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  • Ondo 2016: APC leaders move against violent supporters

    Ondo 2016: APC leaders move against violent supporters

    The leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved to curb the excesses of some supporters of its governorship aspirants for the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo State, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

    Ahead of the 2016 governorship election in Ondo State, tension continue to mount within the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with governorship aspirants engaged in accusations and counter accusation over the activities of violent supporters and party members. According to reliable party sources, the leadership of the party is worried that the current unhealthy rivalry within the aspirants, if not curtailed, may work against the APC at the general election.

    The Nation learnt that the leadership of the party recently summoned APC aspirants to a close door meeting where the issue of violent attacks and provocative statements were addressed. The purpose of the meeting, according to the party, was to douse mounting tension within the party caused by negative politicking by the aspirants and or their supporters.

    According to Hon. Fola Ademuwagun, a chieftain of the party in the northern senatorial district, there is an urgent need for the APC in Ondo State to stem the tide of negative political rivalry if it intends to defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next governorship election in the state.

    “The aspirants are tearing our party apart in words and deeds. There is an urgent need to caution them. Not too long ago, the party leadership summoned all of them to a meeting and urged them to toe the path of peaceful rivalry. They all pledged to caution their supporters. But rather than improve, the situation went from bad to worse. When they talk, they destroy each other; when they act, they target one another. Such politics is not in the interest of the party,” Ademuwagun said.

    Aspirants already jostling for the party’s gubernatorial ticket include Senator Ajayi Boroffice; Tayo Alasoadura; Olusola Oke; Rotimi Akeredolu; Segun Abraham; Foluso Adefemi; Awodeyi Akinsehinde; Victor Olabimtan; Odunayo Akinrinsola; Niran Sule; Bode Ayorinde; Derin Adesida; Bukola Adetula and Paul Akintelure, among others.

    A season of attacks, allegations

    Recently, some suspected political thugs attacked the convoy of Segun Abraham, a frontline APC governorship aspirant, at Iwaro-Oka,  Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State. According to reports, Abraham was in the community to solicit for support from party men and women ahead of the gubernatorial poll that will come up later in the year.

    It took the swift intervention of security men attached to him to save him from being hurt by the rampaging hoodlums who swooped on his convoy midway into the campaign exercise. While no life was lost, several persons sustained injuries of various degrees. Also many of the vehicles in the convoy were damaged.

    “The attack was so sudden that nobody saw it coming. The windscreens of the three vehicles in the convoy, including two others belonging to Peace Corps officers were smashed. Many people were injured,” an eye-witness said of the incident that is now widening the crack within the party.

    “They first attempted to attack Abraham after he addressed APC members. But he was swiftly led back into his vehicle by his security men. From that point, they started chasing the convoy all over town.  They were throwing some harmful objects like, sticks, cutlasses, stones and others,” he added.

    Abraham said they started suspecting strange faces with daggers, sticks, machetes in the hall when he was addressing the party members. He said he could not be frightened by the attack but that he would go ahead with his ambition, claiming he enjoyed large support from the party members.

    “Some of those harmful objects were seized by my security men. I am so surprised that Boroffice and his people could do these kinds of things to us. I have been to five local government areas and there was no one where I was attacked. What are we talking? I understand that they were calling him and he was given them instructions.

    I have been to South and Central and other parts in Akoko; why is it that it was only here that we were attacked and machete was seized from one of them? They cannot subdue people’s wish because I have large number of supporters in the party but it is too early for an attack and we must stop encouraging violence in politics,” he alleged.

    Senator Borrofice however denied the allegation. He said he was not in the state when the incident occurred. “I am highly embarrassed and scandalized by the allegation. How could I have done that to a fellow party man when I was not even in the state at the time of the incident? It is a very embarrassing allegation,” he said.

    “When it happened, I tried to find out what led to it. To me, it is an embarrassment because as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Asiwaju of Akoko land, I cannot mastermind attack on a fellow party man. When I heard about it, I asked people to investigate the incident and I was informed that when Segun Abraham got to the community, he went to St. Catherine Hospital in the community.

    He addressed the people and they listened to him. Then he announced a donation of N5milllion to the hospital. I think it was at this point that the community boys, Okada riders and others felt that if he has N5m for the hospital, he should also give them their own share too.

