‘Okowa may be picked as Atiku's running mate'- Source

As political parties in Nigeria are gearing up for INEC's June 17 deadline for submission of candidates for the 2023 presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party standard-bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has lowered to one person for deliberation as his running mate.

Sources said Atiku’s supporters were wrapping-up talks on the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, for the role of the vice president.

The source revealed that except for a final minute change, Okowa may be disclosed as the running mate of the PDP candidate for the 2023 race. 

The Governor had played a prominent role in Atiku’s emergence as the standard-bearer of the PDP during the party’s convention last May

This also gave Okowa an upper hand to be recognised before Alhaji Atiku, apart from other monetary aid incurred by the former to the latter.

The source said, “Okowa mobilised resources for us during the primary. He is the preferred contender even though others are making case for Wike and Udom.”

In the meantime, the report of a PDP committee, including governors, members of the National Working Committee, and the Board of Trustees, put in place to quest for a suitable running mate is anticipated to be ready today Tuesday.

The Party via its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologbunagba, reacting to the matter, did not give any specifics but rather advised that time would be the judge after consultations are concluded in the week running.

Ekiti traditional rulers sue for peace among parties, supporters

Following the violence that broke out at Itaji Ekiti on Saturday and Ado-Ekiti on Sunday morning, traditional rulers in the state had called on stakeholders in the Saturday election to maintain peace in the development of the state.

Speaking on Monday, at the Palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, venue of the peace parley summoned by the monarchs, they expressed dissatisfaction with the violent trends in the build up to the elections.

The monarchs called on the candidates of the 16 political parties participating in the election to impress on their supporters to ensure there was no repeat of any trace of violence before, during and after the gubernatorial election.

Candidates of political parties in attendance including Biodun Oyebanji of All Progressives Congress, Bisi Kolawole of People’s Democratic Party, Segun Oni of Social Democratic Party and Mrs Kemi Elebute-Haile of Action Democratic Party, pledged that they alongside their supporters would play according to rule and ensured peace.

The Ewi, Oba Adejugbe, who warned against any form of recurrence of violence, warned that perpetrators and their sponsors “will be punished by the ancestral spirit of Ekiti forefathers”.

He said, “Elections will come and go, but our great state, Ekiti, will remain. Nothing thrives under violence. Our state can only move forward in a peaceful environment. Violence before, during and after elections is totally unnecessary and completely unwarranted because we are not at war.

“The essence of election is to allow the will of the people to prevail. The people are supposed to decide who will govern them and that is all. Democracy is not about killing or bloodbath, but an avenue where choices would be made freely.

“We (traditional rulers) are all apolitical. All that bothers us is violence-free electioneering process. But what happened in itaji-Ekiti and Ado Ekiti was condemnable and unacceptable.

“I, therefore, urge all stakeholders to place state interest above personal interest. We must prioritize peace and stability of our state as the people will go to the polls to elect a new governor,” the monarch stressed.

Also in attendance at the peace parley was the former governor of the state and chieftain of People’s Demicratic Party, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

Customer, friends set prostitute ablaze for keeping Qur’an in her room

The Lagos State Police Command has charged three suspects to court for allegedly beating a prostitute, Hannah Saliu, to death and setting her corpse ablaze for keeping the Holy Quran in her room.

PUNCH Metro gathered that one of the suspects patronised Saliu and after having sex with her, he reportedly paid her N1,000 for the service.

The customer was said to have left her room when she suddenly discovered that her N5,000 had gone missing.

She reportedly ran after the customer and accused him of stealing her money.

The accusation, however, degenerated into an argument.

The customer was said to have mobilised his friends to Saliu’s room to search for the missing money.

While searching the place, the friends reportedly found a Quran underneath her pillow.

A source said Saliu was questioned for possessing the Quran with the kind of job she was doing, adding that the customer and his friends, who became infuriated by the discovery, pounced on her, beat her up and set her ablaze.

The source said, “What happened was that the girl was a prostitute and a customer patronised her and after sleeping with her, the customer paid N1,000 for her service.

“But when the customer was leaving, he stole the prostitute’s N5,000 and after discovering that her money had gone missing, the prostitute chased him to ask for her money.

