Tag: governor

Osun Govt files appeal against tribunal’s verdict declaring Adeleke as governor

The Osun State Government on Thursday filed an appeal against the judgement of the state Election Petition Tribunal on the 2018 state governorship poll declaring the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate, Ademola Adeleke, the winner of the election.

The state government charged the residents of the state to remain calm and go about their lawful activities following the tribunal judgment in the governorship election petition.

It reassured the people of their safety and security of properties because “the Government of the State is still the only legitimate Government having the authority to govern the State.”

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mr. Wole Oyebamiji, said: “The Government of the State of Osun wishes to appreciate the teeming support of the majority of the people in all things essential for mutual progress.

“As it is, the administration of His Excellency, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Governor, State of Osun, wishes to assure the people that the judgment of the Election Tribunal has been put on appeal.

“This is to further assure all the residents of the State of adequate security of lives and properties, as the Government of the State is still the only legitimate Government having the authority to govern the State.

“We assure all our people that justice will prevail at last, and the law enforcement agencies have been instructed to maintain law and order across the State. We therefore urge all the residents of the State to go about their lawful duties without any hindrance.”

March 22, 2019
2019: INEC to release final list of Governorship, State Assembly candidates Thursday

The final list of candidates for Governorship, State Assembly and FCT Area Council elections will be published on Thursday, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has said.

Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said the list will be published in all the State offices nationwide and the Commission’s website.

Yakubu spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the Swearing -in of a new Resident Electoral Commission (REC) Elder Monday Udo Tom from Akwa Ibom State.

This brings the total number of RECs nationwide to 36 out of 37 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Commission is awaiting the confirmation and appointment of the nominee for Osun State.

He also revealed the commission has implemented ten out of the fourteen activities outlined in the commission’s scheduled programs of actives.

“Your appointment is coming just 16 days to the 2019 General Elections. We have already implemented 10 out of the 14 activities in our timetable and schedule of activities.

“The final list of candidates for Governorship, State Assembly and FCT Area Council elections will be published in all our State offices nationwide and the Commission’s website, tomorrow Thursday 31st January 2019.”

Congratulating the new REC, Yakubu informed him that though he will be posted to a state within his geo-political zone, he can however be posted anywhere in the country.

He said: “Furthermore, as a REC, you can be posted to any part of the country at any time as the exigencies of service require. For now, you will be posted to a State within your geo-political zone but you will never serve in you State of origin throughout your tenure. In line with this principle, you are hereby deployed to Bayelsa State.”

The new REC holds a BSc. degree in Biological Science and a Master’s degree in Microbiology.

He served as lecturer and civil servant in Akwa Ibom State.

January 30, 2019
I regret spending all my money on Amosun to emerge Ogun gov – Osoba

A leader of the All Progressives Congress and former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has said he regretted working for the emergence of the incumbent Ogun governor, Ibikunle Amosun, in 2011.

Osoba said this on Friday while addressing leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Ogun State Chapter, during a visit of the governorship candidate of the APC in the state, Dapo Abiodun, to the secretariat of the union in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Osoba said he was proud to say that he spent all the money that he had to make Amosun governor in 2011 on the platform of the Action Congress.

He said, “I spent all the money that I had on me to make him governor.

“He requested for four commissioner nominees from me and I took the list to him in his office. Thank God, Leke Adewolu (former Commissioner for Special Duties), was on seat that day.

“The only regret I had was that I gave him the list containing the four names and he tore it in my presence. He then asked me to write a fresh one and bring it to him. I looked stupid. That was my only regret.”

Osoba however, said he is optimistic Abiodun would succeed Amosun as next governor of the state during next month’s general elections.

Osoba said he wished to stand as a guarantor for Abiodun before the NLC, pledging that he would not maltreat workers in the state if elected into office.

He said, “We will set up a committee that will comprise those who have served in various capacities in the state government, look at the monthly internal generated revenue, how much are being owed and other things.

“So, we will engage you, labour unions, so that when Abiodun is sworn in on May 29, he would have the record and hit the ground running.”

In his remarks, Abiodun said that he would work closely with the NLC in the state once elected into office.

January 19, 2019
Former Kano governor, Hamza Abdullahi dies at 74

Former military governor of Kano State and one-time minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Air Vice Marshal Hamza Abdullahi is dead.

The late Hamza Abdullahi hail from Hadejia in Jigawa state. He was born on 2nd March 1945. He died at the age of 74 years.

Abdullahi was confirmed dead at a German hospital after suffering from a brief illness on Wednesday.

He was survived by three wives and children.

His death was confirmed Garba Talaki, ‎ the Public Relations Officer of the Hadejia Emirate Council in Jigawa State.

The Jigawa State Governor Muhammed Abubakar has expressed shock over the incident, declaring that both the state and the country at large lost a rare statesman.

The governor in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mallam Bello Zaki‎ said: “The deceased was a complete gentleman and elder statesman that was instrumental to the emergence of the old Kano state”. (more…)

January 3, 2019
Killings: I’m ready to quit as Zamfara governor – Yari says after meeting Buhari

The Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, on Thursday said that if declaration of state of emergency in his state will solve the security problems, he is ready to quit as governor.

