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Category: Politics

My govt inherited gratuity debt of N28bn, disbursed over N3bn to 76 retirees for 2012 – Seyi Makinde
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Monday said his government has paid gratuity to seventy-six (76) retirees in the state.
Three billion, four hundred and twenty million Naira was paid to the retirees to clear the 2012- 2013 unpaid gratuity.
Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Siju Lawal presented the cheques to the retirees on Monday.
Lawal spoke on behalf of Makinde while presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Ibadan.
The commissioner while speaking added that the State Government inherited unpaid gratuity debt of about N28 billion from the previous administration as outstanding for the year 2012, up until May 2019 when the present administration received the mantle of leadership in Oyo State.
He maintained that the monthly release of N180 million has helped pay the whole of year 2012 gratuity.
He noted that the payment has stretched to the month of August 2013, as it is always paid according to merit.
Lawal also advised beneficiaries to invest wisely with their money.
He advised the retirees to be prudent in spending and live peacefully with others to enjoy a healthy and fulfilled life.
“This is another day of joy to our retirees that are benefiting from this quarter’s payment of their gratuity.
“We believe they have gained one thing or the other from training given by the government about life after retirement and how to survive the life of investments and private businesses.
“As demanded by the governor to aid accountability, avoid loss of vital data and to make the processing of documentation faster, we are starting electronic computation of the data soon.
February 1, 2021
EFCC arrests Gusau university VC for N260 million contract scam
The vice chancellor of Federal University, Gusau, Professor Magaji Garba is currently in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
He was detained by the anti-graft agency on Thursday January 28 after he honoured an invitation in relation to his involvement in a case of abuse of office, corrupt practices and contract scam.
A competent source at the anti- graft agency disclosed that the had fraudulently obtained the sum of Two Hundred and Sixty Million Naira (N260, 000,000) from a contractor, Alhaji Shehu Sambo, owner of Ministaco Nigeria Limited, on the pretext that the University was going to award his company a contract worth N3, 000,000,000 (Three Billion Naira) for the construction of perimeter Wall Fence around the institution which never materialised in 2018.
The VC is still being grilled by investigators of the EFCC, who are interested in knowing what happened to the money.
Spokesman of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, confirmed the arrest but did not give further details at the time of filing this report.
February 1, 2021
APC loses Two lawmakers to PDP in Edo
The All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State has lost two members of the House of Assembly.
The two lawmakers are the former Deputy Speaker of the House and member representing Akoko-Edo 1, Yekini Idaiye and the member representing Orhionmwon East Constituency, Hon Nosayaba Okunbor.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun, during the house sitting on Monday read their letters of resignation from APC on the floor of the house.
According to Yekini Idaiye’s letter; May I use this medium to inform you of my resignation as a member of APC.
“I took this decision because of internal crisis in the party from my ward to the local government level which led to the factions in the party for some time now.
“It is on this note that I have decided to resign my membership of the APC and officially defect to the PDP.”
Hon Nosayaba Okunbor ‘s letter reads; this is to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of APC.
“This decision is sequel to the division within the party which has become intractable.
“I have made strenuous efforts to ensure that this division within the party is reconciled in line with the provision of the party’s constitution, but to no avail as the leadership of the party has simply refused to allow the issues involved to be adjudicated upon.
“Consequently, I have no other option than to resign my membership as a lean Liberty they say is better than fat slavery,”.
Onobun welcomed the lawmakers to the PDP and commended their desire to work with the state governor in making Edo great again.
Meanwhile, the House adopted a resolution calling on the state commissioner of police and other relevant security agencies to address the menace of armed hoodlums unleashing terror in Orhionmwon, Esan west and other parts of the State.
February 1, 2021
UK Sanctions Four Zimbabwe Leaders Over Death of 23 Protesters
Britain on Monday slapped sanctions on four Zimbabwean officials following the deaths of at least 23 people protesting against the regime of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Applying a new sanctions regime following its exit from the European Union, Britain said the travel bans and asset freezes showed it was determined to protect human rights in its former African colony.
“These sanctions send a clear message that we will hold to account those responsible for the most egregious human rights violations, including the deaths of innocent Zimbabweans,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.
“These sanctions target senior individuals in the government, and not ordinary Zimbabweans. We will continue to press for the necessary political and economic reforms that will benefit all Zimbabweans.”
The four named were Minister for State Security Owen Ncube; Central Intelligence Organisation chief Isaac Moyo; Zimbabwe Republic Police Commissioner General Godwin Matanga; and Anselem Sanyatwe, a former commander of the presidential guard.
Ncube and Sanyatwe were already targeted for US sanctions in March last year.
The officials are accused of responsibility for the deaths of 17 Zimbabweans in January 2019, when the army attacked protesters marching against a hefty fuel price hike.
