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Category: Politics

  • Family Speaks On Cause Of Paul Akintelure’s Death

    Family Speaks On Cause Of Paul Akintelure’s Death

    The family of the late governorship aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Paul Akintelure, has opined that the death of the deceased is not ordinary.

    Akintelure, a medical doctor jostling for the governorship ticket of the APC, was confirmed dead in the early hours of Tuesday.

    The demise comes barely a week after Akintelure raised alarm, alleging that there was a serious threat to his life ahead of the APC governorship primary fixed for April 25.

    Though he did not provide details of the threat, he noted that he was compelled to address the matter with grave concern and a heavy heart.

    In an interview with Daily Trust, the deceased’s younger brother, Oladapo Akintelure, said his death was not natural.

    According to him, the Ondo politician had been complaining of several illnesses and was admitted to a hospital before he finally passed on.

    He added that Akintelure was also advised to take an urgent break from his campaign to face his health.

    He said, “For the past 12 or 14 days, he had been complaining of several sudden illnesses ranging from headaches to back and chest pains.

    “He was admitted at a time and had to take a break off campaign to attend to his health. At a time, we were worried and advised him to rest and we moved him to Lagos,” the younger brother said.

    However, Oladapo said he believed the sudden death of his brother was not natural, describing the sad development as unfortunate.

    “As a family member, I would not want to say much for now because it is still a shocking moment for us. This is not ordinary but it is unfortunate that we lost him at this critical time.”

  • Kaduna Governor, Sani Speaks On Gumi’s Involvement in School children’s Release

    Kaduna Governor, Sani Speaks On Gumi’s Involvement in School children’s Release

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, on Sunday, revealed that Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was not involved in the release of abducted Kuriga pupils.
    Sani revealed this days after Gumi offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the pupils.

    The governor while speaking on Channels TV, said all the 137 schoolchildren abducted on March 7, 2024 from the Chikun Local Government Area of the state by bandits have been rescued by the military.

    According to Sani, the rescue mission was carried out by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the hostages were moved by their kidnappers.

    The governor described as speculations, talks in some quarters that ransom was paid, stressing that Gumi was not involved in the rescue of the pupils.

    Sani said, “All those speculations you are hearing today are figment of some people’s imagination. I can tell you that without any fear of contradiction. There was nothing like Gumi in this operation. I can tell you. I won’t undermine the efforts of our Armed Forces.”

  • Enthronement Process of New Olubadan Begins Tuesday

    Enthronement Process of New Olubadan Begins Tuesday

    The process to enthrone the new Olubadan of Ibadanland is set to commence on Tuesday.

    According to Ibadan tradition, the Olubadan Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday to begin the enthronement process of a new monarch that will occupy the Olubadan stool after the demise of the former Olubadan.

    The passing of Oba Lekan Balogun, who died aged 81 on March 14, 2024 after ruling the ancient city for two years, has made the revered throne became vacant. 

    In accordance with tradition, the meeting of the Olubadan Advisory Council, is billed to hold at the residence of the most Senior High Chief, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, former Oyo State governor, at his Bodija residence.

    According to a source, the Olubadan Advisory Council will at the meeting nominate the successor to the late monarch, High Chief Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.

    The traditional practice of nomination of a new Olubadan by the Advisory Council, according to the source, is usually done after the eighth-day Islamic prayers for the late monarch, which was held on Friday, March 22, 2024.

    The source disclosed that soon after the nomination, a document of affirmation of Olakulehin’s nomination would be sent to Governor Seyi Makinde, through the Office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

    Two lines have historically, on a rotational basis, been producing the occupants of the Olubadan stool. They are the Otun Line (Civil Line) and the Balogun Line (Military Line).

    The immediate-past Olubadan, Oba Lekan Balogun, who joined his ancestors on Thursday, March 14, 2024, after two years on the throne, was produced by the Otun Line.

  • Governor Sule Reacts As Nasarawa Students Die During Stampede

    Governor Sule Reacts As Nasarawa Students Die During Stampede

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has mandated a thorough investigation into the tragic stampede at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), which led to the deaths of two female students.

    The incident occurred on Friday during the state government’s distribution of palliatives to students across the state, an initiative aimed at alleviating the economic challenges faced by students.

    Reports from the scene indicated that the tragedy unfolded at the NSUK convocation square, the designated venue for the palliative distribution.

    The overcrowding and ensuing chaos resulted in suffocation and the unfortunate demise of two students, with several others sustaining injuries of varying severity.

    Governor Sule, in a statement conveyed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Addra, expressed profound sorrow over the loss of lives.

    “I pray their souls rest in peace. Our thoughts and condolences go to their families and friends at this moment of grief,” he said.

    Describing the deaths as painful, Governor Sule emphasized the importance of uncovering the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and ensuring such a tragedy does not recur.

    The governor’s directive has prompted NSUK authorities and security agencies to initiate an immediate inquiry into the incident to identify the factors and individuals responsible for the stampede.

    In solidarity and concern, the state deputy governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, visited the injured students to offer support and ascertain their recovery progress.

    The palliative distribution initiative, praised for its intention to support students financially and nutritionally, had been successfully executed without incident in other educational institutions within the state, including the Federal University, Lafia, and the Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia, among others.

  • Terrorists Abduct 87 Persons In Kaduna

    Terrorists Abduct 87 Persons In Kaduna

    Suspected terrorists have abducted about 87 people in a fresh attack on the Kajuru-Station community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The latest attack was confirmed by a member of the Kajuru-Station Youths, Harisu Dari, on Monday.

    Harisu, said the terrorists stormed the village around 10 pm, breaking into some shops and stealing food items and other valuables.

    He explained that no contact has been established yet with the 87 locals abducted on Sunday night.

