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Tag: Deputy Governor

  • Bandits attack Kebbi state Deputy Governor Col Yombe Dabai

    Bandits attack Kebbi state Deputy Governor Col Yombe Dabai

    The convoy of Kebbi state Deputy Governor, Col Yombe Dabai was attacked on Wednesday by bandits in the state.

    Confirming the incident, special adviser to Kebbi State Governor on security matters Rabiu Kamba, said that the attack occured when the Deputy Governor ran into a large number of bandits operating in Kanya community of Kebbi state.

    He said the bandits were already robbing shops and rustling cattles in the surrounding villages in Danko/Wasagu including Kanya when the Deputy governor ran into them.

    It was learnt that the Deputy Governor, who was traveling with military personnel, tried to intervene and help the villagers and in the process a fierce gun battle ensued.

    Kamba mentioned that some of the soldiers attached to the Deputy Governor lost their lives in the exchange of gun fire between them and the bandits but maintained that bulk of the casualty fell on the side of the bandit

    Mr Kamba said that the Deputy Governor escaped unhurt in the battle.

     

     

  • PDP to challenge impeachment of Zamfara deputy governor in court

    PDP to challenge impeachment of Zamfara deputy governor in court

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says it is working on plans to challenge the impeachment of Zamfara deputy governor, Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu by the state House of Assembly from office.

    The party stated this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba in Abuja.
    Ologunagba said that the impeachment by the House was illegal and as such a nullity.

    “The PDP is reviewing the actions in Zamfara in this violent assault on the Rule of Law and will take appropriate actions necessary.

    “In any case, the PDP and the people of Zamfara will not allow the impunity being foisted on the state to stand and appropriate legal action is being taken in that regard.

    “Fortunately, our party has implicit confidence in the judiciary, which has in the past demonstrated its capacity and ability to defend the Constitution and the Rule of Law,” he said.

    Recall that the House had on Feb. 22, impeached Aliyu from office.

    This followed the adoption of a motion by Majority Leader, Faruku Dosara (APC -Maradun 1) at plenary in Gusau.

    The motion came shortly after the House adopted the report of Justice Haladu Tanko panel which investigated alleged cross misconduct and abuse of office against the deputy governor.

    Speaker Nasiru Muazu, who presided over the sitting, directed the Mr Clerk Saidu Anka, to conduct a voice vote on the impeachment and 22 out of the 22 lawmakers present, voted in favour and the deputy governor was pronounced impeached.

    Gov. Bello Matawalle and Aliyu assumed office office under the platform of PDP, but the governor defected to All Progressives Congress ( APC) on June 28, 2021. Their relationship became sour after Aliyu decided to remain in PDP.

  • Zamfara Assembly serves impeachment notice on deputy governor

    Zamfara Assembly serves impeachment notice on deputy governor

    The Zamfara House of Assembly has formally served the state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu-Gusau, with notice of impeachment for alleged gross abuse of office.

    Alhaji Shamsudeen Bosko, the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Information, confirmed this at a news conference in Gusau on Monday.

    Bosko said the deputy governor was served with notice of impeachment for what he described as alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

    “The House in conformity with statutes, has dully served the Deputy Governor through the Secretary to the State Government,” he said.

    Bosko said that the notice served on the deputy governor was part of the constitutional duties of the legislature in line with the Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic, as amended.

    “Members of this House on discharge of their Constitutional duties formally served Speaker of the House with impeachment notice to the Deputy Governor in person of Barr.

    Mahadi Aliyu Muhammad Gusau, from the office of the Deputy Governor Zamfara State, on allegation of gross misconduct.

    “Today, being the 7th day of February, 2022, I Shamsudeen Hassan Bosko, Chairman House Standing Committee on Information of Zamfara State House of Assembly present to you the official position of the House.

    “The Speaker Zamfara State House of Assembly received the notice of impeachment of the Deputy Governor, Mahadi Aliyu Muhammad Gusau, having satisfied the requirement of Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” Bosko said.

    According him, the notice however requires 1/3 of all members of the House to endorse a notice of impeachment.

    He noted that the Speaker, Alhaji Nasiru Magarya, had accepted the notice as proper and in accordance with the provisions of the law.

    Bosko said that “the Speaker, in conformity with statutes, therefore has dully served the Deputy Governor through the Secretary to the State Government.

    “For avoidance of doubt, on no account of whatsoever this House prior to 4th of February, 2022, initiated or even intended to initiate impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor.”

