The Nation Newspaper

Category: autopost

  • Akeredolu’s loyalists kick over suspension of Ondo caretaker chairmen by Aiyedatiwa

    Akeredolu’s loyalists kick over suspension of Ondo caretaker chairmen by Aiyedatiwa

    Some loyalists of late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu have accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of aiding the agenda of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by suspending caretaker chairmen recently appointed by Akeredolu.

    The Akeredolu loyalists said Aiyedatiwa planned to sack all political office holders appointed by Akeredolu ahead of this year’s governorship election.

    They said Aiyedatiwa ordered the suspension of the caretaker chairman despite the appeal filed against the Injunction secured by the PDP.

    Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the suspended caretaker chairmen said the action of Aiyedatiwa asking them to leave office might plunge the Ondo APC into crisis.

    He said their suspension by Aiyedatiwa was prejudicial and amounted to taking side with the opposition party despite the appeal filed against the lower court ruling.

    He said: “The circular by the Permanent Secretary is an agenda by the faction of the deputy governor, now governor, to uproot all loyalists of Aketi from this administration.

    “This is another round of crisis in our party and no one can say when this is going to end. Mr. President has tried his best, but these people are not ready to embrace peace.

    Read Also: Aiyedatiwa seeks Ondo elders’ blessings

    “Where did the Permanent Secretary get the judgment which says caretaker committees have been suspended? Is he pretending not to be aware of the appeal suit and stay of execution filed by the caretaker chairmen and that of the state government at the Appeal Court.

    “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa may also face serious challenge in managing the situation and unite the party as advised by President Tinubu following the death of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.”

    The Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, however, said the caretaker chairmen were not sacked but suspended until determination of the suit.

    Adeniyan said the Governor has no agenda to divide the party or work for the interest of the opposition PDP.

  • Ondo PDP defies national body, appoints acting chairman

    Ondo PDP defies national body, appoints acting chairman

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has defied directive by its national body that the suspension of state chairman of the party, Fatai Adams was null and void. 

    But it appointed Tola Alabere as the acting state chairman of the party,

    The State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP had approved suspension of Adams over alleged involvement in anti-party activities and engaging in activities likely to bring the party to disrepute.

    The national publicity secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, who declared the suspension as null and void, said the state committee lacked the authority to suspend the chairman without recourse to the national body.

    Addressing journalists Thursday, the Ondo PDP said nine out of eleven SWC members signed the suspension letter, signaling a lack of confidence in Adams’ leadership.

    Read Also: It’s not over for PDP in Nigeria – Chieftain

    The state publicity secretary, Kennedy Peretei, said the party’s constitution  stated that there should not be any vacuum in the administration of the party.

    He said: “So, in view of this, the Vice Chairman is now the acting Chairman of the party, so what we are saying now is that there is no crisis in PDP, we have the constitution that we follows and we have complied with the constitution.

    “Also, we will not allow anybody to compromise our chances of winning the primary election in Akoko North East and West of the state, neither we will not allow anybody to sabotage our march to victory in the November 16, 2024 governorship election in the state.

    “The National Working Committee and other executive body both at the state and local of the party, what we did is strictly in line with our constitution. What we have done is in accordance with our constitution. So we are all working in the same direction.”

  • Umahi commits to delivering Abuja-Kaduna road project in 2024

    Umahi commits to delivering Abuja-Kaduna road project in 2024

    The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, says that the Federal  Government is committed to delivering the uncompleted section of the Abuja-Kaduna before the end of the year.

    Umahi made this commitment in a meeting with all directors of the ministry on Thursday in Abuja, adding that all obstacles hindering the delivery would be addressed to ensure actualisation of the project for the benefit of Nigerians before the end of 2024.

    According to the former Ebonyi State governor, the contractors have requested a review of the price to N1.35 trillion to finance the project.

    “We have about 1.7 kilometers left of Abuja-Kaduna in two sections. The ministry has some supervision work to be done on that road and we will be advised on the real designs of the two sections.

    “Funding is also an issue because it is under the presidential development fund initiative gotten from looted funds. I have had to discuss with Mr president about the importance of the road for all users

    “But I won’t be able to go back to him until we re-scope it because the project was N165 billion before and a review brought the cost to N655 billion but today the contractor is asking for N1.35 trillion and the government cannot afford it.

    “What they are asking for is very wrong. We are looking at existing sub-grade and see what we can do about it.