“The Northerners, who were with the customer that the girl accused of stealing her money, asked if she was sure that he stole her money. So, they decided to go and search her room where she attended to her customers.

“While searching the room, they found Quran under her pillow and started asking what she was using the Quran for as a prostitute. So, they started attacking her; they stabbed her, took her out and set her ablaze.

“The incident happened at Alaba Rago, where a lot of Northerners reside. The girl that was killed also came from the North. Their grouse was that she was not supposed to be carrying Quran because of the kind of work she was doing.”

The state Police Public Relations, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The case is at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, and three suspects have been charged to court. The incident happened in April.”

A source identified the suspects as Abubakar Musa, Sarauta Monsur, and Surajo Yusuf.

Umahi woos electorate for Tinubu

The Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, has reassured the presidential flagbearer of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the votes of the state only belong to APC.

The governor who stated this at the inauguration ceremony of five new Commissioners and other aides in Abakaliki, the state capital on Monday, told eligible voters in the state not to vote for the Labour Party in the forthcoming general election.

The directive is coming one week after the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election.

Those sworn in as commissioners are Mathias Adum, Celestine Nwali, Beatrice Eze, Christopher Uchaji, Romanus Nwasum; Mrs Mary Rita Okoro, was sworn in as Head of Service.

Umahi, who urged Ebonyi people to only vote for the APC, said, “We will not vote for Labour Party. We will only vote for APC. Our votes are for APC and not for Labour Party. Our agenda is Ebonyi agenda.

“We will vote for our presidential candidate in the person of Tinubu. We must strive to liberate Ebonyi State; Ebionyi is our agenda now.”

The governor contested the APC presidential ticket but lost to a former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu.

Owo massacre victims get mass burial Friday at church’s cemetery

The Catholic Diocese of Ondo has fixed Friday, June 17, 2022  for the mass burial of those who lost their lives in the terrorists attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo , Ondo State last week Sunday.

Confirming the date of the mass burial to newsmen on Monday, the Diocese’s Director of Social Communication, Rev. Fr. Augustine Ikwu, maintained that the number of the deceased still remained 40.

According to Ikwu, the mass burial would take place at the church’s new cemetery at Emure Road, Owo.

It was gathered that the injured victims are still receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre and the St. Louis Catholic Hospital both in Owo and some other private hospitals in the state.

In a related development, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and his Oyo State counterpart, Mr Seyi Makinde had declared a three-day mourning for the victims of the attack.

In a statement issued by the Lagos state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omostoso, on Monday, directed that all flags should fly at half-mast as part of decision to mourn the victims at the Southern Governors’ meeting.

Sanwo-Olu also urged Lagos residents and visitors to remain law-abiding and vigilant as the government is doing everything to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the state.

He said, “Flags are flying at half-mast in Lagos following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive. The action is for three days to mourn the victims of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, terrorist attack.

The decision to mourn the victims came at a Southwest Governors’ June 10 virtual meeting, which reviewed the security situation in the region. 

The communique issued after the meeting was signed by Governors Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Gboyega Oyetola, Osun; Dapo Abiodun, Ogun; Seyi Makinde, Oyo and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

The governors unanimously condemned in very strong terms the horrendous crime perpetrated by terrorists against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South-West.

JAMB talks tough on change of courses for candidates by tertiary institutions

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JaaMB), had said the transfer candidates from one course to another in any tertiary institution can only be carried out with the consent of the candidates concerned.

In a bulletin made available to the newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the JAMB Registrar, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, said the warning was in line with the Board’s policy which proscribes tampering with the preference for particular programmes as expressed by candidates unless such candidate indicated otherwise.

The bulletin read, “The comments of the Registrar were to clarify the call by some institutions that JAMB allow them to transfer candidates from one programme to another within the institution’s CAPS at no extra charges to the students.

“It was also to clarify the notion that it is difficult to transfer candidates from one programme to another and that not all the candidates transferred on the change of Programme platform would appear on CAPS. Elaborating on the workings of the Central Admissions Processing System, the Registrar said the transfer process is automated on CAPS and can only be effected with the consent or acceptance of the candidate.

He said this prevents the unconscionable transfer of qualified candidates from a particular course so as to create spaces for unqualified ones. However, with this safeguard, proposed candidates for transfer would not appear on new programmes until the transfer is accepted by the candidates concerned.

