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Tag: Kogi State

  • Kogi Guber: Hoodlums set ablaze SDP campaign office

    Kogi Guber: Hoodlums set ablaze SDP campaign office

    The campaign office of  Yakubu Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), guber candidate, in Kogi state has been set ablaze by persons suspected to be hoodlums.

    The office, which is located at John Holt Road, beside HABSO Petroleum Ltd., Lokoja, was set on fire at midnight on Sunday.

    It was gathered that the property was set ablaze in the middle of the night but some residents  were able to put off the inferno,

    It was learnt further that the armed thugs also set ablaze vehicles parked inside the secretariat before attacking security men stationed at the premises.

    SDP deputy governorship candidate, Sam Ranti Abenemi, while addressing journalists on Monday, accused members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of being responsible.

    According to him, one of the state governor’s Senior Special Advisers spearheaded the burning of the campaign office.

    He said: “The hoodlums came in large numbers and set all the properties in the office on fire, including generators, computers, campaign materials, and televisions.

    “SDP and its governorship candidate remain popular, and everything legal will be done to stop this uncivilized attitude. Let me use this medium to call on all our supporters to remain calm.”

    It was also reported that a few weeks ago, the same campaign office was vandalized by thugs who broke the windows and reportedly carted away items, including air conditioners.

  • Gunmen kidnap Oba of Idofin, wife in Kogi

    Gunmen kidnap Oba of Idofin, wife in Kogi

    Gunmen on Monday kidnapped the Oba of Idofin and his Wife in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi.

    It was gathered that the traditional ruler, Shedrack Durojaye Obibeni, and wife were said to be kidnapped along Makutu-Idofin road at about 5 p.m.

    Mr Abdulrasak Asiru, Yagba East Local Government Council Chairman, who confirmed the incident, described it as “very shocking” and “sad”.

    The Asiru said that he was still in shock over the incident which had not happened in the area for almost two years.

    “I as the council chairman and the people of Yagba East are in great shock over the kidnap of our respected Oba and his wife this evening.

    “This is because we in this LGA have a very robust security architecture keeping vigil and warding off criminal elements away from us.

    “This incident was well planned by the kidnappers because from what I learnt, the Oba and his wife only moved out to see something and in less than 10 minutes that incident happened.

    “We smell a rat over this sad incident and we are not resting until we get to the criminal elements who did this dastardly act and rescue our traditional ruler and his wife,” he said.

    The council boss said that already alerts and messages have been sent to all the traditional rulers and community leaders in Okun land to be vigilant and conduct thorough search for the rescue of the couple.

    Asiru said: “As we speak, our hunters and vigilante group are already out into the bushes searching for the criminals so as to rescue our Oba and his wife as soon as possible.”

    However, the Kogi Police Command’s Public Relation Officer, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said he was yet to be briefed by the DPO of the affected area on the incident.

    Ovye-Aya promised to update on developments as soon he got the details.

  • INEC releases final candidates’ list for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi guber poll

    INEC releases final candidates’ list for Bayelsa, Imo, Kogi guber poll

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the final list of candidates for Nov. 11 governorship election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi.

    Those listed for Bayelsa poll included Gov. Diri Duoye (PDP),Chief Sylva Timipre (APC), Mr Eradiri Udengmobofa (LP), Mr Osuluku Binalatefa (SDP) and Mrs Ogege Mercy (APP).

    The candidates for Kogi were Mr Leke Abejide (ADC), Mr Dino Melaye (PDP), Malam Ahmed Ododo (APC) and Mrs Suleiman Fati (ZLP).

    Those listed for Imo poll included Gov. Hope Uzodinmma (APC), Mr Ayanwu Samuel (PDP), Mr Odunzeh Ben(NNPP) and Mr Achony Nneji (LP).

    Mr Festus Okoye, the INEC National Commissioner and Information and Voter Education Committee, said in a statement in Abuja the list was approved by the commission at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

    Okoye said that the decision was in line with the provision of Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

    He said that the section required the publication of the list not later than 150 days to election day i.e. Friday June 9, following the period for voluntary withdrawal and substitution of candidates by political parties under Section 31 of the Electoral Act 2022.

    “The final list has been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

    “Same will be published in our State and Local Government offices in the affected States on Thursday June 8 ahead of the statutory deadline of June 9, “ Okoye said.

