Yahaya Bello Reveals Ahmed Usman Ododo As Preferred Successor

Edward David Onoja, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State has withdrawn from the Kogi All Progressives Congress (APC) Primary slated for tomorrow.

The ruling Party had announced the Direct Primary will be the mode of Primary to produce the Candidate who will fly the Party's flag in the November 11 Governorship Election.

Following a Stakeholders meeting, the outgoing Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello revealed his preferred successor to be a former Local Government Auditor General, Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Ododo hails from the same Kogi Central Senatorial Zone as the outgoing Governor.

Alongside Onoja, others who have withdrawn from the race are: Mohammed Abdulkareem Asuku (the Governor's Chief of Staff), David Adebanji Jimoh; a former Commissioner for Finance, Asiwaju Ashiru Idris; Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril.

SOURCE

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G-5 Governors Mini-convention Plan Deepens PDP Crisis

There is division in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the push for a mini-convention by G-5 governors, it was learnt yesterday.

The move, it was gathered, is aimed at seeing to the final exit of Dr Iyorchia Ayu as PDP National Chairman. But some Ayu loyalists have countered that no such convention can hold while the suspended chairman’s case is still pending before the court.

It was further learnt that the envisaged mini-convention would be an avenue to rejig the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) as it is presently constituted.

A party source hinted that the NWC members likely to be dropped are the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who is vying for the PDP governorship candidate ticket for the November 11 Imo State election.

Other NWC members who were sponsored to office by the G-5 governors, but who are perceived to have switched loyalties to opposing camps may also not be retained.

The controversy over a mini-convention was among the factors that led to the party’s defeat in the last presidential election.

The G-5 is made up of Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

It was further learnt that the G-5 governors are working hard to ensure that the mini convention is held before May 29 when four of them will be completing their second and final tenure in office. 

Of the five governors, only Governor Makinde of Oyo State will remain in office till 2027, having won a re-election in the last poll.

A source close to the G-5, however, said the North may still retain the national chairman, contrary to the governors’ call for its zoning to go to the South before the last general election.

According to the source, PDP may pick its 2027 presidential candidate from the South.

Another source, who craved anonymity, said the Northcentral where Dr Ayu hailed from, may still retain the national chairman.

However, the G-5, which is being led by Governor Wike, is said to be finding it difficult to secure the buy-in of stakeholders in the party’s critical organs, especially the National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the highest decision making organ of the party.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State is said to be well-disposed to the plan and he is working on some of his close associates in the NEC, with a view to winning them over.

A source confirmed a series of meetings of members of the group with some stakeholders in the last few days.

One of such meetings, he said, took place last week, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, where the governors were reported to have stressed the need for the mini-convention to hold before the May 29 handover date.

However, some key stakeholders have faulted the alleged plan, saying it’s ill-timed and ill-advised for anyone to start discussing mini-convention at this point.

According to them, every right thinking party member ought to be concerned about the fate of the PDP in the last governorship and parliamentary elections in Adamawa, Kebbi and Sokoto states. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the March 18 governorship elections in Adamawa and Kebbi States as inconclusive. 

The February 25 parliamentary election in Sokoto State also suffered the same fate. Among those affected was Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who is the PDP candidate for the Sokoto South Senatorial District.

INEC has fixed Saturday April 15 for supplementary elections in the affected states. 

A member of NEC, who spoke with our correspondent in confidence, urged those pushing for mini convention to exercise restraint and allow the party some space to breathe.

The party chief said: “A mini convention at this time is a distraction that we can do away with. What should worry right thinking PDP members is the so-called inconclusive governorship elections in Adamawa and Kebbi.

“We are more concerned about Adamawa because we have a sitting governor that the powers that be are planning to rig out and steal our mandate. 

“So, if it’s true that some people want a mini convention at this time, then, they are being insensitive and inconsiderate. They may as well be asking for chaos as if we have not had enough distractions already.

“More so, any proposal for mini-convention must get the approval of NEC. But many NEC members are currently brooding over the party’s misfortune in the last general election, especially our loss at the presidential election.

“Most NEC members and other stakeholders have shifted focus to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and other pending cases at the governorship and National Assembly tribunals.

“Those you said are planning to hold mini convention are free to go ahead with their fanciful idea. Don’t forget that the substantive PDP national chairman is only on suspension. 

“We are still awaiting court ruling in the matter pending before a High Court in Benue State. All that’s required to stop any mini convention or a semblance of it from holding, is for a member to approach the court for a restraining order. 

