TheNewsGuru

Tag: governor

  • ‘Yahoo boys must be brilliant’ – Edo State gov, Godwin Obaseki

    ‘Yahoo boys must be brilliant’ – Edo State gov, Godwin Obaseki

    Edo state governor Godwin Obaseki has opined that yahoo boys are brillant and as such their mentality should be redirected towards positive thinking. He advised that youth should shun social vices and channel their energy into something more positive.

    Speaking on Friday at an education town hall meeting in the state, the governor said the Internet fraudsters, better known as Yahoo Yahoo boys, must be very brilliant to carry out such illegal activities.

    Obaseki noted that the government needs to help the fraudsters redirect their thinking into positive ventures.

    “I am concerned. Cyber fraud and Yahoo culture are big issues. I am calling on everyone to please send as much information as you can to my office,” Obaseki said.

    “On Monday, I am going to see the chairman of EFCC. I am not condemning those involved. There must be a reason why that culture has become so prolific in Edo state. We must find the root cause and address them as we did in the days of trafficking.

    “Let’s see how we can correct it because these children must be very brilliant. The kind of things they do, how they hack into other people’s accounts. How do we re-direct that thinking into something more positive?”

    In January, a video of three teenagers searching for where to learn internet fraud in Edo state had surfaced online and gone viral.

  • 2023: Only Rivers State people will decide next Gov not any individual – Senator Magnus Abe

    2023: Only Rivers State people will decide next Gov not any individual – Senator Magnus Abe

    Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has said that Rivers people will decide who will govern them in 2023 as their fate does not lie in the hands of any individual.

    Abe, a former representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, made the declaration in Port Harcourt while addressing some party faithful and returnees of the All Progressives Congress (APC), from different political parties in the Rivers West Senatorial District of the State.

    The Senator hailed their decision to reunite with other members of the party in order to build purposefully, describing them as men of honour and integrity who have placed the interest of the state and interest of the party above parochial sentiments.

    He maintained that, for Rivers State to actualize the dreams and aspirations of its founding fathers, the people need to come together regardless of whatever may have transpired in the past and focus on the future, as the project is about the future of Rivers State.

    Abe said: “Let me thank each and every one of you for the decision you have taken; our brothers and friends from Rivers West who left the course and have decided to comeback for us to join hands together, to get this boat to the shore.

    “I also want to assure you that what you have done is what is expected of men of honour and integrity to put the interest of the state and interest of the party above every other interest.

    “I want you to know that to take Rivers State to where it needs to be, all of us must come together regardless of what we have done before, regardless of what we have said, regardless of what we have felt before.

    “This project is about the future of Rivers State not about the past. Whatever is past let it remain in the past. For what is in front of us is more important than what is behind us.

    “Once again, I am very, very happy to welcome you all back into the party and to say, that I will like to invite all men and women of goodwill across Rivers State, those who have the courage, those who have the knowledge, those who have intuition to be able to see what has not happened that can happen.

    “Those who have the capacity, those who have the quality to be able to understand what people say, that the time is now.”

    He went further to say, that it is important for people to realize that the APC in the State is made up of people, who have brains and could think for themselves.

    The Senator said: “It is important for people to realize that the APC in the State is made up of people, who have brains and could think for themselves. And so, we must learn to do things differently.

    “That is why the purpose of consultation is important, so that we will not make mistake. All of you that have been the strength of this party, that have been the strength of the Rivers West Senatorial District, all of you that have come to say that you are coming back to join us to work together, you are also part of the consultation and we will listen to you “.

    Earlier, leader of Rivers West Senatorial District Plus One, Lucky Ottos said they took the decision to reunite with party members for the interest of a better Rivers State.

    Ottos said: “We cannot handover Rivers State to people who are not qualified to govern and that’s why we sat down and decided that we will work with you; Senator Magnus Ngei Abe”.

    Highlight of the event was a presentation of request to Senator Abe by the group, urging him to throw his cap into the ring and run for governor of Rivers State in 2023.

  • BREAKING: Former Oyo gov, Alao Akala is dead

    BREAKING: Former Oyo gov, Alao Akala is dead

    Reports reaching TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) now indicate that a former governor of Oyo state, Christopher Alao Akala is dead.

    The details of his death are still sketchy at the moment but a family member confirmed to TNG that he has passed on.

