Int’l Day of Rural Women: Obaseki harps on inclusive policy
assures on health, gender mainstreaming
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government has prioritised policies to place women at the fore of development policies and programmes, assuring that health and gender mainstreaming are key drivers of his agenda.
Governor Obaseki said this in commemoration of the International Day of Rural Women, marked every October 15, by the United Nations and its various organs.
He stressed that development policies in the state place women at the heart of intervention, as women have been empowered in either driving some of his administration’s key policies or at the receiving end of the policy’s positive impact.
According to him, “We run an inclusive government in Edo State. This much is apparent in the manner in which we conduct our affairs and those that are the target of our intervention programmes. As a government, we cannot overlook the place of women in rural communities in driving development because of their illustrious roles as mobilisers, activists, cornerstones of progress and a dependable hand in all spheres of human life. Hence, when intervention programmes are designed, women are given the front role.”
He added that a number of the state government’s programmes such as the Edo Healthcare Improvement Programme (Edo-HIP), the Ward Development Committee, Edo Food and Agriculture Cluster (Edo-FAC) and the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (Edo-BEST) programmes have components that address the needs of rural women, ensuring that they get the necessary support and structures to live better, rewarding lives.
Noting that the 18 Special Assistants and a Special Adviser on Gender Issues in the government contribute to policy designs to engage more women, he said, “Our government accommodates the views and inputs of all. The 18 Special Assistants serve as our ears in the rural areas and bring to the fore the issues faced by women at the grassroots. This ensures that we are in touch with them.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Magdalene Ohenhen, in a chat with journalists, said that the state government has embarked on a number of projects to improve health, education and other indices of development for the benefit of rural women.
Read Also: Obaseki launches agric cluster for 200 farmers
According to her, “Through Edo-HIP, at least 200 functional Primary Health Care (PHC) centers will be refurbished to attend to the needs of rural women across the state. Work is currently ongoing on 20 of these centers and those in Warake, Ofumwegbe, Uwelu, Ugbeke and Ukpenu have been completed, to attend to the needs of mothers and children.”
On Gender Mainstreaming with the 18 Senior Special Assistants and one Special Adviser on Gender Issues, she said, “The state government’s appointment of focal persons for gender issues in the local government is to ensure that the voices of women are heard and their input is taken in formulating policies.”
According to the United Nations, “Essential services on which millions of rural women and girls depend—health, education, childcare, shelters—are chronically underfunded or simply unavailable. Where they exist, they are often the first to be hit by austerity measures, which are once again on the rise.
“In 2018 alone, 124 countries are expected to be cutting their budgets, eroding social protection measures and essential services on which so many rural women and girls depend. This is not inevitable. In virtually all countries, there is scope for raising or reallocating resources to strengthen public services that are essential for women and girls. It is a matter of political will and of using all the available policy tools. The cost of inaction is simply too high.
I am the candidate of the people — Ezekwesili
Ezekwesili said that democracy was all about popular choice, and she would not leave anyone out of the journey to become the president in 2019. The presidential candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Mrs Oby Ezekwesili, on Monday said the endorsement of all Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo was needed for her to lead the country in 2019.Ezekwesili, a former Minister of Education, told newsmen in Lagos that it was impossible for her to realise her ambition of becoming Nigeria’s first female president without the collective endorsement of all Nigerians, including Obasanjo.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that she was reacting to a question by one of the journalists on whether she would need the endorsement of Obasanjo, under whom she served as minister, to realise her ambition.NAN reports the former president had, on Thursday, openly endorsed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, after a reconciliation meeting in Abeokuta.Ezekwesili said that democracy was all about popular choice, and she would not leave anyone out of the journey to become the president in 2019.“I need the endorsement of everyone. I need the endorsement of the youths, the old and the oldest segment of this country who look at the country and ask ‘What happened’?“I need the endorsement of everyone. I am not leaving anyone out because I am the candidate of the people, so every Nigerian is my electorate.