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Ondo Decide 2024: Two ex-deputy governors, a medical psychiatrist in race for governorship election
AFOLABI
On November 16, voters in Ondo state will head to the polls to decide who will pilot the state’s affairs for the next four years. Nothing is certain yet. Either the status quo will remain or change.
In the last few months, political gladiators in and outside the state have been making moves to woo voters.
However, the political tension in Ondo is not as heated as the September governorship election in neighbouring Edo state, where Monday Okpebholo was elected governor.
Unlike the Edo election, the build-up to the Ondo election has been relatively peaceful and devoid of heated political dramas.
Two former deputy governors — Lucky Aiyedatiwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — have been tipped as favourites to win the Ondo election. The two politicians are not newcomers to the state’s political system.
Ajayi, 56, served as the deputy governor of Rotimi Akeredolu, then governor of the state, from 2017 to 2021. He fell out with Akeredolu in the build-up to the 2020 governorship election.
Ajayi defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the election but lost in the primary to Eyitayo Jegede. He then moved to the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), where he clinched the party’s governorship ticket. Akeredolu also picked Aiyedatiwa as his running mate.
The former deputy governor came a distant third in the election, which was won by the joint ticket of Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa.
Following Akeredolu’s death in December, Aiyedatiwa became Ondo governor.
Although Aiyedatiwa and Ajayi are favourites to win the Ondo election, Abass Mimiko, candidate of the ZLP, is an underdog in the race.
TheCable further provides a lowdown on the three major candidates
AIYEDATIWA: THE ‘LUCKY’ GOVERNOR EYEING A FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM
Born on January 12, 1965, Aiyedatiwa hails from Obenla, an oil-producing community in Ilaje LGA of the state. He is a businessman and former commissioner of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Aiyedatiwa attended Saint Peter’s UNA Primary School, Obenla and Ikosi High School, Lagos. He obtained a Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from Lagos State College of Education in 1986, and he also got an advanced diploma from the University of Ibadan. In 2013, he obtained a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Fate smiled at the former deputy governor in December 2023 after Akeredolu’s death. Aiyedatiwa was immediately sworn in as the new governor of the state to complete the four-year term of his late principal.
Although Aiyedatiwa has repeatedly denied the insinuations, the relationship between Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu had turned sour in the dying moments of the late governor.
Political analysts have argued that Aiyedatiwa, who was believed to be a political neophyte, would not have gotten the governorship ticket of APC if Akeredolu was alive. Olusola Oke, the most influential politician from Aiyedatiwa’s LGA, was said to be Akeredolu’s favourite. Nonetheless, Aiyedatiwa beat Oke, who came in third, during the APC primary election to clinch the ticket. Oke, who was said to have brought the governor into state politics, has since collapsed his political structure to support Aiyedatiwa.
At the moment, the governor is unarguably the strongest candidate in the race owing to the incumbency power and the popularity of the APC in the state. APC has been a force to reckon with in Ondo since the 2016 election.
Aiyedatiwa also enjoys the support of top APC chieftains in and outside Ondo.
However, it appears that the governor is yet to pacify some of Akeredolu’s loyalists, who were not pleased with the politicking that took place when the former governor was sick.
In what appears to be a political move to pacify Akeredolu’s kinsmen, Aiyedatiwa selected Olayide Adelami as his deputy governor and running mate. Adelami hails from Owo, the same town as late Akeredolu.
Speaking during a campaign rally, Aiyedatiwa promised to carry out more infrastructural projects across the state, if elected governor.
He said his administration has touched every sector of the state in the last 10 months, adding that he would do more if elected.
Critics of Aiyedatiwa have argued that governance and election are not based on luck. The question in the minds of many is, “Will Lucky be lucky this time around?”
AJAYI: THE CANDIDATE WITH THE MOST POLITICAL EXPERIENCE
Born on September 24, 1968, Ajayi hails from the Kiribo community in Ese-Odo LGA of Ondo state.
He had his primary and secondary education at Community High School in Kiribo and Methodist High School, Okitipupa, after which he bagged a law degree at Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo state, and was called to bar in 2010.
Before he became Akeredolu’s deputy governor, he had been in politics as far back as 1988, when he was the Social Democratic Party chairman of Old Opoi Ward 1. He later moved to PDP and served in different political positions in the LGA. He was elected as the chairman of Ese-Odo LGA from 2004 to 2007. Ajayi was also elected as a lawmaker to represent Ilaje/Ese-Odo in the house of representatives from 2007 to 2011. In Ondo south, many call him the grassroots politician.
