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  • Ehie was never Rivers’ House of Assembly Speaker, says Clerk

    Ehie was never Rivers’ House of Assembly Speaker, says Clerk

    • SSG says Fubara focused despite political tension

    Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday said Edison Ehie was never the Speaker.

    In a December 29 resignation letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he stated that he was resigning as Speaker and member.

    Ehie was the leader of the group of four members of the Assembly during the political crisis.

    The House, in a statement by the Clerk Emeka Amadi, said Ehie never occupied the office.

    The statement reads in part: “I am, therefore, directed to call on the good people of Rivers State to disregard the false claim in this letter that is intended to mislead the unsuspecting public.

    “Edison Ehie was never at any time in the life of the Rivers State House of Assembly elected a Speaker.

    “The Office of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly is a creation of the 1999 Constitution (As altered) and should not be ridiculed by any member who swore to preserve it and abide by the Constitution.

    “As a matter of fact, on Monday, June 5, 2023, after the proclamation of the 10 Rivers State House of Assembly by the Governor, and in line with Section 92 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (As altered), I, as the then Acting Clerk of the House, conducted the election that produced Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, DSSRS, as the Speaker of the 10 Rivers State House of Assembly by the unanimous votes of all other 31 members sitting and present.

    “It is also imperative to state that, from June 5, 2023, when he was elected till today, Martin Chike Amaewhule has been performing his duties as the Speaker.”

    Read Also: ‘You were never a speaker,’ Rivers Assembly mocks Fubara loyalist Ehie

    SSG says Fubara focused despite political tension

    Also yesterday, Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara has remained focused despite the political turbulence in the state.

    Danagogo, who was also SSG in the Nyesom Wike Administration, said Rivers was blessed to have the governor, whom he described as calm calculating, humble, honest and hardworking.

    Speaking at the maiden state banquet, he said: “We thank God that despite some recent political turbulence, the government is focused and fast settling down for the task ahead.

    “The year 2023 was remarkable. It marked the end of a great administration and the beginning of yet another great administration. And I can say without equivocation that, indeed, this government has started well.

    “The governor has hit the ground running by embarking on new major projects and completing and improving ongoing ones. Very soon, Rivers State will witness a bumper harvest of inaugurations.

    “The Port Harcourt Ring Road, which hitherto existed only in our dreams, is fast becoming a reality along with others.”

  • Ex-Sierra Leone President Koroma heads for Nigeria on asylum after treason charges

    Ex-Sierra Leone President Koroma heads for Nigeria on asylum after treason charges

    Controversy yesterday trailed plans by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to relocate former Sierra Leonean President, Ernest Bai Koroma, to Nigeria today.

    In a statement yesterday, the ECOWAS Commission President, Omar Alieu Touray, indicated that the move to relocate Koroma followed an agreement reached by an ECOWAS Mission to Freetown on December 23.

    The high-level delegation was led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the Republic of Ghana and Macky Sail of Senegal.

    Touray added that the former President has accepted the offer to be hosted in Nigeria, and subject to approval, arrangements will be made to fly him out of Freetown today.

    The former Sierra Leonean President was on Tuesday charged with four counts of treason in connection to an attempted coup.

    However, Sierra Leone Foreign Minster Timothy Kabba told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) the government did not support the proposal to relocate Koroma, which he described as a unilateral proposition by the ECOWAS Commission President.

    But, Touray’s statement on Koroma’s relocation to Nigeria, titled: “Temporary relocation of former President to Abuja”, reads: “I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that as part of the agreement reached during the mission, the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has offered to host His Excellency Ernest Bal Koroma, former President of Sierra Leone, in Abuja on a temporary basis.

    “The former President has accepted the offer to be hosted In Nigeria. Subject to your approval, arrangements will be made to fly former President Koroma out of Freetown on Thursday, 4th January.”