“There is no power greater than the power of the people. It is a collective. I am the person with the right understanding of governance. I am the people’s choice and I am in the race to win,” she said.The presidential candidate said the country was faced with serious economic, security and other challenges which required a leader with the right capacity to fix.Ezekwesili, a former Vice-President of the World Bank, said she had the vision, experience and passion to reposition the country, promising that Nigeria would witness massive turnaround if she was elected.The candidate said the country’s economy was experiencing what she called ‘fiscal crisis’.She said there was the need to pursue vigorous sectoral and structural reforms to achieve real economic growth and promote the prosperity of the country.The candidate said her economic vision for the country was an economy that thrived on diversification and one in which the cost of government was drastically reduced for development.“We need to get our fiscal crisis sorted out. Fiscal crisis in the sense that the 2017 budget performance report that was released by the Federal Government shows we are in a state of fiscal imbalance.“The oil revenue is not sufficient to cover the personnel cost of government, and when you think that we are about 186 million people and about two million people in the civil service consume the entire revenue, that tells you we are in post-oil times and we have not yet shown an understanding of the situation. So, there has to be a drastic set of measures.“On the expenditure side, we have to look at the cost of government. The cost of government was already put on the agenda in the Oronsanye Report.What happened to the implementation?“We need to update the report and be determined to implement the recommendations therein,” she said.On the revenue side, Ezekwesili said the country needed to explore an economic strategy to open diverse sources of revenue.The presidential candidate said there was the need to develop the human capital to drive productivity and competitiveness in the economy.Ezekwesili said she would drive the prosperity of the country through investment in human capital, if elected.She decried the precarious security situation in the country, saying creative solutions were needed to address the problem.ALSO READ: Oby Ezekwesili challenges Buhari to a debate The ACPN candidate said she would deploy the right cutting -edge technology and invest massively in security institutions to address the problem, if elected.She said critical areas like education, health and environment would receive the desired attention, to improve livelihoods and life expectancy.Ezekwesili said the idea of restructuring was being variously defined by politicians to suit their agenda and gain cheap popularity.The candidate said the only form of restructuring that she would pursue, if elected, was one that would guarantee prosperity,equality, opportunities and other things expected of a working nation.She said her quest for presidency was gaining momentum by the day with many people volunteering support, and expressed the optimism that she would win.
Purported Suspension Of North East National Vice Chairman A Nullity – APC
Mr Mustapha Salihu// Photo: @OfficialAPCNg
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected the purported suspension of its National Vice Chairman (North East), Mr Mustapha Salihu, by the party’s North East Zonal Office.
In a statement on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Lanre Issa-Onilu, the ruling party described the purported suspension of Salihu as “a nullity.”
The North East zonal office of the party had reportedly suspended the National Vice Chairman on Saturday last week over his alleged inability to run the party affairs democratically.
It explained in a letter addressed to the APC chieftain that the suspension was in line with the party’s article 21D.
However, the APC national leadership nullified the suspension, stressing that the zonal body does not have the powers to suspend a national officer.
“According to the party’s constitution, such powers reside with the National Executive Committee (NEC),” said Issa-Onilu.
“Whatever issues there might be, the party structure and constitution provide ample avenues for redress and dispute resolution.”
The APC spokesperson added that in a situation where the North East zonal office was unable to achieve a resolution, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party would wade into the matter to achieve an amicable settlement.
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People Use Illegally Acquired Money To Compromise Prosecution – Garba Shehu
The Presidency has alleged that some corrupt individuals are using monies they acquired illegally to compromise their investigation and sometimes prosecution.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said this on Sunday during his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, while addressing the issue of the travel ban placed on 50 high-profile individuals by the Federal Government.
He explained that the move was in the interest of concluding cases that have dragged on for too long “and held our judiciary captive”.
“Everybody is complaining, the judiciary wants to move forward. People are using illegally acquired money and property, they are using this to compromise the investigation and sometimes prosecution and they are making it very difficult for our courts to function,” he said.
Speaking further, the presidential aide appealed to individuals who got their wealth through corrupt practices to return such looted funds to the nation’s treasury.
Read Also: Travel Ban: We Have Not Released Any List Of Nigerians Affected – Garba Shehu
He stressed that doing such would be in the overall interest of the nation.
“It is in our interest as a nation. If it is your money, you take it home. If it is not, you return it to the treasury,” he said.
Mr Shehu had announced the decision of the Federal Government in a statement on Saturday, one day after a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order 6.
