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Category: Politics

  • Governor Hyacinth Alia Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Interview

    Governor Hyacinth Alia Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Interview

     

    Governor Hyacinth Alia Mistakenly Conflates Ukum and Oju/Konshisha Crisis in Recent Intervie

     

    In a recent interview, Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia mistakenly interchanged the ongoing crisis in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) with the Bonta-Ukpute conflict, leading to widespread criticism from local leaders.

     

    This marks the first public comment from the Governor regarding the Ukum crisis, which has persisted since July 5, 2024.

     

    Local leaders expressed concern that the Governor’s remarks indicated a lack of accurate information.

     

    In a statement signed by Chief Mike Ube the Ukpute youth leader of Uju LGA, it was emphasized that there has been no “relative peace” between Bonta and Ukpute since hostilities escalated. Continuous attacks from Bonta militia have caused significant suffering and displacement in the Ukpute community.

     

    Furthermore, the leaders challenged the Governor’s assertion of a prompt response to the crisis, pointing out that no actions have been taken to protect the community from ongoing violence.

     

    They highlighted the efforts of Deputy Governor Sam Ode and former Deputy Governor Benson Abounu in delineating boundaries between the warring factions, stressing the importance of government records dating back to before Nigeria’s independence.

     

    In response to the Governor’s comments about the Awajir-Oju road being open for traffic, local representatives claimed that the road has been abandoned due to constant harassment by militia members.

     

    They reiterated the need for improved security and the establishment of an IDP camp for displaced persons.

     

    Local leaders are calling on the Governor to prioritize resolving the boundary disputes and to provide essential social amenities to affected communities.

     

    They urge representatives in both state and national assemblies to ensure the Governor receives accurate information regarding the Bonta-Ukpute crisis.

     

     

  • Kwara LG Elections: Its a shame – Saraki

    Kwara LG Elections: Its a shame – Saraki

    Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has stated that it is a shame that the 16 local government areas in Kwara State now have chairmen and councilors who would be in office without legitimacy and people’s mandate.

    He said this while reacting to the announcement by the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) declaring the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winners of the local government elections held in the state.

    The chairman of the KWSIEC, Baba Okanla, who announced the results, said APC won all 16 local government area chairmanship positions and secured all 193 councillorship seats.

    Speaking on the development in a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Saraki argued that the people have sent a message to the government that it has not made any significant, positive impact on their lives after 64 months in office.

    The ex-governor maintained that the people mobilised themselves to the polling units for Saturday’s local government election but met the absence of electoral officials and shoddy preparations by the electoral body.

    He, therefore, hailed the people for standing firm against what he described as deliberately concocted frustrations.

    He wrote, “Last Saturday, in a manner that went beyond partisan consideration and gave expression to the protection of community interests, people from Kwara mobilised themselves to the polling units and met the absence of electoral officials and shoddy preparations by the electoral body.

    “Whatever results the electoral body eventually declared, our people have sent a clear signal to a government that has not made any significant, positive impact on their lives after 64 months in office. It is a shame that the 16 local government areas now have chairmen and councilors who would be in office without legitimacy and people’s mandate.”

  • #EDODECIDES2024: ‘There Are More APC In PDP NWC’ – Dino Melaye

    #EDODECIDES2024: ‘There Are More APC In PDP NWC’ – Dino Melaye

    The dust and angst generated by the outcome of the September 21, 2024 may take some time to abate, especially amongst leading members of the opposition parties and the mass of their supporters.
    One such member is the former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, who has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has infiltrated the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun.
    Melaye made this statement in response to the recently concluded Edo State governorship election.
    Taking to the social media platform X, the former lawmaker expressed concern about the outcome of the election and the direction in which the PDP is heading under Damagun’s leadership.
    He remarked, “With the destroyer called Damagun on the wheels, PDP is in the departure lounge waiting for the boarding pass. Edo experience will be a joke, there are more APC in the NWC than PDP.”
    His comments follow the defeat of the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the Edo State governorship race.
    Ighodalo secured 247,274 votes but was ultimately defeated by the APC’s Monday Okpebholo, who garnered 291,667 votes.
    The results were declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta serving as the Returning Officer.
  • ‘I Will Not Abandon You’ – Ighodalo Thanks His Supporters

