The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Kogi State

  • PDP, ICF, criticise Kogi’s work free day over Buhari’s return

    PDP, ICF, criticise Kogi’s work free day over Buhari’s return

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kogi State chapter yesterday criticised the declaration of Monday as a public holiday, by the Kogi State government, for the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country.
    The PDP described as an aberration, the public holiday declared by the government in honor of the return of President Mohammadu Buhari and Thanksgiving for the safe return from medical trip abroad.
    The Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in announcing the holiday, on Sunday, said it was in line with the “support of the Kogi people for the renaissance of our nation by Mr. President”.
    He added: “We urge Kogites to also use the occasion of the public holiday to pray for Mr. President, as he resumes his responsibilities of repositioning Nigeria”.
    Relatedly, the members of the Igala Consultative Forum (ICF) said they condemn in totality the sudden declaration of the public holiday, which they described as diversionary.
    The group in a statement issued yesterday in Lokoja and by the
    National secretary, Sam Ugbede said: “In as much as we all are happy for his health improvement and smooth trip back home, which is to the delight of all Nigerians, we thank God and the British doctors for the healing and treatment.
    “We all remain eternally grateful to God for answering our collective prayer, by granting our leader abundant health. The Buhari we saw; we all are happy but our surprise is the sudden declaration of public holiday by the government of Kogi State suddenly, what is it for?
    “Imagine a governor of a state where a dangerous disease has already claimed over ’62 lives’ and still claiming more, particularly in the western senatorial district of the state (Okun land), instead of declaring state of emergency in the health sector, has the temerity to shutdown the state to declare public holiday.
    “As we speak, lives of innocent kogites are in danger as a result of the epidemic, which diagnosis revealed as ‘gastroenteritis’. What is our governor doing to stop the spread of this deadly disease?
    The PDP  in a statement signed by Achadu Dickson, Director, Research and Documentation, said that “while it is an acknowledged fact that governance in the state has drifted in the last 17 months, declaring a public holiday in the state is the height of lack and loss of ideas”.
    According to him: “While governance in the state has been brought to its lowest ebb, with workers owed salaries and pensions for as much as 17 months, the heavy indebtedness by the state to commercial banks to the tune of N35 billion, with nothing to show in terms of infrastructure, it leaves much to be desired by the declaration of a public holiday.
    “The PDP shares in the joy of the recovery of Mr. President, and has always joined in the prayers for the quick recovery of the nation’s number one citizen, loss of man hour with the declaration of a public holiday is an indication that we have reached the lowest ebb in terms of governance.
    “The action shows that we’ve entered a one-chance administration in which the ship of state is heading in no direction.
    Citizens should pray for God to heal Kogi State. The state has lost focus and is losing the decency of comity of serious states in the country.
    “President Buhari must be disgusted by the bootlicking attitude of the governor. Kastina State, the home state of our beloved president has not declared public holiday, why then, is Yahaya Bello taking panadol for another man’s headache”.
  • Rashida Bello spreads her wings

    Rashida Bello spreads her wings

    For the average Kogi woman, the First Lady of Kogi State, Madam Rashida Bello, is like the coming of rain after a prolonged drought. Such is her impact in the life of women and the young in the state in just a short time. Everywhere she goes, she is greeted with songs by happy and excited women who have felt first-hand the impact she is determined to make on their lives.

    No sooner had the youthful wife of Governor Yahaya Bello assumed office than she sprang into action with the launch of the Kogi Women and Youth Advancement Foundation (KOWYAF). It is an initiative aimed at helping women and the youth with means that will make them become self-reliant and gainfully employed indigenes of the Confluence State.

    The career accountant has also established health centres in the three senatorial zones of the state to take care of the masses’ pressing health needs. And while some others in her position would stop there and pat themselves on the back for a job well done, Madam Rashida is not one to rest on her oars. Only recently, she established DROP, a programme aimed at helping women and young ones in the hard-to-reach parts of the state.

    Her numerous empowerment programmes have not only earned her the gratitude of the people, they have also drawn international recognition. Just recently, she was honoured with an award of excellence at the International Women Conference in Dallas, USA.

