The Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has condemned the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar for claiming that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has not done anything for Nigeria in eight years.

He said having relocated to Dubai, Atiku has lost touch with events in Nigeria.

He said when Atiku was in office as Vice President for eight years, there was no motorable road to his hometown.

He said the Mayo Belwa-Jada- Ganye-Toungo road has been constructed fully.

He said it’s the road that Atiku uses to get to his hometown of Jada.

He also said Buhari administration has curtailed Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa State.

Mohammed, who blasted Atiku at the seventh edition of the ‘PMB Administration, said:  “Let me use this opportunity to comment on the increasing tendency by some opposition presidential candidates to downplay the achievements of this administration, in their desperation for power, ahead of the 2023 elections.

“The worst offender in this regard has been the presidential candidate of the PDP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“During his recent campaign in Akure, the former VP was quoted as saying the APC had not done anything for Nigeria in eight years. What a preposterous statement from somebody who should know.

Read Also: Atiku’s woes multiply as Wike’s men tighten grip on Rivers

“I guess we can excuse His Excellency the former Vice President who, until recently, had fully relocated to Dubai, thus losing touch with Nigeria.

“And if anyone would accuse the APC-led Federal Government of doing nothing, it should not be Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. Why? Because for the 16 years of the PDP rule, eight of which Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was Vice President, there was no motorable road to the former VP’s hometown and indeed to key local governments in the Southern Senatorial zone that served as Adamawa’s food basket and economic nerve centre until the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office.

“Today, gentlemen, the Mayo Belwa- Jada- Ganye- Toungo road has been constructed fully and it’s the road that Alhaji Atiku uses to get to his hometown of Jada.”

He also said Buhari administration has curtailed Boko Haram insurgency in Adamawa State.

Mohammed added: ” What about security? Before this administration came into office, all the five local government areas in Adamawa’s Northern Senatorial District were effectively under the control of the Boko Haram terrorists.

“All state institutions, the local government administration, the police, the judiciary, schools, hospitals and markets had been sacked. Traditional rulers, including Emirs and Chiefs, had been displaced with their palaces taken over by the terrorists as their headquarters.

“The affected 5 local governments in the Northern Senatorial zone are: Madagali; Michika; Mubi North; Mubi South and Little Gombi

“In the Central Senatorial zone, two local governments were effectively under the control of the Boko Haram terrorists: These two local governments in the Central Senatorial zone are: Maiha Local Government Area and Hong Local government Area

“Today, not an inch of these local governments in Adamawa, the home state of the former Vice President, is under the control of terrorists. All institutions of state have relocated back and are operational. All Emirs and chiefs have returned to their palaces. Schools and markets have opened. “Please note, gentlemen, that throughout that period, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could not even go home. As a matter of fact, when one of his right-hand men, Mr. Adila, was killed by the terrorists, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar could not even go to condole with the family of the deceased. It was that bad.

“Now that he can travel home freely, thanks to the Buhari administration, it is not sweet in his mouth to accuse the same administration of doing nothing. As they say, the bedwetter should not join those who are insulting the washerman.”

All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu will today speak at the Chatham House, London, on his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

He will expound on his plans for security, economy and foreign policy at the United Kingdom’s elite foreign and policy think-tank institution.

The former Lagos State governor is accompanied by House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, his Jigawa State counterpart, Abubakar Badaru and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.

In 2011, Tinubu spoke at Chatham House on the rebirth of the opposition in Nigerian politics.

The session was titled: “Democracy and the rebirth of the opposition in Nigeria.”

Today, he will shed light on how he will tackle security and halt the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminals trying to hold the country to ransom.

In his manifesto, Tinubu has indicated an intention to establish a bold and assertive policy capable of creating a robust architecture to effectively tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminal tendencies starring Nigeria in the face.

The APC standard bearer is also committed to economic revolution, achievable through bold reforms.

Read Also: 2023: ‘Like Abiola did to Tofa in 1993, Tinubu will defeat Kwankwaso in Kano’

To him, the country should be able to manufacture goods and services required by citizens, instead of depending on imported goods, at the risk of capital flights.

Tinubu believes that the Naira can be strengthened when Nigeria exports more and imports less.

He also intends to make the country achieve double-digit economic growth by boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to over US$533 billion by the end of next year and tame inflation to a single digit.

Tinubu has acknowledged the dark side of petroleum subsidies.

He said if elected, his administration will remove subsidy.

