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Tag: Kogi State

  • What I will do if elected Kogi Gov – Melaye

    What I will do if elected Kogi Gov – Melaye

    Sen. Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Nov. 11 governorship election in Kogi, has said that the state would witness a new era when he becomes its governor.

    Melaye made the pledge when he received the report of the party’s Policy Drafting Committee for Kogi Governorship election in Abuja on Friday.

    He said that when elected as the state governor, he would reform the state civil service, improve infrastructure and create an Independent Kogi Economic Development Commission.

    The former national lawmaker also promised to pay full salary to workers, create four new districts and increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue without a tax burden on the poor.

    “The civil service in Kogi State will be reformed and we will pay salaries on the 25th of every month. We will also pay full salary.

    “Today in Kogi, there is no middle class. It is only the rich and the poor. Those in government are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer,” Melaye lamented.

    The PDP candidate, who accused the state government of diverting funds meant for palliatives to the poor, promised to grant local governments financial autonomy.

    “Ten years ago, local government areas in Kogi State were doing projects, rural roads. Today, no local government in Kogi can dig a well.

    “Local government have no vehicles, salaries are not paid, some local government secretariats are under lock and key. But we are saying that a new day is coming,” Melaye said.

    He promised to harness and commercialise mineral resources, declaring that Kogi was “too blessed to be poor”.

    “I brought people from outside Nigeria who did a scientific research and gave me the mineral resources in Kogi. We have 52 mineral resources but only one has been tapped – limestone.

    “The rest are just there; we have Uranium. We have the largest deposit of Uranium in Nigeria,” Melaye said.

    He said that when elected, he would use the monthly federal allocation for payment of civil salaries, pension, gratuities, promotion, training and retraining, while internally revenue would be used for developmental projects.

    “We are going to raise the revenue without taxing the poor,” he said.

    Melaye commended the drafting committee for doing a good job.

    “No any other party is talking about policy document apart from the PDP. I have looked at this document, I have read it, it is not only robust, but a solution book and prayer answered,” he said.

    The Committee Chairman, Prof. Sam Amadi, said that the policy document with over 100 pages, contain recommendations that would transform Kogi, if implemented.

    He said that the policy covers several sectors including education, agriculture, local government administration, technology, communications, tourism and others in line with Melaye’s vision for the state.

    “The committee recommended that there must be an Independent Kogi Economic Development Commission.

    “When Melaye becomes the governor, we are insisting that the people that will constitute that committee should be above board and should have influence on the activities of the governor.

    “The commission should be independent; it should have people with pedigree, integrity, so that when he is going wrong, they will bring him back,” Amadi said.

  • Police confirm suicide case in Kogi

    Police confirm suicide case in Kogi

    The Kogi Police Command has confirmed the case of suicide by a yet-to-be-identified man, who allegedly jumped into a river in Lokoja.

    The command’s Public Relation Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, who confirmed the incident, said it happened between 12.30 p.m. and 1p.m.

    Ovye-Aya said that a Divisional Police Officer led a search team to the Meme Bridge on Ganaka-Ajaokuta Road, where the victim was said to have jumped into the river.

    “Our men found the man’s slippers but his corpse is not yet visible, which calls for thorough search for the recovery of his remain.

    “As it stands, the man’s identity is not yet known since none of his family members has shown up to lay complaint.

    “We are only working on a report about the incident by some good Samaritans,” the PPRO said.

    He said that there were two versions of the suicide report with some claiming he left his tricycle on the bridge and jumped into the river.

    According to him, another version claimed that he dropped from another person’s tricycle and jumped in.

    Ovye-Aya further said that “if the deceased was a tricycle rider, the tricycle would have been seen parked on the bridge.

    He described the incident as “very unfortunate” and “rash”, saying that said “what is important to the police is finding the man’s corpse.

    He advised residents of the state to refrain from such rash decisions, in spite of the current economic difficulties.

    “God can change one’s condition for better at anytime,” the PPRO.

    An eyewitness, who spoke to newsmen on the condition of anonymity, said:

    “I am very surprised that a person can decide to take his own life because of hardship.

    “When he jumped into the river we wanted to rescue him but when we saw a snake moving around we got afraid and rushed to inform the police.”

  • Former Kogi Deputy Governor dumps PDP

    Former Kogi Deputy Governor dumps PDP

    The former Deputy Governor of Kogi, Abayomi Awoniyi, on Thursday, officially announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    His defection is contained in a letter, entitled, “Letter of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party”, made available to newsmen in Lokoja.