    ‘I Will Not Abandon You’ – Ighodalo Thanks His Supporters

    The 2024 Edo governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has promised never to abandon his supporters.
    Asue Ighodalo described September 21 election as the darkest day in the political history of the state. He added that it was marked by brazen theft of the mandate given to him by the people of the state.
    In a video, on Monday, Ighodalo said, “To all our beloved supporters, we thank you for believing in this vision, for your countless hours of dedication and for every conversation you’ve had with people about this course. Together we ran a great campaign and your overwhelming support was evident in the ballots before our progress was unjustly halted on September 21st 2024 by people who do not mean well for you or for our state.
    “That day will forever be etched in our history as one of our darkest moments marked by the brazen theft of our mandate and the shameful subversion of the will of the people. Yet, in the face of this challenge, we must not be discouraged.
    “The illusory triumph of evil over good is only temporary. Our journey towards a prosperous Edo state does not end here. It is just beginning. Let us remain engaged, committed, and united in our collective resolve to create a pathway for prosperity for all in Edo State. You did not abandon me during our campaign and I promise you by the grace of God Almighty that as we face a daunting and uncertain future together, I will not abandon you.”
    On Tuesday, in a text statement on his X handle, he added, “Thank you, Edo. Thank you for the love and massive support you have shown me throughout this journey.
    “Thank you for braving the rains, threats of violence, harassments and intimidation to vote for us massively last Saturday 21st September 2024.
    “Our journey doesn’t end here; it continues in our commitment and collective resolve to recover our mandate and create a Pathway to Prosperity for All in Edo State.”
  • Nigerian soldier allegedly kills NSCDC officer in Oyo nightclub fight

    Nigerian soldier allegedly kills NSCDC officer in Oyo nightclub fight

    A Nigerian Army personnel identified as Abubakar has reportedly killed Olapade Segun, an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
    The incident occurred, after an altercation had ensued between the two men at a nightclub in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
    The incident occurred on Sunday after a confrontation between the two men, who had met at the same venue days earlier.
    According to eyewitness accounts, the dispute escalated when Abubakar brandished a dagger and fatally stabbed Segun.
    The NSCDC officer succumbed to severe blood loss before medical help could reach him.
    Following the incident, an angry mob attempted to deliver justice by severely beating the soldier as he tried to flee the scene.
    However, he was eventually rescued by fellow soldiers who arrived to disperse the crowd.
  • Kaduna Bandit Leader Gunned Down In Rival War

    Kaduna Bandit Leader Gunned Down In Rival War

    Kachalla Tukur Sharme, Kaduna’s most notorious bandit leader has been killed in a gun battle with another gang in the forest.
    In a statement issued on Monday, the commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said Sharme died in the clash alongside other criminals.
    According to the commissioner, Sharme was killed in the fratricidal clash with two other bandits from another rival group.
    He said the gun battle also gave room for some abducted victims of the two groups to escape from captivity.
    He also noted that some of the injured criminals are currently seeking medical assistance. This he said was gathered from an intelligence source privy to information from the forest.
    He said, “The clash occurred over the weekend at a location referred to as ‘Hambakko’in the Rijana and Kaso Forests, spanning Kachia and parts of Chikun and Kajuru LGAs.”
    Aruwan also listed some of the attacks carried out by Sharme to include, including killings, and kidnappings in Millennium City, Maraban Rido and Kujama.
    Others are attacks in Kajuru, Maro, and villages in the Kateri general area, as well as in adjoining LGAs of Kagarko, Kachia, and Birnin Gwari.
    Sometimes Sharme’s criminal activities extended to neighbouring communities in Katsina and Niger states.
    The bandit leader was also known to be responsible for the kidnap of 121 students from Bethel Baptist High School, Kujama, Kaduna State, on July 5, 2021.

  • Edo election ‘sold to the highest bidder,’ says Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata

    Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, Mr. Olumide Akpata, has dismissed its outcome, describing it as a transaction where victory was awarded to the highest bidder.
    Akpata made the remarks following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.
    “We remain steadfast in our commitment to building a democracy that works for all, not just the highest bidder. We continue to envision an Edo State, and a Nigeria, where ideas triumph over Naira, where the collective will of the people shapes our future,” Akpata said.
    Akpata, who finished third in the election with 22,763 votes, expressed the need for comprehensive electoral reform.
    He advocated for technology to establish systems that make vote-buying impossible, emphasizing the importance of addressing the socio-economic conditions that drive citizens to sell their votes.
    “We must also address the root causes that make our people susceptible to vote-selling by creating economic opportunities, improving education, and building a society where citizens do not feel compelled to mortgage their future for immediate gains,” Akpata added.
    He lamented that the Edo election exposed the harsh reality that politics in the state, and across Nigeria, is often dominated by those with the deepest pockets and the most extensive networks of influence, rather than by ideologies or the will of the people.
    Condemning the widespread vote-buying, Akpata pointed to the long-term damage the practices have inflicted on Edo’s economy over the past 25 years, fostering an environment where democratic values are routinely undermined.
    He, however, said despite the election’s outcome, the Labour Party remains committed to upholding the sanctity of the ballot and ensuring that the people’s right to freely choose their leaders is preserved.
  • FCT Police Take Custody Of Suspect In Alleged Kidnap, Attempted Murder In Abuja Hotel

    FCT Police Take Custody Of Suspect In Alleged Kidnap, Attempted Murder In Abuja Hotel

    The FCT Police Command says it has taken custody of a 30-year-old male suspect of Ondo State, Joseph Efe, from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, FCT Command.

