President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has resolved the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the principal officers of the ruling party at the National Assembly, Daily Trust reliably gathered last night.
A fresh crisis erupted in the ruling party on Tuesday when the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, rejected the principal officers of the party announced by both the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Akpabio and Abbas had announced the principal officers of the APC, including the majority leaders, chief whips and their deputies during the plenary.
But shortly after the announcement, Adamu was quoted as saying the list did not emanate from the party although the governors of the party under the aegis of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) endorsed the new officers.
The national chairman, who spoke during a meeting with the PGF led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Tuesday, said he was not aware of the development.
“I am just hearing it as a rumour from the online media that there have been some announcements in the Senate and House of Representatives.”
“The national headquarters of the party, the NWC has not given any such information or communicated about the choice of offices,” Adamu stated on Tuesday.
His statement created tension in the ruling party. Yesterday, President Tinubu summoned Adamu and the party secretary, Dr Iyiola Omisore, to the State House, Abuja, where the issue was discussed.
At the end of the meeting, there was no official statement from the presidency on the matter. A source said the president was embarrassed by the development.
Another source told this paper that at the meeting, the president endorsed the actions of the Senate President and the Speaker on the principal officers.
When contacted, however, the national chairman told one of our correspondents that the matter had been resolved.
“We have met the president and the issues have been resolved. It’s a family affair and there were some misunderstandings. We have been able to resolve our differences.
“Those who are eager to see the continuation of the conflict, they should please sheathe their swords. We have a complete understanding now.
“ The president is the leader of our great party; we met him and we are very satisfied with the discussion we had with him on the subject matter. As far as we are concerned, the issues have been laid to rest,” he said.
Tinubu’s men unhappy with Adamu
Meanwhile, chieftains of the APP loyal to Tinubu are unhappy with Adamu, and they are rooting for his ouster, Daily Trust can report.
Several sources close to Tinubu in Lagos, his home base, said it is high time the national chairman was eased out because he could no longer be trusted.
Some of the Tinubu loyalists said it was wrong for the party’s chairman to have publicly dismissed the list of officers which the president, who is the leader of the party, must have endorsed.
Many loyalists of the president said the posture of the national chairman had shown that “he cannot be trusted.”
A prominent chieftain of the party who spoke with our correspondent yesterday accused Adamu of nursing grudges against Tinubu after winning the election.
“Don’t forget the national chairman never supported Asiwaju (the president) during the primary. He supported Senator Ahmed Lawan, the former Senate President. So I think he cannot be trusted to lead the party now that Asiwaju has been sworn in,” the source said.
A chieftain of APC in Lagos, Mr Joe Igbokwe, who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos, reiterated that Adamu’s time is up as the party’s chairman.
He said, “He was supposed to have been removed that time when he supported Ahmed Lawan but APC managed the matter. We can’t trust him.”
Igbokwe, a former spokesman of APC in Lagos, said even if the chairman was not satisfied with the list of principal officers released yesterday, he should not have made it public.
“In all honesty, we can’t trust him again. He was managed for us to come out of the election. Now is the time to ease him out but I know Asiwaju knows what to do,” he said.
A former chairman of the party in Lagos, Chief Henry Ajomale, said there is a limit to the party’s interference in the affairs of the National Assembly.
According to him, the interference of the party should have stopped at the level of nominating the presiding officers for the two chambers of the National Assembly.
He said, “I believe that the party’s main duty is to nominate the presiding officers like the Senate President, Deputy and the Deputy Speaker. I think the others are supposed to be internal so that within themselves they can choose those who are going to occupy the principal officers’ positions because they know themselves more than the party.
“I believe they should be given an opportunity, since they know one another, to pick these themselves.”
But the Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, called for calm, saying the party remains one.
He said the national chairman, like other members of the party, has the right to express his opinion which he has exercised.
Olusi said, “Any member of the party, including the national chairman, is at liberty to express his dissatisfaction in respect of any action or purported action taken by the party.
“Our party is a well-organized party and if there are issues to be resolved, we shall be resolving them amicably.”
Olusi stated that the president, as the leader of the party, is capable of resolving any dispute within the party.
