Kogi guber: APC divided as factional executives adopt direct primary

POLITICS

Kogi guber: APC divided as factional executives adopt direct primary

 

The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his supporters now have more mountains to climb ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial polls following the adoption of direct primary by the Hadi Ametuo-led faction in the All Progressive Congress (APC).

In a meeting of the APC state party executives and stakeholders held at the state’s capital Lokoja, on Monday, the party has resolved to adopt direct election format for the forthcoming primary in August.

This came on the heels of an earlier alleged meeting held by a faction of the party loyal to the state governor, Yahaya Bello; on Saturday, 15 June, in which they declared indirect election as the mode for the party’s primary election.

Addressing newsmen immediately after the meeting, Haddy Emetuo, the factional State Chairman of the APC, further elaborated on the situation.

“The executives of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State have just risen from a meeting and unanimously adopted direct mode for the APC primary election after deliberations in which every member was given fair hearing and all suggestions were put into consideration.

“We adopted the direct election format because we all agreed that it is the best method that strengthens and promotes internal democracy within our great party. It is the method that allows every voice to be heard and gives opportunity to every member of the APC to participate directly in the decision of who flies the flag of our great party to victory in November.

“I want also to use this opportunity to formally attend to the rumour flying around in the media that some supposed state party executives have held a kangaroo meeting and have declared indirect election as the method adopted by Kogi APC for the primary election.

“I want to categorically state that such meeting is illegal, null and void. The genuine state party executives and stakeholders have just held a meeting and what I tell you now is the official position of the All Progressives Congress, Kogi State Chapter, as regards mode of the forthcoming primary election. Any other meetings or resolutions should be disregarded by all party members and the general public as they are fake and illegal.

“We are working assiduously for victory in November and will not give room to nefarious elements who want to instigate internal wrangling capable of scuttling our chance.”

 

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Adeleke vs Oyetola: What Supreme Court decided on Monday

POLITICS

Adeleke vs Oyetola: What Supreme Court decided on Monday

 

The Supreme Court has fixed judgment for July 5, 2019 in the appeals filed by Senator Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with respect to the disputed last governorship election in Osun State.

A seven-man panel of the court, led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, chose the date after taking final arguments regarding the main appeal, marked: SC/553/2019 filed by Adeleke.

Adeleke, who filed four appeals, is challenging the May 9, 2019 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which affirmed the election of Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Osun State.

The Court of Appeal also set aside the majority judgment of the election tribunal which had allowed Adeleke’s petition and declared him winner of the election.

On Monday, by agreement of lawyers in the appeals, the court took submissions from Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) for the appellants and Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for the 1st respondent (Oyetola) in respect of appeal marked: SC/553/2019.

The court said its judgment in the main appeal – SC/553/2019 – will be applied to two other similar one, filed by Adeleke against the Court of Appeal’s decision in relation to the appeals filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC.

The court, which stood down proceedings for a while, is expected to resume soon to take the last fourth appeal by Adeleke, marked: SC/556/2019.

Other members of the panel are: Justices Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, Kumai Aka’ahs, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Amiru Sanusi, Paul Galunmje and Uwani Abbah-Aji

 

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PDP reveals plans to disgrace Gov. Masari

POLITICS

PDP reveals plans to disgrace Gov. Masari

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Katsina State has revealed plans to drag Governor Aminu Masari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to court over his educational qualification.

Legal counsel to the PDP, Goddy Uche, SAN, said Governor Masari had no requisite educational qualification to contest the last governorship election.

Uche spoke in a chat with journalists in Katsina yesterday.

According to him, the governor’s full name of Aminu Bello Masari did not appear in all the certificates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Uche said the certificates only bear “Aminu Bello”.

The PDP counsel, also said the certificates were also faulted for having different dates, adding that some of them have no reference or identification details.

“The governor said he completed his primary school on its certificate in 1951. But his father, however, said his son was born in 1950.

“There is no basis for the governor to even remain there, the certificate from England has no logo and a higher diploma, you can’t do that without diploma. These are clear before the court,” he said.