    I leaned that they approached him but some of his security men prevented the youths from reaching him and they started banging his cars and his police men fired shots. In fact, one of the boys was injured and he drove away in a dangerous manner. It was not masterminded by anybody; many aspirants have been to Akoko South West. Olabimtan, Jamiu Ekungba, Bode Ayorinde have all been to the council and they were not attacked.

    “It was just an unfortunate incident and I took it up with Segun Abraham. I told him that I can never be part of it because I don’t work around with thugs. I told him I was sorry but also worried that he went on air to say I was behind the attack and that I want him to reverse that statement but he said he would not do so”.

    Caution urged

    The Nation learnt that the incident has heightened the tension within the party with supporters of the two aspirants threatening to continue the reign of terror as the campaign rallies continue across the state. Party sources said the situation is so bad that the leadership of the APC may be forced to halt all forms of campaigns by its gubernatorial aspirants till further notice.

    “We have a worrying situation on our hands. The incident that happened in Iwara-Oka is not a good one at all. The effects are still being felt by the party as supporters are now bent on retaliation. This is not good for the party and we must find a way of halting the trend and returning the party to the path of peace,” a chieftain of the party said.

    The Nation also learnt that the APC in the state has issued a stern warning to all governorship aspirants ?in the party and their supporters to desist from any action that could cause division among members of the party and jeopardise its victory at the polls during the forthcoming governorship election.

    According to party sources, the development might not be unconnected with the tension generated by the Iwara Oke incident. While Abraham has consistently said he will not be engaging Borrofice or any other aspirant for that matter in a violent rivalry, there are fears that his supporters may be bent on retaliating the treatment meted out to them in Iwara Oke.

    “The strength of the APC after the governorship primaries is seriously threatened by the bad manners of some aspirants and their supporters are going about their own brand of politics.  The desperation some of them have brought to the contest for the governorship ticket of the party is alien to us in our party.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, APC appreciates the contributions of all the governorship aspirants to the growth of the party so far. We appeal to all aspirants to control their supporters, both genuine and otherwise. Those whose supporters beat war drums and fan the embers of discord in our intra-party contest endanger their chance of winning the primaries.

    “The leadership of APC is committed to ensuring that the party remains united and formidable after the primaries. Therefore no aspirant should attempt to crush his opponent as the support of all will be needed towards winning the actual election. Besides, every wise aspirant should appreciate the fact that he will jeopardize his chances if, in the build up to the primary, he portrays himself as someone who will not tolerate opposition should he become governor,” he said.

    Also of serious concern to party leaders, according to findings by The Nation, is the fact that as the APC struggles to keep its house in order, ahead of the governorship contest, fifth columnists are busy fanning the embers of the budding intra-party squabbles.

  • 10 killed as soldiers, El-Zakzaky supporters clash in Zaria

    10 killed as soldiers, El-Zakzaky supporters clash in Zaria

    •Army: It was assasination attempt on Chief of Army Staff
    •Military attack was unprovoked says sect

     A pall of tension descended on Zaria, Kaduna State yesterday after soldiers killed at least 10 supporters of outspoken Shi’tte leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, during a clash between the entourage of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Tukur  Buratai, and the Shi’tte members.

    The development sparked a war of words between the army and the sect following claim that   members of the Muslim Brotherhood had attempted to assassinate General Buratai.

    “Shiites attempt to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria”, was the  way Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman broke the news  in a tweet under his official tweet handle, @HQNigerianArmy which was also posted on the Nigerian Army website last night.

    He later issued a formal statement, saying: “The Shiite Sect on the orders of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky today (yesterday) in Zaria attacked the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff while on his way to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau and attend the Passing Out Parade of 73 Regular Recruits Intake of Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria.

    “The sect numbering hundreds carrying dangerous weapons, barricaded the roads with bonfires, heavy stones and tyres. They refused all entreaties to disperse and then started firing and pelting the convoy with dangerous objects. The barricade was obviously a deliberate attempt to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff and members of his entourage while on a legitimate official assignment as Special Guest of Honour at the passing out parade which had earlier been widely publicised.