  • APC will not dissolve Kogi Excos

    APC will not dissolve Kogi Excos

    The National Working Committee of All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured leaders of the party in Kogi state that it has no plan to dissolve the state chapter of the party or any organ of the party in the state.

    Speaking with newsmen at the end of their meeting with the leadership of the party at the part national secretariat, leaders of the party in Kogi state led by Senator Alex Kadiri and Dino Melaye said they have received the assurance of the party that the dissolution of the state leadership was not part of three agenda of the meeting of the NWC.

    Speaking on behalf of the Kogi APC leaders, Senator Alex Kadiri said “We met with the national chairman and his team and we agreed “that the national working committee will not tamper with the APC in Kogi State. That is very very important to us. We got an affirmation from the Chairman that that is not in their agenda for their (NWC) meeting on Wednesday

    “The executive of the APC at all levels in Kogi State will not be dissolved because there is a procedure for the dissolution of the party executives at the State level even at the national level. 

    “We also disabuse our minds vis-a-vis the mind of the national chairman over the fact that people have accused some persons of moving funds from Kogi to Abuja. We do not have facts to give you on this. The chairman has assured us that his hands are clean on this matter and we believe him. 

    “That the Tony Momoh led reconciliation committee have actually submitted their report and the report will be considered by the national working committee at their meeting because APC members in the State are anxiously waiting for the outcome of that report. 

    “It is that report that has made the leaders of APC to be calm and not to do anything that will disrupt the party. And it is not our intention to destroy this party. But we have always said this that politics is a game of interest and relevance. If your interest is not being protected and people do not find you relevant, then there’s no point being there. 

    “And we are satisfied with the position of the national chairman that he will never do anything to frustrate the leaders of the APC in Kogi State. And I can assure you that on our part, all the serving senators in APC, personified by Dino Melaye,  all the former senators from Kogi State including Senator Ohiare, Abdul Abubakar and myself are all behind senator Dino Melaye in this fight. 

    “We believe that his fight is just, we believe that it is not right for APC to fold its hands and see the only APC Senator left in Kogi State to be taken out of the Senate chambers. We believe that we must fight to keep our senator in the national assembly. 

    “We also believe that the process of recall being orchestrated are all based on falsehood. Dead persons names are there, people who do not have PVC to vote were there and i hope you remember that total votes cast for all those who ran for senate for Kogi West in the last election came to about 133,000, but those who claim to have signed petition to withdraw Dino from the national Assembly are around 188,000. It is an exercise in futility. He has done us proud and we will stand by him.”

    Meanwhile, the party has, however, said it has not taken any decision as regards the chairman of the Kano state APC chapter, Alh. Umar Haruna Doguwa. 

    In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) said though it aware of the crisis rocking the state chapter but no decision has been taken. 

    “We wish to state that in respect of Kano, no such decision has been taken by the NWC. Although, we are aware of issues in the Kano State chapter, efforts to find lasting solutions to the problem are ongoing. In view of this, the statusquo is maintained until the ongoing process is completed. 

    “Party members, stakeholders, leaders and indeed the general public are advised to disregard the false reports.” 

  • Return to negotiation table, ASUU tells Gov Bello

    Return to negotiation table, ASUU tells Gov Bello

    • Says arrogance does not resolve crises

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) wants the governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello to return to the negotiating table to resolve the crisis between the state government and striking lecturers of the state owned University, saying thuggery, arrogance and gangsterism have never been used resolve crises.

    The union also wants the governor to take a cue from his colleagues in Benue, Nasarawa and Niger states who have through dialogue constructively engaged ASUU and are forging ahead with peace, progress and development of their various universities.

    Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the Coordinator of the Abuja zone of the union, Dr. T.D Legi called on well meaning Nigerians, traditional rulers and religious leaders to prevail on Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to allow the voice of reason to dictate to him what to do in the face off with academic staff o the state owned university, reminding him that he lacked the legal power to proscribe the union.