    “We are also looking at the first 40km to be constructed by Dangote under the Tax credit scheme to do it on concrete pavement but I am very committed to completing that road this year. No matter what happens, that road will be done this year,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was awarded in December 2018.

    The reconstruction of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, currently handled by Julius Berger, is funded under the Presidential Development fund initiatives and is divided into three sections.

    Read Also: ‘Abuja-Kaduna railway transported 6.5m’

    Concerning non performing contractors in the Highway Development Management Initiative with private sector, Umahi said government was poised to review all contracts that were not seriously being done.

    He said the cost, scope and technicalities of the contracts would be reviewed by the end of January.

    Umahi said he had asked for 5 per cent equity contribution or guarantee from the contractors so that he would have the assurance of the commitment of those that are serious to work.

    Speaking on keys areas of focus of the ministry, he said that if the ministry is given N892 billion to carry out its operations, no money would be left unutilised by December 2024.

    “It means commitment and it will be properly utilised, it will be transparent for everybody to see.

    “And the end of the transparency is in the quality of the roads, the length of the roads and how much it costs.”

    (NAN)

  • Soldier criticises Sanwo-Olu, defends soldiers’ right to drive against traffic

    Soldier criticises Sanwo-Olu, defends soldiers’ right to drive against traffic

    The Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has come under fire from a soldier for ordering the arrest of his colleague and three other motorcycle riders for riding against the flow of traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

    The unidentified soldier criticized Sanwo-Olu for labeling a soldier “useless” in front of “bastard civilians.”

    The soldier appeared to be defending his colleague in a widely shared video on Thursday, January 4.

    Recall that Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, January 2, ordered the arrest of a soldier and three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

    Sanwo-Olu was seen telling his men to put a biker who identified as a military into the car in a widely shared video, threatening to lock him up.

    The soldier responded to the arrest by saying the state governor had no authority to detain a soldier, particularly in front of his barracks, as he felt his colleague had done nothing to warrant one.

    He asserted that senior officers, not any state governor, are in charge of the army.

    He said: “Did I just hear your governor calling a soldier, lance corporal useless? A lance corporal…This man broke his arm, they fired at the man. There is iron in his hands.

    “You are calling a soldier useless in front of those idiots, those bastard civilians. DSS was pushing a soldier. In any situation where you find yourself as a soldier, the Army only gives you five seconds to compose yourself, so after that, you must know how to reply to any attack or anything that comes your way.

    “Because he is a governor, I know he (arrested soldier) was shocked that the governor was arresting him. I know I am not perfect and I am not saying I am but in any situation I find myself, especially beside your barracks, nobody can arrest you. I repeat, nobody can arrest you because you have to stand your grand and nobody will slap you there.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu orders arrest of soldier, Okada rider for driving against traffic

    “No DSS or police can slap you because you refuse to go. Why will you arrest me when there are IP and military police?

    “Okay, will it be because I took one way beside my barracks? What if I just took the bike out to buy something? Do I have to take the long route because I want to buy something? Who does that? In which Amy?”

    He went on to explain that the governor’s decision was made because Lagos was calm, something that would never have occurred in his home region of the Northeast.

    He said: “So, now, your governor has the guts to arrest and even call a soldier useless. To be sincere, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Let’s tell the truth, Lagos has been experiencing too much peace. Let us assume this happened in the North East where I am, is it here the governor’s convoy that is taking one way will arrest a soldier for taking one way?

    “The governor constituted a nuisance. You are there pursuing civilians, what if they get involved in an accident along the line? The governor was there acting like a tout, a governor! When you are supposed to respect yourself. If the soldier said he is not going anywhere, nobody has the power to slap him. If the governor tries it, he knows he is already a bygone. The governor dare not slap a soldier.

    “If I am directed by the MP, any of my senior, or any other officer to go to the guard room, I will go. But if the governor says so, I will never go. He doesn’t have the power. Who does he want to lock up?”

  • BREAKING: Oyebanji swears in new 38 LG chairmen in Ekiti

    BREAKING: Oyebanji swears in new 38 LG chairmen in Ekiti

    Ekiti state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday, January 4, swore in the 38 new local government chairmen and their deputies, urging them to place a high premium on radical improvement on the security of lives and property as well as revenue generation in their respective council areas.

    Oyebanji also gave a matching order to the council chairmen to rev up the pedal of development by building on the strong foundation laid by their predecessors, adding that his administration would not tolerate any form of security lapses at the third tier of government under their watch.