    “The troops responsible for the safety and security of the Chief of Army Staff on hearing explosion and firing were left with no choice than to defend him and the convoy at all cost as well as open up the barricaded road for law abiding citizens. This is in line with the Nigerian Army Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct. This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated from any individual or groups and should not be allowed to repeat itself.

    “We wish to implore all Nigerians to continue to be law abiding and remain conscious of other people’s right to life, freedom of movement and passage. The Chief of Army escaped unhurt and continued with his duties.”

    The sect dismissed the allegation as a lie, wondering how unarmed people would want to assassinate a service chief.

    Its spokesman, Ibrahim Usman, in a counter statement, said:

    “At noon today (yesterday) armed soldiers were seen in the precincts of Hussainiyyah Baqiyyatullah, Zaria, where members of the Islamic Movement were to carry out the hoisting of flag to usher in the new month of Maulud, the birth of the Holy Prophet of Islam.

    “Similar occasion was previously carried out on the same spot with free traffic flow under the supervision of the Movement’s traffic warders.

    “When some brothers met the soldiers to understand the mission of the soldiers, they took position and opened fire indiscriminately, killed many and took away seven of the casualties to an unknown location.

    “Based on the foregoing, we believe that the military had pre-planned this and had acted according to their mischievous script. They came with their cameramen, videotaping the whole incidence while it lasted.

    “We are however surprised that, spokesman of the military Colonel Kuka Sheka shamelessly came out in the media and issued a press statement to say, that it was an assassination attempt on the Chief of Army Staff on the order of the movement’s leader.

    “Why was it that there were no casualties on the side of the military, if it were to be an assassination attempt? What happened was never a clash, but a continuation of act of terrorism by the Nigerian military on the Movement, as was the case in the past.

    “We are not surprised by this action, as there were reports spread by the same military the night before that the Shi’ites were to avenge their dead by hired thugs on Friday in Gabari, a village in Zaria.

    “The same military also spread rumour that the Shi’ites had killed soldiers, all in attempt to justify today’s (yesterday’s) dastardly act.

    “Kuka Sheka should know that once bitten twice shy. The 2014 massacre of 34 members of the Islamic Movement, including three of Sheikh Zakzaky’s children by the military; the attempt on Sheikh Zakzaky’s convoy by the same military are still on our minds.

    “No government can flourish successfully with disoriented military, full of trigger-itchy personnel and security operatives trained by CIA and Mossad.

    “Until the present government fishes out this cabal in the military and brings the culprits to book, we will believe the government is condoning, violence and terrorism on innocent citizens.”

    An eye witness Yusuf Abubakar said, “I saw two soldiers asking the Shi’ite members to remove the barricade but they refused only for the soldiers to open fire on them.

    “Suddenly, there was confusion everywhere. I saw more than 30 corpses on the ground before soldiers took them away.”

    Another eye witness who pleaded anonymity told The Nation that, “the soldiers were armed to the teeth as they came in about three Hilux vans and armoured personnel carriers.

    “They were pleading with the Shi’tte members to clear the way for the Army Chief who was being expected.

    “Rather than comply, members of the Islamic Movement said that they had blocked the road for security reasons. They began brandishing clubs and swords, chanting ‘’Allahu Akbar’’(God is great).

    “A few shots followed   and we all dispersed. Some Shi’ttes lost their lives in the process.”

    El-Zakzaky himself could not be immediately reached but his followers branded the army’s version of the story as an unfair and unjust portrayal of the incident.

    Yesterday’s incident is the latest in the series of clashes between security agents and members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

    In one of such encounters in July last year, three sons of El-Zakzaky were killed allegedly by soldiers.

    The army dismissed the allegation at the time.

    But the United Kingdom-based Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) issued a report blaming soldiers for what it called shooting and killing of defenceless members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria between July 25 and 26.

    It said that shortly after the Jumat prayers on July 25,the Shi’tte members  embarked on the traditional Al-Quds procession done in support of the Palestinian Cause following the same route it has followed in the last 33 years.

    The report said 34 defenceless members of the group were murdered in cold blood as they marched through the streets of Zaria, in Kaduna State.

    About 100 others were injured, it said citing interviews with victims, their families, witnesses.

    The IHRC also obtained a video footage of soldiers firing at unarmed civilians at the end of the procession.

