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Tag: governor

  • Otu assures citizens of all inclusive govt as Nigeria marks Democracy Day

    Otu assures citizens of all inclusive govt as Nigeria marks Democracy Day

    Wevole Ezin, Calabar

    Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu has enjoined citizens of the state to support his administration to succeed as the nation marks the 2023 Democracy Day.

    The governor stated this in his goodwill message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbech, to mark this year’s Democracy Day.

    He reminded the people of his administration’s mantra of ‘Peoples First Agenda’ and assured them of his commitment to the economic growth, prosperity and security of all nooks and crannies of the state.

    While promising citizens of an all-inclusive government as well as an open door policy, Otu warned against acts that are capable of truncating democratic governance in the state and country at large.

    “Having come a long way as a country, we must do even more to preserve this democracy for the sake of posterity.

    “Apart from being the fifth conservative democratic transfer of power from one administration to another since the beginning of the 4th Republic, it marks the beginning of a new and critical administration in our almost 23 years of unbroken democratic experience.

    “I urge you my dear people, not only to pray for the success of the new administration, but also to work and walk with us to our greatness.

    “Let us continue to support the administration of our President, His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the mandate you gave to me and my dear brother, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey,” the governor said.
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  • More than 150 killed in one LGA in three weeks – Plateau governor

    More than 150 killed in one LGA in three weeks – Plateau governor

    The Plateau State governor Caleb Mutfwang, has said at least 150 people have been killed in Mangu LGA of the state in the last three weeks.

    Mutfwang disclosed this during an interview with Channels Television yesterday.

    According to the him, four persons were murdered in the LGA on Thursday night.

    Recall that over the past few months, some LGAs in Plateau have witnessed a spate of violent attacks, resulting in fatalities and displacement.

    In May, Solomon Maren, a member of the house of representatives from Plateau, said over 100 people were killed in two days during overnight attacks in his constituency — Mangu/Bokkos.

    Similarly, more than 30 persons were reportedly killed in an attack by gunmen in Bwoi, Mangu.

    Mutfwang said 80 percent of the incidents are “pure genocide”, adding that over 30,000 people have been displaced.

    He noted that reports from the communities indicate that the perpetrators of the violent attacks are “foreign mercenaries”.

    “Last night, four people were killed in Mangu. Conservatively, I will put it that in the last three weeks, we have buried not less than 150 people in Mangu local government,” he said.

    “And as I am talking to you we have no less than 30,000 people scattered in various IDP camps that we are having to deal with now.”

    On his meeting with President Bola Tinubu, the Plateau governor said the president has the “political will” to deal with the security challenges in the state.

    “I had the privilege and honour to have a meeting with Mr President at very short notice. The meeting centred around the challenges of security in the Plateau and I found Mr President full of listening ears and determination to deal with the issues. I think it is going to be a welcome change.”

    “The response of Mr President is reassuring and his understanding of the problem was quite comforting. Certainly, Mr President is showing that he has a political will to deal with the issues.”

  • CALAMITY! Delta community in panic mode as cable electrocutes widow, son

    CALAMITY! Delta community in panic mode as cable electrocutes widow, son

    Eruemukohwarien community of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State is a panic as a widow named Mary and her son, Prince, were electrocuted by an 11KVA high-tension cable owned by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    An account by a witness said tragedy struck when the cable snapped on the roof of a market stall, leading to a fatal electric shock as Mary attempted to rescue her son.

    Details shortly…

  • Political vengeance: Police storm ex-Gov Matawalle’s house recover govt properties(Photo)

    Political vengeance: Police storm ex-Gov Matawalle’s house recover govt properties(Photo)

    Political vengeance seems to be on the upsurge particularly in states that there was transition.

    The Zamfara State government has ordered a raid on the residence of the immediate-past governor of the State, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, and impounded some vehicles believed to belong to government.

    Some Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were impounded on Friday during a raid of Matawalle’s residence in Gusau.

    Recall that, speaking on a local radio station, incumbent Governor Dauda Lawal had said, “Former Governor Bello Matawalle had gone away with 17 vehicles from his office and those in the deputy governor’s office claiming that the vehicles are his personal belongings. In fact, not even office equipment were spared.”

    According to a report, a total of four jeeps were seized.

    Policemen were said to have stormed the former governor’s residence, which is not far from Government House in Gusau, the State capital.

    Governor Lawal had accused Matawalle of leaving with government vehicles and looting property including television and cookers from the State Government House and the State Liason Office in Abuja.

    Last Saturday, Lawal gave Matawalle an ultimatum of five days to return the vehicles allegedly taken away by officials of his administration.