“He disclosed further that waiving the need for obtaining the consent or acceptance of candidates concerned would be a violation of the extant rules and regulations of the Board and could also lead to litigation and duplication of admissions.

“Taking the COHEADS through the process, Prof. Oloyede said before a candidate could be moved or transferred to another programme, there would be a Transfer Alert (notification from CAPS) to the candidate to either ACCEPT or REJECT the movement.

“If such a candidate presses YES, the candidate would be moved to the new programme and MUST be admitted. Furthermore, at the point of acceptance, the candidate would be notified to change his/her programme so as to be able to print his/her Letter of Admission.

“However, if the candidate presses NO or is silent (no response), the candidate remains in his/her chosen programme and cannot be moved anywhere,” Prof. Oloyede stated.

Breaking: APC stakeholders kick against Muslim-Muslim ticket

The National Stakeholders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have called on the leadership of the party and the Progressive Governors Forum to narrow their search for the vice-presidential candidate to a northern Christian.

Their concerns stemmed from the raging controversy of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, which has seemingly heated the polity in the last few days.

The PUNCH reported that the Convener of the APC Stakeholder, Aliyu Audu, in a programme to mark the June 12 Democracy Day, disclosed that the need to reject the temptation of presenting another Muslim candidate as a running mate will ensure national inclusion and promote national unity.

He said, “Why we are conscious of the fact that religion should not be a determining factor in the our leadership selection proces. The peculiar circumstance the nation finds herself calls for reflection in the decisions we take, so long as they bother on our national lives.

“Today, the country is deeply divided within our fault lines of ethnicity and religion and we cannot afford to jettison this sensibility in critical decision making.

“This is why we think that the All Progressives Congress must be guided by the sense of these sensibilities in the selection of the Vice Presidential Candidate of the party.

Audu said that to do otherwise would be to further fuel what divides the masses and give room for mischief makers to take advantage of our differences.

According to him, Nigeria is in dire need of good governance, which can come from either a Muslim leader or a Christian leader.

He also noted that while some interests wanted the north to pick the ticket so as to put the contest between two northerners, others advocated for the All Progressives Congress to pick her flag bearer from the south in the spirit of nationalism, justice and fairness.

“But in the spirit of nationalism, justice and fairness which the northern governors demonstrated a few days ago, the leaders of the north on whose shoulder the emergence of the Vice Presidential candidate rests must also demonstrate this spirit by ensuring that the candidate comes from the Christian faith.

“The northern APC has in its fold capable individuals from the Christian faith with proven track record that can deliver just like anyone from the other faith.

“Their capability to deliver on the ideals of the party aside, they also have the capacity to win elections for the party. Suffice to add that no individual wins elections for any political party, it is the collective of all and we are sure the APC can achieve this,” he urged.

Edgard Leroy dies in auto crash

The award winning and fast rising filmmaker, Edgard Leroy, has died in a ghastly auto crash few about four weeks after he won an award for the Best Indigenous Movie (Yoruba) Category at the last African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) .

The Cameroonian-born movie director died at the Sagamu area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway last Saturday.

The 26-year-old was heading to a movie location at Ibadan when he was involved in the fatal accident that cut his life short.

His colleague, David Akande, announced the filmmaker’s death on his Instagram page on Monday.

Akande wrote, “Good night Edgard Leroy, my brother, friend and partner. I love you.

“On the 11th day of June, 2022, a ghastly motor accident on Lagos Ibadan Expressway, precisely at Sagamu, cut short the life of one of Africa’s fast rising film makers, Cameroonian born Edgard Le Roy Nouke Ngedemon.

“Edagard Leroy who won an Award at the just concluded African Magic Viewers Choice Awards ( AMVCA) in the Best Indigenous Movie ( Yoruba) Category, was on his way for a movie shoot in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria from his base in Lagos when the sad incident happened.

“Born on the 13th of July 1995, this amazing director, editor and motion graphics artist was the first from his country to win the highly respected AMVCA award.

“And just a few weeks shy of his 27th birthday, this is the sad story of a life cut at its prime.

“Safe journey, Director Edgard. Creative Nigerian and Cameroonian film industries will miss you.

“The family is yet to announce funeral arrangements. May his soul rest In peace.”

