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  • PDP, APC leaders clash over harassment, unlawful arrest of members

    PDP, APC leaders clash over harassment, unlawful arrest of members

    Leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State yesterday clashed in Benin over harassment, unlawful arrest and detention of members.

    The Director-General, Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council of PDP in Edo, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, at a news conference at the state secretariat of the party on Airport Road, Benin, accused policemen from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja, who were allegedly paid huge sum of money by APC’s leaders, of indiscriminately arresting and detaining PDP chieftains in the three senatorial districts of Edo.

    Iduoriyekemwen said: “The police officers have been operating outside the scope of their job, carrying AK-47 rifles and other weapons and moving around Edo State in Hummer buses and Hilux vans, to harass and abduct our party chieftains across the state.

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    “It is rather unfortunate that while the PDP members are diligently working, moving from ward to ward and local government to local government, campaigning across platforms, articulating their programmes and initiatives for the people of Edo State, APC is attempting to weaponise the police against the people, because they know they have a defective and unmarketable candidate and cannot win under any circumstance in a free, fair and credible election. Their only strategy is to use what they term federal might to harass and intimidate opposition parties into submission in their quest to secure electoral victory through subterfuge.’’

    The Director of Publicity, Edo APC governorship campaign council, Comrade Orobosa Omo-Ojo, however, said nobody was harassing leaders of PDP in Edo, but declared that the indicted members of the party (PDP) should face prosecution for alleged murder, treason and other criminal activities.

    Omo-Ojo said: “PDP in Edo State has become a huge embarrassment to itself, with its unrelenting media attack on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the country. “

    “PDP’s leaders have abandoned the governorship campaigns to concentrate on mischievous propaganda, to cover up their failure to articulate campaign strategy, which has become obvious with their dwindling members.

    “APC members in Edo have been under intense violent attacks from the state sponsored Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and the Public Work Volunteers (PUWOV).’’

    The newly-appointed police spokesman, Moses Yamu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), was contacted for his reaction. He promised to get back to our reporter, but did not do so at press time.

  • Transition committee chair beaten to coma as party LG primary turns tragic

    Transition committee chair beaten to coma as party LG primary turns tragic

    Doctors are battling to save the current Chairman of the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC), Hon. Christopher Audu, beaten to coma by angry PDP delegates in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    The Nation gathered that the local government primary election held on Thursday turned violent after the TIC Chairman was declared winner.

    An observer Michael Bulus, told The Nation that the election was not peaceful because it was obvious some delegates and other PDP faithful who were denied access into the hall decided to force their ways in and went straight to the TIC Chairman, pounced on him and beat him until he fell into coma.

    “The mob beat up Hon Audu without mercy, arguing that Hon Audu manipulated the process to emerge winner of the primaries.

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     “It was further alleged that Hon Audu handpicked his loyalists to be delegates at the election while blocking the real delegates from accessing the venue to exercise their franchise.

    “That was why the real delegates forced their way into the hall only to be told that the election was over and results declared.

    The angry delegates then descended on the council chairman, Hon Audu”

    The TIC Chairman was rushed to an undisclosed location at Ba’ap, the headquarters of Qua’an Pan LGA, for medical attention as he was said to have sustained serious injuries from the attack.

    The angry delegates also allegedly beat up officials of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) who were present to oversee the election.

  • PDP Disciplinary Committee – A delicate assignment – Member

    PDP Disciplinary Committee – A delicate assignment – Member

    The assignment being given to members of the new Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Disciplinary Committee is almost as delicate as walking a tight rope, a member of the committee has said.

    The 26-member PDP Disciplinary Committee which is to be headed by Chief Tom Ikimi and Chief Eyitayo Jegede is to be formally inaugurated along with the PDP Reconciliation Committee at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja next Wednesday.

    A member of the PDP Reconciliation Committee that is about to be inaugurated, who spoke on condition of anonymity told The Nation that several stakeholders in the party are aware that the issues before them are delicate enough to generate further challenges if they are not well-managed.

    “The Committee would have been set up few months ago but the PDP Governors’ Forum called for a delay in order to allow tempers cool down,” he said.

