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  • Kogi West: Adeyemi battles Dino, tenders PVC distribution lists for two LGAs on over-voting

    A former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Smart Adeyemi has tendered the certified copies of the lists of Permanent Voters Cards for two local government areas to the Kogi National Assembly/ State Assembly Election Tribunal where alleged over-voting took place during the Senatorial poll.

    The PVCs of the local governments tendered are those of Ijumu and Lokoja.

    Adeyemi, who is battling Sen. Dino Melaye at the tribunal for Kogi West Senatorial District, also submitted a court judgment which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to collate results in Kabba, which is the headquarters of the district.

    Although the court judgment on Kabba was secured by Dino ahead of the 2019 poll, INEC collated and announced the results in Lokoja in defiance of the court order.

    Adeyemi’s team, led by Chief Anthony alongside Barr Dapo Otitoju engaged the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and Melaye’s counsels,(Barr O. Jolaawo and Barr Olowookere) at the tribunal on two issues bordering on the admission of the Federal High Court ruling and the acceptance of the lists of PVCs.

    Adeyemi’s legal team said: “The argument centered on the admissibility or otherwise of the ruling of the Federal High Court, Lokoja procured by the 1st respondent as to whether to collate the senatorial district results in Lokoja or in Kabba which is the senatorial district headquarters.

    “Not collating and announcing the February 23rd National Assembly election results of Kogi West Senatorial District in Kabba, the senatorial headquarters amounted to a breach of not just the ruling of the Federal High Court, Lokoja but the 1999 Constitution.

    “The issue of Kabba being the headquarters of Kogi West Senatorial District is a constitutional provision and the Electoral Act.

    “Also the Certified True Copy of PVCs distribution from INEC office Lokoja indicates that the votes from two local governments were almost thrice the number of PVCs distributed.

    “The two local governments where over-voting took place are Ijumu and Lokoja governments.

    Under the cross- examination of Adeyemi, he told the tribunal that he alongside APC Kogi West Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Ropo Asala and other party agents were waiting in Kabba for the arrival of the Kogi West Senatorial collation and returning officers of the results from the seven local governments in Kogi West Senatorial District for the final collation and announcement only to be told that INEC officers had left for Lokoja.

    Read Also: FG inaugurates erosion, flood control works in Kogi

    He said “there were extreme mutilations, alterations of figures along Kabba- Lokoja highway where the results were illegally collated and announced.”

    After two hours of cross examination of Adeyemi, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice A. O. Chijioke authorized the acceptance of the Lokoja Federal High Court’s verdict as evidence.

    “The tribunal agreed with the submissions of. Adeyemi’s counsel by admitting the decision of the court as Exhibit 106 which affirmed Kabba as the headquarters of Kogi West Senatorial District..

    “The INEC document on the distribution of PVCs in the two local governments was accepted as evidence against Sen. Melaye by the tribunal.”

    Adeyemi sought a “declaration that the Certificate of Return issued by the INEC to Melaye as the winner of Senatorial Election for Kogi West Senatorial District held on the 23rd of February, 2019 is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

    He asked for an order “cancelling the results of the entire six local governments in the district, namely Lokoja Local Government, Kabba/ Bunu LGA, Ijumu LGA, Yagba West LGA, Yagba East LGA, Mopa-Amuro LGA, for non-compliance with the Electoral Act and for the 1st respondent not being elected by majority of lawful votes due to over-voting.”

    He urged the tribunal to “direct INEC to conduct a fresh election into the seat of Kogi West Senatorial District.”

    But Sen. Melaye claimed that Adeyemi was suing a wrong person at the tribunal and asked the court to dismiss the application demanding the cancellation of his election.

    He said: “Take notice 1st Respondent (Melaye) shall before or at the hearing of the Petition, urge this HonourabIe Tribunal by way of preliminary objection seek to dismiss or strike out the Petition for being grossly incompetent thereby depriving the Tribunal of jurisdiction to entertain same.

    “Take further notice that the 1st Respondent (Melaye) as stated herein is not a party interested in the election petition. The person sued as 1st Respondent herein is not the person who was returned as winner of the election, the subject matter of this Petition.