    Details to follow…

  • I always knew he will one day be Anambra governor, Ngige congratulates Soludo, gives kudos to Buhari

    I always knew he will one day be Anambra governor, Ngige congratulates Soludo, gives kudos to Buhari

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has congratulated Professor Charles Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) on his victory in the Anambra State governorship election.

    Ngige, in a goodwill message on Wednesday, said the victory of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the poll was well deserved.

    “Ndi-Anambra have spoken with this resounding victory,” he said. “Having contested in 2010 with Soludo, who was then the PDP candidate and myself in ACN – an election in which I was ‘awarded’ the second position even though I won outright and Soludo third, I knew that with his tenacity of purpose and drive, he would one day make it to the seat of the Governor of Anambra State.

    “It is a case in patience and endurance, an aspiration nurtured to serve the people with all his strength, I seriously believe. Ndi-Anambra I know, will hence, entertain no excuses.

    “Much has been given, hence the expectation is very high. Knowing Soludo as I do, however, I have no doubt that our people have made an excellent choice by voting him.”

    The minister also congratulated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting a free, fair, and credible election, even with the initial hiccups posed by the malfunctioning of the Biometric Voters’ Accreditation (BVAS) system in some places.

    According to him, an opportunity has been offered to INEC to brace up to the challenges posed by the Anambra election, especially with the debut of the BVAS technology for more credible, free, and fair elections in the future.

    “At this auspicious juncture, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a glowing national tribute,” said Ngige. “I put on record, that Mr President had on three different occasions, assured through me, that the Anambra governorship election would be free and fair.

    “The last of such occasion being on October 14, 2021, when I conveyed the fear and the consternation of the religious leaders, elder statesmen, and traditional rulers of Anambra State, more especially that of his friend, the Archbishop of the Onitsha Metropolitan Province, His Grace, Dr. Valerian Okeke to him in his office.

    “Not only did the President ensure a level playing field for all the political parties, he directed all the security agencies to deploy into Anambra to protect and secure voters and electoral workers. A promise kept!”

    Ngige added, “Worthy of commendation in this direction, is the professionalism exhibited by the security agencies – the army, police, DSS and the civil defence during the exercise, in compliance with the wish of the President for the good people of Anambra State.

    “The election has come and gone, and it is very free, fair, and credible. Mr President has indeed lived true to his assurances to Ndi-Anambra and by this very fact, demonstrated once again that he is no enemy to Ndi-Igbo. What a better value to democracy, than a legacy of credible elections, in which the will of the people reigns supreme. May we, therefore, hail this true democrat!”

  • Anambra 2021: Echoes of drums of war as gladiators battle over who emerges Governor

    Anambra 2021: Echoes of drums of war as gladiators battle over who emerges Governor

    By Emman Ovuakporie

    Anambra gubernatorial election is one poll that will go a long way in signposting the shape and manner the 2023 general elections will look like in Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) in this analysis is going to take a look at the factors that will go a long way in determining who captures the day come November 6.

    With the relaxation of the sit-at-home order by Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) after Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) took a stand that Anambra guber race must hold has gone a long way to reduce the mountainous tension that was building up before the November 6 guber race.

    The apex electoral body in Nigeria too,the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) had vowed that the election must hold.

    With this unfolding developments, Anambra seem set to produce the next Governor of the state adjudged to be the number one state in Nigeria that is always producing the highest number of guber candidates in the country.

    In most cases formidable candidates that are not pushovers fall by the way side because money laced with politics always play a pivotal role in Anambra political affairs.

    The list of registered candidates by INEC shows that Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), along with 15 other candidates — all male — are vying for the governorship position.
    There are, however, seven females vying for deputy governorship position.

    As it’s, there are 18 gubernatorial candidates trying to grab Willie Obiano’s job come November 6, but from all indications it may just be a four-man race revolving around Chukwuma Soludo of APGA, Valentine Ezigbo of PDP, Ifeanyi Ubah of YPP and Andy Ubah of APC the ruling party in Nigeria.

    These four political bigwigs are all billionaires with massive investments both known and unknown to Nigerians here and abroad.

    Anambra people may not know what is in government House that’s attracting all these men that by every sense of it are more than comfortable if not for power to control resources of the state.

    Let’s take a look at each of these four political gladiators.

    Sen Ifeanyi Ubah, 50 years old is the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the Red Chamber who contested under a relatively unknown YPP party in the South East but finally landed in the Senate.

