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Tag: Chairman

  • Inconsistency in election tribunal rulings hurting democracy – PDP chairman

    Inconsistency in election tribunal rulings hurting democracy – PDP chairman

    Mr Felix Hyat, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State, has said that the inconsistencies in the decisions of the election petition tribunals were hurting the nation’s democracy.

    “The electoral law and the guidelines are the same, but we keep getting different rulings even with same facts and circumstances.

    “Situations like that breed confusion,” Hyat told NAN in Abuja on Sunday.

    He opined that the tribunal rulings in many cases appeared to be “just the opinion of the Judges.

    “Sometimes you feel that the judgments are based on their thinking. You get a feeling that they are not applying the law that is there for everyone to see”.

    Hyat particularly expressed surprise at the contrasting rulings in Plateau even when all the facts, claims and circumstances were the same.

    “The case of Plateau is rather strange. The petitioners are claiming that the PDP had no structure when the primaries were conducted.

    “The petitioners tabled the same complaints, but while one tribunal dismissed their claims and ruled that PDP had a structure having complied with a court order to conduct a repeat Congress, another insisted that it did not have.

    “I am not a lawyer, but we all know that the issue of primaries is purely an internal matter of the party.

    “The Supreme Court has also ruled that the tribunals are not set up to listen to pre-election matters.

    “The apex court has also declared that only an aspirant who participated in a primary election is qualified to challenge its outcome.

    “So, you wonder; on what ground would a tribunal rule in favour of an opposing party that is alleging that the opponent did not hold a Congress? How does that become an outsider’s concern?”

    Hyat also spoke on the rulings of the governorship tribunals in Kaduna State.

    “Kaduna, Kano, and Nasarawa States had the same complaints about irregularities in INEC calculations of votes during the governorship polls.

    “Our complaints were simple. Let the illegal votes be discountenanced and deducted, and the winner is then announced after calculating the genuine and lawful votes.

    “In Nasarawa, the right thing was done and the winner given his prize. It was the same thing in Kano.

    “But in Kaduna, the tribunal only opted to call for fresh elections in some polling units even when we brought videos of scenes where votes were mutilated.

    “We believe something went wrong. But we see that as a product of genuine mistakes and that is why we have gone to the appellate court.

    “We are not lawyers, so we cannot sit somewhere and criticise. We must promote confidence because we are confident that the judiciary will right the wrongs.

    “We believe that election is about votes. The winner is determined by numbers. We believe the PDP won in Kaduna and that is why we have approached the appeal court.

    “The judgment was a split one with two Judges favouring the PDP while one was against. We believe that the higher courts have the final say,” he said.

  • The PANASA President’s Cup, is world class, Chairman Lagos Scrabble – Engineer Dipo Akanbi

    The PANASA President’s Cup, is world class, Chairman Lagos Scrabble – Engineer Dipo Akanbi

    The Chairman of Lagos State Monopoly and Scrabble Association (LSMSA), Engineer Dipo Akanbi, says the inaugural edition of the Pan African Scrabble Association,(PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC) is a world class event that compares favourably with the last WESPA Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
    He gave this verdict on Saturday with First Zealmediacast Blog, on Day 2 of the elite Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) President’s Cup (PPC).
    Akanbi stated that, the number, their dexterity on the board, mental strength and word power of the over 150 players from Africa and America is a clear testimony of the high standard of the President’s Cup holding at the Rose Hall of Orchid Hotel, Ikota-Lekki in Lagos, Nigeria.
    “The atmosphere is electric, friendly, the hall is near perfect, the quality of the games are sky high and the hospitality is second to non, Africa is feeling and seeing Lagos and Nigeria in a positive light.” The civil engineer said.
    He went further to state that; “Africa has come of age and the game of Scrabble is growing very fast. Before now, it was all about Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana but Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Cameroon are pulling out some big bingos in the game as it flourish across the continent.“
    Most of the players, including a seasoned actor, firm maker and an entrepreneur, Fred Amata, who is completing at the President’s Cup (PPC), share Engineer Dipo Akanbi’s submission on the new baby of PANASA.
    “The success story of the Pan African Scrabble Association PANASA President’s Cup (PPC), will help speed up the development of scrabble across Africa and we in Lagos State Monopoly and Scrabble Association (LSMSA), are working on a big tournament, hopefully next year.” Akanbi added.
    First Zealmediacast Blog understand that, Lagos Scrabble Governor’s Classic may be born in the days to come and LSMSA has set in motion plans to make it happen.
    “With more corporate backing as well as government support we get it done.”
    “I’m enjoying every minute, every move and action at the President’s Cup, we are yearning for more. I have even surpass my own personal expectations, as the event comes to an end, any win now for me, is bonus plus.” The LSMSA Chairman concluded.
    32,000 dollars is up for grab in the President’s Cup, with the winner getting 5,000 dollars and the Gbenga Ojofeitimi trophy, SM Quartey trophy which is the second prize has 2,500 dollars while 1,700 dollars and the Ojior Osikhena trophy goes to the third place.
    Over 150 players from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Uganda, United States of America and host Nigeria are fighting, jamming and challenging one another for the top honours and the bragging rights.
  • ‘I voluntarily wish to resign my position’ – APC chairman

