The Nation Newspaper

Tag: dissociates

  • Metuh dissociates self from Avengers

    Metuh dissociates self from Avengers

    The embattled former National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has dissociated himself from reports listing him among sympathisers of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

    In a statement yesterday, Metuh described the reports  as false, misleading and heinous.

    The statement said: “My attention has been drawn to a false and misleading report circulating in a section of the media, heinously listing my name as one of the sympathisers of the Niger Delta Avengers.

    “Ordinarily, I would not have responded to this, given that I have chosen to conduct my affairs with the decency and comportment of someone involved in a well-celebrated trial and with a severe spinal problem.

    “I am also not unaware of the series of false reports against my person in the last few months. However, on this occasion, I have chosen to respond, as this borders on matters affecting national security.

    “Indeed, I believe this is a wicked, cruel and devillish plot to link me with such activities and at this time, especially as the claim is false.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, I state that I do not have any relationship or association whatsoever, either as a sympathiser or sponsor of any militant group, including the Avengers.

    “I, therefore, find it cruel that any person would attempt to associate my name with anything to do with this group or its operations and I still wonder what the motive behind this sinister plot is.

    “While I restate my decision not to be drawn into any controversy at this time, it is pertinent that I reiterate that my only preoccupation now remains matters concerning my health and extant court trial as I continue to conduct my affairs with dignity and single-mindedness.

    “Finally, I call on the Federal Government and security agencies to investigate and arrest Cynthia Whyte, who purportedly circulated the report, and ensure that they get to the root of this matter. This is a security issue and nobody should be allowed to play politics with it.”

  • Kalu dissociates self from posters

    Former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu has dissociated himself from the campaign posters adorning Umuahia and other major cities in the state, purporting his Senate candidature and presidential aspiration on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).

    In a statement issued yesterday by his media adviser, Ebere Wabara, Kalu described the posters as childish ploy by his detractors to discredit him and put him at loggerheads with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “Only gullible sections of the public and latter-day members of the PDP can be misled on where I stand in terms of party membership, loyalty and political convictions. The people who matter in our party know my standpoint on national politics.

    “I believe in President Goodluck Jonathan’s robust and enduring transformation agenda and subscribe to the implementation of the blueprint to the letter. No amount of blackmail from the opposition can dissuade me or tarnish my image in the eyes of right-thinking members of the PDP.”

    Kalu asserted that even non-members of the PDP and most Nigerians know that he is committed to the party.

    The ex-governor implored the mastermind of the posters to be gainfully- engaged, instead of dissipating their energies on worthless ventures.

  • Osun PDP dissociates self from Oyinlola’s faction

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has dissociated itself from the factional national executive council, which has Alhaji Baraje as its chairman and former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola as secretary.

    Osun PDP Chairman Alhaji Gani Ola-Oluwa and leader of the Elders Committee Alhaji Shaub Oyedokun spoke with reporters yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, after the party’s meeting.

    They said any member that associates with the Baraje faction would be sanctioned.

    Describing the group as illegal, Oyedokun pledged their support for President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

    He said the process for the discipline of Oyinlola and his followers has commenced, adding that the party would pardon the former governor, if he apologises and retraces his steps.

    Ola-Oluwa said the four PDP governorship aspirants – Senator Iyiola Omisore, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi and Mr. Wole Oke – were not in support of the factional group.

    He said there was nothing unusual about the crisis in the PDP.

    Also at the meeting were Alhaji Suaib Oyedokun, Chief Abiola Ogundokun, Chief Gunju Adesakin and Chief Dosu Oladipo, among others.

    Minister of State for Defence Erelu Olusola Obada; former PDP National Vice-Chairman, Southwest; Alhaji Taju Oladipo; the four governorship aspirants and Senator Olu Alabi were absent.

    Ola-Oluwa said some of the absentees sent their representatives and solidarity messages.

    Also yesterday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state described the PDP as a “haunted house full of skeletons of expired politicians”.

    In a statement by its Publicity Director, Kunle Oyatomi, APC said: “The level of perfidy playing out at the national and state levels portrays the party in a very bad light. The core of the internal wrangling in the PDP is one of the fundamental breaches of trust between factions within the party – a situation that is unhelpful for the image of the country at home and abroad.

    “The PDP is totally unworthy of being in charge of governance, especially now that the country is facing serious existential challenges. What the PDP has made of itself is not only a shame to democratic politics in Nigeria, it also warns us not to put our future in the hands of these selfish politicians, who are lumped up in the PDP for the purpose of exploiting Nigerians and stealing the country’s resources.”

  • Stella Damasus dissociates self from bandwagon

    Stella Damasus dissociates self from bandwagon

    SCREEN goddess and multi-talented entertainer, Stella Damasus, has dissociated herself from the bandwagon of movie stars trying their luck at music. The mother of two has told anyone who cares to listen that her career in music dates back to the early 90s, even before acting.

    Stella, who just released a new single titled ‘Love Me Quick’, stressed that there shouldn’t be comparisons between her and some actors who are trying but have had a failed shot at music.

    “Those who think I joined the bandwagon of movie stars trying to play music must be new in the industry. They should be reminded of the music video of ‘Love Song’ I did with Jaiye (my late husband) and the band. I was a studio singer at Klink Studio from 1995. That is where I was trained by Sammy Okposo, Zubby Enebeli, Manny Eke, Thelma, Demola Olukotu and the rest.

    “I also started singing in Jazzville before Jaiye and I set up our band called Synergy. After he died, I set up Gig Factor. Then I did respective duets with Segun Arinze, Mr. Cool, back-ups for Sammy’s album, collabo with Blakky and OGD All Stars.

    “I have done a lot of songs with Tim Godfrey and Extreme Crew. Three years ago, I did the Christmas songs and videos for Africa Magic. In addition, I have done shows for MTN, ECONET, Worldspace, Keem Bello Osagie, American Embassy, Aisha Babangida’s first wedding, Peugeot, Leo Stan Eke and Delta State Convention among others,” Stella explained.

  • Sylva dissociates self from N1b Abuja property

    former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Slyva yesterday dissociated himself from the ownership of two buildings valued at over N1 billion in Abuja.

    Sylva said he knows nothing about the buildings in question.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was at the weekend quoted in some reports as having traced the buildings to the former governor.

    In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Doife Ola, titled ‘N1 billion hoax’, Slyva said he read about the building for the first time on Saturday.

    He described as improper, what he called his media trial by the EFCC.

    Sylva has been accused of fraud and money laundering by the anti-graft agency.

    The statement reads: “It is with huge interest that Sylva read a few newspaper reports at the weekend about the EFCC’s investigation into his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State.

    “According to the reports, the anti-corruption agency has found two buildings in Abuja valued at over N1 billion belonging to the former governor.

    “Sylva dissociates himself from the said buildings. He knows nothing about them. In fact, he is reading about the ownership of the said buildings for the first time.

    “Since the EFCC is already in court with Sylva over charges of fraud and money laundering, subjecting him to a media trial is improper. It does not serve the ends of justice. It is an exercise in political persecution.

    “This is not the first time Sylva is being tried in the media. In March, 2010, newspapers relying on a so-called EFCC interim report linked him to a fraud of over N100 billion in Bayelsa State. The story then was that, in 2009, he transferred over 40 million US Dollars to an offshore account. Till date, no one has come forward to provide the details of the foreign account, nor has he been charged on that score.

    “Sylva is clear that under the Nigerian laws, he remains innocent of all the charges against him until all the evidence has been tested in a court of competent jurisdiction.”