    “ The person who was returned as the winner of the election, the subject matter of this petition is Melaye Daniel Dino, and not Senator Dino Melaye, contrary to the mandatory provision of paragraph 4(1) (a) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).”

  • LAGS tackle traffic gridlock at Allen with layby, slip road

    Lagos State Governor Lagos State Governor, Akinwumi Ambode has unveiled the newly constructed layby on Allen roundabout, and Obafemi Awolowo Way, in Ikeja, with a pledge to continue to explore ways of easing movements on Lagos roads.

    The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Transportation ‘Ladi Lawanson, said the layby and slip road with bus shelter, was constructed to decongest traffic occasioned by the loading and offloading of passengers, especially during peak hours on the Ikeja axis.

    He said: “Its completion will no doubt impact directly on travel time leading to reduction of traffic congestion by diverting the picking and dropping of passengers away from the main road to the slip road and layby, ” he said.

    “This Layby project is not the first; the multiple layby at Oworosoki, Ketu inward Ikorodu, the car wash Layby, the slip road at Olopomeji Road, the layby located in Alapere bus stop, and so many others around the State are all maximally in use. They are all constructed for the same purpose of decongesting traffic,” he said.

    Ambode said achieving success in decongesting the road requires the people to continue to use the infrastructures responsibly and partner with government to ease traffic. “This requires that we work together as a team to obey traffic rules and regulations, if we must encourage investors from far and near to feel safe at all times in the state.”

    Read Also: Ambode commissions Bariga jetty, ferries, Ilaje road

    The governor who said these projects were made possible by tax payers money urged Lagosians to take ownership of the projects provided across the State by the government and protect them. “As you take ownership and prevent them from vandalisation while paying your tax, you will encourage government to do more at all time,” he said.

    Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Taiwo Olufemi Salaam, said without any doubt, the layby was an iconic project that represented the emerging picture of the new Lagos as witnessed in the general infrastructural development in the State.

    Salaam urged road transport unions, their members and the public to make good use of the facility and not turn it into a mechanic workshop or an abode for all sort of illegal activities, as the state government would not fold it arms and watch any illegal activities thrive there.

    “Make the best use of this project. It is neither a lavatory; nor bedroom, it is also no colony for anyone. It is a project that belongs to all Lagosians.

    He said the slip road and laybys are meant to ease traffic and promote road safety and optimize the use of the roads.

  • Kebbi, Zamfara governors keep mum after meeting with Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with Governors Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two governors, who arrived the villa together, met with the president.

    NAN reports that the agenda of the meeting between the president and the governors was unknown as the governors declined comment on their mission to the villa.

    Read Also: Obiano lauds Buhari over Emefiele’s reappointment as CBN governor

    President Buhari had on Monday met separately behind closed doors with Governors Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, Samuel Ortom, Benue, Nasir El-Rufa’I of Kaduna and Willie Obiano of Anambra at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

  • Breaking: US Embassy suspends dropbox renewal indefinitely

    The U.S Mission to Nigeria has announced the indefinite suspension of the dropbox renewal process.

    The Mission in a statement said it is indefinitely suspending interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the “Dropbox” process, it also said that Visa applications will no longer be accepted by DHL in Nigeria.

    It stated that all applicants in Nigeria seeking a nonimmigrant visa to the United States must apply online, and will be required to appear in-person at the U.S. Embassy.

    It stated, “Effective at the close of business today, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, the U.S. Mission to Nigeria is indefinitely suspending interview waivers for renewals, otherwise known as the “Dropbox” process. Visa applications will no longer be accepted by DHL in Nigeria. Those who have already submitted their passports via “Dropbox” to DHL for processing either at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, or the Consulate General in Lagos, will not be impacted by this change.

    Read Also: We wont report Ngige to ILO over attack on workers, says Wabba

    “All applicants in Nigeria seeking a nonimmigrant visa to the United States must apply online, and will be required to appear in-person at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja or U.S. Consulate General in Lagos to submit their application for review. Applicants must appear at the location they specified when applying for the visa renewal.

    “Processing of diplomatic and official (A, G, and NATO class) visa applications will continue unchanged.