Besides, he has planned to “re-energise the oil and gas sector by optimising the nation’s oil-production capacity, bringing to an end the incidence of theft, vandalism and corruption in the industry”.

In the gas sector, Tinubu plans to attract more investments, achieve full deregulation of midstream gas prices within six months, increase gas production by 20 per cent and complete the gas infrastructure projects by 2027.

To revive the manufacturing sub-sector, Tinubu plans to resolve the power question. Electricity, in his view, is critical to the stability of the informal sector and the revival of failed industries, which have the capacity to create jobs for youths through the resumption of optimal productive activities.

 

 

•Marketers urge NNPCL to stock product for 60 days •Pricing gap widens to 34%

Ex-depot price of petrol has risen by five basis points to N225 per litre, according to a survey of independent petroleum marketers.

Motorists and commuters continue to groan as petrol scarcity remains.

The pricing gap between regulated retail price by major oil marketers and the independent petroleum marketers widened to as much as 34 per cent.

The strenuous long queues at major oil marketers’ stations and the bloated price at the independent marketers’ stations, left motorists with the hard choices.

Worse still, the absence of effective monitoring by the regulatory body has created a loophole for the oil majors, with many engaging in underhand tactics to short-change motorists.

A major oil marketer runs a policy of compelling motorists and other users to buy its other products such as liquid car wash gel, engine oil and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) in consideration for purchase of petrol at regulated price of N169 to N170 per litre.

Attendants at another oil major’s stations imposed extra charge of around N500 in consideration for purchase at regulated price.

In Lagos, the queues have reduced considerably in areas with a large concentration of major oil marketers but most motorists within the suburbs remained at the mercy of cut-throat independent marketers.

Prices at several independent petrol marketers ranged from N250 to N270 per litre.

As The Nation monitored the petrol market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday, only a few retail outlets were opened.

They were vending petrol at N180 per litre with a maximum of two pumps out of the lots in the stations.

The scarcity worsened the black marketing in the city as hawkers sold the product with plastic cans for about N3,000 per litre.

Ogun State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday said that all the depots belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) were dry, blaming the lingering scarcity on the company and federal government.

President, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Alhaji Debo Ahmed told The Nation  that there were product scarcity because NNPCL, the sole importer of petrol, was not doing enough.

He called on NNPCL to increase its reserve to 60 days sufficiency stock to meet the country’s demand.

Read Also: Fuel scarcity: TRACE urges orderliness at petrol stations

“Private depots are going to buy from NNPCL and the private depots will now sell to us at N220 to N225 per litre instead N148.17 per litre,” Ahmed explained the pricing differential.

According to him, “60 days sufficiency is 4.0 billion litres while the NNPCL now maintains a maximum of 2.0 billion litres at an average 60 million litres per day consumption”.

According to him, boosting the stock from the present maximum of 30 days sufficiency to 60 days sufficiency and subsequently topping it on daily basis can bring the persistent scarcity to an end.

He said NNPCL’s private depots were moribund, stressing that the company now channels its product to the marketers through the private depots.

Ahmed, however, noted that unlike the NNPCL’s depots where marketers used to pay and wait for four months to lift their consignments, the private depots never delay releasing the product after payment.

He said: “Petrol is scarce because the federal government is not importing enough. So, they have to import more. They have to have some number of days in their reserves either two months, and they should continue adding on daily basis for our consumption.

“It is because there is no much petrol that there is scarcity. If there is enough, there will be no scarcity at all. They should have 60 days sufficiency then they can be adding on daily basis.

“NNPC doesn’t have depots. All their 21 depots are grounded. They are moribund so they are using private depots and the private depots they are using are not giving us at the correct price.

‘Definitely, we too have to add our own, transportation and everything.  All the expenses will be added together before we arrive at some prices we have to sell. It depends on the area. It does not take long to get your product from the private depots.

“If you pay today, you can get your product tomorrow from the private depots. It is in NNPC that you pay today you wait for your product for three to four months you never get your supply.”

IPMAN Mosinmi Depot Chairman, Otunba Femi Adelaja, yesterday said the persistent scarcity in Ogun State should be blamed on the Federal Government and the NNPCL for their failure to make the product available for its members at affordable prices.

Adelaja urged the government to remove subsidy on petrol and embark on total deregulation of the sector as well as dedication of each of the NNPC depots for the service of the IPMAN members in each of the states including Kwara.

He said these recommendations, if followed, would bring lasting solution to the incessant fuel scarcity in the country.

