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  • PDP Councilor clubbed to death in Bauchi

    PDP Councilor clubbed to death in Bauchi

    Chairperson of Bogoro Local Government area, Bauchi state Ms.Hassana Arkila has confirmed the death of a serving Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councilor representing  Gizaki/Badagari ward , Bogoro local council,Mr Musa Daniel.

    The late Musa Daniel was said to have been clubbed to death by angry youth while on electoral duty, in the local government Saturday April 11, 2015.

    Arkila described the death of the councilor as unfornate saying the incident is the handwork of saboteurs of democracy, adding; ” I want to confirm the death of a PDP councilor  who was beaten to death by irate youths. l am also assuring the People of  Bauchi state  that the full wrath of law will catch up with the attackers, sooner than they would think”.

    Though, the Bogoro council Chairperson did not give reasons for the death of the councillor who is servíng under her, it was learnt the incident was not unconnected to Saturday’s governorship and state Assembly elections, in the area.

    Efforts to have the Bauchi state Police Command spokesman, DSP Haruna Mohammed to comment on the death of the Councillor was not successful as he neither responded to four text messages and several phone calls to his cell phone at the time of this report.

    She however “urged the perpetrators of the inhuman act to embrace peace because violence is not a solution to political difference” noting that “the death of the councilor is a signal that the APC is afraid of losing the electoral process” charging  PDP supporters not to react to the killing.

  • Ikuforiji, Ajomale: Agbaje should vie for councillor

    Ikuforiji, Ajomale: Agbaje should vie for councillor

    •Fashola says Fed Govt owes N51b for road construction

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Otunba Oladele Ajomale and House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji have said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Mr. Jimi Agbaje should have vied for elective offices at the local government and state levels, instead of jostling for governorship.

    They said, if Agbaje, a pharmacist, has served as a councillor, legislator and  commissioner, he would have garnered the experience required for the job of governor.

    The APC governorship flag bearer, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, urged Lagosians to vote for experience, stressing that there is no evidence that Agbaje is equipped for the task of the number one citizen.

    The party chieftains spoke at the rally hosted by the Kosofe, Lagos East District, held at the Gbagada Playing Ground, Oworonsoki, where Governor Babatunde Fashola complained that the Federal Government has not paid the N51 billion owed to the state for the construction of federal roads.

    Fashola had harsh words for President Goodluck Jonathan at the rally. He said, judging by his poor performance in the last six years, he has been tested, but cannot be trusted. He said since there is economic downturn, many people are migrating to Lagos, thereby making the task of providing social amenities for the highly populated state difficult.

    Fashola, who described Agbaje as an inexperienced apprentice, said: “Nigeria is in “one chance” vehicle in the hand of the PDP. Agbaje says Lagos is the most indebted state. But, I say Lagos is the most populated state. Agbaje lacks the experience for the job. That is what Ambode has. Ambode was in government before me at the grassroots. When the Federal Government seized the council allocation, Ambode as the Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, designed a fianancial strategy that the local governments to survive.”

    The governor also frowned at the visit of the President to Borno State for campaigns, despite his refusal to pay condolence visit to the parents of abducted Chibok girls. He said: “If any of those children is his child, he will not be contesting election. There is no place in the world where a sitting president will be contesting for election when over 250 children are missing. We are in a one chance bus. Buhari will save us from one chance, if we vote for him.”

    Party faithful came from Ketu, Ojota, Mile 12, Somolu, Bariga, Oworonsoki, Akoka, Anthony and Maryland for the rally hosted by Kosofe APC chieftains led by Pa Abiodun Sunmola. The party chairman, Oladele Ajomale, presented flags to the House of Assembly candidates for Kosofe Constituency 1 and 11, Hon. Bayo Osinnowo and Hon. Tunde Braimah, House of Representatives candidate Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye and senatorial flag bearer Senator Gbenga Ashafa.

    Oshinowo, who thanked the supporters, enjoined them to troop out to vote for the party at the polls. He said: “You have not disappointed us since the day of Asiwaju. Tinubu handed over to BRF. BRF will hand over to Ambode. Nigeria is sick. It needs a surgeon, Buhari.”