“These people must know that nobody has the monopoly of obtaining restraining orders from our courts. This is the most inauspicious time to for anyone to call for mini convention.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/g-5-governors-mini-convention-plan-deepens-pdp-crisis/

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British Govt Declines Comment On Obi’s Detention By UK Immigration

The United Kingdom government yesterday refuted comments over the detention and interrogation of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the just concluded 2023 elections, Peter Obi, by British immigration officials following issues of identity at the Heathrow airport in London.

When contacted for clarification on the matter, the head of the Media Unit of the British High Commission in Abuja, Dean Hurlock, told our correspondent that the mission does not make comments on issues of that nature because they are personal.

“The British High Commission is aware of media reports around the LP presidential candidate in the past few days. But in line with the Commission’s policy, we don’t comment on individual cases,” Hurlock said.

The Media was yesterday awash with reports that the UK government had apologised to Obi over the embarrassing way he was allegedly treated in London, describing it as ” unacceptable’

But in a swift reaction, the Media Office of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council (LPPC) denied receiving any apology from the British government over the embarrassing detention of its Presidential candidate.

Obi was last Friday detained at the Heathrow Airport by Immigration officials over a case of duplicated identity.

Head, Obi-Datti Media team, Diran Onifade, in a statement called on the UK government to resolve the matter around the treatment of the former Anambra State governor, even as he reiterated that the Labour Party has gone past the incident.

The statement reads in part: “We have been receiving enquiries with regards to a so-called apology, purportedly issued by the British Government or any of its agencies, to our Principal Mr Peter Obi, in respect of a routine Immigration engagement with him, as he arrived London, for a brief visit, last Friday, the 7th of April.

“We would like to state emphatically that we are not aware of any such apology, and have not issued any statement whatsoever, in that regard.

“While we continue to examine any dubious or political motive, on the part of the perpetrators of the identity theft, we have every confidence in the ability of the British authorities to resolve the matter to a conclusion.

“Mr Peter Obi and the LP/PCC have since moved on from the incident and continue to be totally focused, on the legal processes before the Election Petition Tribunal towards the recovery of our mandate, which we are firmly convinced was overwhelmingly expressed by voters, in the Presidential election of February 25th.”

Meanwhile, the federal government of Nigeria has denied news making the rounds that it intervened in the detention ordeal of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in London, United Kingdom last week.

A fake photo had gone viral on the social media on Thursday purportedly showing the executive chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, seated in an office with Obi and a UK law enforcement officer in order to secure the LP presidential candidate’s release from detention.

Also, an aide of President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, also tweeted on Thursday, implying that the federal government intervened in Peter Obi’s ordeal to secure his release.

Ahmad wrote, “I heard Aunty @Abike Dabiri has done it for the Compatriot that needed her intervention in the UK. God bless you and the services you have been rendering for our countrymen and women, especially this recent one, ma’am!”

But, the spokesperson and head of media, public relations and protocol unit of NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disowned the viral photo, describing it as a stunt.

He said the NiDCOM boss, Dabiri-Erewa, was not in the UK and not in a position to secure the release of any Nigerian suspected to be under UK interrogation

“Our attention has been called to the above social media stunt which has gone viral. Aunty Abike Dabiri-Erewa is NOT in the UK and NOT in a position to secure the release of any Nigerian suspected to be under UK interrogation. So, members of the public should disregard the information in its entirety,” the NiDCOM spokesman stated.


I’m Not Aware Of Any Apology From UK – Obi

In his reaction yesterday, Obi said he was not aware of any apology from the UK government in respect of the Heathrow Airport incident.

A statement issued by Diran Onifade, Head, Obi-Datti Media, said they have not received any apology from the UK government as widely reported by some media platforms.

“We have been receiving enquiries with regards to a so called apology, purportedly issued by the British Government or any of its agencies, to our principal Mr Peter Obi, in respect of a routine Immigration engagement with him, as he arrived London, for a brief visit, last Friday, the 7th of April.

“We would like to state emphatically that we are not aware of any such apology, and have not issued any statement whatsoever, in that regard.

“While we continue to examine any dubious or political motive, on the part of the perpetrators of the identity theft,

“We have every confidence in the ability of the British authorities to resolve the matter to its conclusion.