    However, the former president’s lawyer, Joseph Kamara, told the BBC he was “shocked and in utter disbelief”, saying the charges set a “dangerous precedent.

    “A dark cloud has shadowed the skies of our country. Meaning that we are dragging a former head of state – democratically elected – on trumped-up charges under a political vendetta,” he said.

    Read Also: Ex-Sierra-Leone President Koroma invited over failed Nov 26 coup

    Last November, gunmen broke into a military armoury and several prisons in Freetown, freeing almost 2,000 inmates.

    He has denied any involvement in the attack, which killed about 20 people.

    On Tuesday, Koroma and 11 other people were charged over the attempted coup, including one of Mr. Koroma’s former bodyguards.

    Koroma has been under house arrest since being questioned over the coup.

    He was President for 11 years until 2018, when incumbent President, Julius Maada Bio, was elected.

    The former president’s daughter, Dankay Koroma, has previously been named on a list of wanted suspects by the police. She has not commented.

    The attempted coup came five months after a disputed election which President Bio narrowly won to continue in office.

    The results were rejected by Koroma’s All People’s Congress. International observers also criticised the elections, highlighting a lack of transparency in the count.

  • Abbas: lawmakers won’t drop constituency projects

    Abbas: lawmakers won’t drop constituency projects

    • ‘They connect govt to people at grassroots’

    Those criticising the implementation of constituency projects by federal lawmakers are labouring in vain, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas gave the indication yesterday.

    According to him, such projects will continue to feature in the legislature’s plans, especially at the grassroots.

    He spoke yesterday in Lagos while inauguratiing projects attracted by former Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.

    The projects are the multi-storey 484-bed Femi Gbajabiamila Hall of Residence for postgraduate students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka; the Surulere Campus of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN); Bode Thomas Police Station in Surulere; rehabilitated Randle Avenue road in Surulere and the Femi Gbajabiamila Mini-Stadium, also in Surulere.

    These brought the number of projects already inaugurated since Tuesday to nine.

    The others are a state-of-the-art conference centre at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; an ultramodern, multi-floor 80-bed general hospital; the dualised Babs Animashaun Road and Census Bridge; and the Sam Shonibare Community Development Centre, all in Surulere.

    Gbajabiamila, who is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chief of Staff (CoS) represented Surulere I Constituency in Lagos State.

    He assured that the government would deliver on world-class education and quality healthcare. 

    He said the attainment of both objectives is part of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which would save the country and make it “unbeatable in every sphere”.

    Gbajabiamila unveiled the projects alongside Abbas; the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu; and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, among others.

    The Speaker noted that in implementing constituency projects, members of the National Assembly identify the needs of their constituents and nominate projects within a threshold in the federal budget which the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) execute as part of their capital projects.

    Abbas said legislative representation and constituency projects are two critical components of a democracy, especially in a representative system.

    He said such initiatives are funded through the government budget and are intended to address the needs and improve the conditions of constituents.

    Abbas stressed that for many Nigerians, especially at the grassroots, it is through constituency projects that they see the most direct and tangible manifestation of the government and democracy.

    “However, there has been a widespread and endemic misunderstanding of the purpose and essence of these legislative interventions.

    “Constituency projects are not mere items in a budget. They are the lifelines that connect the heart of our government to the heartbeat of communities,” he said. 

    The Speaker explained that constituency projects offer a unique opportunity for legislators to address the specific needs and challenges of their constituents.

    “By tailoring projects to local contexts, we ensure that development is not just a concept discussed in the halls of the legislature but a reality experienced in the streets, villages, and towns across Nigeria.

    “Furthermore, constituency projects best reflect participatory governance, given that local communities are involved in the decision-making process. 

    “This approach does not just build infrastructure; it builds trust, confidence, and a sense of ownership among the people,” Abbas said.

    The Speaker said he was encouraged by the many success stories from constituency projects in the last two decades.

