The Nation Newspaper

Tag: governor

  • Boko Haram men in Taraba – Governor

    Boko Haram men in Taraba – Governor

    Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has lamented that fleeing Boko Haram insurgents were taking refuge in the Bali forest area of the state, posing security threat to residents.

    He spoke when Commander of the 23 Brigade of the Army, Yolanda, Gen. Bello Abdullahi Mohammed, visited him.

    Ishaku said crime had increased in all local governments bordering Bali forest following the presence of the insurgents.

    He also alerted to the increasing rate of insecurity at Gashaka Gumpti National Park, which threatens tourism.

    According to him, criminals have infiltrated the park, thereby making it unsafe for tourists. He called for security intervention to flush out the criminals.

    Ishaku lauded the military for its role in helping to restore peace to communities affected by crises, saying they always responded anytime they are called, even at night and under poor weather conditions.

    “This has to be so because the scope of the crises, sometimes, is beyond the police. The situation now is such that herdsmen carry sophisticated weapons instead of sticks, which they were known for, and they often overwhelm security agents sent to confront them,” he said.

    Gen. Mohammed assured Ishaku of the Army’s preparedness to assist the state in the pursuit of its peace agenda.

    “Our men are always ready and willing to respond any time they are called to help restore peace. I will, however, consult with the governor in handling security matters always,” he added.

  • Double registration: Kogi APC demands Gov Bello’s resignation

    Double registration: Kogi APC demands Gov Bello’s resignation

    The leadership of the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has demanded the immediate resignation of the Governor, Yahaya Bello for double voter registration.

    The chapter called on the state’s House of Assembly to proceed with impeachment process against the governor if he failed to resign.

    At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the party declared that the governor’s action has caused an embarrassment to the entire state and has impugned on the party’s image.

    The chairman of the Kogi APC, Alhaji Hadi Ametuo who briefed spoke on behalf of the party’s executive in the state, said the party would not fold its arms and watch the governor destroy its image and integrity.

    Ametuo described double registration as serious electoral crime that must not be allowed to go unchallenged.

    “This is the kind of crime that the state House of Assembly which enjoys the mandate of the people cannot overlook”

    Other party chieftains at the briefing included Mohammed Ohiare, Ocheja Dangana, Abdulrahman Abubakar and Senator Dino Melaye.

    Melaye, who also spoke at the conference, added that what the governor did underscored the fact that he was not a registered voter in Kogi state in the first place.

    He wondered why Governor Bello accepted the gubernatorial candidacy offer of the APC in the first place.

    The controversial senator representing Kogi West district vowed to mobilise the state assembly for impeachment process against the governor should he fail to resign voluntarily.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had through a statement on Tuesday, accused Governor Bello of registering twice as a voter, an action the commission described as an infraction on the nation’s electoral laws.

    Giving details of the governor’s illegal action, the INEC had stated, “It has come to the attention of INEC that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state registered as a voter for the second time on Tuesday May 23, 2017 in Government House, Lokoja, the state capital.

    “First registration was on January 30, 2011 in Wuse Zone 4, Abuja. And the Governor’s double registration and doing so outside INEC’s designated centres are both illegal.

    “For the on-going continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise, INEC has designated a centre in each of the 774 local government areas across the federation, including the FCT’s six area council”.

    The electoral commission had stated that although Section 308(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, restrained it from prosecuting the governor, disciplinary action would be taken against its officials that aided the governor’s double registration.

  • Adaka Boro’s Day: INC backs governor

    The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has admitted its failure to bring together sons and daughters of Ijaw ethnic nationality, especially notable politicians from the various political parties, during last week’s Isaac Adaka Boro’s Day in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    In a statement by its Chairman (Central Zone), Kennedy Odiowei, INC described the comment by Governor Seriake Dickson at the event as a “food for thought”.

    The congress expressed concern over the position occupied by the Ijaw nation in the country, despite its contribution to the nation’s economic growth.

    The group blamed detractors for twisting the governor’s speech, saying the video, audio clips and testimonies of notable Ijaw sons and daughters at the event confirmed that Dickson did not make derogatory remarks about former President Goodluck Jonathan, as being peddled by detractors.

    INC said it was high time Ijaw sons and daughters came together and put aside their political differences and fight for the collective interest of the region, rather than allow any black leg to cause disaffection among them.

    The congress said it is high time Ijaw land occupied its right of place in the country.

    To achieve this, it stressed, Ijaw leaders must come together.

    INC said this was the message Dickson was trying to pass across during the last Boro Day celebration.

    The statement added: “However, it is sad to note that instead of appreciating the efforts of the governor of Ijaw homogeneous state, the detractors, for their selfish reason, decided to twist the message in order to cause a crisis in the region.

