The opposition political party in Nasarawa State, the People’s Democratic Party [PDP] has revealed that the ruling All Progressives Congress [APC] has compromised an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] into burning permanent voters card.
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The Public Relations Officer of the PDP, Hon Ibrahim Hamza had disclosed this during a press conference held at the party secretariat along Jos road at the State capital.
Hamza revealed that the Electoral Officer of Awe Local Government, Danlami Umar Dandina and an officer from the national electoral umpire are presently cooling off in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department in the State capital.
According to him, “we discovered that a gullible staff of INEC was induced by the ruling party who sorted and burnt PVC’s of nonmembers of the APC”.
He confirmed that the agent had been arrested and handed over to security agents for further investigation.
“We, sometime ago, visited the Operation Officer of INEC and informed him of the unfolding incidents in places like Ekye Development Area in Soma Local Government, also in Azara in Awe”.
He sort for the immediate prosecution of the agent, and that all PVC’s collected through proxy be returned to the owners or be retrieved.
The PRO urged members of the party to remain calm, law abiding to constituted authorities at all times, quoting section 16.
“No voter shall hold multiple valid voters card, what do ever”.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to the Federal Government to extend the Jan. 31 deadline for expiration of old naira notes by at least two weeks.
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MURIC said this in a statement by Malam Muhammad Aliyu of its Sokoto Chapter on Saturday in Abuja.
“This week businesses in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara are almost grounded as a result of the Jan. 31 deadline for expiration of old naira notes as a result of refusal to accept the old naira notes in commercial transactions out of fear of possible inability to deposit the old naira notes in commercial banks.
“This is because every bank a customer goes he would meet a very long queue of depositors, trying to deposit their old naira notes in their attempt to beat the deadline. Businessmen have to be at bank as early as 6:00 am in order to join queue at commercial banks to have their old naira notes changed.
“Moreover, because of lack of enough new naira notes in circulation, fear of receiving old naira notes and unsure of whether one could be able to deposit the money he collected from customers at banks before the deadline due to very long queues many businessmen stopped collecting old notes.
“Many filling stations and other essential services providers also closed, because of most of their customers come with old naira notes and they are not sure whether they could be able to deposit same to the bank,” he said.
Aliyu added: “This has currently made life more difficult to ordinary citizens. Many Nigerians have lamented the nonavailability and scarcity of the new notes, this is because banks up till today, still give out the old naira notes to customers with the deadline only a few days away.
“We also call on the security agencies particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to closely monitor how commercial bank managers handle the new naira notes, they receive from Central Bank of Nigeria, which apex bank has been consistently insisting that the new notes are readily available at the vaults nationwide ready for collection.
“We call on Nigerians to remain peaceful and stop panicking about the money swap.”
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has sent a message of condolence to his Nasarawa State counterpart, Engr. Abdullahi Sule over the sudden death of his son, Hassan.
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The deceased was aged 36 years.
The Governor in a condolence message to Governor Sule noted that the death of a dear one is painful and devastating.
Ortom, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, said the young Hassan was a bridge builder who ensured peaceful and harmonious coexistence between his father’s administration and the youths in Nasarawa state.
He acknowledged that late Hassan created the enabling environment for people of his age group from different ethnic and religious backgrounds to appreciate the dynamics of governance which his father was enthroning in the State.
He added: “Your Excellency, it is hard to believe that your son, Hassan has been snatched by death in his prime but be consoled that he will be remembered for the good deeds he promoted among various groups in the state. He will be sorely missed.”
The Governor lamented that the young Hassan died at a time when his services were mostly needed especially, to salvage the youths from the intractable insecurity challenges where scores of them have been wrongly drafted into.
Ortom urged the bereaved family to be comforted and to take solace in the fact that their son lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation.
He prayed that God grant the Nasarawa State’s first family the fortitude to bear the loss and the deceased eternal rest.
A yet-to-be-identified young was, on Friday night, harassed by a suspected sex worker for allegedly paying her with a torn old one thousand naira note.