“The president is blessed with the ability to run organisations and we have many responsible leaders within the party. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing to bother about,” he added.
Another chieftain of the party in one of the South-West states, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the national chairman should stop his opposition against the president.
“I am not happy with his comments. It is a well-established principle that the president is the leader of the party. Why should it be during Tinubu that we would have a national chairman who is not in good terms with the president? We need to act fast as a family,” he said.
It’s not about Adamu but North – Former gov, other
But sources close to Senator Adamu said the horse-trading in the party was not about the national chairman but the North.
One of them, a former governor, said, “Look, it is not about Abdullahi Adamu alone. It is about the survival of the North. Of course, power has shifted to the South but the North is a major stakeholder. It is with the support of the North that power shifted to the South, and therefore, when it comes to the allocation of positions, the North should have a say. It is about our people.
“People might not understand what is happening until much later. But as you can see, the president called the national chairman today (yesterday) and they spoke. They understood themselves and the problem is over unless something new comes up,” he said.
Another source said the misunderstanding at the party is a natural occurrence.
“Leaders must disagree to agree later. It is not good for the system that those that control power should always have their way.
“Powerful forces are supporting Adamu, we are with him. He is not alone. What we are doing is to strengthen the ruling party and by extension entrench good governance for the benefit of all,” the source said.
A Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Babafemi Badejo, has said though former President Muhammadu Buhari failed woefully in the fight against corruption, his successor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be worse.
Badejo stated this while delivering the first inaugural lecture of Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, titled: “Interests.”
He submitted that Tinubu, judging from his actions in the last one month, would do by far than Buhari in other areas, but not in the fight against corruption.
“It is my own view that former President Muhammadu Buhari failed woefully on the issue of anti-corruption. He did start by wanting to implement the UN anti-corruption’s strategy and went further to appoint a committee and that committee did nothing till today.”
“On President Tinubu, it is too early to give a conclusion, but I can say that from what he has done in one month, he will do by far better than Buhari, but not on corruption.
“He (Tinubu) has not been talking about corruption, but all he has been saying is that he is going to make sure that make judges are comfortable, make everybody comfortable, but no country around the world can be comfortable by staying very far away from fighting corruption. Maybe he will change his mind later on corruption. I wish him well.”
The inaugural lecturer lamented that, Nigerians had been making corruption to thrive by being “too docile and tolerant of corruption for too long.”
He said “Successive administrations, including that of President Buhari, have not faced corruption frontally with the full force of a political will that goes beyond mere lip service.
“Though possibly a hasty conclusion, I do not think the objective realities would allow President Tinubu to do any better, even if he ever wanted to fight corruption. The resultant outcome is unfruitful half-heartedly done prosecutorial gimmicks and noise, cherry-picking and selective haphazard trials.
“There is need to ensure that in dealing with corruption, no one is immune or beyond the reach of the laws, by virtue of whatever relationships or status. This is indeed very important as part of steps by the President and those in top leadership positions, to begin to demonstrate their commitment to the anti-corruption war, through their personal examples of zero tolerance for corruption.”
The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and tertiary institutions over their alleged mismanagement of personnel recruitment, employment racketeering and breach of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
This followed a resolution on a motion moved by Oluwole Oke (Osun PDP) at plenary on Wednesday.
The House noted that the federal government had tried to address other abuses within the system particularly, the menace of ghost workers.
It added that this necessitated the introduction of the IPPIS to help fish out a large number of ghost workers.
Presenting the motion, Oke stated that the process of recruiting and employment into the civil service had become fraught with endemic corruption.
He said, “Public institutions have since stopped the process of advertising jobs and vacancies. Even in the few instances where adverts are published, the slots are already commoditised and available for the highest bidders.
“In other words, most public institutions now sell employment positions, notwithstanding the qualification of the applicant and the ability of the applicant to perform optimally on the job.
“They have also crafted methods that are being used to circumvent the BVN technology. This state of affairs is costing the Federal Government of Nigeria billions of naira monthly in salary payments to ghost workers and illegal payments to several civil servants across cadres.
