TheNewsGuru

Tag: Deputy Governor

  • Ekiti deputy governor disowns fake social media accounts

    The Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, has alerted members of the public on fake social media accounts opened in his name by unknown individuals to defraud innocent Nigerians.

    Egbeyemi said the unscrupulous individuals opened the accounts on Facebook and other social media platforms with his name and picture.

    He said the account was under the pretence of getting employment opportunities and facilitating government contracts for unsuspecting members of the public.

    The deputy governor, in a statement on Friday by his Special Assistant (Media), Odunayo Ogunmola, advised members of the public to disregard such offers of jobs and contracts being promised by fraudsters on the social media.

    Egbeyemi emphasised that anybody who transacted business or enters into negotiations with suspected fraudsters on social media in search of jobs or contracts in Ekiti does so at his or her own risk.

    The deputy governor advised any individual or corporate body who had any suspicious discussion with such faceless individuals to take a step further by informing relevant security agencies or clarify from the appropriate government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    He expressed surprise that some individuals could use his good name to defraud innocent Nigerians through the opening and operation of fake social media accounts.

    Egbeyemi said he cherished the good name, image and unblemished integrity he had built over the years and would not engage in any discussion or correspondence on employment or government contracts or having any dealings with anybody on the social media.

  • BREAKING: Court sentences killer of ex-Ondo deputy gov’s daughter to death

    BREAKING: Court sentences killer of ex-Ondo deputy gov’s daughter to death

    An Ondo state High Court sitting in Akure has sentenced Seidu Adeyemi to die by hanging for killing Khadijat Oluboyo, daughter of former deputy governor of Ondo State.

    Adeyemi was charged for killing his girlfriend, Khadijat Oluboyo, on July 2, 2018 and burying her inside his room at Aratusi, Oke-Aro area of Akure.

    Khadijat was a final year student of Adekunle Ajasin University in Akungba Akoko (AAUA) until her death.

    Details shortly…

  • Election: Kaduna deputy governor loses ward to PDP

    Mr Barnabas Bantex, Kaduna State Deputy Governor contesting for Kaduna South Senatorial seat under the All Progressive Congress (APC), has lost his Registration Area, Manchok, to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Announcing the result around on Sunday in Manchok, INEC Collation Officer, Mr Yusuf Emmanuel, said that the incumbent, Sen. Danjuma La’ah, polled 2,301 votes to defeat Bantex who got 2,113 votes.

    NAN reports this is even as Bantex won his Polling Unit with 227 votes over La’ah who got only 15 votes.

    In the Presidential election, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP also won with 2,991 votes, while President Muhammadu Buhari APC got 1,443.

    The PDP also won the House of Representatives seat with 2,056 votes over APC who got 1,641 votes, UPN 243 votes, PRP 191 votes and SDP 50 votes.

  • Has the religion of Kaduna’s Deputy Governor brought peace?

    Adams Lawal Magaji

    One of the features of General Ibrahim Babangida’s endless transition programme was the insertion of religion as a factor in political configurations. It was couched as balance, promoting the concept that if a Christian is at the top of a ticket, then he must have a Muslim deputy and vice versa.

    Babangida went on to appoint Pamela Sadauki as Deputy Governor to Colonel Tanko Ayuba, then military governor of Kaduna State. This forced the politicians who were seeming the office of governor of Kaduna to ‘balance’. Dabo Lere, who won election as governor of Kaduna State in 1991, had a young James Bawa Magaji as deputy governor. That was the first time religion became an issue in the guber line-up.

    Since then Kaduna State has had several Christian deputy governors: Stephen Shekari, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa. Nuhu Bajoga and Barnabas Yusuf Bala, the incumbent. When circumstances propelled Yakowa to the governorship, he named a Muslim. Ramalan Yero as deputy. In December 2014,Nasir El-Rufai named Barnabas Yusuf Bala as his running mate.

    Has this configuration of Muslim and Christian stemmed violence, united the state and drawn people together towards a respect for individual rights and a sense of common purpose? Let us present the evidence so that the reader can judge.

    James Bawa Magaji was Deputy Governor when the 1992 crises in Zangon-Kataf happened. That crisis was triggered by the “indigenous” Kataf attacking and murdering the Hausa/Fulani “settlers” of Zango town who have been there for centuries.The report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry noted the disrespect with which James Bawa Magaji was treated by the Katafs when he intervened to try to resolve the differences.

    Stephen Shekari was Deputy Governor when the Sharia riots of 2000 took so many lives. Zamfara, which started the Sharia matter, stayed calm as Kaduna burnt.

    Patrick Yakowa was Governor when the 2011 riots happened. He was still in office when brutal attacks and massacres were visited on several communities in southern Kaduna afterwards. Yakowa acted to stem the killings. But his successor did not follow up. So Nuhu Bajoga’s Christian identity did not save communities in Attakad and other places from murderous violence.

    Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex) has the misfortune of being labelled a traitor, but he has sometimes been embraced as a southern Kaduna Christian. The tale was woven that he beat up El-Rufai in defence of southern Kaduna interests. He was a tagged a traitor for not resigning or denouncing the government during the violent conflict that raged in parts of southern Kaduna in late 2016 and early 2017. When Bantex had to go for urgent medical attention abroad, the same people said falsely that El-Rufai did not allow him to attend the hospital of his choice.

    It is clear that having a Christian as Deputy Governor has not advanced peace or stability in Kaduna State. Rather it has produced the perverse phenomenon of people using religion as a bargaining chip. It is freezing people in identity politics rather than moving the state towards one where it is the quality and character of a person that counts.

    There are Christians in every part of Kaduna State, and there are Muslims everywhere too. Pamela Sadauki is Hausa-Fulani and Christian from the northern axis of the state.

    Hadiza Balarabe is a Muslim from the southern axis of the state.

    Why can’t she be Deputy Governor?

     

  • Kano Govt denies owing ex-deputy gov, provides details of funds released

    Kano Govt denies owing ex-deputy gov, provides details of funds released

    The Kano State Government has denied allegations of non-payment of entitlements by the former deputy governor, Professor Hafiz Abubakar.

    The government while reacting to Abubakar’s resignation noted that based on available records, in 2017 alone, the sum of over N120, 000, 000.00 was paid to former deputy Governor as traveling allowance both within and outside the country, while in 2018, over N30, 000, 000.00 million was paid to him for various traveling allowances.

    A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Malam Muhammad Garba and made available to reporters also stated that in July the sum of N7, 409, 575.00 was released to the former deputy governor to travel to the United Kingdom to receive an Honourary Degree from the University of Reading

    The sum of N7, 800, 000.00 was also said to have been paid the deputy governor, who doubles as Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation as his travelling allowance to Khartoum, Sudan for the convocation ceremony of the University of Africa.

    “Also, for a trip to the United Kingdom for the World Education Forum, the sum of N8, 509, 000.00 was paid to him; while his trip to Saudi Arabia for his daughters’ graduation was also sponsored by the state government, among other privileges extended to him’’,

    The state government also challenged the former deputy governor on allegations that the state government has committed resources to sponsor rally in support of his removal from office, pointing out that, the gravity of the allegation may prompt the government to take appropriate action.

    ‘’The former deputy governor ought to have landed safely and quietly instead of making unsubstantiated allegations just to draw attention,‘’

    The statement further stated that for fear of ominous impeachment process by the Kano state House of Assembly, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar, has hurriedly tendered his resignation, following the decision by 30 out of the 40 legislators to commence impeachment proceeding against him over false, unfounded allegations and undermining the state government.

    The deputy governor was also accused of making unguarded comments capable of causing disaffection particularly in the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the state in general.

    The government also debunked allegation over threat to his life and that of members of his immediate family which it regarded as unbecoming considering his position as number two citizen with a provision for statutory security detail.

    Recall that the former deputy governor tendered his resignation on Sunday despite his initial denial of defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as resigning his position.

  • 2019: Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor speaks on defection, resignation reports

    2019: Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor speaks on defection, resignation reports

    The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Moses Ekpo has reacted to news making the rounds that he resigned from Governor Udom Emmanuel’s cabinet.

    Recall that there have been widespread reports about the Deputy Governor resigning in solidarity with former governor of the state and incumbent Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio who is making final moves to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Deputy Governor in a statement signed and released exclusively to the TheNewsGuru.com said his relationship with Governor Udom Emmanuel is perfect and there was no need for him to change party.

     

    Read full statements below:

    Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor debunks resignation story

    The attention of the Office of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been drawn to certain rumours and misrepresentations in a section of the media to the effect that the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses F. Ekpo, MFR, has resigned from office.

    The reports, particularly from the online community, further make allusions to the effect that the Deputy Governor has also defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

    Given the temperament of the times and the implications of such innuendos, we are constrained to categorically state as follows:

    (i) There is no iota of truth in the story making the rounds.

    (ii)The purported report is, therefore, nothing but a poorly concocted piece of a malicious hatchet job and a pack of lies, and should be appropriately ignored.

    (iii)It is instructive to note that currently, His Excellency, the Deputy Governor is representing the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel as Special Guest of Honour at the 2018 International Convention of Ati Annang holding in New York, United States of America, and is yet to return to the state.

    (iv) In his reaction to the rumour from New York on phone today, the Deputy Governor said “I have not resigned. I have no reason whatsoever to resign or jump ship from a government that is both responsive and performing optimally, while giving practical meaning to democratic dividends for the people of Akwa Ibom. I cannot, and will not jump ship”

    (v) To that extent, he has called on Akwa Ibom people, both at home and in the Diaspora, as well as the PDP family in the state to remain resolute and committed to support the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to take Akwa Ibom to the next level.

    Ekikere Umoh

    Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor

    Akwa Ibom State

  • 2019: Kano deputy governor, Abubakar denies defection, resignation rumours

    Embattled Kano State Deputy Governor, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, on Thursday, dismissed as false rumours news making the rounds that he had defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    While dismissing the speculation, Abubakar said he was still a member of the APC.