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    For more than a year, some members of the PDP, including loyalists of former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, had been calling for stern disciplinary action against all those whose actions and pronouncements contributed towards the PDP’s loss in the 2023 presidential elections.

    However, others, including those loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, asserted that any such sanction must go farther back to include the period when Alhaji Atiku Abubakar mobilised against PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Clarity over the period of to be covered by the PDP Disciplinary Committee’s review and subsequent sanctions is expected to be explicitly given under its term of reference on Wednesday.

    PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba who announced plans to inaugurate both the PDP Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees on Wednesday stated that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) approved a list of members of the disciplinary committee as follows:

    National Disciplinary Committee:

    1. High Chief Tom Ikimi                 –              Chairman

    2. H.E. Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau –            Member

    3. Chief Olabode George, CON (BoT)        –              Member

    4. Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen (BoT)             –              Member

    5. H.E. Sen. Dr. Sam Egwu (BoT) –              Member

    6. Alh. Abubakar Kawu Baraje (BoT)          –              Member

    7. Chief Maxwell Okudo (BoT)     –              Member

    8. Sen. Effiong Bob                       –              Member

    9. Sen. Abdullahi Idris Umar                         –              Member

    10. Sen. Olaka Nwogu                   –              Member

    11. Sen. Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo        –              Member

    12. Gen. Aminu Bande (Rtd)        –              Member

    13. Alh. Mohammed Imam                          –              Member

    14. Hon. Chile Igbawua                                 –              Member

    15. Mahe Dange                                            –              Member

    16. Hon. Patrick Ifon (BoT)           –              Member

    17. Barr. Tahir A. Shehu                 –              Member

    18. Amb. Nuhu A. Bajoga (BoT)             –                  Member

    19. Hon. Emmanuel Ibeshi          –              Member

    20. Haj. Zainab Maina (BoT)                        –              Member

    21. Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina (Fmr. BoT)-  Member

    22. Barr. P.G.U.  Madu                     –              Member

    23. Abiodun Abdul Rahim                             –              Member

    24. Representative of Bayelsa State          –              Member

    25. Barr. Jacob Otorkpa                       –       Administrative Secretary

    26. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN                –              Secretary

    Also, members of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee are as follows:

    National Reconciliation Committee:

    1.      H.E. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola      –              Chairman

    2.      Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche              –              Member

    3.      Alh. Bello Tafidan Gusau      –              Member

    4.      High. Chief Sen. Ben Ndi Obi, CON (BOT)- Member

    5.      Sen. Tunde Ogbeha                               –              Member

    6.      Sen. Shuaibu Isa Lau                             –              Member

    7.      Dame Dr. Esther Uduehi (BOT)         –              Member

    8.      Sen. Zainab Kure (BOT)                        –              Member

    9.      Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN (BOT) –   Member

    10.    Alhaja Mutia Olayinka Ladoja (BOT) –             Member

    11.    Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu (BOT)           –              Member

    12.    H.E. Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-Chukwu        –              Member

    13.    Rt. Hon. Dr. Boyelayefa Debekeme –               Member

    14.    Chief Emmanuel Ogidi                         –              Member

    15.    Dr. Eddy Olafeso                     –              Member

    16.    Chief Dan Ulasi                       –              Member

    17.    Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki   –              Member

    18.    Otunba Segun Showunmi  –              Member

    19.    Barr. Amina B.B. Faruk                         –              Member

    20.    Alh. Hamza Akuyan Koshe  –              Member

    21.    Evang. Mike Ikoku                                 –              Member

  • Wave of bickering, impositions, manipulations mars PDP’s LG primaries in Plateau

    Wave of bickering, impositions, manipulations mars PDP’s LG primaries in Plateau

    The ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has undergone the primary elections of the party across the 17 local government areas of the state to elect candidates for the October 9 council elections in the state. But from all indications, the exercise, which started well, did not end well.

    While the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) has already declared the results of the primary elections, it is obvious that the conduct of the election has set the ruling party against itself. 

    Since the conduct of the primaries for the local government elections, all has not been well, particularly among the gladiators in the ruling PDP in the state.

    From feelers across the 17 local government areas in the state, the party is faced with a lot of complaints regarding imposition and marginalization of some strong party supporters during the conduct of the primaries.

