News
I joined APC not to become chairman but remove PDP from power – Oshiomhole
Adams Oshiomhole, former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he did not join the party to become chairman, but to remove the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power.
Oshiomole said this while addressing journalists at the fundraiser and investiture of Victoria Unuoarumi as the 10th president of Rotary Club in Abuja, on Saturday.
The APC national working committee (NWC) led by Oshiomhole was dissolved by the party’s national executive committee (NEC) in June 2020 following a protracted leadership crisis.
Speaking about his removal as chairman, the former governor said he has no regrets about the actions that led to his sacking.
He added that he did not join the party to become chairman, but to remove the PDP from power.
“No. Life is all about regret. I am a very happy man. Or do you see me looking sad? I might look small but not sad,” he said.
“I had addressed newsmen shortly after my removal and said that regardless of the legality or illegality of my removal, I accepted what happened in good faith and resolved I would not contest it. I promised to remain committed, do what I can as a party member to support the party.
“You know in law, you can decide as I have done to sleep on my right. I have chosen, for the purpose of my chairmanship, to sleep on my rights and it will remain sleeping and happily so. As you can see, even since I left office, I’m still active in all activities of the party because I don’t think I need to be a chairman to be of any relevance.
“I didn’t join the party because I wanted to become chairman, I joined the part because I wanted to form an alternate platform that was capable of taking PDP out of power and that objective was achieved.”
Speaking about the general election in 2023, he said: “As for 2023, you know people like to talk about their fears, but as for me, my life is about my hopes.”
“I think by 2023, God will not forsake a nation of 200 million people our democracy has come to stay. It’s not perfect. A couple of things can be done to strengthen it, but we’ll move on, we’ll get on with the job and I believe that God in his infinite powers will help Nigerians to sustain our democracy and to guide us as we move towards 2023.
“As an optimist, I always make the point that with all the problems that Nigeria has, the sub Nigeria is still much more than the sum total of all these problems.”
News
Ondo: INEC new challenge as 1.7 million votes decide next gov today
Ondo: INEC new challenge as 1.7 million votes decide next gov today
Today, 1,757,205 registered voters in Ondo State will head to polling stations across its 18 local government areas to elect a new governor who will steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.
This marks an increase in the number of registered voters compared to the 2020 election, which had 1,647,973 registered voters, of which only 580,887 votes were recorded.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its readiness for the exercise, deploying 4,002 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices across 3,933 polling units, with 812 units on standby in case of technical hitches.
Speaking on the commission’s preparations, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, assured the public that sensitive materials were distributed on Thursday to the Registration Area Centres (RACs) for timely deployment.
READ ALSO:
- Ondo poll: Three gov candidates withdraw for Aiyedatiwa
- $6bn fraud: Judge scolds Agunloye’s counsel over delay tactics
- Emefiele printed new naira notes different from what Buhari approved – Ex-CBN official
Tinubu calls for peaceful polls
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on stakeholders and voters to uphold peace during and after the election. Through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasised the importance of the election reflecting the people’s will.
“The president reminds all political stakeholders, especially the candidates, that governance is a privilege bestowed by the people. This privilege must be respected, and Nigerians deserve a free and fair election to consolidate our democracy,” the statement read.
Tinubu also commended the security agencies’ preparedness, with the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, assuring professionalism during the exercise.
Ondo: INEC new challenge as 1.7 million votes decide next gov today
News
Late COAS Lagbaja gets CFR honour, buried amid tributes
Late COAS Lagbaja gets CFR honour, buried amid tributes
The late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was on Friday laid to rest in Abuja, amid tears and tributes.
President Bola Tinubu conferred a posthumous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff.
The burial took place at the National Cemetery in Abuja to end two days of funeral rites that began in Lagos earlier in the week.
His body was lowered into the grave at exactly 4:41pm after the ceremony that lasted over two hours.
Lagbaja’s casket, draped in Nigeria’s green and white colours, arrived at the cemetery around 3pm in a white funeral wagon after a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
Dignitaries were led to the event by President Bola Tinubu. Others are Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, and other top government officials and military brass.
President Tinubu announced the conferment of the CFR on the late COAS during the interment at the National Cemetery in Abuja.
The President extolled the virtues of the late warrior, especially his contributions to national security.
According to him, the appointment of Lagbaja as the COAS was one of his finest made so far.
“As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the posthumous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),” Tinubu declared.
He thereafter invited the wife of the late COAS, Mariya, to collect the award on behalf of the Lagbaja family amid applause from the congregation.
News
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
Supreme Court dismisses 16 govs suit challenging EFCC legality
The Supreme Court has dismissed the suit by 16 states challenging the constitutionality of the acts establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and two others.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the other agencies are the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In the lead judgment by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court resolved the six issues raised for determination in the suit against the plaintiffs.
The court held that the laws establishing the anti-corruption agencies were validly enacted by the National Assembly within its legislative competence.
It faulted the claim by the plaintiffs that the EFCC Act, being a product of the United Nations convention on corruption, ought to be ratified by majority of the state houses of assembly.
Delivering judgement on Friday, Justice Abba-Aji ruled that “the EFCC Act, which was not established from a treaty but a convention, does not need the ratification of the houses of assembly.”
-
Sports2 days agoBREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
-
Aviation2 days agoDisaster averted as bird strike hits Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight
-
metro1 day agoCourt orders varsity to pay lecturer N40m compensation for wrongful dismissal
-
Opinion1 day agoApomu king turns warmonger for PDP
-
Education3 days ago12-year-old Nigerian girl Eniola Shokunbi invents air filter to reduce spread of diseases in US schools
-
Politics1 day agoOndo poll: Three gov candidates withdraw for Aiyedatiwa
-
Politics3 days agoWhy I can’t form coalition with Peter Obi – Sowore
-
News2 days agoEdo Gov Okpebholo freezes govt accounts, reverses ministry’s name