Nigerians don’t take controversial Waku seriously – Governor Bello

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has hit back at Sen. Joseph Waku over claims by the ACF Chieftain that Governor Yahaya Bello had a hand in the alleged assassination attempt on Sen. Dino Melaye.
He said Waku had not surprised Nigerians who “see him as a clownish alarmist.”

Speaking through his Director General on Media and Publicity, Kingsley Fanwo, in Lokoja over the weekend, the Governor said he won’t succumb to efforts at distracting his administration from the “noble New Direction Agenda aimed at repositioning the state and recovering it from the ruins of the past.”
“Waku should not see Kogi as his fishing point in his efforts at being heard after decades of obliviousness and irrelevance. He should not misrepresent the highly respected Arewa Consultative Forum, an organization that is committed to the development and unity of the Northern Region of Nigeria.
“His assertion that the North will hold the Governor responsible if anything happens to Dino is reckless, unsubstantiated, uncharitable and indefensible. Waku should apologize to the people of Kogi State for his wanton allegations and also to the Arewa Consultative Forum for allowing his uninformed position embarrass the noble organization.

“Sen. Dino Melaye’s alleged attack is currently being investigated by the Police. Waku should explain to Nigerians the reasons behind his desperation to pin the Governor to the allegation. By this act, Waku has shown how low he has gone over the years in his business of courting unnecessary controversies.
“Senator Dino Melaye knows the implications of alleging that Governor Yahaya Bello was behind the attacks in him. He won’t toe that line because that will be too hot for him to handle. Governor Yahaya Bello has made criminality difficult in Kogi State. He abhors criminality and would not condone any act of brigandage either against Dino Melaye or by Dino Melaye as the Chief Security Officer of the State.
“We are not ignorant of Senator Dino’s plans to make a whirlwind spring out of tea cup and we are too focused to join issues with him. Nobody will be allowed to disturb the peace of Kogi State. His efforts to make Kogi ungovernable will fail because the people of Kogi State are behind the Governor.

“But if Dino actually said that, he will have to prove that. It is an insult on the sensibilities of Kogites to play politics with the rot in the civil service. The present administration in the state will ensure a holistic reform in the civil service. Without the reforms, Kogi will be suffocated to death. Governor Yahaya Bello had nothing against Dino. If Dino has issues with him, he should speak up because the Governor is a peace loving person.
“Governor Yahaya Bello is not known for controversies or blackmail. He is prepared to work with people who have the interest of the state at heart. He will never subscribe to blackmail by people who see Kogi as a big elephant that must be shared. We are undaunted by the ongoing comedy but we shall never compromise the security of Kogites.
“Those who think the Governor could be intimidated to submission should have a rethink. He is focused on the task of serving the people of Kogi State. The people know their real proponents who are selfless and modest. We shall make our position known after the Police investigation of the incident. I reiterate that Kogites know the truth about the matter.
“Sen. Dino Melaye is not the only Senator in Kogi State. But while others are empowering their people and complimenting the efforts of the State Government, Melaye was stirring controversies both at the National Assembly and in the state. His call to insurrection cannot see the light of the day. If he wants to speak for the voiceless, he should have sold one of his multimillion fleet of cars to provide food for them first. You can’t swim in an inexplicable wealth and still claim to be speaking for the masses. I am sure if the Governor had agreed to share the ‘elephant’, all these drama wouldn’t have ensued.
“The Government of Kogi State is not interested in any mud fight and will therefore not join issues with professional blackmailers. This government was the first to publish its bailout funds and the accounts where the balances were kept. Transparency and accountability are the hallmarks of our government. We are with the people and the people are with us”, he said.
Fanwo urged Kogites to remain solidly behind the Governor as the current was “as a result of the Governor’s refusal to share the commonwealth of the people with those who think they could constitute themselves into a cabal for corruption and diversion of development funds.”
“They are not fighting for the people but their bellies. They want the Governor to share the money he is currently using to build roads, hospitals and schools to them. But the Governor insisted he will use Kogi resources for Kogi people. The people of Kogi know these facts. They can’t be fooled”, he said.

Buhari now operating as ceremonial, part-time president – Fayose

 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has said that Nigerians did not elect General Muhammadu Buhari to function as “Friday President”.
He declared that he (Buhari) was now acting more like a ceremonial and part-time President.

The governor, who said he was glad that his constructive criticism was getting to the President and his handlers, noted that it was not enough for the President of a country like Nigeria to be seen in ‎public only while attending Friday Jumat service at the Presidential Villa.
Speaking on Sunday, through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor said it was necessary for Nigerians to be properly informed about the well-being of their president.
He accused some close allies of the President of deliberately shielding him and preventing him from attending to his health so as to continue to run the government on the basis of “Mr President has directed” even when the President did not direct anything.