This is the second time Ajayi will be on the ballot for the Ondo governorship election. The former deputy governor contested the 2020 election under the umbrella of the ZLP. He came a distant third with 69,127 votes.
This time around, Ajayi is contesting the election under the platform of a major political party — the PDP.
To become the governor of the state, Ajayi must beat his closest challenger, Aiyedatiwa. The duo are from the same senatorial district — Ondo south. Ajayi hails from Ese-Odo LGA, while Aiyedatiwa is from Ilaje LGA. Ilaje/Ese-Odo used to be one LGA until they were separated.
Since the votes from Ondo south will be divided between Ajayi and Aiyedatiwa, the two other senatorial districts — Ondo north and Ondo central — will play a deciding role in the race.
Speaking during a recent debate, Ajayi accused Aiyedatiwa of “destroying” Akeredolu’s Amotetun legacy and that the security of the state has deteriorated under the incumbent governor.
“I must give it to our late boss; he had the courage and boldness to say we must establish Amotekun which is more or less a state police arrangement,” Ajayi had said.
“But unfortunately these days, that legacy is almost destroyed by the incumbent governor.”
Ajayi said he would strengthen the Amotetun security outfit with modern equipment if elected governor.
WILL ABBAS MIMIKO ACHIEVE HIS BROTHER’S FEAT?
Mimiko, from Ondo town, is a senior consultant psychiatrist and psychologist. He obtained his bachelor of medicine and surgery degrees from the University of Lagos in 1987. He worked in the United States and is said to be board-certified in psychiatry and neurology in America. He is also a published poet.
Mimiko will surely pray to attain what his elder brother, Olusegun Mimiko, achieved during the 2007 and 2012 Ondo governorship elections with the LP.
This time around, another Mimiko is eyeing the number one seat in Ondo under the platform of the ZLP. Although he is a political newbie, he is hoping to pull out a surprise move to defeat other candidates.
Recently, Mimiko said he does not need his brother’s endorsement to win the November 16 election, and what he needs is the endorsement of the people of the state.
In his manifesto, Mimiko promised to implement the seven Ks agenda if elected governor.
The seven Ks initiatives were worded in the Yoruba language. The agenda seeks to end hunger, provide clean water, create jobs, and ensure quality education and healthcare in Ondo state.
However, Mimiko is from Ondo central. His chances are dim with the two major candidates coming from Ondo south, where the next governor is expected to come from based on the unwritten power rotational system in the state.
Only time will tell whether he will pull a surprise like his brother, Olusegun Mimiko, a former governor of the state, who won the election under the platform of the Labour Party (LP).
OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE RACE:
Ebiseni Nehemiah — Labour Party
Falaiye Ajibola — Accord Party
Omolere Akinuli — Action Alliance
Ajayi Adekunle — African Action Congress
Akinnodi Ayodeji – African Democratic Party
Popoola Olatunji — All Progressives Grand Alliance
Ogunfeyimi Isaac — Allied Peoples Movement
Fadoju Amos Babatunde — Action Peoples Party
Olugbenga Omogbemi — New Nigeria Peoples Party
Ajaunoko Jenyo — National Rescue Movement
Alli Babatunde Francis — Peoples Redemption Party
Akingboye Benson Bamidele — Social Democratic Party
Adegoke Kehinde Paul — Youth Party
Akinmurele Otiloloju — Young Progressives Party
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has expressed its commitment to supporting extra-year students facing academic challenges by considering the option of granting them a waiver.
The move is in response to a recent suicide attempt by a 200-level student who attempted suicide following academic struggles.
PUNCH Metro exclusively obtained an internal memo on Wednesday, dated November 1, 2024, from the university’s Senate Division.
The memo revealed that a special Committee of Deans meeting was convened to address the case of the affected student and thereafter came up with compassionate measures.
The memo, signed by the Deputy Registrar, M.S. Oluwajoba, revealed that the student, whose name was not stated, had transferred from the Faculty of Pharmacy to the Department of Biology Education, and reportedly attempted suicide on October 16.
The incident prompted the Dean of the Faculty to take up the matter to the higher authorities.
