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  • PDP receives 18 petitions in Adamawa

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State has received petitions from 18 aspirants, who participated in the chairmanship primaries on Sunday.

    The poll was conducted to elect the party’s candidates for the 21 local governments ahead of the council election scheduled for November.

    The Chairman of the Local Government & Ward Congresses Appeal Committee, Dunama Azurah, who addressed reporters over the petitions, said the treatment of the complaints would be concluded on September 26, and where a supplementary primary election is indicated, it will be done on or before September 28.

    Read Also: PDP condemns protest against Ambode at Lagos Assembly

    The PDP chairmanship primary election was trailed by protests, with many aspirants reportedly complaining of imposition of unpopular aspirants.

    The appeal committee chairman said he had read most of the petitions and none complained of imposition.

    “We have not received complaints of imposition. The nearest we’ve had is allegation of use of money. I have not seen issue of imposition in all the cases I have read, but if I get anyone, subsequently, we will see about it,” he said.

    Azurah said reports of protests were doubtful or at best not as serious as they might have been made to sound, “but in any case, complaints are natural in the prevailing circumstances.”

  • Tiv/Jukun leaders agree to ceasefire in Taraba

    The leadership of the Tiv and Junkun warring factions in the southern part of Taraba State yesterday agreed to a ceasefire to allow the return of peace.

    This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a two-day peace meeting held in Jalingo, Taraba State, with representatives of both tribes, government officials and state security chiefs.

    Government officials and security agencies also attended the meeting.

    According to the communique, speakers at the meeting condemned the crisis and stressed the need for cessation of all forms of hostilities between the two communities, to pave the way for the peace building effort being spearheaded by the state government.

    Read Also: Jukun-Tiv conflict: Catholic bishops call for peace

    “The meeting noted that the crisis had been hijacked by criminals from both the Jukun and Tiv communities and therefore, the two communities should expose the criminals among them.

    “We also resolved to stop reprisal attacks or revenge from both parties, but report all form of security breaches to the security agencies for appropriate action.

    “There is every need for the government to take deliberate steps to encourage the Internally Displaced Persons to return to their homes since adequate security operatives have been deployed in the affected communities to protect lives and property,’ the leaders said.

  • ‘We’re overburdened with cases’

    The Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Aondover Kaka’an, has said the judiciary is almost at a crisis point, as 11,737 criminal and civil cases are pending at courts.

    He said the High Court recorded 2,836 criminal cases and civil ones, out of which 470 were disposed of, while 2, 366 are pending.

    Read Also: Are judges, lawyers undermining ACJA provisions?

    Justice Kaka’an, who spoke in Makurdi at a special court session marking the 2019/2020 legal year, said the High Court also recorded 2, 287 motions and disposed of 975, leaving 1,312 pending.

    He said the magistrates’ and area courts registered 14,054 criminal cases, out of which 2,317 were disposed of.

    The chief judge said more hands should be brought in to reduce the work load on overburdened judicial officers.

  • Flood displays 5,000 families in Kogi

    Flood has displaced over 5,000 families in Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    It destroyed property worth millions of naira.

    Mostly affected are communities close to the River Niger and Analo River, which overflowed their banks, submerging houses, schools and farmlands.

    Residents were forced to vacate their homes. Some of the victims raised wooden platforms above the water level to serve as beds.

    The Chairman of Ibaji Local Government Caretaker Committee, Mr. William Iko-Ojo, who led council officials on an inspection tour of the affected areas, lamented the plight of those displaced.

    Read Also: Appeal Court headquarters groans under floods

    He said the victims were experiencing hardship, adding that many sought refuge in makeshift structures.

    Iko-Ojo said: “The situation calls for urgent intervention, because Ibaji is totally submerged. From Onyedega, the council headquarters, up to Ujeh, down to the boundary, no structure is spared. Unless the government rescues the affected people, the situation may degenerate into a calamity.

    “The local government is working hard to create Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs’) camps, to resettle those rendered homeless, but their immediate need is food. The situation is so bad now. Even the palace of the traditional ruler of Ibaji, Chief John Egwemi, has been submerged.”

    He urged the federal and state governments as well as donor agencies to assist the victims.

    Eyewitnesses said farm produce were washed away by the flood, adding that the major road leading to the council’s headquarters from Idah had been cut off at different points.