“That’s why Nigerians are told every day that the President said this and that with the President neither speaking directly nor attending any official function. This is not good for the image of a country like Nigeria that is struggling to get out of economic recession,” the
governor said.
Governor Fayose, who said by virtue of his old age, the President could be susceptible to illness, advised that “the President Buhari should rather be allowed to take proper care of his health while the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo acts constitutionally as the president.
“However, it is doubtful if those cabals that are obviously running their own Presidency within President Buhari’s Presidency will allow him to take a long vacation, probably outside Nigeria to take care of himself.”
The governor insisted that Nigerians must hear the voice of their President and see him physically, not through surrogates or the cabal operating behind the scene.

“It is only when the President is seen and heard physically that Nigerians will believe that they are not being ruled by a part-time and ceremonial president, whose powers are being exercised on his behalf by some cabal,” he said.

Deji Adeyanju dares Nigerian government, stages another protest

 


The former social media director of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Deji Adeyanju is set to lead another protest.
This development is coming barely five days after his arrest at the Unity Fountain during a protest organized against the Nigerian government over its insistence on the secret trial of Nnamdi Kanu, founder of the Radio Biafra.

He was subsequently released.
Adeyanju in an invitation extended to DAILY POST, Sunday night, said he would be leading another protest against the recent detention of the coordinator of the PDP Youth Frontiers, Austin Okai and the continuous harassment of many other activists.
“We invite members of the public and the press to our peaceful procession to protest against the increasing arrest and detention of journalists and online bloggers over reports made as part of their jobs,” the invitation letter reads in part.

Adeyanju said the procession will commence at the National Human Rights Commission, No 19 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja by 09:00am.
Explaining the reason behind the protest, the PDP chieftain said the procession became necessary following the incessant arrest and detention of journalists, bloggers as well as ordinary Nigerians over the exercise of their rights to freedom of speech.
He said, “In recent times, these have included Austin Okai, Kemi Olunloyo, Audu Maikori, Midat Joseph, Eusebius Yayock and Jamil Mabai amongst others.

“As at the time of writing this statement, Austin Okai is still detained by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Unit of the Nigerian Police Force. He rearrested & detained despite being granted bail by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“At the same time, Kemi Olunloyo is still detained at the Port-Harcourt Prison due to her inability to meet the draconian bail conditions of stipulated by the court before she was charged. This is in spite of several decisions by our courts, including the apex court, restraining courts from setting draconian bail conditions.
“It is our firm belief that the use of laws drafted and enacted by military juntas from dark periods of Nigeria’s history to curb free speech ought not to have a place in our democracy.
“It is imperative to state that we do not support irresponsible journalism or promote the defamation of innocent people or the propagation of false information.
“However, the redress for such actions cannot be in the arrest and detention of journalists or commentators. The recourse has to be the application of our civil laws relating to defamation for libel and slander which provides for the payment of damages as well the publishing of retractions and apologies,” he added.

Wike, rubbishing office of Governor – Amaechi’s loyalist, Tolofari

 


Former Commissioner for Transport in Rivers State, George Tolofari has bemoaned Governor Nyesom Wike and other chieftains of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, for their comments over the Osborne Towers, Ikoyi recovery, where huge sum of money was found.
Tolofari in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt said Wike had brought the exalted office of the Executive governor to disrepute.

He accused Wike and his counterpart from Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose of deploying a diversionary tactic to shift the attention of the real owner of the found money.
Tolofari said, “What Wike, Fayose, Femi Fani-Kayode and Lere did were just diversionary. They played with the psyche and intelligence of Nigerians.
“These persons are not happy with Rt. Hon. Amaechi because he played a major role in sending a corrupt government, for which these accusers belonged, out of power.

“The mention of Amaechi’s name by these men was a well calculated attempt to rubbish the fight against corruption.
“They know Jonathan was linked to that money as has been proven today. It will amuse Nigerians that Jonathan has kept mum since this saga broke out. He has neither refuted it nor confirmed it like he usually does in the past.
“For Wike, I will say he has brought disrepute to the exalted and honourable Office Of The Governor Of Rivers State by his antics, comments, actions and inactions, which have brought embarrassment to Rivers people since he assumed that office.

“Indeed, as politicians, leaders in the society and public officers who hold offices and positions of trust for the people, we must be conscious of what we say at every given time. This is because our opinions matter and are weighty in the public space and they shape the views of the people we lead.”

Attah tells Buhari to replace suspended SGF, Babachir Lawal with Onu

 

Former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Victor Attah, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
Buhari suspended the incumbent SGF, Babachir Lawal last week over alleged corruption.

