Sentry

There is an urgent need for mathematicians to intervene in the crisis currently rocking the Ondo State House of Assembly. Members are currently at war over what exactly should be the two-thirds of 26 members.

It was also gathered that interventions by both the executive and judicial arms of government over the matter have been futile in helping the lawmakers arrive at an acceptable answer.

While some members led by Speaker Bamidele Oleyelogun, believe that 17 is the required two-thirds of members of the assembly needed to impeach embattled Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, nine other members loyal to Ogundeji are insisting 18 is the correct figure.

The impasse over what should be the two-thirds of 26 is the reason why there are two people claiming to be the Deputy Speaker of the house as we speak.

Oleyelogun had led 17 members of the House to impeach Ogundeji on allegation of gross misconduct, claiming they secured the required two-thirds majority of the house, and replaced him with Samuel Aderoboye. But nine members of the house have written to Bamidele Oleyelogun, denouncing the impeachment as according to them, seventeen cannot be two-thirds of 26. They added that Ogundeji remains the Deputy Speaker of the House. This explains why Sentry believes mathematicians are needed to end the stalemate.

Sentry

It is no longer news that Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State accused his estranged friend, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC for personal reasons. None of the two actors is yet to clarify the mysterious personal reasons. It is incontrovertible that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2016 traced N400 million poll bribe cash to the accounts of some firms and a charity organization allegedly linked to the governor. The accounts are those of Osborn La-Palm Royal Resort Ltd and Brass Engineering & Construction Nig. Ltd and David Umahi Faith Foundation. But only N90 million has been refunded out of the N400 million.

The aspect of the water-tight probe, which has been giving Umahi goose pimples was the implication of two of his brothers in the deal. Maybe, the investigation shadows had been haunting Umahi despite the fact that he is innocent until proven guilty.

Sentry

These are not the best of times for the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki. More than two months after his re-election as the governor of the oil-rich state, he is yet to appoint his cabinet save the appointment of his man Friday, Osarodion Ogie, as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) because of pressure.

While the calls grow louder for the governor to name the members of his cabinet, he is scratching his head day and night, wondering how to make the appointments without offending his supporters who are now split between his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his adopted party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

PDP leaders and supporters are on the governor’s neck to appoint their own people as commissioners and special advisers while he also has his own people in APC, including Anslem Ojezua, who remains yet the chairman of the party in Edo in spite of the defection of his paymaster to the PDP.

As things stand, Obaseki has one leg in PDP and one in APC, making the task of satisfying both interests in his cabinet appointments a tough call.

Sentry

Despite the caution against distracting President Muhammadu Buhari, administration, two of his ministers are neck-deep in furthering their aspiration to occupy the Presidential Villa come 2023.

The same ministers who were implicated in the plot which led to the removal of the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, are battling for the soul of the party.

They have drawn the battle line and do not give a hoot about the APC zoning formula. Since what matters to them is the Villa seat, it is now like Macbeth: “fair is foul, foul is fair.”

Sentry will soon unveil the affected ministers.

Sentry 

It is almost certain that Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State will dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It is also a fact, barring unforeseen developments, that the two-term governor will be moving into his new home with almost the entire structure of the PDP in the state.

Save for a few notable chieftains of the PDP who, Sentry gathered have told the governor and his allies in clear terms they will not join the defection train, the entire leadership of the party in the state, more than half of its members holding elective positions, as well as almost all appointees are set to go with Umahi.

Read Also: Cracks in PDP over Umahi’s plans to defect to APC

While the feat appears a great show of the governor’s hold on the politics of the state, observers are worried about what would happen when the governor finally marries the PDP and APC chapters in the state. How will the two parties, known for their caustic and volatile relationship over the years, stay together under one roof?

Not a few are waiting to see how Umahi manages the ‘new troubles’ that are sure to emanate from the solemnization of erstwhile foes. But Sentry learnt he has been assuring everybody that what is on ground is enough to share. Similarly, APC leader, former Senate Committee Chairman on Works, Chief Julius Ucha has said the coming political marriage will be well-managed to avoid any crisis.

Sentry 

Something is brewing at the National Assembly. Reliable sources say the ‘thing’ is capable of shattering the peace of the two chambers if not managed well.

Sentry learnt that for weeks now, there has been serious agitation by some members of the House of Representatives for its Committee on Loans, Treaties and Protocols to present the reports of the investigation it conducted into loans obtained from China by the Federal Government since 2000.

Findings suggest that some forces within the National Assembly are opposed to the report being presented. The committee’s investigation was stopped at a point and the matter is yet to be revisited, hence its inability to submit a report to the House. But another source claimed that the committee concluded its assignment but certain powers are preventing the reports from being made public.

Now, some legislators from the two chambers are bent on forcing the committee to present a report on the matter. “Head or tail, we want a report. It is either the committee resumes its seating and concludes the investigation or brings forward a report for the House to deliberate upon. There’s no way we will allow the matter go just like that,” a federal lawmaker from Edo State insisted. A storm is definitely gathering over those troublesome Chinese loans.

Sentry

It is no longer news that the Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa has disqualified the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Peremobowei Ebebi, from contesting the forthcoming by-election in the state.

What is intriguing is rather than unite and find how the party will not end up without a candidate in the all-important election, chieftains of the troubled state chapter are busy trading blame.

Sentry gathered that following the judgement, which threatens to bar APC from participating in the poll, the camp of Ebebi has been at war with other prominent groups within the party over what they called unending attempts to stop the former deputy governor from clinching the vacant senate seat.

According to reliable party sources, supporters of Ebebi have been accusing a former governorship aspirant of sponsoring the court case that led to the judgement. Consequently, the two camps have resumed their brickbats while the chances of the party featuring in the election, hang in the balance.

The court had ruled that the academic credentials and voter’s card which Ebebi submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the by-election were forged documents.

The governorship candidate of APC during November 16, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa suffered the same fate when Supreme Court voided his election due to the discrepancies in his running mate’s academic credentials barely a day to his swearing-in February. Ebebi won the direct primary election conducted in September by the party. Unless the APC finds a way of turning the current situation in Bayelsa West around, it will be twice bitten, not shy for the party in the state.