  • Ganduje’s, Sanusi’s feud worsens

    The battle of supremacy between Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi 11 has taken a frightening dimension.

    A group, the Renaissance Coalition-Nigeria, has raised the alarm over alleged plot to transfer the Emir of Kano to the Bichi Emirate.

    A statement by the group’s spokesman, Ibrahim Waiya, alleged that the move was a calculated attempt by the Ganduje administration to depose Emir Sanusi.

    According to the statement made available to reporters in Kano yesterday, “it has come to the notice of the Renaissance Coalition that the Kano State Government has planned to transfer the Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, to Bichi, and in the event he resists, he shall be deposed.

    Read Also: Ganduje: Saving the north from shame

    “This is quite unfortunate that despite a subsisting court ruling, which has ordered the maintenance of status quo pending conclusion of the matter before it, and even the contentious law, which was maliciously and hurriedly made, and is being challenged before the court, has not explicitly provided for such swap.

    “This is indeed a very dangerous move that is likely to cause violent unrest in the polity, and the alleged plot also shows extreme desperation on the part of the governor to advance a personal vendetta at the expense of the peace and wellbeing of the citizens he swore to protect.

    “We deem it our responsibility to do everything possible within our power to advocate for the peace and wellbeing of the citizens, by calling on all well-meaning individuals and the Federal Government to call the governor to order, to cease and desist from any further hostile action against the Kano emirate and the person of the Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi ll.

    “We believe in the adage, better safe than sorry. We always want to be on the right path and the right side of history, expressing our objective opinions and engaging relevant authorities for appropriate and timely action to prevent societal disasters.

    “We decided not to wait and be reactive, but to be proactive because of the perceived heavy toll the repercussion of the alleged action of Governor Ganduje awaits the people of Kano, if the alleged plot is materialised and remains unchecked.”

    Waiya said: “Therefore, as responsible and concerned citizens, we strongly call on the governor to desist from going on with this alleged plot and such similar action, which is capable of jeopardising the relative peace we enjoy in the state.

    “We also call on security agencies, political leaders, respected elders, venerated Ulamas, intellectuals, opinion leaders and any person or people with the means to reach out to advise the governor to desist from such act.

    “However, in the event that the governor refuses to heed the counsel and goes ahead to actualise the evilly hatched dastardly agenda, we will be left with no other option but to call on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Kano State as soon as the governor makes the pronouncement of the alleged plot, in order to save Kano State from the consequences of the governor’s action.

    “We wish to use this medium to remind the people and Kano State Government about the consequences that occurred when a similar action was attempted against the then Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, in 1981.

    “We are of the strong belief that today if such action is attempted, it may likely be the worst because of increased social and economic stress, which are already keeping people on edge, ready to erupt, as well as a much higher restless youth population.

    “It is our prayer that the Federal Government must do everything possible to prevail on the governor to forestall the alleged plot of swapping the Emir of Kano, to ensure our dear state remains peaceful.”

  • ‘Kwara will pay attention to road’

    Kwara State Government says it will prioritise road development, to boost economic activities.

    Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, who spoke on Thursday in Ilorin while hosting community leaders from Oyun and Asa local governments, said the government realised that road was germane to the people, adding that it would take steps to ensure that the state had good roads to ensure easy movement of people and goods, especially farm produce from rural to urban areas.

    Read Also: Kwara moves to sack unqualified teachers

    The leader of the team, who is the Olugonna of Igbonna, Oba Abubakar Oloyede, hailed the achievements of the present administration and prayed for its success in the task ahead.

    He, however, called for the construction of roads linking the two local governments, to ensure transportation of goods and boost commercial activities.

    Sen. Suleiman Ajadi, one of the honorary chiefs in Asa Local Government, noted that construction of roads would make life meaningful for the people.

  • Ondo PDP lawmaker regains seat as Appeal Court sacks APC candidate

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, on Thursday, upturned the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal, which nullified the election of Hon. Ikengboju Gboluga of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the member representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    Gboluga was sacked by the tribunal in July for swearing to an oath of allegiance to the United Kingdom (UK), having acquired the citizenship of the country. The tribunal subsequently declared Albert Akintoye of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the election conducted on February 23, 2019.

    It also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue Certificate of Return to Akintoye after withdrawing same from Gboluga.

    Read Also: Tribunal sacks Oyo PDP lawmaker, declares APC candidate winner

    Dissatisfied with the tribunal’s judgment, Gboluga filed an appeal against the judgment.