    According to impeccable sources, the violence and confusion that characterised the conduct of the primaries could be attributed to those issues, since the top shots of the Party felt short-changed or marginalised by the party’s secretariat, which is believed to be playing the script of the cabal in the Mutfwang government.

    The sources further alleged that the script crafted by the cabal for whatever reasons was targeted at edging out mostly former members of the National Assembly and some goons of the party considered as threats to its continued existence.

    Another source revealed that looking critically at what happened during the primaries, there was more than meets the eye, judging from the fact that almost all the aspirants supported by former members of the National Assembly across the state were roundly defeated by the cabal’s anointed ones under the guise of Governor Mutfwang’s instructions.

    For example, in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, Hon. Isaac Kwallu, a man regarded as the pillar of the party in the area, lost out completely to the supporters of the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman’s bloc, which is believed to be backed by the cabal.

    In the same manner, former member of the National Assembly, Hon. Johnbull Shekarau, had all his candidates rejected in Shendam Local Government Area.

    The story is not different in Mikang Local Government Area where Hon. George Daika widely believed to holds the ace could not deliver any of the chairmanship aspirants back by him due to a purported instruction from above against his allies.

    Hon. Beni Lar, the ‘mother figure’ of Langtang North and South local government areas politics, is also now left in the cold following the outcome of the primaries in those areas because none of her supported chairmanship aspirants could scale through.

    Hon. Timothy Golu, a former member the House of Reps representing Pankshin-Kanke-Kanam Constituency in the Green Chambers, is also reported to have suffered the same fate. So also did Hon. Solomon Marren, a former member from Mangu-Bokkos Federal Constituency.

    Except for the Barkin-ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency where the former Senate minority leader holds, Senator Mwatkon is said to have succeeded in having his allies as the flag bearers of the party in those two local government areas, but not without a serious resistance from the cabal.

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    Hon. Dachung Bagos was not that lucky, because his backed aspirants could not make it at the primaries in Jos South and Jos East local government areas, similar to what also transpired in Bassa and Jos North local government areas where Hon .Sam Agah failed to install his backed aspirants as the flag bearers of his party.

    One of the affected former members of the National Assembly, who does not want his name mentioned, stated that what happened to them could not have been a coincidence, because officials who went to conduct the primaries in the various local government areas clearly did not hide the fact that they were on a mission to return the cabal’s anointed aspirants at all cost.

    According to him, the lists of the delegates used for the primaries were not of those elected at the various congresses across the state but the ones constructed from “God knows where”

    He threatened: “We will not allow this clear robbery, disrespect and marginalization see the light of the day. Those behind this mischief are people who just joined the PDP and also leveraging the fact that they are in government.”

    Continuing, he said: “We are beginning to hear, whether true or not, that the cabal and Governor Mutfwang are not sure of our loyalty in their proposed game plan, which is to be executed after the local government elections”.

    Asked what the game plan could be, he said it would be premature to disclose it now, taking into consideration the fact that the former members are putting their heads together to decide their next line of action.

    Pressed further on the line of action they might take in the event that the party refuses to shift ground, he disclosed that there is no way  they will allow such grand design to stand in view of the fact that the entire primaries “were charades” and that all options are on the table.

    According to him “the governor and the so-called cabal should not forget that the APC is still a formidable force, more so when the party is seriously tightening all loose ends to give the PDP a run for its money”.

    Be that as it may, this seems not to be the best of times for the PDP in view of the political skirmishes coupled with other complexities such as the seeming resentment that is resonating with a cross section of the people of the state in the wake of the implementation of the now suspended executive order 003, which made the state government to destroy some business premises in the name of implementing the great Jos/Bukuru metropolis master plan.

    The executive order 003 had to be suspended, following the hues and cries by the people of the state as a result of the high-handedness with which the exercise was carried out, culminating in loss of lives and destruction of businesses worth millions of naira.

    Added to this is the impression that the PDP-led government has not performed as well as expected despite the unprecedented billions of naira collected from the federation account in the last 14 months of the Mutfwang administration in the state.

    Many people are of the view that these factors, all things being equal and PLASIEC, the state’s electoral commission, decides to conduct free and fair elections, the PDP might not find it easy during the local government elections, because the APC is still a force to reckon with in the state.