     

    Joseph was arrested on 17th September 2024 in Abuja for the alleged kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder of the young lady, Olivia Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, a 25-year-old female of Abia State, whom he confined in a room at Top View hotel, Wuse, Abuja.

     

    A video which has since gone viral showed the Ijeoma confined in a room with her legs tied.

     

    Reports claimed she was kidnapped to be used for a money ritual.

     

    Spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh confirmed the receipt of the suspect in a statement issued on Monday evening.

     

    “While discreet investigation into the matter has commenced, the FCT police command wishes to reaffirm its commitment to collaborate with other relevant security agencies in the effort against crime and criminality within the Federal Capital Territory,” the statement reads.

     

    The command had said it was waiting for the NSCDC to hand over the suspect to it for diligent investigation.

     

  • Rivers APC to sanction Pro-Wike lawmakers for denying defection 

    Rivers APC to sanction Pro-Wike lawmakers for denying defection 

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State, Chief Emeka Beke, has criticized 27 state lawmakers for denying their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
    Beke, a close associate of Rotimi Amaechi, stated that the lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, cannot retract their APC membership after publicly switching parties.
    Speaking at a news briefing on Saturday, Beke addressed Amaewhule’s claims of still being a member of the PDP.
    He stated, “I want to put it on record that those 27 members of the House of Assembly are still members of the APC. The law is clear on defection. They cannot run away from the truth because we all know and saw it when they defected to our party.”
    “In our last meeting, we sent out invitations for them (the pro-Wike lawmakers) to attend, but they did not. Right now, we are focused on local government elections, and after that, we will take necessary actions concerning them,” he added.
    He further confirmed that all APC candidates for the upcoming elections had successfully undergone screening and were cleared by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC,.
    “The APC is fully prepared to participate in the local government elections on October 5. Our candidates have been duly screened and approved,” he affirmed.
    Beke also praised Governor Siminalayi Fubara for ensuring a fair and competitive environment for all political parties in the upcoming elections.
    “This marks the first time in the political history of Rivers State that a governor is genuinely committed to providing equal opportunities for all parties, allowing the people of Rivers to freely elect their preferred chairmen and councilors,” he remarked.
    Recall that the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had issued an order to suspend all state expenditure.
    The development comes after Governor Siminalayi Fubara failed to propose the 2024 budget to the House within the seven-day deadline.
    The Assembly had determined that the Governor is no longer permitted to approve or authorize expenditures from the state’s consolidated revenue fund.
  • #EdoDecides2024: State REC Rates INEC’s Performance 92%

    #EdoDecides2024: State REC Rates INEC’s Performance 92%

    The Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuoha has rated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 92% in its performance so far, in the ongoing election process.

     

    Addressing the media during a post-election briefing in Benin City, the REC commended INEC staff, security agencies, and the electorate for their roles in ensuring a largely peaceful and orderly voting process.
    He highlighted that the commission had worked diligently to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls, attributing the high performance to several factors including enhanced staff training, timely deployment of election materials, and the functionality of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

     

    “We are pleased that this election, in terms of logistics, voter management, and overall coordination, has been one of the best in recent times. Materials were delivered to most polling units on time, and the accreditation process went seamlessly in over 90% of the locations,” the REC stated.

     

    However, Dr. Onuoha acknowledged that there were still some minor hitches, particularly with late arrival of materials in a few remote areas due to bad roads. He reassured the public that the commission has taken note of these issues and is working towards making improvements in future elections.

     

    The REC also praised Edo State voters for their peaceful conduct during the voting process, urging continued engagement in the political process.
    He emphasized that the collaboration between INEC and security agencies was instrumental in ensuring a secure environment for voting, with no major security incidents reported throughout the state.

     

    While the 92% performance rating marks a significant success for INEC, Dr. Onuoha reiterated the commission’s commitment to achieving even higher standards in future elections, as part of its ongoing reforms to enhance electoral transparency and credibility in Nigeria.

     

    Collation of Results

    From results collated so far, within Benin city, PDP leading, APC following while LP comes 3rd