    Read Also: Reps speaker Abbas commissions 80 bed-room general hospital in Lagos

    He added: “These success stories are not just achievements; they inspire millions of Nigerians at the grassroots level and show that the government cares about them.

    “With greater transparency and accountability, constituency projects can be the most viable tools for developing forgotten sections of Nigeria.

    “I intend to re-introduce a reviewed version of the Constituency Development Fund Bill to provide a legal framework for the management, disbursement, utilisation, and accountability of funds designated for constituency projects.

    “I urge all legislators and members of the House of Representatives to emulate Gbajabiamila and renew their commitment to constituency projects.”

    At the NOUN, Gbajabiamila stressed the value of education and healthcare.

    He said: “Education and healthcare are the two things that can save a nation. If we can ensure access to quality healthcare for our people and ensure that everybody who desires a good education gets it, this nation will be unbeatable in every sphere.

    “These two objectives, ensuring access to world-class education and quality healthcare for all our nation’s people are at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. 

    “And I want to reassure all of you here today that we will meet these objectives and exceed them in this administration.

    “This campus of Open University will offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in fields accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC). 

    “This building contains lecture rooms, laboratories, moot court, seminar rooms, offices, and many other facilities. 

    “I have facilitated the construction of over 250 roads, renovated schools, built hospitals, facilitated mini-stadia for community sports, provided free wi-fi in all public tertiary institutions in Lagos State, empowered thousands of youth and community members.”

  • Aiyedatiwa suspends councils’ caretaker chairmen

    Aiyedatiwa suspends councils’ caretaker chairmen

    • Action gives effect to court order secured by PDP

    Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has suspended caretaker chairmen of the 18 local governments and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    The chairmen are to remain suspended until the case is determine by the court.

    An Akure High Court presided over by Justice Yemi Fasanmi had granted an interim injunction filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, which sought to restrain former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu  from inaugurating  any person or persons not democratically elected as member(s) of caretaker committees to administer the affairs of the local governments and LCDAs pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction in the suit.

    Justice Fasanmi later barred the caretaker chairmen from operating after they resumed office on the excuse that they had been sworn in before the order was granted.

    Aiyedatiwa’s suspension of the caretaker chairmen was contained in a letter by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and signed by Alonge Adewale.

    Read Also: Why I was absent at Akeredolu’s 8th-day prayer, by Aiyedatiwa

    The letter said: “It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that despite the suspension of all recently appointed caretaker committee members for Local Government (LGAS) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state by a court of competent jurisdiction, some individuals in these former positions are still parading themselves in that posts.

    “Consequently, I have been directed to request the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the LGAs/LCDAs to immediately assume responsibility as head of their respective Local Government Areas/ LCDAs in acting capacity pending the resolution of all legal matters relating to this subject.”

    The letter asked the suspended caretaker chairmen to submit, without delay, all assets and properties of the LGAs/LCDAs.

    But one of the caretaker chairmen who pleaded anonymity said they had earlier secured a stay of execution against the court order.

    He said the case would linger till the Supreme Court adjusted on it.

    The caretaker chairmen said they were shocked that Aiyedatiwa refused to obey the order for stay of execution.

  • Sacked Oyo council bosses reiterate confidence in judiciary, Supreme Court, CJN

    Sacked Oyo council bosses reiterate confidence in judiciary, Supreme Court, CJN

    • Urge Makinde to obey court order

    Sacked local government chairmen and councillors in Oyo State, under the aegis of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), have reiterated their belief in the judiciary and particularly the highest court in the country, the Supreme Court, as the hope of the common man.

    They also expressed what they described as unrivalled and unflinching confidence in the judges of the apex court, led by the Chief Judge of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

    The group made the remarks while addressing a news conference to react to a recent media chat by Governor Seyi Makinde.

    It would be recalled that during the media chat hosted by the state owned Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), the governor threatened to deal with sacked council bosses, saying he will not abide by a recent court ruling until he gets another judgment from the apex court. 