    The governor stated these in Ado-Ekiti during the inauguration ceremony for the new council chairmen held at Osuntokun Pavillion, Government House, Ado Ekiti.

    The new council chairmen were elected during the December 2, 2023, local government election in the state.

    Addressing the new council bosses, Oyebanji, represented by the deputy governor, Monisade Afuye, described the Local Government as an integral part of the overall development focus and strategy of his government that requires adequate attention to tackle the menace of poverty, joblessness and insecurity.

    The Governor praised the immediate past Chairmen and those who were reelected for demonstrating enough political and administrative acumen to deliver, despite the multifarious challenges associated with being pioneers.

    Stoutly expressing zero tolerance for corruption and pilfering of council funds, the Governor urged them to discharge their duties with utmost “honesty, impartiality, evenhandedness, compassion and fairness”, adding that they must work assiduously for the actualisation of the shared prosperity mantra of his government.

    Read Also: Oyebanji lauds outgoing Ekiti LG bosses over good performance

    The State’s Chief Executive revealed that he decided to put machinery in motion for the conduct of elections at the local government level to further corroborate how desirous he was for the councils to be run democratically.

    He saluted the former Chairmen for their outstanding performances and for being shrewd and dexterous in playing local politics that was chiefly associated with the running of the local government system, saying this reflected in their acceptability and connectivity with the people.

    On his commitment to stamp out bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements out of Ekiti, the Governor charged the chairmen to prioritise security at all times, adding “You must be deliberate about this.”

    “Your security plans and strategies should be communicated to me through the office of Special Adviser on Security, as soon as you take over. I will not tolerate security lapses in your domains, therefore, ensure all critical stakeholders are carried along and are involved”.

    Oyebanji advised the new council bosses against relying solely on the funds accruing to them from the federation and state accounts to run the affairs of the councils, to avert administrative failure and inability to fulfil their electioneering promises.

    “You need money to run a successful administration. It is not enough to rely on federal and state allocations, you have to improve your internally generated revenue and ensure it forms a sizeable source of your funding revenue.

    “One of your major performance metrics will be how much IGR you generate and how much it contributes to your project financing. The government will be looking at the possibility of giving conditional, mileage-incentive to councils with significant IGR improvement”.

    The Chairman of Ajoni LCDA, Hon. Michael Ogungbemi, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, pledged that they would work hard to surpass the expectations of the governor in their performances.

    Ogungbemi added that the new council bosses will complement the governor’s deft move to rescue Ekiti from poverty, by replicating his policies at the local government level.

  • Adeleke denies slashing traditional rulers’ monthly allocation in Osun

    Adeleke denies slashing traditional rulers’ monthly allocation in Osun

    Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has refuted allegations that his administration slashed the monthly allocation of traditional rulers by 2.5%.

    He stated that he prioritizes the welfare of the state over his gains and is not interested in government money, saying he is committed to contributing towards the betterment of the state.

    During a monthly meeting held at the Finance Building in Abere on Thursday, January 4, traditional rulers expressed their concerns about the current administration’s reduction of their statutory allocation.

    In response to their grievances, Adeleke explained that the monthly allocation for traditional rulers varies, which is why the 5% deduction is being affected.

    The Nation learnt that traditional rulers during a closed-door meeting with Governor Adeleke ahead of the open meeting lamented that the state government is taking from the 5 percent meant for the traditional rulers monthly, leaving only 2.5 percent for the kings.

    Read Also: Adeleke signs Osun 2024 budget into law

    Adeleke said: “I was cheated in 2018 but God made things beautiful in it time, I am now the governor, I promised God that I will do well because he has blessed me, I don’t need the money of Osun State, I will rather add my money for the state. I promise you, the kings that you will enjoy this government bountifully.

    “I am a prudent administrator, I never collected any loans since my administration. I have risked my life to Abuja for the sake of Osun state to oppose and fight the FG that they have removed subsidy. We have collected N7b in three tranches and we agreed that it will be spent on infrastructure. Your money is intact.

    He added: “On the deduction, I have regard for the traditional rulers. The money that enters the account always varies, I don’t have control over it. I have fought them at the NEC meeting that it is affecting us because it drops drastically sometimes, whatever the FG gives us is what we will share. The deduction is not static, allocations are determined, and there is no deliberate deduction of 5% from statutory allocation. So whatever we receive is what we will look at for your money.”

    Meanwhile, Adeleke also assured that a white paper on the suspended monarchs will be published next week. He also promised that he would enroll traditional rulers into Osun State Health Insurance Scheme (OHIS) and buy new cars for them.