They were also allegedly complicit in soldiers opening fire on unarmed demonstrators who were protesting a delay in election results in August 2018, killing six.
That attack prompted international outrage against President Mnangagwa, who initially appeared willing to break from the brutality of longtime dictator Robert Mugabe, whom he ousted in November 2017.
February 1, 2021
Governor Lalong Meets APC National Registration Committee For Plateau State, Optimistic Of More Members Will Join Party
The APC National registration and revalidation Committee for Plateau State has visited Governor Simon Bako Lalong to brief him on the preparations for conducting the exercise in the State.
Chairman of the Committee Hon. Musa Mahmood said the Committee is committed to conducting the exercise within the guidelines issued by the party and will supervise the conduct in all the local governments to ensure that the registration and revalidation is credible and hitch-free.
He commended the Governor and the State Caretaker Working Committee for being proactive and carrying out sensitization among members of the party, a situation that will enhance the smooth conduct of the exercise.
Governor Lalong welcomed the Committee to Plateau and assured that the APC family in the State was ready for the exercise as the members are eager to revalidate their membership and also welcome new members into their fold in order to ensure that the party continues to grow from strength to strength.
Lalong said “this is the time to demonstrate true loyalty and commitment to the party and to increase the fortunes of the APC going forward. There is not going to be manipulation and intimidation in this exercise as those who are found to be pursuing any agenda outside that of the party will not be allowed to succeed. We want more members and this is the time to open our doors and welcome everybody that wants to join the largest party in Nigeria”.
The Governor also assured that more members will join the party because of the performance of the APC led administration which has put the interests of Plateau people above parochial interests. This he explained was why apart from initiating various people oriented projects, his administration chose to complete inherited and abandoned projects rather than abandon them like in previous governments did with their predecessors.
He said just like the example set by the President, he will be going to his polling unit in Ajikamai, Shendam LGA to register, urging all government appointees to mobilise their people to also register and revalidate their membership, saying that anything short will cast doubt about their loyalty to the party.
February 1, 2021
Announcement Date Of New IGP still Unknown – Presidency
The Presidency on Monday said there was no date set, yet, for the announcement of a new Inspector-General of Police.
Current IGP Mohammed Adamu is expected to leave office today, Monday, as he attains the retirement age.
But, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said he is not aware of the imminent announcement of a new police chief.
“The President returns to Abuja on Tuesday,” he said. “He should be on his desk by Wednesday. I don’t know when he will do this. One thing I can assure you is that in places sensitive like that, there is no vacuum that will subsist, so therefore the system will take care of itself.”
Mr. Shehu also stressed that the appointment of the next IGP will not be based on ethnic considerations.
“The President will rather have an Inspector-General of Police who will make you and I safer, protect life and property than one who is more pronounced by his tribal marks,” he said.
February 1, 2021
FG insincere about security in Nigeria – Gov Wike
The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that the Federal Government is not sincere about security in Nigeria.
He spoke while featuring on Channels Television programme, Sunday Politics.
According to Wike, “First, you have to ask yourself, is the Federal Government sincere? Are they serious about making sure that there is security in all the states? If you ask me, I would say No.
“We must understand when people play about politics. The Federal Government is not sincere about security.
“What I am saying today is not new, but again, one has to speak up to say this is not the way the country must move.”
He added, “Our concern is to make sure they provide security for this country. That is what they would say. Now, how have they made sure they made provision for the security of lives and property in each state for us to have confidence and trust in the government?
“Take, for example. We came up with a proposal to say in order to help the security agencies incapacitated in terms of manpower. We came up with a neighbourhood watch to give intelligence to help us to work. That was the decision of the security council, not my decision, not the party’s decision.
“The assembly approved it. We went ahead to appoint people who are retired security officers. We wrote to the army, to the SSS, to the police to make sure they profiled those who have applied to help in terms of security and they all certified them.”
February 1, 2021
Nigerians lambast Buhari for violating COVID-19 Protocol
President Muhammadu Buhari has come under criticisms for violating the COVID-19 law.
President Buhari who went to his hometown to revalidate his membership of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Governors, government officials, several party loyalists and supporters accompanied him. The President had a mask on but removed it at some point.
On Sunday, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) expressed dismay about Buhari’s flouting of the regulation which provides 6-months jail term for defaulters.
The PDP called it a huge national embarrassment and gross failure of leadership that the President “who ought to lead by example”. did not.
Its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement said it was scandalous that while Nigerians were striving to obey the COVID-19 regulation, they saw reports of open violation of the law by the country’s leader.
“The media is awash with reports and pictures of Mr. President in public, discussing with his party leaders at the event without putting on a nose mask or maintaining social distancing as stipulated by the new law.
