Niger PDP Thrown Into Chaos, Congress Postponed Indefinitely

September 12, 2020

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was thrown into chaos today, September 12, as members engaged in a free-for-all fight with delegates scampering in all directions for safety, leading to the postponement of the State Congress of the party.

Eye witness accounts said that trouble started when a former Deputy Leader in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Baba Agaie, was manhandled and whisked out of the venue of the congress by heavily armed security men.

This is even as the party’s secretariat in Minna was taken over by supporters of the two aspirants despite heavy security presence in the area.

In the midst of the confusion, members of the electoral committee, including its chairman, Mohammed Imam, were whisked away from the venue of the congress by security agents.

The committee later issued a statement announcing the postponement of the congress.

The statement read: “Due to uncertain security situation at the PDP state secretariat, venue of the rescheduled state congress, slated for today, September 12, the congress has been postponed.”

One of the delegates narrated how Agaie was beaten by some party faithful suspected to be from his own Agaie local government area.

The party supporters accused him of sabotaging their collective interest, alleging that he aligned with the former governor and leader of the party, Dr. Babangida Aliyu-led group.

Imo Gov, Uzodinma Storms Edo, Mobilises Igbo To Vote Ize-Iyamu Next Saturday

Editorial staff

September 12, 2020

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, today, September 12, stormed Benin, the Edo State capital to mobilise Igbo to vote for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in the next Saturday, September 19 election.

Governor Uzodimma, who was honoured by the Igbo Youth Union (IYU) and the youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in Edo State, said that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tax policies were anti-Igbo, while admonishing Ndigbo in the state to massively vote for Ize-Iyamu.

“Obaseki and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been blackmailing the APC, alleging that we want to rig the September 19 election in Edo State. That is exactly what Obaseki and his tax collectors are planning to do.

“Let me tell our Igbo people, go out there and vote for APC. We will protect the votes. We will stop Obaseki from rigging.

“We have many of our brothers and sisters who own businesses in Edo State, but those businesses are suffering today, due to the inhuman policies of the PDP’s administration in Edo.

“As Igbo, we must be vigilant, so that people will not decieve you. PDP leaders are begging for your votes, because they need them now, but that is mere deciet. Obaseki does not like Igbo. PDP leaders are only coming, because of the votes and after that Obaseki will abandon you.”

A former National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who is also an ex-governor of Edo state, while speaking, described Uzodimma as a genuine party man, whose eight-month reign as Imo governor occasioned geniune progress in the state.

The Chairman of the IYU, Obinna Anwatu, earlier in his remarks, stated that the presence of Uzodimma in Benin had heightened their determination to deliver APC next Saturday.

Anwatu added that the award given to Imo governor was in recognition of his developmental strides in the 27 local government areas of Imo state.

We’ll Be Ruthless Against Bandits, Criminals In Northwest – Army Chief Vows

Editorial staff

September 12, 2020

The Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lt. General Tukur Baratai, has vowed that the Nigerian Army will continue to be ruthless, decisive and aggressive against the marauding bandits terrorizing the North-west region of the country.

Buratai, who spoke today, September 12 at a news briefing at the Special Army Super Camp IV, Faskari, Katsina State, said that the army would continue to adopt evolving security strategies to end bloodletting facing the region.

The Chief of Army, who was at the Special Army Super Camp to access the progress of Operation SAHEL SANITY in the Northwest region, said that the troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY have showed courage and determination to tackle prevailing cases of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and smuggling of firearms bedevilling the region.

General Buratai said that the Nigerian Army is determined to work hard with civil administrations to have a country devoid of acrimony or rancor, adding: “so far with the brief I received this afternoon (Saturday), I am highly impressed with the level of commitment, dedication and loyalty of the troops.

“Be less assured that we will be ruthless to all those criminals who are bent on disturbing the peace and security of our country. We call on the people of the states to support the troops collectively to achieve the desired objectives of having a secured Nigeria.

“We will not tolerate this attitude or conduct of molesting, kidnapping, killing and raping of innocent girls and women. We are determined to work hard with civil administrations to have a secured and peaceful Nigeria.”

Earlier, while briefing Buratai on the achievements recorded by troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY, Major Adamu Ngulde said that they had killed 103 bandits and rescued 137 kidnapped victims in the last two months of the operation.

He said that the troops arrested 149 bandits, recovered 3,948 rustled cows, 1,627 rustled sheep and 39 bandits’ logistics suppliers within the period under review.

Edo 2020: Inspector General Of Police Moves Top Ranking Officers To Flashpoints

Editorial staff

September 11, 2020

IGP, Mohammed Adamu | Photo by ChannelsTv

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu has deployed Deputy Inspector General, Adeleye Olusola Oyabade, Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Research and Planning to supervise the general security arrangement for the election in Edo State, which conducts gubernatorial election on September 19.

A statement today, September 11 by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said that to ensure a hitch free election, other top police officers have been deployed to assist the Deputy Inspector General. They are Assistant Inspector General of police, Karma Hosea Hassan, Assistant Inspector General in charge of Federal Operations at the Force Headquarters Abuja and eight Commissioners of Police.

