The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, will never cease to amaze the public and Ekiti people as he wore shorts yesterday to the signing event of the state’s 2016 budget. The governor had attracted criticisms last week when he appeared before the State House of Assembly to defend the proposed N67bn Ekiti State 2016 Budget, as he brought out a gavel and symbolically “passed” the budget into law after presenting the proposal to lawmakers. Fayose was also criticized for his choice of dressing. He wore T-shirt and jeans, which critics say diminishes the office he occupies. However, he was unfazed and…
Author: Wale Adebayo
Chief Olisa Metuh who is the National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) disclosed he never benefited from any government contract during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The opposition party spokesman, who stated this during a press briefing on Tuesday in his office at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja, said the clarification became necessary “taking into consideration the times we find ourselves, especially as they relate to me”. Mr. Metuh disclosed that in the last seven months, he has been “hounded, harassed, intimidated and threatened severally”. He noted that it was in order to avoid personal and family…
Edo State Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole on Tuesday said he asked the immediate past Head of Service of the State, Mr. Jerry Obazele, to proceed on compulsory retirement because of gross negligence. Speaking during the swearing-in of the state’s New Head of Service, Mrs. Gladys Osaretin Idahor, at the Government House, Benin City, Oshiomhole said “I am a defender of jobs. I believe experience is a value to be celebrated, not to be punished. But I have had to arrive at the painful conclusion that Obazele had to be relieved of his services because not only did he fail to…
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Alhaji Jika Ardo, has called on the incumbent governor, Darius Ishaku and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to accept defeat and join the train of change. Speaking in Jalingo, Ardo said the APC in the state would never join issues with the PDP. He maintained that the APC will emerge victorious even if the governorship matter gets to the Supreme Court. It would be recalled that the Taraba governorship tribunal nullified the election of Governor Darius Ishaku, and declared Hajia Aisha Alhassan of the APC, the winner…
The High Court of the Federal Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja through Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf, has sacked the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus. In a judgment in a suit by former Political Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, the judge held that Secondus was occupying the party’s Chairmanship seat illegally. He noted that Secondus was from Rivers State, and not North-east geopolitical zone to which the PDP zoned the position. Justice Baba-Yusuf, therefore, gave Secondus 14 days to vacate the office and directed that the plaintiff or any other party member worthy of that position should…
A bill seeking the establishment of the Northeast Development Commission sponsored by Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker of House of Representatives, scaled a second reading on Monday. According to Hon. Dogara, the commission would be responsible for receiving and managing funds from the Federation Account allocation for the Northeast States of Adamawa, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Taraba and Bauchi, and will focus on the development of States in the region, as well as shoulder responsibilities of managing international donor funds for settlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency. The bill was unanimously passed when…
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday said the ongoing investigation and trial of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), could have been prevented if members of the National Assembly had done their oversight functions well. The Senate President said this while summing up contributions on a motion on abandoned projects in the country. He noted that the rot being uncovered in the office of the former NSA would have been exposed if members of the National Assembly did not shy away from their oversight functions. He described as mind boggling revelations coming from the ONSA. He said…
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, yesterday, warned anyone planning to hold a demonstration in the State under any umbrella to discontinue such as the State will not take it kindly. This came ahead of Wednesday’s allegedly planned rally by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, in parts of Lagos. In a statement by its Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, the APC said considering the heightened security challenges the state is facing, it will be foolhardy for any group to hide under the guise of protest to compromise the security of the state and…
Chief Ralph Uwazuruike who is the leader and founder of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), on Tuesday, disclosed that the pro-Biafra protests threatening the peace of Nigeria’s southeast and the country in general are politically motivated. “The current pro-Biafra protests are political, if not so where do they get the monies they share for those participating in the protests. We will actualize Biafra without spilling blood and all those behind the protest are sabotaging the genuine struggle,” Uwzuruike said while briefing journalists at the Ojukwu Memorial Library in Owerri, the Imo State capital, “We welcome…
Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, yesterday submitted a N150.7 billion budget proposal to the House of Assembly. The budget proposal was presented on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Segun Olorunsogo. The 2016 budget proposal is 25.3% less than the 2015 budget of N201.7 billion. The proposal had a recurrent expenditure of N82,744,396,580 representing 54.9% and capital expenditure of N67,983,848,960.00, representing 45.1%. It also has the recurrent revenue of N113,185,677,170 and capital receipt of N37,542,568,370.00. The governor’s letter to the House was read by Deputy Speaker, Akintunde Adegboye. According to the letter, “The proposed…