    “We, members of the INC, have admitted our failure. We have left what is to be done or undone. The governor’s statement has woken us up from our slumber. It is our responsibility to join forces with our leaders, irrespective of their political parties, to ensure a rapid development of the region.

    “This region has suffered neglect by successive administrations in the region, and this narrative can only be changed by our coming together as a formidable people.

    “Our political leaders should lead well, our ministers and other appointees should use their positions to attract good things to the region. We should copy good things from the people from the other region that hold the same position at the state and Federal levels.

    “This is what Governor Dickson was drawing our attention to, and we should take it serious. We should not allow detractors to cause disaffection among our leaders, especially former President Jonathan and his closest ally, Governor Dickson.

    “Governor Dickson, as a former Legal Secretary of INC and Governor of Bayelsa State, has taken the mantle of leadership of Ijaw nation to the next level.”

     

  • Local govt a fraud, says governor

    Local govt a fraud, says governor

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has described the local government system as a fraud.

    Ortom, who spoke to reporters at his country home in Guma Local Government Area, also announced that the law regulating the activities of herdsmen would go into effect from today after signing into law the bill passed by the House of Assembly.

    He said it was time to curtail the herdsmen who have been attacking, maiming and killing people in the state.

    Ortom expressed regrets that his people had endured such attacks for too long, adding that he had personaly being a victim in many instances, including when his ancestral home was attacked and 52 of his kinsmen were killed during his time as a minister.

    Ortom, who was alocal government chairman between 1991 and 1993, said council administration is built on fraud and indolence.

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara is at the forefront of the push for local government autonomy, but Ortom faulted the lawmaker.

    He said: “I hear that local governments are seeking for autonomy. I was privileged to be chairman of this local government from 1991 to 1993; then we had autonomy. But that autonomy ran into troubled waters.

    “Local governments elsewhere in the world are an appendage of the state government.

    “I don’t have anything to do with local government funds as it is today. I met a system that was operated by my predecessor where local governments put money together and the state adds to it to execute projects; they called it projects account. But since I came in and discovered that the funds were not enough for the local governments and there was no point making that and a lot of people trying to accuse us here and there, I decided to ban that account.  I have no business interfering in their accounts and all that.”

    Ortom accused local governments of “arbitrary employment”.

    He said: ”Local government politicians derive pleasure from coming to just do recruitment.  And I tell you, very few local government staff come to work. If you want, go to any of the local government in Benue State; even the one in Makurdi. But if you say come and collect salary by hand, you will see the whole place filled up and you will be wondering if they are really local government staff.

    “There are people I know who operate freely in Makurdi who are staff of Vandeikya Local Government, which is over 100km from here. So, local government is just a fraud. Nothing is happening there; they just collect money.

    “Some people insert unborn children on the pay roll. I know of a traditional ruler with 15 wives and all the wives are local government staff and all the children are local government staff. And when you don’t pay, they begin to create problems for you and you know even the Bible says that it is the worker that deserves wages. It’s when you work that you deserve those wages; if you don’t work you don’t deserve anything.”

    On herdsmen, Ortom said: “For the herdsmen to continue to breed their cattle, they will have to learn the modern way of breeding cattle, which is ranching and this is what is being practised globally.”

  • Fulani herdsmen attack two Benue communities

    Fulani herdsmen attack two Benue communities

    Six days after Fulani herdsmen invaded Logo local government area, home of ex-governor, Gabriel Suswam killing about twenty people, the insurgents between Tuesday and Wednesday again made a violent incursion into the Mbavuur council ward of the local government killing four people and injuring 16 others.

    The herders also proceeded to Mbaya council ward in neighbouring Buruku local government area where they killed two people and overran the entire council ward with more than 4, 000 cattle grazing freely in the area. This brings to six the total number of people killed during the week.

    The twin attacks came as Governor, Samuel Ortom on Friday allegedly disowned his Special Assistant on Fulani Matters who doubles as National Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria Benue State chapter, Alhaji Garus Gololo over comments he allegedly uttered on the “presence of herdsmen in parts of the state”.

    In Logo Local government, former chairman of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Ndiisaa Terhemen told The Nation that the invaders first stormed the Tse-Igboughul village on Tuesday about 8pm when most people had gone to bed and were shooting randomly during which two people were killed.Terhemen added that the attack which spilled over to the next day (Wednesday), saw the killing of four people while ten others who sustained varying degrees of gunshot wounds were rushed to hospitals in Zaki-Biam and Ugba, headquarters of the local government for treatment.

    The Nation gathered that in Buruku, the homestead of a member of the House of Representatives representing Buruku constituency, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Yisa Orker Jev, the invaders penetrated several communities to Mbaya council ward where they murdered two victims and left them in their pool of blood, bringing the total number of people killed as at press time to about eight.