    The union reminded the governor that international convention on the right to freedom of association and to freely form and belong to trade union has been domesticated by the Nigerian constitution, pointing out that his action prescribing the Kogi State University chapter of the union was a clear violation of his oath of office.

    He said the governor lied when he told the world that he has paid 90 percent of the salaries of the lecturers, adding that it was unfortunate that the office of the governor could embark on telling lies on such matters.

    Legi said the situation in the institution has become worse since the assumption of office of the current governor, pointing out that the majority of the facilities in the institution were provided either by TETFund or through the NEEDS Assessment which the same union he wants to decapitate fought for.

    He said “the concern and seeming burden of the Kogi state government is only the recurrent expenditure since the university authority is relying fully on intervention fund from TETFund an NEEDS Assessment for capital grants. Rather than being alive to its duties and responsibilities, the state government has starved the university of funds and in fact to the extent that the university is notorious for irregular payment of salaries. Allowances and other entitlements to its employees. 

    “This situation became exacerbated during the tenure of the delinquent, youthful and accidental governor of the state, Yahaya Bello who, in the pretext of staff verification denied academic staff of the university their salaries and other entitlement. This action of the governor has completely thrown the university into the darkness it is currently witnessing.

    “The government of Kogi state claimed it has paid all outstanding salaries of staff of the university, whether cleared or uncleared in questionable staff verification exercise. That claim is far from the truth. Some employees of the university have not been paid salaries for over a year and these people are humans with defendants to cater for. If is, therefore, demeaning for the office of the governor to make statements that are not factual, intended to mislead the unsuspecting public.

    “In a display of crass ignorance, Yahaya Bello through youth youthful exuberance made a proclamation recently about purported proscription of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Kogi state branch. 

    “Let it be known that Academic staff of KSU have the right to associate and form unions. This right is clearly enshrined in the International Labour Convention on freedom of association and the protection of right to organize, which has been duly ratified by Nigeria.”

    He said further that in ILO convention 87 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organise, it is clearly stated that workers shall have the right to organise and form trade unions, a provison which has been ratified and domesticated by the 1999 Constitution.

    Lagi lamented that Yahaya Bello swore on his honour to uphold and defend the Constitution, but unfortunately, his action with respect to the Academic Staff in Kogi state university, he is in clear violation of the Constitution.

    He said “ASUU is an Organisation of intellectuals and would not want to bring itself low to the level of childishness that the governor of Kogi state is exhibiting on a daily basis. ASUU as a responsible union which believes in respect for the rule of law and orderliness hereby calls on well meaning Nigerians, traditional rulers, religious leaders to prevail on Yahaya Bello to allow the voice of reason to dictate for him and do the needful.

    “Yahaya Bello should be told that thuggery, arrogance and gangsterism have never and can never resolve crises, rather dialogue had and still remain the only potent way to go about this. 

    “He should be told to learn from the governors of Benue, Nasarawa and Niger states who have through dialogue constructively engaged ASUU and are forging ahead with peace, progress and development of their various universities.”

  • Attack on Kogi Assembly is height of impunity – NLC

    Attack on Kogi Assembly is height of impunity – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Federal Government to immediately commence investigation into the disbursement of the Paris Club loan refund by states, describing the attack on the Kogi state House of Assembly as height of intolerance, insensitivity and impunity, and a precursor to dictatorship and anarchy.

    President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said government can no longer fold its hands, look the other way while things get out of hands in Kogi state, reminding the government that the development in Kogi state represent strong threats to the nation’s democracy and should not be condoned.

    Wabba said the Government should not be under the illusion that the developments in the state will simply peter out with time. It will be a criminally negligent assumption, and therefore dangerous.

    The state reads: “We are appalled by the developments in the Kogi State House of Assembly in particular, and Kogi State in general.

    “For those who may not have been in the know, last week, the speaker, Honourable Alfa Imam was forced out and a more pliant one installed. The offence of the former Speaker was that he had initiated a legislative process to look into the disbursements of the Paris Club refund following non-payment of salaries and pensions and the industrial tensions in its aftermath.

