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Category: Politics

  • DSS apprehends alleged vote buyer in Ondo

    DSS apprehends alleged vote buyer in Ondo

    The Department of State Security (DSS) has apprehended an alleged vote buyer in possession of two “Ghana must go bags” believed to contain stacks of cash.

    The unidentified man has been taken into custody by the DSS officers on site.

    This was contained in a video on Channel’s X handle on Saturday, November 16.

    The suspect was apprehended with two bags of cash believed to be intended for bribing voters during the election. 

    He was arrested at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007, near St. Stephen’s Primary School in Akure, Ondo State on election day.

  • Minimum Wage: pleateau workers get N70K  

    Minimum Wage: pleateau workers get N70K  

    The Plateau State government has announced the approval of a new minimum wage of N70,000 for its workforcem

     This decision, effective immediately, follows the recommendations of a committee on salary adjustments.

    Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who authorized the new policy, aims to improve the welfare of civil servants and strengthen their role in achieving the state’s development objectives. 

    The administration expects workers to respond with a renewed sense of duty, enhancing service delivery and overall productivity in public service.

    The approval was conveyed through a statement from the Head of Civil Service, Stephen Gadong, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering a more motivated and efficient workforce.

  • EFCC Siezes Okowa’s Passport 

    EFCC Siezes Okowa’s Passport 

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has seized the international passport of Ifeanyi Okowa, former Delta State Governor, amid investigations into an alleged misappropriation of N1.3 trillion. 

    The funds, linked to the 13% oil derivation allocation from 2015 to 2023, reportedly lacked proper accounting under his administration.  

    Okowa, who also faces allegations of investing N40 billion in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas and acquiring an 8% equity stake in a major Nigerian bank, was taken into custody on November 4, 2024.

     He has since been granted bail, with a requirement to submit his travel documents to the EFCC as investigations continue.  

    The agency is scrutinizing these transactions for potential mismanagement, as they aim to prevent any attempt to evade justice. 

    Okowa has denied the accusations, attributing them to political motives, and expressed confidence in clearing his name.  

    The EFCC’s probe into Okowa’s administration has reignited public discourse on the financial accountability of former governors.

  • 2027: No chance for Atiku in PDP, says Wike

    2027: No chance for Atiku in PDP, says Wike

    In yet another display of his enormous control over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has ruled out any likelihood of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar clinching the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election, saying it will simply not happen.

    This declaration further affirms the source of the unrelenting strife that has dogged Nigeria’s main opposing and former ruling party.

    Speaking during a live media parley on Wednesday evening in Abuja, Wike said Atiku had severally presented his blueprint to Nigerians and he had been serially rejected.

    Atiku who was the PDP Presidential Candidate in 2023 had recently said if he had won the election, he would have done things differently from President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians would not have been faced with the current level of hardship

    Wike said; “Did he (Atiku) not present it (blueprint) before Nigerians? Did Nigerians choose him? He is lobbying for another chance. The chance will not be there. In which party? How can we use one man for how many years?

    “Look at America, I am sure you all did not support Trump saying he is this, he is a racist, he is that, we are crying, Americans were thinking about something else, thinking for the good of their own country made a decision.

    “You presented your blueprint in 2023, Nigerians heard you clear and said thank you, but it will not work, we will not support you. Criticisms do not mean opposition is working”.

  • Wike Dismisses Claims Of Building Homes For Judges To Curry Favours

    Wike Dismisses Claims Of Building Homes For Judges To Curry Favours

    As would be expected, FCT Minister, Wike, has refuted allegations that the construction of homes for judges is intended to curry favours.

    Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, Wike clarified that the housing project is not his personal initiative but part of a welfare package designed by President Bola Tinubu to support judicial independence.

    Wike insisted that he is simply fulfilling his role by implementing an already approved project.

    Wike explained, “(Tinubu said) ‘Where are the judges living? They have no homes and are therefore open to political manipulation and for me, as a president who wants to guarantee the independence of the judiciary, judges must have their homes’.

    “I am not Mr President; I am only lucky to be appointed as a minister under this administration and who is in the position to implement his policies. And Mr President said, look, this is what he wants; come up and see what we can do.

    “It was approved by Mr President, sent to the National Assembly in the 2024 budget that there should be construction of judges and Justices quarters. That they should move judges from where they are renting houses, living among criminals.

    “A policy anybody should commend Mr President, it is in the budget of 2024, appropriated by the National Assembly, assented to by Mr President which is a law. What is the problem? I am only the implementor, go and implement this.

    “Federal Executive Council approved the contract and everything, it is not my policy, how will you now want to kill me that I am implementing what the Federal Government approved?”

    Wike insisted that there is nothing wrong even if it was his idea to construct homes for judges, adding that he had done something similar as the governor of Rivers State.

    The former Rivers State governor lamented the criticisms for this project instead of commendation, especially from those in the legal profession.

  • Taraba Governor Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage for Workers

    Taraba Governor Approves N70,000 Minimum Wage for Workers

    Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 for public sector employees, effective November 2024.

    The decision was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Service, Paul Maigida Tino.

    “I wish to inform you that the governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, has approved the implementation of N70,000 new minimum wage for workers in the State with effect from November 2024,” Tino said.