    He said sometime in July, 2021, the Assembly, in the discharge of its constitutional duties, officially invited the Deputy Governor under the provisions of Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    “The Deputy Governor, however, mischievously approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, alleging that this House is on the process of impeaching him.

    “Besides, the Court in its wisdom ordered for maintenance of ‘status quo ante Bellum’ by both parties on that matter.

    “This gave the Deputy Governor the right to perform all functions of a Deputy Governor in the State and not honor the invitation of this House,” he noted.

    The committee chairman said the House as an institution of law and order obeyed that Court order and obtained “ex parte”, an order with specific days of life span.

    He listed the allegations against the deputy governor to include abuse of office in breach of Sections 190 and 193 (1), (2) (a)(b)(c), of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

    “Self-enrichment using public funds, including criminal diversion of state funds, conspiracy to defraud the state and approval of dubious retirements in his office.

    “Failure to discharge Constitutional duties which give rise to insubordination,” he said.

  • PDP warns against moves to impeach Zamafara Deputy Governor

    PDP warns against moves to impeach Zamafara Deputy Governor

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Saturday cautioned the Zamafara House of Assembly against fresh moves to impeach the Deputy Governor, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau.

    The party gave the caution in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Saturday.

    The PDP called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressive Congress (APC) to immediately intervene in the problem.

    The party described the alleged move as undemocratic and illegal, saying any assault on democracy should be halted forthwith in Zamfara state.

    The party said the process of impeachment is currently on in spite of a subsisting order of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/ 650/2021.

    He warned that such a move portends what he called “grave implication for peace and security not only in Zamfara but also in the entire North West region as well as the continued sustenance of democracy in our country”.

    The party also described it as panic move by Gov. Bello Matawalle whom it said “realization that the mandate given to the PDP but was taken to the APC is on the verge of being recovered through the legal process.”

    The party said that the PDP believed that Matawalle had violated the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), by moving to the APC when there was no division in the PDP.

    “Gov. Matawalle should note that the people of Zamfara State are solidly with the Deputy Governor, who enjoys large political following in the State as the custodian of the PDP mandate after Matawalle’s defection to the APC.

    “As such, any action against the Deputy Governor amounts to a direct assault on the will of the people which they will firmly resist.

    “Any attempt, therefore, to strip the Deputy Governor of the mandate of the people on the grounds of baseless and unfounded allegations is a recipe for serious crisis that can result in the complete breakdown of law and order in the State.“

    Ologunagba also advised the State House of Assembly not to allow itself to be pitched against the people and destroy the State.

    The party also called on the Inspector-General of Police to note how the situation is becoming a security threat in Zamfara and the entire North West region, “where the lives of PDP members and other well-meaning citizens of Zamfara are being threatened”.

    The Party alleged that members of the PDP Zamfara State Working Committee particularly, the State Deputy Chairman, Prof. Kabiru Jabaka, has been forced to relocate out of the State over threats to his life.

    The Zamfara House of Assembly on Friday said it received from its deputy speaker, Musa Bawa, a document seeking to impeach the deputy governor, Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu.

  • Gunmen abduct 89-year-old father of ex-Imo Dep Gov

    Gunmen abduct 89-year-old father of ex-Imo Dep Gov

    The father of former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has been kidnapped by gunmen at Iho Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.

    The 89-year-old traditional ruler of Ezi – Mbieri Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area was reportedly abducted by gunmen after sporadic shootings on Friday morning.

    Prince Eze Madumere confirmed the incident on Friday and also disclosed that his father’s abductors have contacted the family.

    Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command says it’s already commenced work to apprehend the suspects.

  • Zamfara Assembly summons Deputy Governor

    Zamfara Assembly summons Deputy Governor

    The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Wednesday in its plenary passed a resolution to invite Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu Muhammad Gusau and State Commissioner of Police Hussaini Rabiu to appear before the House on Tuesday 27th July 2021.

    They are to appear over a political rally conducted by the Deputy Governor last Saturday, amid banditry attacks on Maradun communities within the same period under review.

    The decision to invite the deputy governor and the commissioner was reached following a motion raised by Hon Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma representing Maru North under matters of the urgent public importance of the House.

    Hon Kanoma condemned the actions and utterances of Barrister Mahdi Aliyu during the last Saturday’s political rally Organized by the Deputy governor barely less than 24 hours of massive reprisal attacks by bandits on Faru communities in the Maradun local government area of the state.

