Buhari’s aide tells Oyedepo – Abide by CAMA or manufacture your own country

-

August 17, 2020

Duoye-Diri 2 — File Photo: Senator Duoye Dickson. Image Credit- Channels TV

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has said he would appeal Monday’s ruling of the state election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja and has consequently instructed his lawyers to file the necessary papers.

The tribunal, in a majority judgment delivered by Justice Yunusa Musa in the petition brought before it by the Advanced National Democratic Party (ANDP), held that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unlawfully excluded the party from the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

The Justice Musa-led tribunal therefore ordered INEC to conduct a fresh governorship election in Bayelsa State within 90 days.

READ ALSO:

Ganduje challenges anti-corruption commission not to spare his cabinet

Reacting to the ruling, Diri said he has implicit confidence in the judiciary that he would triumph in the end.

According to him, “We trust in the judiciary and we are appealing the judgement. With God on our side, we will get justice.

“This is a court of first instance and I have instructed our lawyers to file an appeal. We have a right of appeal even up to the Supreme Court.”

The governor, who spoke shortly after the ruling by the tribunal, urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his supporters not to panic and to continue to remain calm and law-abiding.

Meanwhile, the immediate past Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has urged Bayelsans not to be perturbed by the judgment of the tribunal which annulled the state governorship election on Monday.

He described the judgment as a temporary setback which does not in law affect the status quo until appeal processes are exhausted.

The former governor, in a statement by his Media Advisor, Fidelis Soriwei, said PDP and Bayelsa State Government would appeal the judgement.

He noted that there was no vacancy in Bayelsa State Government House as Diri remains governor until a final decision on the issue was reached at the Supreme Court.

Dickson urged Bayelsans to go about their lawful duties without any disturbance because of the judgement on the suit filed by ANDP against its purported exclusion in the election by INEC.

“I urge Bayelsans to remain calm. They shouldn’t misinterpret what took place at the tribunal today.

READ ALSO:

DSS: We’re Not Involved in Na’abba’s Invitation, Presidency Clarifies

“The judgment is a temporary setback which does not have any effect on the status quo until all processes of appeal are exhausted.

“There is no vacancy in Bayelsa State Government House. Douye Diri remains Governor until the Supreme Court decides.

“Of course what this means is that the PDP will appeal this decision,” he said.

Inline1

Just In: Sacked APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole meets President Buhari

By

-

August 17, 2020

Buhari-meets-Oshiomhole-600x375 — President Muhammadu Buhari meets ex-National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole.

President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting with former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the State House, Abuja.

READ ALSO:

Ganduje challenges anti-corruption commission not to spare his cabinet

According to information gathered by Echotitbits, Oshiomhole, who was recently sacked as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party by an Appeal court in Abuja, was sighted dressed in his traditional khaki suit, in company of the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, walking towards the President’s office.

As at the time of publishing this report, the purpose of Oshiomhole’s meeting with the President is not established.

Inline1

Ganduje challenges anti-corruption commission not to spare his cabinet

By

-

August 17, 2020

Kano State Governor, Abdullah Umar Ganduje has challenged the State’s Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate and prosecute anyone found culpable of corrupt practice including members of his cabinet if the need be.

During an inspection of construction work at the Commission’s headquarters on Sunday, the Governor emphasised that the agency has his nod and insisted that “no comprise should override any priority” in a bid to purge the state of corrupt tendencies.

While he reiterated that the commission has full independence, Ganduje, vowed never to interfere in the operations of the commission – investigations and prosecutions of persons complicit in wrongdoings.

READ ALSO:

Tribunal nullifies election of Bayelsa governor Diri

“We urge you not to spare or compromise any case no matter who is involved. The commission is independent of its responsibility and it has the duty to trap and prosecute any suspect.

The Governor seized the occasion to also challenge the Federal Government to replicate its fight against corruption across states and local government, if truly determined to nip the pandemic in the bud.

“With the way corruption is fighting back in the country, the federal government need to prepare to fight hard with establishment of similar corruption commission across the states and even at the local government areas”. Ganduje noted.

In his remark, Chairman of the commission, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado applauded the Ganduje-led government’s political will to support the commission’s determination to fight corruption in Kano state.

Muhuyi promised that the commission will not compromise on its principle, founded on benchmark and standard on mission and vision, to rid Kano of corruption.