    The rally was witnessed by Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Secretary to Government and Ambode’s running mate, Dr. Oluranti Adebule, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, former Speaker of House of Assembly Hon. Joko Pelumi, the campaign team leader, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, Majority Leader of the House of Assembly Hon. Jibayo Adeyeye, former Special Adviser on Environment Hon. Sesan Olanrewaju, Environment Commissioner Mr. Tunji Bello, Mr. Denge Anifowose, Hon. Paul Kalejaye, Information Commissioner Lateef Ibirogba, his Transport Ministry counterpart, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi. Abdullahi Enilolobo and Chief Chris Ekwilo.

    Also at the ceremony were Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Publicity Secretary, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, his deputy, ace footballer Obafemi Martins, Abiodun Salam, Mr. Bolaji Ariyoh, Sulaimon Akeem Oris, Hon. Fuad Oki, Kayode Tinubu, Ademorin Kuye, Dele Onabokun, Bayo Ajisebutu, Alhaji Kabiru Ahmed, and Alhaji Mumuni Oyekanmi.

    Thanking the supporters for their commitment, Sunmola said that Kosofe are prepared to vote for APC candidates. But, he urged the people to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), which he said, are now available at the wards.

    The footballer, Martins, said: “Asiwaju has tried for Lagos and Nigeria. BRF has tried for Lagos. PDP has neglected Lagos. APC is the saving grace. We need continuity in Lagos.”

    Ikuforiji, who spoke on the succession struggle in Lagos, said that Agbaje is unfit to succeed Fashola in May because of lack of experience. He stressed: “When Tinubu became governor 16 years ago, people wondered how he would do it. The Federal Government seized the allocation. But, Lagos survived. He is a special person. Eight years ago, BRF became governor. He made a difference. He became a model governor.

    “We can’t vote for someone who is coming to learn the ropes. If the candidate of the PDP wants power, let him go and start from the council. After that, he can go to the House of Assembly. Our next governor is Ambode. He has learned. he is tested. he is trusted. He is humble. I know him. He will perform. as you vote for Ambode, vote for Ashafa, Agunsoye, Osinnowo Perper and Tunde Braimah. Also, you should vote for Buhari on February 14. Before then, ensure you collect your voter’s cards.”

    Echoing the Speaker, Ajomale said: “The governor of Lagos is like the President of another country. If Agbaje wants to be governor, he should first of all go to the council.”

    Ambose, who rode into the venue with Fashola in a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), flayed the Federal Government for its belated effort at reducing the fuel pump price, saying that cannot be substituted for the provision of jobs. “

    He added: “Is that what we want? What about the missingN20 billion? What about the subsidy scam? We should have used the missing billions for roads, hospitals and jobs. If the audit report in the subsidy scam is released, Nigerians will be shocked.”

    The flag bearer promised to take Lagos to a greater height by setting up an Employment Trust Fund to enable youths access money for business. Urging Lagosians to vote for experience, he said that it is counter-productive to vote for a trial and error candidate.

    Ambode added: “Now is the time to reject liars. It is not fuel reduction that is the issue. We need jobs. help is on the way.”

    Fashola chided the Federal Government for wrong prioritisation, wondering why the President could allow companies to raise more money than state governments, which have to provide social amenities for the people. He also lamented that Nigeria is the only member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) importing fuel.

    The governor, who predicted failure for the PDP in Lagos, added: “What has the Federal Government done for us that we should vote for them? Lagos has been Performing the functions of the Federal Government. We construct Federal roads. We buy weapons for the police. We built the Immigration Office at Ikeja. The Federal Government is still owing Lagos State N51 billion for road construction.

    “Agbaje displays ignorance. He said he has bold ideas. That is ‘bold inexperience’. He promised to provide internet services. He forgot that we cannot have internet without electricity. He said Lagos is the most indebted state. We are borrowing and using the money to develop Lagos.”

    Fashola also frowned at the insinuation that the APC is fielding a sick presidential candidate, saying that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is hale and hearty. He stressed: “Buhari is not sick. He was the only APC presidential aspirant who sat down during the primaries for 24 hours. Buhari does not drink. We know those people who go abroad and when it is time for them to speak, you will not see them.

    “Buhari contested three times and he was rigged three times. Now that they know that he will win, they are saying that he is sick. PDP should pack and go. We are marching on to Aso Rock with your votes.”