“Mr Peter Obi and the LP/PCC have since moved on from the incident and continue to be totally focused, on the legal processes before the Election Petition Tribunal towards the recovery of our mandate, which we are firmly convinced was overwhelmingly expressed by voters, in the Presidential election of February 25th,” the statement added.

https://leadership.ng/british-govt-declines-comment-on-obis-detention-by-uk-immigration/

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DNA Reveals Popular Nigerian Celeb’s Son Isn’t His”: Daddy Freeze Spills

Nigerian media personality, Ifedayo Olarinde aka Daddy Freeze, has shared how a Nigerian Celebrity found out that his wife was cheating on him with someone else with the aid of a DNA test.

The on-air personality, who disclosed this during Facebook live session on Wednesday night, said after conducting a DNA test, the public figure was saddened to find out that he is not the biological father of his son.

Although Dad Freeze didn’t reveal the name of the celebrity, but he hinted that the person is a well-known figure with a large following on social media.

He slammed the lady in question for pinning her child on someone else who isn’t the child’s biological father.

His assertion has sent shockwaves throughout Nigeria’s entertainment industry, as fans and followers alike are speculating about the celebrity’s identity.

Source: https://newspremises.com.ng/dna-reveals-popular-nigerian-celebs-son-isnt-his-daddy-freeze-spills-video/

DNA Reveals Popular Nigerian Celebs Son Isn’t His.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cq9P_4tpE8T/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Why APC Is Having Sleepless Nights Over Peter Obi’s Loss – Isaac Fayose

Isaac Fayose, the brother to former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, has given reasons why the All Progressives Congress (APC) is rattled over the loss of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Naija News reports that Isaac, while reacting to a video of how Peter Obi was received by some Nigerians in the diaspora, said the level of reception makes APC assume that the former governor of Anambra State is still campaigning.

He claimed that APC members are disturbed over why a perceived loser would be receiving such treatment for free.

According to Isaac Fayose, many people are unbothered about Peter Obi losing the election and APC had expected that people would always feel sorry for him instead of celebrating him.

He wrote: “This is one of the reasons APC is saying Peter Obi is still campaigning because they don’t get this type of treatment for free. They are wondering what kind of man is Peter Obi, how can a perceived loser be receiving this kind of treatment for free

“This is why they are not comfortable, having sleepless nights, saying Peter Obi is a threat to them and democracy. How can someone going about his normal activities be a thr*at to APC if not that they are not at rest, they have no peace of mind?

“They expected people to feel sorry for him, but instead the people are hailing him as if he is the champion, as if he won the election. They don’t care.”

https://www.naijanews.com/2023/04/13/why-apc-is-having-sleepless-nights-over-peter-obis-loss-isaac-fayose/amp/

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Vigilantes Kill 50 Bandits In Self-Defence In Niger State

Amid Renewed Attacks: Villagers Mobilise, Kill 50 Bandits In Self-defence

A local vigilante group at Ibbi town in Niger State has taken the battle to the invaders of the community, killing no fewer than 50 bandits who had been terrorising and kidnapping its residents for ransom.

LEADERSHIP learned that the vigilantes launched the attack on the bandits and destroyed their camps at the bottom of a mountain within Kainji National Park, following the abduction of 12 people from the community about two weeks ago.

A source from the community said the vigilante group, with support from their colleagues from Niger South, went after the bandits in a raid that started from four days to yesterday. During the raid, the vigilantes were said to have lost two of their men, while the bandits killed nine of the 12 people in the captivity.

Among the nine killed was a Sharia Court registrar abducted around Ibbi in Mashegu local government area of Niger State.

The source said, “While the bandits were waiting to receive the ransom on the 12 people they had abducted, the vigilantes struck, killing no fewer than 50 of the bandits. Annoyed by the attack, the bandits killed nine (of their hostages) and three others escaped unhurt.

“Among those killed was the registrar of the Sharia Court in Ibbi; about six women and three men, but three other men were able to escape from the bandits. As I am talking to you now, the vigilantes have destroyed their camps and chased them out of the national park.”

He added that the vigilantes dumped the bodies of the bandits at the Kainji National Park.

A resident of Ibbi, Abdul Ahmed, told LEADERSHIP that some bandits had recently taken over some unmanned parts of the National Park, from where they launched attacks on the people of the area.

He said the incessant attacks prompted the vigilante groups from other parts of the state to join forces with the local unit in flushing out the bandits, killing no fewer than 50 of them, and that, unfortunately, the terrorists killed nine of the 12 villagers in their custody.

When contacted, the telephone number of the Niger State commissioner of internal security, Emmanuel Umar, could not be reached, but a senior official confirmed that the operation of the vigilante had the backing of the authorities.

