The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ex- Deputy Governor

  • Ex- deputy governor, ex-minister, others welcome Saraki to PDP

    Former Kwara State deputy governor, Joel Ogundeji; former Kwara State House of Assembly Speaker Babatunde Mohammed and former minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, yesterday welcomed back Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Chief Ogundeji and Alhaji Mohammed served under the then Governor Bukola Saraki before they parted political ways in 2015.

    Prof. Sulaiman was a minister under the Jonathan administration.

    Other PDP members who hailed the comeback of Saraki at yesterday’s event were the 2015 PDP governorship candidate, Simon Ajibola; current PDP deputy chair in the state and his women leader counterpart, Alhaji Abubakar Sanni and Hajia Fatimah Magaji, and other party stalwarts and elders.

    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, Alhaji Sanni said the defection of Senator Saraki, Governor Ahmed, the Kwara Assembly speaker and other 22 members, National Assembly members and local government chairmen was a welcome development.

    Alhaji Sanni added that the gale of defections to the party had increased its chances of wresting power from the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

    “PDP has increased numerically now. With this, the party is positioned to win the 2019 presidential elections,” he said.

    He added: “It is with great delight and enthusiasm that we welcome these distinguished members to our party. For us, today is a great day in the state.

    “It is a new dawn in our political journey to make the state for the present and the coming generations. It is, indeed, a reunion of old and long-time friends and associates who have jointly contributed in no small measures to the development of Nigeria.

    “The returnees, as we are all aware, are not new to the PDP, having served in various capacities on the platform of the party. They parted their ways when the party was facing certain normal challenges of amega party like ours.

    “Their defection from the PDP in 2014 sealed our party’s defeat in 2015.

    “Today, I make bold to say that the PDP has learnt its lessons and now reformed. The party has since imbibed the core values of internal democracy, entrenched discipline and designed mechanisms for revolving internal issues and position itself for electoral victory.

  • Ex-deputy governor wins lp ticket

    Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Sikiru Lawal is the flag bearer of the Labour Party (LP) for the July 14 governorship poll.

    Lawal was adopted by affirmation at the state congress of the party held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    He promised to transform Ekiti through a four-point agenda, “AWEH”, which incorporates Agriculture, Wealth Creation, Education and Health Services.

    Lawal promised to empower the youths by conceding 30 per cent of political appointments to them to enable them contribute meaningfully to governance.

    The LP candidate said he was not intimidated by money politics, adding that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) financial war chest will fail at the election.

    He said: “We are set to bring the real change to Ekiti. I know that our politics is monetized but money will fail these corrupt politicians on July 14.

    “Apart from salary payments, I will take care of our elders by putting in place effective safety nets to take care of our elderly, promote welfare of our students and make our women relevant in their homes.

    “I see no reason why a government should be owing nine months salary arrears in a state that is poor and depend on civil service.

    “Our teachers, civil servants and local government staff should not miss this opportunity to elect one of them in this election.”

  • Ex-deputy governor wins LP ticket

    Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Sikiru Lawal yesterday emerged as the flag bearer of the Labour Party (LP) for the July 14 governorship poll.

    Lawal was adopted by affirmation at the state congress of the party held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    He promised to transform Ekiti through a four-point agenda agenda: “AWEH,” which incorporates Agriculture, Wealth Creation, Education and Health Services.

    Lawal promised to empower the youths by conceding 30 per cent of political appointments to them to enable them contribute meaningfully to governance.

    The LP candidate said he was not intimidated by money politics, adding that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) financial war chest will fail at the election.

    He said: “We are set to bring the real change to Ekiti. I know that our politics is monetized but money will fail these corrupt politicians on July 14.

    “Apart from salary payments, I will take care of our elders by putting in place effective safety nets to take care of our elderly, promote welfare of our students and make our women relevant in their homes.

    “I see no reason why a government should be owing nine months salary arrears in a state that is poor and depend on civil service.

    “Our teachers, civil servants and local government staff should not miss this opportunity to elect one of them in this election.”

  • Ex-deputy governor wins lp ticket

    Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Sikiru Lawal yesterday emerged as the flag bearer of the Labour Party (LP) for the July 14 governorship poll.

    Lawal was adopted by affirmation at the state congress of the party held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    He promised to transform Ekiti through a four-point agenda agenda: “AWEH,” which incorporates Agriculture, Wealth Creation, Education and Health Services.

    Lawal promised to empower the youths by conceding 30 per cent of political appointments to them to enable them contribute meaningfully to governance.

    The LP candidate said he was not intimidated by money politics, adding that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) financial war chest will fail at the election.

    He said: “We are set to bring the real change to Ekiti. I know that our politics is monetized but money will fail these corrupt politicians on July 14.

