The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspapers

  • 70 Kaduna Imams get financial empowerment to fight corruption

    About 70 Imams in Kaduna State have been given financial empowerment training and linked with sources of funding for investment purposes.

    The training was designed to enable them have financial independence and position them to resist, preach and fight corruption.

    Speaking at the training in Kaduna organised by Al-Habibiyah Islamic Society, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the organisation, Yusuf Auwal, said the training workshop is aimed supporting government’s efforts in minimising or eradicating corruption in the society.

    He said: “We have been working with these selected scholars for over two years because we think that with an Islamic setting through the use of the scholars, we will be able to reach a larger number of people in a particular community that can support and sensitise Nigerians on the need to rise up against corruption.

    Read Also: Kaduna Imams tackle CAN Chair over kidnap of Christians

    “We are also integrating source of funding for investment purposes because we know some of the challenges the scholars face, especially the issue of corruption. This is why we are sensitising the scholars on how to be economically empowered so that they can step down the training to their followers.”

    Auwal said in the course of the training, the scholars will be linked with sources of funding through Jaiz Bank and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

    The Imam, Al-Habibiyah Islamic Society, Kaduna State branch, Misbahu Raji, hoped that the training would ensure self-sufficiency of Imams and their followers, saying it would tackle corruption.

    A resource person from Da’awa Institute of Nigeria (DIN), Ibrahim Khalil, said the challenge the country is facing is not immorality, adding: “The only thing we ought to focus on is exercising justice in the society.”

    He said if Nigerians are able to exercise justice, other vices will diminish.

    He appealed to the government to exercise and establish justice because it is the only panacea to a peaceful environment.

    The Manager,  SMEDAN, Kaduna office,  Badamasi Barau, said the agency is boasting the capacity of the scholars and giving them more information on how to adequately develop and sustain businesses.

  • INEC to officials: track election activities

    Ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Kogi State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped up training of its officials in tracking and intervention technics on election day.

    National Commissioner Mrs. Amina Zakari, at the opening of a two-day workshop of the Election Monitoring and Support System (EMSC), advised participants, including Electoral Officers (EOs), Assistant Electoral Officers (AEOs) and others from the national headquarters, Abuja, to track voting activities on election day.

    She noted that since its introduction and adaptation by INEC, the EMSC has engendered improved performance in the discharge of its electoral duties.

    Zakari hailed the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) for its commitment to the growth and improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process.

    The Senior Project Officer, ECES, Mr. Sylvestre Somo, highlighted some of the importance of the measures.

    Read Also: PDP urges INEC to warn Bello, APC against violence

    “The EMSC is an integrated structure of the Election Management System (EMS), Election Risk Management (ERM) and Electoral Operations and Support Centre (EOSC). The combination of the three electoral support systems is aimed at achieving a better and enhanced platform for planning and tracking the implementation of electoral activities with a wider view and a better control on election management.

    “One important thing the EMSC can assist us to achieve is the early identification of challenges to the election plan.”

    Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof. James Apam called for increase in the number of security personnel deployed for the November 16 governorship election.

    He said the duty of security operatives on election day is not limited to providing security for the electorate and election materials, but also to protect INEC officials.

    Apam said there were recorded cases where some ad-hoc workers, particularly corps members, were attacked, with some even dying.

    “As a result, there is need to increase the number of personnel, to prevent reoccurrence of such ugly incidents,” he said.

  • Tipper crushes two to death

    TWO persons were on Wednesday night crushed to death by an articulated vehicle in Mbanakwa Okpuno,  Nnewichi in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State.

    The accident which occurred around 8:20pm along Ukwukpaka junction, involved the truck and a motorcycle.

    The Nation gathered that the driver of the truck was ascending a hill when it suddenly rolled backwards and collided with the motorcycle which was trailing behind it.

    Eye witnesses who attributed the accident to brake failure,  said the victims sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

    Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the hospital mutuary for postmortem  examination.