The order, among other things, allows for the interim seizure of assets linked to the investigation, ongoing criminal trials, and other related offences.
It also empowers the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), in liaison with relevant investigative agencies, to temporarily seize properties linked with corruption, to prevent the dissipation of such assets.
The move has attracted both criticism and praise. Among the critics are the Peoples Democratic Party, and human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and the Social-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).
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Jonathan pleads with the south-east to accept Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, on Sunday 14 October, the former president calls on the party members in the South-east to remain united and support the choice of the presidential candidate. Former President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the South-east to accept Peter Obi as PDP flag bearer’s running Mate.His appeals comes after the leadership of the party in the zone expressed that they were not aware neither were they consulted before making the ex-governor as Atiku’s running mate.The leadership of the party in the zone reacted on the selection of Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate after they had summoned an emergency meeting to discuss on the matter. Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Gov David Umahi, said that they only heard the appointment on social media and expected that they would be carried along prior to the announcement.The governor said that the leadership still expected that the candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would visit to inform them about the choice he made. Jonathan appeals to the leadership of the zoneIn a statement released by his spokesperson, Mr Ikechukwu Eze, on Sunday 14 October, the former president calls on the party members in the South-east to remain united and support the choice of the presidential candidate.Goodluck Jonathan made the appeal a day after the leadership of the zone summoned an emergency meeting.Read Jonathan’s full statement below“I thank members of our great party for the successful conduct of the primaries for the various elective positions ahead of the 2019 general elections. By holding transparent, peaceful and rancor-free convention and primaries across the country, our party has once more, taken the nation’s democratic exercise a notch higher, in line with our well-established tradition of deepening the growth of democracy in our nation.“I again congratulate all our candidates for various positions, including Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who was overwhelmingly elected by our delegates as the flag bearer of our party in the 2019 presidential election. The popularity and positive reviews of the exercise across the country is a clear demonstration of national endorsement for the choices we made, going into the 2019 elections.“The task before us is to build on this firm foundation and momentum by pulling in one direction and working assiduously for the victory of these candidates at the polls. It is against this backdrop that I appeal for calm and understanding in the South East where my attention has been drawn to the fact that some leaders of our party are openly expressing their discomfort with the reported nomination of former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate. I am told that some of our leaders in the zone have raised issues with the process of consultation that produced the Vice-Presidential candidate.“I affirm that consultation is a key ingredient in every political process. Nonetheless, in the selection of a vice presidential candidate, a presidential candidate is allowed reasonable freedom to select his running mate based on loyalty, trust, experience, temperament, and capacity to perform the responsibilities of the office. Anything other than this could create tension and acrimony between the presidential candidate and his running mate, even before the inauguration of the government.“My plea is for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to be given a free hand to choose who he wants to work with as his Vice President without putting him through undue pressure. In this regard, only minimal consultation is required which doesn’t necessarily have to involve full regional review and approval.“We have to be careful not to give the impression that the process of selecting a Vice Presidential candidate cannot progress until a regional stamp of approval is formally procured. The system we are used to right from the First Republic is one that places the choice of a running mate at the behest of the candidate, based on his own convictions on capacity and compatibility.“From my political history, beginning from Deputy Governor to President, I can say that this is the tradition and standard practice in countries where either the President and his Vice or Governor and his Deputy contest election on a common slate. In such instance, once a candidate emerges, he or she is given a free hand to select the person who understands his vision and plans for the country, as hisrunning mate.“I, therefore, want to directly appeal to my brothers and sisters from the South East zone who are members of our party to reconsider their position and allow the presidential candidate of our party to select a candidate he thinks he can work with to be able to achieve the party’s development goals. Since Atiku has nominated Mr. Peter Obi as his running mate, I am pleading with my party members from the zone to accept his choice.
Kwara police declare war on thugs
Ahead of next year’s general elections, Kwara State police command has vowed to rid the state of undesirable elements and political thugs to ensure a peaceful polls.
The commissioner of Police, Mr Bolaji Fafowora this in Ilorin , the state capital, while answering questions on a Radio Kwara personality programme “Playing Host.”
The police boss said the command would sweep the entire streets of Ilorin and its environs of thugs and cultists, who may be recruited by some politicians before , during and after the election’s.