    “But the former Speaker was lucky to have gotten off “lightly” as the House Member who moved the motion for this process ended up in Plaster of Paris (POP) courtesy of the thugs dispatched to disrupt the House proceedings.

    “The Kogi State mess represents the height of intolerance, insensitivity and impunity, and a precursor to dictatorship and anarchy and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians and apprehended by the Federal Government before the situation spins out of control.

    “Accordingly, we call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, commence investigations into the disbursements of bail-out funds (50% percent of which it had directed should be applied for payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities); continuous non-payment of salaries and pensions; endless staff audit which has become a convenient alibi for owing salaries and pensions.

    “We also believe that the Federal Government should be concerned that the state-contrived industrial disharmony in the state is slowly, but steadily degenerating into a political crisis as exemplified by the clamp down on ASUU and the State-sponsored violence in the House of Assembly and other acts of witch-hunt in the State’s socio-political space.

    “We need not remind the Federal Government that these represent strong threats to our democracy and should not be condoned. Government should not be under the illusion that the developments in the state will simply peter out with time. It will be a criminally negligent assumption, and therefore dangerous.

    “We at the Nigeria Labour Congress similarly consider ourselves duty-bound to remind the Federal Government that it should not sacrifice the interests of the people of Kogi State on political considerations or convenience. The Kogi State situation has dragged on for too long and the Federal Government cannot continue to look the other way. The time to act is now.

    “We are guided by the dictum that it is better to build strong institutions instead of strong individuals, because whereas strong institutions protect our democracy, strong individuals threaten it.”

     

  • Melaye’s recall: INEC asks court to set aside interim order

    Melaye’s recall: INEC asks court to set aside interim order

    …Seeks prompt hearing of suit by Senator

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has prayed a Federal High Court in Abuja to set aside its July 6 order directing parties in a suit by Dino Melaye, a Senator from Kogi State, to maintain status quo pending the determination of the plaintiff’s motion on notice.

    INEC has also urged the court to discard Melaye’s motion on notice for interlocutory injunction and proceed to promptly determine the substantive case on the grounds that time was of the essence, as it (INEC) has 90 days under Section 69 of the Constitution, within which to conduct a referendum for Melaye’s recall having received a petition from the Senator’s district to that effect.

    It argued that it does no one any good for the court to waste its precious time considering Melaye’s motion on notice for interlocutory injunction when it could safely proceed to hear and determine Melaye’s main case filed on June 23, 2017.

    INEC’s said these in three separate documents it filed on July 14, which were brought to the court’s attention Thursday.

    The documents include a summons for accelerated hearing of the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/567/2017; motion on notice for and order setting aside the order made on June 6 and defendant’s counter-affidavit against plaintiff’s originating summons filed on June 23, 2017.

    INEC said the order made in its absence has served the sole purpose of preventing it from performing its constitutional responsibilities. It said it had planned to make public its report of the verification on August 19.

    It noted, “in a supporting affidavit, that the court, having made the order directing all parties to “maintain the status quo as it stands today 6th July 2017 pending the hearing of the plaintiff’s motion on notice,” the court adjourned to September 29 for hearing.

    INEC accused Melaye of misrepresenting facts and suppressing material facts in allegedly misleading the court to grant the ex-parte order.

    It added: “Since the ex-parte interim order of injunction to maintain status quo was served on the defendant/applicant (INEC) on 10th July 2017, the order has hindered the defendant from further action on the recall process notwithstanding the fact that time is of the essence in carrying out its duties.

    INEC argued that under Section 69 of the Constitution, it has the duty to process the petition against Melaye and conduct a referendum with 90 day, a duty it believed the court cannot stop under any guise.

    “The defendant has 90 days from June 21, 2017 (when it received the petition for Melaye’s recall) to conduct referendum in line with the approved time table and schedule of activities for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Wets Senatorial District of Kogi State (Melaye) and the period of 90 days will lapse on September 18, 2017.

