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Tag: Lokoja

  • Accord Party faults Kogi by-election result

    Kogi chapter of the Accord Party on Monday dissociated itself from the August 11, Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency by-election alleging that the result did not reflect the votes cast during the election.

    Alhaji Alhassan Adakeke, Chairman of the party in the state, disclosed this in Lokoja at the inauguration of Ward and Local Government executive members elected at the party’s congress held on July 28.

    Among other allegations, Adakeke said voters’ turnout and the total votes cast at the election did not tally with the result that was announced.

    “Obviously, over 80 per cent of registered voters in the Federal Constituency came out for that election.

    “So, it will be wrong for us to see a result that recorded below 50 per cent. It, therefore, means that it is a cooked result and we dissociate ourselves from that report and the election.

    “As far as Accord Party is concerned, the result of that election did not reflect the performance of any party that participated in it. We have put that election behind us.

    “So, we are appealing to INEC and security officers to ensure that there is fairness in every election to be conducted in the 2019 General Elections,” he said.

    He regretted that a situation where INEC and security agencies could not guarantee security of voters and electoral materials was unhealthy for democracy.

    “We want to also tell INEC that they will have to do more to earn the confidence of Nigerians in view of recent happenings in the conduct and management of elections,” he added.

    Adakeke also urged all political parties in the country to discourage thuggery and other forms of electoral violence to minimise loss of lives and property.

    He regretted the loss of two lives in the August 11, Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency by-election and described those who died in the election as heroes of democracy.

    The party chairman said it was the belief of the deceased in democracy and struggle for enthronement of good governance that led to their untimely death.

  • Defectors must not be accorded undue advantage – Makarfi

    Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caretaker chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi has cautioned the leadership of the party against giving undue advantage to returnee members and those defecting.

    The former two-term governor of Kaduna State, while addressing the leadership of the Kogi State chapter of the party and other stakeholders Friday in Lokoja, said but for the steadfastness of committed members, PDP could have become history.

    Read Also:Ajomale: Defectors from APC are political jobbers

    Offering himself for the presidential candidate of the party ahead of the 2019 general election, he recounted the difficult days of the party following after the 2015 poll, when the PDP lost power at the centre.

    “Some people when you pinch them like this (touching his arm), they will run to another party. When the going was tough, I stayed on… but you accept them into your house and give them your guest room. Next, they take the Master Bedroom; next, they drive you out of your house. We must not allow this, nor give undue advantage to them, so that we do not alienate our people.

    “Modu Sheriff was brought from another party; they said he had three jets; he had billions, but what did he do? He was taking the party down, but I, the ‘bush boy,’ with the support of others, I was able to make members close ranks, and today, we can all see”, he said.

    He also delved on the vexed issue of restructuring, saying that only Nigerians can restructure the country, under a ‘trusted leadership’.

    According to him: “We fought the battle together; the praise and credit I’m receiving, is to God and to all of us. To me, Kogi is home; when Alhaji Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) was governor, we use to come and spend weekends with him, Kogi remains a home to me.

    “We have many problems confronting us in Nigeria; insecurity, lack of national consensus, hunger, poverty; our economy has gone down, but there are few people benefiting. Nigerians are in lack; they are not able to provide for their families, access good healthcare, and all sorts of deprivation. People are being witch-hunted.

    “Some people talk of restructuring, but when they talk of restructuring, they talk of sharing money and resources. I tell you; we need institutional restructuring.

    “Only Nigerians that can restructure Nigeria. People are asking for restructuring due to lack of belonging, lopsidedness in appointments, the feeling of being cheated, and so on. Who can restructure Nigeria, but Nigerians, with a leader that can be trusted. I offer that and much more.

    “What I tell you is that now, if you’re in power, you’re right; if you’re in opposition, you’re wrong. We must get to a level in Nigeria, where if you’re a president, a governor, you can be charged for wrongdoing; not you being in power and witch-hunting every other person. That is turning Nigeria into a ‘Banana Republic’. We must therefore restructure our institutions.

