Category: Politics

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Following the harassment of some members of the National Assembly, who were part of the team that paid a courtesy visit on governor Yahaya Bello in Government House Lokoja, six persons have been arrested on the order of the governor.

The Governor has subsequently banned unauthorized persons from accessing the government House while calling for immediate prosecution of the culprits.

The lawmakers from Kogi State, in the Senate and House of Representatives, had visited Governor Bello on Tuesday evening to congratulate him on the peaceful and credible conduct of the November 11 Governorship election and to pledge their unalloyed loyalty to him and the incoming administration.

A statement from the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu said, “Shortly after the fruitful discussion, the governor received with rude shock the news of the harassment of some of the lawmakers on their way out of the government house and swiftly ordered the arrest of the culprits.

“He charged security agencies to investigate the issue thoroughly and ensure the offenders face the full wrath of the law.

Onogwu quoted the governor to have said, “Information just got to me as I left the office to the residence that one man called Suleiman and others embarrassed Senator Jubrin Echocho in Government House. I’ve directed Chief Security Officer (CSO) to arrest all those involved in such stupid act and bring them to justice immediately. I will never condone act of hooliganism and indiscipline.”

The members who visited on Tuesday were Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho of Kogi East, Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West, Rt Hon Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims of Ankpa Federal Constituency, Hon Zachariah Idris of Idah Federal Constituency and Hon Sani Abdulrahim Egidi of Ajaokuta Federal Constituency.

Others were Hon. Abdulrahim Danga (PDP) of Okehi/Adavi Federal, Hon Gowon Haruna of Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, Hon Tijani Ozigi of Okene/Ogori Federal Constituency, Hon Danladi Aguye of Lokoja/Koto Federal Constituency and Hon Salman Idris (ADV) of Kabba/Ijumu Federal constituency respectfully.
End.

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

The immediate past Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, has felicitated with the Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, over the validation of his victory by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

In a statement by the Former Governor through his Media Aide, Terver Akase, Ortom said the decision of the Apex Court affirming the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia, has brought to an end a robust process which undoubtedly constributed to strengthening democracy in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

“The legal contest that ensued following the 2023 elections was fundamental in depending the democratic values and principles. It is a reflection of the vibrant nature of our democracy and a demonstration of the rule of law at work. Now that Governor Alia’s election has been affirmed, it is time for all of us to wish him well as he leads state.”

Ortom Implored the people of Benue State to rally behind Governor Alia, and offer their support to enable him succeed, stressing that there’s need for people of the state to unite across party lines for the progress and development of the state.

In the same vein, the Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the last Governorship election in Benue State, Mr Titus Uba, has congratulated Governor Alia on his victory at the Supreme Court. Uba had challenged the victory of Governor Hyacinth Alia up to the Apex Court.

“As a law abiding citizen who believes in the unity and development of our dear state Benue and our nation Nigeria, I have accepted the decision of the Court in good faith. I therefore wish to extend my sincere congratulations to the Governor.”

In a recent development, the Supreme Court has deferred judgment in the appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenging the election of Alex Otti. The five-member panel, led by John Okoro, adjourned the proceedings for judgments after hearing arguments from the involved parties. Earlier, the Court of Appeal in Lagos had dismissed petitions from the PDP and its candidate, Okey Ahiwe, as well as Ikechi Emenike of the APC. Both the APC and PDP seek the nullification of Alex Otti’s election as Abia State Governor under the Labour Party. Further details will follow.

Comrade Philip Shaibu, the gubernatorial aspirant and Deputy Governor of Edo State, has responded to accusations of betraying Governor Obaseki after serving as his deputy in the 2016 and 2020 elections. Shaibu defended his decision to become the deputy governor in 2016, emphasizing that there were no objections to his appointment at that time.

During an appearance on Arise TV’s flagship program “The Morning Show” on Wednesday, he dismissed claims of his ineligibility to contest the election based on his origin from the same place as Oshiomhole. He labeled this as a tactic employed by the governor and his supporters to divert attention from the actual issues of the upcoming election. Shaibu stressed that the people of Edo State prioritize a candidate who is accessible and action-oriented from the start rather than experimentation. He emphasized his close connection with the people and clarified that his relationship with Oshiomhole’s clan is not the focus; rather, it is his qualifications and offerings. He also noted that the PDP has not previously awarded its ticket to someone from Edo North, yet others from the same region have participated in the race.