“This poses a major risk and has indeed constituted itself into a channel for the underperformance of the Nigerian public service.
“Historically and specifically, since 1960 to the 1990s, Nigeria boasted one of the best crops of public servants in the world, and service delivery was at the highest level of professionalism.
“However, this situation has since changed, largely because of the method of recruitment and the quality of recruitment into these public institutions, which is driven by fraud, abuse, corruption and pecuniary considerations.”
The House therefore resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the MDAS, parastatals, and tertiary institutions and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
Mr Festus Keyamo, former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, has responded to the European Union’s (EU) final report on the 2023 elections, which indicted him for allegedly engaging in fake news.
In its report, the EU stated that Keyamo, along with former Aviation Minister Mr Femi Fani-Kayode, peddled false information during the 2023 election campaigns, as both were spokesmen for the then-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, who is now President.
In response to the report, Keyamo chastised the Union for delving into the investigation, claiming that it was invited for the sole purpose of observing and reporting, while also raising other concerns in criticising the EU.
In a statement titled;
‘My Response to the ‘Fake News’ Assertion by the EU Report’ on Wednesday, the former minister said, “The part of the EU report that asserts that there was a single incident throughout the whole campaign where I retweeted a news item by a ‘suspicious website’ does not deserve my response because it is so presumptuous and outside their mandate and exposes a deep-seated bias about how the so-called observers went about their assignment.
However, for the education of the gullible and unfortunate ones who are jubilating over such a poor report, I will say a word or two.
Keyamo said;
Firstly, their assignment is to OBSERVE AND REPORT. Their mandate does not extend to INVESTIGATING claims made by candidates against one another and reaching CONCLUSIONS on such claims. They are not journalists nor are they law-enforcement officers.
They are just OBSERVERS. Declaring any news as ‘fake’ when they don’t have alternative facts or findings by institutions statutorily empowered to investigate such claims is tantamount to taking sides on the campaign trail and trying to defend a candidate against another. And that is very disappointing and unfortunate on the part of these observers.
Keyamo, a senior lawyer, also said berated the EU for being biased in questioning the proof of investigation and also decried its audacity in calling a news platform ‘a suspicious website.’
He said;
Secondly, even professional journalists, law-courts and law-enforcement agencies, in the course of investigating any allegation, MUST talk to all sides before reaching a conclusion. Where is the evidence that the EU observers talked to those who made these claims and sought to get further clarifications before rushing to write their jejune report?
Thirdly, they said I retweeted a story by ‘a suspicious website’. Pray, what makes a website ‘suspicious’? They did not elaborate. How can foreigners come into a country and declare a local news website as ‘suspicious’ (without more) and just walk away? What arrogance!
The ex-minister continued;
Fourthly and curiously, whilst other local and international journalists had previously reported that ALL THE POLITICAL PARTIES tried to outdo themselves by pushing out some false stories, the EU report just singled out the APC. So, were they blind to the antics of the other parties?
For instance, was there a single mention of tons of false reports by the PDP and LP that our candidate BOLA AHMED TINUBU (who is now President) was evacuated abroad for urgent medical attention at various moments during the campaign when there was no scintilla of evidence to back that up? Is that not ‘fake news’?
Overall, the EU report is nothing but a reflection of a one-sided narrative. And I congratulate the Opposition on working closely with the EU and carting away the all-important prize of the EU Final Report. For us, we shall make do with the consolation prize of the ACTUAL WINNER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2023.
An Assistant Director in the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr. Yildiyel Musa Takat, and an Administration Officer at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Mr. Nankpat Dukbong have been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), over allegations of fraud, employment scam and conspiracy.
This was contained in a statement made available to journalists by ICPC spokesperson Mrs. Azuka Ogugua on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the duo were brought before Honourable Justice O. A. Musa of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 7, sitting in Jabi, Abuja, via a Charge No: CR/151/2022.
It said, “in a 6-count charge, ICPC accused the defendants of conspiracy, abuse of office and defrauding unsuspecting job seekers to the tune of Two Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,900,000).