A committee headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has also been set up to investigate the allegations.
Attah said he had always expected Onu to be appointed SGF being the leader of ANPP, as all parties that came together to form the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have not been adequately represented.
“The APC is made up of the defunct ACN, ANPP, CPC, and later the New PDP. The CPC produced the president, the APC Leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, nominated someone as the vice president, those from the PDP control the National Assembly and I had always thought that the ANPP should produce the SGF and that person is Ogbonnaya Onu, their leader who is a man of integrity and has a lot of experience as a former governor, party leader and a minister.

“So, I was quite surprised that he did not get it in the first place, unless he says he does not want it, then they can nominate another person from the ANPP bloc, but still from the South East,” he said.

Zaki Biam Attack: Police Declare Prime Suspect Wanted

The police on Friday declared a prime suspect in recent wanton killings across Benue State wanted.



The authorities also announced the arrest of 17 suspects accused of participating in the killings and disclosed recovery of arms and ammunition allegedly used by the suspected killers.

A statement signed by police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, on Friday night said Terwase Akwaza, a.k.a. Ghana, was wanted for several killings including last month’s massacre of residents in Zaki Biam, Benue State.

The police said Mr. Akwaza was declared wanted for allegedly being the “gang leader of a vicious and notorious serial killer syndicate was responsible for the senseless killings of seventeen (17) innocent persons at Zaki Biam and for killing in cold blood of about fifty (50) people in other locations in Benue State.”

The police also identified Mr. Akwaza as the killer of Denen Igbana, Senior Special Assistant on Security to Governor Samuel Ortom.

Mr. Igbana was killed by unidentified gunmen at his residence in Tionsha, Benue State, in the early hours of May 20, 2016, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

“He is culpable for other capital offences such as kidnapping, armed robbery, culpable homicide, mischief by fire and criminal conspiracy,” the police said.

Mr. Moshood also paraded 17 suspects arrested in connection with the killings at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. They were said to have acted on the orders of Mr. Akwaza to allegedly carry out the heinous acts.


Weapons were also allegedly recovered from the suspects and the police are treating them as exhibits.

See the names of the suspects bellow and the recovered arms and ammunition underneath as provided by the police.

i. Tordue Kaaor ‘M’
ii. Hiikenter Orbunde ‘M’
iii. Vincent Asemave ‘M’
iv. David Terhembe ‘M’
v. Dalhatu Abdullahi ‘M’
vi. Iortember Orkuma ‘M’
vii. Manasseh Ikyar ‘M’
viii. Nengene Ikyar ‘M’
ix. Joshua Ioraonya ‘M’
x. Joseph John ‘M’
xi. akowakwahve ‘M’
xii. Terwase Sabastine ‘M’
xiii. Sunday Utza ‘M’
xiv. Umsughaondo Gbaga ‘M’
xv. Swem Utiu ‘M’
xvi. Terwase John ‘M’
xvii. Mbadon Mbati ‘F’
xviii. Tame Buumbu ‘F’
xix. Godwin Iorhundu ‘M’

EXHIBITS RECOVERED:
i. Three (3) AK 47 Rifles
ii. Three (3) FN Rifles
iii. One (1) G3 Rifle
iv. One (1) LMG
v. One (1) SMG
vi. One (1) Double-Barrel Gun
vii. One (1) Mark 4 Rifle
viii. Four (4) Single-Barrel Guns
ix. Four (4) Locally-Made Revolver Pistols
x. Five (5) Locally-Made Revolver Pistols
xi. Thirty (36) Hand-Grenades
xii. Two (2) Short Gun Local
Magazines:
i. One hundred and forty-one (141) Ak47 Magazines
ii. Twenty (20) FN Magazines
iii. Eighteen (18) 6x G3 Magazines
iv. Three (3) Mark 4 Magazines
v. One (1) Spear

Ammunition:
i. Five hundred and thirty-six (536) rounds of 7.62 mm NATO
ii. Four hundred and sixty- six (466) rounds of 7.62 mm
iii. Four hundred and sixty-four (464) rounds of Special
iv. Twenty-nine (29) rounds of 9mm Ball
v. One hundred and nineteen (119) rounds of 5.56mm 118
vi. One (1) round of 12.7 mm
vii. Five hundred and thirty-three (533) cartridges for Double-Barrel Guns
viii. Twelve (12) Canisters Teargas
ix. Fifty (50) rounds of Air-rifle ammunition

OTHER ITEMS:
i. Two (2) bottles of perfume
ii. One (1) Knife
iii. One (1) Plier
iv. One (1) SMG Magazine
v. Six (6) Beretta Magazine

ATTRACTING INVESTORS CAN'T BE DONE OVER NIGHT - ORTOM

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who returned from a business and investment forum in China on the eve of his 56th birthday speaks about the gains of the trip, his party's recent council congresses and other issues.