    “Mission Nigeria’s processing procedures are regularly reviewed in order to assess our ability to quickly, efficiently, and securely process visa applications. The U.S. Mission is taking this step to provide more efficient customer service and promote legitimate travel, and will continue to facilitate applications of established travelers to the best of its ability.”

  • Saraki begins exit plan, asks aides to submit handover notes

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has activated his exit plan ahead of the valedictory session of the Eight Assembly scheduled for the first week of June.

    Findings showed that Saraki has already directed his legislative aides to turn in their handover notes.

    It is also gathered that the Senate President stimulated his exit plan from the upper chamber to ensure “a smooth transfer of power to his successor next month.”

    It is learnt that the valedictory session to mark the end of the Eight Senate will be conducted in the first week of June while the inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly is billed to hold on 11th of June.

    A letter by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, titled “Handover Notes” addressed to Saraki’s legislative aides directed them to submit within one month their handover notes.

    The letter said that the aides were required to submit comprehensive documents detailing records of individual mandates and assignments to help the leadership of the Ninth Senate take off smoothly.

    Almost all the legislative aides are said to have complied with the directive.

    Read Also: EFCC probe of Saraki not personal, says Magu

    It is gathered that this is the first time “aides of outgoing Senate President are preparing handover notes to assist those that would take over from them.”

    The letter reads: “You are aware that the life of the 8th Senate will terminate in June, 2019, after the inauguration of the 9th Senate. The 9th Senate will benefit from a comprehensive document detailing records of our individual mandates and assignments, major activities undertaken, as well as advice on the consolidating achievements of the office of the President of the 8th Senate.

    “You will please therefore prepare brief handover notes that should include the following: Name, rank/designation, basic responsibilities, key achievements under your mandate/responsibilities, assignments you are currently engaged in, any other matter you may wish to place on record that will assist the new Senate.”

    Saraki has not disclosed who out of the three front line runners for the Ninth Senate Presidency he is backing.

    The leading contenders for the Senate Presidency include Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, former Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume and Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, who is yet to officially declare his intention to run for the position.

    Goje’s body language clearly shows that he is interested in the position of the Senate Presidency.

  • We wont report Ngige to ILO over attack on workers, says Wabba

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba said on Tuesday that workers have not made tremendous progress under the current Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige due to his lack of understanding of industrial relations issues and the working of tripatithism which is the hallmark of smooth industrial relations.

    The NLC President, however, said that the Congress will not be reporting the Minister to the International Labour Organisation during the forthcoming conference for the attack suffered by workers when they went to picket his house in Abuja.

    Wabba who spoke at a two-day preparatory conference for Nigerian delegation to the forthcoming International Labour Conference in Abuja said where issues of industrial relations are kept under the table for a long time without the involvement of the social partners, industrial relations will not work properly.

    Apparently referring to the recent face-off between Labour and the Minister, Wabba said “We have not been able to make tremendous progress under this Minister due to the fact that he does not understand issues of industrial relations very well. Industrial relations is not about using force or trying to undermine any of the social partners.

    “All partners come to the table on equal footing and there should be recognition of that fact and there should be mutual respect for each other. Where that does not exist, workers will not just fold their hands and allow the gains made in the past to be eroded.

    Read Also: Ngige: NLC protest attack on defenceless workers

    “That is why contestations are started by us and we expect there will be proactive response to address some of those issues. If such responses will not come after two and half years or three years, that is no longer labour relations because these are human beings and they need their issues to be addressed promptly.

    “So, it is not about personality, but about the system. If that has not happened, it then means that there is a new element in industrial relations and workers will not fold their hands. If you remember, in 2017, it was the first time workers will protest over an address at the Mayday. That is to tell you that something fundamental has gone wrong and it took the Vice President to come and mend the situation.

    “This has been the trend of event and instead of abating it, it has expanded to other areas. That is why labour is not too happy and as social partners, you cant shave our heads in or absence. It is expected that things should be put on the table and dialogue over them. Where that does not happen, you don’t expect workers to take it in like that.”

    On why they will not report the recent attack on workers to the ILO now, Wabba said it was out of place to make such reports on the event of the International Labour conference, adding however that there is always opportunity to protest such treatment at the ILO.

