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Tag: governor

  • BREAKING: Hours after Akeredolu’s death, Aiyedatiwa sworn in as Ondo governor

    BREAKING: Hours after Akeredolu’s death, Aiyedatiwa sworn in as Ondo governor

    Barely 24 hours after the death of Rotimi Akeredolu, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in as the governor.

    The swearing-in was held at the Cocoa Conference Hall in the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital, and was administered by the chief judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola at 5:18 pm.

    Recall that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged health battle.

    Aiyedatiwa was the deputy governor until Wednesday, December 13 when power was formally transferred to him after Akeredolu went on another medical vacation.

  • Guber: Panic in Bayelsa as Sylva’s men slams Bayelsa Gov over alleged attempt to stop their candidate

    Guber: Panic in Bayelsa as Sylva’s men slams Bayelsa Gov over alleged attempt to stop their candidate

    The Campaign Council for the Bayelsa All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Timipre Sylva, strongly criticized Governor Douye Diri on Tuesday for his alleged attempts to prevent their candidate from appearing on the ballot.

    The Council declared that Diri’s efforts to hinder Sylva have been unsuccessful.

    Furthermore, the campaign team cautioned against the practice of candidates using ‘backdoor’ methods to secure the governorship position.

    This response comes shortly after the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources was granted clearance by the Appeal Court to participate in the November 11 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State. The court’s unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices overturned a previous ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, which had initially disqualified Sylva from contesting in the gubernatorial poll.

    In a statement, Yekini Nabena, the Secretary of Bayelsa APC Media and Publicity Committee, lauded the judgment, highlighting that it will allow Sylva to focus on rectifying the alleged governance issues that his constituents have endured over the past four years.

    He said, “Diri is not known to have ever won any election but always comes through the back door to occupy the exalted seat against the popular mandate of the electorates. We are using this medium to tell Governor Diri and his cohort that there is no room for black market victory in this election. It is either you come clean or leave the race, but certainly no court will save Diri from heavy defeat this time around.

    “History is not about to repeat itself because Governor Diri is not known for ever winning any clear electoral contest and the people of Bayelsa are tired of an accidental Governor.

    “Our people are yearning for development, and our candidate’s six-point agenda is not ambiguous. The experiences of our amiable candidate will surely be an added advantage, coupled with his link with the APC at the centre and the Renewed Hope Agenda. So, we promise to give the people of Bayelsa a new lease of life once we are able to chase away this government of inefficiency and wastefulness.”

  • No plot to influence tribunal’s judgment – Governor’s aide

    No plot to influence tribunal’s judgment – Governor’s aide

    Abia Government has described the allegation that it is plotting to influence the judgment of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in favour of Gov. Alex Otti as unfounded.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, made the denial at a news briefing at the Government House, Umuahia on Tuesday.

    A body, known as the National Coalition against Terrorism, alleged that the State Government had concluded plans to intimidate the Governorship Election Tribunal judges and influence the judgment, in favour of Otti.

    NAN reports that the tribunal had fixed Friday, October 6, for judgment in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the declaration of Otti as governor.

    In a similar vein, another organisation, called the Abia Youth Interest Group, alleged that Otti was using the state fund to sponsor the petition by the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, challenging President Bola Tinubu’s election.

    Reacting to the allegations, Ekeoma said they were weighty and capable of causing disaffection, insecurity as well as breakdown of law and order in the state.

    He, therefore, called on the relevant authorities and security agencies to use their good offices to thoroughly investigate the allegation levelled against the governor and government and bring the mischief makers to book.

    “The young men who organised these press conferences should be invited by security agencies to come and throw more light on their allegations to enable law enforcement agencies to carry out thorough investigation that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.

    “Otti’s position as Governor of Abia is a product of a nationally celebrated governorship election victory.

    “We consider it demeaning and a provocative blackmail for a group of hatchet men with zero stake in the Abia Project to spew gibberish that lowered the office of the governor and insult the sensibilities of our people,” Ekeoma said.

    He further said that it was unfortunate that these individuals resorted to “a strategy of deceit and destabilisation” to hinder the progress of Abia.

    “They should be exposed and punished for choosing the perfidious path that seeks to advance their selfish interest against the genuine interest of millions of innocent Abia citizens,” Ekeoma said.

  • Senate confirms Cardoso as CBN gov, 4 deputies also get the nod

    Senate confirms Cardoso as CBN gov, 4 deputies also get the nod

    The Senate confirmed the appointment of Dr Olayemi Cardoso as the Governor of the CBN on Tuesday.

