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Tag: destabilise

  • Fayose accuses Fed Govt of plotting to destabilise Ekiti

    Fayose accuses Fed Govt of plotting to destabilise Ekiti

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has raised the alarm, accusing the Federal Government of plots to destabilise the state with the arrest and detention of his Chief of Staff, Chief Dipo Anisulowo.

    According to the governor, four members of the state’s House of Assembly are slated for arrest and detention for alleged treason.

    Fayose, who spoke at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, said the plot was being hatched by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal and an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    Fayose said: “A few days ago, we got it on good authority that there was a meeting with some politicians from Ekiti State, including an Ekiti born Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a self-professed human rights activist by agents of the Federal Government, with the agenda solely, on how to bring down my administration as the governor of the state.

    “Activities of these elements that are obviously afraid of facing another electoral defeat in 2018 are being coordinated through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal and the Attorney General of the Federation.

    “Certain top functionaries of the Ekiti State government and some important members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, and some associates of mine, have now been pencilled down for arrest and indefinite detention by the EFCC under the guise of investigating the funds spent by the PDP on the June 21, 2014 governorship election and the Presidential election.

    “The game plan is to make those to be arrested get detained indefinitely, forced to make statements incriminating me, while at the same time feeding the public with orchestrated fake reports, using their usual media organs.

    “This is coming after their failure to use the Department of State Service (DSS) to coerce members of the State House of Assembly to buy into the impeachment plot against me with a view to silencing me, being a  major voice of the opposition.

    “To achieve this sinister plot against the government and people of Ekiti State, we have been informed that some of their trusted allies in the EFCC have been mobilised to move to Ekiti any moment from now.”

    The governors advised the government and its agents to wait till the end of his tenure in 2018, when he would be available to answer any of their questions, no matter how unreasonable.

  • Defectors will not destabilise APC, says Tinubu

    Defectors will not destabilise APC, says Tinubu

    •Olubadan incorruptible, fearless’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday that the influx of defectors into APC won’t pose any danger to the party.

    Tinubu spoke yesterday at the Government House in Ibadan during a condolence visit to the family of the late Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugbade 1.

    The former Lagos State governor, extolling the virtures of Oba Odulana, who passed on last week, also spoke on the nation’s economy

    Tinubu said:  “A human being must be able to associate and join any political party he or she wants, so you cannot stop them, or discriminate against them. If any member of a party is coming into APC and he is discriminated upon, it will be unfair.

    “A good political party must be tolerant, accommodating to any member of a party coming into APC as long as they do not import corruption and injustice into our party. It is necessary for us to be tolerant and that is why APC is welcoming them into the party and we shall not discriminate against them.”

    On the dwindling oil price, he said there are variables in the oil sector which the government needs to look critically at.

    The APC leader said:”We are not the only country affected; it is universal. We have to manage ourselves, challenge ourselves and be more creative in a way it will not affect the welfare of the people because government is about the people.

    “We should also be innovative and develop our economy in such a way that will show the leadership position that we always espouse in Africa. Now and years back, we have been talking about diversification of the oil sector but it has always been on the drawing note and we never implemented it.

    “There are so many ways to revitalise this economy. It is not as bad as people make it appear. The past is nauseating and there has never been a principle of good governance. We have to support and encourage this administration in its struggle against insurgency, because if you do not clear terrorism, foreign investors will not come in. We also need to support the administration to fight kidnapping of expatriates and many of our citizens. Nigerians also need to be patient with the administration to revatalise the economy. “

    During his visit to the Monatan Ibadan private residence of the late Olubadan, Tinubu was accompanied by Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Oyo Speaker Michael Adeyemo; former interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande; National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the party, Chief Pius Akinyelure; state Chairman Chief Akin Oke, among others.

    The team was received by the Olubadan-in council, led by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun and Otun Balogun, High Chief Owolabi Olakulehin and the children of the late foremost traditional ruler, led by Prof. Femi Lana.

    Tinubu said Oba Odulana  did not hide his backing for the Ajimobi-led administration’s urban renewal and operation clean-up Ibadan; a city, he said, was dotted with heaps of refuse before Ajimobi mounted the saddle.

    Tinubu said: “Our late Baba lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation by our traditional institution. He was fearless, courageous and incorruptible. We are proud of his spartan lifestyle and discipline.