“The Commission led by its counsel, told the Court of how the accused persons solicited and collected on separate occasions the sums of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000); and Two Million Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,400,000) from their victims in the guise of securing employment for them in the Federal Civil Service.”
The statement further noted that While the first defendant (Takat) was charged on counts 1, 2, 4, and 5, the second defendant (Dukbong) was charged on count 1, 3, 4, and 6 respectively.
“Their actions are contrary to Section 26 and punishable under Section 18 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“The accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to them,” it noted.
“In two separate “Motions on Notice” and pursuant to sections 34 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended as well as sections 162 and 163 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, both counsel to the first and second defendants moved for bail application on behalf of their clients.
“They both sought the relief of the Court to use its discretionary powers to grant the bail in the most liberal of conditions.”
“In a swift reaction, counsel to ICPC in a counter motion, opposed the prayers sought by counsel to first defendant, saying that he had been evading trial, describing him as a serial offender who had multiple court cases against him, and therefore urged the Court to deny him the prayers sought by his lawyer, while the bail application of the second defendant was not opposed.
“The trial judge after listening to both parties admitted the first accused person to bail in the sum of Four Million Naira (N4,000,000) and a surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant on grade level 08 and above. The surety was also ordered to surrender his letter of first appointment and last promotion as well as identity card.
“The second accused person was also granted bail in the sum Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) and a surety in like sum.
“Justice Musa also ruled that the sureties must show evidence of residency within the FCT with clear address and snap themselves in front of their residents and submit to court. He equally asked them to undertake a bond to compel the defendants to attend their trial, failure of which will not only result to the revocation of the bails, but the prosecution of the sureties.
“The matter was adjourned to the 19th of October 2023 for hearing,” the statement reads.
Kwara State government has announced the reversal of the directive reducing workdays from five to three for civil servants.
The government on June 5, 2023, through a letter from the state’s Head of Service, Mrs Susan Oluwole, reduced the work days from five to three in the state.
She said the decision was to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal by the federal government on the civil servants in the state.
However, in a letter to the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Mrs Oluwole reversed the decision.
She said the new directive was to allow the federal government and the organised labour to work out modalities on more efficient interventions to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.
The letter, signed by Mr. Okedare Adeyinka for the Head of Service, said that the intervention would be unveiled very soon.
“I am directed to inform all heads of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) that the reduced number of working days have been reversed; hence, all categories of workers are to observe the normal five working days per week, with effect from July 10, 2023.
“Workers not covered in the initial workday reduction, which lasted a few days, will have stipends given to them as a show of appreciation,” the statement added.
Workers that were exempted initially were teachers, health practitioners and other categories of workers providing essential services in the state.
Former senate president Anyim Pius Anyim has reveal why he visited President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation under President Goodluck Jonathan, met with Tinubu alongside former National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, Olisah Metuh.
In 2022, Anyim declared his intention to run for President on the PDP’s ticket.
He was later suspended by the in March 2023 for alleged anti-party activity when he supported the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru.
Meanwhile, Metuh publicly resigned from the PDP and partisan politics in October 2022, he cited medical grounds for his decision.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Senator Anyim said they had some frank and sincere discussion with Tinubu.
He said aside from the heart-to-heart conversations, Wednesday’s visit was mainly to encourage and congratulate the President on his inauguration and the successes he has so far recorded.
“It was a great honour to pay courtesy to the President and congratulate him, first and foremost, for his successful inauguration as the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also to encourage and congratulate him for the bold he has taken so far.
“We had a whole lot of heart-to-heart discussions, but primarily, it’s to congratulate him,” Anyim said.
Also speaking, the former PDP spokesman, Metuh, said although the country had bled for the past eight years, he is confident that the Tinubu administration will achieve national unity.
He said “We came to see the President, to commend him for his very good takeoff; the policies he has brought, his inclusiveness, and most of all to canvass for the idea of participatory governance, participatory democracy.”
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has issued a fresh two-week ultimatum to the Federal Government over the implementation of a 200% increment in the salary structure of its members, amongst other demands.