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The incident happened at about 9:46 PM at one of the chalets along the popular Abakaliki Street (also known as the Club Road) in Awka, Anambra State capital.
The drama became noticed when a feminine voice was heard raging in anger, right at the front of the chalet, which drew the attention of the passers-by and the denizens of the area. A man in his late 30 was also seen at the scene, with a hand tightly hooked on his trousers, while he was fiercely threatening to beat up the lady if she refused to release his trousers.
Words like: “Oga, nothing like I for tell you earlier”, “No allow me change am for you ooo”, “You must give me new money or do transfer for me”, “You think say I come Awka come play” “Abeg no use my hustle play with me jare” and others were repeatedly uttered by the lady who was using one hand to gesticulate, while also tight-holding the man’s trousers with the other hand, as spectators gathered to leverage the scenario.
Some other ladies suspected to be commercial sex workers were also at the scene, raging and commenting shambolically on the issue.
Through enquiries and eyewitness’ aacout, this reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the said man had just finished copulating with the lady at the “short time” market price of one thousand naira, after which he offered her a torn old naira note (N1000) as a settlement for her service.
Addressed by his nickname, Obyno, the dark-complexioned man, who was looking drunk and fuddled, was equally fuming in anger, while insisting that he would not change the money or make any transfer, as he did not have the new naira note and cannot make transfers. He added that the lady did not tell her on time that she wasn’t collecting old naira note anymore.
While noting that he does not even have any money in his account, Obyno was also insisting that old note is still a legal tender, and wondered why the commercial sex worker would reject it, while others are still collecting it.
“Ashawo nke gị ọ̀ dị̀ ichè? Ọ̀ kwa ndị ọzọ ka na-ana ego ochie?” he rhetorically questioned in Igbo language (meaning, “Is your own prostitution different from others? Are others not still collecting the old naira note?”)
The salaciously dressed lady, identified as Asa, on her own, insisted that she would not collect the old one, let alone the one that is torn and tattered. Backed-up by her colleagues, she also threatened to strip Obyno naked and confiscate his phone if he continued to delay her and make her lose her regular customers who were coming, peeping and going without patronizing her as usual.
The whole drama, was, however, brought to an abrupt end when a young man, suspected to be Obyno’s friend, surfaced at the scene; and after enquiring what was happening, brought out a new one thousand naira note and settled the sex worker.
“Chi gị azọọ gị. You for collect this night,” she said, as she freed his trousers.
“Comon get out, Ashawo!” Obyno retorted as he staggered out with his friends, while trying to buckle-up his loose belt.
…As legislators, scholars, political leaders, business community back decision
Deeply concerned with the hardship caused by limited time given for halting use of old Naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and for security reasons, Kano state governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje reveals that the state resolved and wrote to Presidency that, the visit of the President to commission some projects be postponed.
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He made this known during his interactive sessions with scholars, legislators, political leaders and business community in the state at Government House, Kano, Friday, adding that the decision was taken to avoid any unforeseen circumstance.
“As we are waiting for this important visit, we found ourselves in this situation, which puts citizens into untold hardship. For security purpose we wrote to Presidency that President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Kano be postponed.
We got an acknowledgement copy of the letter. People are really suffering because of this policy,” governor said.
During the meeting with sections of citizens in the state, they accepted that, the decision was a unanimous one. As they all spoke in support of the letter sent to Presidency.
Two serving Senators from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and Barau Jibrin, Twenty members of House of Representatives and Thirty legislators from the State House of Assembly were amongst the groups that put their weight behind the governor.
He lamented that, “There are no banks in most of our rural communities. How these people get new Naira notes is of great concern. Just look at what is happening in our urban areas, people go and spend hours upon hours in banks. And without any assurances of getting the new notes.”
Even at Point of Sales (POS) according to the governor, one cannot transact with ease, hinting that, many of them closed shops due to uncertainty.