    He said, “On the 18/09/2019 at about 8:20pm, there was a fatal motor/motorcycle accident along Ukwukpaka junction, Mbanakwa Okpuno  Nnewichi in Nnewi North LGA involving a Tipper with Reg No XA 206 KPP and a Mate 50 motorcycle with Reg No QL 500 UWN ridden by one Clement Odo ‘m’ aged 50yrs conveying a Pillion one Anayo Elinye ‘m’ aged 38yrs.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the tipper had a brake failure while on motion, rolled backward and collided with the said motorcycle.

    “As a result, both the Rider and the Pillion sustained injuries and were rushed by police patrol team to Diocesan hospital where they were confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

    He said the tipper driver absconded immediately, but said efforts were on to apprehend and bring him to justice.

  • 12 suspected oil ‘thieves’ arrested in Uyo

    THE Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has arrested 12 suspects, seized 50 drums of illegal Automated Gas Oil (AGO or diesel) and 486 bags of smuggled rice from them.

    The new Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Peter Yilme, who said the arrests were made within two days of his assumption of office, noted that the navy is determined to end smuggling on the waterways and warned smugglers to desist from the illegal activity.

    Speaking in Ibaka during the handover of the items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Yilme said that if the smugglers don’t desist, the navy will persist in arresting them.

    Yilme who was represented by Lieutenant  Commander Kareem Yusuf, Base Operations Officer, FOB, said the arrests were made in three operations involving five suspects each with 209 and 277 bags of 50kg rice, and two suspects with 50 drums of illegal AGO.

    “On behalf of the flag officer commanding the Eastern Naval Command, I hand over 486 bags  bags of smuggled rice and 10 suspects to the Nigeria Customs Service. I also hand over two suspects and 50 drums of AGO to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,” he stated.

    Receiving the 10 suspects and 486 bags of rice from the Nigerian Navy, Deputy Superintendent of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alabi, Adedokun commended the Navy for the cooperation existing between them.

    James Essien, Divisional Officer, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in charge of Mbo local government area who received the 50 drums of AGO and two suspects from the Navy commended them for their efforts in combating smuggling.

    He said, “On behalf of the State Commandant, Nigeria  Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, Commandant Adeyinka Fasiu, I hereby take over the two suspects and 50 drums of 300 litres of AGO from the Nigerian Navy.

    “We commend the Navy for collaborating with us and making sure that the illegality in the waterways are checkmated. We will do all the necessary things to make sure that the culprits are brought to book,” he said.

    Read Also: Panic as suspected cultists raid shops in Uyo

    One of the suspects, Bright Okon, a fisherman who had lived in Bakassi for about 20 years but from Udung Uko Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom, said he was only a passenger on the boat when it was arrested by the Nigerian Navy.

    He stated that he was not  involved in the smuggling but was on his way to Oron to visit his wife and new born baby.

    Another suspect, Ini Asuquo, the driver of one of the boats said he was paid N20,000 by the owner of the rice, one Mr Samuel to bring the rice from Cameroon to Nigeria.

    He said it was the first time he was carrying rice to Nigeria, adding that he was not aware that smuggling the contraband rice was wrong.

  • Enugu trains vigilance groups

    THE Enugu State government in collaboration with security agencies has started training neighbourhood watch personnel with a view to scaling up security in the state.

    The training programme, which will last for seven days, is taking place at the local council headquarters of Oji River Local Government Area.

    According to the Deputy Commander, Enugu State Neighbourhood Watch, Ernest Ifeme, the exercise is at the instance of Enugu State government, in line with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s drive to ensure adequate security across the state.

    Speaking at the training venue, Ifeme informed that the training is for the 400 selected from the 20 wards of Oji River Council Area.

    “We are undergoing a 7-day training here to equip us with updated skills on how to function effectively in protecting lives and property of our respective communities, in partnership with the Police and other security agencies.

    Read Also: Enugu gets 360 patrol vehicles

    “The police, SSS and Civil Defense officers are here and we hear that the army will be here, as well, on a later date. This training phase covers all the 20 wards in Oji River LGA, with 20 neighbourhood men drawn from each ward, totaling 400 of us,” he said.