Regarding the alleged meeting at Chief Mike Oghiadomhe’s house where an aspirant was endorsed, Shaibu acknowledged his respect for him but clarified that the gathering consisted of mutual friends as Chief Ogiadomhe did not have the authority to convene a PDP meeting. He dismissed the significance of those present, noting that they were individuals who consistently lost elections in recent times, making their meeting irrelevant to his campaign.

Concerning recent actions taken by the governor against him, Shaibu expressed feeling betrayed, having played a significant role in Obaseki’s electoral victories in both elections. He claimed to have contributed politically and financially to the campaigns, providing vehicles and even falling victim to fraud during the electoral process. Consequently, Shaibu estimated that he lost approximately 20% of his political capital in Edo North due to his support for the governor in 2020.

Disputing allegations of betrayal against Comrade Oshiomhole, Shaibu contended that such claims demonstrated a lack of political insight. He asserted that his disagreement with Oshiomhole was part of their agreement to combat godfatherism in Edo State. Shaibu clarified that Oshiomhole did not make him politically but rather supported his appointment as deputy governor. Furthermore, Shaibu asserted that he was instrumental in convincing Oshiomhole to join politics in Edo State, having established the initial structure for his gubernatorial campaign.

Shaibu emphasized that the election should not revolve around Edo Central alone, aiming to transcend ethnic politics and focus on propelling the state’s development. He outlined plans for infrastructural advancement, including investment in rail lines and road improvements to stimulate GDP growth. Additionally, Shaibu pledged to drive agricultural development and create over 300,000 jobs in the sports sector, vowing to revitalize the industrial park for sustained economic progress in Edo.

Addressing the concern of outsiders becoming governor, Shaibu underscored the people’s desire for someone familiar with their needs and experiences. He emphasized that his involvement in the system has equipped him to tackle the challenges facing Edo. Shaibu promised not to appoint Special Advisers younger than himself but assured that his commissioners would be younger, as energy was crucial for effective governance and seamless succession planning.

Shaibu emphatically stated that he would not utilize public funds for private infrastructure projects, emphasizing his commitment to ethical governance. Regarding funding for his campaign following the withdrawal of allocations to his office, Shaibu expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and goodwill he has received from the people of Edo State. He expressed confidence that his campaign has gained momentum and that the electorate desires positive change, which he believes he can deliver.

The political landscape of Nigeria witnessed significant upheavals in 2023, marked by a historic presidential election, cabinet reshuffles, and a series of corruption scandals. Amidst the victories, some politicians faced defeats, disappointments, and public disgrace. Here are the 10 notable political losers of 2023:

1. Atiku Abubakar: The former vice president and PDP presidential candidate faced a substantial defeat, trailing behind Bola Tinubu by over 1.8 million votes. His legal challenge at the Supreme Court was dismissed, and he confronted allegations of money laundering and tax evasion in the UK and the US.

2. Peter Obi: Despite his reputation for good governance, the former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s presidential candidate secured the third position in the election with 25.4% of the vote, struggling to garner support from the Northern and Western regions.

3. Rabiu Kwankwaso: The New Nigeria Peoples Party presidential candidate and former Kano State governor finished fourth, winning only his home state and facing a political rift with his former deputy, Abdullahi Ganduje.

4. Ike Ekweremadu: The former deputy senate president and PDP member received a jail sentence of nine years and eight months in the UK for involvement in an organ trafficking plot, resulting in the loss of his parliamentary seat and assets.

5. Chinyere Igwe: A former House of Representatives member from the PDP, Igwe was arrested for money laundering, caught with $498,100 in cash on the eve of the election, along with a list of intended bribes.

6. Oyibo Chukwu: The LP senatorial candidate in Enugu East was tragically shot dead after a campaign rally. The police attributed the murder to the separatist group IPOB.

7. Samuel Ortom: A member of the G5 PDP governors, Ortom lost his bid for the Benue North West Senatorial District in the National Assembly to Titus Zam of the APC.

8. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi: Former governor and G5 member Ugwuanyi lost his attempt to represent Enugu North Senatorial District to Okechukwu Ezea of the Labour Party.

9. Nasir El-Rufai: Initially nominated by President Tinubu for a federal ministerial position, El-Rufai faced Senate rejection during screening over security concerns, prompting the withdrawal of his nomination.

10. Ben Ayade: The former Cross River State governor’s Senate aspirations were thwarted by Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe of the PDP, who secured victory with 76,145 votes against Ayade’s 56,595.

