The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ex-governor

  • Ex-Governor Kalu commiserates with Ikorodu people

    Former Abia State Governor Orji Kalu has sent his condolences to the family of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, who passed on at the weekend.

    In a condolence message, Kalu described the monarch’s passage as “a big blow” to Lagos State and Nigeria.

    He said: “The Ayanguren was an exemplary monarch, whose tenure brought tremendous development to Ikorodu. His reign will linger forever in the minds of his people, owing to his forthrightness and fairness on community and national issues. He lived a peaceful life dedicated to God and mankind.”

    The former governor said the traditional institution has lost a gem, whose advice will be missed by all and sundry.

    He urged the monarch’s family to take solace in the fact that he lived an accomplished life worth emulating.

    Kalu commiserated with the Ikorodu royal family and the people and government of Lagos State.

    He prayed to God to grant the late monarch eternal rest.

  • ‘Why we oppose ex-governor’

    A socio-political and cultural group in Ekiti State, tagged E-11, has urged the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to present another candidate for the June 21 governorship election.

    It said the emergence of former Governor Ayo Fayose as the PDP’s flag bearer was “against” the interests of the party and Ekiti people.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, the group’s Chairman, Mr. Femi Ajiniran, said: “Among the 15 eminent individuals who expressed interest in the election, the choice of Fayose beats every rational imagination.

    “The time has come for every segment of the populace to be more than mere voters during elections and be concerned about the candidates of parties. The emergence of Fayose is enough to bring us to the streets in protest against a blunt assault on our heritage, unity and the progress attained in the last three-and-a-half years.

    “We have given our life, time and resources to ensure that this state remains on the path of decency, peace and progress. E-11 was founded in response to the former governor’s legacies of errors during his reign. Allowing Fayose to run for governorship will be gambling taken too far.

    “What we are saying here should be clear to all. The PDP has every legitimate right to propose a candidate for election, but Fayose is an illegitimate candidate for a basically legitimate aspiration. The PDP has other aspirants. The party should set its house in order and go for any one of them.”

    On rumours that the party’s national leadership masterminded Fayose’s emergence, the E-11 said: “We will write the Presidency appealing for a change. This is Ekiti State which we understand very well. Mr. President will have to hear our call, as he is an honourable man who would not want violence in the state.

    “The 15 PDP aspirants who oppose Fayose cannot be wrong. The President will have to listen to them. Although they belong to the same party, their calls for Fayose’s replacement are not wrong. They are speaking for Ekiti people.

    “We urge Ekiti people, young and old, men and women of genuine concern for the progress of Ekiti, to reject Fayose this time. While it is right for the PDP to have a candidate to contest the coming election, the candidacy of Fayose is a big blow on our collective dignity, decency and humanity.”

  • Address the issues, says ex-governor

    Address the issues, says ex-governor

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu last night told the Presidential aides to address the issues raised on the planned conference rather than resort to abuses.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Sunday Dare, Tinubu said: “The reaction of  Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidential cry babies to Tinubu’s extensive comments on the proposed national conference was predictable. As usual, rather than deal with the salient and substantial issues surrounding the proposed National Conference raised by former Governor Tinubu, the reaction from the Presidency skirted around them.

    “In typical fashion, it resorted  to abusive language and name calling. Okupe, like a punch drunk pugilist threw several empty jabs and went on a flight of fancy, praising his boss and flaunting fictional  achievements of the administration in the face of Nigerians.

    “We leave it to Nigerians to judge. They are the ones who feel the pains and millions will not be able to relate to all the fictional transformational achievements reeled out by the Presidency. Nigerians are saddled with a President who believes  fiction is more important than fact and imagination is more genuine than reality. While we would not mind such a person to be a leading figure in our Nollywood film industry, I am frightened that he is the Chief Resident of Aso Villa and surrounded by a cast of like minds.

    “Tinubu’s searching questions about the Jonathan Conference remain fundamental. We urge Jonathan and his cry babies to take time to read through the statement and address the cloud of doubts surrounding the proposed  conference. This is a  flip-flopping  Presidency and on this issue it must provide answers. Tinubu is satisfied that that he has raised the provocative questions that need be asked and no amount of shadow boxing and presidential foul language can change that.”

     

  • Prayer for ex-governor

    Lagos State pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, will today hold a special prayer session for former Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    The prayer was organised by members of the Asiwaju Grassroots Foundation in Mecca.

    They said the prayer was to thank Allah for Tinubu’s safe return to Nigeria after three months of receiving medical treatment abroad.

  • Ex-governor Audu’s brother kidnapped

    Ex-governor Audu’s brother kidnapped

    Gunmen on Monday kidnapped Ibrahim Audu, younger brother of the former Kogi State governor and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu.