 

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Abia: APGA crisis deepens as Alex Otti-led faction sacks Ehiemere, elects Nkem Okoro as Abia Chairman

POLITICS

Abia: APGA crisis deepens as Alex Otti-led faction sacks Ehiemere, elects Nkem Okoro as Abia Chairman

 

The Alex Otti-led faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, has elected 26-man State Working Committee (SWC) of the party at a well-attended congress held in Umuahia, the Abia state capital.

Alex Otti, was the governorship candidate of APGA during the March 9, 2019 gubernatorial election conducted in the state.

Also elected were, ward Executives, chairmen for the seventeen local government areas of Abia and three zonal vice chairmen of the party.

Hon. Nkem Okoro, emerged the new chairman of APGA in the State, succeeding Reverend Augustine Ehiemere.

Others were, Hon. Elvis Wabara (Deputy chairman), Dr. Onyebuchi Onyegbule (State Secretary), Hon. Ebere Uzokwa (Publicity Secretary), Chief Kalu Okpo Kalu (Vice Chairman Abia North), Mr. Pino Nwagbaso(Vice Chairman (Abia South) and Evang. Innocent Okamgba(Vice Chairman, Abia central).

In his maiden address read by Hon. Nkem Okoro, the new State chairman of APGA, “We wish to ventilate our condemnation in its entirety the brigandage and illegality perpetrated by some usurpers and hoodlums who regrouped and attempted to hijack our great party, apparently to pursue a fraudulent, selfish agenda at the detriment of the ideals of our party as the leading voice of the opposition and the watershed of the democratic struggle to revive the state.

“We wish to announce that the purported exercise and the illegal gathering of some persons at the party’s secretariat on 23rd May, masterminded by the former state chairman, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere and his co-travelers, were nothing but a sham and nullity hence a court of competent jurisdiction declared it null and void.

“In as much we don’t intend to join issues with the former state chairman, Rev. Ehiemere and his sponsors/paymasters, the salient and incontrovertible fact remains that Abia APGA is intact, indivisible and purposeful under the leadership of our amiable and dynamic Governorship candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR and other leaders sharing a common vision of lifting Abia from the doldrums of backwardness and bad governance to the pedestal of good governance and redemptive leadership.

“May we therefore use this medium to pass an implicit vote of confidence on Dr. Alex Otti, OFR for providing the rightful leadership and the wherewithal that politically elevated and sustained Abia APGA as the leading opposition party and the voice of the groaning masses in the state since 2014 till date.

The statement added, “The new and authentic leadership of APGA as presently constituted, hereby declare an unequivocal support and absolute loyalty to Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, the 2019 Abia APGA Governorship Candidate, as he diligently pursues his petition at the Abia Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia; believing strongly the sanctity and impartiality of the judiciary as the last hope of a common man.

“We are equally poised and determined to work on the side of Ndi Abia by resisting through legitimate means any attempt by those ‘hijackers and usurpers’ masquerading as APGA leaders but merely recruited by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Government of Abia State to derail the course of justice in our dear state. Abia, our dear state and God’s Own State, must be liberated”.

Recall that we had in May 23, 2019, reported that Reverend Augustine Ehiemere and Elder Sunday Onukwubiri, were returned as Abia chairman and Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in a congress held at the State secretariats in Umuahia, the state capital.

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‘Withdraw Itse Sagay’s SAN title’ – Lagos PDP tells LPPC, others

POLITICS

‘Withdraw Itse Sagay’s SAN title’ – Lagos PDP tells LPPC, others

 

The Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State has charged the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) and the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association and the courts to withdraw all the privileges that Prof Itse Sagay enjoys as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The party, in a statement yesterday by its state Publicity Secretary, Mr Taofik Gani, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately replace Sagay as the Chairman of the committee.

According to the Lagos PDP, the security agencies must arrest, interrogate and prosecute Sagay for his comments allegedly capable of provoking civil unrests in the country.