READ ALSO:

DSS: We’re Not Involved in Na’abba’s Invitation, Presidency Clarifies

It was reported that Muhuyi had recently led the commission to recover over N300,000 allegedly siphoned by a special adviser on religious affairs, Ali Babba.

One of the previous operations carried out by the commission is the prosecution of deposed Emir of Kano, Mohammadu Sanusi, for alleged misappropriation of emirate funds, a case that has caused Ganduje’s government wide criticism over “undue interference”.

Inline1

DSS: We’re Not Involved in Na’abba’s Invitation, Presidency Clarifies

By

-

August 17, 2020

DSS Ghali — File: A collage photo displaying an officer of the Department of State Security (DSS) and a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba.

The President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government Monday distanced itself from the allegations that it’s the brain behind the invitation extended to the former Speaker of House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, by the Department of State Service on account of his alleged comments at the President.

Na’bba was invited by DSS for questioning, four days after he made critical comments about the Buhari administration.

The former speaker, who is also a co-chairman of the newly formed National Consultative Front (NCFront), had, in a television broadcast, described Nigeria as a failed state, listing unemployment, insecurity, economic hardship as some of the factors which indicated that the present government “is incompetent.”

READ ALSO:

UNILAG VC spent unapproved N120m, his sack legal – says Babalakin

But, Buhari, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said preliminary feedback indicated that Na’bba’s invitation was in no way connected to his utterances regarding the state of affairs of the country.

The statement reads in part: “The Presidency distances itself from the allegations that it has anything to do with the invitation extended to Ghali Na’Abba by the Department of State Service on account of his alleged comments at President Buhari.

“Preliminary feedback received by the Presidency seem to indicate that the invitation of Umar Ghali Na’Abba, was in no way connected to his utterances regarding the state of affairs of the country. Mr. President realises the value of having an active opposition party having emerged through that process as well.

“Mr. President has consistently made it his wish to deliver an electoral process that is free and fair that ensures that the electorate are given a free hand for their votes to count. Anything short of such a process would be counter-productive.

“As the nation continues to pull together to confront this common enemy that has no regard for race, religion, language or ethnic grouping, we once again encourage citizens to engage in discourses that can help support our vision of a United Nigeria, that maintains food security. secures it citizens and provides a pipeline of opportunities to our teeming youthful population.”

Idowu Sowunmi

Inline1

UNILAG VC spent unapproved N120m, his sack legal – says Babalakin

By

-

August 17, 2020

Babalakn Ogundipe on channels — File: A collage photo of Pro-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Wale Babalakin and ousted Vice Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe.

Pro-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin has asserted that the embattled Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe was legally removed by the Governing Council of the institution.

Dr. Babalakin reiterated the position of the council, which he chairs, on Monday when he was a guest on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, monitored by Echotitbits.

“First, let me repeat that the Council complied with due process in the removal of Professor Toyin Ogundipe.

“I’ve heard a lot of comments on all media. And these comments ignore a fundamental fact – Ogundipe has not denied any wrongdoing. He has not said that he did not spend N120 million renovating the residence of himself and two of his cronies without mentioning it to anybody. It was discovered. It was not mentioned, it was not prevented and there was no approval. That is patent illegality. And he has not denied it.

READ ALSO:

How Babalakin orchestrates UNILAG VC controversial ‘sack’ and the backlash

“In fact, he concealed it until two-and-a-half years after Council came in, when, a (Professor Omoleyinwa) report found out that he had concealed information and had presented what is not a budget as a budget.

Babalakin maintained Ogundipe’s sack by the University’s Governing Council last week was legal as the VC has not denied any of the allegations leveled against him while he only rejected the decision, claiming the process was not fair and did not follow due process.

“Ogundipe has not denied that he created something very new in the University – the concept of security votes. Or he continued it – I don’t know when it started. But he paid security votes, which is money that requires no account in the University. He has not denied it.

“Ogundipe has not denied that he forged documents, in trying to present a candidate for the Director of Works. He was Chairman of the Committee and he was told to collate results. When he collated results, the second became first, first became second, he never denied it. On the floor of the Council – and it’s in the minutes – he did not have any comments about it.

“Ogundipe has not, till today, been able to present a proper account of the University. Three sets of people have looked at the account; none have said that the accounts represent a fair representation of the University’s financial position.

“Ogundipe unilaterally sought to appoint a Professor into the University. This is the worst scandal in academia. He sent me a memo that I should approve that the Librarian becomes a professor. I am familiar with University systems. You just don’t become a Professor. You must go through the process and then it comes to the Council for confirmation.”