    Awoniyi served as deputy to former Gov Idris Wada.

    He conveyed his resignation in a letter dated August 31 and addressed to the PDP Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi.

    The letter partly read: “I hereby write to tender my letter of resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party after 25 unbroken years of loyal and dedicated membership and service.”

    “With this resignation letter, I cease to be a member of the PDP.

    “Kindly convey my sincere gratitude to the party faithful in Mopamuro LGA, Kogi West Senatorial District, and indeed the entire state, through your fellow LGAs party chairmen, for their support and camaraderie, over the years.

    “I look forward to our continued friendship, despite the fact that I am no longer a member of your party,” he stated.

    Awoniyi did not give specific reasons for his exit from PDP.

    He was reported to have expressed dissatisfactipn with the conduct of the party’s governorship primary election.

    In a reaction to the exercise, Awoniyi, who was one of the frontline governorship aspirants, described the exercise as a “farce”.

    Meanwhile, he has not officially indicated his next line of action.

  • Tribunal sacks Sen Ohere, declares Natasha Uduaghan winner of Kogi central

    Tribunal sacks Sen Ohere, declares Natasha Uduaghan winner of Kogi central

    The Kogi Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday declared Natasha Akpoti- Uduagan of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the Feb. 25 senatorial election in Kogi Central.

    Her declaration as winner by the tribunal followed its nullification of the victory of Sen Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako, who read the unanimous judgment of the 3-man panel, said Ohere’s votes were inflated in nine polling units in Ajaokuta Local Government.

    “Natasha’s votes were intentionally reduced in the same nine polling units by the INEC Ward Collation officers,” he declared.

    “After making the proper corrections, Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan (PDP), having polled 54,074 against Abubakar Ohere’s 51,291, is hereby declared the authentic winner,” he declared.

    Orjiako explained further: “During collation of results, three other polling units’ result was deliberately not entered for Natasha in the same Local Government.

    “From the evidences before this tribunal, Natasha’s votes in the nine polling units of Ajaokuta were 1073 against the 77 recorded by the ward collation officers, while those scored by Ohere were inflated to 1553 against the actual figure of 1031.

    “In view of this, we are convinced that the petitioners’ 996 votes in polling units 009, 046 and O49 polling units of Ganaja village of Ajaokuta were deliberately not recorded at the Ward Collation Centre.

    “It is not the duty of collation officers to reject results submitted by Presiding Officers from polling units in an election that followed the electoral guidelines substantially. That officer failed in his duty,” he said.

    According to him, all issues raised by the petitioner have been resolved in her.

    The chairman ordered the 3rd respondent (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Ohere and issue same to Natasha.

    The tribunal strongly chided INEC for deliberately going out of its mandate of conducting a free and fair election to conniving with political parties to subvert the will of the people.

    Consequently, the tribunal ordered INEC to pay N500,000 as damages to Natasha for ‘subverting justice’ in the Feb. 25 senatorial election.

    Speaking shortly after the judgment, Counsel to Akpoti-Uduagan, Johnson Usman, described the judgment as “apt” and “a victory” for democracy.

    “This judgement has now validated the true winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial District.

    “This is victory for the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District; it is victory for Kogi in general and victory for the election processes,” Usman stated.

  • Kogi doctors set for indefinite strike as 21-day ultimatum expires

    Kogi doctors set for indefinite strike as 21-day ultimatum expires

    The Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH), Lokoja, has called the attention of the State Government to the expiration of the 21 days ultimatum given to it to meet its demands.

    The association had on Aug. 9, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Kogi Government to meet its demands or be ready for an indefinite strike action, after suspending its two-day industrial action directed by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).

    The ultimatum was to give room for dialogue and engagement with the state government.

    The notification was given in a statement jointly signed by the ARD KSSH’s President, Dr Ameh Friday; and Secretary General, Dr Peter Samuel, and made available to journalists on Saturday in Lokoja.

    “The ARD KSSH, wishes to state that today, makes it 21 days since its last communique and one month since it suspended its industrial action as directed by the National Body – NARD – for government to look into the some of its pressing demands as listed below.

    “Having examined the inertia that has greeted our requests also keeping in view of our previous failure to join the national directive to suspend service delivery because of our commitment to the client and State Government which unfortunately has never been appreciated.

    “We will like to remind government of our modest demands once more.