Fafowora added that policing has nothing to do with politics, but to protect the lives and property of law abiding citizens and enforce the law.
He warned politicians against violating the electoral laws, saying he would soon hold a meeting with the registered political parties and their leaders on how to play the game of politics in line with the laid down rules and regulation.
Fafowora urged parents to be wary on the type of group their children or wards relate with.
The police commissioner described the state as a relatively peaceful state compared with some other states in the federation.
In spite of this, he said the command would not take it for granted and go to sleep stressing that it is always at the time of peace, that security operatives prepare for eventualities and the ontowards.
Ohanaeze Youths commend Atiku for choosing Igbo son as running mate
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths (Worldwide) has commended the PDP and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for choosing an Igbo son as the vice presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections.
The commendation was given through a statement issued in Owerri on Sunday by its Acting National President, Dr Kingsley Dozie and Emeka Odom, its Assistant National Legal Adviser.
It said that assistance of Igbo youths would be made available to the PDP having chosen Dr Peter Obi as its presidential running mate.
The group said it had already started discussing and liasing with youths of other ethnic nationalities on how to have a productive and people oriented election.
“To restructure Nigeria is our priority now and we’ll get it right this time.
“The choice of the former governor, Peter Obi is great. He was not wasteful in the management of resources while serving as governor.
“Peter Obi is a good choice. He will bring business intelligence into governance.
“He is not corrupt and as a governor, he was not wasteful. Igbo youths are very happy .
“Obi’s success story as a businessman would help in reviving the nation’s economy if elected in 2019.
“The decision to pick him, we believe, is based on his outstanding performance as governor of Anambra state,” it said.
The group said that as a successful businessman, it expected Obi to translate his wealth of experience into good governance for the nation.
They expressed optimism that he would not disappoint Ndigbo in particular and Nigeria at large.
The group had earlier commended the PDP for electing Abubakar as its presidential candidate in the 2019 elections.
It’s leader, Dr Kingsley Dozie, described Abubakar as an apostle of restructuring.
He promised that his group would liase with its parent body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, alongside “our brothers after our consultations and get it right this time.”
“The party’ s primary was free and fair and the most credible presidential primaries.
“Igbo youths are pleased with the party’s style of leadership and particularly the restructuring agenda of its candidate which placed him first in the race.
“Consequently, the leadership of igbo youths, led by Kingsley Dozie, shall mobilize all igbo youths, home and abroad, to ensure that a better candidate who places our interest as a priority and who will genuinely restructure Nigeria emerged as the president of Nigeria come 2019,” he said.
Dozie said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing was now out to protect, preserve and promote the welfare of ndigbo through massive mobilization of the youths to vote for a preferred, detribilized and someone who would put smiles on the faces of people in the forthcoming presidential election.
He urged the youths to ensure they had their PVCs, saying that was the surest way to electing credible candidates.
Buhari’s Travel Ban Is A Direct Clampdown On Our Democratic Order – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the Federal Government’s ban of 50 Nigerians from travelling abroad is a direct clampdown on democratic order.
In a statement on Saturday, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the restriction as an attempt by the Buhari Presidency to foist a full-blown fascism on the country.
“We hope this is not a ploy to harm certain eminent Nigerians on the claims of resisting travel restrictions. The PDP further notes that this “decree” is a direct clampdown on our democratic order and an overthrow of rights of our citizenry as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” the statement read in part.
The party also stated that the presidency has gone into panic mode since the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the PDP presidential candidate.
Read Also: FG Bans 50 Prominent Nigerians From Travelling Abroad
It, therefore, stressed that any attempt to clamp down on the opposition will be totally unacceptable, adding that no amount of intimidation and harassment will deter Nigerians from ousting the APC administration.
The PDP’s comments follow the implementation of the Executive Order (6) signed by President Muhammadu Buhari, to prevent government officials from engaging in corrupt practices.
The order seeks to restrain owners of assets under investigation from carrying out any further transaction on such assets.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, following the implementation of the order, 50 prominent personalities (whose names were not stated) were placed on a watch-list and, therefore, restricted from leaving the country pending the determination of their cases.