    “Kabiyesi loved Ajimobi and I can say that he was one of his staunch backers for the governorship ticket. His support for the governor and his programmes, especially the urban renewal and cleanliness we are now witnessing in Ibadan, was without bounds.

    “Ibadan was full of filth and heaps of refuse before Ajimobi became governor, but he cleaned up the city. Kabiyesi was so impressed by this, just as many of us, that he conferred the title of Atunluse on Ajimobi. We are proud of the governor’s achievements.

    Tinubu expressed delight at the agelong seamless Olubadan of Ibadanland succession process, which, he said, would have been a worthy model for political succession, but for what he called the intrigues and do-or-die phenomenon introduced into the country’s politics.

    The Otun Olubadan said the Olubadan-in-council and the people of Ibadan felt highly honoured for the visit, adding that the council was proud of Ajimobi and his support for the palace before and after the death of the Olubadan.

    The Balogun said it was “heartwarming” that Oba Odulana was on the throne and died when “the son of the soil” (an Ibadan indigene) was the governor.

  • ‘PDP has failed to destabilise Osun’

    ‘PDP has failed to destabilise Osun’

    Former Osun State Commissioner for Special Duties and Regional Integration Ajibola Basiru reflects on the challenges confronting Rauf Aregbesola’s administration. He explains steps being taken to tackle the problems.  Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN met him in Lagos.

    As a stakeholder and former commissioner in Aregbesola’s administration, what is responsible for the financial crisis in the state?

    It was not a financial crisis but financial challenges. The situation was not peculiar to Osun State. There are no less than 23 States that are facing similar challenges caused by the mismanagement of the nation’s resources by the visionless Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last 16 years particularly the Goodluck Jonathan regime. In July 2013, Jonathan admitted 400,000 barrels of crude oil were being stolen per day which was responsible for 40 per cent decline in national revenue earning. Oil theft is responsible for the glut in the oil market which is responsible for the slump in oil price. Governor Aregbesola was the first to alert the country of the impending financial crisis brought about by the activities of the oil thieves. Thank God, the problem is receiving the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari who is working seriously to restore sanity into the system.

    It was the plan of certain rejected politicians in Osun to use the financial challenges as a launch pad in their preparation for power bid in 2018. Hence, heavy noise as if it was only Osun that owe workers salaries. Thanks to Osun workers for their understanding of the problem and co-operation with the state government. They have gone back to work. They have even partnered with the government in carrying out proper audit of the state workforce in order to fishing out ghost workers. That is to tell you the kind of rapport between the government and workers as against the impression being created by Iyiola Omisore and his hireling Yinka Odumakin.

    What is the state doing to boost its internally generated revenue?

    In 2013, the state allocation from the Federation Account was betweenN3.5 billion and N4 billion. The recurrent expenditure gulped N3.6 billion. By April 2014, the allocation dropped to N406 million. The Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Osun in 2010 was between N280 million and N320 million. When Aregbesola came on board, the IGR has increased to N1.6 billion per month. The state economy is just developing under various programme put in place by his government. You can’t impose tax or cause inconvenience for the people because you want to generate revenue.

    The economy is growing gradually. For instance look at the socio-economic benefits of our reformed education programme. We offer free meal to 252,000 pupils in public primary schools in the state. This programme alone has employed about 3,000 women who are caterers that prepare the meals. It has provided market for poultry farmers that supply eggs; bakers who supply bread and the cattle dealers that supply beef. It costs government N3.2 billion per annum to feed the pupils. The free school uniform has attracted the establishment of a leading garment factory in the state which is being supported by the Bank of Industry.

    Critics say Governor Aregbesola embarked on grandiose projects that the state economy cannot sustain. Do you agree?

    I am surprised by the allegation of grandiose projects because these are the same set of people alleging that there are no projects on ground. It is pedestrian for someone to argue that Osun with a population of about 3.2 million don’t require an airport. Is airport meant for passengers alone? The airport was not even initiated by Aregbesola administration. Between 2008 and 2009, there was a federal budget for airport in Osun. The airport site was the first airstrip in the whole of West Africa. It was chosen because of the topography of the area. One good thing about this project is that hanger facilities will be sited at the airport.

    The Aregbesola administration has embarked on massive road construction across the state. These roads are there for everybody to see. You can’t grow the economy without providing infrastructure. The state government has built standard schools with equipped laboratories, libraries and halls. More than 45 of these schools are in use. It is not the right of the children of elites alone to attend standard schools.