Tribunal nullifies election of Bayelsa governor Diri

By

-

August 17, 2020

Douye-Diri-4 — File photo: Senator Duoye Diri

The Bayelsa State Gubernatorial Petition Tribunal has nullified the election of Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State.

The election was nullified based on a petition by the Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party, which argued that it was unlawfully excluded from participating in the election.

Details here.

Inline1

19-year old rape and murder suspect escapes from police custody

By

-

August 17, 2020

images (1) — A file photo of an officer of the Nigerian Police Force.

Police in Oyo State says a 19-year old suspect accused of rape and murder of some female residents of Akinyẹle Local Government Area of Ibadan, has escaped from custody.

The accused, identified as Sunday Shodipe, was on Sunday reported to have escaped in a statement by the spokesperson, Oyo State Police Command, Olugbenga Fadeyi.

According to Fadeyi, the suspect, who was arrested and paraded along with two others at the Oyo State Police Command on July 17 escaped from police custody on August 11.

Lagos to Residents: You’ll Experience More Heavy Rainfalls from End of August

By

-

August 17, 2020

The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government has alerted residents that the state would experience more heavy rainfalls from the end of this month, saying it’s intensifying measures to minimise the effects.

This was disclosed by Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, at a press conference in Lagos.

Relying on data from the Nigerian Hydrological Services, Bello said the months of July, August, September and October also known as JASO months signify heavy rainfall, flooding and flood disasters in most parts of the country.

He reiterated that while states like Ogun and Ekiti suffer from urban and river flooding, Lagos is at the receiving end of three types: coastal, urban and river flooding, because of the peculiarity of its location.

Bello said the management of Ogun Osun River Basin Authority has also commenced staggered release of water from Oyan Dam, with eight to 10 million cubic meters being released in August. It would increase to 18 million in September and 23 million cubic meters in October which is the peak.

He appealed to residents of low lying areas that are contiguous to Ogun River to be alert to the possibility of their homes being flooded as water is released from the dam.

He urged residents to adopt an attitudinal change of not dumping refuse in drainage channels and erecting structures on drainage alignments, vowing to prosecute offenders.

The commissioner explained that work is ongoing on more than 200 secondary channels with over 80 per cent in various stages of completion just as 46 primary channels are presently receiving various forms of attention.

According to him, “This is in addition to the gigantic efforts of our Emergency Flood Abatement Gangs (EFAG) that are being deployed round the state to undertake quick fix to free manholes or clogged up drains manually.”

He added that one of the new measures put in place to combat flash flooding is the provision of pumping stations with a pilot one being planned for Ilubirin in Lagos Island.

The commissioner noted that the pumping stations would ensure quick pumping out of water from flooded neighbourhoods and reduce risk of damages to properties.

Bello said major flood prone areas in the state that are natural buffers to the lagoon like Isheri and its environs, Owode, Agboyi-Ketu would also benefit.

“For a coastal city like Lagos, once it rains consistently for a minimum of eight hours, we are bound to have flash flood caused by increasing inability of effective discharge into the lagoon which is brought about by a rise of the ocean level.

“This will automatically lock up all our drainages and until the water level goes down, the drainages would be unable to discharge.

“This is the new wave in most coastal cities around the world including those who have adopted the best of technological advancements to curtail flooding,” he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, Special Adviser to the Governor on Drainage and Water Resources, Joe Igbokwe, maintained that effort to contain flood was the responsibility of everyone and not left to government alone.

He enjoined Lagosians to collaborate with the government by cleaning the drainages in their frontages and desisting from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in unauthorised places.

“I would like to appeal to Lagosians to always play their part in cleaning of the environment. This must be a collective effort, so residents should ensure they take responsibility of what is going on around them,” he said.

He warned those engaging in these unwholesome acts to desist, saying the ministry has empowered its environmental enforcement agents to arrest and prosecute sanitation offenders in the state.

Igbokwe thereafter enjoined residents to report all cases of drainage blockages, dumping of waste into canals and other unauthorised places to the appropriate authority, adding that by so doing they would be complementing the Sanwo-Olu administration’s efforts to tackle flooding in Lagos State.

Idowu Sowunmi

Inline1

Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu Pay Glowing Tributes to APC Chieftain, Lanre Razaq

By

B.O.B Echoload

-

August 17, 2020