Adelaja said: “As we speak, PMS is not available in any of the NNPC’s depot across the country. The few litres being sold to members of the public by our members were secured from management of private depots in Lagos, who would sell the product to us at an exorbitant price of between N215 and N220 per liter.

“Prior to now, IPMAN members do get our supplies from the NNPC depots at N148.17 kobo, but since it’s not available in these depots, the private depot owners in Lagos now sell to us at a price of N215.30 kobo, excluding the cost of transportation and other handling and overhead costs.

“So, by the time we add other overhead cost to the price of purchase, it brings the landing cost to between N245 and N250 per liter, excluding transportation, which costs N15 per liter, from Lagos to Abeokuta depending on the location to offload such.

“This implied that for us to dispense the product, which we got from a third-hand to members of the public and also to meet up with the other overhead costs, including running of the filling stations on generator and payment of staff, we have to sell at the price of N270 per liter which we are selling currently across Ogun State,” Adelaja said.

The Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) last week said that the Federal Government had no intention to increase the price in the meantime.

The agency said NNPCL had a stock of the product that could last 34 days.

 

 

Story By

John Ofikhenua, Collins Nweze, Ernest Nwokolo and Robert Egbe

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his supporters have now resolved to neutralize the hold of the Nyesom Wike led G-5 governors on the party in Abia,Benue,Enugu,Oyo and Rivers states ahead of the February elections.

Wike and his colleagues in the four other states –Okezie Ikpeazu,Samuel Ortom,Ifeanyi Ugwuayi and Seyi Makinde- are  demanding the resignation of the PDP National Chairman,Dr.Iyorchia Ayu as a condition for their support for Atiku.

The aggrieved  governors and their supporters had pulled out of the campaign council of Alhaji Atiku and declared  that they would  not work for his  aspiration unless their demands were met by the candidate  and the leadership of the party.

With all efforts to resolve the differences between the two sides hitting the rocks at every turn and the presidential election only 11 weeks away,Atiku and his strategists decided that the best way to handle the G-5 is to  secure the support of more PDP chieftains and members in the concerned states with a view to boosting the winning chances of the party  in  the  presidential polls.

Highly placed party sources told The Nation that Atiku and his strategists have launched an aggressive recruitment drive of party chieftains  not only in the five states controlled by the anti-Atiku governors but across the southern states where there are fears that the Atiku/Ayu combination as presidential candidate and party chairman is not in the best interest of the south.

The Nation gathered that the PDP  hierarchy is joining forces with Atiku in this regard.

A source said there is now a conscious move  to  call the bluff of the aggrieved governors and work for Atiku.

Atiku’s  foot soldiers are said to be determined to give Governor Ortom a serious fight for the control of votes in Benue State,which is the home state of Ayu.

Sources said the party would not allow anyone to rubbish Ayu in his home state.

Ayu is understood to be personally leading the push for the control of his state.He is being supported by the immediate past governor of the state,Senator Gabriel Suswam and Senator Abba Moro.

Suswam and Moro, it was gathered, have already won  the support of many aggrieved aspirants of the party who lost their bids for PDP tickets in their various constituencies. Other PDP leaders said to be helping Atiku’s cause in the state include Professor Iyorwuese Hagher, Mrs. Margaret Ichen and Hon. Chille Igbawua.

One source said that  with the caliber of PDP chieftains that are ready to ignore Ortom’s directives and work for Atiku, it would  be difficult for the governor to stop the PDP from winning the state next year.

“Benue is a PDP state with numerous PDP leaders scattered all over the state. Ortom is just one of them,” the source said.

He added: “With the National Chairman and our Senators ready to support Atiku, the party is strongly behind him and he will do well in Benue state next year.”

The  source said the outcome of the last primary of the party is working in favour of the PDP presidential candidate.

But supporters of Governor Ortom in the state accused the camp of the presidential candidate of seeking the support of “politicians who cannot win elections” to counter the governor.

One of the governor’s supporters said  Benue PDP is solidly behind  Ortom and would follow his directives.

“We are not unaware of the move by these people to infiltrate Benue PDP. But I can tell you that our leaders are resolute in their support for Governor Ortom,” the source said.

“Yes, a few politicians who cannot win elections on their own without Ortom’s support are being recruited. But unless the right thing is done, Ortom will triumph over them all.”