    Ibrahim, 40, who operates a chain of filling stations in Kogi State, was reportedly abducted by five armed men at 7.30pm from his home in Alloma, Ofu Local Government.

    It was learnt that the gunmen arrived the businessman’s home through the Ejule end of the road.

    Ibrahim was said to be sitting outside his home when the gunmen seized him.

    In a statement by his Media Assistant, Eleojo Abubakar, the former governor, who is on holiday in the United States, confirmed the incident.

    But he explained that the family was yet to establish contact with the kidnappers.

    “Though it is too early to draw conclusions, we know this is politically-motivated. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Kogi State is afraid of the tsunami that will befall the party in the forthcoming elections with the successful registration of the APC.

    “They know they are doomed to fail at the polls in any election in the state. So, they have resorted to this criminal antic of intimidation. But we hope the security agencies will apprehend the perpetrators,” he said.

     

  • Kogi crisis: Echocho, ex-governor insist on court process

    •Anenih cancels meeting with Wada

    Efforts to reconcile Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State and his political rival, Mr. Jibrin Isa Echocho, failed yesterday, following the decision of the latter to stay away from a peace meeting convened by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih.

    Echocho alongside a former acting governor of the state, Chief Clarence Olafemi, wrote Anenih and urged him to allow the Supreme Court to determine the fate of Governor Idris Wada.

    Anenih called off the meeting–in deference to the court process.

    The BoT chairman summoned the meeting as part of the ongoing reconciliation in the PDP.

    It was also gathered that the session was called to prevail on Echocho to withdraw his suit at the Supreme Court challenging the election of Wada.

    The suit is said to be a distraction to the PDP administration in the state.

    But in a joint letter to Anenih, Echocho and Olafemi said it was better for the apex court to determine Wada’s fate.

    The letter, which was obtained by our correspondent, reads: “We wish to commend your sterling leadership quality, which has earned you the position of the Chairman, Board of Trustees, for the second time in the life of our great party. We are confident that you will be able to reposition the party to face future election challenges.

    “Sir, we particularly wish to appreciate your concern on the state of affairs of the party in Kogi State, which informed your decision to arrange for a meeting on 8th April, 2013.

    However, we have discussed extensively with our supporters and various issues were raised, some of which are presented as follows:

    “After the stakeholders’ meeting with the President and leader of the party in early December 2011, we all worked for PDP to win the general election. Immediately thereafter, the government descended on our supporters, with all forms of humiliation, intimidation, deprivation and exclusion.

    “Some of them were retired prematurely and were deprived of their benefits. Others that held various positions in government in the past have been denied their benefits. They have, therefore , resolved not to attend the said meeting. However, we have appealed to them to continue their loyalty to the party. This, they have assured us, and we strongly believe them.

    “Our resolve to continue the court process up to the Supreme Court is a reflection of our belief that the issue before the court is a purely constitutional matter. Ours is not the first of such to be handled by the court.

    “Previous cases handled by the courts have further helped to deepen the democratic system in the country.

    “We believe that the judgment of the Supreme Court on our matter will assist PDP in the conduct of her affairs at all levels, as part of her leadership role to build a virile and sustainable democratic system.

    “We believe that in view of the public attention that has been drawn by our case, any interference in the court process will ridicule us, Kogi State, and PDP.

    “In view of the foregoing, we wish to passionately appeal to you, to exempt us from the meeting scheduled to hold on Monday while reassuring you that our supporters remain absolutely loyal to PDP.”

    As of press time, it was gathered that the meeting had been cancelled.

    A source close to the BOT chairman said: “The meeting has been cancelled because stakeholders have insisted on legal option than political solution. In deference to the court process, Chief Anenih called off the meeting.”

     

  • Ex-Governor Rotimi’s wife kidnapped in Ibadan

    Ex-Governor Rotimi’s wife kidnapped in Ibadan

    ABDUCTORS have struck in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, snatching away the wife of Nigeria’s former ambassador to the United States, Gen. Oluwole Rotimi (rtd).

    Mrs. Tayo Rotimi was grabbed in front of her company, AOP Logistics Limited, on New Ife Road at about 6:30pm by four armed hefty men. She was leaving the office after the close of work.

    The kidnappers are demanding N200 million ransom.

    Five of the company’s workers are being held by the police, who have launched a search for the abductors.

    The home of Gen. Rotimi, a former military governor of the Western Region in Ikolaba, Ibadan, was deserted yesterday.

    Oyo State police spokesman Ayodele Lanade said: “It is true the woman was kidnapped on Monday at about 6.30pm.

    Our men are on the trail of the criminals.”

    It was learnt that the abductors came in a green Nissan Primera car, which they drove in reverse into the company’s gate.

    The police said they suspected a foul play, considering the manner the kidnappers drove into the premises and forced their victim into their car .