He emphasized that, Kano being a commercial hub must be heard loudly, insisting that, “This problem affects all of us. Therefore our voice must be heard in all nooks and crannies. We are a commercial hub. As such our position must be loud and clear.”
Governor Ganduje reveals further that, under one platform, Nigerian governors without consideration to party affiliation, sent delegates to President Buhari complaining to him about the hardship caused by the new development.
“Governors from all the political parties put heads together and sent delegates, but to no avail. So also traditional rulers followed the same path, but individually. But up to now there is nothing in that respect,” disclosed.
In Kano, according to him, government calls leaders of all sections of people around, whenever situation like this arises. Revealing that, “We invited scholars who were here yesterday. And today we are having this interactive sessions with you business community and our legislators.”
To revalidate the position of Kano people, as contained in the letter sent, governor Ganduje would take representatives from sections of the populace to go and see President Buhari and hear from them verbatim.
Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun, has described the verdict of election petition tribunal which validated his victory in the July 16, 2022 governorship election, as a collective victory for the state and the nation’s democracy.
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Oyetola, while speaking with newsmen in his country home, Iragbiji, said there was no victor, no vanquished.
“There is no victor, no vanquished. It is a collective victory for our state and our nation’s democracy.
“I am happy that the judgment had resolved the controversy of July 16th 2022 governorship election.
“INEC is the greatest beneficiary of the judgment. It will afford them the opportunity to look at all the anomalies and make necessary adjustments to prevent such mistakes now that the general elections are coming.
“I thank the people of the state and supporters for standing by us, for their courage and loyalty. I want to assure them that we are ready to continue to serve them”, he said.
Meanwhile, there was wild jubilation in Iragbiji following the tribunal judgment, with large numbers of residents jubilating over the verdict.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election petition tribunal nullified the election of incumbent Gov. Ademola Adeleke.
The Chairman of the three-man panel, Justice Tertsea Kume, while reading the judgment said the election was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act.
Kume said that said that there was indeed over-voting in 774 polling units in 10 local government areas in the state.
He said it was the duty of the tribunal to deduct the valid votes cast from the over-voting.
He said after the deduction of valid votes scored by candidates from the observed over-voting, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 314,931, while Adeleke polled 290,266 votes
Kume directed INEC to retrieve the Certificate of Returns issued to Adeleke as the elected governor.
Meanwhile, Adeleke said that he would appeal the judgment which he described as a miscarriage of justice.
The Igbo Presidency Strategy Team of Pan Nigerian President of Igbo Extraction Coalition, PANPIEC, is warning IPOB splinter groups bent on forcing multiple Sit at Home in February purportedly for the release of Nnamdi KANU, that the associated negative publicity will cost Ndigbo the presidency of 2023.
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PANPIEC Igbo Presidency 2023 Strategy Team is positing that if the December 9th- 14th Sit at Home , including January 23-24th, the February 24-28th Sit at Home will not achieve the result.
PANPIEC Igbo Presidency Strategy Team warns that the Sit at Home of February 24th will be used by frustrated politicians to demarket the aspirations of Igbo Presidency and give the impression that South East voters are awaiting Biafra.
PANPIEC us aware that some members of the Strategy Team are working behind the scene for the release of Nnamdi KANU, details of which will not be made public.
Therefore, any further Multiple Sit at Home represents a multiple demarketing of the Igbo Presidency Project.
PANPIEC advises Simon Ekpa, Commander of IPOB Auto-Pilot, to jettison his Biafra Agitations till after the 2023 elections to enable teeming Igbo Youth exercise their civic responsibilities.
Igbo cannot be asking for Biafra and Igbo Presidency at the same time.
PANPIEC warns for the last time that the indiscriminate Sit at Home strikes fear into the minds of other stakeholders in the north favorably disposed to Igbo Presidency.
PANPIEC have received thousands of enquiries from concerned northern voters over the stance of Ndigbo on Biafra, and warns that all the rumours of war are destabilizing the Igbo Presidency Project.