    Fielding questions from reporters, the Chairman of the group christened Forum 64, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, said the members have been inundated with calls and threat from those close to the governor that they will leverage on the personal relationship of the governor and the CJN to get an upturn of the judgment, which favoured the sacked council bosses.

    However, Abass-Aleshinloye said the CJN just like other justices of the apex court and the entire judiciary had proved to be unbiased and an impartial umpire in every matter the group had taken before them and as such had no cause to be afraid of anything.

    The council officials sacked by the governor asked the governor to obey the Supreme Court judgment, which asked him to pay their entitlements rather than threatening to deal with them.

    Read Also: Clark to CJN: correct grave anomalies in judiciary 

    The governor had also warned the former council officials against distracting him and fomenting trouble in the state.

    It will be recalled that Governor Makinde had on his electoral victory in 2019 sacked the council bosses across the 33 local governments and 32 local council development areas on the grounds of illegality in the conduct of the election that brought them to power.

    Abass-Aleshinloye, said it beats imagination that Makinde will go to a media chat to deceive the citizens of the state, saying, “It is no longer news that our governor, His Excellency Oluseyi Makinde, promised to deal with us in his media chat on Saturday, December 23, 2023. We are not in doubt that His Excellency is the Governor of Oyo State, but we wrongfully assumed that he was elected to govern and not to deal with any of the citizens of the state.

    “Surprisingly, His Excellency’s priority now is to deal with everyone who is legitimately seeking redress for a perceived wrong. His Excellency promised to deal with the princes of Ogbomoso and now the ex-LG chairmen. We only hope this act of dealing with us doesn’t include killing or harming any one of us. We wish to say with all emphasis that we are proud to say that each and every one of us grew up with a training to fear Almighty God, respect the law and to always follow due process.”

  • Kinsmen, former associates hold prayer for Akeredolu

    Kinsmen, former associates hold prayer for Akeredolu

    • Aiyedatiwa explains absence

    Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was absent at the 8th day prayer for the repose of the soul of the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    Kinsmen and political associates of the former governor were present at the prayer session held yesterday at the country home of the late governor in Owo, Owo Local Government.

    Younger sister to the former governor, Toyin, represented Akeredolu’s family.

    Others at the prayer service were Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Ade Adetimehin, an engineer; former Special Adviser to the late Governor on Special Duties and Union Matters, Mr. Dare Aragbiaye; ex-Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Raimi Aminu, an engineer; members of the House of Assembly representing Owo constituencies one and two, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi and Morenike Witherspoon and chairmen, vice- chairmen of both local government and local council development areas in Owo and its environs.

    Read Also: Why I was absent at Akeredolu’s 8th-day prayer, by Aiyedatiwa

    The prayer service was led by Rev. Canon S. B. Oladimeji, who urged the gathering to remember to be good while alive.

    The late former governor died in Germany on December 27, 2023.

    Governor Aiyedatiwa has explained his absence at the 8th day prayer for late former governor of the state, Arakunrin Akeredolu.

    Spokesman for Aiyedatiwa, Adeniyan Ebenezer, said the event had nothing to do with the governor or the government.

    Ebenezer said the organisers did not notify or invite anybody in government.

    “This was an event organised by a group of followers of the late governor and even only a handful of his appointees were there.”

  • Why I backed Diri’s re-election, by Jonathan

    Why I backed Diri’s re-election, by Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he owes no one apologies for supporting the re-election of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri in last November 11 off-cycle election in the state.

    He said it was the right thing for him to do as Diri had the support of majority of Bayelsa people to continue in office.

    Jonathan spoke when Diri led a high-powered delegation to the home of the ex-President yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, for the Yuletide homage.

    A statement by Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said the wife of the former President, Dame Patience Jonathan, was also on hand to receive the governor and his entourage.

    Jonathan said he publicly endorsed Diri’s candidature during the campaigns because of his visionary leadership which he demonstrated in handling the affairs of the state.