  • FG partners China for new Steel Plant

    FG partners China for new Steel Plant

    The federal government (FG) is partnering Chinese Company, Luan Steel Holding Group to build a new Steel Plant in Nigeria.

    The partnership hopes to also commence the building of military hardware in the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

    The Head Press and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Steel Development, Salamatu Jibaniya made this known in a statement.

    She said this formed the crux of the visit by a delegation of the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Mary Ogbe in their tour of Luan Steel Holding Group in Hefei and Guangzhou Regions of China.

    Jibaniya said Prince Audu stated that the trip to China is one of the steps being taken to realise the goals of reviving the Steel Industry in Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    She said, according to Prince Audu, work has commenced to create an operational Steel Industry that would attract billions of dollars of foreign direct investments into the country, open up the nation’s economy, and create hundreds of thousands of job opportunities, which form the core of the renewed hope agenda.

    He further noted that building Military hardware in the Ajaokuta Steel Plant is also timely, considering that Nigeria is faced with security challenges. Adding that this would help in the fight against insecurity and terrorism.

    Read Also: Ajadi to FG: Nigeria needs adequate database for planning, development

    She added: “We had very meaningful discussions with the Chairman of Luan Steel Holding Group, Mr Wang Jianbing, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr Xiao Weizhan, and other senior Executives of the Luan Steel Holding Group.

    “Like several other international and local investors, Luan Steel Holding Group has indicated interest in setting up a new Steel Plant in Nigeria, as well as handling a component of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant for building military hardware in Nigeria.

    “The Minister of Defence and I led this delegation, which includes the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Steel Development, Dr Mary Ogbe, Sole Administrator/Managing Director of Ajaokuta Steel Company, Mr Sumaila Abdul-Akaba, to enable us to have a first-hand look at the Luan steel plants before arriving at a decision.

    “With all the commitments on the ground, we are optimistic that before the end of President Tinubu’s administration, we will commence commercial Steel Production in some of the government-owned entities in Nigeria.”

  • Rivers CP Disu orders manhunt for kidnappers of three travelers along airport road

    Rivers CP Disu orders manhunt for kidnappers of three travelers along airport road

    The Rivers state commissioner of police, Olatunji Disu, has drafted heads of tactical teams to go after gunmen who abducted three travelers along the Obiri-Ikwerre-Airport Road, in the Ikwerre local government area of the state

    It was gathered that the gunmen blocked the left flank of the road about five minutes from the airport roundabout and whisked away the victims to an unknown destination.

    The police public relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed that Disu had drafted tactical team commanders and Divisional Police Officers and ordered them to locate the kidnappers.

    She said: “I just spoke with the DPO, and he said three persons were kidnapped. The Commissioner of Police has tasked Tactical Team Commanders and the DPOs within that jurisdiction for adequate security measures in place, ensuring that those hoodlums are arrested.”

    An eyewitness, Emmanuel Biira, who narrowly escaped the attack, said that three passengers were whisked away from his car, while one of the victims who attempted to resist the assailants was shot before he was forcefully taken away.

    Biira explained that he escaped death by the whiskers after he luckily manoeuvred his way out of the dangerous situation and under a vehicle.

    He said: “Not too far from the airport junction en route to Obiri Ikwerre flyover, I ran into an ambush along with about 8 to 10 other cars. We all saw the kidnappers shooting and we reversed to head back to the airport junction but we were surrounded from the back, front, and all around.

    Read Also: CP Disu’s order leads to arrest, arraignment of wanted cult leader in Rivers

    “People jumped out of their cars to escape and some were shot or apprehended. I jumped out to run but there was nowhere to run to and at that moment, the Lord showed me a car, spoke to me, and said ‘enter under this car’ and I obeyed.

    “How can a grown man enter fully under a Honda salon car that’s not jacked up without his body being seen? But because I heard His voice, that became my saving grace.

    Three kidnappers walked past me, dragging a man and one entered the car I was under to turn off the engine because the car was on.

    “I’m alive together because of His mercies and covenant of protection over His children. My wife would have been a young widow if the bullets had hit me. My young children would have been fatherless but God said no. I’m grateful to Him alone. Thank you, Jesus.”

  • Ondo 2024: Afenifere Secretary General Ebiseni joins governorship race

    Ondo 2024: Afenifere Secretary General Ebiseni joins governorship race

    The Secretary General of the pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Sola Ebiseni has declared his intention to contest this year’s governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state.