The resident doctors reached the resolution on Wednesday at a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council Meeting (E-NEC) to appraise the level of implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the government on May 19, 2023, following a five-day warning strike embarked upon by the Association on May 17, 2023.
The communique was co-signed by NARD President, Orji Innocent, Secretary General, Chikezie Kelechi; and Publicity and Social Secretary, Umar Musa.
NARD called on the government to without further delay pay all outstanding arrears owed its members including the hazard allowance and the skipping arrears from 2014 to 2016, and the arrears of consequential adjustment of minimum wage.
The doctors said there is no justifiable reason for the government to keep owing their arrears and allowances.
“We demand the immediate release and the implementation of the guidelines on one-for-one replacement of clinical staff to cushion the effect of the massive manpower shortage in our various hospitals nationwide,” the communique partly read.
“NEC calls on the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria to discontinue the downgrading of the membership certificate issued by the West African Postgraduate Medical and Surgical colleges as this is not obtainable in other parts of West Africa where these same certificates are issued.
“NEC demands the immediate payment of all Salary Arrears, implementation of the CONMESS salary structure and new Hazard Allowance and domestication of the Medical Residency Training Act and payment of the Medical Residency Training Fund to our members in the State Tertiary Health Institutions nationwide.
“NEC hereby wishes to further extend her already expired ultimatum issued to the government by 2 weeks with effect from today 5th July 2023.
“The NEC of NARD insist on the immediate implementation of a minimum of 200% increment in the CONMESS (Consolidated Medical Salary Structure) salary structure and upward review of the associated allowances as requested in her previous letters on the subject matter since the current economic realities in the country cannot justify the continued payment of CONMESS as it is at the moment or any increment below the 200% as demanded.
“For purposes of emphasis, at the expiration of this further extended ultimatum by 19th of July 2023, if all these demands are not met, we cannot guarantee industrial harmony in the Health Sector nationwide.”
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has placed his newly sworn-in commissioners on a six-month probation period.
On Wednesday, Governor Yusuf addressed the commissioners and other members of the state executive council, saying their appointments were based on merit, professionalism, previous performance, and competency.
He urged them to be dedicated to their responsibilities.
Let me urge you all to sustain the tempo of loyalty, dedication, commitment to duty and be honest in the discharge of your duties, be honest, accountable, and mindful of the confidence reposed in us by the good people on us.
I am reminding you that your appointment is on probation of six months period afterwhich a monitoring and evaluation team under my headship will be monitoring the performances of the ministries and those who performed well will be appreciated and those who under performed will be pulled out.
The Governor charged the commissioners with working as one family for the people of Kano, believing that they were the best team to rescue the state from the “mismanagement” of the previous administration and deliver the dividends of democracy to the state’s nooks and crannies.
APC Govs Wade Into Adamu, NASS Presiding Officers’ Feud
Governor Abba took advantage of the occasion to thank the people of the state and assure them that as the journey begins, they will soon begin to see positive changes that will directly affect their lives.
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) says forensic analysis has confirmed that the dollar videos of ex-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje were not doctored.
In 2017, Daily Nigerian, an online publication, had released some videos of Ganduje allegedly collecting kickbacks from contractors.
But speaking at ‘A One Day Public Dialogue on Anti-Corruption Crusade in Kano’, on Wednesday, Barrister Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, Chairman of the agency, said the authenticity of the videos had been confirmed.
He said since the release of the footages, people have been challenging the commission under him to prove the innocence or otherwise of the former governor in the matter.
He added that his commission commenced investigation in 2018 but could not go far because Ganduje, who was governor at the time, had immunity.
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Ekiti State Government has prohibited the staging and hosting of an event tagged: “Kiss-A-Thon in the state.
The government in a letter conveyed through the state Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism to State chapter of Hoteliers Association warned them against holding such event.
A flier obtained by journalists in Ado Ekiti, the state capital yesterday, about the event has the inscriptions “SUGARTEE KISS-A-THON: 3-Day Kissing Marathon Date: July 7th – July 10th. In an attempt to break the Guinness World Records for the longest kissing marathon”.
The letter signed the state tourism director, Mr Adebanji Adelusi on behalf of the ministry Permanent Secretary, Dele Ogunsemoyin described such event as absurd and immoral.