    Lawal, who gave the ultimatum via a statement issued by his spokesman, Sulaiman Idris, vowed to recover looted funds and properties of the state government.

    We have the facts and records available that expose Matawalle’s impropriety. Where is the lie? A contract was awarded by the former governor, for the purchase of vehicles to be distributed to dignitaries and Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the cost of N1,149,800,000. The contract for the purchase of the vehicles was awarded to Hafkhad Properties and Facilities Management Nig. Ltd.

    The money was meant for the purchase of a Toyota Lexus VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser VIP Bullet Proof 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V6 2021 Model; Toyota Prado V4 2021 Model; Peugeot 2021 Model; Toyota Hilux 2021 Model; Toyota Land Cruiser Bullet Proof 2021; and Toyota Lexus 2021 Model.

    “We have communicated officially to former Governor Bello Matawalle and his Deputy to return all the missing vehicles within five working days,” he stated.


    Source: Leadership

  • Plateau governor suspends last-minute  appointments

    Plateau governor suspends last-minute  appointments

    The pleateu state governor Caleb Mutfwang has suspended last-minute appointments into the state’s civil service made by his predecessor, Barr. Simon Lalong.

    Mutfwang’s in a statement issued by his media aide media aide Gyang Bere,  in Jos yesterday said that the governor directed the suspension of the appointments because they were “flagrant abuse of Public Service Rules’’.

    The statement reads:
    “All appointments into the state’s civil service from Oct. 1, 2022, to date are hereby suspended with effect from the same date subject to review in line with due process.

    “All those who have retired but are yet to vacate their offices or duty posts either because of extension or contract appointment are to hand over government property in their possession and vacate the offices immediately.

    “All civil servants due for retirement but are yet to tender their letters of retirement or notice of retirement should do so forthwith and proceed on retirement immediately.

    “All civil servants and or persons appointed Permanent Secretaries from January 2023 to date should revert to their previous positions forthwith,’’ the Governor directed.

    The government assured that measures and steps to strengthen and build a result-oriented civil service would be taken in due course.

  • Enugu gov, Mbah says economy, security, Nnamdi Kanu top his meeting with Tinubu

    Enugu gov, Mbah says economy, security, Nnamdi Kanu top his meeting with Tinubu

    Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Thursday, has said top in his agenda while meeting with President Bola Tinubu were economy, release of Nnamdi Kanu and security as they affect his state.

    The Enugu governor made this disclosure while briefing Presidential Villa correspondents after the meeting, he described the meeting as heartwarming, said partnership and collaboration with the federal government was critical to actualising his administration’s agenda for Enugu State, especially in the areas of economy, infrastructure, security, and activation of dormant assets.

    He also said the meeting equally discussed the need to release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying it is a demand by the South East, which is very much in tandem with President Tinubu’s promise in his inaugural address to engender national healing and reconcilation.

    “I came and frankly I brought to the President, the warm greetings and best wishes from the government and the people of Enugu state.

    “But, above all, you may also know already that we made massive campaign promises to the people of Enugu. And we also have expressed humongous vision. We’ve taken a bold view of what the new government could achieve in the next four years, in terms of growing our economy from the current levels to $30 billion. And one of our core governance philosophies is to collaborate and to have partnership; and we have identified the federal government as our core partner.

    “A lot of people do not know, but we have huge mineral resources in Enugu State. And these resources are sitting under our ground, not being productive. So, we believe with the partnership we’re trying to build with the federal government, we’re able to transform these assets into productive assets.

    “Of course, you know that the growth level we have proposed is one that is going to be driven by the private sector and private sector wants the ease of doing business; and one of the core indicators of the ease of doing business is security and infrastructure. So, we also had that conversation with Mr. President.

    “And finally, we also talked about the release of Nnamdi Kanu. You know, that the South East has made a collective demand to have Nnamdi Kanu released. And we basically identified with that and request Mr. President, who in his inaugural address promised the people that he’s going to engender national healing and he’s going to serve with compassion. So we’ve basically informed him that this would serve as a pointer to his administration’s extension of hands of fellowship to Ndigbo”, he said.

  • ‘Roforofo’ fight in Delta APC takes a new twist as national leadership ratifies expulsion of Cairo Ojougbo

    ‘Roforofo’ fight in Delta APC takes a new twist as national leadership ratifies expulsion of Cairo Ojougbo

    …rescinds earlier letter

    …see letter

    The ‘roforofo’ fight in Delta APC takes a new dimension as national leadership of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has upheld the expulsion of the former Director of Projects of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh.