    Fashola, urged Lagosians to avoid violence during the electioneering, lamented the shoddy distribution of the voter’s cards. He said: ‘Don’t fight. get your PVCs at the wards. India delivered 800,000 million voter’s cards. We are only 170 million. But, they cannot deliver in Nigeria. When APC wins, we will ensure that Nigerians get their voter’s cards in time. We will make sure that people get the cards as they are 18 years.”

  • Councillor floats free health mission, empowerment programme for constituents

    A Supervisory Councilor for Health in Irepodun-Ifelodun Local Government area of Ekiti State, Alhaji Awolokun Akinsola Azeez has organised a one-day free health mission in Igede-Ekiti for residents across the council.

    The programme, which attracted scores of beneficiaries held at Ilamoye Health Centre in Igede-Ekiti equally witnessed an empowerment programme, including cash gifts for some needy ones across the 12 towns making up the council.

    According to him, the purpose was to create awareness among the people that “health is wealth and people should be more interested in their health condition.”

    Awolokun clarified that the state Governor Kayode Fayemi has sponsored a number of free health missions across the 16 councils of the state, an idea he said needed to be complemented at the council level by well-meaning individuals.

    He said: “Today, we are here to support Governor Kayode Fayemi in furthering the health is wealth programme which is contained in his free health missions.

    “Having been following the governor’s various health missions one would know that people at the grassroots have consistently turned out well for the programmes, meaning that they value their health.

    “Further, as the council’s Supervisory Councilor for Health, I feel those I represent should have something to benefit directly from me. People are being treated for common ailments like Diabetes, Onchocerciasis called Narun in Yoruba and fever while there is also free testing and councelling for HIV and AIDS. Given what we have here, we can conveniently accommodate 1,000.

    “But there is an observation I have been making with our people. Without the health mission, people don’t patronise the hospitals. They don’t even deliver in the hospitals. They prefer religious and traditional homes. As a way out, the current administration in the council has now come up with some sort of enlightenment campaigns across the 12 towns in the council”, he said.

    Awolokun noted the reason for the empowerment was to support families whose businesses had wound up, adding that “whatever anyone can muster to remedy and repair lives, we should learn to do them within the shortest time”.

    One of the beneficiaries of the portable generators given out, Akanni Babatunde, explained it would support his barbing business, adding “however good you are, you have to have a generator to be taken as serious. I thank Alhaji for this great gift. May Allah continue to help him.”

    Another beneficiary, Iyabo Agbaje, maintained that the cash gift would enable her return to her trade of frying yam by the roadside. I finished up my fund when one of my children took ill and needed care. By the time he became well again, I had spent all the money I used for my business.”

    Awolokun said further: “We will still give people empowerment today as well. I will present portable generator that can serve them at the Ilamoye Health Centre. Also, there are old people who are currently not receiving the Social Security Benefits. Thirty of such elders across communities in the council have been selected.

    “While about 200 primary school pupils will get free exercise books and pens, some youths and executive council members in Ward C in Ilamoye will equally benefit a sum of a N100,000.”

    Meanwhile, Chief Akinwumi Michael Kola, Onchocerciasis Control Manager in Irepodun-Ifelodun council explained that Onchocerciasis is an ailment in which people should be more interested as it causes blindness in bits but very steadily.

    “This is a common affliction in the tropics which our people should show more interest in, saying “the disease is very dangerous. This is why we have decided to treat people afflicted with it as well. Those who are not able to get the drugs today can always come to the council. The drug which we are also giving here today is ever available and it is given free.”

  • Councillor’s murder reopens Rivers’ communities’ land tussle

    Councillor’s murder reopens Rivers’ communities’ land tussle

    The murder at the weekend of a councillor representing Ekporo ward 5 in Eleme Local Government of Rivers State, Nelson Ogbuji, has reopened a land tussle between Eleme and Ekporo communities.

    Ekporo is in Eleme Local government Area and Ogu is in Ogu/Bolo Local Government in Rivers State.

    The people of Ekporo at a news conference accused the people of Ogu of killing the lawmaker and promised a reprisal attack.

    Chief Samuel Obe, the paramount ruler of Ekporo, told Niger Delta Report that the community has petitioned Police Commissione, Mbu Joseph Mbu for intervention.