Ekiti 2022: legal luminary urges electorates to shun vote-buying

As people of Ekiti State prepare to go to the poll on Saturday, 18th of June, to elect their next governor, an Ondo State-based legal practitioner, Mr. Morakinyo Ogele, has enjoined the people of the state to reject the act of selling their votes to politicians on the election day.

The lawyer who alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress was planning to involve in the act of vote-buying, said the APC had failed the people of the state in the last four years and didn’t deserve to remain in power.

Ogele revealed this in an open letter to the Ekiti people, titled, ‘Letter to Ekiti People’, which made available to the newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Monday.

According to the letter, Ogele enjoined the people of Ekiti to vote the ruling party out on Saturday, saying the present administration under Dr. Kayode Fayemi had allegedly grounded the state.

The letter read, “We must observe carefully to see what is on the ground presently in Ekiti State, on how the present government has grounded our dear state. It is no defamatory statement that the APC non-functional government in Ekiti State is an accidental discharge that produced the government in the state.

“The state has become a dynasty of emirate where APC is handling to its stooges a baton in a relay race over to whosoever they believe that can dance to the rhyme of their music. The APC organised a charade and dubious Congress and selected a candidate appointed by the former governor, signed, sealed, and delivered to Fayemi.

“The government has monetised politics in Ekiti Which is now cash and carry affairs, hence, they could not make the financial obligation for the provision of infrastructure as the party is on daily basis going down due to their confused management of Ekiti affairs.

“My investigation so far revealed that the APC is coming with a strike force and money, forcing and buying votes. People are wondering how the APC candidate for the June election sourced N50 million paid to their party headquarters in Abuja, a man whose salary is not up to N500,000 monthly as former secretary to Ekiti State government.

“The years of APC government has been years of the locust and termites, state workers are suffering, retires are dying for non-payment of their pension, still the government is ready to buy votes on June 18, 2022 election,”

Three military officers slump during Democracy Day Parade

No fewer than three military officers who were participating in the Democracy Day Parade, on Monday, slumped at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

It was believed that the officers, having stood for hours under scorching sun, succumbed to exhaustion.

Though, there was no casualty recorded but the development was noted a bit of confusion as some security and medical personnel rushed to the parade ground with stretcher and whisked the exhausted officers to the medical shed where they were being attended to and regained consciousness almost immediately.

The ceremony featured performances by the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Police.

The Nigerian Army Female Corps also performed a combat display followed by traditional dance performance from various ethnic groups.

President Muhammadu Buhari who was the Special Guest of Honour, inspected the guards, and was followed by a military/police march past in slow and quick time.

To round up the ceremony, there was a combined silent drill display by the Armed Forces and Police, and a playlet performance before the advancing of the parade in review order.

Dignitaries at the 2022 Democracy Day Celebration at Eagle Square include former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Service Chiefs, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Youth Corps Members, amongst others.

Notably, Kingibe who was the running mate of the presumed winner of the 1993 presidential election, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, GCFR, was introduced as former Vice President and invited to join in a group photograph.

2023: Ebonyi PDP guber candidate pleads with party leaders to close ranks

Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), governorship aspirant in the 2023 general election, Ifeanyi Odii, has impressed on the leaders and stakeholders of the party to close ranks and secure the future of people of the State.

He said this is more imperative than engage in frivolous lies capable of disuniting the party and cost its fortune in the forthcoming elections.

The PDP governorship candidate noted that the common enemy of the party in the state was the ruling All Progressives Congress, adding that he remained the authentic governorship ‘candidate’ of the party.

The PUNCH had reported that the National Working Committee of the PDP cancelled the May 28 and 29, 2022 primary election, that elected Odili as ‘candidate’, claiming it was held against its directive and ordered a rescheduled primary election on June 5 and 6, 2022.

The rescheduled primary election brought the Senator representing Ebonyi Central Zone in the Red Chamber, Senator Obinna Ogba, as the ‘candidate’ of the PDP in the state. But a Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, the state capital, declared Ogba’s ‘candidature’ null and void, and upheld Odii’s.

However, Ogba had, while displaying the Certificate of Return issued to him by the NWC on Saturday, in Abakaliki, told journalists that he was the authentic governorship ‘candidate’ of the party, saying his opponent, Odii, was embarking on exercise in futility.

