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Ex-Rivers LG chairmen accuse Fubara of sponsoring attack on Wike’s property, threaten reprisal
Ex-Rivers LG chairmen accuse Fubara of sponsoring attack on Wike’s property, threaten reprisal
Former local government chairmen in Rivers State, on Wednesday, accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of orchestrating the Tuesday raid by hunger protesters on the Port Harcourt mansion of his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
While warning that Fubara did not have the monopoly of violence, the ex-LG chairmen promised to mobilise their troops to similarly unleash an attack on Fubara’s properties.
In the midst of a statewide hunger strike, demonstrators marched to Wike’s mansion on Ada George Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and laid siege to it, changing war songs and calling the former governor unprintable names.
It necessitated the presence and attention of police officers to repel the demonstrators who sought to enter the mansion.
Speaking on Wednesday under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, the chairmen, who were elected during Wike’s tenure as Rivers State governor, accused incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara of sponsoring the protesters who stormed Wike’s residence.
Dr. Chidi Lloyd, a former Chairman of the Emuoha Local Government Area, said, “We are aware that he (Fubara) directed the protesters to go to the residence of the minister. We will also organise our people and go to Forces Avenue, where he is building on a 32-plot of land.
“Enough is enough. Fubara does not have the capacity to cow anybody here. He knows it. And we know his properties and those of his cronies.
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“All they have achieved has just been mountainous looting of Rivers funds. So he should be very careful. He wants to incite ethnic bigotry here. If what happened yesterday at Ada George repeats itself, Fubara will not even be here to govern the state.
“We will not allow him to destroy all that we have achieved in this state just because he knows nothing about leadership. So the protesters should gather in the government house and ask him what he has done with the N238bn he collected between May and June.”
However, in a swift reaction, Joseph Johnson, the state commissioner for information and communications, said the erstwhile LG chairmen sounded like broken records.
“If you ask me, they have finished their tenure and have gone by our own law. So, what they are doing is meddling in what does not concern them. They are like ordinary citizens.
“If there was anything in sight along the Ada George Road yesterday (Tuesday), I saw protesters who walked past the house of the FCT Minister, and I saw a full presence of policemen. So, I don’t know what they are talking about.
“They are drowning people looking for where to clutch a straw. But if you ask me truly, the information I have is that they have been holding meetings. The one they held today is just the open one.
“They have been holding meetings being sponsored by former Ohio-Akpor Local Government Chairmen where they were charged to do everything to turn the protest into something that will culminate in a state of emergency.
“But all those attempts are the machinations of the wicked. The Bible has said that he disappointed the devices of the enemy so that they would not practice their enterprise.
“What they are doing is like the last kick of a dying horse. They are already gone, and the court has pronounced them as such.”
Ex-Rivers LG chairmen accuse Fubara of sponsoring attack on Wike’s property, threaten reprisal
News
New Edo Gov Okpebholo takes oath of office, Shettima, others present
New Edo Gov Okpebholo takes oath of office, Shettima, others present
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday led the Federal Government delegation to the inauguration of Monday Okpebholo as a brand new governor of Edo State.
Other dignitaries at the event are Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, chair of the governors forum; and Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo.
Many sitting state governors across the country elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that also graced the ceremony are Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, and Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, among others.
The National Chairman of the APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and his predecessor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, were also at the ceremony, held inside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
Okpebholo took his oath of office at about 1pm on Tuesday.
Dennis Idahosa was also sworn in as Edo deputy governor.
The new governor rode in an open-top van round the stadium while acknowledging cheers from supporters.
As candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo won the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in the state.
He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who came second with 247,274 votes.
Olumide Akpata, candidate of the Labour Party (LP), came third with 22,763 votes.
News
Things will get better, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu assure Nigerians
Things will get better, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu assure Nigerians
President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Monday, admitted that Nigerians are experiencing social and economic difficulties, assuring that the situation will soon change.
While Tinubu insisted that his government was on the right track, he argued that solutions to complex problems could never be as instant as coffee.
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, who called for prayers, described the current leadership as tough men working to get Nigerians through difficult times.
Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, spoke at the 70th birthday of Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community, Pastor Tunde Bakare, PTB, organised by the Citadel Global Community in Lagos.
Those present included former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), represented by Evangelist Austin Kemie; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba; former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Attah; former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amechi; former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai; former Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, represented by Ogwa-Olusan of Warri, Chief Mene Brown; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), represented by Asoya of Isoya Ife, Oba Muraina Adedini; Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; Alake of Egbaland, Adedotun Gbadebo III.