    “Gentlemen, a tree does not make a forest…they will come with bags of money. Collect, but do the right thing. There is no receipt”.

  • N-Power: Bello commends FG for recruiting Kogi indigenes

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi  has commended the Federal Government for recruiting  7,425 unemployed graduates from the state into the second batch of  the N-Power programme.

    Bello,  in a statement in Lokoja on Tuesday, said that the programme had  given hope to the beneficiaries who were selected on merit from the 21 local government councils  of the state.

    According to him, the recruitment of the unemployed graduates into the scheme was timely and a relief to the beneficiaries as many of them had  been jobless   for years.

    Those selected were mostly from indigent  background,  the governor said in the statement signed by Adoga Ibrahim, the Coordinator of the N-Power programme in the state.

    Bello also commended President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the introduction of the N-Power scheme under which beneficiaries are entitled to  a N30,000 stipend per month.

    He re-affirmed the support of the people and government of Kogi State for the president.

    “  We will work to strengthen the effort of the President Buhari led-administration by ensuring that the beneficiaries are deployed to critical areas that will impact on the development of the state,” Bello was quoted as saying.

    He urged the beneficiaries to give their best services to the nation and refrain from any form of misconduct.

  • N-Power: Kogi to deploy 7,425 beneficiaries

    The Kogi State Government says it has concluded plans to deploy 7, 425 successful beneficiaries of the second batch of N-Power Programme under the Federal Government Social Investment Programme (SIP) across the state.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to Gov. Yahaya Bello on Multilateral, Donor Agencies and Special Projects Mr Adoga Ibrahim, in Lokoja on Monday said the beneficiaries would be deployed to all the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state as from Aug. 10.

    According to Ibrahim, Kogi SIP office in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders are working tirelessly to ensure the issuance of deployment letters to beneficiaries for prompt resumption at their Places of Primary Assignments (PPA) on or before Aug. 10, 2018.

    “Posting, data processing and production of deployment letters have commenced since July 23, which will end on Friday July 27.

    “The state partners such as Kogi SUBEB, Kogi Science, Technical Education and Teaching Service Commission (STETSCOM), Kogi ADP, and Kogi Primary Health Care Development are already working hard to meet up with the deadline.

    “The state flag-off ceremony will be performed by Gov. Yahaya Bello on Tuesday July 31, at the Government House, Lokoja.

    “At the event, the successful beneficiaries from Lokoja and other LGAs will collect their deployment letters to their PPA, and will also receive the necessary orientation regarding the workings of the N-Power Programme,” Ibrahim said.

    The focal person noted that the deployment exercise would be performed at the senatorial districts and federal constituencies of the LGAs.

    He said the deployment for all LGAs in Kogi Central would take place at Okene on Aug. 2 and 3, while that of Kogi East would hold on Aug. 6 and 7.

    He added that the remaining LGAs in Kogi West would have their deployment at Kabba on Aug 8 and 9.

    Tthe N-Power Programme is one of the five welfare programmes under the Federal Social Investment Programmes in collaboration with the State Governments, which comprises three sectors: Npower- Teach, N-Pwer-Agro, and N-Power-Health.

  • Kogi constructs 23 public toilets to curb open defecation

    Kogi State Government said it has constructed 23 public toilets in some major towns across the state as part of efforts to discourage open defecation among residents.

    The state’s Commissioner for Environment and Physical Development, Mr Sanusi Yahaya, disclosed this on Tuesday in Lokoja while speaking during an advocacy visit by a team from the Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC).

    He said that 18 of the toilet facilities were constructed by the previous administrations while the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello built five in Lokoja, Isanlu, Okene, Ogugu and Ayingba.

    He said that, while those located in Lokoja, Isanlu and Ogugu had been inaugurated, works were nearing completion on those located in Okene and Anyigba, saying that the toilets were fitted with boreholes.