The memo seen by our correspondent was titled, “Decision Extract: Re: Special Meeting of Committee of Deans held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024,” and directed to all deans.
It partly read, “The Dean, Faculty of Education reported a case of a suicide attempt by a Part II student who transferred from the Faculty of Pharmacy to the Department of Biology Education on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. After due deliberation on the matter, the Committee decided that: Members of staff should continue as usual to offer support to our students.
“The departmental and the Faculty Boards of Examiners are advised and encouraged to provide an enabling environment for students’ support.
“Staff and Part Advisers should kindly cooperate in this regard.
“The above information supersedes the earlier circulated decision extract.”
An earlier circular from the office, dated October 17, 2024, had said any student who had only one or two courses to pass to graduate, having attempted those courses in the previous semesters, “should be considered to graduate on compassionate grounds provided such assistance SHALL NOT change the candidate’s class of degree.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the university, Abiodun Olanrewaju, confirmed the decision of the institution, noting this was to prevent further suicide attempts.
In an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the varsity spokesperson said, “We want to reduce to the barest minimum the commission of suicide due to academic stress or rigour especially by those in the final year who are repeating one or two courses and they are being delayed by that.
“So, the human face there is, given the situation and circumstance of the country, we should just let them go. It doesn’t cost the university anything, and so that it will not be that somebody commits suicide because of extra academic years.”
Our correspondent however gathered from a top official that the decision “is not official” but considered “in the wisdom of the university” given the sensitivity of the situation.
The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command has apprehended three suspects for allegedly stealing two phones from an accident victim on Governor's Road, Alausa, Ikeja.
It was gathered that the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday night while searching the victim's pockets and vehicle instead of offering assistance.
This was made known in a statement by the RRS on Thursday.
The statement identified the suspects as, Isaiah Adegbenro (38), Edet Johnson (30) and Efe Sowemimo (28) were arrested few meters aways from the accident point while trying to escape with the phones.
"The accident victims were heading towards Ikeja in a red Toyota Camry 2010 when the driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a road divider in front of Adeyemi Bero end of Governor Road, Alausa, Ikeja.
"The three suspects who were close to the scene when the accident happened, rather than assist the driver and the occupants out of the badly damaged vehicle, were ransacking the victims’ pockets and vehicle.
However, stolen from the accidents victims were: an iPhone 15, valued at N1,300,000 and an iPhone 12 worth N620,000
Meanwhile, the RRS operatives who were patrolling the area, when alerted about the actions of the fleeing suspects pursued them and recovered the two iPhone from their pockets.
The operatives assisted the victims to the hospital and also removed the vehicle from obstruction.
The suspects have made significant confessions. They are to be charged to court today in line with the directives of Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Shola Jejeloye.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s chances of securing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the 2027 general elections, asserting it is unlikely to happen.
During a live media session on Wednesday evening in Abuja, Wike noted that Atiku has repeatedly shared his vision with Nigerians, who, in turn, have consistently rejected him.
Naija News reports that Atiku, who ran as the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, recently claimed that if he had won, his leadership approach would differ from President Bola Tinubu’s, and Nigerians would not be experiencing the current level of hardship.
Wike remarked, “Didn’t he (Atiku) present his blueprint to Nigerians? And did they choose him? Now he’s seeking another chance, but that opportunity won’t come. In which party? How can we rely on the same person for so many years?”
Referring to the American political landscape, Wike added, “Look at America—many opposed Trump, citing his controversial views, yet Americans made their decision based on what they believed was best for their country.”
He concluded, “In 2023, Nigerians listened to Atiku’s proposals and decided it wasn’t the right fit. Criticisms alone don’t signify that the opposition is truly resonating with the people.”
Edo Election: I Met A Bat On My Bed, God Fought The Battle – Governor Okpebholo Makes Revelations
AFOLABI
The new Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has shared some of the intriguing experiences that occurred during electioneering campaigns leading to his final emergence as a Governor.
Governor Okpebholo, who described the experience as a battle, said his victory can be attributed to God and the people of Edo State.
According to him, while opponents focused on television and social media, he trusted in God, who eventually gave him victory.
The Governor spoke at the post-swearing-in Thanksgiving Service held at the Samuel Ogbumudia Stadium in Benin.
Okpebholo, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, emphasized that he did not involve any native doctor or prophet or visit any diviner or shrine to seek help for help throughout the period of his electioneering, recounted how he met a dead bat on his bed on the Sunday after the election.
