employ technology in intelligence gathering, noting that the government was on the verge of rolling out 2,000 security cameras across communities through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).

    Read Also: Lekki homeowners alert Sanwo-Olu on illegal constructions

    Sanwo-Olu said: “One of the things we can do quickly is to improve the ratio of police to citizens’ number. This has not happened in a number of years. We believe Lagos is under-policed, even as population increases. If we address this imbalance through state policing model, we can see a turnaround in security response. We are ready to have this conversation with the police whenever they are ready.”

    “In our Smart City project, we are installing 2,000 high-definition security cameras to boost security architecture. We are set and before the end of the year, a lot of cameras will be on our streets. Technology is one of the things we can use to provide security. With the data from the cameras, we can prevent crimes.”

     

     

  • Ex-lawmakers urge Kwara Assembly to obey court judgment

    Ex-lawmakers urge Kwara Assembly to obey court judgment

     Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

     

    EX-LAWMAKERS of the Kwara State House of Assembly have urged Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu to swear in Jimoh Raheem Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as ordered by the Supreme Court.

    The former lawmakers from 1979 to 2019 made the call in a communiqué at the end of their maiden meeting in Ilorin.

    It was signed by acting Chairman and Secretary Dr. Abraham Ashaolu and Isiaka Mogaji.

    Read Also: 28 die in Kaduna, Ondo, Kwara accidents

    The forum urged the 36 governors to respect and effect the Executive Order 10 issued by President Muhammadu Buhari to grant financial autonomy and independence to the Houses of Assembly.

    It lamented that while the legislature is the first arm of the government by arrangement, state legislatures have been relegated to the position of junior partners in their relationships with the governors and the executive arm of the government at the sub-national level.

     

     

     

  • Youths attack Amotekun operatives in Oyo

    Youths attack Amotekun operatives in Oyo

     Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

     

    TWO operatives of the Oyo State Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps were on Monday attacked by a mob at Tede in Atisbo Local Government of Oyo State.

    The operatives, who were injured, are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

    Vehicles belonging to Itesiwaju Area Command of the security outfit were also vandalised.

    A statement by the command said: “Two of our operatives from Itesiwaju Local Government, who were travelling to Ago-Are en route to Tede were attacked without provocation.

    Read Also: Oyo communities at mercy of kidnappers

    “They were granted free passage at Ago-Are end upon explanation that they were from Itesiwaju Council and were on routine mission.

    “However, at Tede end, some misguided youths attacked the operatives with guns, machetes and axes.

    “Although nobody died, two operatives were injured and are in critical condition in hospital.

    “Unfortunately, after this unprovoked attack, our vehicles belonging to Itesiwaju Area Command were vandalised.”

     

  • Builders commence construction of 900 low cost federal housing units in Ibadan

    Builders commence construction of 900 low cost federal housing units in Ibadan

    By Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

    The Federal Housing Authority (FHA) has handed over the site for the construction of 900 low cost housing units in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to approved builders.

    The authority handed over the site to the builders last week after scrutinizing all necessary documents at a meeting on the site.

    The estate, Ajoda New Town, will sit on a 60-hectare land located on the Ibadan-Ife expressway in the capital city.

    Handing over the site, the Managing Director, FHA, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, who was represented by the Southwest Zonal Manager, Mrs Oluwatoyin Bada, said the project was expected to be completed within 24 months. She charged the development partners to abide by the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of the housing scheme.

    She also tasked the developers on proper documentation for ease of operation and monitoring of the project by FHA.

    One of the five approved builders, Woodston Engineering & Construction Ltd. has commenced work on delivering its own portion on the estate. Its Managing Director, Dr Mike Anjorin, assured FHA that the site would be secured to ensure hitch-free construction feom beginning to the end.
    Anjorin said the significance of the handing over ceremony of the Ajoda site was to ensure immediate commencement of work.