    But in a unanimous judgment, the three-man Appeal Court comprising Justices M.A Danjuma, R.M Abdullahi and P.A Mahmood, ruled that a Nigerian citizen by birth cannot be disqualified from contesting election because he acquired additional citizenship of other countries to which he swore an oath of allegiance.

    The Appeal Court said that the petition tribunal was wrong to have sacked Ikengboju Gboluga-a Nigerian citizen by birth- based on his acquisition of additional citizenship and swearing of an oath of allegiance to such a country.

    The appellate court accused the trial tribunal of speaking from both sides of the mouth and interpreting the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wrongly.

    The Appeal Court, therefore, set aside the judgment of the tribunal and upheld the election of Ikengboju Gboluga as the duly elected representative of the people of Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency.

    The Court also awarded the sum of N2million cost against Albert Akintoye, the candidate of the APC.

    The court, however, said that the cost must be paid before October 1, 2019.

  • Monarchs support Sanwo-Olu

    Lagos State monarchs have pledged their support for the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

    They spoke when the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mrs. Yetunde Arobieke, Permanent Secretary Dr. Taiwo Olufemi Salaam and other top government functionaries visited the palaces of the five divisional paramount rulers, namely Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu 1; Oloja of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun; Oba Kabiru Adewale Sotobi, Ayangburen of Ikorodu; Onigando of Igando, Oba Lasisi Gbadamosi and Akran of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I.

    The essence of the visit, according to Arobieke, was to inform the traditional rulers about the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda of the Governor Sanwo-Olu administration, which is: Transportation and Traffic Management, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st century economy, Entertainment and Tourism, and Security and Governance.

    Read Also: Oba Akiolu to Sanwo-Olu: beware of hypocrites

    She said the governor attached importance to the role of traditional rulers in the society as great influencers and mobilisers, which necessitated the visit not only to inform them of the government development agenda for the state, but also to seek their support.

    The commissioner said: “The governor has great respect for traditional rulers because of your roles as community leaders, who are connected and closer to the people.

    ‘For this reason, the government seeks your support in all government programmes and agenda in making Lagos a better place for us all.

    “The governor is a listening governor. That was why he approved this visit, which is to carry you along regarding the developmental agenda of the state, as well as get your input.

    “As a former two-term local government chairman, the traditional institution is a familiar terrain. I will always appreciate your contributions to the development of our great state.”

    Responding, Oba Akiolu1 said traditional rulers are behind the government and will join hands to support the present administration to enable it succeed.

    He urged the government to fill some of the vacant stools in the Obaship council.

    The monarch described the visit as very strategic and a sign of the importance the Sanwo-Olu administration attached to the institution of Obaship.

    This, he said, would foster a good relationship between the government and the institution of Obaship.

    Dr. Salaam thanked the royal fathers for the warm reception accorded them.

  • ASUU’s position on LAUTECH misguided, says Osun govt

    Osun State Government on Thursday said that the threat by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) to disrupt academic activities in the institution if the state government ‘refuses to pay their outstanding two months’ salaries’ is not only misguided but presumptuous.

    In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the government noted that ASUU’s position on the salary arrears did not truly reflect the position of things, especially with regard to Osun, which appeared to have been singled out for vilification by the union.

    According to the statement entitled: “ASUU’s position on LAUTECH: Setting the record straight,” the government said: “Previously, Osun and Oyo states, who are joint owners of the university, had agreed to a template that will see Oyo pay salaries of workers at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, for six months, while Osun carries the burden of paying salaries of workers at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, also for a period six months and vice versa.

    Read Also: Osun, Oyo trade blames over LAUTECH’s funding

    “But while Osun kept faith religiously with the above arrangement, Oyo at some point jettisoned it. This explains why from 2013 till date, only Osun has been shouldering the payment of salaries of workers at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo,  amounting to N16, 604, 510, 806.12.

    “It is also important to note here that, long before the current back and forth over payment of salaries, the rotational payment between the two states had collapsed. Therefore, the claim by ASUU that Oyo had paid from January to June 2019, and as such, Osun should pay from July to December this year, does not hold water. The argument will only make meaning if Oyo had been paying salaries of workers at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”

    The statement also disclosed that Osun had paid the July and August salaries of workers at the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, amounting to N465, 480, 475.31.