Sagay had faulted Supreme Court’s rulings, which upheld the PDP as the winner of the 2019 general elections in Rivers and Zamfara states, and barred the All Progressives Congress from contesting offices. 

But Gani said, “Prof Sagay exposed his hatred for the PDP when he described the Supreme Court judgment by positing that ‘in the next four years, Zamfara State will be governed by a party and politicians rejected by the electorate.’

“To the PDP, these words and stance are inciting and unbecoming of a senior lawyer and must be taken seriously as professional misconduct within the contemplation of Section 24(1)(a) and (b) of the rules of professional conduct.

“To us as a party in Lagos State and from where most of these false activists speak, Prof Sagay is no more a fit and proper personality to head a presidential advisory committee against corruption. We charge the LPPC, the LPDC, the NBA and the courts to withdraw all privileges Prof Itse Sagay enjoys as a SAN.”

Gani said Sagay had showed enough obvious partisanship and support for the APC, adding that one needed not wonder why all the APC chieftains were “saints” before the Sagay-led PACAC.

He said, “With Sagay as an adviser, the advised is at his own risk. It is very laughable that Sagay attempts to be an appellate court to the Supreme Court.”

Earlier, the PDP had accused the PACAC chairman of instigating anarchy and rebellion against constitutional democratic order and reule of law.

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Imo: Governor Ihedioha denies ordering the demolition of monuments built by Okorocha

POLITICS

Imo: Governor Ihedioha denies ordering the demolition of monuments built by Okorocha

 

Imo state governor, Emeka Ihedioha, has denied reports that he ordered the demolition of some monuments built by his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha.

Earlier today, a team of state government officials in company of some fierce looking soldiers, began the demolition of the Akachi center, a tourist site built by Rochas Okorocha  and was commissioned by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, last week.

Many people believed the demolition was on the order of the new state governor.

The governor has since denied this claim. Read his statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Osuji Steve, below...

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Rivers gov, Wike describes Nigeria’s major problems, warns of the country's impending danger

NEWS

Rivers gov, Wike describes Nigeria’s  major problems, warns of the country's impending danger

 

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has identified politicization of everything and pervasive injustice as the two major problems facing Nigeria.

Wike said this while stressing that insecurity continues to thrive in Nigeria because the authorities have refused to listen to the cries for justice.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday, Wike warned that if attention was not paid to justice, Nigeria “may crash-land”.

According to him: “Although I lack the intellectual impetus to join issues with the learned Professor, but for me, Nigeria’s problems, which are largely self-inflicted, can be reduced to two: the politicization of everything and pervasive injustice.

”Over the years, we have allowed the entire governing system to be corrupted by banal politics and the courage to do what is right and fair to all parts of the country had since departed.

”As a result, we are increasingly become insensitive or rather impervious to the injustices and the horrific happenings in our country that have reduced our humanity.

“In our case, everyone is crying out for justice and because we’ve as a nation blocked our ears and hearts to the deafening cries for justice, peace has become a rare commodity in our country. a rare commodity.

”My take is that we are going nowhere as a country; we will continue to run round in circles and possibly crash-land in a very hard way unless we change our narratives about justice because peace or peaceful co-existence cannot be decreed in a multi-cultural society such as ours, or in any society at all. It is only a real sense of justice that can command and guarantee enduring peace, patriotism and solidarity in Nigeria.”

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Ekiti: PDP group attacks Gov. Fayemi over sack of 2000 workers employed by Fayose

POLITICS

Ekiti: PDP group attacks Gov. Fayemi over sack of 2000 workers employed by Fayose

 

The Ekiti State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party National News Media Group, PDP-NNMG, has condemned in strong terms, the retrenchment of about 2000 workers employed into Teaching and Civil Services of the State during the immediate past Peter Ayodele Fayose’s administration.

The group described John Kayode Fayemi’s action as one filled with vile, hate, wickedness and vendetta, adding that the Governor must be reminded about the ephemeral nature of power and authority.

It said that it was only a matter of time before the Governor’s alleged heinous actions are brought under review since nothing lasts forever.

