Despite the sentencing of the Director-General of his campaign, Dr. Doyin Okupe, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, said he remained focused in becoming Nigeria’s next president.
The LP standard bearer reacted to the conviction of Dr. Okupe during a visit to the local council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akwa Ibom State.
He spoke on the heels of a promise by the LP Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) to take a position that will be guided by the value of law
Obi told reporters in Uyo: “I am hearing about it(the conviction) just like you. I am still studying what is coming out of the courts and everything. I believe in the rule of law. It is not going to demoralize me.
“Today, when I arrived in Akwa Ibom, somebody asked me why I haven’t been using my aircraft because it has been grounded and all that and I said to him that nothing demoralises me.
“In my life, I have never stayed where they dropped me. Otherwise, I would have been where they dropped me before. This election, if they like let them do anything about people who are around me. I will get there”.
The Head of Media, Peter Obi PCC Diran Onifade, said the council’s position to the sentencing of its director-general will be guided by the rule of law.
Onifade told The Nation in a chat: “Whatever the court says will be done. We are law-abiding and we believe in the rule of law. We believe in the Nigerian judicial system. We believe in the rule of law as a foundation to the kind of change we are hoping to bring to Nigeria. Whatever the court requires will be done, the steps that we will take will be guided by the law.
“The campaign will be coming up with its own position and whatever position the campaign takes will be guided by the law because we are a law abiding organisation. We believe in the rule of law as a foundation we want to make in Nigeria.”
Femi Falana, human rights lawyer, has warned that the 2023 elections might be sabotaged by “anti-democratic forces” if security agencies fail to put an end to the continuous attacks on the facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Mr Falana, who spoke in a statement titled ‘Halt official sabotage of 2023 general elections’, said that the violent attacks being carried out by suspected arsonists posed serious security threats to next year’s election.
He said in the statement obtained by the newsmen that “Unless the security forces are prepared to deal with the anti-democratic forces that are currently disrupting the democratic process the 2023 general elections may be sabotaged to the detriment of democracy and political stability in the country,”.
Positing further, Mr Falana condemned the continuous attacks on INEC offices in the country, noting that it’s becoming a dangerous trend. However, He expressed worry about how the attackers perpetrating the crime on the INEC facilities operate without any challenge from the security forces.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the federal high court in Abuja has convicted the Director General of Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dr Doyin Okupe, over money laundering.
Dr Okupe was first arraigned by the EFCC in 2019 on a 59 count charges bordering on alleged money laundering and diversion of funds to the tune of 702 millions.
The sentence is expected to be delivered after the process must have been concluded.
Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State, has declared that public employees and pensioners in the state will receive their 13th month’s pay before December 31, 2022.
At the 2022 Christmas Carol Service and Nine Lessons conducted on Sunday at the Remembrance Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan, the Governor announced this.
Makinde also mentioned that this week would see the distribution of December salaries to all government employees and pensioners.
Governor Makinde announced this by saying, “Don’t let the opposition trick you all. Although I agree that paying salaries is not an accomplishment, we will be paying public servants this week, and they will receive their 13th month’s paycheck by December 31.
“If the opposition has such a feat for four consecutive years, they could do this; they should bring it out”.
The former Governor Aregbesola has reacted to the development, saying the Accountant-General of the state should be in a better position to give the true particulars of the indebtedness of the state.
Reacting to the statement by Oyebamiji on the contention that the debts were incurred by his government, Aregbesola, through his media aide, Mr Sola Fasure, said the impasse was between Adeleke and Oyetola, and so he should not be in the picture.
While attempting that he took loans, he said the two major ones he took had been liquidated while “the other ones are long-term concessional facilities (given to the state) by the Federal Government” with minimal monthly deductions.
Aregbesola said: “I will suggest that you look at all the loans and get to the Accountant-General of the state at Abere. I think the AccountantGeneral or the Permanent Secretary (Finance) would have better information because it is the Accountant-General that raised a memo based on the query of the governor.
“The Accountant-General, in reply to the query of the governor, stated the condition of the loans and the loans that are outstanding. He is the most knowledgeable about the loans by the state as the custodian of the account of the state. They should count Aregbesola out of it.”
He said the loans collected by the Aregbesola government had been liquidated, saying “was it Aregbesola that took a loan of N18billion after he lost the election? The two major loans Aregbesola took have been liquidated. They were the Sukkuk loan and the other ones were long-term concessionary facilities by the Federal Government which have a long span repayment terms. The deductions are minimal and they are not deductions that will infringe on finances of the state. The two major loans taken by Aregbesola have been liquidated.”