    “Apart from salary payments, I will take care of our elders by putting in place effective safety nets to take care of our elderly, promote welfare of our students and make our women relevant in their homes.

    “I see no reason why a government should be owing nine months salary arrears in a state that is poor and depend on civil service.

    “Our teachers, civil servants and local government staff should not miss this opportunity to elect one of them in this election.”

  • Olujimi laments defection of ex-deputy governor

    Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has expressed concern that the massive defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might affect its chances in the July 14 governorship poll. Olujimi said it was sad that three former deputy governors, Chief Abiodun Aluko, Chief Adebisi Omoyeni and Dr. Sikiru Lawal, had left the party in the last one year over alleged dictatorship and imposition by Governor Ayo Fayose.

    The lawmaker representing Ekiti South in the National Assembly said her ambition on the PDP platform was intact, urging the party’s delegates to entrust her with the governorship ticket. She spoke at a news conference in Ikere-Ekiti after giving account of her stewardship and inaugurated projects in many towns and communities in her senatorial district.

    The federal legislator said she was still very much in the race for the PDP governorship ticket, saying she would fight on to the end to realise her ambition of becoming the first female governor in the Fountain of Knowledge. “It is worrisome that we are losing our prominent members. But I am a fighter, I will fight on until the right things are done in the PDP. Our national leaders promised to be up and doing otherwise they will take the blame for standing with their hands akimbo while this crisis lasted; this is not good.”

     

  • Ex-Deputy Governor, Industrialist   want F G to fund Agric investment in varsities

    •Say recession may not end soon in Ado Ekiti

    As part of the efforts to help the diversification process of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Paul Alabi and an industrialist, Mr Abiodun Isinkaiye , have called for proper investment  in Agriculture in all Nigerian universities.

    The eminent Nigerians averred that the country will favourably attain the food security level, if the federal government can replicate the farming investment  of the Afe Babalola University , Ado Ekiti in at least two universities in each of the six geopolitical zones.

    They said this in Ado Ekiti at the weekend during the 2016 Afe Babalola Food Security EXPO, where green leadership award were conferred on some Nigerians for their contributions to the agriculture sector.

    Aside from the duo of Alabi and Isinkaiye, those who received honours included:  Governor Ayodele Fayose, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), Senator Biodun Olujimi, the Ohinohi of Ebira land, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Olugbo of Igbo kingdom, Oba

    Frederick Akinruntan .

    Alabi, a renowned yam  and cassava farmer , said the current economic recession caused by tremendous reduction in the price of oil at the international market and the shortfall in the production of crude oil are suffice to teach Nigerians strong lessons that they should embrace

    farming.

    “I want to sound a note of warning that the current recession may linger if people, particularly the government that has enough money fails to invest heavily in farming. We must work on how to improve food production for us to get to self-sustaining level”, he said.

    Isinkaiye, owner of Prosperous hotel in Ado Ekiti, said farming has become a goldmine in Nigeria to the extent that every investment in the sector will grow and multiply rapidly.

    He said the country will be deceiving itself if they expect quick economic recovery from the slumped price of oil at the international market.

    “Even if the price appreciates , the local production has gone down considerably , because of the activities of the militants. So, Nigeria is facing double jeopardy in the oil sector, both the production and price had crashed.

    “I appeal to the federal government to invest in farming using the resources in the universities like Afe Babalola did in ABUAD and with this, Nigeria will return to the path of sufficiency  and economic recovery will come”.

     

     

  • International Day of Charity: Ex-deputy governor seeks sober reflection

    Former Deputy Governor of Benue State Stephen Lawani has called on Nigerians to spare a thought for the less privileged as the world marks International Day of Charity.

    Lawani, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, urged Nigerians to always remember the sick, motherless babies, widows and the aged.

    “As the world marks International Day of Charity, I wish to call on our brothers and sisters in Nigeria to continue to support all forms of charity work both in our immediate environment and outside.

    “For our world to be better, we must constantly show love to fellow citizens, even at the risk of some inconveniences. That is why on a day like this, we must encourage ourselves to continue working for the good of our neighbours and those we may come in contact with.  I know that for every good done to somebody in need, there is always a reward because the Almighty God notices.

    “As we are all aware, September 5 was set aside to create awareness and provide common platform for charity-related activities all over the world.

    “This day, it will be recalled, was also chosen to mark the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. This Catholic nun, who spent her life serving the poor and the needy, was yesterday canonised as a saint in the Catholic Church by the Pontiff, Pope Francis.

    “Therefore, as we mark this day, we should not forget that like Mother Teresa, we will be remembered for every good by both heaven and earth.”