    Woodston is to deliver 212 units of 2-bed and 3-bed flats. While most of the units will be semi-detached, some will be fully detached. The units will sell for N6 million to N10 million.

    Anjorin said the scheme is in line with the low-cost housing policy of the Federal Government. He disclosed that some Nigerians have already subscribed for the houses, assuring that they will be delivered within 24 months.

    He said: “We have representatives from the FHA, the Zonal Manager came from Lagos and other officials from Abuja who signed the document and as the MD promised the site has been handed over.
    “The construction of the buildings commences immediately but clearing of the site first as they said.
    “The project will last for 24 months as it includes infrastructure such as roads, electricity, drainages among others.

  • Nigerians not willing to get vaccine, says minister

    Our Reporter

     

    MINISTER of Finance, Budget and National Planning Zainab Ahmed on Monday asserted that Nigerians were not willing to get COVID-19 vaccines.

    This came as the National Assembly Joint Committees on Health blamed Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire on the controversies trailing the purpose of the N10 billion released to Ministry of Health for local production of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

    The minister, who was represented at a meeting of the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Health by the Director-General of the Budget Office, Dr. Ben Akabueze, said most Nigerians that were spoken to about the vaccine appear unwilling to receive them.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns late Sports Minister Ka’oje

    The minister said: “Federal Ministry of Budget, Finance and National Planning has reviewed the issues raised by the joint committees and wish to state that N10 billion was appropriated in the 2020 Appropriation Act repealed and amended, under Covid-19 Intervention programme for the Federal Ministry of Health.

    That the joint committees on health is invited to note that N10 billion has been released to the Federal Ministry of Health under the budgetary votes. We have also attached the evidence of what was released.

  • Apostle Suleman denies police probe of his ‘affair with married woman’

    Apostle Suleman denies police probe of his ‘affair with married woman’

    By Samuel Oamen

     

    THE General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has dismissed reports that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, had ordered the probe of his alleged affair with the wife of a former member of his church, Pastor Mike Davids.

    Davids had accused Suleman of sleeping with his wife, Pastor Faith Edeko, who heads the Utako, Abuja branch of the church.

    In a petition to the police, Davids also said Suleman threatened him and denied him access to his children.

    But in his verified Twitter handle, @APOSTLESULEMAN, the cleric tweeted: “IGP orders probe on me? Where, when? Maybe my ghost. Just reading stories now. Please discard. There is no such thing.”

    The Nation had reported that the IGP ordered the probe of Apostle Suleman in letter addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, Abuja, dated January 5, 2021.

    The letter was signed by the Principal Staff Officer II to the Inspector-General of Police, Iliya Doma, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

    It was in response to a petition by Davids’ counsel, V. C. Ezenagu & Associates.

    Read Also: Joe Biden’s victory validates Apostle Johnson Suleman’s prophecy

    The letter was titled: “Re: Criminal Petition Against Apostle Johnson Suleman for Enticement of a Married Woman, Adultery, Unlawful Criminal Restraint to Access Children and Threat to Life.”

    It reads: “I attach herewith a copy of a letter, dated December 30, 2020, with its attachments received from V. C. Ezenagu & Associates on the above-underlined subject. The Inspector-General of Police directs that you treat. Accept the assurances of my esteemed regards, please.”

    Davids, in a video, had said: “Apostle Suleman has damaged my life. I have not seen my wife and children for two years and Apostle Suleman says if I ever go near them, he will have me taken out. I have a video where he said he will make me disappear. I don’t want to lose my life.”

    But Pastor Edeko, in a video, described her husband’s allegations as cheap blackmail.

    “I don’t know what you hope to achieve, I don’t know who paid you, but the only thing I will say is haven’t you done enough? Are you not tired of flogging someone’s daughter in pain?” she said.

    Resident Pastor, Omega Fire ministry, Headquarters, Joseph Iyare, said Davids was “frustrated by his own evil deeds”.