  • PDP governorship aspirant Ebiseni dumps party

    PDP governorship aspirant Ebiseni dumps party

    • Picks LP ticket

    A former governorship aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Chief Sola Ebiseni, has dumped the party alongside his supporters.

    He came third in the PDP primary, which was won by former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi.

    He has, however, emerged as the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the November 16 governorship election.

    Ebiseni emerged as the LP candidate by substitution after the withdrawal of Ayodele Olorunfemi.

    He said the presence of top echelon of the party’s leadership showed he was the party’s standard-bearer.

    Unveiling his agenda in Akure at a news briefing, Ebiseni said he built on ideological policy thrusts of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in tandem with the current dictates of the world,

    Ebiseni said he would operate an administration of veritable team work and people’s participation, based on the age long and proven beneficial programmes.

    Read Also: Ondo 2024: Another PDP governorship aspirant dumps party

    He promised to tackle insecurity through partnership with the Federal Government and its relevant agencies with a view to building on efforts of successive administrations.

    The Afenifere secretary said he would ensure qualitative and free education technologically driven, as well as push for enhanced subsidised post-secondary education.

    He said: “Emergence of party’s candidate is guided by the Electoral Act. My candidacy has been secured since July. The party’s leadership acted within the laws for me to be candidate.

    “What is important is that I am candidate of the party. I will win the election. I did not stray into the party. I was a commissioner under LP in this state. All the projects you can point to were executed during the tenure of LP.

  • LG poll: Don’t ruin Osun’s peace with your internal crisis—Group tells PDP

    LG poll: Don’t ruin Osun’s peace with your internal crisis—Group tells PDP

    Following the crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Osun State over the nomination of candidates for the local government elections, a socio-political group has cautioned the ruling party against throwing the state into disarray.

    The group, Osun Progressives Youths In the United Kingdom(O-SPYUK) through its coordinator, Tunmise Ajiboye in a statement on Saturday expressed worry, saying, “The way party affairs of PDP is going, innocent residents may be victims of violence.”

    The Nation reports that there had been a crisis within PDP as members were alleging attempted assassination, threats and others resorted to street protests alleging that they had been swindled of the party’s candidacy.

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    Meanwhile, PDP through its Media Director, Oladele Bamiji sued for calm noting that most allegations raised by members are artificial as he assured residents of the state of peace.

    Ajiboye said: “PDP must ensure that their unsettled home must not ruin the peace of the state. The internal crisis they are battling over the nomination of candidates as council executives is already sending violent signals.

    “I want to urge police authority in the state to be on alert to ensure that lives and properties of the people are secured during the wrangling of PDP because the ruling party has failed to be a peace advocate.”

  • 2027: PDP constitutes national reconciliation committee in bid to curb frictions

    2027: PDP constitutes national reconciliation committee in bid to curb frictions

    • Atiku/Wike feud tops agenda

    In response to concerns from party stalwarts about addressing internal divisions and preparing more effectively for the 2027 elections, the National leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have established a National Reconciliation Committee (NRC) to help achieve this goal.

    The National Publicity Secretary  of the party, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja.

    The statement read: “Following the National Executive Committee (NEC) approval for the constitution of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee (NRC) of our great party, the National Working Committee (NWC) hereby releases the list of the members of the National Reconciliation Committee.”

    Although members of the newly formed NRC are senior PDP figures with extensive connections across the party’s membership at the federal, state, and local government levels, a significant challenge that may test their collective efforts is the differing positions of former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

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    Among other issues, Atiku has already declared a strong resolve to contest for PDP’s presidential ticket in 2027 while Wike has publicly declared his intention to do everything towards the re-election of President Bola Tinubu who is likely to run again on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Additionally, loyalists of Atiku are among party members insisting that serious disciplinary measures against those who allegedly worked against PDP interests at the federal and state levels during the 2023 general elections while Wike loyalists within and outside the PDP National headquarters appear resolute to ensure that nothing comes out of such plans.

    The list of the new 25-member PDP National Reconciliation Committee which has former Osun State governor, Colonel Olagunsoye Oyinlola (rtd) as its chairman includes the spokesman of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ‘s 2019 presidential election campaign team, Otunba Segun Showunmi.