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Primaries: APC suspends Dep. Chairman, inaugurates 3-man disciplinary committee
Ajiya, in a letter addressed to Salihu through the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, entitled; `Re: Letter of Vote of No Confidence’ which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the suspension was in line with the party’s article 21D. The Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North East Zone, Abubakar Ajiya, on Saturday announced the suspension of Mustapha Salihu, the Zonal Chairman of the zone.Ajiya, in a letter addressed to Salihu through the National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, entitled; `Re: Letter of Vote of No Confidence’ which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the suspension was in line with the party’s article 21D.The letter read: “Having failed to fulfill or appear before this Honourable body, the North East Zonal Office called upon at Jose Martins Crescent, Asokoro, Abuja dated 11/10/2018.“This letter is an expression of our `Vote of No Confidence’ in Mr Mustapha Salihu based on the power vested on us in artcle 21D: vi, he is hereby suspended with immediate effect for his inability to run the party affairs judiciously, prudently, democratically and accountably.’’The secretary revealed that the charges against Salihu included his failure to call meeting as and when due contrary to Article 25D: 1, and for allegedly causing disunity among members of the party in the zone.Ajiya further announced that a 3-man committee had been inaugurated to look into allegations leveled against the deputy chairman.According to him, members of the investigative committee are Alkali Kolo, Sani Haruna and Abdulkadir Abdulkadir.But, when contacted on telephone, the APC deputy chairman, dismissed the allegations against him, saying those who took the decision to suspend him had no constitutional right to do so.He explained that only 1/3 of the Zonal Executive Committee, North East, comprising of about 150 members could suspend any official in the zone in line with Article 12.6 of the party.Ajiya, who described his suspension as a joke, alleged that the signature of the Women Leader, Amina Manga, on the purported suspension letter was forged.“The women leader spoke to me today, She said that she was not part of the Abuja meeting where they took their decision to suspend me,’’ he said.On allegation that he substituted names of some aspirants that won the just concluded primaries in the zone, Salihu dismissed the allegation, saying all decisions he took concerning the aspirants had the backing of the APC National Working Committee in Abuja.
South-East leaders react to Peter Obi’s selection as Atiku’s running mate
Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate, announced Obi as his running mate on Friday, October 12, 2018. Leaders from the South-East zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met on Saturday, October 13, 2018, to discuss the selection of Peter Obi as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.Atiku, the PDP presidential candidate, announced Obi as his running mate on Friday, October 12, 2018.South-East leaders kickPeter Obi’s nomination however did not go down well with some leaders of the South-East who felt that they were sidelined.According to The Cable, the Ebonyi state Gov, David Umahi said the move goes against the agreement the zone had with Atiku.The Governor said he has nothing against former Governor Obi but insisted that the PDP should do the right thing.South-East leader’s resolutionAfter the meeting on Saturday, Governor David Umahi said “We want to use this opportunity to congratulate His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar for his very well deserved victory over our very transparent and fair primaries we just finished in PortHarcourt, Rivers state.“It is our prayers that God will sustain him and lead him and take him to that destination upon which PDP gave him our ticket.“We have met because of what we saw in the social media over the issue of Vice-Presidential candidate.“In as much as we will never be against anybody chosen from South-East to be the presidential running mate to our PDP candidate, but we are shocked and surprised that social media could start carrying such insinuations that the leaders of South-East are not aware that our candidate has chosen a running mate.“And if anything, is the truth in the social media assertion, the leaders of South-East were never consulted, neither are we aware.ALSO READ: Buhari’s aide, Lauretta Onochie mocks Peter Obi “However, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar has sent a message to the leaders of South-East, that he is out of the country today, on a short visit, and as soon as he comes back, he himself will be coming down to the South-East to meet with the South-East leaders.“For a very deep discussion and cordial relationship. That was the resolution in our meeting.” Meanwhile, the United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the choice of Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate will take PDP nowhere.
2019: Can Ogun APC mend its fences?
The anxiety thrown up by the ongoing struggle for the governorship ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, ahead of the next gubernatorial election, is far from abating as party chieftains and members from the western and eastern senatorial districts continue to queue behind Adekunle Akinlade and Prince Dapo Abiodun, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan
Ahead of the 2019 general elections, analysts are worried that unless the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State finds a way to resolve the current intra party crisis ripping it apart, the party and its candidates may find it difficult to make good showing at the various elections across the state. Sources within and outside the APC says the current confusion over who the rightful governorship candidate of the party should be is fast tearing Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s party into shreds under his watch.