    ‘I voluntarily wish to resign my position’ – APC chairman

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger, Alhaji Zakari Jikantoro has resigned his position as the chairman of the party.

    He announced his resignation on Friday in Minna, after briefing the state party executive members of the resolutions taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

    Jikantoro said his decision to resign as the chairman of the party was voluntarily and in the best interest of the party.

    He said that his resignation had nothing to do with what transpired at the NEC meeting.

    “I on my own humbly and voluntarily wish to resign my position as the chairman of APC in Niger.

    “This is the reason why I invited the media to come and cover the meeting.

    “I don’t have issues with my colleagues, here we are seated, you can see the special adviser on politics to the governor here seated.

    “I have made wide consultations before taking this decision. It is by way of adding value to the party.

    “So, there is no crisis like people will think, no fighting, it is just a voluntary resignation,” he said.

    He said that what happened on Thursday at the NEC meeting and what was happening in the state, had nothing to do with his decision to resign.

    Jikantoro said that the Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Bobi would act as the party chairman until a substantive chairman was elected.

    In an interview, Bobi promised to strengthen and revive the party.

    Also speaking, Alhaji Nma Kolo, Special Adviser, Political to the Governor, said that there was no division between the chairman and the party.

    Kolo added that the party chairman summoned a meeting with officials of the state government where he broke the news of his resignation.

    He said after much deliberation, Gov. Umar Bago of Niger accepted his resignation, adding that his resignation will add value to the party.

  • Ogbulafor: Ex-PDP chairman embarks on final journey home

    Ogbulafor: Ex-PDP chairman embarks on final journey home

    …as family releases 8-day schedule for his burial rites

    Ex-Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor will embark on his final journey home from July 19 through July 30th beginning with a requiem mass in Abuja.

    This was contained in a release by the family of the deceased and signed by Uchenna EzeOgbulafor on Monday.

    Ogbulafor died at 73 on October 6, 2022 in a Canadian hospital after a brief illness.

    Brief BioData of Ogbulafor:

    Vincent Eze Ogbulafor(24 May 1949[– 6 October 2022) was a Nigerian politician.

    He was the Chairman of the Opposition, as a member of the People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria. Prior to this post, he was National Secretary of the party.He resigned his appointment as the chair after he was charged for an alleged financial recklessness while serving as a minister.

    He was a Prince of Olokoro, Umuahia South, the local government of Abia State.

    Ogbulafor died on 6 October 2022, at the age of 73.

  • Oyebanji directs Police, DSS, Amotekun to arrest abductors of Ekiti APC chairman

    Oyebanji directs Police, DSS, Amotekun to arrest abductors of Ekiti APC chairman

    Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti on Sunday directed the Police, DSS and Amotekun Corps to free the abducted State Chairman of the APC in Ekiti, Mr Paul Omotoso and two others from captivity.

    Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Monisade Afuye, gave the directive on Sunday, when he visited Omotoso’s family at Imesi-Ekiti, Ayekire Local Government Area of the state to sympathise with them on the devastating incident.

    He stated that Omotoso shouldn’t only be rescued unscathed, that the perpetrators of the dastardly act be nabbed and made to face the full weight of the laws.

    The former Commissioner, Omotoso, and two others, were abducted by gunmen along Agbado-Imesi road on Saturday and whisked to an unknown destination.