    The list showed that all 18 political parties fielded candidates for Kogi poll, while 17 parties fielded candidates for Imo and 16 parties in Bayelsa.

    The list also showed that two political parties fielded female candidates for Bayelsa poll, while only one party fielded a female candidate for Kogi poll.

    Okoye reminded political parties and their candidates that in line with timetable and schedule of activities for the election, campaign in public would officially commence on Wednesday, June 14 in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 and ends on Nov. 9 i.e. 24 hours prior to election day.

    “We urge parties and candidates to conduct their political activities with civility and decorum as peaceful electioneering heralds a peaceful election.

    “Political parties and candidates have a responsibility to de-escalate tension, ahead of the election,” Okoye said.

  • Kogi APC guber candidate unveils primary school teacher as running mate

    Kogi APC guber candidate unveils primary school teacher as running mate

    The Kogi All Progressives Congress (APC) Guber Candidate, Mr Usman Ododo, on Sunday unveiled a Primary School Teacher, Salifu Joel, as his running mate for Nov. 11 governorship election.

    The running mate is the current Chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and the Treasurer of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kogi.

    Gov Yahaya Bello, who spoke at the event at the Government House, said that the choice of Mr Joel, a class teacher and unionist as the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, was borne out of the party’s desire to carry every body along in its quest for the development of the state.

    Bello assured that he would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the APC won the Nov 11 governorship election in the state.

    “APC will follow and abide by all the existing electoral laws to win the Nov 11 election, more so that my administration has performed creditably well in the areas of provision of infrastructure, quality education, healthcare delivery, among others.

    “We have shown competence, dedication and Commitment to Kogi people in terms of performance to also ask for their votes in the next governorship election.

    “In this dispensation, we won’t tolerate any politics of bitterness nor condone any act of political violence because Kogi as a state is bigger than any personal interest.

    “Politics of ethnicity, religion will never be a barrier and has no place in Kogi, therefore, you should desist from any comments that can put you in trouble tomorrow, ” he warned.

    Also, the State’s APC Chairman, Abdullahi Bello, congratulated the party’s guber candidate and his running mate, and commended the governor for providing good leadership to the party.

    He said it was ap and commendable, the choice of the running mate to Ododo, coming from a very critical section of the society as a teacher.

    Joel said: “I am short of words for me as a classroom teacher to be nominated as the running mate and deputy governor to the APC guber candidate.”

    “When I was first approached, from the bottom of my heart, I joyfully and heartily accepted the position, because it is divine.

    “I wish to assure that I will do all I could to ensure that our party becomes victorious in the forthcoming governorship election, ” Joel assured.

    In their goodwill messages, the National President of TUC, Mr Audu Anaba; Kogi NLC Chairman, Mr Gabriel Amari and the immediate past NLC Chairman, Edoka Onu; commended the governor for choosing one among the labour unions as Ododo’s running mate.

    They assured the governor of their total support to mobilise votes for Ododo/Joel ticket to ensure that they emerged the next Governor and Deputy Governor of Kogi State.

  • AEDC reveals electricity customers owe N22bn in Kogi

    AEDC reveals electricity customers owe N22bn in Kogi

    Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Kogi Regional office  has said that over N22 billion worth of energy is being owed electricity consumers in the state.

    The Regional Manager, AEDC, Mr Danladi Baba, disclosed this in an interview on Saturday in Lokoja.

    According to him, the  customers as whole is owing AEDC over N22 billion worth of debt, and every month we add value to our debt.

    He said the state government alone was owing N483 million as at April 2023, while other debts were from private individuals, companies and other customers.

    “For the past four months in Kogi, we import energy of nothing less than N1 billion but we hardly get N500 million in average every month from our customers.

    “The highest we have gotten in a month is N543 million and sometimes it dropped below N500 million.

    “We encourage our customers to pay their electricity supply debt to avoid the AEDC from being disconnected from the National Grid,” Baba said.

    The Regional manager stressed that regular payment of electricity bills and outstanding debt would lead to improved electricity supply for customers to enjoy.

    He explained that some Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), who could not fulfill the obligation of the market, were recently disconnected by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) from the National Grid.

    This, he said was because of their inability to pay for what they imported as energy.