    A good fighter who throws in all it takes to win a battle. Ubah is one contestant to watch out for on Saturday. He is definitely not going to be a pushover because he’s firmly in control of his senatorial district. A little spread into other districts may turn the table in his favour.

    Prof Charles Soludo, an economist and one time former Governor of the Nigerian apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) who had tried in the past and woefully failed is Governor Obiano’s right hand man.

    The 61years old economist who under normal circumstances could have easily grabbed Obiano’s job may have a lot to contend with because of his over confidence in the state might mentality.

    This mentality may really work against him on Saturday if he does not watch his flanks very well. He is running under APGA the only surviving Igbo party in Nigeria. This alone is an added advantage for Soludo but his larger than life confidence might just be his undoing at the polls.

    Sen Nnamdi Ubah, popularly known as Andy Ubah of the ruling APC definitely may not become a political relic after Saturday because the ‘federal might’ will probably work in his favour if he can conveniently put his house in order before Saturday.

    He has not really shown any confidence about the possibility of emerging Governor but believes the ruling party could perform miracles without prophecy on Saturday.

    But one thing is certain, he is a grassroot politician with native intelligence. If he applies his native wisdom adequately, ‘federal might’ could just help him shove aside others.

    Valentine Ezigbo, 51years old ,he is the man carrying the flag of the umbrella party, the PDP. He is the immediate past Chief Executive of Transcorp Plc. Described in many quarters as an astute business man and politician.

    The PDP over the years has lost steam in Anambra due to the poor political leadership at the centre and this can negatively work against this robust politician.

    He should quietly wait for his turn to govern the state because Anambra politics is all about how stomach infrastructure can be distributed via the highest bidder.

    Other contestants are just bench warmers vying to add Anambra guber contestant to their curriculum vitae.

    But the election on Saturday is going to be turbo charged and from all indications, it’s a warfare that will be filled with mines and the man with the largest war chest might just emerge Governor.

    It’s also going to be a ‘state might’ vs ‘federal might’.

  • I enjoyed being ‘audio’ governor- Makinde

    I enjoyed being ‘audio’ governor- Makinde

    Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on Friday instated seven reappointed commissioners and charged them to work harder to further develop the state.

    He said the names of the remaining commissioners would soon be made public.

    The governor said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Taiwo Adisa, on Friday.

    He said detractors would always continue to have something to say but said his administration would not relent in executing various projects that would have positive impacts on the people of the state.

    The governor equally urged the reappointed commissioners to explore more new ways to deliver on their mandate and positively touch the lives of the good people of the state.

    The governor said, “I remember that over a year ago, they said everything we were doing was audio. Then, I actually enjoyed being the ‘audio governor.’ For me being audio, they are acknowledging the visuals and by the time we are done, they will understand that we have set a new bar on governance.

    “I was recently talking to a brother-governor and he said to me that, first, they called you audio. Now, they are saying we are seeing what you guys are doing. But then, they ask if those things are sustainable. We have sustained payment of salaries for our workers and pensioners in the state for over two years. So, they will constantly be shifting their position until they have nowhere else to shift to.”

    He equally added that the new commissioners would all need to play their parts in ensuring that emphatic and service-oriented leadership becomes the norm in the state, saying:

    “The people of Oyo State will no longer be dragged down to the days of mediocre leadership. You all have a role to play in ensuring that ‘emphatic’ leadership becomes the new normal in Oyo State and, by extension, Nigeria because the whole country is watching. We should not relent but keep raising the bar.”

     

  • Akeredolu reacts to Supreme Court verdict upholding his election as Ondo Governor

    Akeredolu reacts to Supreme Court verdict upholding his election as Ondo Governor

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has commended the judiciary for upholding his victory in the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.

    The Supreme Court affirmed Akeredolu’s victory on Wednesday, striking out the suit filed by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, for lacking in merit.

    Reacting to the verdict at the Government House in Akure, the Ondo governor said the judiciary stood for the truth and did not yield to any influence.

    “I have every reason to thank God and to appreciate our judiciary for standing by the truth and for not yielding to any influence. I believe that we can still be proud of our judiciary in this country,” he said.

    “I just heard the news of the final decision of the final court on the election petition filed by my brother, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN. The supreme dismissed his appeal on a 4-3 basis and that in essence is that from the Tribunal up to the Supreme Court.