    According to information from family members, Omotoso is said to have attended a wedding at Ikare Akoko, in Ondo State, and was returning to Ado-Ekiti when the evil men struck.

    Similarly, the governor, who was received by the victim’s family, also visited the Onimesi of Imesi-Ekiti, Oba Olatunji Olatunde, to register his displeasure over the disturbing incident.

    Oyebanji in his instruction, directed the Police and DSS operatives to comb the sprawling forests along Agbado-Imesi-Irun Akoko in Ondo State and other suspected areas to rescue the victims safely from where they are being held hostage.

    The governor branded the incident as very troubling and disturbing, saying his government would continue to step up efforts to tighten noose on those who are ocassionally terrorising Ekiti through senseless kidnapping, and made to face serious resistance.

    As part of the ways to stamp out abduction in that axis of Ekiti, he assured that the state forest reserves extending from Agbado-Imesi-Ise would be rescourcitated and put to use, to dislodge those using the area as hideout.

    “Let me say that we are saddened by this news because we know the trauma this must have caused to his family members, his town, admirers, members of our great party in Ekiti and Nigeria in general.

    “You could all attest to the fact that insecurity like this had been on a downward trend since Oyebanji took over about nine months ago. We won’t allow any evil doer to jeopardise our strategy to make Ekiti safe for investments and habitation.

    “I hereby charge the security operatives – the police, DSS, army and other sister agencies to rescue him alive from these evil doers and reunite him with his family safe and sound.

    “Please, help us appeal to our youths not to take laws into their hands. They should remain peaceful and calm and I can assure you that he will be released soon to join us,” he said.

    During the brief visit to Onimesi, Oba Olatunde said his people were deeply saddened by the incident, saying the town had started organising prayers to ensure the victim’s return safely and reunite with the community.

    Oba Olatunde said he had taken steps to calm down frayed nerves to avert any unrest from irate youths and subjects, who became livid by Omotoso’s abduction.

    “We are organising prayers and we are hopeful that he will soon be released. Everything points to the fact that he will soon be released because the government and security agencies are deploying every arsenal to ensure that he regains freedom soon.”

  • BREAKING: President Tinubu emerges new ECOWAS chairman

    BREAKING: President Tinubu emerges new ECOWAS chairman

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    “We will take democracy seriously, Democracy is very tough but it is the best form of government,” he said upon his emergence on Sunday in Guinea-Bissau.

    Tinubu succeeds President Umaro Embalo of Guinea Bissau as ECOWAS chair.

    Tinubu’s emergence was announced at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

    The 63rd Ordinary Session summit was the first engagement of the President within the African continent since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

  • N40bn borrowed by Delta LGAs to pay retirees – ALGON Chairman

    N40bn borrowed by Delta LGAs to pay retirees – ALGON Chairman

    The Delta Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr Victor Ebonka has said that local councils in the state have secured a N40 billion loan to settle pension arrears owed retirees from 2016 to date.

    Ebonka explained that contrary to insinuations, the loan was secured by the LGCs, not the State Government.

    The ALGON chairman made the clarification while speaking with newsmen on Monday in Asaba after a meeting of the state government and LGAs Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC).

    “The state government did not borrow N40 billion as reported in some quarters.

    “The only role played by the state government was to give approval and forward same to the State Assembly for ratification.

    “So, it is exclusively the Local Government Councils that are borrowing this money,” he added.

    According to him, the LGCs are by law expected to get the approval of the State Government and the ratification of the State Assembly before securing  any loan.

    “So, any moment from now, the pensioners will smile home. We also want to state that no penny from the N40 billion is going to the coffers of the Local Governments.

    “We are going to cover about ninety percent of the accrued rights from this money, all of the monies will be paid directly to the pensioners,” Ebonka said.

    He said that the pensioners include primary school teachers and other retired local government workers.

    According to him, the retirees were not paid their entitlements over the years due to error in their enrollment into the state contributory pension scheme.

    “This problem was inherited from the two previous administrations and it has to do with an error in the enrollment into the contributory pension scheme.

    “And for this shortcoming, we have found ourselves owing their accrued rights from 2016 to date.

    “The past administration set a machinery in motion and has tried to ensure that the debt is liquidated by giving several grants totaling about N5 billion and increased statutory contribution from N200 million a month to N500 million.”

    Ebonka however said in spite of the interventions by the state government, it had been difficult to clear the outstanding arrears.