But Odii, in a statement signed and issued, on Sunday, by the Director of Media and Publicity, Anyi Chuks (Odii) Campaign Organisation, Chief Abia Onyike, disagreed with Ogba, insisting he remains the ‘candidate’ of the PDP, in Ebonyi State.

He said, “I wish to refer to the press conference addressed yesterday, 11th June, 2022 by Sen. Obinna Ogba and to react as follows:

“The crisis rocking the PDP in Ebonyi State is a self-inflicted logjam which came about because of weak leadership. However, the crisis cannot persist without a resolution and the time to resolve it has come, if the party must rise to the occasion in the state as a liberation movement in the hands of Ebonyi people to rescue themselves from the atrocities of the incumbent APC government in the state.

“The resolution of the crisis could be achieved not through falsehood or the telling of blatant lies to the suffering people of Ebonyi. Our teeming members and the ordinary people on the streets need to be told the true situation of things so that they can face the situation squarely and take their destiny into their own hands.

“The PDP governorship candidate today is Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii. He won the primary election conducted by the PDP on 28th and 29th of May, 2022. The three-man Delegate List used for the primary election was the outcome of the State PDP Congress of 7th May, 2022, which was eventually recognised by the PDP National Working Committee. That primary election was properly authorised by the PDP NWC and was peacefully conducted with the INEC monitoring the exercise in line with the Electoral Guidelines and the 2022 Electoral Act. An attempt  by the opposition to cancel the successfully conducted primary election suffered a set-back.

“The parallel primary conducted on the 5th and 6th of June, was an anti-democratic intervention by some powerful forces who were hell-bent on reversing the popular will of the people. The ruling of the Federal High Court in Abakaliki on 7th June, 2022 restoring the authenticity of the first primary which elected Dr Odii was a historic confirmation of the democratic will of Ebonyi PDP cadres as against the dictatorship and imposition by a few Godfathers.

“On the 10th of June, 2022, the national body of the party obeyed the Court order by forwarding the names of all the candidates elected during the legitimate primary of 28 and 29 May, 2022 to INEC and the processing of their forms have commenced.

“The PDP governorship candidate in the person of Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii is willing and ready to provide leadership and to reconcile the members of the party after the divisions arising from the internal power struggle.

“We appeal to the leaders and members of our great Party in the state to embrace the path of maturity and reconciliation at this moment to enable us focus on the common enemy as we gradually approach the 2023 general election. We should quickly recover from the fallouts of the primary elections and close ranks in the interest of our people and the future of the state.”

Zamfara gov appoints speaker to lead 2022 Amirul Hajj

The Governor of Zamfara State, Alh. Bello Matawalle has approved the appointment of the State House of Assembly Speaker, Alhaji Nasiru Magarya, as Amirul Hajj (leader of Hajj pilgrims) of the state for the 2022 Hajj.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kabiru Balarabe, in Gusau on Monday, the appointment takes immediatediate effect.

“This is to inform the general public that Governor Bello Matawalle has approved the appointment of Alhaji Nasiru Magarya, Speaker, Zamfara House of Assembly, as Amirul Hajj and leader of the state government delegation for the 2022 Hajj operation.

“The Governor has also approved the appointment of the following as members of the delegation:

“Alhaji Farouk Musa Dosara, House Leader, State House of Assembly; Abubakar S-Pawa, Commissioner for Local Government Affairs; Emir of Talata-Mafara, Alhaji Bello Barmo; and Chairman, State Council of Ulama, Sheikh Ahmad Kanoma.

“Other members of the delegation include Babangida Abubakar-Anka, Musa Ibrahim-Yau, Hajiya Asiyatu Suleiman, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Garba Ahmad, is the Secretary of the delegation,” the statement said.

According to the SSG, the appointment takes immediate effect.

NAN

National grid collapses fifth time in 2022

There was widespread blackout across the country on Sunday Following the collapse of the national power grid on Sunday, there was widespread blackout across the country, which make it the fifth time collapse of Nigeria’s electricity grid between January and June.

The PUNCH gathered that the grid collapse on Sunday occurred around 6.49pm, leading to the shutdown of the outgoing electricity feeders of some power distribution companies.

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company in separate messages obtained by the newsmen confirmed the grid collapse.