    It also confirmed the nomination of Mrs Emem Usoro, Mr. Muhammad Dattijo, Mr Philip Ikeazor, and Dr Bala Bello as the bank’s deputy governors.

    Their confirmation followed the consideration and approval of a motion moved by Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele (APC-Ekiti Central).

    Before their confirmation, the Senate suspended its orders to facilitate the admittance of the nominees into the chamber.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Abdullahi Gumel led the nominees into the chamber.

    Thereafter, the CBN governor and the deputies took turns to highlight their career profiles and professional experiences.

    Cardoso said for 12 years, between 2010 and 2022 he had the privilege of serving as the chairman of Citi Bank where: “I dedicated myself to enhancing both the financial and non-financial operations of the institution.’’

    He told the Senate that the issue of exchange rate of the Naira to other currencies was worrisome.

    “For the type of economy that we want, we need to have an exchange rate that is stable and we must apply short and medium term measures to achieve this,’’ he said.

    Cardoso added that CBN’s new management team would evolve rules that were open and transparent and comprehensible by all players in the finance business.

    “We cannot expect serious foreign investors, portfolio investors who have an impact on the market to do so if we do not have a transparent system that everybody understands and can rely on,’’ he said.

    On the issue of inflation and costs of goods, Cardoso said the CBN management would adopt evidence-based monetary policies.

    “There is the need to significantly revamp the infrastructure at the central bank with respect to data and to ensure that our data gathering capacity is significantly enhanced.

    “This is necessary so that we can make decisions based on stellar data. This is crucial in measuring inflation,’’ he stressed.

    He added that reliable studies showed that in the past 10 years to 15 years, at least 50 per cent of inflation resulted from money supply and deficit financing.

    “This is a big problem; at least it certainly has been over a period of time and it is something we have to face frontally,’’ he said.

    Cardoso also told the Senate that the CBN would ensure that the issue of deficit financing ceased to be a national problem.

    Earlier, President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio (APC-Akwa Ibom North-West) said the Senate reconvened from its annual recess to expeditiously consider and confirm the nominees.

    He said the expeditious confirmation also resulted from of the emergency resignation of the former CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

    Akpabio urged the Senate Committees on Finance and Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to regularly conduct thorough oversight of the CBN.

  • ‘I took a vow to support my governor’ – Shaibu apologises to Obaseki

    ‘I took a vow to support my governor’ – Shaibu apologises to Obaseki

    Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, on Thursday apologized to Gov. Godwin Obaseki and reinstating commitment to support his principal.

    Shaibu has been at loggerhead with Gov. Obaseki over his ambition to contest the forthcoming 2024 governorship election.

    The governor has relocated his deputy to another office outside the government house while his media crew has been disbanded.

    Shaibu made the apology while speaking to newsmen shortly after his investiture as the grand patron of the Catholic Men’s Organisation (CMO) of the Catholic Archdioceses of Benin.

    “Like I have always said, I am a loyal servant and there is nothing that has changed. I took a vow to support my governor and that is what I will do. As you can see the Catholic people are here.

    “I can only wish that the relationship we had is sustained. I prayed and know that in the next few weeks it will come back.

    “I am missing my governor and I prayed that God will touch my governor’s heart and the heart of those that are trying to come in between us to know that I mean well

    “If there is any mistake I have mad, I am just human and did not act out of wickedness because I am not wicked and I have a clean heart,” he said.

    Shaibu called on the governor to forgive him so as to develop the state together with him.

    “I used this medium to appeal to Mr Governor that if there is any mistake I have made or if there was anything wrong that I have done that I do not know of, he should please forgive me so that we can develop our state together.

    “So, Mr. governor if there is anything wrong you feel I have done please, I am sorry, and I need us to work together to finish well and strong because that is my prayer for you,” he added.

    He disclosed that he has resumed in his new office as directed by the governor.

    Earlier, the Catholic Men’s Organization of Nigeria (CMO) of the Archdiocese of Benin City said they came to honour  Shaibu as the Grand Patron of the organization.

    The President of the Archdiocese of Benin CMO, Barr. Austin Odigie, said the decision to honour him was as a result of his commitment to God’s work in the church.

    Odigie said “the Catholic Men’s Organization of the Archdiocese of Benin came to inform you that the Men in church have come to honour you as our Grand Patron.

    “We have seen your commitment to all activities in the church. You have brought yourself low to the level of all of us in the church.