The letter reads, “The attention of the State Government has been drawn to a planned hosting of ‘Kiss-a-thon’ in Ekiti State.
“According to information at the disposal of this Ministry, kiss-a-thon, a 3-day kissing marathon event, has been scheduled to hold on 7th of July, 2023 at one of the hospitality outlets in the State.
“This event is said to be planned towards setting a Guinness World Record. “Kiss-a-thon” as an event is not only absurd, unhealthy, immoral and capable of denigrating the image of the state, it is a programme that runs counter to the values of the people of the state and therefore capable of plunging our Youths morally backward.
“In view of the foregoing, the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism hereby prohibits the hosting of such event or any other events like it in any facility that wishes to continue to operate lawfully in Ekiti State.
“To the above, you are hereby requested to convey the content of this Notice to the members of Ekiti State Hoteliers’ Association to effectively monitor their outlets against being used negatively to cause embarrassment to the Government and People of Ekiti State.”
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has notified the public of the illegal importation of foreign unauthorized sugar manufactured in Brazil and India.
In a statement issued by the Agency’s management on Wednesday, NAFDAC disclosed the sugar is not registered and non-fortified with Vitamin A, making the illegal importation and marketing of the products a risk to the health of consumers, as the safety and quality of the products are not guaranteed.
According to the statement, the products are imported through Cameroun (Douala), Niger, Chad & Benin Repbulic into the Nigerian border communities of Borno, Adamawa, Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States, etc.
The statement also disclosed an estimated value of 200 trucks have been found to be distributed within the Nigerian markets in communities including Mubi, Gamboru’gala, Saki, Keshi, Badagry, and Idi – Iroko and sold for N32,000 – N34,000 per bag.
NAFDAC implored importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale and consumption of the unregistered regulated products.
The national leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed sadness at the news of the tragic incidents that recently affected the Salvation Army and the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
The President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, said that the twin tragedy is shocking, thus the need for government to secure the lives of Nigerians.
“The loss of 12 pastors (officers), a baby, and a driver in a fatal accident on the same day, near Benin City, Edo State, is a devastating blow to the congregation, the body of Christ in Nigeria, and the nation at large.
“We stand with the Salvation Army during this very difficult time in prayer, asking that God will comfort them and ease their pain. We also urge the government authorities to thoroughly investigate the accident in order to prevent a repeat of this episode.
“Furthermore, the attack on worshippers at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Abule-Ori, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, is an assault on religious freedom in Nigeria.
“We mourn the loss of the pastor and condemn the kidnapping of worshippers who were simply exercising their religious freedom to worship,” Okoh said.
He commended the security agencies for their swift response to the incident and called for intensified efforts to apprehend all the perpetrators.
Okoh said, “CAN urge citizens not to be discouraged by recent losses but to continue to look up to God for help. Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families and churches.”
Tinubu's Ministerial list: Fani-Kayode, Ganduje, Kyari, Wike, Others Battle For Ministerial Slot
AdminThe battle to make the ministerial nominees list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may soon be over as the president is set to send the much-anticipated list to the National Assembly.
Naija News gathered that those who lose out on the final list would be compensated with boards and parastatals’ appointments.
According to Daily Sun, the ministerial list being compiled and undergoing vetting process by the relevant agencies is dominated by the old Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members from the SouthWest zone, while conceding the nominees to other members of the legacy parties that existed before the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The publication claimed that a prominent member from Ekiti State Prince Dayo Adeyeye is believed to be included in the list.
In Osun State, former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and Femi Fani Kayode are also believed to have made the list.
Dr. Tunji Abayomi and Olusola Oke are locking horns for the Ondo State slot.
Salihu Lukman, outspoken APC National Vice Chairman of the zone, is possibly the nominee from Kaduna State. In the case of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is believed to be among the nominees, but additional an slot is being conceded for the immediate past governor Ganduje.