    He said the preparatory meeting was supposed to have been facilitated by the Ministry of Labour by bringing together other social partners, saying “this type of session is supposed to have been championed by the Ministry of Labour, but it is unfortunate that they have not made the platform available. We don’t have to lament, but we must prepare very well”

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  • Birthday: Davido celebrates daughters’ Imade, Hailey

    Popular Nigerian singer, songwriter and Record producer, Davido Adeleke a.k.a Davido is celebrating his daughters’ Imade and Hailey as they turned four and two years old respectively.

    The Afro-pop musician shared their pictures to mark the day on his instagram handle, @davidoofficial said, “ “My baby is
    4!!!!! My First!! U changed my life forever! I love you!! @realimadeadeleke! Great news coming soon to the world!! @aurorabyimade!!! I can’t believe I gotta 4 year old!”

    The songwriter earlier threw an elaborate birthday party for his second daughter Hailey in Atlanta, U.S.A

    Below are reactions from fans:
    @Vivian_nenye: I have so much respect for this guy… he is just a typical of what a father should look like. Even work would never shut down his fatherly duty. I love how he shows them love.
    @kunlereal: Choi…to born come dey sweet me.. Fatherhood sweet wen money dey.

    Read Also: Davido reacts to uncle’s defeat, says Appeal Court’s judgement not the end

    @yves_pearl: Reasons why God keeps blessing him… taking care and being there for all his kids

    Meanwhile, Davido and Amanda, Hailey’s mums’ picture at the party is currently generating ripples among social media users.

    @BROFIGGA, said,’’ And that one wey Dem dey call Chioma go dey for
    Nigeria dey form “assurance”.

    An anonymous said,’’Black American and Caribbean women never stop sleeping with their baby daddies and if he is a good provider? They add baby no 2, 3, 4… The guy is essentially a human welfare ticket.’’

    Another anonymous said: “This is very disrespectful to Chioma ,

    @Allimerry: Are they forbidden to take picture together, bcos I dont get it.”

  • EFCC probe of Saraki not personal, says Magu

    The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu on Tuesday said the fresh probe of the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki is either not personal or a witch-hunt.

    He said the investigation of Saraki is not different from other investigations being done by the anti-graft agency.

    He also said he is not slowing down on the anti-graft war because corruption is a national disaster.

    Magu made the clarifications in a chat with newsmen shortly after receiving an outstanding award from Euro Knowledge Forum , led by Mrs. Yinka Fayomi, in Abuja.

    The EFCC on Saturday sealed off five choice mansions allegedly traced to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    Read Also: I am not aware of seal-off of Saraki’s houses – EFCC’s Spokesman

    The mansions were suspected to have been acquired with state funds while he was the governor of Kwara State between 2003 and 2011.

    The assets were suspected by the EFCC not to have been declared by Saraki.

    Saraki is being probed by the EFCC for his earnings and acquisitions in office as a governor between 2003 and 2011; how a N17billion bond was spent; allocations to the state from the Federation Account while in office and some suspicious transactions by the state government in the administration of the outgoing Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State.

    Saraki has however described the seizure as a witch-hunt and battle against a political enemy.

    Magu, who insisted that the war against corruption is not personal, said he was not after anybody.

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  • Kano Emirate: Sanusi’s palace records low activities

    Activities in the once booming Palace of the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi 11 have appeared to reduce to the lowest ebb following the creation of four additional Emirates of Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya by the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

    The Palace was agog last Sunday when the Emir returned from Lesser Hajj with thousands of his supporters welcoming him at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) and followed his long convoy which moved straight to the Palace from Kano airport, chanting Sarki Mai Martaba which means long live His Royal Highness.

    When our Reporter visited the Palace on Tuesday morning, the atmosphere appeared gloomy as the usual hustling and bustling of visitors and huge human and vehicular traffic was no longer there. Only very few workers in the Palace were seen discussing the latest development in the Kano Emirate with hush tones.

