Politics

Edo gov, deputy face-off not over yet despite public apologies

Published

7 months ago

November 3, 2023

Edo gov, deputy face-off not over yet despite public apologies

The rift between Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy Phillip Shaibu may be far from being resolved.
Observers of major events at the state Government House said the actions of the governor had continued to indicate that he had not forgiven his deputy, contrary to claims in the public domain, according to a new PM News report.
Newstrends recalls that the two leaders have been at a loggerhead over Shaibu’s ambition to run for next year’s governorship election.
But Obaseki is angry about Shaibu’s governorship ambition.
An impeachment plot against the deputy was said to have been hatched against Shaibu by lawmakers loyal to the governor in the state House of Assembly.
Shaibu approached a Federal High Court in Abuja and obtained an injunction to restrain Obaseki and others.
But after mediation by party leaders, religious leaders and others, Shaibu tendered unreserved apology to his boss, who told the world that he has forgiven his deputy.
Weeks after the much publicized forgiveness, however, the embattled deputy governor has continued to be sidelined in government functions and party activities.
Shaibu was missing at the swearing-in ceremonies of Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants held at Edo north senatorial district.
The deputy governor has also been sidelined in sporting events where he used to be prominent. .
A source said Shaibu’s disengagement from activities of the state-owned Bendel Insurance FC had continued to affect the fortune of the club.
The latest humiliation of Shaibu is the alleged handing over of the Toyota Landcruiser bought for his use to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku.

A source in government circle informed that the SUV was purchased about three months ago as a replacement for the one given to the deputy governor as official vehicle seven years ago.

“The Toyota Landcruiser was allegedly bought for the use of the deputy governor approximately three months ago as a replacement for the one given to him seven years ago,” the source explained.
The source described the incident as unfortunate, that the Governor would deliberately deny his deputy of the vehicle, which was budgeted and bought in his name.

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Ajaero asks Abure to resign if he must forgive him

Published

11 hours ago

May 16, 2024

Trends Admin

National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) Julius Abure and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero

Ajaero asks Abure to resign if he must forgive him

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday told the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) Julius Abure to obey a judgment of the FCT High Court if he needs the forgiveness if its president, Joe Ajaero.

The court restrained him and two others from parading themselves as national officers of the party but the judgement was set aside by the Court of Appeal in March 2024.

NLC made the demand barely 24 hours after Abure appealed to the union for reconciliation over the crisis between them.

Speaking exclusively with THE WHISTLER, the NLC Head of Information, Benson Upah, said that the union does not shut the doors of negotiations, however, Abure must step down as LP chairman for peace to reign.

Upah said, “Our issues, concern and drive is to ensure that the right thing is done, and for the insult by Abure, we don’t care, even though he insulted all of us, called us thieves, armed robbers, and vagabonds.

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“While we are ready to forgive the insults, we would insist that the right and proper thing as contained in the contempt judgement be done. Because nothing can take the place of that”.

Speaking at the LP secretariat on Wednesday in Abuja, Abure had said, “Consequently, I want to appeal first to my brother, friend and Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC whom we have worked together in the trenches over the years in the struggle for workers, to put aside whatever may be his grievances. Let’s work in the interest of our people.

“Fighting the Labour Party is uncalled for and unwarranted, especially at this time when the working people of Nigeria are suffering. As we speak today, the minimum wage is still N30,000.

“For us, we need to team up together to be able to fight for better working conditions for our people. We need not waste or dissipate our collective energies in fighting ourselves over nothing. The NLC should know by now that the attempt being made to take over the leadership of the party will not work. It is my appeal that working together is better.”

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The NLC has been advocating for Abure’s removal, accusing the LP chairman of financial malfeasance, attempting to hold an unauthorised national convention in Abia State to keep himself in office, while also alleging that two separate court rulings in 2024 nullified the legitimacy of Abure’s National Working Committee (NWC).

This prompted members of the union, acting on their leadership’s orders, to picket LP offices across the country, demanding Abure’s resignation.

The crisis deepened when the LP responded in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, titled ‘Resign as NLC President to Contest LP Chairmanship, Labour Party advises Joe Ajero,’ noting that the party will not take orders from unionists who are not card-carrying members of their party.