    The ex-President said the governor deserved to be re-elected for his developmental efforts, particularly for ensuring peace and stability in the state.

    He said: “I did what I did during the governorship election and I have no apologies to anybody because I know that the governor and his team were doing very well, especially in the area of peace and stability of the state. At a time, I became very worried.

    “I have not said others did not do well. After all, I was also governor for a little less than one and a half years and also had my challenges.

    “Since Diri came on board, the excesses of cult groups, particularly in Yenagoa, have reduced reasonably. If we must move forward, first and foremost, we must handle the issue of security in order to attract investors. I saw that the governor and his team have a vision and he needed to be encouraged to do another four-year term.”

    Jonathan urged Diri to do more to meet the high expectations of the massive support base for his Prosperity Administration.

    Read Also: I have no apologies for supporting Diri’s re-election, says Jonathan

    He added: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

    Responding, Diri expressed appreciation to the former President for his support and endorsement.

    The governor said these contributed to the victory the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recorded at the poll.

    He said: “Your endorsement of a sitting governor was more than billions of naira. And so, having secured that endorsement, we were very sure of victory. We are here to say a big thank you as that has brought stability in the state.

    “So, with the kind of peace and security we have in our state, Bayelsa is ready for private investors to come in.”

    Diri also expressed the optimism that Jonathan would have more roles to play in reconciling dissenting Nigerians and other Africans to ensure peace and development.

    The governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu for ensuring a peaceful, free and credible election in the state.

    Dignitaries who accompanied the governor on the visit were National Assembly members, like Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency), Rodney Ambaowei (Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency), and Oforji Oboku (Kolokuma/Opokuma/Yenagoa Federal Constituency).

    Others were Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange; one-time Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Ishiaku Bawa; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, and members of the State Executive Council (Exco).

  • Safe motoring: FRSC redeploys three top officials

    Safe motoring: FRSC redeploys three top officials

    The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Ali Biu, has approved the redeployment of two Deputy Corps Marshals, and one Assistant Corps Marshal to key departments and corps offices.

    The redeployment, the FRSC said, was meant to boost existing efforts of the corps towards creating a safer motoring environment this year.

    The redeployed senior officers are: the erstwhile Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) in charge of Training Department, Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) Shehu Alkali Zaki, who will henceforth oversee the affairs of the Department of Operations.

    A statement by the Corps Commander, Deputy Corps Public Education Officer at the FRSC headquarters in Abuja, Charles Edem, said the redeployment is part of an initiative to ensure full realisation of the corporate strategic goals this year and beyond.

    Read Also: Pernod Ricard partners FRSC on safe roads campaign

    A former Corps Public Education Officer, Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem, is to proceed as the DCM in charge of Training Department at the National Headquarters in Abuja.

    The redeployment will take effect on 15 January to mark the end of the ongoing Operation Zero Tolerance Special Patrol.

    The Corps Marshal also approved the redeployment of a former Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Command Administration and Strategies (CAS), Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu, to take over the administration of the Corps Public Education Office hitherto held by Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem.

    The redeployment of the outgoing Corps Public Education Officer, who was recently appointed Deputy Corps Marshal, marks his first deployment in his new rank.

    Biu expressed confidence in the capacity and experiences of the newly redeployed senior officers to deliver on mandate.

    He urged them to bring their professional expertise for impactful leadership.

  • ‘NSITF didn’t oppose 40% deduction from employers’ contributions’

    ‘NSITF didn’t oppose 40% deduction from employers’ contributions’

    The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has said it did not reject the Federal Government’s plan, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, to deduct 40 per cent from employers’ contributions.

    The agency made the clarification in a statement by its General Manager for Corporate Affairs, Nwachukwu Godson, yesterday in Abuja.

    “The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has explained that the fund did not, at any time, ‘reject’ 40 per cent deduction of employers’ contributions by the Finance Ministry, as erroneously reported in a section of the press,” the statement said.