    “Upward review of CONMESS 2014 to CONMESS 2023, and approval of Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).

    “Review of hazard allowance as released by the National Salary, Income and Wages Commission, 22nd December, 2021, and implementation and cash backing of promotion as well as the statutory Annual Increments with payment of arrears of both annual increments and promotion,” it said.

    “The association stressed that the statement would serve as a reminder of the association’s initial communique.

    “The association emphasised that the moral and psychic of its members in the Kogi State Specialist Hospital is at an all time low with respect to their concerns, unfortunately, the Hospital working environment, coupled with the unpalatable economic realities have further worsened the already sour situation.

    “The ARD will convoke a Congress meeting in seven days from now to have an appraisal of the progress made so far and take a decision on all its demands,” the association said.

  • Kogi 2023: INEC, Police promise peaceful, credible election

    Kogi 2023: INEC, Police promise peaceful, credible election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday pledged peaceful and credible Governorship election in Kogi come Nov. 11.

    Kogi INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Gabriel Longpet, and Kogi Police Command’s Spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, gave the assurance during a workshop organised by the International Press Centre (IPC) for 26 journalists in Abuja.

    Longpet said that the Commission has made adequate preparations to consolidate on the last Feb 25 and March 18 polls to ensure that Nov 11 Governorship election is peaceful, hitch free, fair and credible.

    “We hope to ensure that all results of the governorship election in the 3,508 polling units in 239 wards across the state are transmit electronically to do away with any attempt at tampering with manual results on transfer to collation centres.

    “We are in synergy with all stakeholders, including the security operatives, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the Media to ensure we get it right come Nov 11,” he said.

    The REC called on all the 18 political parties and candidates participating in the election to educate and sensitise their members and supporters about the need to conduct themselves orderly for a peaceful conduct of the election.

    Ovye-Aya, on his part, said the Police were prepared to ensure tight security during the Kogi guber election to checkmate activities of criminal elements from disrupting the process.

    The command’s image maker said “security operatives in Kogi are not going to leave anything to chance and will protect all electorates before, during and after the election.”

    “All trouble makers, especially political thugs, should know that we shall deal with them in accordance with the law,” he warned.

    The IPC Media Workshop was aimed at enlightening practitioners in Kogi on their significant roles in the Peaceful and successful conduct of the guber election come Nov 11.

  • Kogi Guber: Election results to be transmitted to server from polling units – INEC

    Kogi Guber: Election results to be transmitted to server from polling units – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that the Kogi State November 11 governorship results will be transmitted electronically directly from polling units to its server.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi, Prof Gabriel Longpet, disclosed this at a two-day media roundtable Engagement on the Kogi election Organized by the Independent Press Center, IPC in Abuja.

    Prof. Longpet said the electronic transmission of the results would help to eliminate rigging, electoral fraud and other irregularities and to ensure the enthronement of credibility and transparency in the electoral process.

    “Of course, we will be transmitting the Kogi election electronically. A lot of infractions do happen between the polling units and the collation centre; the transmission of the results through electronic methods will definitely prevent such issues of infractions from occurring.

    “By the electoral acts, any results figures on form EC8A that appeared mutilated cannot be allowed. If results are transmitted electronically to the IREV, there will be no need for results to be hijacked in the first place, mutilated or changed.”

    The state REC reiterated that the 2023 Kogi guber poll ‘will be by the poll and not by the gun”, assuring that the commission will do everything to ensure that votes count and that those who will emerge will emerge through popular votes.

     

  • Impending strike: AIG urges Kogi workers to be peaceful

    Impending strike: AIG urges Kogi workers to be peaceful

    Following the impending nationwide strike on Wednesday, Babatunde Ishola, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, in charge of Zone 8, has appealed to Kogi workers to be peaceful in their protest.

    The AIG made the appeal during a meeting with Labour Leaders in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    Ishola explained that the meeting became imperative following the police desire to see that the strike was violence free.

    “This meeting is aimed at appealing to you, the organised Labour, to conduct yourselves within the context of the law as you commence your strike on Wednesday.

    “This is because we don’t want a situation where hoodlums may seize the opportunity and hijack the process to unleashed violence on the state,” the AIG said.

    On his part, the State Commissioner of Police , Onuoha Bethrand, commended the AIG for the prompt meeting and allayed fears that hoodlums could hijack the process.

    The CP also appealed to the Labour Leaders to collaborate with the Security Agencies so as to deny trouble makers the opportunity to strike and disrupt the peace of the state.