    Other members include former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Alh. Bello Tafidan Gusau, member of PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, former military governor, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Senator  Shuaibu Isa Lau and Dr. Esther Uduehi who is also a member of PDP BOT.

    While former governor, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo is to play the role of Secretary, other members of the new PDP NRC are former First Lady of Niger state and BOT member, Senator Zainab Kure, former minister, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN),  Alhaja Mutia Olayinka Ladoja,  Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu and a former governor,  Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-Chukwu.

    Others are Rt. Hon. Dr. Boyelayefa Debekeme, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi,  Dr. Eddy Olafeso,  Chief Dan Ulasi,  Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, Hajia Amina B.B. Faruk, Alhaji Hamza Akuyan Koshe, Evangelist Mike Ikoku,  Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Comrade Bisi Fakayode and Chief Anicho Okoro, who is to work as their  Administrative Secretary.

    “The Committee will be inaugurated on a date to be communicated in due course.

    “The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of the PDP to remain focused and committed to the vision, principles and aspiration of our great party in the overall interest of the growth, development and stability of the PDP and the nation,” Ologunagba added.

  • 2027: PDP constitutes national reconciliation committee

    2027: PDP constitutes national reconciliation committee

    …committee’s major challenge likely to be the Atiku/Wike conundrum 

    In response to concerns from party stalwarts about addressing internal divisions and preparing more effectively for the 2027 elections, the National leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have established a National Reconciliation Committee (NRC) to help achieve this goal.

    The national publicity of the party, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, August 9, in Abuja. 

    The statement read: “Following the National Executive Committee (NEC) approval for the constitution of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee (NRC) of our great party, the National Working Committee (NWC) hereby releases the list of the members of the National Reconciliation Committee.”

    Although members of the newly formed NRC are senior PDP figures with extensive connections across the party’s membership at the federal, state, and local government levels, a significant challenge that may test their collective efforts is the differing positions of former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

    Among other issues, Atiku has already declared a strong resolve to contest for PDP’s presidential ticket in 2027 while Wike has publicly declared his intention to do everything towards the re-election of President Bola Tinubu who is likely to run again on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Ekiti govt, PDP chief clash over allocation spendin

    Additionally, loyalists of Atiku are among party members insisting that serious disciplinary measures against those who allegedly worked against PDP interests at the federal and state levels during the 2023 general elections while Wike loyaPrincewith8n and outside the PDP National headquarters ppear resolute to ensure that nothing comes out of such plans.

    The list of the new 25-member PDP National Reconciliation Committee which has former Osun state governor, Colonel Olagunsoye Oyinlola (rtd) as its chairman includes the spokesman of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ‘s 2019 presidential election campaign team, Otunba Segun Showunmi.

    Other members include former Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, Alh. Bello Tafidan Gusau, member of PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Ben Ndi Obi, former military governor, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Senator  Shuaibu Isa Lau and Dr. Esther Uduehi who is also a member of PDP BOT.

    While former governor, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo is to play the role of Secretary, other members of the new PDP NRC are former First Lady of Niger state and BOT member, Senator Zainab Kure, former minister, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN),  Alhaja Mutia Olayinka Ladoja,  Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu and a former governor,  Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-Chukwu.

    Others are Rt. Hon. Dr. Boyelayefa Debekeme, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi,  Dr. Eddy Olafeso,  Chief Dan Ulasi,  Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, Hajia Amina B.B. Faruk, Alhaji Hamza Akuyan Koshe, Evangelist Mike Ikoku,  Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Comrade Bisi Fakayode and Chief Anicho Okoro, who is to work as their  Administrative Secretary.

    “The Committee will be inaugurated on a date to be communicated in due course.

    “The NWC charges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of the PDP to remain focused and committed to the vision, principles and aspiration of our great party in the overall interest of the growth, development and stability of the PDP and the nation,” Ologunagba added.

  • Ekiti govt, PDP chief clash over allocation spendin

    Ekiti govt, PDP chief clash over allocation spendin

    A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr. Opeyemi Falegan, has asked Governor Biodun Oyebanji to account for federal allocation received by the state in the last one year.

    He said the alleged high level of hardship the citizens were experiencing could not be justified with the increase in the amount the government had been receiving as revenue allocation from the Federation Account.