    “The last day for submission of application by interested observers, last day for submission of names of verification agents for the member sought to be recalled, stakeholders meeting, conduct of verification and declaration of the outcome of verification have been slated to hold on July 31, August 10, 15 and 19.”

    Attacking the competence of Melaye’s suit, INEC noted that it was merely predicated on questions bordering on the propriety or otherwise of the petition for his recall by registered voters in his senatorial district.

    It added: “The plaintiff has no legal right in the matter of the petition to seek for any order of this court to restrain the defendant from performing its duties. The plaintiff will not be prejudiced if the reliefs sought for in the originating summons is refused and dismissed as the balance of convenience is not in favour of the plaintiff.

    Thursday, INEC’s lawyer, Suleiman Ibrahim informed the court about the three documents filed by his client. Lawyer to Melaye, Nkem Okoro confirmed that he has been served with the documents.

    Okoro said the documents were served on him on Tuesday and that he was entitled to seven days under the court’s rules to respond to the three motions.

    Trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba agreed with Okoro and adjourned to July 27 for hearing.

     

  • Federal Poly, Idah shut down as students protest killing of colleague

    Federal Poly, Idah shut down as students protest killing of colleague

    The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah in Kogi, on Tuesday closed down the institution, following students violence over the murder of their colleague, Gabriel Adiku, by unknown persons.

    A statement by the institution’s Deputy Registrar (Academics), Mr D.I.S. Unwuchol, said that the closure was approved by the governing council after it reviewed the security situation.

    The statement disclosed that Adiku, a Higher National Diploma student, was attacked by unknown assailants, who waylaid him on his way from class to his hostel.

    “The victim was stabbed several times and left in a pool of his blood. Students later rushed him to the school clinic for treatment where he died,” Unwuchol said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the situation took a negative twist, leading to the closure of the school, when angry students destroyed the clinic because they felt that Adiku would have survived if it was equipped.

    The statement, however, indicated that the school would  be reopened on Aug. 6, 2017.

  • Army, other security agencies march for peace in Kogi

    Army, other security agencies march for peace in Kogi

    The Nigeria Army and sister security agencies on Thursday held a joint route march aimed at fostering unity between the military and the paramilitary agencies.

    The exercise, according to Brig. Gen. Henry Ayamasaowei, Commander, Headquarters Command Army Records, was also aimed at engendering peace and security in Kogi.

    Ayamasaowei, who addressed the personnel after the exercise at Chari Maigumeri Barracks in Lokoja, said that the initiative would enhance understanding and ensure harmonious working relationship among the services.

    “For us in the army, it is a routine exercise carried out every first Friday of the month, but we decided to involve our sister agencies to foster unity among security services.

    “Asides the primary function of physical exercise to keep us fit and alert, it also engenders fellowship and builds mutual understanding among us.”

    Briefing newsmen, the army officer said that the security agencies would gain more respect as members of the public would see them as one united front ready to protect everyone from any danger.

    “For the criminals, this togetherness will send a clear signal that it is no longer business as usual,” he said.

    He urged the personnel to work harder to stamp out kidnapping and other vices, and commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for donating vehicles and ensuring prompt payment of allowances to security agencies on the field.

    Commenting on the exercise, Mr. Edward Ebouka, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), said that the paramilitary and the military had a common purpose – preserving law and order, and protecting lives and property.

    “When we meet like this, we develop synergies and get to know ourselves in order to foster unity and jointly combat criminality.

    “Our unity will give the residents confidence that the law enforcement agencies and the military are on ground and prepared to rid Kogi of criminal elements,” he said.

    Among security services that participated in the exercise were the army, navy, police force, as well as the immigration and prison services.

    Others included the Customs, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the National Youth Service Corps.

     

     

  • Senate dares INEC on Melaye’s recall

    Senate dares INEC on Melaye’s recall

    …Says exercise a waste of time

    The Senate on Tuesday dared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the commission’s decision to go ahead with the recall of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) as demanded by his constituents.

    Describing the recall move as effort in futility, the Senate said the various stages passed so far in the exercise as facilitated by INEC were not in line with laid down constitutional procedures and guidelines.