He said: “The matter is between the Adeleke and Oyetola administrations because the Aregbesola debts have been liquidated. It was not Aregbesola that took the N18 billion loan that was taken after the election. Oyetola took some other loans, including salary support from the Federal Government.
“They caused the problem for themselves. If they had set up a transition committee and if they had cooperated well with the incoming governor after they had lost election, there would have been a smooth change of government.
“They would have compared notes and there would be no rancour. But he was busy sowing mines on the path of the incoming governor, creating problems for him, and spending money with reckless abandon. What did he do with N18 billion? Now the new government is fighting back. If the new government takes the matter up to the EFCC, there would be problems for the Oyetola administration.
“They should count Aregbesola out of their problems because out of the three loans he took, two have been liquidated. It is only the long-term debt that is remaining and only the Accountant-General can give us the status of the loan because it is no longer what it was because deductions are being made.”
Some Nigerians Are Hypocrites; They Abuse Buhari’s Father, Mother In The Morning, But You’ll See Them Eating With President At Night – Femi Adesina
Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity says some Nigerians openly criticise his principal but still sneak into the Presidential Villa to see him.
In an article titled, ‘Buhari At 80: No Malicious Bone In His Body’ and shared on his official Facebook page on Thursday, Adesina described the president as a man with a large heart.
He narrated how Buhari related with some of his ‘critics’ such as Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; Matthew Hassan Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese; Femi Fani-Kayode and former Governor of Ekiti, Ayo Fayose.
He wrote, “This story came to mind as I reflect on President Muhammadu Buhari’s 80th birthday December 17, 2022. This is a man I have served for almost 8 years, and it never ceases to baffle me how large hearted he is, particularly to those who have arrayed themselves against him, and how he responds to them, when they meet.
“Some examples. Perhaps the Governor who has excoriated the President most is Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. Until very recently, when he showed some conciliation, he had accused Buhari of everything under the sun, including attempted murder. If they were rival wives sharing a husband, it couldn’t have been worse.
“But there was the President, simply minding his business, and ignoring the much younger man in Rivers State. He still gave the State everything that was its due.
“Some weeks ago, the President was invited to commission the newly built ultra-modern complex of the Body of Benchers in Abuja. As a member of the organization, Gov Wike was on the receiving line. Face to face with one of his harshest critics. What would the President do? Would he separate his teacup and saucer, and walk by? But no. Buhari shook the Governor warmly. ‘When two enemies shake hands, a suffering soul shoots out of Purgatory,’ wrote someone whose name I can’t readily recall now. But for President Buhari, this man simply has no enemy. Wike is just a Governor of one of the federations units (sic) in the country, and deserves his respect. Amazing!
“How about Ayo Fayose, the Irunmole (ethereal spirit) that eats jollof rice. The former Ekiti State Governor had taken a stand against Buhari since 2014, during the campaigns. There was that infamous advertisement he placed in newspapers, displaying a coffin, and insinuating that if Buhari was elected, he would not last the distance. Fayose’s party was beaten black and blue, and entered President Buhari.
“What would an average, vengeful person have done, if he were in the mould of the man with the teacup and saucer? When Buhari came, the Ekiti House of Assembly was largely populated by APC members, whom Fayose had inherited. What to do? Just give a directive: remove that Governor within a week, and he directs the Inspector General of Police to lock down the Assembly chamber. But not Buhari. Why? Because he has no malicious bone in his body. Fayose served out his term, and I remember the President giving him a warm handshake during a Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa.
“Matthew Hassan Kukah. The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese. What has he not thrown at the President? Everything, including the kitchen sink. In fact, he uses language you wouldn’t expect an altar boy to employ. He has been after not just the President, even we his spokesmen have not been spared. He had opened fire on me and my colleague, Mallam Garba Shehu. Trust us, we returned fire for fire, till we decided to ignore him.
“And there came Bishop Kukah to the Villa some weeks ago, with the Peace Committee headed by former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar. Trust the teacup and saucer man, the Bishop would not have got a handshake. But what did Buhari do? He exchanged banters with Kukah, and they were caught on camera, laughing together. When the cleric should have gotten a blow to the solar plexus. Lol.
“Femi Fani-Kayode. My friend, brother and kinsman. What has the President not suffered in his hands? Tons of abuses, malediction, ill will. But when the latter had his Damascus road experience, and found his way back to the APC, who received him at the Presidential Villa? Buhari. I tell you, this man has no malicious bone in his body. How about Gov Samuel Ortom, and many others? Story for another day.