    Besides, it said that it had proof that many of those arrested died in military custody, unable to withstand the brutality they were subjected to by the soldiers.

    The procession ended at about 4:30 p.m. and participants, said to be thousands began to disperse stretching over about three kilometres from the meeting point, before soldiers attacked them.

    Soldiers allegedly confronted volunteers managing traffic at the PZ Junction on the criteria they were using to give priority pass to cars.

    The truck in which the soldiers were driving was allowed to pass only for them to start shooting at protesters indiscriminately.

    The IHRC said: “This appears to have been a smokescreen for the attacks, because even as they were being given priority passage, the soldiers started shooting at demonstrators from a very close distance. Ishaq Abdullah was shot and bundled into the army vehicle. The soldiers then sped off, went around the block of shops and cut off a large group who were at the tail end of the procession from the main body. They took positions near these shops and started to shoot at the crowd. The volunteers and other non-partisan eye-witnesses stated that the volunteers did not have weapons and did not instigate the violence.”

    Last month, about 20 members of the sect were blown up in an bomb attack during a procession from Kano to Zaria.

    A suspected suicide bomber who pretended to be part of the procession set off a bomb at Dakasonye village in Garun Mallam Local Government of Kano State.

    Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack and called the Shi’ttes heretics,but El-Zakzaky said his group knew those behind the attack.

    “We know the names of the contractors and those contracted to commit the massacre, their identity is not hidden from us. Therefore we cannot be cowed by an imaginary Boko Haram tale, let them tell it to the fools and the ignorant. They should know that they are dealing with those with foresight, wisdom and intelligence, and above all with the real religion,” he said.

    “There is nothing like a suicide bomber. They torture and drug unsuspecting captives and made them carriers of the explosives which they detonated amidst people.

  • Crowd of supporters hold Akpabio hostage at Etiebet’s funeral

    Thousands of supporters of the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, literarily held him hostage on Friday at the funeral of the former governor of the old Cross River State, Chief Donald Dick Etiebet, in Ikot Ekpuk, Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

    The supporters who got wind that the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State would attend the burial of the late Etiebet laid siege for him at Ikot Ibritam junction. On sighting the convoy of the Senator, the supporters blocked the road and forced him to walk a distance of about three kilometres to the deceased’s compound.

    A team of security operatives had a hectic time keeping away the surging crowd who accompanied Senator Akpabio amidst drumming and dancing. The Senator at most points cautioned the security operatives to relax the ring around him since he was ease at home with his people.

    However, the crowd became uncontrollable when the former Petroleum Minister and brother of the deceased, Atuekong Don Etiebet, stepped out to receive Senator Akpabio and walked hand in hand with him into his house where Akpabio joined him for a drink and lunch.

    It would be recalled that in the run up to the last general elections, both Atuekong Etiebet and Senator Akpabio belonged to different political camps with the former minister defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Supporters of both camps were surprised when the two leaders held hands and danced together.

    Addressing thousands of his supporters from the balcony of Etiebet’s House, Senator Akpabio, whose election was upheld by the Appeal Court on the same day, thanked the youths for their support and said his victory would spur him to do more for his constituents.

     

  • Rivers APC dedicates tribunal victories to slain supporters

    Rivers APC dedicates tribunal victories to slain supporters

    The Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) has dedicated its victories at the election petitions tribunal to the memories of the 99 persons killed during the last elections.

    Its governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, spoke yesterday at the new Government Reservation Area (GRA) in Port Harcourt, the state capital, during a meeting with stakeholders.

    Peterside accused Governor Nyesom Wike of mortgaging the state’s future by taking huge loans in five months and patching only 10 kilometres of road.

    He said security had deteriorated in the state in the last five months.

    The meeting was attended by Peterside’s running mate, Honourable Asita; APC State Chairman Davies Ikanya; Senator Magnus Ngei Abe and a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; among others.

    Wike, a former Minister of State for Education, had said his administration was prudent, claiming that he was committed to the state’s development and transformation.

    Peterside said: “The APC’s family in Rivers State has recorded a string of victories at the various tribunals. The tribunal recently nullified the governorship election.