Tinubu, in his speech, said: “The President acknowledges that times are hard, but at the end of it all, there is always light. And solutions to complex problems can never be as instant as coffee, but we are on the right track.”
On the celebrant, the President described him as a spiritual leader and advocate for truth who had left an indelible mark, not just on those who follow his teachings, but on the nation as a whole.
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said: “We are here to celebrate a true man of God, a most precious human being. It gives me great joy to honour a man whose life has been an embodiment of passion, integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness. PTB has been a beacon of hope and a voice for the voiceless in our society.
“His decades of service and dedication, principles of honesty, transparency, and fairness have been in the respect and admiration of many across this nation. His life journey reflects our commitment not just to spiritual growth, but also to the social and political development of our country.
“I acknowledge your relentless passion for better Nigeria, a country where equal justice and good government prevails. This celebration is a testament to a life of strength and courage, of powerful messages and fearless advocacy, deep volumes of your dedication to lifting humanity.
“It is these values that allow you to make such a difference. As you unveil your token of growth, the vast but definitely not the least, we look forward to gaining insights into the endless experiences that have shaped you into the formidable figure we see today.”
It’s tough time, public servants need prayers – Sanwo-Olu
Sanwo-Olu, in his address, said: “We that are in public service, we need all your prayers. It’s tough times, but you see, we are also tough men, and we know that at the end of the tunnel, there will be a bright phase.”
On the celebrant, the governor said PTB was not just a father to all, noting: “He is a man that is completely detribalised. He is a man that, with all the complexities of understanding people, stands up for fairness, equity and justice. There’s still a whole lot that God is still going to use you for, not only to this nation, but to the world. We thank God for who you are. You are a vessel of God.”
PTB testament to Ogun legacy of trailblazers – Abiodun
Abiodun, in his remarks, said: “We join him in reaching the remarkable 70. Considering the brevity of life, reaching 70 is not easy. PTB has made life one of purpose and significance. I have had the privilege of drinking from his wealth of knowledge. He stands as a testament to the Ogun State legacy of trailblazers. He is among the distinguished ambassadors of our state. As a spiritual guide, he has mentored many. PTB has touched lives.”
Let’s put nation first – Bakare
Meanwhile, Bakare, in his vote of thanks, urged Nigerians to put the country above personal needs, saying: “I want to appeal to you on this day that let us think of nation first. Let’s be less concerned about what we can get out of this nation. Let us think of how to make this nation a better place to live.”
Things will get better, Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu assure Nigerians
News
Obaseki inherited N55bn debt, left N410bn behind – Transition report
Obaseki inherited N55bn debt, leaving N410bn – Transition report
The Transition Committee of the All Progressives Congress has recommended a probe into N410 billion in local and foreign debts allegedly owed by the Edo State government.
The committee made the recommendation on Monday in its report presented to Monday Okpebholo ahead of his inauguration on Tuesday as Edo’s fifth democratically elected governor.
Presenting the document, Pius Odubu, the chairman of the committee, said the committee was presented with N410 billion in debts as against the N55 billion inherited by the outgoing government in 2016.
“For those of you who have the capability to fact-check, you will find out that the indebtedness today is much more. It is over N500billion,” he said.
Odubu, an erstwhile deputy governor, said the committee also recommended a review of memoranda of understanding on the management of Central and Stella Obasanjo hospitals.
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“All employment carried out in the recent past should be cancelled, while the governor should investigate the true ownership of the Ossiomo power plant and Radisson Blu Hotel.
“The same with the Museum of West Africa Arts-MOWAA. We deserve to know the state’s equity in these companies as the outgoing government went blank on these enquiries.
“We also demanded a comprehensive review of the World Bank-funded EdoBest programme, and a probe should be instituted to uncover its rather opaque operations,” he said.
Odubu added, “All major contracts issued by the state government under the Ministry of Roads and Bridges should be reviewed as they appear not to have followed due process, including the payment advance awarded to the contractors.
“The procurement agency indicted the government in its own report to the transition committee. Hence, we have advised the incoming governor to take a critical review.”
The committee chairman also called for streamlining the ICT ecosystem in the state, which he said appeared to be a duplication of duties.
“The outgoing government didn’t provide audited financial statements published or unpublished. Hence, the committee is advising the government to institute an inquiry into this.
“The government couldn’t account for the number of teachers in the state. Hence, we demand a proper teacher headcount,” Mr Odubu said.
The committee chairman said the document, comprised of a 24-page report and 800 annexures, was a product of three weeks of rigorous assignments, meetings, interactions, engagements and analyses of the documents presented to the committee.
Obaseki inherited N55bn debt, leaving N410bn – Transition report
(NAN)
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