Buoyed by Amosun’s unrelenting support for Ogun West Senatorial District in the governorship race, political leaders in the zone, especially within the ruling APC, according to reliable party sources, are determined to do everything humanly possible to ensure that no other person, apart from Hon. Adekunle Abdulkadir Akinlade, their son, who got the endorsement of the governor to fly the APC ticket, emerged as the party’s candidate.
On the other side of the same state, prominent political leaders, within and outside the ruling party, have lined up behind the aspiration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Remo royal blood who got declared as the APC governorship candidate by the National Working Committee after two controversial primary elections in the state. Party stalwarts from Ijebu and Remo zones of the state say they will not agree to any resolution that removes Abiodun’s name from the list of APC governorship candidates.
Trouble started for the ruling party when the NWC and the state leadership disagreed over the conduct and outcome of the direct primary election carried out to elect the gubernatorial candidate of the APC. While the APC State Executive Committee announced Akinlade as winner, the NWC Electoral Committee said Abiodun emerged winner in the exercise they supervised.
Expectedly, as the two bodies continued to argue over Akinlade and Abiodun’s fate, Governor Amosun, who never hid his preference for Akinlade as part of his commitment to his pledge to ensure that the Ogun West Senatorial District produces the next governor of the state, has thrown his weight behind the Ogun APC leadership, in insisting that Akinlade be given the ticket to contest the next election.
Speaking while supervising the rescheduled party primary elections for Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants at the weekend, the governor decried the tension and uncertainty across the state caused by the disagreement over the governorship ticket. He however assured party members and supporters that Akinlade will be handed the APC ticket at the end of the day.
“They have told Mr. President all manner of stories, that Amosun has done this or that. Amosun will stand for justice, fairness and the truth. That is why in Ogun State come May 29, 2019, to the glory of God and the benevolence of Almighty God, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade will be the governor of the state. I have told them, if anybody wants to engage in political fight, they should wait for second term. Nobody should push us. We are not fools,” the governor said.
But within the camp of Abiodun and among political leaders in Ogun East, the governor’s position cannot be said to be generally acceptable. While some of his close aides and associates, like the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Yinka Mafe, are ready to go all the way with Amosun, some others are now pandering towards the candidacy of Dapo Abiodun in solidarity with the ‘Ogun East for Governor’ agenda.
Former state secretary of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM) and currently a topnotch of the APC in the state, Alhaji Ganiu Olomowewe, while explaining why Amosun should stop his opposition to Abiodun’s candidacy, warned that any alteration in the status quo may spell doom for the APC in the eastern senatorial district during the 2019 general election.
“The governor should stop carrying on as if Dapo Abiodun is not a member of APC. He cannot continue to say an Ogun East man is not good enough to succeed him and still expect us to support him. We must all learn to accept what we cannot change. Party members have decided at the primary election that it is Abiodun they want. The governor must respect that decision. Any change in the name of the candidate will not be acceptable to us in Ijebu and Remo zones,” he insisted.
Peace moves
All hopes of the crisis being resolved are however not lost as The Nation learnt that several efforts are being made by stakeholders to see to the amicable resolution of all the issues at hand. “It is a family matter and I can assure you that our governor is a man of peace who will stop at nothing to ensure that all parties to the misunderstanding are satisfied and adequately catered for in the final resolution,” a close aide of Amosun’s told our reporter.
The Nation also learnt that several meetings and parleys have been called to discuss the development within and outside the state. While reliable party sources insisted that the issue is yet to be resolved in spite of the publication of Dapo Abiodun’s name by the NWC as the candidate of the APC in Ogun State, some other sources said a middle-way agreement may have been reached ‘at the top’ to lay the matter to rest.
On Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari met behind closed doors with Amosun. The meeting which is believed to be part of efforts geared towards resolving that crisis in Ogun APC was held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. It was gathered that Buhari offered to intervene in the matter when it appeared the parties involved were unyielding to previous peace moves by other stakeholders.