He spoke with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Noting that the security situation in the state has improved, he said the bandits responsible for the insecurity breed their cattle in the forest and strike occasionally.

He also accused the security agencies especially the police of not doing enough, lamenting that some of the officers that were transferred out of the state after serving three years have not been replaced.

According to him, the lingering cases of armed banditry in the state won’t affect the forthcoming election.

While stating that he met the President over the security situation in the state, he said the issue of the armed banditry was being exaggerated.

“There is no place being occupied by the armed bandits in Zamfara state. They live and operate in the forest. They strike and run. Most of the camps are known by locals,” he said.

On his support for declaration of emergency in Zamfara, he said he was not playing politics with it, saying ” I’m not playing politics with it. I’m serious about it.”

Asked whether he discussed the declaration of emergency with Buhari, he said, ” not at all.“

January 3, 2019
2019: APC warns ex-Senate President, Ken Nnamani for allegedly praising PDP governor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday warned a former Senate President Ken Nnamani for allegedly praising Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

The APC local chapter Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, who demanded a clarification from the senator on why he was praising an opposition party’s governorship candidate, warned the senator to desist from anti-party utterances.

He, specifically, urged Nnamani to clarify a statement he made while commissioning a four-room building with Ugwuanyi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor and the party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship poll.

Nwoye also asked Nnamani to explain why he could not campaign openly for his party’s governorship candidate but rather was telling the PDP governorship candidate that “a good product markets itself’’.

The party chair accused Nnamani of promising that when the time comes, he would say where his “people belong.’’

“This is very misleading. Could it be that Sen. Nnamani is so ashamed of his political party that he could not canvass openly for the party? Nwoye wondered.

The party chair noted that the APC in Enugu had observed Nnamani’s double standards for too long, adding that the party could no longer fold its arms and watch him de-market the APC in the state.

He said: “We deplore this attitude of being APC in Abuja and PDP in Enugu State. How can the vice chairman, South of APC Presidential Campaign Council feel more comfortable in the midst of candidates of the PDP than among APC candidates almost on the eve of an election?”

Nwoye alleged that Nnamani was surrounded at that event by candidates of the opposition PDP for various offices, and wondered what signal he was sending to APC supporters.

He said: “This is a man who has just been unveiled as the vice-chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council romancing and hobnobbing with the opposition party and making insinuations that his people would vote for the opposition.

“How can the PDP governor work for Buhari, when he is still busy campaigning for PDP presidential and national assembly candidates?’’

Pointing out that the APC was strong in the state and the Southeast zone, the chair urged the authorities in Abuja to ignore the self-serving misinformation being propagated by the PDP.

Nwoye said “How can people who are so scared of their impending loss of election be the same people being touted to help the APC?

“We want to say it loud and clear that the APC will sweep the polls in Enugu State. We don’t need anybody to help us. Buhari will score over 90% of the votes that will be cast in the Southeast.’’

He warned that the party would not hesitate to commence disciplinary action against any members found to be engaging in anti-party activities.

January 2, 2019
2019: I will serve just one term if elected Enugu governor – Ayogu Eze

…promises to handover to Enugu East Senatorial zone in 2023

The Enugu State governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the 2019 election, Sen. Ayogu Eze has assured the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone that he would only do one term if elected.

He stated this at the official flag off of Senatorial campaign for Enugu East Senatorial district. This he said is in fulfilment of the mutual understanding and arrangement that the governorship seat rotates among the three senatorial zones in the State.
He assured that after serving out his one term mandate, the governorship position will natural rotates to Enugu East.

The former Senate Committee Chairman on Works said he was willing to put his words on paper and assured that four years were enough to implement his policies and programmes for Enugu.
“We are going to wrap up the job in four years. Sen. Jim Nwobodo did it so we are going to do it.

“To further demonstrate this, I am willing to sign any document with the people of Enugu East senatorial zone,” he said.
Also speaking, former Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Sullivan Chime said that when the time for voting comes, the people will speak.

Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani said during the event that the time of using Enugu East senatorial zone as an experimental ground was over.

November 27, 2018
I didn’t receive salary for eight years as governor — Aregbesola

The outgoing governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola has said that he did not earn salaries throughout the eight years of his administration.

Aregbesola disclosed this during an interactive programme tagged ‘Ogbeni Till Day Break’ on Saturday in Osogbo.

The governor said since it was the state that was feeding him,fueling his cars and provided him with accommodation, there was no need for him to be paid.

Aregbesola also said that he did not have bank accounts where money was kept in any part of the world.

He said,”I have not collected salaries since I became the governor of the state.

“The state feeds me, fuel my car and provided me accommodation. With all these, I don’t need money.

“I have no money and bank account anywhere .

” I have no house except the one I built before I became the governor.

“Anyone can go out there to investigate if I have bank accounts.”