    This wage increase is expected to significantly relieve state civil servants, many of whom have expressed their satisfaction with the move.

    Workers expressed their appreciation for the governor’s decision, noting that the wage adjustment would help alleviate their economic pressures.

    One civil servant remarked, “This increase will go a long way in addressing the economic challenges we have been facing. We are grateful for the governor’s consideration.”

    The wage hike reflects the state government’s commitment to improving the welfare of its workers amidst challenging national economic conditions.

  • Abia State to Enforce Free Education  

    Abia State to Enforce Free Education  

    Abia State Government, South East Nigeria, has announced free and mandatory primary education for all children starting January 2025. 

    This policy will apply to pupils from grades one to three in public schools, with the aim of ensuring that no child is left out of the educational system.  

    In line with this directive, parents and guardians are now legally obligated to enroll their children, as per the Abia Child’s Rights Law of 2006. 

    The administration warns that non-compliance will result in legal action.  

    Governor Otti’s administration has also paid off 90% of the N191 billion debt inherited without resorting to loans. 

    The government is pressing ahead with the relocation of Abia State University’s Law Faculty from Umuahia back to its main campus in Uturu, citing public interest as the driving factor.  

    Additionally, contracts have been awarded for the rehabilitation of nine roads across the state. 

    Urgent repairs are also underway on the Osisioma flyover, which has shown signs of wear less than two years after its construction.

     The government reassures residents that these issues pose no immediate danger.  

    Efforts are ongoing to finalize the implementation of the new minimum wage, further underscoring the administration’s commitment to improving living standards and infrastructure.

  • EFCC Rejects Sanwo-Olu’s Legal Challenge Over Alleged Arrest Plans

    EFCC Rejects Sanwo-Olu’s Legal Challenge Over Alleged Arrest Plans

    The guilty is always afraid. That explains the current judicial play being simulated by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against any future trial in the event that any evidence of stealing is found against him.

    According to the Nigerian constitution state governors and the president of the country are immune from criminal prosecution while in office.

    Further to this however, Mr. Sanwo-Olu has sued the EFCC to insist that even if evidences of stealing are found against him, he should not be tried for the theft after his term of office.

    Miffed by this affront on the performance of its duties, the EFCC has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss the case filed by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which challenges potential investigations and arrest plans after his tenure. 

    The anti-corruption body described the governor’s claims as speculative, arguing that they lack legal merit.

    Sanwo-Olu, in his lawsuit, sought several declarations to protect his fundamental rights. 

    Among his requests, he asked the court to affirm his right to privacy and prevent any perceived harassment or intimidation by the EFCC during or after his term as governor. 

    He alleged that political opponents might use the agency to orchestrate his arrest based on unfounded corruption allegations.

    In its response, the EFCC maintained that no investigation or arrest threats had been made against Sanwo-Olu. 

    The agency clarified that it follows due process in all cases, using official channels for communication and investigation. The EFCC further argued that Sanwo-Olu’s concerns are hypothetical and intended to mislead the court.

    The case, initially filed in June, was updated on October 31. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik has scheduled the next hearing for November 26. 

    There are indications that the suit may be withdrawn before the adjourned date.

  • Kwankwaso Under Attack Over Visit To Alex Otti 

    Kwankwaso Under Attack Over Visit To Alex Otti 

    The internal rift within the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has intensified following a recent visit by its former presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti.

     The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) convened an emergency meeting in Lagos to address what it termed a controversial move amid ongoing legal and leadership battles.  

    Kwankwaso’s November 9 visit coincided with a ruling by an Abia State High Court, which directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transfer NNPP’s administration to its Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Boniface Aniebonam.

     The NWC viewed this meeting as an attempt to exploit the legal development for personal advantage.  

    The party’s leadership has been embroiled in a crisis, resulting in the expulsion of Kwankwaso, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, and other members of the Kwankwasiya group.

     The NWC dismissed their claims to any leadership roles within the NNPP, labeling such assertions as baseless and aimed at disrupting the party’s unity.  

    Governor Otti was advised to distance himself from NNPP’s internal disputes to avoid potential political fallout ahead of the 2027 elections. 

    The NWC also alleged that Kwankwaso had been a destabilizing force since joining the party, accusing him of trying to take control of its structures for personal benefit.  

  • New Minister Targets APC Victory in Kano 2027  

    New Minister Targets APC Victory in Kano 2027  

    Yusuf Ata, the newly appointed junior Minister of Housing and Urban Development, has set his sights on reclaiming Kano State for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. 

    During his maiden visit to Kano following his swearing-in, Ata emphasized his political mission to strengthen the party’s position in the state, particularly in Kano Central, his home base.  

    Ata’s appointment follows a recent cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu, which saw the dismissal of Abdullahi Tijjani Gwarzo, the former Minister of State for Housing. 

    Gwarzo has since criticized the decision, suggesting that Nasiru Gawuna, the APC’s 2023 governorship candidate, would have been a better choice for the role to bolster the party’s influence in Kano Central.  

    Despite the controversy, Ata has vowed to balance his ministerial duties with frequent visits to Kano to spearhead APC’s efforts in regaining control of the state. 

    Gwarzo, meanwhile, has pledged continued support for the President’s administration, stating that his removal was politically motivated rather than performance-related.