    On his part, the Deputy Transport Officer (DTO) in charge of Oji River, DSP Okonkwo, told journalists that the training was aimed at inculcating modern security skills and practices in the trainees.

     

     

  • Why 100% fruit juice is good in diet, by experts

    Experts have recommended the regular consumption of fruits as a key ingredient to providing important nutrients for overall health and wellness. They have also advised that people drink 100% fruit juice to balance their diet and improve their wellness.

    Achieving the recommended goals of five fruit portion per day can be challenging and become hindered by availability, convenience, and affordability. This is what makes fruit juice a smart choice since it is a delicious and nutritious way to consume a range of exciting variants of whole fruits every day.

    100% fruit juice has no added sugar, but contains only the naturally occurring sugars found in the fruit from which the juice is squeezed. When included as part of your healthy diet, 100% fruit juice can help meet recommended daily goals for fruit intake because it is a nutrient-dense drink that provides vitamins, minerals (folic acid, thiamine and magnesium) and beneficial plant nutrients like polyphenols.

    Read Also: Benefits of eating fruits in season

    It is also vital to educate yourself on facts that will help you select a healthy product made from real fruit and not some concocted chemicals mixture. The first place to start is to go with time tested and trusted brands and whilst also paying attention to the nutrition facts on the label. Be careful to check that ‘100% fruit juice’ is clearly written on the packaging.

    In the Nigeria market, one well-known 100% fruit juice time tested and trusted brand is Chivita 100%. It is recommended for its supreme quality, purity and taste. In order to get real value for your money, always ensure that your fruit juice contains no preservatives or artificial colours.

    According to Folakemi Adeyemi, a nutritionist with Healthyliving International, consuming 100% fruit juices with no added sugar can reduce calories associated with added sugar without compromising quality nutrition.

    “Globally, products with added sugars have come under severe scrutiny because they are believed to provide what is mostly referred to as empty calories without adding nutritional benefits. The natural sugar in fruit juices come with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant. They are a convenient way to reach your daily fruit intake recommendations,” she stated.

    Fruits is a must have for an everyday balanced diet, and 100% fruit juice is a convenient way to enjoy a portion of fruit when one fails to eat enough whole fruit and vegetables for healthy living. So, whether your favourite fruit is out of season or not readily available, you can reach out for convenience and healthy choice of your favourite fruit in 100% fruit juice.

  • Ogun Customs Command 1 rakes N6.7b revenue

    OGUN State Operational Command Headquarters 1, Idiroko has declared N6,735, 215, 877.45 as the revenue it collected from January to June 30, this year.

    Comptroller Ogbara Ojobo Michael, who gave the figure in an interview, said the revenue was above the command’s target of N3,860,830, 583.90 for the period under review.

    He added that the command revenue generated in the period under review was in excess of N2,874,385, 293.50 – about 174.45 per cent performance.

    In the area of anti-smuggling during the period under review, Ogbara said smuggle items confiscated include 29,905(50kg each) and 15 (25kg each)of bags of foreign rice;  1,466 kegs of vegetable oil (25 litres each); 17units of motorcycles; 9,407 new and 1,042 pairs used, three jumbo 69 sacks and one small sack of footwear.

    Others are 427 cartons of frozen poultry products; 25 bales,29 sacks of second hand clothing, 12 sacks of Ankara rapper; four sacks of yards materials and five wraps of lining materials; 51 pieces of used handbags; 583Pcs of used tyres; 1,181kegs of PMS(Petrol) of 25 litres each; 3 bags of sugar(50kg each); 40×142, 60×200 & 40×41 android cartons of Itel Phone 3;  897 pieces of used tyres and others with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of  N1,235,923,760.00

    Read Also: Court fixes Oct 7 for ex-basketball stars N51m extortion suit against Customs

    Ogbara added: “The seizure of over 29,905 bags of rice in the first half-year of 2019 is indeed a landmark among numerous successes recorded as compared to 15,976 bags of rice seized during the corresponding period of the year 2018. The aforementioned was achieved due to strategic enforcement measures put in place in line with the Federal Government Policy targeted at boosting agricultural development within the country.