Aregbesola who will handing over to the governor-elect, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola on Nov. 27 said he would vacate the government house by Monday, Nov. 19.

He said that the decision to leave the government house earlier was to give his successor enough time to do necessary renovations.

When asked what his regrets were as a governor in the last eight years, he said he had no regrets.

He said, ”If you give me another four years to rule again, I will still do what I did before and I will not do anything differently.”

On his next political plans after office, Aregbesola said he was going to rest for awhile from politics.

“l had been in politics since my secondary school days. I have had been an absentee husband for many years because of politics but for now, I want to be with my wife,” Aregbesola said.

On his achievements, the governor said he was happy that his social investment programmes supported and transformed the lives of the people in the state.

He also said that the infrastructure development his administration embarked upon would continue to be a reference point in the state, adding that all the roads he built would last for the next 50 years.

Aregbesola, however described his successor as a silent achiever and a goal-getter expected to build on his legacies.

He said “Oyetola is not radical like me but he is a silent achiever.

“He contributed immensely to the success of my administration and I know he will do well in office.”

November 17, 2018
Governor General of Canada arrives Lagos

The Governor General of Canada, Ms Julie Payette, on Tuesday arrived in Lagos for an official visit to the state amid tight security.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Payette and her entourage landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos at 8.47am.
She was received by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, Canadian Consular officials as well as security chiefs.
The governor general is scheduled to inaugurate the Lagos State Biobank, located at the Mainland Hospital in Yaba.
The biobank was where the isolation unit used by the State Government to contain the 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was situated.
The Laboratory, funded by Canada in partnership with the state government, would serve as a single repository for all high-concentration pathogens in the State.

It would also help the state mitigate post-EVD threats and build capacity for prevention, detection and response to future outbreaks in Nigeria and West Africa.
NAN reports that Payette was on Monday in Abuja received by President Muhammadu Buhari and other top government functionaries.
She also delivered a lecture at the National Space Research and Development Centre Agency.

October 30, 2018
2019: Underrate PDP at your peril, APC governor warns Buhari, others

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Wednesday night warned that the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is not a pushover that should be taken for granted by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s general election.

He gave the warning when President Muhammadu Buhari hosted youth political appointees to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the APC must go out aggressively to market to Nigerians, President Muhammadu Buhari and the numerous projects of his government in the last three years, if it must remain in power after 2019.

He said that the issue of perception must be taken seriously by the APC to ensure that no chance is given to the opposition to return to power in 2019.

The governor also declared that President Buhari remains the best President to lead Nigeria to greatness beyond 2023.

He said “All that the crooked PDP is offering Nigerians is that corruption is better than incompetence in quote. 2015 was about change, 2019 will be about progress.

“As members of the APC, we will not deny that our party has a huge task in the 2019 general elections, the election will never be a walk-over, the PDP will not be a push over.

“And we must take nothing and no one for granted. If we cannot defeat PDP, maybe we should not be influencers or we should not even go to politics.” he said

He added “President Buhari is a good product we know, but we must go out to sell him to Nigerians. Perception is very critical in times like this. If we fail, God forbid, the ugly narrative of PDP will overtake the land.

“Our score card is very rich and very rich enough. We must market the incredible accomplishments of Mr. President and of his administration to every voter and in a language he or she understands.

“If we fail, God forbids, the adverse narrative being put out by the PDP and other propaganda machine will dominate the land and shape perception.

“If we don’t market our product very well, a tough and progressive victory against a terrorist threat which continues to cost the lives of our brave military and law enforcement agencies will be mistaken for inactions.

“If we don’t market our product very well, try our political exposed offenders using long extant laws which previous leaders were not willing to deploy against cronies, accomplishments will be mistaken extra-judicial measures and disdain for the rule of law.

“If we do not put Mr. President’s achievements before our people so that they can sight it themselves, we will be agreeing with the PDP that in fighting corruption which he is offering again, is somehow better than the alleged incompetence of the APC which has accomplished everything I have enumerated above,”.

Executive Director at the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Jasper Azuatalam, said that most Nigerians were presently disappointed with the President because he has failed to perform the magic they expected.

He however stressed that it will be the worst things for Nigeria if power slides back to the PDP in 2019.

He said “The worst thing we can do to this country Nigeria, is to allow PDP to come back to power in 2019. It is the worst thing we can do to Nigeria.

“I will likened PDP to a lion that has been put in the cage for a long time. I have interacted with their members and I know how hungry they have become because they don’t see free money as before.

“If we lose this lion again in 2019, then Nigeria is going to walk more than 1,000 steps backward.

“Like we always said in those days we lost elections, Mr. President will always get eleven to twelve million votes whether he operates from a party or not. That’s how goodwill we had that time.

“But that is because a lot of people believed that by Mr. President’s integrity and his anti-corruption, he is going to do magic when he resumes office as President. That in two months, Nigeria will change. They don’t know how it would happen.

“But the truth is that most of these have been disappointed because they didn’t see the magic. That is why we need to do the real work,” he said.

October 25, 2018