The group said Ekiti State has never been so divided since its creation, stressing that the seed of discord being allegedly sowed among indigenes of the singular most homogeneous state in Nigeria by the governor be stopped forthwith.

It would be recalled that the Ayo Fayose administration recruited about 2000 junior and senior workers to fill vacancies in the state government workforce in an exercise advertised long before the July 21st governorship election.

Governor Fayemi however in a statement signed yesterday by his chief press secretary, Laolu Oyebode, declared the exercise null and void claiming that the recruitment was done to throw his government off balance.

In a statement released on Thursday, Ekiti State Coordinator of the PDP-NNMG, Bola Agboola said the retrenchment is one devilish act too many.

He said, “Governor Fayemi has for the umpteenth time proved his viciousness by pronouncing 2000 breadwinners hapless and helpless!

“Fayemi is known for attempting to undermine and dwarf his predecessors’ achievements, you would recall this was the same way he scrapped University of Science and Technology, Ifaki which was the hallmark of Engr. Segun Oni’s administration.

“Fayemi would have demolished Fayose’s 1.3km flyover if he had had his way. Today, the Oja Oba that was about 95% completed before Fayose left office in 2018 has been abandoned. In 2010, Fayemi sent packing duly elected local government executive members and counsellors across the 16 LGA of the state, he repeated same in 2018 after rigging his way to the government house a second time.

“It is a known fact that Fayemi was behind the case instituted against Ekiti State government under former governor Ayo Fayose by landowners in communities where an airport would have been constructed for the state, Fayemi through his aides castigated the construction of the proposed airport but today he’s setting machinery in motion to build one, that’s Fayemi’s kind of person.

“One would have thought that an electoral robber who does not enjoy the support of majority of the citizenry would thread softly with caution, same is not the case for our kinsman whose innate tendency for crass ungodliness, profanity and profligacy will not allow not to lead a chorus where he is not wanted”.

Agboola further stated that “there is no gainsaying Dr. Kayode Fayemi represents the very worst of Ekiti people. He is full of hatred for the Ekiti people, very vindictive, callous and deadly. Or what offence did those 2000 workers he sacked yesterday commit? Must he wait till they have spent 8 months wasting their money and precious time working without salary for the government before telling them to stop?

“Why didn’t he sack them before the presidential and National Assembly elections? Why didn’t he sack them before the state assembly election? Because he knew the hue and cry won’t allow his rigging the elections sail through without challenge? Fayemi is heartless!”

Ekiti State chapter of the PDP-NNMG hereby call on the 2000 workers not to despair but to be strong and of good courage as the Pharaoh they see today, they will see no more. We urge you to charge this rogue government of the day to court, the lawyers know what to do.

Your sack is temporary, keep your letters of appointment in a very safe place, a responsible government is coming and your case shall be revisited, I assure you your employment will be revalidated as this is never the end of your world, Agboola affirmed.

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APC crises: APC chieftains move to reconcile aggrieved party members ahead of Ondo guber election

POLITICS

APC crises: APC chieftains move to reconcile aggrieved party members ahead of Ondo guber election

 

Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, under the aegis of Sunshine Integrity Movement, SIM, yesterday set up a reconciliation committee with a mandate to bring together aggrieved members of the party.

The chieftains led by the senator representing Ondo Central Senatorial district, Chief Donald Omotayo Alasoadura, said the move was necessary to position the party for victory in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Prominent members of the party in the group include; Special Adviser to the governor on Transport, Mr. Tobi Ogunleye, Commissioner for Planning, Mr. Emmanuel Igbasan and the Chairman, Governing Council of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Banji Alabi,.

Other members of the Sunshine Integrity Movement (SIM) are; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Bamidele Oleyelogun, his Deputy, Mr. Ogundeji Iroju, a member of House of Representatives, Mr. Babatunde Kolawole, Mr Sunday Agbotoba and a member elect of House of Assembly, Mr. Samuel Aderoboye.