    “You are the only deputy governor who served mass during father’s day celebration. No other deputy governor has been captured serving mass,” he said.

    According to him, the Archbishop of the the Archdiocese of Benin, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze, will personally invest you on September 24 during the first mass.

    Responding, Shaibu thanked the CMO for the honour, adding that he will continue to serve God who has been merciful to him and his family.

    According to Shaibu, “l live my life in God, everything about me is God. When you remember that the life you have does not belong to you, you have no reason not to serve God.”

  • Just In: Nigerian Govs hold emergency meeting in Abuja on insecurity

    Just In: Nigerian Govs hold emergency meeting in Abuja on insecurity

    An emergency meeting was held by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at the forum’s secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday night.

    The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, was in attendance.

    Newsmen were barred to capture the opening, the agenda distributed to the governors showed that issues about state and national security will top part of the deliberations.

    Other items listed for deliberations include fuel subsidy palliative intervention by President Bola Tinubu, a review of the National Executive Council agenda, and a brief on the new Electricity Act.

    The meeting was chaired by the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

    Other governors present include Babagana Zulum of Borno State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, and Alex Otti of Abia State, among others.

    Concerns for security are again mounting in the country following the recent killing of at least 21 military personnel, including senior officers, by suspected bandits at Kundu via Zungeru in the Wushishi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.

    During a visit to the troops in Niger State on Wednesday after the bandits’ attack, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, encouraged them not to allow their morale dwindle but to defend Nigeria and recover the space currently occupied by terrorists and bandits in parts of the country.

  • APC chieftain hails Sanwo-Olu, Ambode reconciliation

    APC chieftain hails Sanwo-Olu, Ambode reconciliation

    Mr. Bola Babarinde, a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South Africa Chapter, has commended the reconciliatory effort of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and his immediate past predecessor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Babarinde in a statement on Monday, commended Sanwo-Olu for attending Ambode’s 60th birthday party and praising him for his dedication to serving Lagos state as governor and civil servant.

    He said the gesture was a significant step toward rebuilding bridges and fostering unity among political leaders, and peace loving Nigerians.

    The relationship between Sanwo-Olu and Ambode collapsed in 2019 over his denial of second term by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to him, with such attitude, Sanwo-Olu has learnt the importance of forgiveness, togetherness and love from his mentor, President Bola Tinubu.

    Babarinde, who noted that the road to the Presidency by Tinubu was rough and tough with many lessons learnt, said Tinubu was never deterred but was determined to achieve his life time ambition.

    “He was betrayed, abused, denigrated, unjustly accused and demonised by friends and foes, but he was never deterred and trudged, but rather he was determined to achieve his long time ambition.

    “Tinubu have many disciples which failed to measure up to 10 per cent of his political sagacity, humanitarian posture, forgiveness and of course ability to predict the future.

    “One of his many mentees is Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who organised a reception for hosting of the Capo di tutti back to his home state.

    “Where friends, acquaintances attended and also served as the reunion for the four governors that served Lagos from 1999 till date.

    “Sanwo-Olu started the reconciliation move with Ambode, his predecessor when he eulogised him during his 60th birthday with big publicity for such magnanimity and humility,” he said.

  • Ondo Ag. Gov. urges Muslims to pray for Akeredolu

    Ondo Ag. Gov. urges Muslims to pray for Akeredolu

    The Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged the Muslim faithful to use the occasion of Eid-el-Kabir celebration to pray for sound mind and health his boss, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.

    Aiyedatiwa in his Sallah message on Wednesday in Akure, said the prayer was necessary to enable Akeredolu to pilot the affairs of the state.

    He also implored them to emulate Prophet Ibrahim’s heart of sacrifice in their dealings with others.

    The acting governor reassured residents of the government’s commitment to peace, unity and sustainable development in the state.

    “Warm greetings to our Muslim brothers and sisters from the government of Ondo State under the leadership of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, on this special day of Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

    “Eid-el-Kibir celebration symbolises the extent of total submission of Prophet Ibrahim, when he answered the call of the Almighty Allah to sacrifice his only son, Isma’il to Allah.

    “I implore all Muslims to emulate the Prophet’s heart of sacrifice in their dealings. It is therefore imperative that Muslims should integrate the teachings of Eid-el-Kabir in their practical daily living.

    “I enjoined all Muslim faithful to use the Sallah celebrations to reflect on their past spiritual activities in the last 12 months and make the necessary sacrifice for peace and unity in our dear state and country.

    “No doubt, the celebration is normally characterised by several movements in and around the state and the country, it is important that we remain vigilant,” he said.