    Lanade said “the incident was different from other cases of kidnapping in some parts of the country because, in this case, we learnt that the driver of the woman was with the abductors when they took her away.

    “And we found out that there is a rift between the woman and her workers because she was said to be owing them three months salary and there was agitation by the aggrieved workers.

    “In the course of demanding for their unpaid three months salary, some of them were sacked . So, it seems there is a foul play in this case. It’s not in anyway related to other kidnapping cases in Southeast and Southsouth ,” the police spokesman said.

    The company’s workers were praying yesterday for the quick release of their managing director. General Manager Mr Omini Ikpi recounted how she was abducted.

    He said: “The MD was about driving out of the gate when she was abducted by four gunmen who blocked her with a grey Nissan car. They shot sporadically into the air to scare people away.”

    Ikpi said at the time of her kidnap, Mrs Rotimi had her bag containing two BlackBerry phones, a laptop and other valuables. Her shoes dropped when she was being dragged away from her black Prado into the kidnappers’ car.

    “Immediately she was kidnapped, Egbeda police station was contacted and they brought a patrol van. I believe there is an informant in this company. The police have arrested three of our security guards and two workers while the investigation is still on going.”

    The Chief Security Officer of the company, Mr Usman Illiasu, said although he was not on duty during the incident, he was told by security men on duty that the abductors came with sophisticated weapons.

    Illiasu said around 4pm (yesterday), Mrs Rotimi’s phone was called and it was picked by a male voice who said she will be killed if her family members failed to bring N200 million for her to be released.

    He said:” The driver of her car has been arrested with other co-workers, and our workers here could not work today (yesterday) and we have all been praying for the safety and quick release of our boss.”

     

  • EFCC threatens to declare ex-Governor Audu wanted

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday threatened to declare Kogi State former governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, wanted in connection with an alleged N4 billion fraud.

    The commission alleged that Audu escaped from arrest yesterday.

    A statement by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, alleged that Audu escaped when the operatives of the commission stormed his home in Abuja.

    The residence is within the precinct of the Presidential Villa.

    The statement reads: “Following the escape from arrest, of the former Kogi State governor, Abubakar Audu, by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on December 11, 2012, the commission has concluded plans to declare him wanted.

    “The former governor, alleged to have fraudulently enriched himself to the tune of over N4 billion when he was governor of Kogi State between 1999 and 2003, fled when operatives of the commission stormed his 32, Suleiman Barau Street, Aso Villa, Asokoro Abuja residence in the early hours of Tuesday

    “The latest effort to arrest the ex-governor followed a Supreme Court ruling of November 23, which dismissed the ex-governor’s appeal to continue to protract his corruption trial by the EFCC. The Supreme Court ruling therefore clears the way for his fresh arraignment.”

    The EFCC gave graphic details on the case against Audu and how it had gone through legal hurdles.

    The statement added: “It would be recalled that Audu was arrested in Jos in 2006 after a six-month manhunt by operatives of the commission, before his earlier arraignment at the Kogi State High Court on December 1, 2006.

     

     

     

  • Ex-governor’s aide dares incumbent on report

    Mr. Ethelbert Okere, a media aide to ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim, challenged Governor Rochas Okorocha to make the report of the Ohakim administration’s activities public immediately.He also alleged that the governor was using the probe threat as blackmail to cover the inadequacies of his administration.

    Okere said: “It is unfortunate that Governor Okorocha is still talking about releasing the report of his probe panel in 14 days. Why 14 days? Who is afraid of a probe? The governor and his government should realise that Imo people cannot wait to recover any ill-gotten wealth, if there is any. They cannot wait for an extra day.

    “He has been talking about a probe since he came to office 19 months ago, yet, nothing has come out of it. It is clear to all now that it is sheer blackmail. Whenever he realises that the people are getting disenchanted with his administration, he comes up with the story of a probe. He is in government now and who is stopping him?

    When told that the governor made the promise while receiving some concerned people, Okere asked: “Why did he choose to raise such important state matters at an orchestrated meeting with tricyclists and the disabled? One is not discounting the importance of the people, but there are critical stakeholders. It would be interesting to know the opinion of stakeholders on the matter.

    “It is laughable that the governor is travelling this road. He should face the task at hand. Why should anybody take serious a man who says his predecessor left only three uncompleted projects after four years in office? The good thing is that the people know the truth and cannot be led by the nose and fed with such diet.”

    Mr Okere, who refused to be drawn into listing the key projects of the Ohakim administration, said: “The governor should rather be asked what he did with the N13.2 billion left in the state coffers by our government. What has he done with the money? All that we know now is that the money is no longer in the bank account. We understand that he has now applied to the Securities and Exchange Commission to vary the projects for which the money was raised. Why? Let Governor Okorocha work and allow the people judge him by his achievements, not by the number and frequency of threats issued.”