    Residents who deserted their homes in the two local governments left their food items and livestock at the mercy of the insurgents.

    Sources from the affected communities who spoke with our correspondent said the attack which came at the peak of farming activities, has grounded all economic and social services as some schools, hospitals and business premises have been forced to close up.

    Reacting, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress in the local government, Mr. Mbatseen Terngu, confirmed the killing, saying over 4,000 Fulani cattle were grazing roaming freely in the area with the herdsmen destroying their farmlands.

    An aide to Hon. Orker Jev, Desmond Ikyume, told Saturday Nation  that the attackers made incursion at about 8 pm on Tuesday night and surrounded the village, adding that what followed was sporadic shootings and massive exit of inhabitants.

    Mr. Ikyume added that one of the victims was stabbed to death in the stomach with a sword, adding that corpses of the victims were deposited at the hospital.

    Meanwhile, Governor Ortom on Friday said he has no connection with his Special Adviser on Fulani Matters, Alhaji Garus Gololoany longer, as he said, he is neither his appointee at the time he was quoted to have granted the interviews nor at the time of issuing this press statement”.

    Governor Ortom in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, released to journalists in Makurdi, accused the Fulani chief of disputing the remarks he (Ortom) earlier made that herdsmen have taken over twelve local government areas in the state.

    “We wish to state that as a citizen of this country who enjoys the right to freedom of speech, Mallam Gololo is at liberty to air his opinion on any issue of national or state interest, whether or not his opinion is right as it is evident in the said publications that he failed to get his facts correct”.

    “If indeed he made the published comments, they represent his personal skewed views, have no connection with the true security situation in the state and remain irrelevant as far as the present administration is concerned”.

    The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Joel Yamu said he was “not aware of the attack” and tasked our correspondent “to cross your facts”.

  • Ex-Jigawa Governor Lamido arrested

    Ex-Jigawa Governor Lamido arrested

    Detectives form the Office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 1, yesterday arrested former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

    He was arrested over alleged plans to disrupt the forthcoming local government election in the state. The poll is slated for July 1.

    Spokesman of the Police in the zone, Sambo Sokoto, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed Lamido’s arrest in a statement, said that he was invited to answer question on complaints of inciting breach of public peace.

    The statement reads: “A petition of inciting breach of public peace against the former Governor of Jigawa State , His Excellency, Alhaji Sule Lamido was received by the office of Assistant Inspector or General of Police, Zone One headquarters Kano from the Jigawa state government on April 27, 2017.

    “Consequently today, His Excellency, the former governor of Jigawa state honoured the police invitation sent to him to come and explain to the police his response to the allegation leveled against him by the Jigawa state government.

    It is a statement of fact that inciting public disturbance is a criminal offence contrary to section 114 of the Penal Code of Nigeria. His Excellency, the former governor of Jigawa State is currently under investigation and in police custody while the result of the investigation will be made public.

    “The case will be charged on the completion of the investigation. The Assistant Inspector-General of police Zone One headquarters, Kano wishes to assure the members of the general public that the police will continue to ensure the preservation of law and order and the protection of all Nigerians.”

    It was learnt that the police have conducted a thorough search of Lamido’s residence in Sharada.

    A police source revealed that combined team of detectives was sent to his Bamaina country home in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area.

    According to the source, the police quizzed the former governor over his alleged plot to disrupt the election as alleged by the state government.

    Governor Badaru Abubakar was reported to have directed his media aide, Mallam Bello Zaki, to testify against the governor on the alleged threat.

    Lamido was allegedly grilled for over eight hours before being detained by the police.

    It was also learnt that some aides of the former governor thronged to the police zone one headquarters in apparent solidarity.

    At the time of filling this report, Lamido, a one-time Foreign Affairs Minister was still in the custody the police at Zone 1 headquarters, pending the outcome of the Bamaina house search.

  • Gov Wike to be named Grand Patron of Polytechnic students.

    Gov Wike to be named Grand Patron of Polytechnic students.

    National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has concluded arrangements to decorate Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike as its Grand Patron.

    The association said the decision to award Governor Wike as the association’s Grand Patron was informed by his transformation of the education sector and others in Rivers State.

    NAPS is the umbrella body of all polytechnics, Monotechnics, colleges of Technology, Agriculture, health and all tertiary institution awarding Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Nigeria.

    The polytechnic students in a statement issued by their Senate President, Jeremiah Friday Ohomah said, governor Nyesom Wike would be decorated as the Grand Patron during NAPS Senate pre-convention scheduled to hold in Port-Harcourt Polytechnic, Rumuola next month.