  • Fayose distorts masterplan for ex- deputy governor’s graveside

    Fayose distorts masterplan for ex- deputy governor’s graveside

    Work in progress @ Olayinka graveyard (2)Work is going on in earnest on the building of a Women Development Centre at the graveside of the late former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka.

    Governor Ayo Fayose had late last year promised to carry out the project in memory of the late Mrs. Olayinka in appreciation of her contribution to the development of the state and commitment to the cause of women in her lifetime.

    The late Mrs. Olayinka, who died of cancer on April 6, 2013, was buried at a site designated as Heroes Park by the Dr. Kayode Fayemi administration on April 26, 2013.

    The site, which was located at Fajuyi area in the heart of Ado Ekiti, was marked out by the Fayemi administration for burial of distinguished Ekiti sons and daughters who had made their marks and performed heroic feats while alive.

    At the site of the uncompleted Civic Centre across the road stands a statue of the late Mrs. Olayinka which was erected by the Fayemi administration.

    No work has been carried out on the Civic Centre by the Fayose administration since it came to power on October 16 last year.

    A visit to the site on Monday by our reporter revealed a busy day for workmen and women who were working on the decking of the structure which had already been overlaid with iron rods.

    Contract for the project was awarded to a company known as GRIDS ASSOCIATES which started work on the site on April 1 but had a break before moving back to the site on May 1.

    Work in progress @ Olayinka graveyard (1)Project engineer, Segun Balogun, who spoke with Southwest  Report revealed that the speed of work was being accelerated to meet up with Fayose’s first anniversary in office.

    Balogun explained that Fayose, whom he said, was very passionate about the project, hopes to open it for public use in October to celebrate the first year in office.

    The engineer stated that funding would not be a problem to the work as funds that would see the project to its completion have been provided.

    According to him, Fayose should be praised for the project for rising above partisan consideration since he (Fayose) and the late Mrs. Olayinka belong to different political parties.

    Balogun said: “The governor has been giving us tremendous support on this Women Development Centre under construction and  he wants to immortalise the late deputy governor who was buried here.

    “When we finish work on the structure, the roadwork  that will lead to the tomb is a good design.

    “The governor has no sentiment about the project, the late Mrs. Olayinka belonged to a different party but the governor who is from another party is using the project to immortalise her.

    “And he is carrying out this project and financing it at a time when there is paucity of funds, I think he should be commended”.

  • Confusion in Adamawa: Ex- Deputy Governor denies resignation

    There was a twist to the Adamawa State  crisis yesterday following denial of resignation by ex-Deputy Governor Bala Ngilari.

    Ngilari claimed that he was forced to send a letter to the ex- Speaker of the House of Assembly, Umaru Fintiri, who is now the acting Governor.

    There were indications last night that some forces in Abuja and Adamawa  State were pushing for the inauguration of Ngilari as the Acting Governor instead of Fintiri, who was sworn in on Tuesday.

    The sacked Governor Murtala Nyako last night said Ngilari had not resigned and should be made acting Governor.

    Ngliari reportedly opened up on how  the deputy speaker now the acting Speaker,  Kwamoti Laori invaded his official residence with a group of soldiers and ordered him to tender his resignation letter as “directed  from above.”

    The embattled Deputy Governor was quoted as saying: “The truth is that I have not sent any letter of resignation to the governor up till now because the representative of the House of Assembly  only came to my house yesterday asking me to tender my resignation and he asked me to address the letter to the speaker of the Assembly which I did.

    “When  the lawmakers led by the deputy speaker met and asked me to write the resignation, I wrote it to the governor but later on they came and said that I should change it and addressed it to the speaker.

    The sacked  Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, demanded the reinstatement of his deputy as the authentic acting governor of the state.

    Nyako made the demand in a statement in Yola through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Ahmad Sajoh

    The statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to the purported resignation of the deputy governor of Adamawa state, Barrister Bala James Ngillari which was supposedly read on the floor of the State House of Assembly.

    “We wish to state categorically that Section 306 (5) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended requires that the deputy resigned not to the House of Assembly but tothe Governor. As at the time the supposed resignation was said to have been tendered in the House, Murtala H Nyako was the governor of Adamawa state.

    “No such was written to him, none was received by him and none was approved by him. It should therefore be known that in the eyes of the law, the deputy governor has not resigned. Barrister Bala James Ngillari is still the Deputy Governor of Adamawa State.

    “This clarification is necessary to avert another subversion of the constitution, since the order processes relating to the impeachment saga have all been in contravention of the constitution and the law.We wish to observe that the continued abuse of the constitution and the law of the land will spell doom for our democracy.”