    A Palace guard who spoke to our Reporter on condition of anonymity confirmed the Emir has chosen to keep to himself since he returned from Saudi Arabia, adding that, “His Highness has remained speechless since he returned from Saudi Arabia. He only attends to few visitors. So many journalists have come here to interview him, but he politely declined from granting any interview. He has always remained indoors. In fact, there was a crucial meeting with all his Council members Monday, but I cannot tell you the outcome because all of them left the Palace without saying a word immediately after the meeting. This creation of additional Emirates has seriously affected activities in the Palace and I can confirm to you that the Emir is not comfortable with what happened.”

    According to the source, the greater percentages of the Palace guards have left Kano to other Emirates, particularly Bichi where Emir Aminu Ado Bayero is heading, “you are aware that the Emir of Bichi is an amiable and easy-going king with the antecedent of his late father. So many palace guards prefer working with him because he is an open minded person.”

    Meanwhile, elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has joined other notable Nigerians to comment on the issue of creation of more emirates in Kano, saying that Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje did nothing wrong for taking such steps.

    Giving a historical background of Kano emirate, Yakasai stated that, “well, I think that if you can remember, after the election of the Peoples Redemption Party in Kano in 1979, in between that period and 1982, the government of Abubakar Rimi, with the full support of his leader, our leader, Mallam Aminu Kano, created new emirates out of the existing one. And actually, the majority of the emirates created then were already autonomous administrative units long before the advent of the British colonialists. For instance, Rano is older than Kano.

    Read Also: Kano Emirate: Low activities in Sanusi’s Palace

    “Gaya itself is older than Kano because the Yemenis people when their dam broke down left their homeland in search of water for irrigation farming. They learnt of Gaya and they came to Gaya, settled there and were doing their irrigation farming for years until they heard of the river in Kano, River Jankara. And then they moved to Kano and they began to do their irrigation farming in Kano. What I am saying is that the existence of at least two or more of the additional emirates created by Alhaji Abubakar Rimi predated the creation of Kano Emirate.

    “This event of the last few days (the creation of additional emirates) in my opinion was bound to come sooner or later. There is already in the minds of many people in Kano that one state is too small for Kano. I don’t, however, believe them in this. They are thinking that if they had five or more states, there will five or more administrative units and there will be bureaucracies and the people would get jobs. But my own belief is that if you have a large unit with the amount of revenue that the present Kano is generating, you will be able to carry out essential services and at the same time get some reserves to do development things. What I am, therefore, saying is that the creation of additional emirates in Kano was bound to happen and I will not be surprised if it also happens in places like Sokoto and Borno.”

  • Niger Police halt cult initiation of Bida Poly students

    A suspected initiation ceremony for new members into a cult group for students of Federal Polytechnic Bida has been stopped by officers of the Niger state Police Command.

    10 suspects who claim to be students have been arrested by the Police.

    The cult initiation was slated to hold at Gudu gbagba village Mountain, Doko road in Lavun Local Government Area of the state before it was disrupted by the Police at about 2.40 pm.

    The suspects who were aged from 18 years to 30 have confessed to being involved in initiating new students into their cult called Neo-Black Axe Movement of Africa.

    The Command’s Spokesman, Muhammad Abubakar, in a statement made available to newsmen in Minna said police operatives and the school security were able to achieve this feat through intelligence information gathered from well-meaning students.

    He said where the suspects were arrested was in a thick village mountain bush.

    “It was reported that the suspects were said to have gathered and initiated 15 new members of their cult called Neo-Black Axe Movement of Africa.”

    “During the special coordinated raid, which took place inside the bush in Gudu gbagba village in Lavun, these suspects were arrested.”

    Read Also: Police nab man for allegedly stabbing nurse

    Abubakar disclosed that the suspects had confessed to being involved in cult activities and are currently police operatives in their investigations relating to other members of the cult and its activities.

    He said that there is currently a war against cultism and other vices among the youths in the state as the Command has zero tolerance for anyone caught in the act.

    The PPRO said security operatives recovered one Axe, one charm, ten phones, two necklaces, two key holders, one identity card, two chargers, six keys, two jeans trousers, one spectacle, three t-shirts, seven ATM cards, one flash drive, three wrist watches, two voters cards and three rings suspected to be charm from the suspects.

    He said that the matter would be charged to court after investigations.