    He said: “Ogu people killed our son. They were the ones attacking my people on that land. I don’t know why they resumed attack when the said land belongs to us. I think the police’s inability to respond fast on this crisis also contributed to the attacking and killing of my people.”

    Obe said the Ekporo community became tensed when youths of Ogu numbering over 200 invaded his community shooting sporadically.

    “I have been shouting before now that the way things are going our rivals have plans to murder members of my community. They have killed one of the futures of this community but they have murdered sleep and they will sleep no more,” he said.

    A colleague to the deceased, John Ngelale, alleged that the killing was politically motivated.

    “It was the brother of prominent politician in Ogu who is interested in the land that supervised the killing of the Lawmaker. We know them but they will soon be exposed,” he said.

    But, the Elders and Chiefs of Ogu community have denied the allegation and accused Ekporo of attacking members of their community alleging that two of their missing sons were abducted by the Ekporo community.

    The Chairman, Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Emmanuel Ibiorika, said: “The people of Ekporo have abducted two of our sons, Ibunemisa Obie and Stephen Oju, who are yet to return home.

    “We want to state clearly that there was never a time my people killed or attacked the people of Ekporo who have no boundary with us as they claimed. They are liars and cannot intimidate us over this issue when the land in question is our land. We are appealing to the Rivers State government, the security personnel and other relevant authorities to plead with Ekporo community to release two of our sons abducted at the disputed land.

    “They migrated from Ogoloma in Onne. They suffered ritual banishment. In fact, they were refused acceptance by Ebubu people who are their kith and kin. They came to Ogu through one of our elders who introduced them to our forebears. In our spirit of magnanimity, our forebears accepted and kept them on an island called Oguchuku. After a while, they complained of starvation as they could not fish and wanted a bush where they will farm.”

    Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Ahmad Mohammad confirmed the incident. He said the police was doing everything possible to prevent further bloodshed.

    He said: “We are aware; right now police has taken over the disputed land. Normalcy has returned, though the killing took place before the arrival of the police but we are doing everything possible to stop further attack and bloodshed.”

     

     

  • Councillor, two others killed in Kwara community clash

    Three people, including a councillor, were yesterday killed in Ganmo, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, over a chieftaincy stool’s dispute.

    Two claimants to the traditional stool of Ganmo, who claim ancestry to Ilorin on the one hand and Igbomina (Kwara South) on the other, clashed in January over the same stool. The incident led to some deaths and destruction of property.

    It was learnt that the councillor was slaughtered with his two arms allegedly chopped off and taken away.

    It was also learnt that during the last clash, rampaging youths allegedly torched the palace of Oluganna of Gana.

    The police confirmed yesterday that the councillor was killed on Tuesday, adding that the other two male and female were killed on Wednesday.

    Police spokesperson, Olufemi Fabode, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the two traditional rulers claiming a right to the throne have been invited for interrogation.

    He said the renewed violence prompted Police Commissioner Agboola Oshodi-Glover to summon the two monarchs to his office where he urged them to call their subjects to order.

    Fabode also said the command has drafted its men to the two towns to maintain law and order.

    He added: “Our responsibility is to ensure the protection of life and property. It is the same issue that made the police commissioner to summon the two royal fathers of Ganmo and Ganna for a peace meeting. He urged them to maintain law and order in the two towns.”

    The spokesman, however, warned that the police command would not condone any act of lawlessness.

  • Enugu councillor arrested for car snatching

    A Local government Councillor (names withheld) has been reportedly arrested by the police in Enugu for alleged car robbery.

    Sources close to the local government secretariat at Enugu-Ezike in Igboeze North, said the who was based in Onitsha, Anambra State, he came into office this year, was last week whisked away by law enforcement agents, following a tip-off.

    It was gathered that the lawmaker was linked to a car snatched somewhere in Seme border which was traced to Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local government Area of Enugu State, where it was showcased for sale by a motor dealer.

    Following an interrogation, the motor dealer confessed to the police that the vehicle belonged to the councillor.

    It was learnt that the state government had to withdraw the Councillor’s offered pending the outcome of his trial.

    Enugu Police spokesman Ebere Amarizu said he should be given time to get details of the matter.

    He said the councillor was not in the custody of the Enugu State Police Command.

    It was, however, learnt that his arrest was carried out by the Rivers State Police command, where the case was reported.