    “As of the time I visited the community this morning, security operatives have not been drafted to help restore the confidence of the villagers.

    “The villagers are traumatized by the sad development. The government needs to re-strategise in tackling these terrorists,” he said.

    The attack came barely two days after 15 women and a man were abducted in the Dogon-Noma community of the same local government.

    Kajuru and Chikun LGs had in the past two weeks become the hotbed of kidnapping, causing tension in the state.

    Recall that the terrorists had in two weeks kidnapped over 172 villagers in the area.

    However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan is yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.

  • 16 Soldiers Killed In Delta State

    16 Soldiers Killed In Delta State

    Some military personnel on a peace mission to Okuama community in Delta state have been killed.

    According to a press statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the troops were of 181 Amphibious Batallion.

    He said they were headed to Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State on a peace mission to the Okuama community, and they were surrounded by some community youths and killed on Thursday, 14 March 2024.

    His words: ”The unfortunate incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call after the communal crisis between the Okuama and Okoloba communities both in Delta State.

    ”The reinforcement team led by the Commanding officer was also attacked, leading to the death of the Commanding officer, two Majors, one Captain and 12 Soldiers.

    ”The Chief of Defence Staff ( CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa has has directed the immediate investigation and arrest of those involved in the heinous crime. The occurrence has been reported to the Delta State Government.

    ”However, the military remains focused and committed to its mandate of maintaining peace and security in the country.

    ”So far, a few arrests have been made, while steps in place to unravel the motive behind the attack.”

  • Terrorists Launch Fresh Attack On Kaduna Community

    Terrorists Launch Fresh Attack On Kaduna Community

    Terrorists, on Saturday, launched a fresh attack on the Dogon-noma community in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The attack is coming barely three days after one person was killed, and eight women were kidnapped in the Banono Angwaku community of the same local government.

    A former chairman of the local government, Cafra Caino, confirmed the fresh attack to our correspondent on Saturday.

    According to him, the attackers invaded the village around 5.45am on Saturday in large numbers, shooting indiscriminately.

    Caino said, “We are yet to get the number of casualties because the locals ran for their lives at the time the assailants invaded the community.

    “The community had, some time in 2019, come under heavy attack where 74 people were killed and the community recently has been experiencing attacks.”

  • Ex Benue Governor Joins PDP Chairmanship Race

    Ex Benue Governor Joins PDP Chairmanship Race

    Former Benue State Governor, Senator Gabriel Suswam has thrown his hat into the ring for the national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Suswam stated his intention to vie for the position, aiming to complete the tenure of ousted Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, asserting that it rightfully belongs to Benue state and the North Central region.

    Speaking in Katsina-Ala on Friday during a meeting with the Benue North East PDP expanded caucus, Suswam emphasized his consultation with key party figures in the state, including Samuel Ortom, David Mark, Abba Moro, and the PDP’s State Working Committee.

    Highlighting the constitutional backing and historical precedent, Suswam underscored the north central and Benue’s right to finish Senator Ayu’s truncated tenure, advocating for party unity and mobilization ahead of the 2027 elections.

    He urged reconciliation post-2023 polls, emphasizing the PDP’s role as the foremost vehicle for Nigeria’s progress.

  • Kogi: Supreme Court sets aside Appeal court’s ruling on inspection order

    Kogi: Supreme Court sets aside Appeal court’s ruling on inspection order

    The Supreme Court has dismissed the Court of Appeal ruling which set aside the inspection Order granted the Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) by the Governorship election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

    The Governorship election petition Tribunal had, on November 25, 2023, granted an Exparte Order, allowing the SDP and its candidate in the 11th November, 2023 Governorship election to carry out forensic examination of all the Bimordal Voters Accreditation system (BVAS) used in the Governorship election, among other sundry reliefs.

    A three-man panel of justices of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice J.O.K. Oyewole, sets aside the inspection order, on the grounds that it has gone outside the province of the Electoral Act.

    The Court of Appeal ordered that, while inspection is allowed under the Electoral Act, it must be jointly carried out with the respondent and the scope of the inspection should be within the strict limit allowed under the Electoral Act.

    However, the Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, on Thursday, allowed the appeal of the Appellants, saying that the order of inspection made by the trial tribunal were within its power.

    The Court also held that the Respondents were duly served.

  • Bauchi Governor Reacts To Ningi’s Suspension

    Bauchi Governor Reacts To Ningi’s Suspension

    Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared that the state government is behind Senator Abdul Ningi, the lawmaker who was handed a three-month suspension after his comment on N3.7 trillion not being traceable in the 2024 budget.

    Ningi, representing Bauchi Central senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, was suspended by the Senate, on Tuesday.

    The Senator had subsequently resigned as Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF).

    On the floor of the Senate, Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), had said the Red Chamber had inaugurated a template for the speedy consideration and passage of the 2024 Money Bill as he initiated the motion on breach of privilege by the Bauchi senator.

    Senator Adeola had come under orders 9, 10, 41, and 51 to move a motion of privilege and issue of national importance against Ningi over his interview with the BBC Hausa.

    Following Adeola’s motion on breach of privilege, a member of the Appropriation Committee in the Senate, Jimoh Ibrahim, first moved the motion for Ningi’s suspension for 12 months over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly.

    But, some of the senators moved for the amendment of the suspension for three months for the embattled federal lawmaker, which the senate ratified.

    Speaking during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Bauchi, on Wednesday, Mohammed said, “yesterday I was very sad the Senate suspended one of our best from Bauchi for saying the truth, for standing up to be the beacon of the truth.”

    Mohammed, who is also the chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, said, “Equally I don’t know what we will do but we will discuss privately to see what we can do to support him because I support whatever he is doing and that is our best position especially if what he saying is the truth”.