    Yahaya said adequate provisions had been made in the state’s 2018 budget for the construction of more public toilets in some other major towns to promote hygiene and sanitation among the people.

    Read Also: Slain Benue priests: Olorunmolu leads Kogi Catholic procession

    The Commissioner said that his ministry has held series of meetings with market leaders in Lokoja on the need to stop dumping refuse in River Niger, saying that another public toilet will be constructed at the Kpata market in Lokoja to curb open defection along the bank of the river.

    According to him, landlords in major towns in the state are also being encouraged to provide toilet facilities in their houses.

    The commissioner explained that the state government will not hesitate to sanction any landlord that fails to comply.

    He said that state government was intensifying efforts to complete the ongoing embankment project on the bank of River Niger.

    He said that the project when completed will put an end to perennial flooding of Kabawa, Sarki Noma, Galililee and Kpapatankoto areas of Lokoja.

    Yahaya disclosed that government had engaged a private firm to handle the cleaning and evacuation of waste in Lokoja to the designated dump site, where a waste recycling plant was being constructed.

    The commissioner, however, said that some undesirable elements had embarked on the destruction of waste bins placed in strategic points in Lokoja, asking members of the public and civil society to help curb this.

    He lauded the JDPC in Lokoja and Idah dioceses for embarking on an advocacy programme aimed at improving water, hygiene and sanitation in 13 selected communities of the state, expressing government’s readiness to partner with the organisation to achieve its objectives.

    Earlier, the Coordinator of JDPC in Lokoja diocese, Rev.Fr. Leonard Odomeja told the commissioner that the advocacy project was aimed at bridging the gap between duty bearers and citizens.

    Odomeja, who was represent by the Secretary of the organisation, Mr Simon Enejoh, said that the programme had helped in recording an improvement in sanitation and hygiene of the communities where it is being implemented.

    He also said that the advocacy project was being expanded to cover more communities in the state, urging the state to deploy more sanitary inspectors to sustain and improve upon the achievement being recorded.

    NAN

  • I have bounced back , says Melaye

    The senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, on Monday boasted that he has bounced back after his travails.

    Melaye in a tweet noted that though he was taken to the “dead end”, blackmail could not prevail over him.

    Melaye who had been battling to save his political career insisted that attempts to seal his lips from speaking against “tyranny, politics of oppression and blackmail” have failed.

    It was not clear whether Melaye twitted from his hospital bed at the National Hospital, Abuja where he had been recuperating after jumping out of a police van that was taking him to Lokoja, Kogi State capital to face trial for alleged gunrunning.

    He said in the tweet “Someone once said, that, rock bottom is good solid ground and a dead-end street is just a place to turn around. In the last few weeks, I have been taken to the good solid ground at the rock bottom and they couldn’t go further. I have been brought to the dead-end street but with you standing by my side, I have turned around and bounced back to the chagrin of those who sought to seal my lips from speaking out against tyranny, politics of oppression and blackmail.

    “They, unleashed an endless barrage of physical, psychological, metaphysical and emotional torture and assault on me, but, through the power of the Most High, and you the good people of Nigeria, we have once again, seen the triumph of truth over lies and good over evil.

    “ It was Edmund Burke who was quoted as saying that when bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, … in a contemptible struggle. I am of all men, a blessed man, to have courageous and dependable people like you as my fellow soldiers in the struggle to free us from the shackles of political strongholds and tyranny. It is to you and my most wonderful and ever knowledgeable people of Kogi State, especially Kogi West, that I owe my deepest gratitude. You stood by me against the state and your own ‘best political self-interest’.

    “The state unleashed its raw power on me and released 200 man-strong fully armed policemen – on a man without a knife nor a bullet. It did this because I called injustice by its name and called for accountability. For this they sought to break my spirit and destroy me permanently. In their moment of reign, I was fully shackled. With my hands tied to my back, and hurled into a dark solitary confinement waiting for the butchers knife, you, my people stood by me.