The governor simply told journalists at the end of the meeting that he would be returning with some unnamed persons for another meeting with the President. He was not specific on when the meeting would hold. It was also learnt that Buhari will be meeting with some other people involved in the face-off with a view to facilitating a peaceful resolution of the issue.
The Nation also learnt that party leaders, including Vice President Yemi Osibajo, have been talking to rival groups in the Ogun State APC that are disagreeing over the outcome of the national and state assemblies primaries held in the state. “All through this week, meetings were being held here in Abeokuta and even Abuja in search of peace. And we are optimistic of peace at the end of the day,” a party leader said.
“Last week, the governor met with Vice-President Osinbajo and sources say the development in Ogun State was discussed by the two leaders as they searched for resolutions. Neither Osinbajo nor the governor spoke with State House correspondents who approached them for comments after the meeting, but we are informed that they proffered ways of possibly resolving the logjam,” another party source hinted.
Also, it was gathered that the state leadership of the party recently convened a meeting of party leaders in Abeokuta to discuss the matter. Sources at the meeting told The Nation that many of the stakeholders at the meeting were concerned about how best the matter can be resolved in such a way that the final outcome will not disturb the winning streak of the APC in the state.
“We met and discussed. We are all bothered about the turn of things and we are in agreement with Governor Amosun on this matter. We are hoping that the NWC will see reason why they should allow the leadership of the APC in Ogun State to guide them in this matter as it was done in other states. However, we are also very concerned about how the issue is resolved that the party remains one indivisible family ahead of the 2019 general elections.
“While it is true we seek justice and fairness, we also seek unity and progress of the party. We will not be happy if the outcome of this crisis damages the chances of the APC in Ogun State. That is why we are saying all those beating of drums of war should act like genuine party members and sheath their swords. At the end of the day, we must all rally round the party irrespective of who the candidate is.
“So, for some people or group of people to be issuing statements that they will not support any other candidate except the one they want now is not good for the party and it must stop. If our leaders examine the facts and decide to change the status quo, we as party faithful must be ready to accept the verdict in the interest of our great party. No sacrifice is too much to make for the party,” he added.
Agitations continue
Meanwhile, the Ijebu/Remo Forum, a group within the Ogun State chapter of APC, has urged Amosun and other stakeholders, particularly from Yewa-Awori extraction in the state, to accept Abiodun’s candidacy in the interest of peace and progress. In a statement issued after their meeting in Sagamu on Tuesday, members of the forum saluted President Buhari, Osinbajo and Oshiomhole, for their efforts towards resolving the dispute in Ogun State APC.
The statement partly reads, “We appeal to everyone to be sportsmen and to be gallant in the present situation. Our experience has taught us that everyone will have his day. We say to our compatriots from Ogun West, in particular, that despite the intensity of this contest, the Ijebu and Remo people are no enemies of the Yewa and Awori people. Ijebu and Remo people are a people with a deep sense of history, justice and fairness.
“We seek it for ourselves and seek it for other people. Indeed, from the history of Ogun State to date, we know we are friends and allies. We have, mutually, supported each other before and we believe God that we will do so again in future. On this occasion, we appeal for your restraint and gallantry. Please be assured that the government to be led by Prince Dapo Abiodun will serve your interest and that of all of Ogun State without any discrimination.”
The statement, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, was endorsed by its chairman, Aare Olu Dawodu, its secretary, Prince Segun Aderibigbe, Chief Bisi Rodipe, Chief O. B. Okuboyejo, Alhaji Rafiu Songonuga, Prince Adeyemi Adefulu, Bashorun Adebisi Adesanya and Dr. Rasheed Adenusi, among other prominent political and community leaders from across the eastern senatorial district of the state.
Fayose Presents Hand Over Documents To Ekiti State Head Of Service
Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has formally presented documents detailing his administration’s activities to the state Head of service for transmission to the succeeding regime.
The special executive session which held on Saturday, was attended by members of the state Executive Council and some monarchs.
Governor Fayose in his address, described himself as a fulfilled leader, stating that he is not leaving the state in any debt or crisis.
His tenure will come to an end on Tuesday, October 16 when the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is expected to take over.
The governor also tweeted that he will be handing over the government house on Sunday.