    “Also, within the period of June 1 to 30, the command generated revenue of N1, 196, 146, 835.60. While in the area of anti-smuggling the command made 83 seizures with the DPV of N310,555,588.00. The items seized include: 30 units of vehicles,  7,095 bags of foreign rice (50kg each), 258 kegs of vegetable oil (25 litres each), 10 units of motorcycles, 7,572 pairs of new, used and rubber footwear, three bales of secondhand clothing, 28 pieces of used handbags and 392 cartons of frozen poultry products and others.

    The command’s boss noted that the seizures were made after clashes between his officers and some daredevil smugglers and accomplices, leading to loss of lives and properties.

    “The command will continue to dialogue, engage, sensitise and educate the public on social, security, health and economic implication of smuggling, while on the other hand, the statutory functions of enforcing compliance with strict adherence to the law will be rigorously sustained.

    “I wish to commend the sister agencies, opinion leaders, head of traditional institutions, eminent personalities, the media and other law-abiding members of the public on the cooperation and support we are receiving in properly implementing Federal Government’s policies,” Ogbara said.

    He explained that the revenue and the seizures were made before two area commands – Ogun Area 1 and Ogun Area 2 – were created out of the old command with different responsibilities within the state.

    He explained that Ogun Area 1 will oversee the regulation and enforcement of all import, export and anti-smuggling related activities in the state with its headquarters at Idiroko.

    He, however, refused to speak on the tighter border surveillance nationwide.

    At the Idiroko border in Ogun State security operatives were seen strictly enforcing the presidential order on cross-border movement.

    The Federal Government inaugurated the joint exercise by the security agencies to further secure the land borders across the country.

    The operation, which is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), affects the four geopolitical zones, including Southsouth, Southwest, Northcentral and Northwest.

  • IBB hails Niger lawmakers on performance

    A Former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on Thursday told members of the Niger State House of Assembly that their performance meets the people’s expectations.

    He said the lawmakers have been up and doing and have taken their duties seriously.

    Babangida spoke when the legislators visited him at his Uphill home in Minna.

    He said: “I have been looking forward to meeting with you. I am proud to say that you have been doing well. You are meeting our expectations.”

    The elder statesman urged the lawmakers to maintain a good working relationship with the other two arms of the government, saying it would be beneficial to the state.

    Read Also: Gumi decries 2019 general election

    “We have heard of states lacking synergy among the arms of the government, but in Niger State that should not be your lot. Keep a good working relationship between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. You have been doing this and I want you to keep it up,” he said.

    Babangida urged the lawmakers to initiate people-oriented programmes and projects and carry the people along.

    Said he: “You are closer to the people. It is your responsibility to know what the people need and carry them along all the time. Do not leave them outside your projects and programmes.”

    Speaker Abdullahi Bawa Wuse said they visited the former President to get the blessings required to run the legislature effectively.

    He acknowledged the leadership role Babangida has played in and out of office, noting that his fatherly role has ensured the country remains indivisible.

    “We are here to get the blessing of our father; this is because we know your concern and commitment to the development of this state and Nigeria.

    “Outside office, you have done more than you did while in office. Your role as a father in the nation has ensured that Nigeria remains indivisible.”

  • How Nigeria can survive, by Akande

    FORMER Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi Akande, on Thursday shocked guests at a book presentation in his honour when he declared that Nigeria may never celebrate 100 years of independence.

    The guests, who were earlier mesmerized by speeches from the Osun State Governor, Adeboyega Oyetola; his Ondo State counterpart,  Rotimi Akeredolu and the University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, were left dumbstruck.

    But Akande suggested ways to avoid doom.

    The mild drama played out at the public presentation of the book entitled: “The Bisi Akande Phenomenon: Governance, Economics and Politics,” held at the University of Lagos, Akoka.

    Akande identified three factors sabotaging the progress of the nation. These are education, military decree-based laws and religion.

    According to him, until all these three are looked into and addressed, Nigeria may not live to celebrate her centenary independence anniversary.

    He recalled how Nigeria was the place to be over five decades ago.