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo

Senior Special Assistant to Akwa Ibom State Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso has said that it would be unfair to criticise Governor Umo Eno or his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, over the temporary suspension of operations at the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing (JSM) company in ONNA.

Essien, while speaking in a radio programme in Uyo at the weekend, blamed the current Nigeria’s unfavourable business environment for the continuous exit of multinational companies and the challenges facing the syringe company.

It would be recalled that the company, reputed to be the largest syringe manufacturing company in Africa was inaugurated in 2017 by former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo but last week announced a temporary suspension of operations citing unforeseen circumstances affecting her business operations as the major reason for its decision.

But Essien, while frowning at some critics who attempted to score cheap political points from the unfortunate situation, noted that the current national economic crisis should be blamed for the company’s temporary setback.

“We all know that since the removal of fuel subsidy, Nigeria is undergoing a serious economic crisis. Foreign exchange, import duties, and interest rates are basically the reasons companies are closing down in Nigeria.

“Outside Akwa Ibom State, several SMEs, according to reports, have completely shutdown operations while several big names have also scaled back operations.

” Reports on Business Day newspaper indicates that companies like GSK Plc, Nigeria’s second-biggest drug producer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Unilever, producers of famous brands like OMO, Sunlight and Lux have also announced cease of operations.” He explained.

Also reacting to some critics who described the State International Worship Center as a misplaced priority, the SSA dismissed such assertions, stressing that there would be nothing wrong in having a befitting central place of worship in a state with nore than 99% Christians.

“While prayers move mountains, praises move God. Before the Worship Centre was built, Akwa Ibom people, who are devoted Christians, used to gather under the sun at Ibom Hall grounds to praise God and for all other religious activities.

“For those who say that the money used to build a befitting temple of God would have been channeled into other things, let me ask; those states that haven’t built international worship centers, do they have free and compulsory education? Do they have better roads than Akwa Ibom State? Do they have more peace than our dear Akwa Ibom State? In what way are they better than Akwa Ibom State?

“When people talk about generation of revenue, have they told us how the Statue of Liberty in US generates revenue?The same people who gather every year to source for funds and visas to travel to the Middle East to go and worship God, are now turning around to criticize a befitting center of worship that would engender religious tourism by our people.

“If the government in a State named after God ought not to build a centre of worship for God, would they rather have built a shrine.” Essien queried.

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

People of Sokoto state have been advised to engage in farming activities and set up industries to boost the economy of the state.

Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko made the plea when he visited a private rice processing mill K.K. Technologies owned by Alh. Kabiru Mu’azu Jodi a businessman based in the state.

The senator on arrival at the company was received by the Management of the firm under it’s chairman Alh. Mu’azu Jodi and the Managing Director of the company Alh. Kabiru Mu’azu Jodi among other personnel of the company.

Briefing the senator about the company, the Managing Director Alh. Kabiru Mu’azu Jodi said the rice processing mill was established in 2015 with the production capacity of eight thousand tones of rice daily.

He further informed the senator that, for now the company is producing 500,000 tones of rice everyday, which he said that, was achieved as a result of purchasing of modern equipment that can hasten the activities of the company.

Alh. Jodi, also told the senator that, they are now cultivating paddy rice themselves unlike what was obtained before, when they have to travel far to purchase the materials for processing.

He added that, the company has brought modern facility for quick and easy production, a successes he attributed to the fatherly advise of Snator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.

His spokesman, Bashar Abubakar quoted Wamakko as saying “as part of measures to ensure the production of quality and healthy rice, they have collaboration with the federal government agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring hygienic food for human consumption.

“Some factors that hinder their smooth production is lack of availability and high cost of the raw materials and transportation were some of the challenges facing the company”.

The MD displayed to the senator the improved seeds that can produce about 12,000 tones of paddy rice far harvest.

He called for more interventions from government at all levels for the development of the company and the state as a whole.

Speaking, during the visit to the company, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, expressed delight on the commitment of the management of the company and urged them to maintained the tempo.

Senator Wamakko, described the company as one of the best in terms of producing quality rice and charged all well-meaning individuals to join hands with the firm in order to move the state and the country forward.

He further, said that, by engaging in such business the state will be free from security challenges as well as to reduce hardship and poverty among people.

Senator Wamakko, assured to continue to partner with the company toward it’s success and called on Nigerians to embrace farming for the progress of all.

Senator Wamakko, said the state government will use the company to purchase the commodity so as to encourage them to produce more rice for the economic growth of the state, and the country.

The senator alongside his entourage were later taken around the various sections of the company to see on how it operate.