    The decision to ratify Ojuogboh’s expulsion as recommended by the Delta State chapter of the party is coming barely 24 hours after the National Legal Adviser, Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq, Esq. nullified the punitive action, on the claim that the erstwhile party chieftain was not given fair hearing.

    In a fresh letter dated June 7, 2023 and signed by the same El-Marzuq and addressed to Dr. Ojuogboh’s counsel, the party retracted the nullification of expulsion, stating that subsequent facts have revealed the inconsistencies in Dr. Ojougbo’s claims of defence.

    El-Marzuq stated that the APC now agrees that the expulsion of Ojuogboh is very valid for dragging the party to court without first exhausting internal dispute resolution mechanism as required in the party’s constitution. Dr. Cairo Ojougbo’s expulsion was thus endorsed for constituting an illegal parallel state executive committee and the open display of anti-party activities evidenced by a video clip celebrating the undeserved loss of the APC governorship candidate in Delta State.

    According to El-Marzud, dragging the party to court was a gross violation of Article 21.5(v) of APC constitution. In addition, constituting an illegal parallel state executive committee which purportedly expelled the party’s governorship candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, offended Article 21.2(vi) of the same constitution.

    He stated that Ojuogboh demonstrated glaring anti-party activity when he was seen in a widely circulated video clip in the media, wherein he was seen lampooning Ovie Ono-Agege and celebrating the unjustified loss of the party and its candidate in the gubernatorial election in Delta State.

    “After a thorough review of these emerging facts, the party has been advised that the expulsion of Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh by the Delta State executive committee is valid and justified.

    “It is further advised that the expulsion of Dr. Ojuogboh from the party with specific reference to Article 21.5(v) of the party’s constitution be affirmed.

    “Therefore, I must formally retract the earlier letter sent to you. It is now clear that the expulsion of Dr. Ojuogboh from the party is valid, based on his violation of the party’s constitution by filing an action in court against the party and establishing an illegal parallel executive committee to carry out his machinations aimed at destabilizing the party.

    “I request that you communicate these developments and the party’s position to your client, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh. It is crucial that he understands the grounds upon which his expulsion has been ratified by the party and that the decision is final,” the letter stated.

  • [OPINION] Oborevwori: One week in the saddle – By Nelson Egware

    [OPINION] Oborevwori: One week in the saddle – By Nelson Egware

    On May 29, 2023, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori was sworn in as 5th elected Governor of Delta State. In keeping with his M.O.R.E agenda which means Meaningful Development; Opportunity for all; Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security, Oborevwori has demonstrated that he was amply prepared to advance Delta state by hitting the ground running.

    So far, he has taken the gauntlet and immediately after the swearing-in ceremony, his predecessor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa came calling for the official handover which was preceded by the former praying for the incumbent to succeed in his new assignment.

    Immediately after his inauguration, Oborevwori named veteran Journalist and Vanguard Newspaper’s Delta Correspondent, Mr Festus Ahon as his Chief Press Secretary.

    Few days later, the Governor also approved the appointment of Dr Kingsley Emu, a Harvard trained economist and banker as Secretary to the State Government while a former Deputy Majority Leader of the State House Assembly, Hon. Prince Johnson Erijo as Chief of Staff and former Senator Representing Delta Central Senatorial District and erstwhile Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo was announced as Senior Political Adviser.

    While swearing-in the SSG and Senior Political Adviser, Oborevwori, restated his firm belief in the unity of the state and determination to resist all forms of sectionalism and nepotism in the discharge of his statutory responsibilities.

    Congratulating the appointees on their “well-deserved appointments”, the governor urged them to key into the M.O.R.E Agenda of his administration towards sustained infrastructural renewal, human capital development and social investment programmes.

    He reassured on his promise to run an all-inclusive government but stressed that “capacity and merit” would form the basis of political appointments under his watch. The governor warned political appointees in his administration against ethnic politics and sectionalism but to regard the entire state as their constituency by being fair and just to all citizens of the state.

    The following day he appointed son of late Senator Patrick Osakwe, Hon. Christopher Osakwe a former Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Council as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme. Oborevwori an apostle and crusader for equity and fairness has so far balanced his appointments as all the appointees cut across the three Senatorial Districts in the state.

    On his first official working day, the Governor met with the State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments and Agencies in the state where he unfolded his vision to the bureaucrats. The meeting which was held at the Exco Chambers, Government House, Asaba, was attended by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme.

    Addressing Government House correspondents shortly after the meeting, the state Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Reginald Bayoko said the meeting provided a veritable platform for the governor to formally outline his vision to the bureaucrats.