    “The obligation of the market is that you must meet up with the payment for the energy that you are taking.

    “Thank God the AEDC is not part of those Discos that were disconnected, and that is why we are appealing to our customers to pay up their accumulated bills.

    “If care is not taken the disconnection by TCN from the grid can affect AEDC also,” Baba said.

    He, however noted that the drop in the electricity supply in March and April was due to the shortfall in the allocation given to them by TCN from the National Grid.

    “We can only dispense to our customers what is being allocated to us. We hope for improvement in the allocation very soon.

    “But if you compared Kogi to other AEDC Regions as well as other Discos in terms of Megawatts intake, Kogi has improved electricity supply than Nasarrawa and even part of FCT.

    “The improvement has started from the beginning of this month of May, and we will continue to improve.

    “As from May, almost all our Feeders take 16 hours supply of electricity till this moment, while customers on Band A get over 20 hours supply daily,” Baba said.

    He noted that Prepaid Meters were available through only one access window called, “Meter Access Provider (MAP)” where customers pay with their money and get the meters unlike before when they were doing Mass Metering giving it out free of charge.

    According to him, a single phase meter goes for N63,100, while that of double phase is N118,000 aside the managing director categories, which is N500,000 and above depending on the rating.

    He,  gave the assurance that the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are in collaborative efforts to provide over 100 million Prepaid meters to customers free of charge.

  • Kogi 2023: PDP unveils Senator Dino Melaye as guber candidate

    Kogi 2023: PDP unveils Senator Dino Melaye as guber candidate

    The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), in Kogi state has officially unveiled Senator Dino Melaye as its governorship candidate ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.

    Melaye was unveiled on Wednesday in the state by stakeholders of the PDP

    Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the PDP governorship flagbearer appreciated the PDP family in Kogi State and begged for forgiveness from anyone he offended.

    “Dino Melaye will not be a Christian or a Muslim Governor but a governor with the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, you won’t pay percentage salaries. If you have the fear of God, there will be peace and stability in the state”.

    He promised to return power back to the Eastern Senatorial Districts after eight years in office.

    Earlier, the State Chairman of the party, Sam Uhuotu appealed to indigenes to vote for his party during the governorship election in the state.

    He charged electorates to forgive the party for any of their wrongdoings, adding that the party will wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).

    A former lawmaker representing Kogi West, Tunde Ogbeha appealed to aggrieved party members to sheath their swords and work for the party’s victory.

    He thanked the people of Kogi East for respecting the principle of rotation, stressing that they have applied great wisdom in pursuing the electoral process.

    Also speaking, former Kogi State Governor, Ibrahim Idris said he would forever remain a member of the PDP.

    Idris tasked party stakeholders to unite against any forces who intend to stop their victory at the polls.

    “I am here to support whoever emerges as our party Candidate. Dino Melaye is a PDP member, why will I go and support another party? That will be the last thing I will do. We can do it, but we have to see ourselves as one family” he stated.

  • Court strikes out forfeiture suit against Gov. Bello

    Court strikes out forfeiture suit against Gov. Bello

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, struck out an interim order of forfeiture, seeking to forfeit properties linked to Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

    The suit was instituted through an exparte application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), seeking a temporary order, forfeiting 14 properties associated with the governor.

    Delivering a ruling on the motion, on Wednesday, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, held that in view of Section 308 of the 1999 constitution, the EFCC lacks power to initiate a criminal suit against an incumbent governor or President.

    Recall that Justice Oweibo jhad, on Feb. 22, granted an interim forfeiture, following an exparte motion filed by the anti-graft agency, seeking to seize 14 properties located in Lagos, Abuja and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    The Court had also directed EFCC to make publications in two national dailies for any interested parties to show cause why the order should not be made absolute.

    Meanwhile, following publications of the preservative order, Gov. Bello had filed a Notice of Intention to oppose, as well as an application seeking to vacate the interim forfeiture order.

    Bello premised his application on the grounds that the properties listed were not proceeds of unlawful act, as they were acquired long before he was elected Governor.

    He had further stated that by Section 308 of the Constitution, the EFCC is prevented from instituting any civil or criminal suit against him.

    Besides, he contested the illegality of the suit by EFCC on the grounds that the case was in flagrant disobedience to an existing order of a State High Court.