Findings had earlier shown that the quantum of power on the grid as at 6am on Sunday was 3,628.6 megawatts, but it was gathered that this crashed significantly in the evening leading to the eventual grid collapse.

Nigeria’s power grid had collapsed twice in March and twice again in April this year, as the power generation on the system had continued to fluctuate due to various concerns such as gas constraint, water management challenges, gas pipeline vandalism, among others.

Confirming Sunday’s collapse in a notice on its verified Twitter handle, entitled, “Power Outage In Our Franchise Due To Grid Collapse,” Kaduna Disco said, “Dear esteemed customers, we regret to inform you that the power outage being experienced in our franchise states is due to system collapse of the national grid.

“The collapse occurred at about 18:47pm this evening hence the loss of supply on all our outgoing feeders. Power supply shall be restored as soon as the national grid is powered back. Our sincere apologies for any inconvenience.”

Also, the Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, said the grid collapse threw five states under the Disco’s franchise area in total blackout.

A notice from the Disco, which he signed, read in part, “The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc wishes to inform her esteemed customers of a system collapse which occurred at 6.49pm this evening, Sunday, June 12, 2022.

“As a result of this development, all our outgoing feeders are out and this has affected supply to our customers in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.

“We are on standby, awaiting further information on restoration of supply from the National Control Centre. Thank you.”

Ned Nwoko disclaims Okowa's alleged $3m bribe to PDP

Delta North Senatorial candidate on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, Hon. Ned Nwoko, has disclaimed a story published by an online news platform that Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa bribed PDP leaders with $3milliion to lobby for the vice-pesident’s slot of the party.

He described the statement as untrue, and a figment of the writer’s imagination, saying it is an allegation that cannot be substantiated.

The PDP senatorial candidate also related the claim as a sacrilegious act emanating from the infantile minds of mindless, vicious and treacherous individuals.

A group, under the aegis of Delta Central for Integrity and Good Governance (DCIGG) has urged Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to investigate and probe the alleged payment of $3 million bribe by the Delta State Governor, Sen Ifeanyi Okowa to intensify lobbying of leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officials including the party National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and General Aliyu Gusau.

The money, the group claimed, was meant to influence key decision makers whom Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party’s flag bearer and his team may likely consult before arriving at a concrete and acceptable person.

The PDP Delta North senatorial flag bearer stressed that Okowa is eminently qualified to vie and emerge as the PDP vice-presidential candidate and need not expend such money to bribe anyone. 

He also debunked insinuations that while the PDP chairman, Ayu is supposed to use part of the $1million to lobby members of the inner circle of the National Working Committee, Gusau is expected to use part of the $2million to lobby northern elders.

Hon. Nwoko said “Nothing of such happened, the group is chasing shadows and only set out to distract the governor.”

Owo church killing: Akeredolu calls off Democracy Day celebration

The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, has suspended this year’s Democracy Day celebration in the state in honour of those who lost their lives during terrorist attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Sunday.

Akeredolu revealed this on Saturday morning in a series of tweets on his verified Twitter handle, saying the cancellation was necessary to allow people and the state mourn the departed souls.

The Governor had earlier declared a seven-day mourning and ordered all public buildings, facilities, and official residence in the State to fly flags at half-mast in honour of the victims of the terror attack.

The State Government on Wednesday through its Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, in a statement said the number of victims from the attack was 127 while 40 had been confirmed dead.

The Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Jude Arogundade, had earlier said the church recorded 38 deaths.

"The situation report as at 12 midnight, on Tuesday 7/6/22 at St. Louis Hospital, Owo, 39 people were involved and 13 deaths (confirmed). At the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, a total number of persons involved is 84 and number of corpses in the FMC mortuary is 25; female, 17, and eight males,” Ajaka said in a statement.

But Akeredolu this Saturday said the state would be suspending the June 12 celebration in honour of the victims.

“In honour of the victims of the terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, the Ondo State Government has canceled this year’s June 12 celebration.

“The cancelation is to enable the people of Ondo State mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack,” Akeredolu tweeted.

Soyinka denies paying tribute to Tinubu

Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has debunked claims that he paid tribute to the national leader and presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

This was stated in a released by Soyinka’s spokesperson, Abiola Owoaje on Friday, titled, ‘I did not pay tribute to Tinubu- Soyinka’.