In the Southwest, Atiku’s men are said to be targeting  Lagos, Oyo and Ekiti states as places where they need to shore up support for the PDP presidential flag-bearer. As part of the new push to undermine the G-5 governors ahead of the election, strategists of the former Vice President have entered into alliances with chieftains like Olajide Adediran, the governorship candidate in Lagos State. Working with Adediran are other prominent leaders of the party like Engr. Adedeji Doherty and Adetokunbo Pearse.

Also said to be working against the directive of party leader, Chief Bode George and supporting Atiku’s presidential aspiration in the state are the state PDP chairman, Mr. Philips Aivoji, former Minister, Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, BOT member, Mrs. Aduke Maina, former chairman of the party, Capt. Tunji Shelle, Mr. Wahab Owokoniran, Mr. Segun Adewale (Aeroland) and the State Working Committee of the party, among many other leading party chieftains. George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, belongs to Wike’s camp.

Capt. Shelle ,who is the Deputy Director, PCC Elections Management expressed confidence that Atiku would win the 2023 presidential election in Lagos State because members of the PDP are ready to work for him irrespective of whatever anybody says.

But another source  told The Nation that supporters of Bode George and his allies across the state may have decided to work for the victory of Labour Party candidates in the state next year.

”Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party, and many of the party’s candidates were members of the Bode George group before defecting. So, you should understand why Atiku and Jandor don’t stand any chance in Lagos again,” a source said.

In Ekiti State, it will be a fight to the finish between the two main factions in the PDP. While former governor Ayodele Fayose remains committed to the G-5 governors, the faction led by Senator Abiodun Olujimi is working for Atiku.

Recently, the two factions met for reconciliation but The Nation gathered that upon Fayose’s open endorsement of the G-5 governors, Atiku’s men reached out to Olujimi and her group as a way of ensuring that the PDP presidential candidate does not lose support in the state.

Oyo is another state where Atiku’s men are digging deep in their bid to outsmart Governor Makinde.

The governor , who enjoys the backing of the state executive committee of the party as well as other leading PDP chieftains, led by Taofeek Arapaja, the Deputy National Chairman of the party, is strongly opposed to Atiku’s presidential aspiration and  has publicly denounced the PDP presidential candidate while urging the people of the state to vote for him and other PDP candidates in 2023.

But The Nation can confirm that some prominent leaders of the PDP in the state are now working hard for the victory of Atiku in 2023.

In this group are  a former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Wole Oyelese, former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, Femi Babalola, Gbolarumi Azeem, and many other leading chieftains of the PDP in the state.

Oyelese said recently that  all original chieftains of the PDP in the  state were rooting  for  Atiku.

In the South-south, the Atiku camp is focusing on Rivers and Edo states.

In Rivers, the PDP presidential candidate has recruited some prominent chieftains of the party who are now working for his aspiration across the state. Former National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, former Governor, Celestine Omehia and House of Representatives member and Rivers State 2023 governorship aspirant, Farah Dagogo, are said to be leading the new push for Atiku in the state. The trio are joined by some other leaders of the party in the state. But Wike and his supporters in the state chapter of the PDP are unrelenting in their resolve to hold firm to the control of the party.

The battle for supremacy is equally fierce in Edo State where the two factions loyal to Atiku and Wike have set up parallel structures.

While Governor Godwin Obaseki is working hard to deliver the state for Atiku in 2023, National Vice Chairman of the party, Dan Orbih, is on the same page with Wike and the G-5 governors across the state.

The two PDP leaders are joined in their corners by other chieftains of the party. The state leadership of the PDP in the state is sharply divided. The state chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and some of his executives are with Obaseki.

Orbih is not alone. He has the support of a number of the state executive committee members as well as many chieftains of the party.

Notable amongst the PDP chieftains believed to be with Orbih are Edo State PDP Vice Chairman, Barr Henry Omagbon,  House of Representatives member from   Oredo, Engr Ogbeide-Ihama, Hon. Pascal Ugbome, Barr. Lucy Omagbon, Engr. Mike Onolemenmen, Larry Okunbor and Ogieva Okunbor.

The group says it is in  control of the PDP in Edo.

In Enugu and Abia states in the Southeast, subtle struggle for the control of the party is  playing out between loyalists of the G-5 governors and those supporting Atiku’s presidential aspiration.

The Nation gathered that while the Atiku camp has taken control of the zonal leadership of the party and is using its structures to penetrate the two states, the governors of Enugu and Abia, who are staunch members of the G-5 group, are in firm control of their respective state leaderships of the party.