He said God fought the battle for him and urged the people of Edo State to always trust God.
He said, “I want to thank God. In this last election, while I was praising God, they (traducers) were busy operating from television. They were busy operating from social media. They were busy operating from other television stations.
“But, I took the battle to God because I knew the secret. A few days to the election, they said I was crazy. We gathered to praise God in this State. They said, “What is he doing?” They were there on TV. But, I was listening to the voice of God. I won the battle.
“After the election on Sunday morning, I came to my room. I met a bat had died on my bed, without me shooting any arrow. But, the spirit of God was there. The arrow of God; The hand of God delivered me.
“I am grateful to the men of God that stood in the gap. I am grateful to those who believed that with God, all things are possible. And I will give you one advice- trust in God alone because he will do it for you.”
Former member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, has urged Nigerian leaders to strive towards creating effective governance in the country.
Naija News reports that Peller made the plea while recounting an incident that saw the prompt arrival of medical and security personnel after a man collapsed in the UK.
He said the situation is unlike what happens in Nigeria, noting that it is heartbreaking to see citizens flee the country due to system failure.
The former lawmaker called on Nigerian leaders to create a system where citizens strive and not just survive.
Shina Peller urged Nigerians not to lose hope and demand good leadership from the government for a better future.
He wrote, “SYSTEM FAILURE VS SYSTEM SUCCESS.
“I witnessed an eye-opening incident in Guildford, UK. A man collapsed on the high street, and within 5 minutes, the emergency response was swift and seamless.
“2 ambulances, 5 police cars from different departments including traffic police, and the well-coordinated team worked together to:
“Rescue the patient
“Divert traffic for smooth flow
”Secure the area
“Restore normalcy in 10 minutes
“As a Nigerian, this is a stark contrast to what we’re used to. It’s heartbreaking to see citizens fleeing our beloved country for greener pastures due to system failures.
“To the UK Government, thank you for showing us what effective governance looks like.
“To my fellow Nigerians and leaders, let this be a wake-up call. A functional system is not rocket science. It requires:
“Strategic planning
“Adequate funding
“Effective implementation
“Let’s work together to build a Nigeria where:
“Emergency services respond promptly
”Infrastructure supports growth
”Citizens thrive, not just survive
“To my fellow citizens, don’t lose hope. We can make Nigeria great. Let’s demand more from our leaders and work towards a better future.
“And to INEC and the judiciary, always come correct. I hope this post inspires meaningful conversations and sparks positive change in Nigeria.”
The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has asked President Bola Tinubu to probe the alleged importation of adulterated petrol into the country.
Over the past weeks, there have been claims that some petrol marketers are importing adulterated petrol into the nation.
On November 3, Dangote Petroleum Refinery said any oil marketer selling petrol cheaper than the refiner is importing substandard products.
Dangote refinery made the claim after some oil marketers said the refiner’s product is higher than imported petrol.
On November 7, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited denied allegations that adulterated petrol was sold to a customer from one of its retail outlets in Keffi, Nasarawa state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Solomon Ola, ANPE president, asked Tinubu to urgently investigate the claims, noting that it could jeopardise the nation’s economy.
“Importation of the sanctioned-tainted petrol into Nigeria would no doubt have diplomatic consequences, bearing in mind the sanctions that the price cap coalition, comprising the European Union, the United States, the G7, and Australia, imposed on Russian-sourced crude and petroleum products,” the statement reads.
“The Association of Nigerian Professionals in Europe (ANPE) has followed developments in Nigeria’s petroleum industry with concern, given the absurd positions being canvassed by some stakeholders regarding the safety of the country and citizens regarding the quality of products being retailed.
“ANPE has consequently decided to urge President Bola Tinubu, as a matter of national interest, to use his mandate as the country’s chief executive to halt the designation of Nigeria as a dumping ground for foreign-sourced tainted, adulterated, and questionable petroleum products.
“We are sad and alarmed by recent developments in Europe; from Russia to Malta and every part of Europe, our home country has become a lucrative destination for the dumping of adulterated petroleum products such as PMS, popularly known as petrol, which industry experts have tagged as fake fuel.
“Our association is concerned that the petroleum products in question are still being dumped in Nigeria even after industry experts have warned about their substandard nature, which poses material and economic risks to Nigerians whose vehicles and equipment could be damaged by dirty fuel.