In a communiqué read by the Secretary of the movement, Prof. Olu Aboluwoye, after its meeting, the group said, “the crisis rocking the ruling APC may deny the party of its victory in the forthcoming governorship election, hence the need to bring everybody on board and work for the success of the party.”

While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for the infrastructural development in the country, the fight against corruption and economic development, however asked the federal government to extend the railway line to the State

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APGA berates members for waging ‘war’ against National chairman, Victor Oye

POLITICS

APGA berates members for waging ‘war’ against National chairman, Victor Oye

 

The Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), for South, Engr. Uchenna Okogbuo, has condemned what it described as ongoing campaign of calumny being launched against the national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Ike Oye, by suspended members in some state chapters of the party.

Okogbuo made this known in a statement issued to newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital on Sunday.

He said the alleged onslaught against Oye-led National Working Committee (NWC), was aimed at distracting the party from its core democratic ideologies and principles.

He, however, vowed that no amount of distractions, propaganda and character assassinations will deter the present NWC from its efforts to repositioning the party for future greatness.

The statement read, “Chief Victor Ike Oye as national chairman of APGA is divine and all lovers of the party must stand to condemn in its entirety this distractions from sacked, suspended frustrated and serial politicians without any progressive agenda for APGA. We all need to know that democracy in all contexts must be guided to avoid frivolities, unguarded utterances, distractions, lack of internal discipline and democratic principles, as was characterized into the party in the past.

“The new direction of present leadership of the party is aimed at repositioning our party which our detractors are not comfortable with. Our National Chairman and his loyal team in the National Working Committee(NWC)whose constitutional functions it is to run the day to day activities of the party, has adopted a style of leadership that will instill discipline/democratic principles into the party, because, foolishness abound in the heart of a child, but the wisdom of elders drives them away.

“To save the heart of this great movement, establishment and institution, the leadership of APGA treads with a lot of caution as not to throw away the child with the dirty water, each time we receive frivolous claims about the party, silly behavior, distractive post. Because, we have covenants with the Nigeria masses and not with few disgruntled and never do-well serial politicians jumping from pillar to poles.

“We are convinced in our thoughts and reasoning that we can conquer in our collective projections toward repositioning APGA to an enviable greatness. Let these distractions, divisive tendencies stop. For together we shall be as mighty men. -Zechariah 10:5”.

We reported that a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Director of Contact and Mobilization of Alex Otti 2019 Governorship Campaign organization, Chief Nwaka Inem, had taken a swipe at the Victor Oye-led National Working Committee (NWC) of APGA, over the lingering crisis ravaging some state chapters of the party.

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2019 Election: Pat Asadu's 4th Term Ambition Tears His Constituency Apart In Enugu

​BREAKING NEWS

2019 Election: Pat Asadu's 4th Term Ambition Tears His Constituency Apart In Enugu

Ahead of the 2019 polls, the fourth-term ambition of Hon. Patrick Asadu representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South at the House of Representatives has sharply divided the people of the area.

The lawmaker’s ambition is generating ripples, especially within the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Asadu is the the Chairman of House of Representatives committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways.

It is reported that he had at a recent function in his constituency declared his intention to return to the green chambers come 2019.

However, some of his constituents are already miffed over his ambition, which they considered to be antithetical to the age-long zoning arrangement in the constituency.

Asadu is from Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, and as such there are clamour that the seat should shift to Nsukka council area, where the western part, (Ovogovo) are insisting that for justice to be done, they should be given the slot.

To drive home their anger, only recently, a poster with two red lines crossed over the photograph of the House of Rep member, with the inscription “Nsukka, Say No To Asadu’s 4th Term Bid”, appeared in several strategic places in the constituency.

Before now, a group known as Ovogovo Young Professionals (OYP) had fired the first shot where they described Dr. Pat Asadu as the worst House of Representative member that ever represented Nsukka/ Igbo-eze South Federal constituency.

The group in a statement signed by its National president, Hon. John Eze said: “Dr. Pat Asadu has failed the constituency woefully; he has no business going back to the National Assembly.”