A source said:”Atiku’s performance in the Southeast will determine how well the zonal structure can help him in Enugu and Abia states.

“His men are working hard to break the hold of the two PDP governors on their various states as well as on the zone as a whole.

“If Atiku’s men succeed, he will know by the number of votes he gets from here compared to what he used to get.

“But I can tell you that Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi, who are candidates in the elections, are not politicians you can walk over easily, especially in their own states.”

PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arrived the United Kingdom yesterday ahead of his planned lecture tomorrow.

He will be speaking on security, economy and foreign policy at the Chatham House.

The APC presidential candidate was accompanied on the trip by some state governors and party leaders.

The Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the APC had earlier announced that Tinubu will be spending 13 days on foreign trip to the United States and other European countries.

The PCC, in a statement on its Twitter account on Monday, stated that the former Lagos State governor will on December 5 speak at the Chatham House, the United Kingdom’s elite Foreign and Policy Think-tank institution, where he will dwell on security, economy and foreign policy.

Chatham House had on its official website said that Tinubu will discuss “his vision and recently unveiled manifesto for ‘renewing hope’ in Nigeria including his policy proposals for economic reform and revival and how to deliver secure and inclusive job opportunities for Nigerian citizens.”

It said “the event is part of a series of events and outputs examining Nigeria’s 2023 elections and political developments.”

Meanwhile, the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday accused Arise News of persistent blackmail to railroad the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to its town hall meeting scheduled for today, but vowed that the candidate would not succumb to the antics.

The council in a statement by its Director, Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga described the continuous broadcast of Tinubu’s participation at the talk shop as “shocking and downright anomalous”, even after informing the organisers of the debate that Tinubu would not be available for the programme.

Onanuga spoke just as Senate Chief Whip, Dr .Orji Kalu dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the APC presidential candidate was denied US visa.

He accused the opposition of peddling the rumour.

According to Onanuga , the APC flag bearer had on  November 7 advanced seven reasons why he won’t be attending the television station-organised presidential debates in a statement by the spokesman for the campaign council, Festus Keyamo.

His words: “We find it shocking and downright anomalous that Arise News continues to broadcast the participation of All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju  Bola Ahmed Tinubu in its Presidential Town Hall meeting scheduled to hold on 4 December 2022 despite our earlier statement that our candidate will not be available.

“We noticed that Arise News has also been running a campaign on the so-called constitutional duty of the presidential candidates to participate in its debate  by dubiously citing Section 22 of the Constitution of Nigeria  on the obligation of the Mass Media.

“While it is trite that the media has a clear constitutional duty to hold public office holders accountable to the citizens and its role as the watchdog of the society, there is no part of the Constitution and the Section 22 that says a presidential candidate of any political party and least of all, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must participate in Arise News Town Hall event or any media organised an event at all.

“The same Constitution grants all citizens of Nigeria including, Asiwaju Tinubu the right and freedom of choice and association. The APC Presidential candidate has a right to decide where he goes and what events to participate in as he seeks the mandate of Nigerians to be elected as the next President of our country.

“We want to make it abundantly clear again that Asiwaju Tinubu will not participate and will not attend the Arise News Town Hall meeting slated for Sunday, 4 December, 2022 and any other ones it may plan before the February 2023 presidential election. We want to equally stress that Arise News has consistently shown a pattern of bias against Asiwaju Tinubu and we don’t consider the medium as credible and impartial.”

The council then disclosed that the APC presidential candidate has his schedule of campaign activities and other engagements within and outside Nigeria.

“One such is his scheduled event for Monday, December 5, 2022 at Chatham House in London where he will speak on Security, Economy and Foreign Policy.

“Asiwaju Tinubu travelled to the United Kingdom early today (Saturday) for this earlier scheduled engagement. We want to reiterate for the umpteenth time that no amount of blackmail, intimidation and media bullying and innuendos by the owner and management of Arise News will change the position our campaign has taken on this matter.”

The council asked all its spokesmen and supporters to steer clear of “this station over its consistent unprofessionalism and bias against our candidate and party.”

Tinubu not denied US visa – Orji Kalu

Dr.Orji Kalu said on his Facebook wall yesterday that speculations that Tinubu was denied US visa were untrue.

He said: “As the election draws closer, the opposition will spread more fake news against our presidential candidate but we should always ignore and keep our eyes on the ball.