    He averred that the order had restrained the EFCC from investigating any account of the Kogi State Government, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice

    On the issue of jurisdiction, the applicant stated that the properties listed were in Abuja, Kogi and UAE, while the personality involved is based in Lokoja.

    He, therefore, averred that the suit ought to have been instituted either in Abuja or in Kogi State and consequently, urged the court to vacate the order for want of jurisdiction.

    Responding to the applicant’s averment, counsel to EFCC, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, argued that the applicant had brought nothing before the court to convince the court to vacate the order.

    He argued that contrary to the submissions of the applicant, the Kogi State High Court or any other court in Nigeria had not stopped the EFCC from carrying out its constitutional duties.

    He argued the properties which includes “Hotel Apartment Community, Burj Khalifa lying, being and situate at, Plot 160 Municipality NO 345-7562, Sky View Building No 1, Property No 401, Floor 4, Dubai U.A.E.”, were suspected to have been derived from unlawful activities.

    Oyedepo had also asked the court to order the forfeiture of N400 million, which he said was also reasonably suspected to have been derived from unlawful activities.

    In his ruling, however, Justice Oweibo held that, given Section 308 of the Constitution, which provides immunity to a serving governor from any civil or criminal prosecution, the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.

    The court consequently, struck out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

    Section 308 of the constitution provides: “No civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office”.

  • Abdullahi Bayawo picks Kogi PRP governorship ticket

    Abdullahi Bayawo picks Kogi PRP governorship ticket

    Dr Abdullahi Bayawo has emerged winner of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) primary election for the Nov. 11 Kogi governorship poll.

    Bayawo  emerged winner of the the Party’s governorship primary election held in Lokoja understand supervision of Mallam Umar Onuja led 7 member of Indirect Mode Primary Election Committee.

    Onuja, who annnounced the result of the primary election, congratulated Babayo for emerging unchallenged for the Governorship ticket for the Kogi Nov 11 Governorship election.

    “While I congratulate Dr Abdullahi Bayawo over his emergence, I also thank the party leadership and the delegates for allowing us to have a free, fair, peaceful and transparent primary election.

    “It’s our expectation that after this process, we shall join hands and work together to ensure that the PRP emerge victorious in the governorship election come Nov. 11,” the committee chairman said.

    In his acceptance speech, Bayawo, who hails from Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi, called for synergy among the party faithfuls so as to ensure victory at the poll.

    The candidate, a retired Director from NDLEA, vowed to take Kogi State to the promised land if elected as the governor come Nov 11 by addressing essential and Thorny issues that have been neglected by the present administration.

    “Kogi has both human and natural resources, which when harnessed can turn around the futunes of the state as well as do away with poverty, deprivation and hardship.

    “Let’s team up together as a force, work tirelessly and take power through the ballot and salvage our people and our state this time around, ” Bayawo said.

  • Why Kogi PDP governorship primary election is not credible – Awoniyi

    Why Kogi PDP governorship primary election is not credible – Awoniyi

    Mr Abayomi Awoniyi, one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kogi governorship aspirants, says the party’s Sunday primary election is not credible enough.

    He said this in a statement on Monday in Lokoja, adding that the election was not free, fair or credible election as it was marred by fraud.

    Sen. Dino Melaye had emerged as the PDP candidate for the Nov. 11 governorship election.

    Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, the chairman of the PDP primary election committee said that Melaye scored 313 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ilona Idoko-Kingsley who scored 124 votes at the primaries.

    But Awoniyi, a former deputy governor of the state, said the election was incredible.

    ”This has led to the PDP in Kogi State, fluffing a great opportunity of winning back the state from the ruling party,” he said.

    Awoniyi said the delegates’ list was a tainted with lots of manipulation and replacement of authentic delegates’ names from Yagba West, Kabba/Bunu and Injumu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    ”Without an iota of doubt, I make bold to say Melaye’s victory is a prriyic one. This victory portends great danger to the unity of our party and the prospect of winning the Nov. 11 governorship election.

    ”The reason for this assertion is simple. The primary that threw up Melaye was flawed.

    ”About 158 delegates who emerged from the state ad hoc congress of March 29, were replaced by the Sen. Abdul Ningi Congress Committee working in concert with Melaye’s enablers within the party hierarchy at the highest level.