“Fake fuel also has negative implications for the environment in addition to the associated dangers that the fumes from these products pose to public health, a situation that the Nigerian government would find exceptionally challenging since such a health burden would further stretch already lean public finances.
“In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Price Cap Coalition forbids transactions on crude oil and petroleum products of Russian Federation origin unless they are transacted at or below $60, a price band that the products imported into Nigeria routinely violate even when the products are of Russian origin.
“A third concern for our association is the absurdity of importing relatively pricier petrol into Nigeria when more affordable and quality options are available from local refineries.
“This insistence on flooding Nigeria with bad petrol is equally bad for the economy. It is actively sabotaging President Tinubu’s economic policy.”
The ANPE president said substandard petroleum products cannot be sold in other African countries and, as such, should not be imported into Nigeria.
“The collaborators of these European firms back in Nigeria collude to force these products on citizens of our dear nation for the sole purpose of profit-making,” he said.
A federal capital territory (FCT) court sitting in the Apo area of Abuja has remanded two men in Kuje correctional facility for allegedly impersonating Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC arraigned the suspects — Ojobo Joshua and Aliyu Hashi — on Wednesday before Jude Onwuebuzie, the presiding judge.
The defendants were arrested in August alongside two others—Thomas Oduh and Paul Ogiji—at Gimbiya Street, Garki, and Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.
They were alleged to have contacted Mohammed Bello-Koko, a former managing director of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), claiming that he was indicted by the EFCC during a probe of his tenure.
The suspects allegedly demanded $1 million from Bello-Kokp, promising that Olukoyede would ensure a “soft landing” for him.
They also threatened him with arrest and prosecution if he failed to play along with them.
The EFCC filed a four-count charge against Joshua and Hashim for impersonation and attempted fraud.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them.
Elizabeth Alabi, EFCC counsel, prayed the court to remand the defendants to the correctional facility pending the commencement of the trial.
“Having pleaded not guilty, my lord, we ask for a date to begin calling our witnesses and request the defendants be remanded in custody,” she said.
Obinna Nwosu, counsel to the first defendant (Joshua), applied for his client’s release on liberal bail terms, while counsel for the second defendant, Peter Oriobe, made an oral request for bail.
The judge, however, directed Oriobe to file a written bail application for his client.
Onwuebuzie granted bail to the first defendant in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge said the sureties must not be less than level 16 officers in the civil service, adding that they must submit their appointment and promotion letters, valid identification, and a written undertaking to bring the defendant to every court sitting.
The first defendant must also submit his international passport to the court.
The judge ordered that the first and second defendants be remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre until bail conditions are met.
The matter was adjourned till November 18 for the hearing of the second defendant’s bail application.
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The Nigerian Navy says it has received three newly acquired Agusta Westland (AW) 109 Trekker helicopters from the ministry of defence.
Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, director of naval information, said in a statement that the three helicopters were handed over on Tuesday at the Caverton Helicopters Limited (CHL) hangar facility in Ikeja, Lagos.
Adams-Aliu said the AW 109 helicopters have all purpose-built VIP configurations, with full leather and noise attenuation systems.
He added that the choppers are equipped with landing skids that provide a better loading capacity compared to traditional wheeled helicopters.
“Additionally, the helicopters are designed with auxiliary tanks to ensure extended endurance of up to 3hrs 40mins,” Adams-Aliu said.
“Thus, the helicopters could be used for long-range transport flights. The helicopters could also be retrofitted with purpose-built mission equipment.”
Emmanuel Ogalla, the chief of naval staff, thanked President Bola Tinubu “for his unflinching support” to the Nigerian armed forces and Navy.
Ogalla expressed gratitude to Mohammed Badaru, the minister of defence, and Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, for facilitating the acquisition of the helicopters.
Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer, has criticised Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), for gifting houses to judges.
In September, the minister flagged off the construction of 40 houses for judges in Abuja, which sparked a public outrage.
He said 20 of the houses, when completed, would be allocated to judges of the FCT high court, while 10 would be given to the judges of the federal high court and 10 to those of the court of appeal.
However, Wike on Wednesday denied the claim that the houses are being constructed to pocket the judges for political gains.
He said the construction of homes for judges is part of President Bola Tinubu welfare packages designed to promote the independence of the judiciary.