    According to Ohomah, “As an association which represents the conscience of the society, we have x-rayed the work of governors of the 36 states in Nigeria with particular reference to physical development and education development especially in areas of technical and Technological education. Our investigations revealed that the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike stands tall in this regards.

    “The transformation of Ken Saro-wiwa Polytechnic in the last two years has been unprecedented. The establishment of the port-Harcourt polytechnic Rumuola, is a major contribution to the realization of a technologically developed Nigeria state.

    “Also worthy to mention is the massive construction of roads in nearly all Local government areas of Rivers state. The human capital development of the Wike administration is also worthy of mentioning.

    “Consequently during the senate pre -convention of the NAPS scheduled to hold in port- Harcourt polytechnic Rumuola between 11th-13th of May 2017 in Rivers state, Governor Nyesom Wike will be decorated as the GRAND PATRON of the national Association of Polytechnic students (NAPS) in recognition of his responsible and productive leadership dexterity.

    “While we congratulate him on this well-deserved honour, we call on the general public and the people of rivers state to join us in celebrating the great performer Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, The Executive Governor of River State”, he said.

     

  • Ambode tasks media on partnership to end recession

    Ambode tasks media on partnership to end recession

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on Saturday called on the media to partner with government and  put the nation above every other interest.

    Ambode made the call while declaring open the 2017 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) in Lagos.

    He commended the NGE for its contributions to the growth of journalism in the nation and its choice of Lagos, the hub of journalism for the event, especially as the state turns 50.

    “My request and message to you today is to embrace partnership as an option for the growth and development of the country.

    “We may serve in different arms of the society, but we all share a common goal which is to make our country better.

    “One of the major responsibilities of the Media is to advance the cause of good governance.

    “ Whilst free media is at the heart of true democracy, our focus should be how the Media can more effectively support this agenda.

    Ambode tasked the media to lend the needed support in bringing government`s noble efforts to public consciousness.

    “With your vital partnership, we are hopeful that other governments can borrow a leaf from the Lagos Model and replicate same in their respective domains, to promote good governance to the greater benefit of humanity,” he said.

    The governor said that government was conscious of the fact that it had a duty to guarantee every Lagosian maximum benefits of democracy dividends.

    “This requires innovativeness, selflessness, diligence and prudent management of available human and material resources which we have  deployed, in order to improve the well-being of our people,” he said.

    He also said that  government would continue to initiate and execute programmes aimed at making the state the investment haven and tourism destination of Africa.

    He commended the NGE for its efforts in stimulating awareness and addressing issues relevant to the growth and development of journalism and the nation.
    He said explained that a Ministry of Wealth Creation was set up to create policies aimed at addressing unemployment through the state entrepreneurship Trust Fund.

    The governor said  that the state government had released more than N4 billion to 2000 people to create jobs.

    “We are irrevocably committed to promoting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sub-sector in the State,” Ambode said.

  •  Isiaka Adeleke dies in hospital at 65

     Isiaka Adeleke dies in hospital at 65

    The first civilian governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, died in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 65.
    Adeleke, who dacamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in 2014 to become the Senator representing Osun West senatorial for the third term died at Biket Medical Centre, Osogbo where he was rushed to after complaining of stomarch ache.
    Hale and hearty till early Sunday morning, he attended a social fuction of a party member in Iwo on Saturday evening.
    A family source said he was complained of serious stomach upset after he arrived from the Iwo function and asked his aides to call his younger sister, Dupe, whom he was fond of. He also reportedly complained of pain in one of his legs.
    Adeleke was rushed to the hospital at 6.00 am and died few hours after being admitted.
    Adeleke was governor on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party in 1992 to 1993. Chairman, Senate Committee on Independendent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from 2003 to 2011.
    He attempted to run for governorship of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2014 but was stopped in a controvercial circumstance by PDP chieftains and he later decamped to the APC where he was given the tickect to run for Senate.

  • Otodo Gbame: Court dismisses contempt charge against Governor, Police Commissioner, others

    Otodo Gbame: Court dismisses contempt charge against Governor, Police Commissioner, others

    A Lagos State High Court has dismissed an application by the displaced residents of Otodo Gbame Community seeking the committal to prison of Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni and two others for contempt.
    The other respondents were the Lagos State Attorney-General of Lagos, Kazeem Adeniji and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development were acting under the direct supervision
    Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo ruled that the governor had constitutional immunity from prosecution and from being sent to prison under Section 308 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the application against him.
    The judge said the other respondents could also not be held liable for contempt since it was the claimant’s argument, among other, that the other respondents acted under the order and direct supervision of the governor.
    Thirty three applicants suing on behalf of themselves and other residents of the waterfront settlement had applied for the order following their claim that the respondents breached an order of November 7 and 16 enjoining them not to demolish their “homes, business premises, properties or communities.”