“We need a vibrant federal lawmaker that will attract federal presence to our area as well as touch the lives of the people of his constituency, and not bench warmers in the National Assembly”, the statement read.

Findings by our correspondent showed that those interested in the race included: Asadu, the member representing Nsukka-East constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, a former Reps member, Hon. Charles Ugwu, a serving commissioner in Enugu State, Barr. Peter Okonkwo, a former governorship aspirant in the last governorship election, Mr. Chidi Mark Obetta, an Enugu-based lawyer, Barr. Maximus Ugwuoke, among others.

The battle has already shifted to the social media where promoters of the Ovogovo agenda are slugging it out with loyalists of the incumbent lawmaker.

One of them, Chris Ugwu wrote: “The federal constituency which is made up of two council areas and it is based on equity and justice that Asadu emerged in 2007. Otherwise, Nsukka has the majority of votes and could always decide against any other person from Igbo-Eze South.

“For instance Nsukka produced the member that represented the constituency from 1999 to 2007 and thereafter conceded the seat to Igbo-Eze South in 2007, expectedlly for them to have a shot for two terms.

“Asadu has remained in the green chambers since 2007 till date and is still doing everything to ensure that he retains the seat for the fourth tenure, even though he has nothing to show for the twelve years he has represented us.

“The feeling of marginalization has ensured the emergence of many pressure groups from Nsukka West who are all pushing for their own to be elected as House of Representative member come 2019.

“The groups championing the Ovogovo cause are Ovogovo General Assembly, Ovogovo Forum and Ovogovo United for Gburugburu.

“The people of Nsukka West also known as Ovogovo are putting up strong demands on the account of the fact that Nsukka consist of three political blocks: Nsukka East, Nsukka Central and Nsukka West.

“In 1999 to 2003, Nsukka Central produced Late Hon. Alex Ike Eze and in 2003 to 2007 Nsukka East produced Hon. Charles Ugwu.

“As it is today, it is only Nsukka West that has not produced a representative. We are battle ready to mobilize against Asadu; his three terms to the National Assembly has not impacted anything to the constituency; why then should the powers-that-be continue to impose him on us? It is even more lamentable when we consider that he has performed below average. He has not done any concrete constituency project for nearly 12 years now; the money ends in his pocket? So, why is he angling to return?”

At the last count, only one aspirant, Chidi Mark Obetta, has emerged from the Ovogovo area.

Another Facebook user, Ruth Nwabu Livinus Agbo wrote: “You are telling us that you gave Pat. Asadu support for fourth term to the Federal House of Representatives, even when he doesn’t have anything to show for his previous representations. You are all Sycophants.”

Augustine Alumonah, another Facebook user posted, “Even if he is the best, that seat is for Nsukka and Igbo-Eze South. It’s been turn by turn, every two terms, till Dr Asadu’s turn.”

For Ezema Ejiofor, “Pat Asadu has spent most of the 12 good years in that green chamber as an ordinary bench warmer. I have never seen him moving a motion….just there wasting our money and resources. He is a disgrace to Enugu State and Nsukka in general.”

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain comments from the lawmaker proved abortive. He was yet to react to enquiries by our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.

However, one of his supporters, who preferred anonymity said that no matter how some people tried to play politics of bitterness, Asadu’s performances were there for all to see.

According to him, “it is unthinkable for some persons to just come up and start telling bare-faced lies simply because they are interested in a position being occupied by someone else.

“To set the records straight, it is pure fallacy for anyone to say that he has not sponsored any bill in the House. He has so far sponsored not less than nine bills and five motions, including a Bill for an Act to amend the River Basin Development Authority Act; A Bill to repeal the Nigeria Ports Authority Act; A Bill for the establishment of Forensic DNA Database in Nigeria; A Bill to establish the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy to provide for courses leading to the award of degrees, among others.

“I can also authoritatively tell you that there are several motions to his credit. So, for some people to say he is a bench-warmer, they are far from the truth.

“It is a contest and their attacking billboards and printing funny posters has firmed his determination to test his relationship with the voters.”