Reacting to the development during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, Falana said the judges have no business going to the executive to buy them cars and houses.
The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) said autonomy of the judiciary has been constitutionalised.
“The minister of the federal capital territory operates like a state governor by virtue of the section 299 of the Constitution,” Falana said.
“So, he cannot say I am going to build 40 houses; 10 shall go to the federal high court, 10 shall go to judges in the FCT high court and 10 shall go to the court of appeal and supreme court, No.
“Because you are a minister of the federal government like a state governor, your budget is limited to the affairs of the FCT.
“So, you cannot, as the head of the FCT, be dishing out gifts of cars and houses to judges in the federal high court, in the appeal court and the supreme court.
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“Number two, you have cases before these courts, on the theory of equality before the court you cannot be seen to be giving cars or houses to the judges who are going to determine your cases.”
Falana said judges’ housing should be managed by the national judicial council, adding that executive assistance to the judiciary should go through the national assembly.
“If the executive wants to assist the judiciary, the appropriate approach is to go to the national assembly. You can have a supplementary budget,” he said.
“If it has been discovered that the judiciary needs housing in Abuja, then the national assembly should make the necessary appropriations.
“But the constitution does not anticipate that the minister of the federal capital territory, like a governor of Kogi, Ondo, or Cross River State, would offer cars and houses to judges in the federal public sector. No.
“That is why this matter needs to be properly scrutinised and resolved in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
“Judges need houses, of course. Judges need cars, of course. They need security, of course. But these should be provided by the NJC within its budget.”
Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be unable to resolve its internal crises if members keep trying to undermine him.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike described the current leadership failure in the opposition party as the worst in its history.
”Let me tell you the problem—it is not that the PDP cannot get its acts together; it is this personal ambition,” the minister said.
“This attitude that ‘I must bring Wike down’. When all you attempt is to bring me down, you make mistakes. Wike will not go down, which is true.”
He said the PDP is not focused on tackling its crisis because some members are making every effort to undermine him.
He also accused Bala Muhammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, of poor leadership and failing to organised the party.
“PDP has never had it this bad in terms of leadership, particularly from the chairman of the governors’ forum. And I knew it would be so. Leadership is not by mouth. It is about talking; it is by action,” he said.
“How do you know when people are treacherous? When Tambuwal finished as the chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, the position has always been rotating between the north and south.
“But Bala and co connived and went to Bauchi and took away the chairman of the governors’ forum of the PDP to the north.
“Of course, he knows, if I was governor, it wouldn’t happen. For me as a leader, you must have to make sacrifices.
“You must have the capacity to galvanise the people. You are in the opposition party. You are not in the ruling party. People will see that you are serious about taking over power.
“How has he (Mohammed) mobilised his colleagues by funding the party to make sure that the party is effective and efficient through the national working committee?”
Members of the Lakurawa armed group have been retreating as the military ramps up coordinated ground and air attacks on the group’s camps across Kebbi and Sokoto states.
Following an attack by the Lakurawa group on the Mera community in Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State, which claimed 17 lives, the army headquarters deployed a contingent of soldiers to the area.
Zuru said the troops succeeded in dislodging the bandits and recovering several rustled cattle left behind as the attackers fled.
This deployment came after an urgent appeal from Kebbi State governor, Dr Nasir Idris, for federal support to address the escalating violence by armed groups disrupting life in rural communities.
“The governor has pledged to safeguard the lives and property of all Kebbi State citizens, leading him to seek federal intervention to counter-terrorism across the state,” Zuru said.
Meanwhile, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has assured that the Lakurawa armed group terrorising Northwestern states would be flushed out of Nigeria.
Ribadu gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference, where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We will chase the so-called Lukarawa out of our country. We will put critics to shame and shut their mouths in no time.
“Boko Haram, which has been ravaging our country, is now on the run. Its members are now moving to other neighbouring countries because Nigeria is no longer conducive for their operations,” he said.
He also said signs that things are getting better with the economy are there for all to see, citing increased crude oil production in the Niger Delta and the fiscal reforms by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as part of such efforts.
“Crude oil production has hit 1.8 million bpd and the Central Bank has been sanitised; no one is taking a dime from the CBN. When we promised that we would fix this country, we will do so because President Tinubu has never been a failure,” he added.
[Dailytrust]