    “You came against a raging fire and stood up against tyranny, lies, filthy lucre, injustice, persecution and greed. While in the dark and unable to fight for myself, they sought to take my mandate, which you had freely given to me. But you answered back and quenched deceit in its wake. You stood resolute and unflinching and defended your mandate to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. In their attempt to break me, they have made me stronger.

    “To you my indefatigable leaders; my irremovable President of the Senate, a man of immeasurable vision for Nigeria and true fighter for the enthronement of true democracy and the rule of law, Sen. (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

    “The fearless Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, I thank you both for your steadfastness in the defence of the Nigerian Constitution and the enthronement of the Rule of Law, justice and equity and the emasculation of anti-democratic forces and tyranny everywhere in Nigeria. I am eternally grateful to you.

    “To the entire National Assembly Membership, especially my colleagues in the Senate, I am eternally indebted to you for not playing politics but standing courageously against oppression and terror. You have shown yourself leaders on whom Nigeria’s hope for tomorrow can be assured.

    Read Also: Dino’s trials

    “To you our governors, ministers, my dear Okun people and leaders, the National Chairman and Kogi State Executive of the PDP, leaders of the Diplomatic Corps, opinion leaders, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN, Chief Ricky Tarfa SAN, human rights lawyers and activists, and all my well-wishers and lovers of democracy in Nigeria; the Christian and Muslim Community, all of you that visited me in the National Hospital, after I was injured and subsequently detained at the hospital. I thank you all for your steadfastness in the defence of due process and the rule of law. I also thank you for your courage and solidarity.

    “Our ever foresighted and courageous civil society leadership, the media, leaders of thought across the country, our hard-working youth for whom I will give my last blood, our loving mothers and sisters, I lack words to express to you my profound gratitude for the unbreakable chord of love that binds me to you through thick and thin. You have strengthened my resolve and hardened my flesh against those who seek to devour and make meat of me. You have once again proven to me the axiom in the saying that “in prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends.” I am very grateful. For your sake, I remain unbowed.

    “I know many of you worry about my safety and life in this new dispensation where life is no longer sacred in Nigeria. But do not be troubled. My bond of love for you, my good people, makes it impossible for me to consider my self-risk, safety, comfort or opportunity in my unflinching commitment to stand up for you, to stand up for truth and if necessary die for the truth and the emancipation of our people from the chains of poverty and oppression. Though they raise spurious allegations against me, bear false witness against me, though they seek to frighten me and lure me into their bounty of evil, I will fear no foe.

    “Yes, my traducers and torturers wish that I keep quiet; though they seek to seal my lips, to silence my voice forever, I remain ever more resolute and committed. I am committed to this cause for which I am a politician; the cause of the down trodden, to speak truth to power and stand against oppression and injustice. On these issues there will be no compromise. I owe no apologies and I tender none.

    “Like I have always said, you speak the truth, you die, you don’t speak the truth, you die. I have chosen to speak the truth, dead or alive. Rev. Martin Luther King Jnr., once said, “Cowardice asks the question – is it safe? Expediency asks the question – is it politics? Vanity asks the question – is it popular? But conscience asks the question – is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular; but one must take it because it is right.”

    “To my people, I promise you this and this only. I have taken my position, I will not hold back, I will not hold my peace, I will not be shut down, neither will I shut-up, not as long as injustice and falsehood continues to reign, as long as I will live, I will not bow to Baal.

    “May the Almighty continue to keep you all and be your bulwark until victory is assured. Once again, I thank you all so much. God bless you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Court grants Melaye N10,000,000 bail

    The Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, on Wednesday granted the embattled senator representing the Kogi West Senatorial district, Senator Dino Melaye bail, in the sum of N10,000,000 and a surety in like sum.

    Melaye, who has been on admission at the National Hospital Abuja, and under police custody, was finally granted bail following his arraignment on allegations bordering on dealing in illegal firearms and other charges, over two weeks ago.