    He attributed the false claim that he had crossed to the PDP as the handiwork of some miscreants, urging his supporters to disregard it.

    “I have not resigned. I am still the Deputy Governor of Kano State and a member of the APC,’’ Abubakar said on Thursday.

    The deputy governor, who doubles as the Kano State Commissioner for Education, said he was in Abuja on Thursday to attend the National Council of Education meeting.

    Abubakar’s rumoured defection had gone viral on the social media, following a tweet on a PDP Twitter handle welcoming him, alongside the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Masari Tambuwal, into the opposition party.

  • Police unlock impeached Imo Deputy Governor’s office

    Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday unlocked the office of the impeached Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere.

    Recall that the office was locked on Wednesday, few hours after the state assembly lawmakers impeached the deputy governor.

    This is to forestall the breakdown of law and order in the state.

    A journalist attached to the office of the impeached deputy governor, Iheanyi Enwerem, confirmed that the office had been unlocked.

    According to him, some policemen locked it on Wednesday, but they unlocked it on Thursday.

    He said the impeached Deputy Governor had not visited his office since the state lawmakers purportedly removed him from office despite a court order.

    Madumere had, through his media aide, on Wednesday insisted that he was still the deputy governor of the state.

    Madumere argued that there was no proof from point of law to ascertain that he had been impeached.

    He said his removal from office hours after an Owerri High Court presided over by Justice Benjamin Iheaka gave an order stopping further proceedings on his impeachment until the matter was determined by court was not known by law.

  • BREAKING: 19 of 27 Imo lawmakers impeach Deputy Governor, Madumere

    19 out of the 27 members of the Imo State House of Assembly on Monday impeached the state’s Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere.

    Madumere was impeached reportedly impeached based on an indictment by a 7-man panel constituted by the state chief judge,Paschal Nnadi to investigate gross misconduct accusations leveled on his office [Madumere].

    However, Justice Ben Iheka of the Imo State High Court on Monday restrained the panel set up by the Chief Judge of the state, Nnadi, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Acho Ihim, and the State House of Assembly from taking any further action in the impeachment process of the state deputy governor, Eze Madumere, until the hearing and determination of the suit.

    The panel was set up by the chief judge to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the deputy governor by the state House of Assembly.

    Justice Iheka also directed the three members of the impeachment panel that were yet to be served the motion for interlocutory injunction to respect the suit, which is before the court.

    Counsel to the deputy governor, Ken Njemanze (SAN), told the court that his client was ready and prepared to allow his impeachment process to be determined by the court.

    He said that his client was relying on the court to dispense justice in the matter which bordered on the person and office of the state’s Number Two citizen.

    Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Militus Nlemadim (SAN), said he was opposing the plaintiff’s request for the court to grant an interim order as sought by his colleague.

    Nlemadim said that instead of an interim order, there should be an accelerated hearing, stressing that the duty of the panel had already been spelled out by the Constitution.

    After hearing from the counsel, the court granted the request made by counsel to the embattled deputy governor and adjourned till August 13.

  • Senate suspends CBN deputy gov, AMCON chair’s confirmation

    The Senate on Tuesday proceeded on an eight-week annual recess, suspending the confirmation of Mr Folasodun Adebisi Shonubi as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Also listed on the Order Paper of Tuesday was the confirmation of the appointment of Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire as Chairman of the Board of Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria.

    The lawmakers, who were billed to proceed on the holiday on Thursday, however, went on recess on Tuesday in protest against the clampdown on President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    Operatives of the Department of State Services and men of the Nigeria Police had on Tuesday morning laid siege to the Abuja home of Saraki. Policemen and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had also cordoned off the street leading to Ekweremadu’s home.

    While Saraki later found his way to the chamber to preside over the session, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (PDP, Enugu-North) had moved a motion for the Senate to demand Ekweremadu’s freedom and proceed on the recess. The prayers were unanimously granted by the lawmakers.

    However, before the plenary was adjourned, Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Lagos-West), laid a petition against Banire before the Senate. He said the petition was filed by the senators from Lagos State.

    “This is the petition of the three senators from Lagos State against that nomination,” Adeola said.

    Others from Lagos are Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos-Central) and Senator Gbenga Ashafa (APC, Lagos-East).

    Saraki referred the petition to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges to report back in two weeks.

    Banire, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a former National Legal Adviser of the ruling All Progressives Congress, had been suspended by the Executive Committee of the APC in Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State over alleged anti-party activities. The suspension followed a recommendation by his ward (Ward C, Ilasamaja, Mushin).

    The lawyer had dragged the leadership of the APC in Lagos to court over the conduct of party congresses in the state.

    Banire had led a faction of the APC in Lagos State that held parallel congresses with the faction loyal to a former governor of the state and national leader of the ruling party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    In a related development, President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Senate to seek legislative confirmation of the chairman and members of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.

    Saraki read Buhari’s letter, dated October 27, 2017, at the plenary on Tuesday.