Calls by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the institution of a National Truth Commission, has been described by The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday, as a diversionary tactics to stop investigation into the ongoing arms deal scandal. The APC National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, who stated this in a statement in Abuja, stressed that this was not the time for setting up a truth commission, but a time for probe, justice and recovery of looted funds. In the statement, entitled: “Ignore PDP’s diversionary tactics”, the governing party said the citizens should not be swayed by the latter-day…
The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, says plans are underway to revive the National Labour Advisory Council in order to ensure international best labour practices in the country. Dr. Ngige who addressed newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, stressed that the resuscitation of the council was imperative in order to ensure International Labour Organisation (ILO) best practices in the country. “The National Labour Advisory Council is a very important organ of the tripartite committee arrangement that we have in the labour management. “The Council will help us to review the labour laws in the country and ensure international…
The Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko, has said the only change Nigeria needs right now, is a change in its constitution with a view to galvanizing visible national development. He made this statement yesterday at the opening ceremony of the Ministers’ Conference held at the International Event Centre, Akure, the state capital. Governor Mimiko said that contrary to the widely-publicised change mantra of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government, what Nigeria needs at this crucial moment is to restructure the nation’s polity so that the federating units would be able to harness their abundant resources and create wealth for their people. He…
Nigerian army deployed to Bama in Borno State yesterday flushed Boko Haram terrorists out of Aulari general area located within the Sambisa forest. The troops also cleared four terrorist camps located within the area that includes Faldan, Kidiziromari, Kuroshini, Kurumari and Ngulda. According to a statement issued by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, one Boko Haram terrorist was killed while trying to escape and about 31 persons were rescued from the terrorists. “During the attack, the troops discovered stockpile of farm produce in metal drums, sacks and underground storage facilities. Other items recovered included several bicycles and motorcycles.…
The immediate past Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, was yesterday manhandled by security operatives at the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi. In a video footage uploaded to YouTube, the former NIMASA boss was seen in a heated exchange of words with two armed mobile policemen and two other unidentified men in plain clothes. Mr. Akpobolokemi was heard telling the security operatives “I’m not going anywhere… you’re harassing me…. I’m on bail”. As lawyers, including the counsel to the former NIMASA DG attempted to intervene, the security operatives bundled him into…
The Federal High Court in Abuja, trying a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, and others for alleged money laundering and criminal breach of trust, has adjourned ruling on his bail application till Friday. The former NSA was arraigned before Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf alongside Shu’aibu Salisu, a former director of finance in the office of the NSA; Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former Group General Manager of NNPC; Acacia Holdings Ltd and Reliance Hospital Ltd on 19 count charges of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust in respect of funds for arms/equipment purchase in the account of the NSA,…
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said Nigerians should expect increase in electricity tariff soon. “By far the most complex challenge is the problem of tariff. It is complex because it is more in the hands of citizens than in the hands of Government,” Fashola said. “The role of Government is to set the tariff and in doing so, Government has committed to what is called a Multi-Year Tariff Order. This was done in order to attract investors to the market; otherwise we will not have achieved the privatization if the price of the product is not…
The Nigerian Military yesterday confirmed the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenatu are in their custody. The movement on Sunday said its leader’s wife, Zeenatu, had been killed along with several others in the massive military crackdown on its headquarters. Disputing the claim in a press briefing yesterday in Kaduna, the General Officer Commanding 1 Mechanised Army Division, Kaduna, Major Greneral Adeniyi Oyebade said that it was the responsibility of the security forces to bring law and order back to any society within the rules of engagement. He said: “The Shi’ite leader and his…
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has warned the Nigerian military authorities to thread softly, saying the repeated attacks on members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria was capable of plunging the country into another Boko Haram-like insurgency. In a statement yesterday, the NSCIA said that it was shocked and saddened by the fresh outbreak of deadly violence in Zaria. Soldiers attached to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai on Saturday opened fire on members of the Shi’ite sect in Zaria following their refusal to allow his convoy to pass through the road in front of the…
Justice Adeniyi Ademola at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday reserved judgment in a case challenging the election of Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively. He made the pronouncement after counsel to the parties adopted their written addresses. Four senators, Abu Ibrahim, Kabir Marafa, Robert Boroffice and Sulieman Hunkuyi, filed the suit challenging the process that led to the elections of the two principal officers. The clerk of the National Assembly and that of the Senate were also listed as respondents. The plaintiffs are seeking a declaration that the Senate…