    “The House of Assembly elections’ tribunals also nullified 20 of 32 seats. One was actually thrown out on technical grounds. Two other National Assembly seats have also been nullified and fresh elections ordered.

    “We thank God for His mercies and all the victories recorded so far. What the victories mean is that the APC’s family in Rivers State has been vindicated that no election took place in Rivers State on March 28 and April 11.

    “We want to salute the courage of Rivers people, who have been resilient throughout this period. Who have been faithful to the APC mission and that is the mission of change. To change the way we do things and improve the quality of life of our people.

    “We dedicate the victories to the memories of the over 99 persons who lost their lives during the March 28 and April 11 elections.

    “To prove that we are not making an empty claim, about the fact that people were killed. I will mention a few names: Chief Christopher Adube, who was assassinated with six members of his family in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government of Rivers State.

    “Miebaka Opogilia, who was killed in Okrika; Saturday Makama; Precious Pepple and Corporal Ifeanyi Okoro, who was killed in Okrika, while on a national assignment.

    “They did not die in vain. They laid down their lives for the freedom and prosperity of Rivers people. I am sure that wherever they are, their memories will feel some form of relief, that at least, those they left behind will have the opportunity of choosing the kind of leaders they want.

    The governorship candidate also expressed displeasure about the accumulation of debts, through bank loans, by Wike.

    Peterside said: “He first obtained a loan of N30 billion and we raised the alarm then that, that was not the way to go.

    “As you all must have noticed, Wike, till date, has not justified a penny of the first N30 billion he borrowed. In addition to the many loans he has collected, he has collected revenues from the Federation Account to the tune of N100 billion in five months, since he has been in office and yet our schools are not working.”

     

  • PDP chief leads supporters to APC

    PDP chief leads supporters to APC

    •’Party has failed in Bayelsa’

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Matthias Kuroekigha, at the weekend led his supporters to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He vowed to work for the victory of the APC candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, in the December 5 governorship election.

    Speaking at a news conference in Yenagoa, Kuroekigha said he left PDP with over 100 of his supporters.

    The former PDP stalwart and his supporters trooped to the secretariat of the Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation (SICO) on Isaac Boro Expressway and were received by SICO’s Deputy Director-General Mr. Jonathan Omo.

    Before his defection, the politician, a kinsman of Deputy Governor John Jonah, formed a grassroots political movement, which he used to mobilise support for the Governor Seriake Dickson administration.

    Kuroekigha said he left the PDP because Dickson’s administration allegedly failed the people.

    He said: “When the Restoration Government came to power, we worked as PDP members, despite our misgiving, to ensure its success, with the hope that Bayelsans would enjoy democracy dividends. Unfortunately, three and a half years later, everything has remained the same. The situation has even deteriorated.

    “As leaders, our people always ask us, what has this government restored? There is dissatisfaction among Bayelsans about the performance of this government.

    “Instead of addressing the state’s infrastructural needs, attention is focused on white elephant projects that are not completed and are not of socio-economic benefits to the people. It is, therefore, not surprising that Bayelsans are clamouring for a change.”

    Kuroekigha decried government’s claims of performance in education, health, social welfare, environment, security and employment generation.

    He said the government failed to implement most of the components of the emergency it declared in the education sector.

    “As we speak, the education sector is in a coma. Public schools are in a deplorable state. Teachers are not motivated, schools are not equipped for learning and poor parents are forced to send their children to private schools where they pay through their nose.

    “Our tertiary education system is in a shambles. The state-owned university, Niger Delta University (NDU), is not funded. Lecturers are not paid and the school is in a bad condition.

    “Bayelsans on scholarship are stranded in foreign countries because of government’s decision not to defray their tuition fees and allowances. This is very sad. The governor has reportedly declared a state of emergency in education.”

    Kuroekigha said he and his followers embraced APC because they felt it was the only party that could rescue the state from bad leadership.

    The politician, who is fondly called the ‘Controller’ by his supporters, said he was optimistic that APC would form the next government on February 14.

    He hailed Sylva, saying his first term recorded achievements.

    According to him, a vote for the APC standard-bearer would liberate the state.

    Kuroekigha said: “My supporters and I have taken a stand to support those advocating genuine change.