When asked to comment on the issue of constituency projects, he said the lawmaker championed the study centre of the National Open University in Opi, renovated the Ovoko Boys Secondary school, and was also involved in ‘Obu Nsukka’ projects.

“Now, those who are saying he is taking money meant for constituency projects, how is that possible? Cash it from the budget document or move to executive arm and award it to himself, process the payment and pocket the money?” He quipped.

Meanwhile, one of the aides to the lawmaker, Mr. Chineme Onyeke, was earlier reported in the media as saying that the rejection posters were the handiwork of some intending aspirants who were afraid of  Asadu.

“Those afraid of the achievements of Dr. Asadu are the ones hiding under the ‘Nsukka Say No’ campaign poster.

“I’m part of Nsukka and I am not aware of any decision to bar him from contesting in the 2019 National Assembly election. It is his constitutional right to stand for the election”, Onyeke was quoted as saying.

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Dino Melaye Speaks On INTERPOL's Refusal To Place Him On Its Watch List

​BREAKING NEWS

Dino Melaye Speaks On INTERPOL's Refusal To Place Him On Its Watch List

The Senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, Dino Melaye, has said the International Police Organisation, INTERPOL’s refusal to place him on its watch list has vindicated him of the allegations of illegal possession of firearms and arming political thugs.

A statement issued in Abuja by Gideon Ayodele, his Special Adviser on Media, reads in full: “INTERPOL has explained why it has refused to do the bidding of the Nigeria Police by placing Senator Dino Melaye on its Watch List, about a week after the Kogi State Command of the local police declared him wanted over premeditated and spurious allegations of illegal possession of firearms and arming political thugs.

“There is no doubt that the position of the INTERPOL validates his assertions and belief that the latest allegations against him were politically motivated by the Kogi State government and its agents, hence he has been vindicated from outside Nigeria since INTERPOL does not engage in “politically-motivated operations”.

“We have earlier expressed our worry regarding the institution of the Nigeria Police becoming entangled in the Kogi political crisis and its partial involvement rather than a mediator or law enforcement agency. Perhaps the message to the local police will be more launder now that INTERPOL has refused to be dragged into local and partisan politics in Kogi State.

“We are not surprised by the INTERPOL pronouncement regarding Senator Dino Melaye because its charter forbids it, at least in theory, from undertaking interventions or activities of a political, military, religious, or racial nature or involving itself in disputes over such matters.”

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2019: PDP Experiences A Mass Exodus As About 7,000 Of Its Members Defect To APC In Yobe State

​BREAKING NEWS

2019: PDP Experiences A Mass Exodus As About 7,000 Of Its Members Defect To APC In Yobe State

About seven thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Yobe State have dumped the party for the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The defection happened on Monday in Potiskum Local Government Area of the state.

The defectors said the resolution to join the APC was due to months of intractable divisions, crisis and lack of direction bedevilling the PDP.

Their leader, Alhaji Saleh Jauro, told reporters that the PDP was divided against itself with irreconcilable differences as the two factions in the PDP chapter of the Local Government had threatened to field parallel candidates to contest 2019 general election.

Alhaji Ibrahim Bomai, a chieftain of the APC, who facilitated their defection, said the ruling party was willing to accommodate more people that would work for its success in zone B and Yobe state at large.

“APC is very happy that you have now realized the truth and renounced your membership of the PDP by transferring your loyalty to the APC. I assure you that your coming is an indication and testimony to the good things Governor Gaidam has been doing to the people of Yobe State,” he said.

Receiving the defectors, the state chairman of All Progressive Congress, Alhaji Adamu Chilariye, said, “APC has been waxing stronger and has become more united. More people will soon join the party and we will collectively work to ensure its success at all levels during the forthcoming general election.”

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PDP Reacts To The Release Of Names Of It's Members As Looters By FG, Accuse Buhari Of Intimidation

​BREAKING NEWS

PDP Reacts To The Release Of Names Of It's Members As Looters By FG, Accuse Buhari Of Intimidation

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari administration of plotting to intimidate, harass and arrest its members ahead of the 2019 elections.