    The helicopter was not acquired by Aregbesola’s personal use as claimed by the opposition. It was acquired for security surveillance. It is meant to compliment command and control centres for quick response to emergency situations. I was amused when the critics say the helicopter was bought for $8 million. How much do they sell Boeing 727 aircraft? That tells you how ignorant some people are.

    How has the government impacted positively in the life of the citizens?

    The government has established Micro Credit Agency that provides loans with low interest to small and medium enterprises. About 800 Co-operative societies and 9,555 individuals have benefitted. The government started paying 13th month salary to the civil servants in 2010 and sponsor them for local and foreign training. It has opened up the rural areas through construction of roads to farmstead to ensure easy access to markets by the farmers. At least each Local Government constructed 10 kilometres within the first term of the administration. In the area of security, Osun State is secured; crime wave has been reduced to the barest minimum through provision of incentives and hard wares to the police.

    Why was Osun singled out for bashing when other states are faced with similar financial problems?

    Some people are genuinely concerned about the backlog of unpaid salaries because Governor Aregbesola has acquired so much credibility particularly in good governance and prudent management of public funds. As a result, he enjoyed good press. But for the PDP, it was a payback for Aregbesola for daring Jonathan’s administration. To the State PDP, it was an opportunity to re-launch their power bid ahead of 2018. They have failed to destabilise the state by setting the workers against the state government.

    As a lawyer, are you surprised that a serving judge wrote a petition calling for the impeachment of Governor Aregbesola?

    The content of the petition does not worth the ink for which it was written. The normal thing is that he or she who alleges must substantiate. There was no single document to back up the 39-page petition. She said she based her allegations on rumour. She alleged that the governor runs the state from Cuba, that he enriches his godfather and cronies, that the state owes about N500 billion and that there was no project on ground to justify the huge loan taken by the state government. The road in front of her house in GRA, Osogbo was tarred by this administration; the Accountant General has said the debt profile of Osun is N78 billion; the last time Governor Aregbesola travels to Cuba was in 2005, five years before he became governor.

    The image of the judiciary should be salvaged from politicking. The sanctity of the judiciary should not be sacrificed on the altar of petty politicking by an individual. Anybody that is interested in politics should come out and should not use the cloak of the judiciary to participate in party politics. As an individual, you have the right to exercise your fundamental rights but the judicial code states that members of the bench should not do it in a way that will bring judiciary into disrepute. Aregbesola holds the judiciary in high esteem; that was why he refused to make comments on the baseless allegations contained in the petition.

    A group Osun Stakeholders, held a summit at Ile-ife recently on the way forward for the state. What is your view on their recommendations?

    There is nothing like Osun Stakeholders. It was certain failed politicians that wanted to use the financial challenges to seek relevance. The defeated PDP governorship candidate in the last election, Iyiola Omisore is the financier. He lost his petition challenging the victory of Aregbesola at the tribunal, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. His co-travellers are Akinlusi, former Head of Service and governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), he scored 600 votes. Former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Niyi Owolade contested governorship election and got less than 400 votes. Yinka Odumakin is known for jumping from one party to the other. At the so called summit, journalists who covered the event were more than those that attended. What are their resolutions or alternatives to what Aregbesola is doing?

  • PDP plans to destabilise Edo, says group

    PDP plans to destabilise Edo, says group

    A group, the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa (CGGEJA), has written a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the Edo State House of Assembly crisis. The solution to the crisis, according to the organisation, is for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to desist from fanning the embers of disunity.

    The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa (CGGEJA) has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to stop the alleged plot by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fuel the crisis in Edo State and destabilise the government.

    In its letter to the President, the group said that the plot is not in the interest of democracy, urging him to rise to the occasion as a statesman. Copies of the letter were  sent to the Chief Justice of the Federation, Human Rights Commission and civil society groups. The letter was signed by a leader of the group, Mr. John Mayaki.

    CGGEJA described the PDP as a destructive opposition party bent on creating chaos, noting that the state has been enveloped in anxiety, following the threats to recapture the state. It said that since the controversial defection of some All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP, more steps have been taken to divert the attention of Governor Adams Oshiomhole from governance.

    The letter reads in part: “The oppostion has a role in democracy. It has a duty to keep the government on its toes. The essence of the opposition in a well-established democracy, if it is to be of benefit, is that it must be constructive as this is the strength of the opposition in the established democracies of the world. They recognize that they, together with the government of the day, proceed from the major premise that they have a joint aim; to advance the welfare of the people.