    Ebiseni recently returned to the PDP after working for the Labour Party in last year’s general elections.

    Speaking to journalists in Akure on Thursday, January 4, Ebiseni said he remained the most experienced politician to lead the Sunshine State having served as a local government chairman and commissioner.

    Ebiseni said this year’s governorship election would be a defining moment for the state.

    He noted that that the trajectory of governance from the Ajasin era showed the state has been governed by governors who were intellectually suave, grounded in their chosen carriers, thoroughly bred and groomed in the ideology of the Awolowo school of thought.

    The Afenifere scribe said development of the state required someone who is fully acquainted with the territory and the people.

    Read Also: Ondo 2024: Ex-Deputy Speaker declares governorship ambition

    He said: “Such knowledge affords the new manager the opportunity of the location of resources, creates wealth therefrom and fairly allocate same without undue concentration in one or few places.

    “From serving as an elected Local Government Chairman to being Commissioner three times in the strategic Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, we have a comparative advantage in the knowledge of the state and the geopolitical distribution of its natural resources. These include oil and gas, forestry resources, economic crops, solid minerals etc.

    “Diversification of the economy of the state from over-reliance on the federation account is the only means of getting out of the woods and must be prioritised. There is a creative way of developing our resources within the provisions of the Constitution.

    “Certain social services which set our state apart ideologically and which have been discontinued or totally abandoned must be resuscitated in terms of quality and affordable education and health services including the Mother and Child hospitals which will be fairly extended in the zones and many of such welfare programmes. It is a cheap petit-bourgeois mindset to argue that the state cannot afford such existential programmes.”

  • Nwifuru, Umahi, Anyim, Onu, DSS spokesperson bag awards in Ebonyi

    Nwifuru, Umahi, Anyim, Onu, DSS spokesperson bag awards in Ebonyi

    Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and former Senate President, Anyim Pius were among seventeen notable dignitaries, sons, and daughters of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency who were honoured for their services to the state and the nation.

    Others include former Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, the spokesperson of the Department of State Security (DSS), Peter Afunanya, and former PDP governorship candidate, Ifeanyi Odii

    They were honoured on Thursday, January 4, during the Maiden Ohanivo Cultural Carnival of the federal constituency held in Egunkwor central school.

    The event was sponsored by the member representing the constituency, Dr. Nkemkanma Kama.

    While Nwifuru bagged the Youths Oriented Leadership Award, Umahi was given the Iconic Leadership Award.

    Anyim received the Leadership Excellence Award while Onu bagged the Selfless Leadership Award.

    Afunanya who hails from the constituency received an award for outstanding performance.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state in the 2023 general election, Chukwuma Odii, received the Outstanding Humanitarian Award.

    A popular business mogul in the state, Dr. Gideon Osi was given the Illustrious Service Award.

    A businesswoman and philanthropist, Rosemary Nwakego Emmanuel was conferred with the Industrious Woman of the Year award.

    Addressing the people of the federal constituency, Kama who described culture as the lifeblood of any society said the aim of staging the event is to promote peace and unity in the community.

    He said: “Culture is said to be the lifeblood of any thriving society, and its best expressed in the way we tell our stories, celebrate, and entertain ourselves. It helps us remember the past and cast our imagination on the future. Our Cultural expression helps define who we are and helps the world see us through our own eyes.

    “One of my primary focus as your representative is to promote Peace and unity amongst ourselves. The Ohanivo Cultural Carnival which is designed to showcase our rich and diverse Cultural heritage is one of the means of promoting Unity and peaceful coexistence in Ohaozara/Onicha/lvo Federal Constituency and Ebonyi State.

    Read Also: Nwifuru reiterates priority for welfare of widows, others

    Undoubtedly, no meaningful and measurable growth and progress can be achieved amid crisis, chaos, bickering, and disunity.

    “As a people, we’ve come a long way. From 1976 through 1996, we existed as one indivisible Ohaozara Local Government Area (now referred to as Qld Ohaozara). The 1996 political expansion that split us into Ohaozara, Onicha, and lvo Local Government Areas couldn’t divide us as it brought us into the same Federal Constituency, Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency and we’ve continued to coexist peacefully.

    “Therefore, there’s now the need to make a unique definition of who we are through our Culture, and our way of life and tell our stories in our own unique way. This is what this Carnival stands for and promotes.

    “Moreso, this Carnival is expected to serve as a unifying symbol for our people, a reminder that we’re one indivisible people.”