    But, Information Commissioner Taiwo Olatunbosun said the allocations accruing to the state were being prudently spent, adding that ‘’this has earned the Oyebanji administration recognition and laurel from Transparency International and other reputable global bodies.

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    The commissioner said the current government had nothing to hide and that the details of the state’s monthly allocations from the Federation Account had always been made public through the government’s official website.

    Falegan, in a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, asked the governor to come clean on the amount collected and how the state’s resources had been spent in the last one year.

    The PDP chieftain claimed that there was nothing on ground to show for the huge federal allocation and intervention funds released by the Federal Government to mitigate effects of subsidy removal on the people.

    He said: “We are worried and concerned about the plight of the masses in Ekiti, whose conditions have not been improving despite the increasing federal allocation and Federal Government palliative to the state as a result of mismanagement, lack of foresight and misplacement of priority on the part of the governor.

    “There nothing tangible we can point to as part of what he has been spending the public fund on that one can say has a direct benefit in the lives of the masses. Rather, what we have seen the governor busy with is the issue of his second term and endorsement; when he has not even spend two years in office.

    “It is our constitutional right to make enquiry as to how our money is being spent. It is also part of the responsibility to tell us what he has been doing with our money and where he is putting our money.

    “As a responsible and concerned citizen, we are worried about the plight and the living condition of our people and we are challenged to call out Governor Oyebanji to explain to us and the people of Ekiti what he has been doing with our money and most especially the money received from federal allocation in the last one year that there has been increase in the allocation to states,” he said.

    Responding, the Information commissioner described Falegan as an attention seeking individual, saying his claims showed he had lost touch with realities in the state.

    Olatunbosun added that only a myopic and political bigot would fail to recognise the positive transformation taking place in the nooks and crannies of the state.

    He said Falegan’s perception of the Oyebanji administration was at variance with the popular commendation and applause the governor had been receiving from the public, even objective critics.

  • Ekiti govt, PDP chief clash over allocation spending

    Ekiti govt, PDP chief clash over allocation spending

    A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Mr. Opeyemi Falegan, has asked Governor Biodun Oyebanji to account for federal allocation received by the state in the last one year.

    He said the alleged high level of hardship the citizens were experiencing could not be justified with the increase in the amount the government had been receiving as revenue allocation from the Federation Account.

    But, Information Commissioner Taiwo Olatunbosun said the allocations accruing to the state were being prudently spent, adding that ‘’this has earned the Oyebanji administration recognition and laurel from Transparency International and other reputable global bodies.

    The commissioner said the current government had nothing to hide and that the details of the state’s monthly allocations from the Federation Account had always been made public through the government’s official website.

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    Falegan, in a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, asked the governor to come clean on the amount collected and how the state’s resources had been spent in the last one year.

    The PDP chieftain claimed that there was nothing on ground to show for the huge federal allocation and intervention funds released by the Federal Government to mitigate effects of subsidy removal on the people.

    He said: “We are worried and concerned about the plight of the masses in Ekiti, whose conditions have not been improving despite the increasing federal allocation and Federal Government palliative to the state as a result of mismanagement, lack of foresight and misplacement of priority on the part of the governor.

    “There nothing tangible we can point to as part of what he has been spending the public fund on that one can say has a direct benefit in the lives of the masses. Rather, what we have seen the governor busy with is the issue of his second term and endorsement; when he has not even spend two years in office.

    “It is our constitutional right to make enquiry as to how our money is being spent. It is also part of the responsibility to tell us what he has been doing with our money and where he is putting our money.

    “As a responsible and concerned citizen, we are worried about the plight and the living condition of our people and we are challenged to call out Governor Oyebanji to explain to us and the people of Ekiti what he has been doing with our money and most especially the money received from federal allocation in the last one year that there has been increase in the allocation to states,” he said.

    Responding, the Information commissioner described Falegan as an attention seeking individual, saying his claims showed he had lost touch with realities in the state.

    Olatunbosun added that only a myopic and political bigot would fail to recognise the positive transformation taking place in the nooks and crannies of the state.

    He said Falegan’s perception of the Oyebanji administration was at variance with the popular commendation and applause the governor had been receiving from the public, even objective critics.