    “But, what we see in Edo State in recent times is the mobilisation of the opposition party members  and some disgruntled elements who want political power relinquished to them on a platter of gold to embark on the policy of obstructing the government, without devising a programme on which they would base an alternative one. Their policies have been narrow in concept and often violent, abusive and ‘terroristic’ and their first port of call is the State House of Assembly. The people of Edo state have become unwilling spectators in the unfolding drama.”

    On the  May 9, 2014, three members of the House of Assembly had obtained from the Federal High Court, Benin-City, an ex-parte order of interim injunction restraining the Speaker from declaring their seats vacant, pending the determination of the motion on notice. But, the court refused the prayer for an injunction restraining the applicants from being suspended from the House.

    On the June 9, 2014, the House suspended four members. It also went to the court to challenge their refusal comply with the suspension. Noting that the order was not complied it, the group lamented that state agents have turned around as the enforcement wing of the PDP to aiding the recalcitrant lawmakers to invade the plennary session. Before the crisis, the House of Assembly complex was being renovated. Thus, members moved to the old complex. But, the police  also blocked access to the road to the City Centre, (Ovonranwen Square), causing untold economic hardship and social dislocations for  the state capital.

    “In what seems like a script, the police, on the 7th of July 2014, assisted the PDP legislators to gain access into the Assembly Complex under renovation and pretended to have held plenary. This is a complete mockery of democracy and a slap on the rule of law,” the group added.

    CGGEJA chided the PDP for threatening to cripple the Edo government by invoking the federal might, instead of planing the role of a legitimate opposition to the Al Progressives Congress (APC) government. It said while the Labour Party in Britain follows a political doctrine opposed to that of the Conservative Party, the PDP is relying on anti-democratic means to gain political control.

    The group added: “The situation in Edo is peculiar.  The opposition, which lacks popular support, is undermining the popular and people-oriented government by allegedly inducing people to defect from the ruling party and plotting the impeachment of the governor.

    CGGEJA said that, despite the fact that Oshiomhole has not wage any war against the opposition, key PDP chieftains are trying to distract him from governace.

    It said the crisis has implications for the state, stressing that the gains of the progress made under the Oshipmhole Administration may be wiped out.

    The group said the government has changed the orientation of the people about service delivery, fought the infrastructure battle, promoted transparency and accountability and restored the glory of the state. It added that these revolutionry tendencies and push for radical change are beyond the ken and comprehension of Oshiomhole’s detractors.

    It said that, in this period of our socio-economic life,  old habits, political, social and economic thought should be discarded and a new political ideology of higher moral conception of public and social duty and obligation must come to the front burner.

    The group said that Oshiomhole needs the cooperation of the stakeholderes to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.

    “Therefore, I humbly call on President Goodluck Jonathan, the various security agencies, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, The National Human Rights Commission, well meaning Nigerians and Edo people, both home and abroad, to prevail on those acting as clogs in the wheel of progress in our dear State to desist forthwith  to forestall  the breakdown of law and order,” it added.

  • Don’t destabilise Edo, youths warn

    Youths, under the auspices of Edo Youth for Good Governance, have warned lawmakers against using their personal interest and parliamentary disharmony to subvert progress in the state.

    The youths also warned the lawmakers against impeaching Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Speaker Uyi Igbe and suspended Deputy Speaker, Festus Ebea.

    The group’s President, Osaro Iyamu, urged the lawmakers to embrace peace and warned political detractors against causing confusion.

    According to him, “We are not fools in Edo. We are ready to resist any attempt to subvert the developmental progress in the state.

    “We want to advise the governor to remain focused.”

    Osaro urged Edo people to rise up against any attempt to destabilise the state.

  • Offa rerun: PDP, KWASIEC plan to destabilise council, says ex-chair

    A former Chairman of Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Prince Saheed Popoola, yesterday dismissed the August 31 date announced by the State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) for the rerun in the local government.

    He described the date as illegal and a plot to destabilise the council.

    Popoola, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), noted that the KWASIEC Law prescribes a notice of 150 days must be given before a council election could be held.

    In a statement yesterday, the former council chairman wondered why KWASIEC was violating the law, when his election was nullified in February the commission did give adequate notice.

    He said KWASIEC violats the law, it showed that the PDP leadership in Kwara State plan “to perpetually make Offa unstable because it has been an unyielding stronghold of the opposition”.