“Such disregard to law and rules, which have characterized the Buhari Presidency and the APC, is largely responsible for the failure of leadership.”
PDP noted that the development showed that the Buhari presidency and the APC were more interested in partisan politics than the wellbeing of the nation.
“We ask, with this violation, do the Buhari administration and its officials still have the rectitude to enforce sanctions on any other defaulter in the absence of necessary regrets by the President and his party, the APC.”
PDP said the onus lies on Buhari and the APC to clean up the mess by tendering an unreserved apology to Nigerians and take steps to observe necessary regrets over this violation.
The opposition advised Nigerians not to emulate such examples, but continue to exert themselves in observing all COVID-19 protocols placed to check the spread of the pandemic.
Nigerians on social media have also lambasted the President.
Below are some reactions;
@prince_ironsi: “If I calculate the face mask I use every month, it is more than minimum wage. And he’s not wearing. Make rules and don’t obey them.”
@lekanladepo: “We are in a country whereby the law and justice only favours the riches and poor suffering on the other side.”
@mr_sulaimon: “Presidency made the law and not Buhari. He’s not aware of any law.”
@adepejurahmon: “Na only rich Nigeria law dey favour, what a lawless country.”
@bashoruabiodun: “If the president did not use nose mask, that means no Covid-19. We are just being deceived.”
February 1, 2021
Crisis Rocks Kaduna PDP as Restoration Group Emerges
By Gabriel Udeh, kaduna
Kaduna State chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been factionalized. A new body known as ‘Restoration Group” has emerged with a determination to form a parallel PDP leadership in the State.
The new faction has a former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Dogara Mato, former PDP senatorial candidate, Ubale as members respectively.
The group also vowed to set up a parallel party secretariat if the right approach and the right attitude towards faithful and loyal members of the party is not followed.
Addressing a news conference at the end of their meeting on Saturday, the group faulted the last Congress that produced the ward, local and state executives of the party, insisting it will not recognise Hon. Hassan Hyet, the current PDP state Chairman and his executive members due to what they described as their illegal emergence.
The Restoration group also claimed that due process and adherence to the PDP election guidelines were not followed during the last Congress, therefore, all the elected members will not be recognized as leaders of the party.
February 1, 2021
PDP to Buhari: You are haunted by your failures
The main opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP has told the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC to stop looking for those to blame for its failure saying the Presidency is being haunted by its many failures,
Recall that the President, through his spokesman, Femi Adesina, had weekend raised the alarm, saying that some unnamed traducers were panning a smear campaign against the President and his policies.
Specifically, Adesina had said the alleged smear campaign was targeted at the President’s perceived ethnic and religious favouratism in critical appointments and official policies.
But in a statement on Sunday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party advised President Buhari to stop pleading with Nigerians to award him an unmerited pass mark.
The party said that such plea in the face of the manifest failures of the administration amounted to an assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians and an attempt to corrupt the records.
The statement reads in part: “It is clear that the Buhari-led APC administration is plagued by all-round failure in governance. If indeed it has any record of success in any sector, Mr. President would not be begging Nigerians, even in his home state, Katsina and among his party members, to award him a pass mark.
“It is however absurd that President Buhari is still pleading for an undeserved pass mark when his administration has plunged our nation into the worst economic crisis, wrecked our productive sectors, borrowed from all corners of the world, stagnated our infrastructure, elevated corruption, allowed APC leaders to loot and stash away over N15trillion from our national coffers, while leaving bandits, terrorists, kidnappers to continue to ravage our nation.
“If the Buhari-led APC administration had done well, will the APC be going about orchestrating a membership revalidation and begging people to award it fictitious pass marks?”
The statement further said that President Buhari’s approval rating has fallen so low that even members of his party, the APC, have abandoned him to seek for direction and leadership elsewhere.
“The situation is so bad that barely two years into his four years and final tenure, leaders of his party, the APC, are already searching frantically for his replacement with some of them already commencing campaign activities.
“It is rather appalling that instead of facing reality, the Buhari Presidency is threatening Nigerians and overheating the polity will allegations of plots to wage a “smear campaign” against President Buhari in unnamed online newspapers.
“Such allegation is only symptomatic of a failed administration that is looking for who to blame for its woes. This is more so as any fair appraisal of the Buhari-led APC will only present a litany of failures and woes
“We however hope that this allegation is not a ploy for a renewed clampdown on the media and dissenting voices, particularly those now arising among well-meaning APC leaders, who are completely disenchanted by the incompetence and corruption inherent in their party and its administration.
“In any case, President Buhari and his APC should know that Nigerians have moved on and cannot be swayed again by false performance
February 1, 2021