    Bethrand, however, assured the workers of adequate Security deployment during the protest.

    On his part, the Kogi Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Amari Gabriel, assured the AIG that organized Labour in the State were law abiding citizens, who will do their best to ensure a peaceful protest.

    “You should know that we are obeying the National directive for all the State Chapters to embark on a nationwide protest.

    “I am assuring you that the Labour Union will appear in their uniforms while those who don’t have uniforms would be issued with tags for easy identification,” he said.

    Also, the Kogi TUC Chairman, Comrade Ahmed Sule-Tijani, said “the purpose of the protest is to let the government know that Labour is the hope of the common man.”

    Sule-Tijani also assured of a peaceful protest in the state.

    Other Senior Police Officers present at the meeting include DCP Atabor Nosa-Festus, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, and ACP Ajao Olusegun, Assistant Commissioner of Investigation, Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja.

    Others are ACP Sunday Omonijo, Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Zone 8 Headquarters, Lokoja, as well as Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo, Vice Chairman, NLC, Kogi State, among others.

  • My leadership style attracting more defectors to APC – Yahaya Bello

    My leadership style attracting more defectors to APC – Yahaya Bello

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi says his style of leadership keeps attracting more defectors from the opposition parties in to All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    Bello described the situation as a “plus” and “blessing” to the APC in its quest for victory in the upcoming Nov. 11 governorship election in the state.

    A statement issued by his media aide on Monday, Mr Onogwu Mohammed in Lokoja, said that the governor made the remark while receiving PDP defectors from Adavi Local Government Area of the state.

    Bello also attributed the increasing defections to the infrastructure development his administration has brought to Kogi.

    Thrilled by the overwhelming new entrants into APC, the governor expressed optimism of clear victory of the APC flagbearer, Alhaji Usman Ododo.

    He, however, encouraged the defectors to rally support for the APC candidate for a victory in the governorship election.

    “You should know that retaining the APC leadership in the state will elevate the state’s political standing at the national level and attract more federal government presence and development,” he said.

    Earlier, the leader of the defectors, Mr Bello Unwaha, applauded the governor’s investments in education, health, rural development and road infrastructure that endeared them to APC.

    Unwaha specifically highlighted the rehabilitation of Itakpe-Okene road, Itakpe-Kuroko-Ehika road and other township roads in Okene, Adavi and Okehi Local Government Areas as spectacular performance of Bello’s administration.

    While commending the governor for his impartial distribution of resources and infrastructure, Unwaha pledged the group’s commitment and support to the APC in the upcoming governorship poll.

     

  • Kogi guber a referendum on Yahaya Bello’s administration, says Commissioner

    Kogi guber a referendum on Yahaya Bello’s administration, says Commissioner

    The Kogi Government on Tuesday described the Nov. 11 governorship election in the state as a referendum on the administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, made this known while receiving the leadership of the Ododo Support Organisation led by its Director General, Dr Aminu Adaira, in his office in Lokoja.

    Fanwo expressed gratitude to the organisation for finding him worthy of the task of being the Patron of such “a noble organisation that is clearly the most organised among all the independent platforms campaigning for our Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Usman Ododo”.

    He described Ododo as a detribalised leader full of capacity and good leadership qualities to lead the state forward.

    “Apart from the excellent leadership qualities of Alhaji Ododo, Nov. 11 will be a referendum on the administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

    “Kogites will respond to the need for continuity with resounding affirmation.

    “GYB has performed excellently in the areas of education, healthcare, civil service reforms, agriculture, capacity building, youths and women inclusion, security and many others,” Fanwo said.

    “Ododo was a member of his administration and a member of his political family. He will consolidate on his achievements.

    “With due respect to the opposition party, they stand no chance in the coming poll because PDP that is supposed to be the main opposition party is already deserted and desolate.

    “SDP, which keeps burning their own office for public sympathy is completely in disarray,” he said.

    “Peace is our watchword in APC and our leader, Gov. Yahaya Bello is a man known for peace and security. We won’t allow anyone disrupt the peace of the state before, during and after the election.

    “We are not unaware of those vandalising their office just to win public sympathy. They have forgotten that a tree without roots can never stand,” he stated.

    Earlier, Adaira assured that the organisation has put structures in place to garner over 400,000 votes for Ododo.

    The director-general said that the APC flagbearer has all it takes to consolidate on the achievements of Bello.