I am presently taking Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s Wife, Erelu Bisi and other members of the inauguration committee round the Govt House.
Tomorrow, I will hand over the Govt House to the Head of Service. pic.twitter.com/2oV7jMOJ1A
— Peter Ayodele Fayose (@GovAyoFayose) October 13, 2018
The post Fayose Presents Hand Over Documents To Ekiti State Head Of Service appeared first on Channels Television.
Igbo leaders may reject Peter Obi’s nomination as Atiku’s running mate and endorse Buhari
Gov Umahi said South-East leaders should have been consulted before picking anybody from the region. The Governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi is not happy that Peter Obi was picked as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate without due consultation.The Ebonyi Governor also hinted that the nomination of Obi as Atiku’s running mate might be rejected by South-East leaders.He said the move goes against an agreement made earlier that the PDP presidential candidate’s running mate will be chosen unanimously, if someone from the South-East is considered. Obi, a former Governor of Anambra state, was selected as Atiku’s running mate on Friday, October 13, 2018.According to The Cable, Umahi said South-East leaders should have been consulted before picking anybody from the region.The Ebonyi state Governor also said that a decision on the matter will be made known after a meeting of Igbo leaders.Umahi, who said he has nothing against former Governor Obi, insists that the PDP has to do things right.South East Govs, Ohanaeze meetAlso, Daily Post reports that a meeting between South-East Governors and members of Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo have scheduled to meet on Peter Obi’s nomination.A source said that some Governors and leaders in the region might endorse President Buhari because they feel Atiku disregarded them.ALSO READ: Picking Peter Obi as VP is Atiku’s best decisionThe source also accused the PDP presidential candidate of breaking his promise to the South-East PDP leaders.Meanwhile, The Cable reports that the South-West is on standby to present a candidate if the South-East leaders reject Peter Obi.Buhari’s aide mocks Peter ObiLauretta Onochie, Buhari’s new media aide has mocked the choice of Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate.Onochie said the former Anambra Governor could not help PDP in Anambra state.
Anambra monarch lauds Obi’s choice as Atiku’s running mate
Obodoako told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that Obi, who hails from Agulu, was a right choice for the party. Igwe Innocent Obodoako, the traditional ruler of Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra on Saturday praised the choice of former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi as running mate to PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.Obodoako told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that Obi, who hails from Agulu, was a right choice for the party.“When we heard of his selection, we were so happy. I know what he can do.“By the time he ends his tenure as vice president, Nigerians will see his goodness,” the monarch said.Obodoako, who said that the people of Agulu and by extension, Anambra are excited, also said the PDP would get massive votes because of Atiku’s position on the issue of restructuring.According to him, restructuring will give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and ensure that our children are massively employed.The monarch appealed to those agitating against Obi’s selection, especially some stakeholders in the South East to have a rethink and support the Atiku/Obi joint PDP ticket in the interest of the zone.
Sheikh Gumi speaks on his role in Atiku, Obasanjo’s peace meeting
Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in Ogun state to see Obasanjo on Thursday. Notable Islamic cleric, Shekih Gumi has said that he was at former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s home to broker peace between him and his former aide, Atiku Abubakar.Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in Ogun state to see Obasanjo on Thursday, October 11, 2018.According to Daily Post, Gumi said he was in Ogun state to fulfill the instruction of the Quran.He said “Prophet Muhammad once said he would gladly honour invitation to mediate even between non-Muslims.“Every Muslim asked to intervene in peace accord between Muslim and Muslim or Christian and Muslim or Christian and Christian, he should go.“Only pagans promote enmity. Once our leaders are in peace, hopefully the nation will be in peace.“Former President Obasanjo sought to reconcile with his former deputy (Atiku Abubakar). You all know there is no love lost between them.“One of the conditions laid for the reconciliation was that persons who are neutral should be appointed as mediators.ALSO READ: Buhari urges religious leaders to abstain from partisan politics“Both of them agreed that I should be part of the reconciliation to ensure that the reconciliation is real. Thank God, they settled their differences. And its for real”Bishop Kukah reactsThe Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Hassan Matthew Kukah also spoke on his presence at the peace meeting between Atiku and Obasanjo.Kukah, in an interview, said he did not accompany the PDP presidential candidate to see former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