    Hon Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma further opined that while the state was in a mourning mood over the killings of more than 56 innocent people, the deputy governor did not show any remorse whatsoever regarding the killings but he was rather busy organizing a political rally despite hesitation from the commissioner of police to desist from doing so.

    He described the action of the deputy governor as “undemocratic, uncivilized, too primitive and local for a person of his personality not mindful of the huge regards and respect attached to the exalted office of the deputy governor of a state”.

    Worst still according to Hon Kanoma, was the misguided utterances of the deputy governor in the interview he granted to the press and media men during the said rally where abusive words were said to have been used by the number two citizen of the state, an act which the lawmaker deemed as condemnable.

    While commending the state police command for doing their job of ensuring law and order by trying to stop the second in command in the state, the statesman expressed dismay at the fact that Barr Mahdi Aliyu Gusau went ahead with his planned political rally.

    Going by what he termed undemocratic tendencies on the part of the Deputy Governor, Hon Kanoma argued that there was a need to save the state’s democracy and good image.

    He urged the House to formally invite the deputy governor to appear before the State’s hallowed chambers to explain the circumstances surrounding the hosting of the political rally.

    In his separate submission the House leader Hon Faruk Musa Dosara said as lawmakers every action they take must be in conformity with the law, therefore when inviting the Deputy Governor, a similar invitation should be sent to the commissioner of police Hussaini Rabi’u to explain whether the deputy governor obtained permission, as well as what role the security operatives played in stopping the rally.

    After a heated debate and deliberations on the matter, the Speaker of the House Rt Hon Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya in accordance with the voices answering in the affirmative stated that the House has passed a resolution to invite the Deputy Governor and the State Commissioner of Police, adding that they are to appear before the House on Tuesday 27th July 2021.

  • Why I declined defecting with Governor Matawalle to APC – Zamfara Deputy Governor

    The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahdi Aliyu, on Wednesday, said he chose to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)to honour the mandate given to the party by the Supreme Court.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Aliyu and a member of the House of Representatives declined to join Governor Bello Matawalle and other elected officials in defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.

    “Remember how the Supreme Court brought us to power. That’s why I am thankful to God and chose to remain in the PDP,” Aliyu told BBC Hausa Service.

    Aliyu, who is a son of a former Minister of Defence, Ali Gusau, opposed moving into the APC, arguing that the apex court awarded the electoral victory in 2019 to the PDP and not just its candidates.

    Aliyu’s principal, Governor Bello Matawalle defected to the ruling APC, ending months of speculation and denial.

    Matawalle announced his defection late evening at the Gusau Trade Fair Complex at an event attended by APC governors, ministers and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    The deputy governor said he was never consulted about the plan to defect, “and I heard everything as a rumour until by 6:00 pm on 29th June he announced his defection to the ruling APC.

    “Since my father brought the party we never for once left the party. They met us in the PDP and they will left (leave) us there,” the deputy governor said.

    The deputy governor said the PDP will seek redress in court over the “desertion of its elected officials.”

    Aliyu also said he will continue as the deputy governor to serve the four years constitutional mandate given to him.

    When asked, Aliyu ruled out being impeached. “That is a big work. I have a good working relationship with the governor, he sends me on important assignments, including PDP governors meetings.

    “It’s not a new thing in Nigeria politics for governor and his deputy to belong to different political parties and complete their constitutional mandate together and I hope this too shall come to pass in Zamfara, Aliyu said.

  • Delta 2023: Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro speaks on interest in Governor Okowa’s job

    Delta 2023: Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro speaks on interest in Governor Okowa’s job