    Aiyedatiwa, while urging Muslims to cooperate with government by obeying the laws of the land and to maintain peaceful environment, said government was doing everything possible to protect lives and property of residence of the state.

    “I call on parents across the state not to allow their wards to be involved in criminal activities. Let us celebrate the Sallah in moderation,” he said.

  • How I was poisoned as Rivers governor – Wike

    How I was poisoned as Rivers governor – Wike

    The former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has  narrated how he survived after being poisoned in 2018 while in office as governor.

    Wike during a thanksgiving service in the church on Sunday revealed that doctors told him that his intestines were all black, a situation he believed arose from the poisoning that reportedly took place at the state government’s secretariat.

    The Ex- governor however, expressed gratitude that he survived the poison miraculously to the surprise of the doctors who diagnosed him

    “There is a lot to thank God for; from 2015 to 2023 God was in charge; everybody who knew how we came to power knew it was turbulent, but God saw us through. I will give three instances why we need to thank God. While in your office, so many people think as governor everything is going on well with you.”

    “As governor, nobody wants to ask if you are well, all is, you wake up in the morning, see text messages, accounts you are to send money to… December 2018, that day was the day my former Chief of Staff was to have Thanksgiving ceremony, and I was to attend that event on a Sunday.

    “On that Sunday, I never came down from my room, it was bad. For those who attended the January 1st State Banquet of 2019, will know that I never spoke that day, I just sat down there and told my deputy to speak on my behalf, people didn’t know what was going on.

    “After that banquet, 12:00 am midnight, I was taken out of the country because I thought it was over, when we got to Beirut the doctors told me they had to do so many tests…they came back the next morning and said it was bad; my kidney, liver were gone.

    “Doctors told me I’d been poisoned and that my liver and kidney were no longer functioning. I believe I was poisoned at the secretariat. To God be the glory, I survived it.”

    “I never knew that I had been poisoned in our campaign secretariat; my intestines were all black. The doctors did everything they could do, and the next day the doctors came and said everything was turning around; to the glory of God after about one week, they said I could then go. I came back to Nigeria and told those who are close to me that we wouldn’t stop at anybody’s house because I could not identify how I was poisoned; everyone was a suspect to me.

    “When I was going through my presidential primaries, my wife called me from London that she has been diagnosed with cancer, I called my G5 members who were supporting me, I said there is a problem and I don’t think I can continue with this race; I called my wife back and she said no, continue so we started (the race).

    “On the night of the primaries, I went with my wife to Abuja, and from nowhere, we were called that fire gutted my wife’s room. We called the fire service everything was burnt; up to today, we haven’t repaired that room… and nobody knew, I just kept quiet. That is why I said some people don’t ask what I’m passing through–you just want me to give you! give you! you don’t even know if I’m dying.

    “But I thank God today that my wife is hale and hearty. When people text me, my wife is sick, my mother is at the hospital, I always say should I text back, my wife is also in hospital? If anything should have happened you can imagine the effect on my children.

    “The last one, as we finished the primary, my wife went to Lagos to bring my daughter, they landed at the air force base, and I said when they land I will just enter and go to Lagos (somebody was waiting for me that I must see).

    After 15 minutes of take-off, we heard a sound, I saw the air hostess running. I rushed to the cockpit, but the door was locked; nobody to communicate with; she ran back and told us one engine is gone; the pilot said it’s safer for us to turn back (we were three)…by the grace of God before we landed, we saw several ambulances, fire service trucks line up; I didn’t know the pilot had communicated with them that there was a serious problem, to the glory of God we landed safely; people just see me as a strong man; part of leadership is not to frighten one’s supporters.”

     

  • Jigawa governor sacks boards of government parastatals

    Jigawa governor sacks boards of government parastatals

    Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, has sacked boards and Chief Executives Officers of the state government agencies with immediate effect.

    Alhaji Muhammad Dagaceri, the Permanent Secretary, Administration, and Finance, office of the Secretary to the State Government said this in a statement on Wednesday in Dutse.

    “The governor has relieved the  appointments of Managing Directors, General Managers, Executive Secretaries, Chairmen and Members of Board of Agencies/ Parastatals with the exception of Commissioners.”

    Dagaceri said that career executive secretaries, Managing Directors, and General Managers were excluded from the directive.

    “The directive also excludes career Managing Directors, General Managers, and Executive Secretaries,” he said.

    Dagaceri directed all the affected officials to hand over government property in their possession to the most senior officers in their organisations.