“The DIG, with the assistance of the AIG, will superintend over the entire security architecture and ensure effective monitoring of the election and due enforcement of all electoral laws in the State.”

The statement said that other senior Police Officers involved in election monitoring and evaluation include: CP Garba Baba Umar, CP Habu Sani and CP Buba Sanusi while CP Akeera M. Yonous will coordinate the operations of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and other special strike forces.

It said that the other four CPs will supervise security arrangement in the three senatorial districts of the State.

“They are: CP Omololu .S. Bishi and CP Abutu Yaro Edo North senatorial district, CP Philip Aliyu Ogbadu Edo Central Senatorial District and CP Olokade T. Olawale, Edo South Senatorial District.”

The statement said that the Inspector General has barred security aides attached to VIPs and Political appointees from accompanying their principals on the Election Day, adding that he warned that anyone who flouts this order will be severely reprimanded.

Edo Guber: INEC Says PDP Is Caught Up With Election Rigging Nightmare

Editorial staff

September 11, 2020

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has described allegations by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that it is working with the All Progressives Congress (APC), to rig the Edo governorship election holding on Sept. 19 as the usual unfounded concoction.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Planning, Monitoring and Strategy Committee (PMSC), Dr. Mustafa Lecky, reacting to accusation by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, that he is working with the APC Governorship Candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the APC former National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, to rig the state election, Dr. Lecky said that the allegation is a clear figment of his wide imagination.

“Traditionally, these sorts of allegations are not unexpected on the eve of a major election, I mean where political parties will spew out all manner of things about people. The downside of that is that they are stylishly tarnishing the image of the people and they have no fact about what they are saying.

“It just shows that somebody who is the spokesman of PDP, whom I suppose is a long standing politician in the party, should know about electoral process and how INEC functions. He should know that INEC is never contesting any election.

“I am not contesting, I am not campaigning and I do not belong to any political party. Probably that is what political parties are used to because I am not a member.

“Clearly, this is just a figment of his wide imagination. It is not true, it is not possible and I don’t know why he will link with me with APC.

“I am not a card carrying member and I have never been. I don’t vote, I don’t exercise any franchise.

“If you look at it critically you will know that some things don’t make sense, but not unexpected at this time of a major election.”

Dr. Lecky said that it was unexpected as some of his colleagues had also been accused at different times without any fact to back the allegations.

The national commissioner said that he had been doing his job and had established his credibility over the years, assuring Nigerians that INEC would conduct credible election in Edo state without fear or favour for any political party or candidate.

Increases In Fuel Price, Others: FG To Parley With Organized Labour Unions

Editorial staff

September 11, 2020

A delegation of the Federal Government, to be led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has been scheduled to parley with representatives of organized labour unions in the country to rob minds over the recent increases in the prices of fuel, electricity and food items.

Speaking to newsmen on the issue after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, Dr. Ngige said that the President gave him go-ahead to organize the meeting for the purpose of hearing the grievances of the labour unions.

Dr. Ngige said that the meeting is expected to hold on Saturday September 12 in Abuja.

“The President has approved for us to have a bigger government side meeting with the organized private labour; all the government institutions that have to do with the finances of government so that we meet with them and show them the books.

“So, the invitation is going out to the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress and their affiliates or supporters and friends in the Civil Society Organisations.

“The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, so, I will relate more with the Chief of Staff to the President and the leadership of the unions today so that we do this meeting tomorrow.

“At the meeting, government finances, challenges and everything will be laid bare on the table. Their own fears and what they think is also good for the Nigerian people especially the workers, they will also table it so that we look at it.”

The Labour minister said that the recent hike in electricity tariff was done by the regulatory body based on certain realities confronting the sector.

“The electricity tariff as you know, the Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the increase based on certain electricity band R1 and R2 and even in the R2 band, you have soft bands so that we can protect the rural poor and people who are in the suburbs. So, we are going to look at them holistically because we want a stable labour industrial union in the country so the President has been briefed and he is in tune and has given the support to talk to everybody we need to talk to.”

Commenting on the planned strike by the tripartite unions of the non-academic staff unions of universities, Dr Ngige said that government is aware of their plans and had already invited them to a meeting, to discuss, so as to address their concerns.

“The tripartite unions of university system including some colleges of education and some hospitals; Non-Academic Staff of Universities (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), we have invited them to a meeting. The leadership met with me last week and the major thrust of the challenges they have is on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information (IPPIS) system.

“They claim and allege that the IPPIS system is over deducting some line items like taxes, the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes. They claim the IPPIS system is charging more than they suppose to debit. They also claim that some allowances that are peculiar to the university system like responsibility allowance, hazard allowance, field trip allowance and education of children allowance, that the IPPIS has stopped all of them.

“At the government level, we have discussed and we now want to do a special session with them. They come with their facts and the Accountant General will lead his team. The National Salaries and Incomes and Wages will also come and the Ministry of Labour will lead and then we discuss and find out who is treating the other unfairly.”