A tribute titled, ‘Prof Wole Soyinka’s tribute to Sen Asiwaju Tinubu’, purportedly written by Soyinka eulogising Tinubu on his political accomplishments, had gone viral on various WhatsApp and other social media platforms shortly after he emerged as the presidential standard bearer of the ruling APC.

The elder statesman had, earlier in the year, also dismissed a social media post endorsing Tinubu for the 2023 Presidency.

Soyinka described the trending post as the handiwork of indolent identity thieves whose preoccupation is to deceive the general public with phoney social media posts to gain prominence.

He maintained that he did not operate or own social media accounts.

The statement further said, “The literary luminary reiterated his position on the 2023 elections and the issues surrounding it, noting that he has no business meddling in the struggle for power by political parties in the country.

“Soyinka enjoins the general public to be on alert to the antics of faceless cowards spreading falsehood, adding that they should not partake in the despicable action of the authors by spreading the cocktail of lies.”

BREAKING: Tinubu meets Yahaya Bello behind closed-door

The national leader and presidential candidate of governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is currently holding a closed-door meeting with Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, in what political observers said was part of reconciliatory moves to pacify aggrieved aspirants of the APC presidential ticket.

It was gathered that Tinubu was accompanied to the meeting on Friday by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Bello Matawalle (Zamfara); and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano).

A former governor of Edo State and former national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, is also in the entourage.

It was, however, not clear if the issue of Tinubu’s running mate would be part of the agenda.

‘Osinbajo to Tinubu: Your contributions to democracy stands you out'

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has congratulated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at the All Progressives Congress presidential primary, says Tinubu's contributions to democracy in Nigeria stands him out.

The Nigerian  Vice-president also called for unity among APC members, adding that Tinubu’s wealth of experience will certainly be critical in the party’s continued efforts to attain a more secure and prosperous Nigeria.

Osinbajo stated this in a congratulatory statement titled, “VP Osinbajo congratulates Asiwaju Tinubu on his victory at APC Presidential Primary Election.”

The statement read, “I congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory at our party primaries and his emergence as the Presidential Candidate and Flagbearer of our great party, the APC for the forthcoming 2023 Presidential Elections.

“I also congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and all leaders of the APC for a successful Special Convention and Presidential Primary.

“For many decades, our Flagbearer has shown passion, patriotism, courage and determination in the cause of nation-building. His sterling contributions to our democracy and its progress stand him out.

“His wealth of experience will certainly be critical in our party’s continued efforts to attain a more secure and prosperous Nigeria. 

“To all members of our great party, regardless of who you voted for at the primaries, we must now unite behind our Presidential Candidate and Flagbearer to ensure victory for our party in the 2023 elections.

“As true progressives, we must remain strong and united in pursuing our collective vision as a party toward building a country that can provide a decent life and livelihoods for all our people,” Osinbajo advised.

 

In a related development, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Thursday evening paid a surprised visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the latter’s Aguda House residence, Abuja.

The APC flag bearer who also visited President Muhammadu Buhari before proceeding to Aguda House of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, few hours after the VP congratulated  him and pledged his support to work with Tinubu to emerge victorious in the forthcoming election.

A source who was at the residence of Mr Osinbajo when Mr Tinubu arrived said, “We were just sitting around when the vice president was informed that Asiwaju has arrived.”

The source, who preferred to remain anonymous told the journalists that the former Lagos governor was jovial throughout the visit and shared the story of Mr Osinbajo’s contributions not just to him as a person but to his political sojourn.

“He particularly recalled the efforts of the vice president in securing court victories for the defunct ACN especially with the court case in Osun State,” he said.

The source said Tinubu narrated how Mr Osinbajo went to the UK at a time of extreme weather to get fingerprint technology that was used to help the court cases.

“Asiwaju said he is surprised that people assume the presidential contest will create a wedge between him and the vice president. He told us that they have come a long way and they are like blood brothers now.

“He said what happened was just democracy in action and there was nothing wrong with it,” the source revealed.

APC’s presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu accompanied by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some other politicians to visit Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to emerge victorious while Prof. Osinbajo polled 235 votes to come third behind Tinubu and the immediate Transport minister Rotimi Amaechi who polled 316 votes.