    The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah, in his ruling, stated that health condition of the accused stood as enough reason to grant him bail, adding that the offence alleged is not capital in nature.

    He explained that the prosecution failed to show that if granted bail, the accused will jump bail, just has he admitted Melaye on bail of N10 million and a surety in like sum.

    According to him: “The health situation of the 3rd defendant had earlier been admitted by the complainant to be such that they do not have adequate facilities to take care of him is a factor which merits consideration in this case”.

    Read Also; Court remands three politicians in Lagos over alleged murder

    He further stated that as at the time of this application made, the 3rd defendant was at Police Headquarters in Lokoja and the prosecution expressly stated that they had no medical facilities.

    Melaye, along with Kabiru Seidu a.k.a Osama and Nuhu Salishu a.k.a Small were arraigned before the Senior Magistrate Court 2 Lokoja, following which he was remanded in police custody under the Inspector General of Police.

    The defence counsel, led by Chief Mike Ozokheme (SAN), filed an application for bail at state High Court upon which the leading prosecution counsel, Dr Alex Izinyon (SAN), challenged it via a counter affidavit praying he be remanded in custody, for fear he might tamper with the course of justice.

  • Breaking: Court grants Melaye bail

    …in the sum of N10,000,000

     

    The Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, has granted bail to the embattled lawmaker representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye.

    Read Also: OPC demands Melaye ’s release

    The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah, in a ruling on the bail application by Melaye’s lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), on Wednesday, granted the bail in the sum of N10,000,000.

     

    Details later

  • Kogi: Man attempts suicide over unpaid salaries

    A man who identified himself as Agada Okpanachi on Thursday, attempted suicide by hanging himself on a tree in Idah.

    Okpanchi, a staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Kogi State was rescued by the patrol team of FRSC who were informed by an okada rider that saw him when he was trying to take his life.

    Acting on this report, the team immediately dashed to the location where they found Okpanachi in an unconscious state.

    The FRSC patrol team through the administering of Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on the culprit was able to regain his consciousness.

    Our reporter further confirmed that during the CPR, the police were contacted and they met the FRSC team at the scene while administering the CPR.

    Read Also: Kogi: Kidnapping, ritual killing, robbery hampering road projects

    Also, in an exclusive interview with the Nation, Okpanachi made known his thought as regards the attempted suicide case.

    In his words, he said, “The hardship is too much for me and I can’t cope than to hang myself.

    “For the past two years, I have not taken a kobo after wasting all my money going to Lokoja for screening,” he said.

     

     

     

  • Melaye bail application for Thursday

    The Kogi State High Court sitting in Lokoja, Monday adjourned hearing for the hearing of the bail application of Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), to (Thursday) May 10, 2018.

    This followed the inability of parties to submit their counter affidavit and “better” affidavit to the written bail application by Melaye’s counsel, when Justice Nasir Ajanah, last Friday, ordered that the lawmaker be transferred to the National Hospital Abuja.

    The prosecution led by Dr Alex Iziyon (SAN), readied a counter affidavit to the written application for bail by Chief Mike Ezekhome (SAN), Melaye’s counsel, to which the latter had sought the court’s permission to file a “better” affidavit to the counter affidavit by the prosecution.

    Ajanah was to ask that a new date be picked to allow for the examination of written affidavits, none of which had been filed, as at the time of the sitting.

    The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Ajanah had adjourned for the continuation of hearing in the written bail application filled by the defense counsel, asking for variation of the remand order placed in Senator Melaye.

    This followed last Thursday’s refusal to grant bail to the lawmaker, when he was arraigned before the Senior Magistrate Court 2, sitting in Lokoja on a seven-count charge bothering on criminal conspiracy and illegal possession of fire arms.

    Ajanah had said that in view of the critical health conditions as espoused by the counsel to the applicant, he should be moved to the National Hospital, Abuja for proper medical attention.

    Read Also: Court orders Melaye’s remand at Abuja hospital