    It added: “Besides, within the same period that ASUU claimed Oyo paid salaries of workers at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Osun also paid salaries of workers at LAUTECH, Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

    “It will, therefore, be unfair for ASUU to single out Osun as being solely responsible for non-payment of salaries at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, especially because for every kobo Oyo State had contributed in running LAUTECH in the last two years till date, Osun had contributed twice the amount.

    “As a government, we are disposed to the amicable resolution of all issues concerning the running of LAUTECH.  But we will not allow any individual or group to blackmail us into taking such decision.

    “Whatever decision that needs to be taken on the future of the institution must be one that is mutually agreed upon by the two states. In effect, what this means is that while Osun had cumulatively spent over N2billion on the institution from January to date, Oyo had only spent a little over N1billion.”

    The SSG’s statement further said: “For emphasis, below is the analysis of what Oyo contributed: January- N73, 977, 759. 10, February- N73, 977, 759.10, March – N73, 977, 759.10,  April – N295, 969, 650.11,  May – N295, 969, 650.11 and June – N295, 969, 560.11, whereas Osun, within the same period, had contributed : January -N235, 967, 856.98, February – N239,783,757.04, March -N239, 642, 219.14, April- N239, 007,500.28, May- N235,382,043.73 and June – N235, 251,415.70, to LAUTECH  Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.

    “The state, as earlier stated, had gone ahead to contribute another N230, 923,499.67 and N234, 556, 975.64 as July and August salaries, respectively, for LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Osogbo.”

  • Akeredolu: we’ll include OPC in Ondo security outfit

    Following the resolve of the Southwest state governors to tackle criminal activities in the region through joint security operations, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has pledged the inclusion of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and other local security outfits in the formation of the state’s security vigilance group codenamed “Amotekun.”

    Akeredolu spoke through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security, Alhaji Jimoh Dojumo, yesterday, while receiving the state executive members of the Aare Onakakanfo, Gani Adams-led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), who paid him a courtesy visit in Akure, the state capital.

    He said the state government had resolved to partner with the group as a leading member of the state’s security outfit for the purpose of a home-grown community policing aimed at combating criminal activities in the state.

    According to him, governors of Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti and Lagos states specifically enlisted the services and cooperation of the Adams-led OPC to coordinate other local groups such as Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Agbekoya Group and local hunters to partner and assist the police in securing the Southwest region against kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

    Read Also: Ore fly over to be completed December, says Akeredolu

    He said: “Governor Akeredolu, who is the chairman of Southwest Governors’ Forum, convened the Southwest Security Meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, a few weeks ago, where it was resolved by the forum to jointly finance a security outfit to tackle the incessant cases of kidnapping, banditry, herdsmen attacks and other crimes ravaging the region.

    “It was there that it was first agreed upon that the security outfit must enlist the support and participation of our brothers in OPC under the leadership of the Aare Onakakanfo, in order to assist the police in its quest to get rid of organised crimes in the grassroots, our forests, our villages, towns and cities. The community policing scheme will also include other local security outfits like the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and local hunters.

    “I am happy to also inform you that our governor has already blazed the trail by procuring hundreds of SUV utility vans and over 250 motorbikes for the take-off of the ‘Amotekun’ security outfit, which I’m sure, some of it will be allocated to your group, OPC, as operational vehicles, among other incentives, to assist you in doing the job which you have volunteered to undertake for our people with all loyalty, dedication and faithfulness. The gods of our land shall be with you and keep you safe throughout the tough task.”

    Also speaking, the state’s Head of Service (HoS), Dare Aragbaye, who welcomed the delegation to the Governor’s Office, hailed the OPC for the feat achieved a few days ago in Imesi-Ile in Osun State, where the group swiftly moved to rescue 14 persons kidnapped by bandits in the forest of the town by launching heavy attacks on the fleeing criminals to set the victims free.

    Aragbaye urged members of the Yoruba defence group to put in more efforts in tackling the menace of kidnapping and other criminal activities within the region, stressing that government in the state, led by Akeredolu, was ready to partner and support the group to achieve success in making the state crime-free.

    The leader of the OPC delegation and Ondo State Coordinator, Pius Ogunsanya, who delivered Adams’ message, said he would use the group as a veritable platform to foster peace, love, understanding and unity among all the paramilitary and security stakeholders in the region.