“I see some people on television in the morning, abusing both the father and mother of the President. And I get to his residence at dinner time, to see those people at dinner table with him. How large-hearted can a person be?
“I’m sure God must have considered all the virtues Muhammadu Buhari has, and thus decided to spare him. He that has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger, says the Good Book. (Job 17:9). This Buhari not only has clean hands, he also has a clean heart.
“Imagine year 2017, when the President had severe health challenges. Between January and August of that year, he was in and out of the country many times, attending to his health. He could have been a goner, but God said no. And God has the final say, no matter what man may wish or desire. And same Buhari is now 80. “Simply amazing! Glory be to God. By the grace of God, in another five months, the President will land safely. And he will take his well deserved rest, playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren in his Daura hometown. He’s the man God has shown mercy.”
The Oyo State House of Assembly held public hearing on a bill to enact law on Oyo State Mental Health Bill, 2022.
The public hearing which was held today at the House of Chiefs, Parliament building, Oyo State Secretariat had several inputs and recommendations from stakeholders in health sector.
Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly and the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Riliwan Saminu Gbadamosi jointly sponsored the bill.
Hon. Riliwan Gbadamosi while giving his opening remark averred that increasing rate of mental health challenges ravaging our society necessitated the public hearing geared towards receiving various recommendations and inputs from all stakeholders.
He therefore called on all governments at all levels to put measures in place to uphold the fundamental human right of the mentally retarded people.
In his words, the Commissioner For Health, Dr. Taiwo Oladipo while speaking highlighted some challenges posed to the society as a result of pervading cases of mental health. He attributed the growing trend of the cases to stress usually caused by the economic hardship and insecurity Nigerians are currently battling with. He recommended that inclusivity should be prioritized while selecting the members of the steering committee as proposed in the mental health bill.
The representative of the Chairman of Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo State branch, Dr. Ayotunde Fatunla commended the House of Assembly for the laudable bill. He therefore emphasized that his members should be included in the steering committee.
The representative of Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adebowale Williams while speaking stated that emphasis should be laid on awareness against stigmatization of people suffering mental health issues and that if any person is found to be suffering mental health challenges in any place of work, such person should rather be helped and rehabilitated rather than passing hasty dismissal judgement on the person.
The representative of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, Dr. Wole Oke spoke on some steps taken by his agency in nibbing the menace of drug abuse in the bud so as to drastically reduce the challenges of mental health in the society.
Other experts who spoke at the event agreed on adequate funding to health care system, and that sensitization and public enlightenment should be at the top gear.
Among the dignatories who graced the ocassion were honourables Akeem Adedibu, Olushola Owolabi, Femi Julius, Akintunde Olajide AKT, representatives of Nigerian Medical Association, Red Cross Society, heads of parastatals, clinical psychologists, medical experts among several others.
A 49-year-old man, Ganiyu Shina, resident in Abeokuta, Ogun State, was yesterday arrested while allegedly washing his body by a community river bank with a substance suspected to be blood.
Residents of Kotopo community of Odeda local government area said they sighted the suspect having a bath at the river bank and arrested him.
The suspect reportedly parked his Nissan commercial vehicle by the roadside, came out with a local sponge and container filled with blood and started washing his body with it.Shina was said to have fled when he discovered that he was being watched.
However, he was chased and apprehended by members of the community, who handed him him to the police.
Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Demola Seriki, has d!ed at the age of 63.
A statement signed by his children, said the Lagos politician and former minister passed away on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in Madrid, Spain.
“It is with heavy hearts and profound gratitude to Almighty Allah that we announce the loss of our much loved and admired patriarch, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, His Excellency, Ambassador Ademola Rasaq Atanda Seriki (CON) on December 15th, 2022, the statement reads.
“He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Madrid, Spain.”
The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has yesterday held a town hall meeting in Eruwa purposely to interact with the people of the town and address their concerns about governance issues in Ibarapa Zone.
Makinde while speaking at the town hall meeting, talked about some ongoing projects in the zone and other projects which his administration has given a nod to commence within the next few weeks.
He also flagged off his usual door-to-door campaign for the Ibarapa Zone where he toured the town to distribute campaign flyers to market women and men.
“We are grateful to the people of Eruwa for their warm reception and openness in sharing their concerns with us. As a responsive government, we will continue to listen of our people as we provide good governance”, said Makinde.
He therefore used the ocassion to commission 2 blocks of 250-capacity classrooms at the Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic and inspected the Eruwa-Lanlate-Maya Road rehabilitation. He also inspected the Oke Ipin Bridge being constructed by our Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe.