The party said this in reaction to list of alleged looters released by the federal government over the weekend.

PDP in a series of tweets on Sunday said the APC government was plotting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

It read: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to clandestine plots by certain agents of the federal government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to clamp down on key members of the opposition parties ahead of the 2019 general election.

“Part of this heinous plot is also to arrest members of the civil society, opinion leaders, the media and professional groups who refused to buy into the fabrications, lies, deceptions and propaganda of the @APCNigeria and Federal Government. @MBuhari

“The first leg of this scheme is to commence a vicio intimidation and harassment of @OfficialPDPNig members, who have refused to succumb to pressure to join the @APCNigeria in their undemocratic quest to create for a one party state in Nigeria.”

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FG Releases Another List Of PDP Members Who Looted The Nation's Treasury, Says The First Was A Teaser

​BREAKING NEWS

FG Releases Another List Of PDP Members Who Looted The Nation's Treasury, Says The First Was A Teaser

The Federal Government has released more names of people who had allegedly looted the nation’s treasury.

NAIJA VOICE reported that Lai Mohammed had released the first list of treasury looters at a press conference in Lagos on Friday.

The second list was released by Mohammed, who stated that those complaining that the first list was too short did not understand that it was strategically released as a teaser.

He said, “At the press conference where the list was released, I did say it was a tip of the iceberg. Apparently, this does not mean anything to people whose style is to comment on issues they barely understand, or just to shoot down anything coming from the government.

“The Federal Government has a large number of alleged looters on its list. What was the PDP expecting when it challenged the FG to name the looters of the public treasury under the party’s watch? Did the PDP actually believe that the massive looting under its watch was a joke?,” he queried.

The second list of alleged looters includes the following…

Former NSA Sambo Dasuki: Based on EFCC investigations and findings alone (this is beside the ongoing $2.1 billion military equipment scandal), a total of N126 billion, over $1.5 billion and 5.5 million British Pounds was allegedly embezzled through his office.

Former Petroleum Resources Minister Dieziani Alison-Madukwe: In just one of the cases the EFCC is investigating involving her, about N23 billion is alleged to have been embezzled. She is also involved in the Strategic Alliance Contracts of the NNPC, where the firms of Jide Omokore and Jide Aluko got oil blocks but never paid government taxes and royalty. About $3 billion was involved. The Federal Government is charging Omokore and Aluko and will use all legal instruments local and international to ensure justice.

Rtd. Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah: N13.9 billion. N4.8 billion recovered by EFCC in cash and property.

Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika: N4.5 billion. N29m recovered by the EFCC so far.

Alex Barde, former Chief of Defence Staff: N8 billion, and EFCC recovered almost N4 billion in cash and property already.

Inde Dikko: former CG Customs: N40 billion, and N1.1 billion in cash recovered in cash and choice properties.

Air Marshal Adesola Amosun: N21.4 billion. N2.8 billion recovered in cash. 28 properties and 3 vehicles also recovered.

Senator Bala Abdulkadir, former FCT Minister: N5 billion. Interim forfeiture order on some property secured.

Senator Stella Oduah: N9.8 billion. Interim forfeiture order on some property secured.

Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu: N1.6 billion – from NSA.

Senator Jonah Jang, former Plateau State Governor: N12.5 billion.

Bashir Yuguda, former Minister of State for Finance: N1.5 billion. $829,800 recovered.

Senator Peter Nwaboshi: N1.5 billion

Aliyu Usman: Former NSA Dasuki’s aide: N512 million

Ahmad Idris: Former NSA Dasuki’s PA: N1.5 billion

Rasheed Ladoja: Former Oyo Governor: N500 million

Tom Ikimi: N300 million

Femi Fani-Kayode: N866 million

Hassan Tukur, former PPS to President Goodluck: $1.7 million

Nenadi Usman: N1.5 billion

Benedicta Iroha: N1.7 billion

Aliyu Usman Jawaz: Close ally of former NSA Dasuki: N882 million

Godknows Igali: Over N7 billion

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