    It added: “The NSITF has no such powers, as the management of the fund is fully aware of the circular on Presidential Directive on 50 per cent Automatic Deduction from internally generated revenue (IGR) of Federal Government-owned enterprises.

    “What the Managing Director of the NSITF, Maureen Allagoa, stated in her New Year message is a reiteration of an appeal earlier made to the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, on October 3, 2023 for a review of the inclusion of the NSITF in the Fiscal Responsibility and Finance Act of 2020 in view of its special status as a non-treasury funded agency, holding contributors money in trust.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, this is what the managing director’s statement released on New Year Day stated: ‘The NSITF stands at the threshold of social and economic change, and poised to overcome its challenges as the custodian of social security.

    “’Amidst our accomplishments, we are grappling with challenges impeding the fulfillment of our mandate, one of which is the deduction in 2022, of 40 per cent amounting to N1.4 billion from employers’ contributions by the Ministry of Finance as an operating surplus in line with the Fiscal Responsibility and Finance Act of 2020, despite the fact that the NSITF is not a revenue-generating agency.”

    “’The NSITF is a tripartite agency holding funds/contributions in trust for the benefits of employees under the ECS and without an operating surplus. The NSITF is also not treasury-funded and does not draw from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and, therefore, seeks for a review and removal from the schedule of the Fiscal responsibility Act.’

    Read Also: NSITF clarifies position on 40% deduction from employers’ contributions

    “Speaking further on the fund’s agenda for the New Year, Allagoa said the poverty reduction agenda of the Tinubu administration has a direct bearing on the mandate of the NSITF.

    “The NSITF will tap into areas of the ILO Convention 102 on old age benefits, unemployment and family benefits as well as expand the agency’s corporate social responsibility programmes on skills acquisition and empowerment in line with the Eight-Point Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

    “She added that the fund will create new branches and service centres in 2024 to expand social services to the doorstep of all Nigerians in line with the social inclusion standards of the ILO Convention 102, adding that the agency would consolidate its 2023 achievements while expanding the percentage of the population protected by social security scheme. 

    “We are expanding our operations into the informal sector and other unreached areas in dire need of our services so as to save more people from lacerating social conditions.

    “We will create new branches to this end as well as build service delivery centers to be activated in select regions as pilot, in the first quarter of 2024. The focus is to reach Nigerians in the remote hinterland while reducing commuting distance for our staff members.”

  • Our chairman remains suspended, Ondo PDP tells national secretariat

    Our chairman remains suspended, Ondo PDP tells national secretariat

    The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has insisted that its State Chairman, Fatai Adams, remains suspended.

    It described the comments by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, as embarrassing.

    The Ondo PDP said the comments about developments in the party in Ondo State contradicted the party’s constitution, as amended.

    In a statement in Akure, the state capital, the chapter’s spokesman Kennedy Peretei argued that all levels of the party have powers to discipline erring members of their Executive, whether at the ward, local government, state or zonal levels.

    Read Also: Wike’s acceptance of appointment under APC shows PDP is dead, says Kenneth Okonkwo

    “The State Chairman, Fatai Adams, is a member of the State Working Committee (SWC) and can, therefore, be sanctioned in the face of his activities with flagrant disregard for SWC decisions. To this end, the suspension of Fatai Adams stays.

    “Unfortunately, Ologunagba, who is from Ondo State, appears not to have up-to-date information about the party in Ondo State. If he did, he would have been the last person to issue such a misleading statement.

    “Nine out of the 11 State Working Committee (SWC) members signed the suspension letter. That alone is a confirmation that Fatai Adams has overstayed his usefulness as state chairman.

    “Finally, we wish to reiterate that by the provisions of our Constitution, every level of the party can discipline any officer of the party at that level.

    “Therefore, Ologunagba’s personal opinion should not be misconstrued as the provisions of our constitution.”