    “We stand with Bayelsans, who are marginalised, ostracised, neglected, abandoned, haunted, abused and humiliated.

    “We stand for equal rights and justice. We stand for truth and change.  Enough of financial recklessness, unprepared governance, poor mindset, deceit, political vendetta, stagnation, uncultured behaviour, noise-making, among others.

    “Never again will Bayelsa people be deceived. We are convinced that the present administration has failed the people and won’t deliver the dividends of democracy’’.

  • Rangers’ supporters lament club’s poor run

    Rangers’ supporters lament club’s poor run

    The fans of Rangers International FC of Enugu on Tuesday expressed worries over the club’s poor performance in the Glo Premier League.

    Speaking separately with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, the fans called on the players and handlers of the team to improve their game to avoid relegation.

    They said that the club was not living up to their expectations and needed to do better to remain in the country’s top flight league.

    One of the supporters, Izunna Ikwuagwu, said that Rangers had lost their intimidating posture and were paying for it by losing matches at home.

    “If not that I am a fan of the club, I would not have been watching their matches in Enugu because there is no more joy in their game.

    “The managers need to do something to save our darling club from their present poor performance in the league,’’ he said.

    Another supporter, Otu Abam, said that the club had not gone on relegation and needed to maintain the status.

    “From the way things are going, the club may face relegation at the end of the season if they fail to pick points both home and away.

    “Winning one away match and losing four at home this season calls for concern.

    “When I was younger, Rangers won most of their away matches but today they hardly get a draw.

    “To worsen the matter, the club’s poor run has witnessed many home defeats this season. The team is no longer the Flying Antelopes that used to tear clubs apart,” he said.

    In his reaction, the club’s spokesperson, Foster Chime, said that a true follower of Rangers should not be thinking of the club going on relegation.

    “A real supporter or fan should be thinking of the club grabbing one of the continental tickets and not even finishing at the middle of the league, not to talk of relegation.

    “The priority of the management and the players is to see the club doing well and I believe that things will change for good as the Technical Consultant, Christian Chukwu, has talked to the players.

    “Chukwu made the players to understand what it looks like playing away from home and the need to protect the image of the club at all levels,” Chime said.

    He said that the players were happy for the salary arrears of two months paid them and were ready to do better.

    Rangers and Heartland FC of Owerri are the only two football teams that have remained in the top division of the national league.

  • Supporters demand sack of Rangers bosses

    Supporters demand sack of Rangers bosses

    Rangers Supporters Club led by national president, Ibuchukwu Nwodo, have called on the Enugu State government to sack the management of the club led by Paul Chibuzor with immediate effect.

    Nwodo, who led over 100 members of the supporters club based in Enugu to the state House of Assembly with a protest letter which was presented to the house leader for Youth and Sports, Nelson Uduji, calling for the removal of the general manager.

    Carrying placards with various inscriptions such as“Our ‘Gburugburu’ please save our dear Rangers from impending Relegation”, “Eight whole years with much money. No Trophy!! No achievement”, “The cries of supporters, the cries of Igbos, Change of the Management”, “Govt. Please invite EFCC to probe Mr. Paul Chibuzor-led management.”, “Rangers the known pride of Igbos has lost their pride in this management”, “Mr. Paul Chibuzor has frustrated the Rangers board and supporters club.”; “Is Rangers a family business?” amongst others.

    The national president said: “The reason for our action today is very clear as we realise how wonderfully well this management regime of Rangers led by Paul Chibuzor has performed.

    “We have come to realise that Rangers is not doing well not because of lack of the right calibre of players or coaches, but the right management hence, our call for a complete overhaul of the management.

    “We have been assured by the house leader, Nelson Uduji of quick action while our letter has also been deposited with the state F.A.

    “Enough is enough.We don’t have any information on the whereabouts of the transfer fees of such players as Ejike Uzoenyi, Christian Osaguona, Sunday Mba, Chikeluba Ofoedu, Pierre Coly and others.

    “Supporters and board members are not carried along in the scheme of things. We are very sure that this led to the club’ ouster at the semi-final stage of Federation Cup against Lobi Stars in Katsina.

    “It is quite pathetic and we call on the government to act quickly to save Rangers from relegation and doom,” he said.