    He said the Governor charged the entire civil servants in the state to be diligent in the discharge of their duties. Bayoko said that as civil servants who are at the front line of delivering services and implementing the government’s agenda they should be up and doing in the discharge of their services to the state.

    Bayoko further said Governor Oborevwori recounted his promise to the electorate and told them the state needs to feel his impact as his “four-year first term had started counting, and on our part, we promised to give him the full support to deliver on his mandate to the citizens”.

    Oborevwori also attended a grand reception in honour of immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on Saturday where he assured that his administration would be fair, Just and equitable to all parts of the state in terms of projects and appointments.

    He commended the Ika nation for organising the reception in honour of the former Governor and pledged to carry out his task as Governor with the fear of God.

    Oborevwori at the ceremony approved the naming of the Old Lagos-Asaba Road cutting across Ika North East and Ika South LGAs after Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as requested by the Council Chairmen, Hon. Victor Ebonka and Hon. Sunny Tatabuzuogu.

    The Governor who returned home for the first time since becoming Governor, on Sunday, attended a church service at the Living Faith Church, Effurun where he thanked the Church for their prayers and support and promised to be a servant-leader with the fear of God in living up to the expectations of the electorates who trusted him with their votes.

    On his way back to Asaba on Monday morning, Governor Oborevwori seized the opportunity to carry out inspection works on the ongoing construction of the Sector ‘A’ and Sector ‘C’ of the Ughelli-Asaba dualisation project where he promised to continue funding ongoing projects to ensure their early completion.

    He said the road was very important to all Deltans because it leads to Asaba the state capital and the South East and urged the contractors to show more commitment as government was willing to meet their obligations as they fall due.

    The first one week of Governor Oborevwori has been remarkable and we look forward to greater days and years ahead of him as he soldiers on to deliver on his M.O.R.E Agenda aimed at Advancing Delta.

  • You don’t have right to sack us – Cross River Auditor General tells governor

    You don’t have right to sack us – Cross River Auditor General tells governor

    Wevole Ezin, Calabar

    The Cross River State Auditor General Mr John Odey and his Local Government counterpart, Mrs Franka Inok have said that the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has no power to force them to retire from service.

    They both stated this on Tuesday in a letter addressed to the Chairman Civil Service Commission, Mr Oko Inaku stating that they will remain in service until their formal retirement age of sixty years or mandatory thirty five years from service.

    This was sequel to the compulsory retirement letters by the the governor through the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, issued to the two Auditor Generals on Monday directing that they vacate office.

    In the letter titled: “Re – Notice to vacate Office”, with reference number CRS/AGLG/81/Vol 11/565 the officials stated thus: “We wish to bring to your notice sections 127 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 42 of the Cross River State Audit Law number 2021 as amended regarding the removal from office of the Auditor General”

    Speaking on the legal position of the two officials, a legal practitioner, Mr. Eteng Okposin revealed that Article 11 of the Nigerian Constitution states that the Executive Governor of a state has the power to hire and fire officials depending on his disposition of their service if unsatisfied.

    “The governor of a state is charged with the execution of state laws alongside the responsibility of state executive officers, regulatory and judicial officers subject to the approval of the House of Assembly and can sack, dismiss, terminate the appointment of any official without consulting the State House of Assembly except those democratically elected”

    Okposin said the person in question may seek redress from the court if necessary.

    A staff of the Civil Service Commission Bright Ogbolo stated that in 2015, “the former governor of the state, Senator Ben Ayade dissolved all the boards, agencies and commissions including statutory ones “and when the Judicial Service Commission instituted a matter in Court against the governor the matter was thrown out”

    However, Odey and Inok have both dared the governor’s directives as they still report for duties in their offices.

  • Six days after inauguration, Kano Gov Yusuf supervises demolition of buildings

    Six days after inauguration, Kano Gov Yusuf supervises demolition of buildings

    Barely six days after inauguration the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf in the early hours of Saturday started the demolition of buildings on public lands, which he termed illegal.

    Already, a 3-storey building with 90 shops on a race course by Filing Sukuwa, Nasarawa GRA, was brought down around 2.00am on Saturday, becoming the first victim of the demolition campaign.

    Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, an Engineer by Profession, to show his commitment to the demolition exercise, led the removal of the illegal building accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Gumel.

    It could be recalled that Abba Kabir Yusuf shortly after being declared governor-elect, threatened to demolish buildings in the state on public properties.

    This is the first demolition carried out after assuming office on Monday, May 29th.

    Also, on Friday, the governor directed the developer carrying out construction works at the Hajj Camp to stop ongoing construction