Despite the NLC’s opposition, Abure in March 2024 secured his re-election at the Grand Seasons Hotel in Nnewi, Anambra State.

In response, the NLC referred to Abure’s re-election as an “illegality” adding that “nothing can legitimise such brazen impunity!”.

Ajaero asks Abure to resign if he must forgive him

Politics

BREAKING: APC suspends Senator Jimoh Ibrahim over anti-party activities

Published

2 days ago

May 15, 2024

Trends Admin

Jimoh Ibrahim

BREAKING: APC suspends Senator Jimoh Ibrahim over anti-party activities

The Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.

Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly was suspended for alleged anti-party activities.

The lawmaker was suspended by members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward 11 in Okitipupa Local Goverment Area of Ondo State.

The notice was signed by ward executive members including Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju and Fabioye Ajoke.

Ibrahim’s suspension is coming after he lost out in the party’s governorship primary election in the state.

However, the notice read, “We, the members of the APC Executive Commince of Igbotako Ward 11 in Okitipupa Local Goverment Areu of Ondo State, convened meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024, During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.

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“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to be in violation of the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities. As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities In accordance with Article 21, Section A of APC Constitution.

“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja.

“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions. Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them.

“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.”

BREAKING: APC suspends Senator Jimoh Ibrahim over anti-party activities

Politics

2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks

Published

3 days ago

May 14, 2024

Trends Admin

Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

2027: Atiku, Obi, Saraki, Lamido in coalition talks

Key opposition figures yesterday began coalition talks ahead of 2027 polls, barely one year into the Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He also met with two PDP chieftains, former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

Speaking on Obi’s meeting with Atiku, the ex-VP’s media aide, Paul Ibe, said although they discussed the proposal for coalition, he was not conversant with details of the discussion.

But Obi’s aide, YunusaTanko, was more forthcoming on the reasons behind the meetings.

According to him: “His (Obi) abiding devotion is to the emergence of a Nigeria that works for all its peoples and where the people are quickly pulled out of poverty.

“Worried about the state of the nation and the increasing uncertainty in the living conditions of the poor and underprivileged, Obi in Abuja on Monday visited some top Nigerians, among whom are Former Vice President, and PDP Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki and the former Governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

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“At the centre of discussion during each of these visits was the state of the nation and how to reduce the suffering of all Nigerians irrespective of class and location.

“In particular, the desperate condition of the downtrodden in our midst was highlighted. Of particular interest and emphasis in these discussions was the worrisome situation in the Northern parts of the country.”

An excited Atiku posted the photographs of the meeting on his social media handle.

Ibe said Atiku was making a significant effort to bring the opposition into a coalition

He said: “Yes, they met at His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar’s residence for about 20 minutes this afternoon (yesterday). It was held behind closed doors. So, we wouldn’t know exactly what was discussed.

“We can only guess that it was in furtherance of efforts towards offering Nigerian citizens much better options.

“What is important is that there have been calls for the opposition to coalesce into a strong force and surely, they must have had very positive discussions on some issues of significance . But what we don’t know yet is the exact details of their discussion.”

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In 2019, Obi was Atiku’s running mate during the presidential poll on the platform of the PDP. They were defeated by the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket.

During the last year’s poll, Atiku and Obi, who refused to work together, were defeated by President Bola Tinubu.

Shortly after the post-election litigations, Obi also rejected partisan overtures by Atiku, who mooted the idea of coalition.

Currently, both PDP and LP are contending with some internal contradictions, particularly leadership squabbles that have further polarised them.

The PDP, beset by leadership crisis, has been hit by a gale of defections, making it to lose many members to the ruling party.

Also, LP is split into two camps, and in the Southeast, which is its stronghold, it is ebbing away as many chieftains are leaving in droves.

The rift between LP and its acclaimed founder, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has escalated, with the Political Commission of the union rejecting Julius Abure as national chairman.

According to observers, Obi has not demonstrated the capacity to foster reconciliation in the party.

The direction of the proposed PDP/LP coalition upon during the separate meetings is cloudy.