    The statement reads: “This is to alert the world to the illegality the KWASIEC, obviously acting in connivance with the PDP leadership in Kwara State, wishes to perpetrate in Offa Local Government just to impose a PDP government on the council.

    “In a widely circulated press statement on Monday, we stated that the PDP had concluded plans to railroad the KWASIEC into holding a fresh election into Offa LG any moment from now – that, in purported fulfilment of the court judgment which had since February called for a rerun.

    “Because we knew the evil plots by the PDP we had drawn the attention of KWASIEC and the party to the provisions of the KWASIEC Law, which provide for 150 days notice before an election is conducted. And for abundance of caution, we reminded them that this cannot be retroactive; that is, they cannot start counting from February. Rather than respect the law, KWASIEC, true to our expose, addressed a press briefing on Tuesday to announce that election into the council will hold on August 31.

    “This suggests that KWASIEC is showing disrespect to the law establishing it, and may well be acting a script. The consequence is clear: we will challenge this in the law court. Indeed, it is our suspicion that the leadership of the PDP in Kwara and KWASIEC are bent on destabilising Offa, which has been a pain in their neck. This flows from the fact that the only reason the court nullified the last local government election was primarily because of insufficient notification!

    “So, whose interest is KWASIEC serving by going the same route? Having said, the people of Offa will always vote to keep their independence and dignity. They will, any day, say a big no to membership of a rapacious anti-development political dynasty, which sees Kwara as a family estate.”

  • Bauchi alleges plot to destabilise govt

    The Bauchi State Government yesterday said it had uncovered a plot to cause anarchy in the state and discredit Governor Isa Yuguda’s government.

    It said the masterminds of the plot would be tackled as soon as it got the details of the plot.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ishola Michael Adeyemi, said: “The Bauchi State Government has uncovered a plot by some misguided and anti-progress elements to plunge the state into a crisis, using agents of destruction within and outside the state to cause disharmony and disaffection among the people of the state towards discrediting and destabilising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration of Mallam Isa Yuguda.

    “It has also been discovered that the brains behind this evil plot against the government and good people of Bauchi State have recruited and engaged malleable newspaper columnists, hack-writers, propaganda merchants and rumour vendors to spread rumour, raise false alarm and publish deliberate misinformation about the state and the Chief Executive with a view to imposing hate, fear and terror, thereby scaring the citizens, residents, visitors and genuine investors from engaging in peaceful, productive and legitimate business in the state.

    “The government is pleased, however, to inform the good and peace-loving people of the state that it is adequately on top of the situation, courtesy of our competent security officers who are collaborating with patriotic and loyal members of the public. The government is in possession of closely-guarded documents detailing the sponsors, sources and strategies of the plotters, including their collaborators within the state.”

    The government said it was still studying the details of the plot and that its investigations revealed the involvement of ‘three wealthy, highly-placed and influential persons’.

    “These three arrowheads of the plot have held clandestine meetings in some capital cities within and outside the country, especially in the high-brow districts of Maitama and Asokoro in Abuja, where no fewer than five meetings have taken place with some top politicians, opposition figures and media persons in attendance. None of the meetings in Abuja lasted less than four hours,” it added.

  • Aliyu accuses ‘powerful clique’ of plot to destabilise Niger

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu has accused an unidentified “powerful clique” of making surreptitious moves to destabilise the state.

    The governor alleged that the clique was plotting to stop the progressive train of his administration.

    Aliyu’s allegation is coming on the heels of a joint media briefing addressed on Tuesday by the three major opposition parties in the state.

    The opposition accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration in the state of mismanagement and executing elitist projects.

    Aliyu blamed the action of the opposition on some highly placed individuals in the state, who he said were using the opposition to misinform the public about his administration.

    In a statement in Minna, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Danladi Ndayebo, the governor said the attack on his administration was a reaction to the recent loss those who took undue advantage of the past administration suffered.

    According to him, his new approach to governance has scared them into seeking ways to make his administration ungovernable.

    Aliyu said negative publications and media briefings were sponsored by those who he said were threatened by the achievements of his administration.

    The governor averred that such moves were aimed at damaging his reputation and the government.

    The statement reads: “We are astounded at how low some politicians can sink by employing downright lies and irresponsible tactics just to create the impression that things are not working.

    “The Government of Niger State condemns this cheap blackmail, being used as a last joker by drowning politicians who will clutch at anything, including mere straws, to remain relevant.”