    By Emman Ovuakporie
    Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro has said if within the context of the law as a Deltan and a Nigerian he would aspire to be Governor of Delta State but for now he has nothing to say.
    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports the deputy Governor while reacting to a question on the dissolution of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s cabinet and his ambition of running for governorship position in 2023 on a monitored TV program.
    Hear him:
    “First it is within the powers of the governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to dissolve his cabinet and reappoint those he feels very strongly that can help us and deliver on our stronger Delta agenda because that truly is our agenda; to enthrone a stronger and more secured Delta state for our tomorrow.
    ” So that is in the exercise of his power and there is no problems about that and we are happy with this and I think the people are also happy with it.
    “As to the other question of if I am contesting or indicating interest in zoning and all of that, I don’t want to get myelf into all of that. The point is I am a Deltan, I am a Nigerian like any other person and so we all have the right to aspire to elective positions and all of that.
    “So I wouldn’t say anything, if I have the right to aspire within the context of the law then I can aspire. But it is not in my case to tell you if I want to.
    ‘And the other issue of zoning, I am not saying, the zoning of governorship seat to south, north and central senatorial districts, all those are matters of politics, matters for the system to look critically into and take a decision on it.
    I”I recall the governor did say in one of his interactive session with journalists and I think this question was posed on him and what he said was that it is God Almighty that enthrones leaders as far as he is concerned.
    “And beyond that, the leadership of the state, of the PDP especially will look into what is fair and what is just for our people. We will look into the records as they were, we are going to engage ourselves and of course come out with what is tenable, what is fair, what is just and that is of course what our people want and that is what I believe in.
    “And we hope very strongly that at the end of the day like I have said before now, we are an indivisible people and so we will remain strong.
    “So all of these are matters of politics and we are getting close into it and I know that in no distant time, we are going to resolve all of those rough edges and move ahead as people that we have over time been.
  • Benue killings: One word from Buhari to killer herdsmen will go a long way – Deputy Governor

    Benue killings: One word from Buhari to killer herdsmen will go a long way – Deputy Governor

    The Deputy Governor of Benue State, Benson Abounu has said one word from President Muhammadu to killer herders will go a long way in ending incessant killings.

    According to him, some drastic steps need to be taken to put an end to killings by some herders, and Fulani leaders need to speak up against the attacks by herders on communities.

    The deputy governor said this on Tuesday during a monitored programme on Channels Television

    “One very simple but effective response is that – a word from the President of this country condemning what is going on and asking the Fulanis to stop these terrible actions of theirs. I believe this will go a very long way,” he said.

    The deputy governor added that he has made this suggestion at many meetings including the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) meeting, northern governors’ forum, and National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.

    He explained further that he has reached out to the Sultan of Sokoto Muhammadu Abubakar and Lamido of Adamawa, Muhammadu Aliyu, on the need to address the situation.

    “I have also put a solemn request to the Sultan of Sokoto, and even to Lamido of Adamawa, who is the worldwide leader of the Fulani, that we need to hear from them. Fulani needs to hear from them, their own leaders condemning what they are doing and asking them to put a stop to it,” he said.

    He also expressed confidence that this approach will solve the security situation adding that, “It is a very simple thing but I believe it will be an effective one. We are yet to hear that, the Fulani are yet to hear that.”

    Abounu lamented that the body language of Fulani leaders has contributed to the atrocities committed by herders in Nigeria.

    “The body language of the leaders of Fulani in our society today is a very serious issue to be addressed,” he said.

    His concerns of Abounu come on the heels of a string of fatal attacks on Benue communities. No fewer than 42 persons were reported killed in separate attacks in two local councils of Benue State in May 28.

    The attacks took place in Katsina-Ala and Gwer West local councils of the state, leaving residents of the communities in despair and some others seeking refuge at IDP camps.

    The deputy governor said Nigeria’s security situation has gotten worse and he needs to address the country, rather than issue press statements through media aides.

    “Garba Shehu is not the President of the country, he is only an appointee. I think we have reached the stage when the President needs to come out and address this country,” the Benue Deputy governor said.

  • Ondo petitions police over refusal of ex-deputy governor to return officials vehicles

    Ondo petitions police over refusal of ex-deputy governor to return officials vehicles

    The Governor Rotimi Akeredolu led Ondo State Government has petitioned the Nigerian police over the refusal of the immediate past Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi to return official vehicles.

    The vehicles are: Land Cruiser SUV, New Toyota Hilux, New Toyota Hilux and Toyota Hilux.

    The Ondo Government said Agboola were unlawfully in possession of the vehicles.

    Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, who signed the petition, said he has been mandated to recover all government properties still in the possession of former political office holders in the state, especially those who served in the immediate past administration.

    Dr. Odebowale said all entreaties to Agboola to return the four vehicles for use of the incumbent Deputy Governor have been rebuffed.

    According to the petition: “We lodge this complaint believing that you will use your good offices to look into this brazen act of conversion, and this is being charitable.

    “Any person who keeps/detains the property of another with the intent to deprive the owner, permanently, of the right conferred therefrom, has committed an offence known in law as STEALING.

    “This office undertakes to assist the Command with regard to the necessary logistics to recover the converted properties.”

    Agboola had earlier said he was yet to receive any letter asking him to return the vehicles.