    “The justices have affirmed that the petition was most frivolous. As you know 12 Justices have affirmed in our favour and only three supported that petition, three at the Tribunal, five at the Court of Appeal, and four at the Supreme Court.”

    Akeredolu was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 10, 2020, Governorship election in Ondo State.

    The PDP and its candidate, Eyitayo Jegede had earlier approached the appeal court to challenge the candidacy of Akeredolu, insisting that his nomination form was signed by a sitting Governor Mai Buni who doubles as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

    The appeal was based on the constitutional provision which forbids sitting Governors from holding executive positions outside their statutory position as governors.

  • Becoming a governor made me poorer —Okorocha

    Becoming a governor made me poorer —Okorocha

    Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has said that he became poorer after ruling the state for eight years.

    The Senator representing Imo West District at the ninth Senate said this while denying claims that he acquired properties with government funds when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

    He said, “I challenge anybody to prove that I acquired any property with any government fund.

    “I think people have forgotten that I was Rochas before becoming the governor of Imo State; I think they have forgotten completely.

    “If anything, becoming a governor made me even poorer than what I was in the past. I don’t know whether I acquired any property here in Abuja, there is none.”

    While recounting his encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, he said, “I said to them (EFCC) that I have not come to respond to your call because there is already a matter in court and once a matter is sub judice, you cannot talk about it.

    “Imo State government has taken me to court on the same subject matter, and we are at the Federal High Court in Abuja on the same subject matter.

    “EFCC is doing their job because if there is no report, they can’t nose into whatever you are doing; EFCC is not witch-hunting, they are acting on a petition being written by somebody.”

     

  • I can resign as governor if that will bring peace in Zamfara – Matawalle

    I can resign as governor if that will bring peace in Zamfara – Matawalle

    Governor Bello Matawalle has said he is not power drunk and can resign as governor of Zamfara State if that will return peace.

    Matawalle stated this on Wednesday in a monitored programme on Channels Television when responding to a question on if he was intimidated by the Federal Government’s declaration of a ‘No-Fly Zone’ in Zamfara.

    He said: “I am ready to accept any solution that will bring security to my state.

    “I am not intimidated. If I know that my resigning as a governor will make the people sleep with their two eyes closed, I can resign. I am ready to do what will bring security. I am not power-hungry. I have been having a sleepless night to protect the people of Zamfara State.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno, had on Tuesday said President Buhari approved the declaration “No-Fly Zone” in Zamfara, as part of efforts to tackle the security challenges in the state.

    Matawalle noted that while he has no grievance regarding the order, he was however disappointed that the National Security Council did not consult him before making the declaration.

    The governor also stated that the ‘No-Fly Zone’ order is not the same as declaring a state of emergency.

    He argued that the flight ban was supposed to have been extended to some other states seeing that the security challenges faced in Zamfara were also affecting many states in the northern part of the country.

  • Why I didn’t receive salaries for eight years as Osun Governor – Aregbesola

    Why I didn’t receive salaries for eight years as Osun Governor – Aregbesola

    The Minister of Interior and immediate past governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has denied reports that he secretly received his accumulated 96-month salary while leaving office as governor in 2019.

    The minister was reacting to reports accusing him of receiving the accumulated salaries in secret.

    A statement from minister’s media aide, Sola Fasure, described the report as a fiction written by elements bent on casting “aspersion on the integrity of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola “.

    According to the statement, the author of the report “falsely claims that the Minister of Interior and immediate past governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, towards the end of his tenure, secretly received the backlog of his full salary for the entire period he was governor, contrary to his asserting that he never did.

    “The report is entirely a piece of fiction, a good exemplar of fake news and disreputable journalism.”

    The media aide said: “Let me state categorically again that Ogbeni Aregbesola did not receive any salary in the entire duration of his eight-year stint as governor in Osun.

    “His reason being that the state government provided accommodation, security, transportation, food and other conveniences for him and would not need to pay for these from his pocket.

    “He also explained that all his children are grown up and have graduated and he would not need to pay school fees again. He therefore donated his salaries to the state government.

    “The author of the report claims to have got the information from some anonymous government officials. He provides no evidence.

    “The report fails the basic journalistic ethical requirement that only truth and verifiable fact should be reported as news. Reading through it, one is not in doubt that the evil intention behind the piece was to smear and cast aspersion on the integrity of Ogbeni Aregbesola.”