  • Supporters ask for Audu’s return

    Thousands of supporters of former Kogi State Governor  Abubakar Audu at the weekend besieged Lokoja Township Stadium, asking him to contest the governorship election.

    Led by women and youths under the aegis of the Vision G63 Voice of the Grassroots, they clamoured for Audu’s return to the Lugard House “to rescue Kogi State from economic doldrums and infrastructural decay.”

    The group’s leader, Hajia Amina Musa, said they asked for Audu’s return because they could no longer witness the state falling like a pack of cards.

    She said Kogi had remained stagnant since he left the Government House in 2003, adding that they were worried by the high level of infrastructural decay.

    Hajia Musa noted: “We gather here today, having made up our minds and to show our displeasure over the bad condition of the state and beg Prince Audu to come back and save it from collapse.”

    She said Kogi is the most backward in terms of development, adding that it needs the ex-governor to salvage and rescue it from the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    The leader enjoined women and youths to be determined to return Audu to power, stressing that he was tested and trusted.

    Audu told the crowd that having finished consultations, he would contest the poll, recalling that during his tenure, civil servants received salaries promptly.

    He promised to create one million jobs in his first six months in office if elected.

    The former governor said he was not out to witch-hunt anyone, noting that nobody offended him.

    He sought forgiveness from anyone he might have offended.

    According to him, “the 12 years of PDP misrule will soon be a thing of the past. When I was the governor from 1999 to 2003, I did not owe civil servants. Those retrenched were reinstated.

    “I will create one million jobs for the unemployed graduates.

    “Your days of suffering are numbered. By this time next year, many of you will have jobs, build houses, buy cars and marry. I have done it before and I will do it  again.”

    A group of Kogi State indigenes resident in Kaduna State under the aegis of the Concerned Kaduna Progressives (CKP) has urged well-meaning individuals from the state to support the aspiration of Prince Audu.

    The Chairman of the body, Alhaji Yusuf Nda Ibrahim, spoke when interacting with reporters in Kaduna at the weekend.

    He said the call became imperative, considering the sorry state Kogi was in, following bad governance.

  • Ajimobi, supporters in road show

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday moved round major streets in Ibadan, the state capital, to thank the people for re-electing him.

    Governor Ajimobi, who was accompanied by his wife and other members of the state executive council, waved to the crowds, who lined up the streets to see him.

    Major streets were grounded by the jubilant supporters, students, market women and artisans, who held brooms in their hands, the symbol of the APC.

    Moving in a convoy of vehicles, which included more than 10 long trucks,  cars and bikes, they waved brooms as they reeled out songs of victory while the elated governor gave out souvenirs to people.

    At Ojoo, Apata, Ring Road, Challenge, Mokola, Agodi, Bodija, Mokola, Oke Bola, Oke-Ado, Secretariat, Sango and Iwo Road, the crowd caused traffic jams.

     

  • Respect verdict, Omirin pleads with supporters

    Ekiti State House of Assembly, Speaker Adewale Omirin, has appealed to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ekiti people to accept the judgment of the Supreme Court on the Ekiti State governorship election appeal petition.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, the Speaker said the Supreme Court, as the last authority on the matter, had spoken and urged the people to respect the verdict.

    Noting that the judges arer human beings who may have erred in the consideration of the petition, he said opportunities still exist to right the wrongs that may have been noticed in the judgment.

    “This is an opportunity for Nigerians to ask questions whether it is morally right for a governor to be impeached this month and next month he is re-contesting the same position he lost over  a breach of public trust.

    “It is shocking that the judges could not take into account details of alleged fraud over which Fayose was indicted, particularly as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is in court trying the governor over the offence for which Fayose was indicted,” Omirin said, adding:

    “For ordinary Nigerians, it was believed that the judgment would consider the particulars of the governor’s alleged fraudulent acts as established by the EFCC that necessitated the setting up of the panel, which the Supreme Court is now saying was faulty.

    “Isolating or discountenancing this important element of the case to now dwell  on the legality of the panel to dismiss the entire case is nothing but a call to criminals to steal their society blind and in the process of establishing a reprimand against them, fault is now established against the probing authority in order to legalise the crime and wish the criminals good luck by allowing them to get away to enjoy their loot.”