“The news that Tinubu was denied visa to the USA is as fake as other fake news.

“Tinubu postponed the travel himself and was never denied visa.

“The State Department of the US confirmed to me that Tinubu will be received in the third week of December.

“As the presidential candidate of our party with outstanding personality, he will be warmly welcomed in the United States.”

•How I spent derivation funds, by Akeredolu

 

RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has told his colleagues in the Niger Delta who were angry with him for disclosing the 13 per cent arrears paid to them by President Muhammadu Buhari that he has no apologies to them.

Wike, who spoke on Saturday night while conferring state awards on persons he described as lovers of the state, said he would continue to be thankful to Buhari for the money.

He insisted that without the money, he would not have been able to deliver the quality of projects he had executed in the state.

Wike wondered why his act of gratitude to the President had brought jealousy to him, saying that Buhari did what his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to do since 1999.

He said: “Human beings instead of them to say I appreciate you, they become envious. Because I say Buhari thank you, I am having problems today. That is the country we are in. I am not a fan of Buhari.

“When a man has done well say he has done well in this area. If he has not done well you say so. I have no apologies to anybody. If Buhari did not release the money from 1999 which my party did not even release, I wouldn’t have been doing what I am doing. I say it and I don’t give a damn to anybody. I don’t care.

“I got the money, I am not a fan of Buhari. He has not done well in many areas, but this one he has done well. My party members may not be happy. But they should not be angry, because this one, he did well.

“He gave me money and I used the money to do something for people in Rivers State. This money was there. Nobody paid us. I hear somebody saying that his three kilometre road would do my 15 flyovers. No problem. Do the three kilometres first. Tell Nigerians you are doing three kilometres.”

Wike heaped encomiums on local and foreign contractors for delivering quality projects to make him succeed in  Rivers.

The governor, who said the awards were bestowed on lovers of Rivers, spent sometimes to dwell on the qualities of some of the recipients including the G-5 governors.

He said: “I want to say to all of you Ortom, Seyi, Ugwuanyi, Ikpeazu, Fintiri (you are not with us, you are with your uncle). In terms of principle, these young men are the people you can trust any day any time.

“Bala Mohammed is a G-1, on his own, one man riot squad. But you can trust him. He can tell you, I won’t do this. Fintiri is our friend. It doesn’t matter the differences. He wants his brother to win election. But we still keep our relationship.

“I fought Dave Umahi to the last. He never slept. But I don’t know how God is trying to help him. I was the one who fought Oshiomhole. Sorry that I fought you. Until you get information you have never had before, Oshio Baba sorry. But I did it for the interest of my party.”

No fewer than 17 persons were conferred with the highest state honour of Grand Service Star of Rivers State (GSSRS).

They are the  G5 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

Others are governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, and Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa.

Former  governors Jonah Jang of Plateau, Donald Duke of Cross River, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, Ibrahim Idris of Kogi, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Theodore Orji of Abia, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo and a Chieftain of the PDP, Olabode George from Lagos State, also got the highest award.

The second highest State Honour was given to  110 persons such as the  include the wife of Wike, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike; the wife of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Tamunominini Makinde who hails from Rivers; the wife of former Governor Donald Duke of Cross River, Onari Donald-Duke who is also from Rivers; the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi.

At least 33 persons received  the governor’s Medal of Service (GMS) such as Coach Stanley Eguma of Rivers United; and other coaches like Fatai Oscho, Ndubisi Nduk, Joseph Buma, and Okey Inwenya among others.

Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has explained that he expended the state’s share of the 13 percent oil derivation, subsidy and SURE-P refunds on capital projects and payment of accumulated salary arrears.

Governor Akeredolu who confirmed collecting the money from the Federation Account between 2021 and 2022 disassociated himself from those alleged to have been stealing funds meant for the local governments from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

The governor who spoke in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the refunds received from the Federal Government were judiciously expended on some key capital projects across the three senatorial districts of the state.

He said roads have been rehabilitated and constructed across the state.

Akeredolu noted that if the amount expended on the infrastructural projects and payment of salary arrears were juxtaposed with the refunds, it would be clear that the monies were not mismanaged.

According to the statement:“Recently, the governor commenced the rehabilitation of over 35 kilometers’ network of roads in Akure, the state capital. The roads being rehabilitated are the existing ones built by past governments several years ago and which are already in bad shapes with potholes and failed sections. The 9.5km Emure- Iporo road and rehabilitation of 15.2 Akure Phase “D” road networks have all begun.