President Muhammadu Buhari Friday in Daura returned all thanks to God for safety in life’s journey over many years, highlighting the years of battle during the Nigerian Civil War and some personal challenges as testimonies of divine protection and guidance.
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President Buhari, who visited the Emir of Daura, Faruk Umar Faruk, after commissioning of two roads, said the destiny of man, country and the world remains in the hands of God.
The President concluded two-day commissioning of projects with the Musawa General Hospital, Government Day Secondary School, Musawa, Gora-Makauraci-Malamawa road, and Sandamu-Baure-Babban Mutum road, Gurjiya -Sandamu-Karkarku roads in Daura.
“This opportunity to serve the nation comes from God. All over the world, Nigeria is known for its diversity, with different religions and cultures.
“We are also known because we have a huge population of millions of people.
“For the President of Nigeria, at this time, to come from Daura is the grace and mercy of God,” he said.
President Buhari said that he secured his first job early after school to manage a co-operative in Daura, but had to escape and join the army when there was pressure that he should get married.
“I told Governor Aminu Bello Masari the story of how I left Daura to join the army. That was how God planned it. We make choices in life, but eventually destiny is before God.
“I was at the war front during the civil war, and saw how many died. Some fell right beside me. God kept me.
“Many bridges were blown just before we arrived at some places, and after we crossed. I arrived at some places to see bodies of my own colleagues that we were fighting together. I am alive today only by God’s grace,” the President added.
President Buhari noted that the Daura Emirate and community gained international recognition by divine purpose, not man’s efforts.
The President assured the Emirate that he would return and settle down in Daura, after handing over on May 29, 2023.
“The Emir has spoken extensively and I don’t have much to add. I have three of my classmates that are here today in the Emirate Council.
“I also hear of how the Emir has been giving recognitions and titles to my staff and family members. I am grateful for all the support,” he stated.
The Emir of Daura noted that the survival of the President when his car was bombed in 2014 was a divine act, which happened shortly before he won elections in 2015.
“The visit of the President is historic. He was invited by the Governor to inspect and commission development projects.
“The Governor has performed exceedingly well, beyond the projects that had been spotlighted. Close to seven years, he has been working for the people and he has made a big impact.
“Governor Masari is not a thief. The governor has done his best with available resources. He has showcased his record of service by inviting the President to witness progress in the state.
“The President has seen a lot in two days, but he has not seen all. We know the good works of the governor and really commend him,” Faruk said.
The Emir thanked the President for Federal Government projects in the state, and extoled the governor for creating an enabling environment for many to thrive.
“As a state, Katsina benefitted a lot from your position, Mr President and the Daura community remains grateful for all. For a long time, we will be talking about the blessings of God in our domain,” he added.
Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed said he would require a second term in office to enable him complete the ongoing developmental projects that will change the narratives in the economic sector, adding more dividends of democracy will be provided to citizenry.
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Mohammed made this known while interacting with stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), traditional rulers, youths, women and political organizations in Ganjuwa local government area of the state during his reelection campaign, today.
He added that his administration is set to modernize and expand the popular Soro market for the economic development of Bauchi state in addition to completing projects his predecessors had abandoned in the area.
Governor Bala said he will not hesitate to implement the Bauchi renewal project which according to him will bring succor to citizens, hence the need to support his second term bid to enable him actualize the aspiration of the upcoming generations.
He added that the entire Ganjuwa local government and its environs suffer from the negligence and maladministration of their serving senator, calling on them to vote for qualified leaders that will not sabotage the development of the community.
He said all candidates under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are determined to rescue and change trajectory of leadership and will do better if given the mandate.
While commending the traditional rulers and their institutions for supporting his administration, Mohammed vowed to diversify the state’s economy and other sectors, saying the construction of roads, schools and hospital will continue.
In their remarks, stakeholders of Ganjuwa local government area commended Mohammed for his outstanding performance and contribution to the development of their respective communities, saying they will continue to support him for more.
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