    “This made the immediate past administration to set up a committee comprising of myself the ALGON chairman, the Head of Service and other stakeholders.

    “The committee went to the bond market to get a facility but was not successful because the cost of funds was quite expensive.

    “So, we approached the commercial bank to get the facility and we can say that Zenith Bank has agreed to offer us N40 billion out of the N51 billion we are indebted to the pensioners,” Ebonka said.

  • Kanu Nwankwo set to become the chairman of Enyimba FC

    Kanu Nwankwo set to become the chairman of Enyimba FC

     

    Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, has been tipped to replace the chairman of Aba  based side, Enyimba FC, he will be taking over from Felix Anyansi-Agwu, the longest reigning Chairman of a Nigerian club side.

    The board of  Enyimba board  dissolved last week.

    Recall that Anyansi-Agwu was in charge for a record 23 years, taking the club to lofty heights.

    Kanu, a legend of Arsenal may then be in charge of the club having his former teammate in Ajax Amsterdam and the Super Eagles, Finidi George as the coach.

    Both Kanu and Finidi won laurels for both club and country during their playing days.

  • Appoint southerner as next EFCC Chairman – HURIWA tells Tinubu

    Appoint southerner as next EFCC Chairman – HURIWA tells Tinubu

    The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to appoint a southerner as  the next Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    This is contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, and made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.

    HURIWA expressed concern over the consistent appointment of individuals from the Northern part of Nigeria as EFCC Chairmen since the establishment of the commission.

    This trend, the organisation noted, had led to the perception that the position is micro-zoned to the North, depriving equally competent individuals of the South the opportunity to contribute to the fight against corruption.

    The association described Tinubu as a prominent leader known for his commitment to fairness and justice and equity and urged him to exhibit same by appointing a candidate from the South as the next EFCC Chairman.

    “Such a decision would send a powerful message of unity and inclusivity, fostering a harmonious and balanced Nigeria.

    “We firmly believe that a candidate from the southern region should be appointed as the next EFCC Chairman to ensure a fair distribution of power and showcase the competence of individuals from diverse backgrounds.

    “It is essential to rectify the existing regional imbalance within the EFCC by appointing a candidate from the South as the next chairman, to address the perception of bias and create a more balanced representation within the institution.

    HURIWA further emphasised the need for national institutions such as the EFCC to reflect Nigeria’s diversity and promote inclusion.

    It called for the appointment of the EFCC chairman based on merit, competence, and a proven track record in the fight against corruption.

    It also called for the nationalisation of the EFCC Chairmanship to ensure equitable representation from all regions of Nigeria.

    By fostering transparency and credibility in the appointment process, HURIWA believes Nigeria can strengthen its fight against economic and financial crimes and promote a more inclusive and united nation.

  • ExxonMobil announces new Chairman/MD in Nigeria

    ExxonMobil announces new Chairman/MD in Nigeria

    ExxonMobil has announced Mr Shane Harris as new Chairman and Managing Director in the country.

    Mr Ogechukwu Udeagha, the Manager, Media and Communications of ExxonMobil, announce this in a statement made available to newsmen in Eket on Monday.

    He said that Harris was to assume role as lead country manager for ExxonMobil’s three affiliates in Nigeria due to Richard Laing retirement.

    “ExxonMobil has appointed Mr Shane Harris as chairman and managing director, and lead country manager of its three affiliates in Nigeria.

    “The three affiliates includes; Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited, and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria (Offshore East),” he said.

    Udeagha said that Harris succeeds Laing, who is retiring from the company after 33 years of service, effective July 1.

    Harris, prior to his appointment, was the chairman and president of ExxonMobil Exploration and Production, Malaysia Incorporated.

    “It is a privilege to lead the ExxonMobil team in Nigeria and build on the work that Richard Laing has done over the last three years.

    “I look forward to the work that lies ahead and continuing the company’s outstanding relationships,” he said.

    Since joining ExxonMobil in 1998, Harris has held a variety of leadership, engineering and business assignments in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Russia and the United States.

    “In two of these previous assignments, he served as asset manager for Imperial Oil’s Kearl oil sands mining asset in northern Alberta, Canada, and as ExxonMobil’s global drilling technical manager in Houston,” Udeagha said.

    He said that Harris is Australian and holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Newcastle, Australia.