The case of the nominee from Sokoto is being awaited from Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako. The fate of the nominee from Zamfara State is in the hands of Ahmed Sani Yarima. The nominee for Katsina being lobbied for by Ibrahim Masari, the placeholder of the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party then before the emergence of Kashim Shettima as the substantive nominee of the Vice Presidential ticket.
The Jigawa State nominee is being speculated as a serving functionary from the state in the Federal Government to be revealed soon. It was learned that his state governor is not against his nomination because he mobilized support for the President not only in his domain but in other places.
“He is a workaholic and committed supporter of Mr. President excluding tremendous goodwill and supported by grassroots-oriented politicians in the state. The immediate past Governor of the state was rejected because he failed to deliver his area for the President during the polls,” a party chieftain told Daily Sun.
There is consultation for the Kebbi nominee with former governor Atiku Bagudu likely to be the only one among his peers to cross the nomination hurdle.
Mohammed Dambu and Tijani Tumsah, the pioneer National Secretary of the party are locking horns for the only available slot in Yobe.
The nomination for Borno State may go to Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Deputy National Chairman North of the party.
The nomination for Taraba State is inching toward Senator Emmanuel Bwatcha.
The struggle for the Bauchi State slot is believed to be a straight fight between Malam Isa Yugudu, one minister and two-term governor of the state, and Ali Pate, former minister and an employee of the Breten Woods.
Gombe State slot is being battled by Farouk Bamusa, Senator Idris Umar, and Jamilu Isiyaka Gwamna.
Adamawa slot is believed to be considered for either the husband of Senator Aisha Binani, Dr. Ahmed Moddibo, or Senator Jonathan Zangwina, a prominent politician and a strong member of the Chief MKO Abiola campaign in 1993.
The Kwara State slot is likely going to either Professor Ishaq Olorode or Isa Aremu.
Niger State is likely tilting towards Professor Yahaya Kuta, one-time Secretary to the state government and an academician from the University of Ibadan. “His capacity is unlimited and ability to communicate because of multilingual endowment is an added advantage. The big men from his state gave their blessings to his nomination,” a close ally said.
The National Chairman of the party Senator Abdullahi Adamu and the governor are all interested in picking a nominee for Nasarawa State. However, one Labaran Magaji from Toto, and Musa Wayo, a close political associate of Tinubu over the years are being considered too.
Benue State is for George Akume to decide. Emmanuel Jime is a strong contender.
While in Plateau, a nominee is being discussed due to the failure of the immediate past governor of the state Solomon Lalong to do anything politically spectacular during last the polls. He is pushing for Yakubu Datti, a one-time commissioner in the state. Both the Akume and former governor Joshua Dariye are going to find a suitable nominee.
Kogi State nominee is completely at the discretion of Governor Yahaya Bello.
Imo State nominee is possibly Mike Okiro, a former Inspector-General of Police.
“Men like Okiro are needed to help the party win the forthcoming governorship election in Imo State and also help stabilize the region for the administration,” a friend noted.
Enugu State slot is likely going to Emma Enekwu, Deputy National Chairman, South of the APC.
Anambra State slot is likely for Andy Uba being the most visible politician from the state that identified himself with Tinubu for some time now. Uche Ukwunife is being considered based on gender consideration and non-controversial posture.
Abia State slot is speculated to be inching towards Mac Wabara, a reputable banker.
Ebonyi State is being determined by Dave Umahi. He is the last bus stop as far as Ebonyi’s nomination is concerned. He is enjoying an excellent relationship with Mr. President.
Rivers State slot is possibly former governor Nyesom Wike, while the Cross River State slot is being considered for Senator John Onwah.
Akwa Ibom State ministerial nominee is to be handled by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The name of Dan Abia, former Managing Director of NDDC has been mentioned
Delta State is a straight fight between Festus Keyamo, Frank Kokori, and Felix Morka, National Publicly Secretary of the APC.
Bayelsa State nominee is expected to have the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan.
Edo State slot is for Adams Oshimhole to decide. The candidate will certainly come from Benin to battle Governor Godwin Obaseki during the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in the state.
Tinubu is consulting widely with relevant stakeholders, including Senator Sidi Ali and Isa Rahma on the possibility of giving FCT a ministerial slot.