June 12: ‘Abiola, heroes of democracy in Nigeria worth celebrating' – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that whatever the Nigerian Government was doing to celebrate June 12 in memory of Chief M.K.O Abiola, as well as many other heroes and students of democracy in Nigeria worth celebrating.

Mohammed who stated this on Thursday during a press briefing at Radio House in Abuja said, Buhari-led government had done enough to honour Chief Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election

He said, as part of programme lined up to mark this year celebration, President Mohammadu Buhari would address the nation through a live broadcast on Sunday, June 12, 2022, by 7:00 am.

In addition to a posthumous award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, GCFR honoured Abiola, President Buhari had also in 2018, directed that Nigeria’s Democracy Day, which was hitherto marked every May 29, be shifted to June 12, 

The Minister listed some of the activities lined up for the Democracy Day celebration to include a public lecture at the National Mosque on Friday and Jumaat prayers on the same day and venue on June 10, 2022.

According to him, this would be followed by the President’s address and a church service at the National Christian Centre by 3pm on Sunday, June 12, 2022.

He said there would also be a Democracy Day parade at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Monday morning.

Mohammed assured that all events would be held and there would be no security breaches.

The minister added that attendance “at these events are strictly by invitation and in line with the COVID-19 protocol”.

“So, I think the Federal Government has done enough in addition to the fact that several state governments have followed suit. We have in our small way be courageous enough to declare this day a public holiday, I think it is the best gift to any Nigerian,” he said.

Jonathan salutes Tinubu, Atiku, others, warns against divisive campaigns towards 2023

Former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan GCFR, has enjoined the presidential standard bearers of the various political parties to avoid divisive campaigns as the nation go into another year of  elections in 2023.

Jonathan stated this in a congratulatory statement on his social media page on Thursday.

The Ex-president who urged all stakeholders to place national interest above personal interest, also harped on the importance of avoiding acrimonious campaigns so that Nigeria can win.

Jonathan reminded the flagbearers that their emergence as the candidates of their parties after submitting themselves to rigorous selection and election processes indicates their belief and interest in the progress of Nigeria.

He said, “I congratulate the winners of the various primaries across the political spectrum, particularly Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who has won the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the flagbearers of other parties that have also concluded their primaries.

“They include Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Malik Ado-Ibrahim, Young Progressives Party (YPP), Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dumebi Kachikwu, African Democratic Congress (ADC) as well as Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

“I consider you are all aspiring to be elected as the leader of the country because you are democrats who believe, like the rest of us, that Nigeria is our common heritage which we should all strive to protect, prosper and preserve for the future generation.

“As you progress towards the electioneering campaigns, it is important that the issues confronting the country and credible solutions take centre stage.

“I urge you to conduct your campaigns in a manner devoid of acrimony, divisiveness and treachery so that at the end of the day Nigeria will win, democracy will triumph and humanity will be better for it.

“As I have always said, no ambition is worth the life of another. As candidates, you must eschew violence and acts that will encourage any form of bloodletting or exacerbate the national fault lines. We live in a season of unprecedented violence and all political leaders have a responsibility to de-escalate the tension in the country. The candidates by conduct and language must prioritise non-violence and peaceful coexistence.

“I also salute the sportsmanship displayed by other aspirants who have continued to lend their weight to the democratic process, despite the fact that they did not emerge victorious in their various party primaries.

We must commit to upholding virtues that will sustain our democracy and advance the cause of good governance, peace and sustainable development.

“Nigeria is at a critical junction in its march to nationhood as it grapples with security and economic challenges. The 2023 elections present an opportunity to renew our union, rebuild the dreams of our founding fathers and revitalise our economy.

“The importance of this election imposes on the election managers and security agencies a historic burden to continue deepening the reforms of our electoral system. A transparent election will go a long way to increase the confidence of Nigerians in our democracy and restore trust in our public institutions.

“We can attain our national aspirations of unity, peace, and progress through the instrumentality of a functional and effective democracy.

“I urge all leaders, especially politicians, to prioritize the peace and stability of our nation as we commence the activities of 2023 elections.

“To the good citizens of our beloved country, I charge you all, particularly the youth, to make honest and patriotic choices that will guarantee us the hope that we desire for ourselves and our nation.”