    ”To gift any aspirant, a total of 158 votes in a contest for 739 votes involving eight aspirants is not a fair contest. It is fraudulent, duplicitous, sinful, and unwholesome because it confers undue advantage on the favoured aspirant,” he said.

    Awoniyi added: “Sen. Dino Melaye won a fraudulent primary.

    ”What we have today in Kogi, is discontent within the PDP rank and file, and some measure of elation within the other political party.

    ”This pyrrhic victory may look like a fait accompli, but the dust is unlikely to settle even beyond the Nov. 11 governorship election.”

  • YPP, AA announce candidates for Kogi governorship race

    YPP, AA announce candidates for Kogi governorship race

    Both the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and Action Alliance (AA) have announced candidate for the governorship election in Kogi State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Samson Omale emerged the YPP governorship candidate in Kogi, after a primary election held on Monday in Lokoja.

    Omale, who was the only aspirant, was unanimously affirmed and adopted as the party’s governorship candidate, in the presence of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.

    The YPP Primary Election Committee Chairman, Dr David Komolafe, said that Omale had been duly screened and certified to participate in the primary election.

    Komolafe announced that a total of 184 delegates from all the 21 local government areas of the state were accredited to vote, in line with the party’s constitution.

    The chairman, who is also the YPP State Secretary, said that the only other aspirant, Mrs Funmilayo Olumodeji, had voluntarily stepped down for Omale earlier in the day.

    ”Omale has, therefore, been unanimously elected unopposed by the delegates since the other aspirant has stepped down,” he said.

    YPP Chairman in the state, Dr Victor Akubo, affirmed the decision of the delegates and appreciated the other aspirant for making the process simple and peaceful.

    Akubo congratulated Omale for emerging as the YPP flag bearer in the state, urging him to make the party and the state proud, if he became the governor.

    He described the governorship candidate as God fearing, transparent, accountable and competent, saying that his emergence was the will of God.

    The YPP chairman, who said that the exercise was free, fair, credible and transparent, thanked the INEC officials present for monitoring the exercise.

    Omale, in his acceptance speech, thanked the delegates and the entire party members for giving him the opportunity to be the party’s standard bearer.

    He assured the people of the state of enthroning a visionary leadership, digital economic development and the turning the state’s potential and resources to viable and profitable ventures.

    According to him, the state resources will be well harnessed, with improved infrastructural development and better welfare, while unemployment will be tackled under his leadership.

    Omale promised to make the state a template of development for Nigeria through viable leadership.

    He urged the people of the state to come out en masse and elect a credible leader like him who had their interest at heart.

    Braimoh wins AA governorship primary in Kogi

    Similarly, entrepreneur Olayinka Braimoh, on Monday emerged the governorship candidate of AA for the November 11 Governorship election in Kogi.

    Braimoh, also know as Young Businessman, scored 101 votes to beat his rival, Mr Simon Aku, who scored 4 votes after one of the contestants, Ada Haruna withdrew for Braimoh during the party’s primary election held in Lokoja.

    Mr Abanigwa James, the Returning Officer and chairman of the AA governorship indirect Primary Election Committee, who declared Braimoh winner, expressed gratitude to stakeholders for the peaceful conduct of the election.

    James also thanked the party’s leadership, the delegates and members of the party for their cooperation with the 7-man member committee, which ensured the emergence of a flag bearer for the Nov. 11 Governorship election in the state.

    Speaking to journalists after his emergence as AA Governorship candidate, the 46-year-old Braimoh, who hails from Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi West Senatorial District, gave thanks to God for making his election possible.

    He said his election signified huge responsible to ensure that he appealed to the conscience of the people of Kogi to win the Nov. 11 Governorship election and deliver them from suffering and pains.

    “As an entrepreneur, I have been having serious burdens for my state, Kogi, where there is so much poverty, deprivation and suffering.

    “It’s understandable that there are no modalities for wealth creation in Kogi, but if elected as governor, I shall see to it that we create wealth through agriculture, mining, education and entrepreneurial drive.

    “We need to make money, save money and grow the economy of the state.

    “The land mass and the abundant mineral resources are sure ways of generating funds that could help provide the necessary infrastructure for good standard of living in Kogi,” Braimoh said.