    The former governor of Osun State said: “Fifty years ago, Nigeria was most enjoyable; we had freedom of what a true democracy was supposed to be, at least individually. I don’t know about the government then. But today, it appears everybody lives in fear.

    “I think the phenomenon of the country must be examined around three things. First, our education – It seems to me that Nigeria’s education is colonial. It ended only literacy without numeracy.

    “Education of a community that is not science-based can never be technologically based. And a community without technology cannot be industrial and when you are not industrial, you may end up in poverty.

    “Secondly, I think our laws are military decree-based and military decree-based laws cannot be used to sustain democracy. As long as we remain or we use these military decree based laws, our democracy will never prosper.

    “Thirdly, our religions are mostly imported and because of that, we seem neither to be good Christians, nor good Muslims or good atheists. We merely live in fear and when there are problems, we have no laboratories to go, we all retire to churches and mosques for vigils.

    “A country that remains like this may celebrate 60th anniversary of Independence, but may never celebrate 100th anniversary. I think until all these three are looked into and addressed, or let me use the word; restructured. All these ethnic restructuring, political restructuring and so on, I believe in them, but they are not difficult to restructure like the three I told you.”

    The Chairman on the occasion, who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the political class had a lot to learn from the elder statesman, noting that Akande’s canny insight was remarkable for to the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre.

    Boss, who was represented by the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare, said Akande and his political ally, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fought hard to ensure that APC, an opposition party, won the 2015 elections and went ahead to retain power in 2019.

    He said: “I saw very closely strength in these two men and how their impact took us to where we are today. For the first time, an opposition party became the ruling party in the country. Imagine Nigeria having Bisi Akande in every single state, this country would have gone far and it would have been a different country.

    “This book is a testimony that is unprecedented and will be explored many years to come. Your courage particularly, and how you withstood the 46 years jail sentence passed on you on corruption charges, which could not stand. You came out undaunted, and inspired the enthronement of democracy.

    “Your political stewardship remain a remarkable one. We are happy you are alive today. The political class has a lot to learn from your wisdom. He is very firm, fair and one that loves justice; his contribution to the cohesion of our party is quite great.”

    Oyetola described Akande, as an encyclopaedia of governance and statesmanship, whose virtues are worthy of emulation.

    He said Osun was proud to donate his politics, economics and governance dynamics to a nation striving to emplace visionary and dynamic leadership, adding that it was Akande who birthed the legacy of prudent and transparent management of men and resources in the state.

    He hailed Akande for his immense contributions to nation building and national integration.

    Describing the book as a collection of the illustrious contributions of Akande to the building of the political edifice called Nigeria, Governor Oyetola described Akande as a model for contemporary politicians, youths, and school children, who the nation looks up to as its hope.

    The governor added: “His life, politics, philosophy, leadership dynamics and lifestyle accurately exemplify him as an outstanding Omoluabi and a phenomenon in the nation’s budding democracy.

    “Akande represents everything Osun stands for, and radiates the honour and statesmanship our nation exudes. Baba Awon Omo Kekeke (father of small children), as he is fondly called, is a metaphor for the future of Osun and Nigeria.

    “He radiates vision, discipline, dynamism, industry and honour, which we require to overcome the raging rot to become a great player in the competitive world. This Octogenarian was a compendium of wisdom during the opposition days of the progressives and even now, a formidable guide while in power.

    Oyetola added: “Since his tutelage under the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Akande has remained a potent voice in politics, governance and the economy. He is also widely known as a bridge between the North and the South in a nation immersed in ethnic and rotational politics.

    “These rare attributes make him a phenomenon, a quintessential politician and a unifying force in a country where centrifugal forces are always gnawing at its political and economic soul. A visionary and dynamic leader, Chief Akande remains the architect of our beloved state, having laid a solid foundation, which his successors have built on in all the sectors to announce the state to the world.

    ”Chief Akande birthed the legacy of prudent and transparent management of men and resources. Despite Osun’s status as one of the resource-challenged states in the country, Chief Akande employed his skills as a creative manager to build structures and institutions in a manner that dwarfed the achievements of resource-studded states in the nation.