“The 10km Okitipupa-Igbokoda virgin road which will be commissioned by the Lagos State Governor, Mr.Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is another evidence of Governor Akeredolu’s commitment to infrastructural development. These intensive capital projects are financed from these refunds and Internally Generated Revenue.

“The monthly FAAC receipts are devoted to the payment of salaries and pensions as agreed by Labour leaders at the monthly meetings presided over by the Head of Service and Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council (JNC).

“Despite Governor Akeredolu’s vow to always pay salaries and pensions as and when due, the financial crisis across the country occasioned by the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic resulted in non-payment of salaries in full for some months. As at January 2022, government was owing four months salary arrears as against seven months inherited.

“Governor Akeredolu, having promised the civil servants in the state to prioritise payment of salaries, has continued to clear these backlogs of arrears. On three occasions this year, government has paid double salaries in a month, thereby reducing the number of arrears. All salaries will be cleared before the year ends.

“The administration of Governor Akeredolu stands on the tripod of Transparency, Accountability and Integrity. We will continue to hoist the flag of transparency in governance while pursuing excellence in the journey to transform the state for the better.

“As a matter of policy, monies meant for local governments are shared at their monthly Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC). Mr Governor doesn’t touch local governments’ funds. The local government chairmen can attest to the fact that they have total freedom in the management of their funds.”

•Appeal Court affirms ex-governor, deputy as APC candidates

 

FORMER Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday closed the case filed before the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal challenging the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke during July 16th 2022.  Oyetola and APC is challenging overvoting in 749 polling units and the certificates of Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Tribunal.

The Chairman of the panel, Justice Tertse Kume had insisted on December 1st 2022 that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should submit the original certificate of WAEC and GCE tendered by Ademola Adeleke in 2018 after blurry ones was presented. At the sitting of the court on Saturday, the counsel to Oyetola and APC, Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN) informed the court that the court subpoena still stands.

Counsel to INEC, Chief Henry Akunebo informed the court that INEC’s Deputy Director, Joan Arabs is in court with the original which has been cross-checked by the petitioners counsel. He noted that the file contained the original file of Adeleke’s GCE results, testimonial as contained in Form CF001 he used to contest the 2018 election.

He said, “the outcome of our meeting before the sitting, the content of the original document appear quite legible contrary to the earlier dramatisation. We have showed it to the counsel and the court can use it and return because that is the only one that INEC has.”

Counsel to Adeleke, the second respondent in the matter, Niyi Owolade, and that of PDP, the 3rd respondent, Alex Izinyon, (SAN), said they had gone through original copies brought by the 1st respondent, noting that the documents were more legible than the previous ones presented. After going through the documents, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, who represented the petitioners, said they were legible enough and applied to tender them before the panel.

But counsel to the respondents opposed tendering of the documents but they reserved their argument till the final written address stage. Fagbemi insisted that the entire documents should be admitted since the copies earlier brought by INEC had not been admitted by the panel. He also informed the sitting that they (petitioners) have close to their case.

Justice Kume thereafter admitted all the original documents brought by INEC and tagged them as exhibit and he adjourned the case till December 20th 2022 for further hearing.

 

APC campaign office attacked

 

Reports say PDP supporters, after the sitting, attacked APC campaign office close to the court. Banners and billboards of party leaders and Oyetola were damaged. In a related development the restaurant of a PDP chieftain, Akin Adeyi, and three other shops, were demolished in the early hours of Saturday. The Nation learnt that during the demolition, armed thugs supervised by security operatives, assaulted two people they met on the structure with cutlasses.

Adeyi, while speaking with reporters at the scene, said, “I was informed by one of my workers that my restaurant had been demolished overnight. Those that came with the bulldozer to my business spot came in company of thugs armed with guns, cutlasses, knives and other weapons. They came with government vehicles. I have been attacked in similar style before. I was told that Governor Adeleke claimed that I am the cause of his problem. Sometimes last year, I wrote a petition and appealed to the PDP to screen Adeleke properly because he had some deficiencies in his credentials which may cause problems for the party. This is the genesis of the problem that I had with them that made them pull down my business place.”

Reacting to the allegations, the governor said “I am not a vindictive governor. I am not behind the demolition of Adeyi’s business premises.” A statement through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, read, “the insinuation is absolute fake. Governor Adeleke is not a vindictive leader. His Excellency has since directed immediate investigation of the incident. The outcome will be communicated to the public.”