    The lawmakers declared that it amounts to a waste of time by all the parties involved.

    This resolution followed a point of order raised against the move by Senator Melaye himself.

    Melaye drew the attention of the Senate to what he described as “supersonic move” by INEC to conclude work on the recall petitions written against him by some of his constituents, who he alleged were sponsored by the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    Melaye said, “The score of both valid and invalid votes in the election that brought me into the Senate in 2015 was 118,000 but my governor and his appointees in four days claimed they got signatures of over 188,000.

    “They got INEC data base of registered voters and copied in one writing into a recall register and forged all the signatures. As I speak to you, over 120 dead certificates issued by the National Population Commission and these people’s relations and families have sworn to affidavits and these certificates have been deposited.

    “The names of all these dead people appeared on the recall register submitted to INEC. 116 of my constituents have sworn to affidavits that their names and signatures appeared in the recall registers and that they were not the ones that signed it.

    “86 of my constituents have sworn to an affidavit that they were approached and that the government wants to carry out a fertilizer empowerment programme and requested for their PVCs and thereby deceived them into putting their names in the recall register”.

    Consequently the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu cited Sections 68, 69 and other relevant provisions  of the 1999 Constitution to fault the move. He wondered why INEC is not following the laid down procedure in carrying out the exercise.

    Ekweremadu said, “I am wondering why we are dissipating energy on this matter and wasting precious legislative time on a matter we should not.

    “What is happening in Kogi in respect of Senator Dino Melaye, as far as this constitution is concerned, is an exercise in futility. They are just wasting precious time because the constitution is clear on what should happen.

    “It is possible that the Attorney- General of Kogi State has not advised them properly. If he had done that, I am sure they would have applied their time to more meaningful ventures in Kogi State.

    Ekweremadu added that National Assembly, in 2010, amended the constitution in respect of Section 69, which deals with recall process of a federal lawmaker.

    According to him, the Section clearly stated that the numbers of those who are seeking to recall Senator Melaye from the Senate are supposed to line up somewhere in Kogi State with him and his lawyers, with each person verifying their signature.

    “When they are done with that they go back to Section 68, which states that the President of the Senate receives from the chairman of INEC the recall of the member. They would also present evidence satisfactory to the House or the Senate.

    “So they need to come back here and convince each and every one of us that they have done the correct thing. Unless they do that, they cannot even give effect to it. So why are we wasting our time. Let us move on and allow them to waste their time”, Ekweremadu said.

    In his contribution, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said, “As they say, 10 years is no joke in leadership, the Deputy Senate President has explained the processes. So let the process speak for itself.

    “I really don’t know why a lot of efforts are being wasted that should have gone into more important things. Eventually, it must come back here for us to decide whether it is satisfactory or not”.

     

  • Melaye’s recall: INEC plans to go on despite court case

    Melaye’s recall: INEC plans to go on despite court case

    …issues time table for process

    The Independent National Electoral Commission plans to go ahead with the recall process of the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Mr. Dino Melaye.

    Melaye had approached a High Court in Lokoja, Kogi state to stop INEC from proceeding on the recall process.

    The Court case notwithstanding, INEC Monday issued a time table on the recall process, an indication that INEC was prepared to go ahead.

    The commission had argued that there is no order stopping it from carrying out it’s “I am not aware of any order stopping us from doing what we are doing,” Mr. Adewole Uzi, Director, Voter Education said.

    According to the time table released Monday by the Commission, and signed by Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, Secretary to the Commission, a notice of verification will be posted at the constituency on the 10th of July while interested observers have been 31st of July, 2017 as the last day for submission of applications to NEC headquarters.

    INEC has also set August 10th as the last day for submission of names of verification agents for the members sought to be recalled and the petitioners.

    The Commission will also be meeting with stakeholders on the 15th of August while four days later on the 19th INEC is expected to conduct verification in all polling units in the constituency.

    INEC is also expected to declare the outcome of the verification the same 19th of August, 2017.
    The referendum the commission said is subject to the verification exercise.