INEC Smells Rat As Fire Guts Its Ondo Office Few Weeks To Guber Poll

Editorial staff

September 10, 2020

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akure, Ondo State has smelt foul play as fire broke out today, September 10 at its head office in the state.

National Commissioner, Barrister Festus Okoye, who is in Ondo State in connection with preparations for the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for 10th October 2020, said that investigation into the cause of the fire will commence promptly.

The fire gutted the container housing Smart Card Readers. Men of the Fire Service swung to action to contain the fire.

FCT Police Confirm Gunmen Attack On Abuja Suburb, Say 5 Of Kidnapped People Have Been Rescued

Editorial staff

September 10, 2020

Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have confirmed the gunmen attack on Tungamaje, a suburban village along Zuba road last night, September 9, where they kidnapped some people and robbed them of their valuables.

Spokesperson for the FCT Police command, Anjuguri Manzah, said that police have rescued five out of 10 people that were confirmed to have been kidnapped by the gunmen.

Manzah Said in a statement today, September 10 that the FCT Police Command is assuring the public that protection of lives and property remains their core of the policing mandate and that they “will continue to inject fresh strategies that will place the security of the Federal Capital Territory at its optimum.”

Road To Development Of Agric Sector Long, Arduous, But… – Prof Gambari

Editorial staff

September 10, 2020

Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, has said that the road to effective development of the agricultural sector in Nigeria is long and arduous, but that it is a task that must be accomplished.

Speaking today, September 10 at a food security summit in Abuja, Professor Gambari said: “agriculture is a major priority for this administration and the crucial driver for the development of the nation. Therefore, the growth of the sector leaves no room for complacency.

“There is still a long arduous road to go before achieving those goals. However with determination, coordination and hard work, we have the capacity and will therefore, demonstrate the wherewithal to our exceed our expectation.”

The Chief of Staff, who noted that the recent surge of national food prices is gradually evolving to a food crisis with the ability to threaten the nation’s food security, expressed happiness that reports reaching him indicated that prices are actually on the decline as new grains have been introduced to the market.

“For example, new maize which was previously sold for N25,000 per bag is now being sold between N12,000 and N17,000 and it’s expected to fall between N7,000 and N8,000 per bad by November 2020, according to the various leaders of agricultural commodity association.

“The price decline has also been experienced in millet, beans and sorghum. The hike therefore is to be seen as a transient situation.

“With Mr. President being among us, as somebody who knows about farming and agriculture, perhaps more than many of us in the room, we believe his presence is very instructive in addressing not just this hike and transient nature and pricing of foodstuff but also to underscore the importance he personally and as Mr. President and his administration, attaches to the issue of national food security.

“However, it is important to note that the most prevailing concern of the various leaders of the agricultural commodity association, was their demand that there should be better coordination, synergy and cooperation across the sector. This has been largely accounted for the gross misinformation and nationwide speculation which is being experienced.

“Not disregarding the impact of other value triggers such as the clinical off season period phenomenon, the COVID-19 pandemic and infrastructure challenges, the importance of collaboration can still not be overemphasized.

“As I welcome all participants to this crucial gathering, I urge that we all work hand in hand to ensure the protection of our nation’s food basket.”

I’m Proud To Be A Nigerian – AfDB President, Adesina

Editorial staff

September 10, 2020

The newly re-elected President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has said that he is proud to be a citizen of Nigeria.

Dr. Adesina, who paid a thank-you visit to President Muhammadu Buhari today, September 10, at the presidential villa, Abuja, said: “home is where dreams are born. Home is where nurturing is provided. It is where support is given for realization of dreams. I am glad to belong here.

“When I came in June, you received me, and I shared my successes, and the difficulties facing me. You listened, and said you would stand by me. And you did.

“You not only stood behind me, but also beside me. No greater honour for a man than for his Commander-in-Chief to be his Supporter-in-Chief, and his Defender-in-Chief.”

The AfDB President noted that Nigeria gave him air, “when I badly needed it in my lungs.”

He pledged to always support the country in his private capacity, and as AfDB President.

He then asked for a round of applause for the President, which was truly resounding.

President Buhari congratulated Dr. Adesina on his second and final term in office, adding: “nothing succeeds like success.

“I have told so many people why I backed you,” President Buhari said.

“In 2015, at your first term, you were a Minister with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government, and I was of the All Progressives Congress (APC). But you are a good Nigerian. So I recommended you the first time. You proved to be competent, you made us proud, and I recommended you the second time.”

The President commended Dr Adesina for his support for Africa in general, and Nigeria in particular, stressing that the infrastructural deficits the country has in roads, rail, power, could not be overcome without support.

“There can’t be sustainable development without infrastructure. Our efforts should be seen in the context of lack of resources, but you do your best to support us. I wish you all the best in your final term.”

Dr Adesina had overcome stiff opposition last month to win an unprecedented 100% votes from the regionals and non-regionals that make up the Bank, and was inaugurated for second term of five years as AfDB President on September 1.

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