Also, the police public relations officer, Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, did not respond to calls by press time, but a senior officer of the command, who preferred anonymity, confirmed that vigilantes were engaged in complementary operations in and around Ibbi and the National Park area.

The officer said that, as usual, the police would usually provide cover for the vigilante during such operations, which was what they did in Ibbi.

Resurgence Of Kidnappings And Banditry

Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, bandits have killed nine villagers, including four local vigilantes, at the Sabon Layi community of Birnin Gwari Local government area of Kaduna State.

The bandits were said to have stormed the area in large numbers, shooting sporadically and killing nine persons before abducting over 20 others and rustling several animals.

But in swift response to this attack, the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch yesterday neutralised some of the fleeing bandits in Sabon Layi village in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.

The commissioner for internal security and home affairs, in a statement, said at about 9:44am yesterday, the ministry received a distress call of bandits attacking Sabon Layi village.

He said the bandits were shooting, rustling cattle, looting property and committing other heinous crimes, a situation which sent residents scampering for safety.

Aruwan explained that immediately the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch was contacted for action, the unit mobilised promptly to the location. According to him, on arrival at Sabon Layi, a thorough scan revealed normal human activities at the reported location.

“However, about four kilometres North of Sabon Layi village, the bandits were sighted fleeing for cover from the aircraft. They were engaged and neutralised in several passes. No further movement was observed after the strike. The aircraft sustained its presence overhead before withdrawing,” Aruwan said.

The statement said while the government awaits a formal report on the initial attack in Sabon Layi village, Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has praised the Air Component for the prompt action in neutralising the fleeing bandits. 

It would be recalled that acting on credible intelligence, troops of ‘Operation Forest Sanity’ under 1 Division, Nigerian Army, ambushed and neutralised a notorious bandit leader, Isiya Danwasa, and one of his cohorts.

It was gathered that the bandit leader had sent one of his errand boys, Yunusa, to procure some arms and ammunition in Kaduna town.

The 1 Division Nigerian Army spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, revealed in a statement yesterday that, subsequently, Yunusa was trailed and picked up by plain clothes soldiers and later used him to lure two of the bandit leaders to a pre-selected ammunition collection point.

https://leadership.ng/amid-renewed-attacks-villagers-mobilise-kill-50-bandits-in-self-defence/

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Miriam Onuoha Joins Speakership Race, Asks Male Candidates To Step Down

Miriam Onuoha, a member of the House of Representatives from Imo State, has officially declared interest in contesting the speakership election.

Ms Onuoha, who represents Okigwe North Federal Constituency in Imo State, made the declaration Wednesday in Abuja.

She urged all the men in the race to step down for her in the interest of the inclusion of women, youth and the South-east geopolitical zone.

“In almost about 90 positions of this country, the men have dominated it. Ceding this one position to me will be a way of proving that we are running an inclusive government.

“I use this opportunity to call on my co-contestants — my male contestants to consider the love and the care Nigerian voters have shown to them, and as a matter of honour, step down to support this woman.

“I call on the male contestants to step down in the interest of peace and understanding if Nigeria and our democracy must advance, my candidature has to be pushed,” she said.

Ninth Assembly not rubber stamp

When responding to questions on the performance of the 9th Assembly, Ms Onuoha said she disagrees with the assertion that the current assembly has been a rubber stamp to the executive.

She promised to work with the executive arm and the president-elect, Bola Tinubu if she is elected by her colleagues.

“I disagree with the assertion that the assembly is a rubber stamp assembly, I have chosen as one of the mandates that I will work with the executive in the interest of Nigeria,” he said.

She also stated that she will avoid the “banana peel” that caused the downfall of a former Speaker, Patricia Etteh.

Ms Etteh was elected speaker in 2007 but subsequently resigned about five months later over a “corruption allegation”.

Ms Onuoha was first elected into the House in 2015 under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). She returned to the House in 2020 after the court sacked Obinna Onwubuariri.

She currently chairs the House Committee on Disabilities and is also known for sponsoring the controversial Cannabis Bill.

The Imo lawmaker is the latest in the long list of members that have joined the race.

Some of the lawmakers in the speakership race include Deputy Speaker Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau), Muktar Betara (APC, Borno), Ben Kalu (APC, Abia), Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), Tunji Olawuyi (APC, Kwara) and Abubakar Makki (APC, Jigawa).

Others include Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Kaduna) and Aminu Jaji (APC, Zamfara).

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/593018-female-rep-joins-speakership-race-asks-male-candidates-to-step-down.html

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