Appeal Court confirms Oyetola, deputy

Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja hon Friday affirmed Gboyega Oyetola and his running mate, Benedict Alabi, as the authentic candidates of the APC in the July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun State. The appeal with no: CA/ABJ/CV/1099/2022 was between Adegboyega Oyetola & Anor v PDP & Ors. The Appeal Court held that the outcome of a governorship primary was a collective decision of a party, through its congress, that could not be rendered illegal by constitutional challenge or deformity of any officer of the party.

On the immunity of Governor Mai Buni, who submitted the nomination of the appellant to INEC, the court held that Buni could not be sued as the immunity enjoyed by him guaranteed him against civil and criminal suits. The Court of Appeal also awarded the cost of N200, 000 to the appellant. Going by the ruling, the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja nullifying the nomination of Oyetola and Alabi as the APC candidates in the governorship election has been set aside.

•APC flags off governorship campaign in Lagos

 

LAGOS State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s campaign for a re-election formally got underway in Lagos yesterday with the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate brandishing his achievements in the last three and a half years.

Sanwo-Olu, with whom were his deputy,Dr.Obafemi Hamzat,state party chairman,  Cornelius Ojelabi, Governance Advisory Council (GAC) leader, Tajudeen Olusi and Director General of Lagos APC Campaign Council, Sen. Ganiyu Solomon,among other party leaders,told cheering supporters at the Mobolaji Johnson Pavilion,Onikan, that the ‘Greater Lagos’ he promised at the inception of his government could now be visualised, given the achievements recorded during his first term.

Sanwo-Olu said the last three and half years had been challenging for his administration, pointing out that his government traversed difficult terrains to deliver on its development objectives.

He said: “It has been an interesting and challenging journey for us in the last three and half years. Our administration has traversed difficult terrains and witnessed major disruption occasioned by global pandemic. Lagos had its fair share in the attendant socio-economic meltdown, but we provided strong leadership that protected the people and made the state to come out better and stronger.

“Now, we can say ‘Greater Lagos Rising’ because our state is rising on all of our modest achievements through the THEMES agenda. In Transportation and Traffic Management, Lagosians are now living with the reality of the delivery of two intra-city Rail Mass Transit projects that are on the verge of completion. These projects will be handed over in the coming weeks.

“We have also scaled up infrastructure in public transportation services by improving BRT services, injecting new taxi scheme and energising traffic management agency for efficiency. People have seen the construction and commission of Lekki Deep Seaport, and massive road construction projects in the Eti Osa and Epe corridors. We have delivered and still constructing more new roads in Ikorodu, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Alimosho, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Somolu and other areas.”

Sanwo-Olu said activities of his administration, since inception, had been about purposeful governance. He added that his government had delivered new hospitals in Badagry, Epe, and Eti-Osa, pointing out that construction of new hospitals was currently being undertaken in Ikorodu, Ojo and Lagos Island.

On environment, the governor said the state was currently constructing 210 new drainage channels to address issue of flooding in vulnerable communities. He said his government had also raised level of infrastructure in emergency response agencies, mentioning the recently completed four fire stations, recruitment of new fire fighters and provision of fire fighting equipment.

The governor said: “Lagosians can testify to our feats in education. Over 1,000 new classrooms have been added to public schools and we completed over 1,097 projects in schools. We trained our teachers in modern teaching techniques through Eko EXCEL and handed over tablets to them for teaching. Overall performance of Lagos students in WAEC has improved from 42 per cent to over 83 per cent.”

Sanwo-Olu said there had been laudable progress recorded across his government’s development blueprint, noting that the state had become a model for good governance and development.

The governor thanked residents for standing by his administration, pledging that he would not take their support for granted.

He urged party members to take back the government’s achievements back to their communities and engage in door-to-door campaign to ensure APC candidates are elected in the general elections.

Director General of Lagos APC Campaign Council, Sen. Ganiyu Solomon, said the party would have no problem taking its campaign to the electorate, given the “exceptional” performance of the party’s governorship candidate.

Solomon said the second coming of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat would bring the state to new heights of development and prosperity.

Leader of GAC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, said: “The combination of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat are the best a democratic society can get in delivering results of good governance. Anyone who wants the development of Lagos to continue, Sanwo-Olu must be allowed to continue the good work he started.”

Sanwo-Olu, assisted by APC chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, presented flags to party candidates running for legislative seats in House of Assembly and National Assembly.