    Read Also: Bisi Akande Phenomenon for launch Thursday

    ”As students of Chief Akande’s politico-economics, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to the author of the book for codifying the activities and milestones of our principal into a compendium for us and the generations yet unborn to appropriately build bricks on the foundation that will take our fatherland to the Promised Land.”

    The chief presenter of the book and Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, said Akande took hard decisions as long as they were in public interest. He noted that such decisions were not only worthwhile but advanced performance, prudence in public spending and eliminated wastage.

    Akeredolu added that most politicians were not courageous, urging them to follow the examples of Akande.

    He said some of the decisions taken were exemplified at Abere, where the Osun State Secretariat is located.

    The host, University of Lagos Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, described Akande as an upright man and a personality that could be trusted.

    Among the dignitaries who graced the event were the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Muinat Salako-Oyedele; Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi; Lagos APC Chairman, Babatunde Balogun; Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye; Gen Alani Akinrinade (retd); Prof Lai Olurode, Dhikrullah Yagboyaju, Dr. Adebisi Obawale, Chief Lanre Rasaq, Chief Ayo Afolabi, Prof. Olu Aina; former Ogun State deputy governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; Prof. Tunde Babawale, lawmakers, traditional rulers, students and others.

     

     

  • Ekiti SIEC chairman unfit to conduct council polls, PDP alleges

    Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared the Chairman of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, Justice Jide Aladejana, unfit to conduct elections into the 16 local government area councils.

    The PDP also berated Governor Kayode Fayemi for appointing Aladejana as the head of the electoral body despite his alleged “tainted integrity,” saying the appointment had placed a constitutional burden on the commission.

    In a statement signed yesterday in Ado Ekiti by the PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jackson Adebayo, the party questioned how a dismissed judge in the state’s judiciary could be appointed to preside over a sensitive body that should be headed by persons of “unquestionable character.”

    The opposition party alleged that all attempts by Aladejena to overturn his dismissal was overruled by courts at different levels, stressing that he lacked the requisite qualification to occupy such a position.

    The PDP added that Governor Fayemi’s action had shown that he had no interest in consolidating democracy, but only preoccupied with casting a pall on the electoral process in the state.

    Read Also: OYSIEC members sue Makinde over dissolution

    The party also accused the governor of appointing card-carrying members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state as members of the SIEC.

    The PDP alleged: “It’s unfortunately ridiculous that the Governor could assemble people who are constitutionally barred to conduct elections in the state. It was on this basis that Governor Fayemi was stopped from conducting local government elections in his first term, when Oloketuyi’s membership of SIEC then was proved to be inappropriate because he was a card-carrying member of the ruling party, which he is till today and also a member of the electoral body.

    “It is evident he’s deliberately erecting wall of disruption in the way of the elections so that he could continue to pocket the allocations to the council in the absence of democratically elected officers.

    “However, we want to assure him that PDP will go into the election with all seriousness, unlike the coward party that decided to boycott the previous local government elections in the state.”

    But the SIEC’s Commissioner in charge of Media and Publicity, Chief Soji Oloketuyi, debunked the opposition party’s allegations.

    He described the claims and allegations by the PDP as not only spurious but also baseless.

    Oloketuyi said the allegation by the opposition party that Justice Aladejana was dismissed from the bench, at a time when elections were just few months away, was only aimed at distracting the commission and derail the electoral process.

    He, however, said he was eminently qualified to be a member of the SIEC, contrary to the claims by the PDP.

    He also insisted that he was never a card-carrying member of any of the political parties.

    The SEIC commissioner said: “To the best of my knowledge, Justice Aladejana was never dismissed from the bench. He remains one of the most credible Ekiti men with dignity; so, to us, we consider this a distraction.

    “If those making the allegations are sure of themselves, let them show the proof of their accusations. I was appointed as an electoral commissioner during the first term of ex-governor Ayodele Fayose and now reappointed by Governor Kayode Fayemi. This was an eloquent testimony to my integrity as a former public servant.

    “I worked in the civil service and retired as the immediate past public relations officer at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. So, I never carried the card of any political party.”