The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on November 26, 2012, arraigned Bashir Ahmed on a nine count criminal charge for allegedly defrauding one Alhaji Saidu Hashim to the tune of N37, 000,000.00 (Thirty Seven Million Naira) before Justice Marcel Awokulehin of the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna.
One of the nine count charge reads, “that you, Bashir Ahmed (alias Muhammed Bashir Kanuri) (M) on or the 28thof April, 2008 in Kaduna within the Judicial Division of the Federal High Court did with intent to defraud, induced one Saidu Hashim to deposit the sum of N3, 000,000.00 (Three Million Naira) into account No: 3126279071590 operated in the name of Mohammed Bashir Kanuri with GTB Plc under the false pretences that the money was for spiritual prayer in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia for prosperity of his Bureau de Change and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section (1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
When the charges were read to Ahmed he pleaded not guilty. EFCC counsel, Aso Larry Peters applied for a date for trial to commence and urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody since no bail application had been filed.
Defence Counsel, Yahaya D. Dangana acknowledged that he was yet to file the bail application as he said that he needed time to do so; he therefore prayed the court for an adjournment. While adjourning the case till December 5, 2012, the judge ruled that the accused be detained in prison custody pending the formal application for his bail.
Investigation leading to the arraignment of Ahmed followed a petition dated December 23, 2008, from the Association of Creditors of Amjigar Bureau De Change based in Kaduna detailing fraud of over $18.6 million.
The $18.6 millionrepresented the total sum the fifty two (52) customers of Alhaji Saidu Hashim, sometimes between July and August 2008, gave him for the purpose of foreign exchange (forex) trading.
However proof of about N37million was uncovered against Ahmed during investigation.
The Nigeria Police has confirmed that two police officers lost their lives in the early morning attack launched against the Special Anti Robbery Squad Headquarters in Abuja.
A statement signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank E. Mba, also confirmed that two of the attackers were arrested.
The police however stated that no suspect being held for any terror related charge escaped.
“In the early hours of today, 26th November, 2012, at about 2am, unknown gunmen in large number attacked the premises of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Federal Territory Police Command. Policemen on duty responded swiftly and engaged the gunmen in a gun battle that lasted for some minutes, at the end of which the gunmen were successfully repelled,” the statement said.
“However, in the confusion that ensued, about 30 suspects in the detention facilities of SARS broke out of the cells and attempted to escape. Tactical and coordinated efforts to re-arrest the fleeing suspects yielded instant result. So far, twenty five (25) of the suspects have been re-arrested, while five (5) suspects originally being held in relation to robbery related offences are currently at large. Two (2) Policemen died during the operation while two (2) of the attackers have been arrested,” he said.
The statement did not say how the inmates were able to break out on their own. Tight security is still being maintained around the facility and no journalists have been allowed in for independent verification. A photo journalist with the Daily Independent was arrested and detained briefly for attempting to take pictures outside the premises.
“It needs to be emphasized here that no suspect held for terror related charges, escaped from SARS detention facilities. No explosive or IED-related materials were used in the botched attack.
“Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni has personally visited the scene of the incident to assess the situation. He has equally ordered a high-powered investigative panel headed by a Senior Police Officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incidence.
“Similarly, the IGP has ordered water-tight security around all government and Police related facilities nationwide,” the statement added.
Earlier in the morning, Daily Trust had reported that unidentified gun men in a commando style raid, attacked the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) head office in Abuja around 2 am on Monday morning and freed many suspected terrorists.
The SARS facility is one of the centres that Boko Haram suspects are held in Abuja.
When contacted, FCT Police Commissioner Aderenle Shinaba assured that he will soon brief the press about the details of the attack. However that press briefing was canceleed because it was later relayed that the SARS was outside his purview and in its place, the statement above was issued from Force HQ.
A SARS operative, who did not want his name mentioned had told Daily Trust that the attack started around 2 o’clock in the morning, and the attackers succeeded in freeing some of the suspects held at their detention facility.
He also told Daily Trust that although he could not ascertain the number of the attackers, two police officers were killed in a confrontation with the gun men.
He further explained that in the ensuing gun battle some of the freed suspects were recaptured while a few others escaped.
However, unofficial sources claim that over 10 people were killed in the attack and about 150 suspected terrorist incarcerated at the facility were freed, and are presently at large.
The SARS headquarters, along Apo Highway in Abuja, has since been re-fortified with detachments of mobile police men manning the front gate of the building and dotted all around the perimeter fencing of the facility.
Two Armored police vehicles have also been deployed to add more fire power to the fortification.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has sworn in the reconstituted members of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) with a charge to them not to allow infighting or personality clash disrupt the execution of programmes.
Dr. Uduaghan warned that the state government will not tolerate any thing that would bring embarrassment or slow down the work of the commission.
He therefore enjoined them to be focused and execute people oriented projects instead of engaging in avoidable squabbles or personality clashes.
“This is not the time to engage in frivolities rather you should execute people oriented projects instead of engaging in avoidable clashes and squabbles,” he said.
The governor directed the Commission to work in consonance with communities in Oil Producing areas and consult them on projects to be executed.
Dr. Uduaghan implored them to apply the bottom up approach in running the commission so that the communities would assist in determining the projects they want to be executed in their areas.
He explained that the commission should not ignore the wish of the communities to enable peace and development prevail.
His words: “Let the host communities assist in determining the projects they want in their areas. I think with this peace will prevail and development will be enhanced. I want to stress that what is of prime importance is to achieve efficient service delivery in a way that people will have positive impact of government.”
The governor recalled the maiden DESOPADEC and challenges it faced explaining that the organization was eventually bogged down by arguments and they should therefore do what is proper at all times.
The governor reminded members of the commission that they were accountable to the people and should therefore not put up mediocre performance.
Dr. Uduaghan enjoined them to make Oil producing communities direct beneficiaries of the principle of derivation especially giving them a stronger hand and voice in decision making.
He reiterated the determination of his administration to transform the state and therefore charged members of the commission to become conscious of their roles in the overall achievement of the sustainable vision.
Emphasizing the importance of strategic planning in project execution, the governor said “you should plan what you are going to do to enable you achieve set objectives. The resources available are not commensurate with the challenges that face us as a state, you should therefore set your priorities right.”
The chairman of the commission Mr. Oritsua Kpogho in his response expressed appreciation to the governor for finding them worthy for the appointment.
Mr. Kpogho promised that members of the commission would not betray the confidence placed on them even as he also promised to execute people oriented projects.
Those sworn in include Mr. Micheal Diden, Dr. Henry Offah, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, Arch Joseph Ogeh and Rev. Chukwudi Ekeh.
Others are Chief Christopher Obiuwevbi, Mr. Festus Utuama and Sir Kenny Ekenechukwu Okolugbo.
The 35 Paralympics contingent from Anambra State billed to
participate in this year’s National Sports Festival in Lagos tagged
Eko 2012 yesterday in Awka protested over their poor camping allowance
by the state government.
The bone of contention according to one of their coaches, Mr Boniface
Akunna was mainly against the amount of money to be paid them by the
State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as daily
allowance while the sports fiesta lasts.
The placard carrying Paralympians in their numbers invaded the
premises of the Women Development Centre Awka office of the state’s
Commissioner for Women Affairs, demanded that they be paid the sum of
three thousand five hundred naira (N3500) as against the two thousand
naira N(2000) offered them by the officials of the Ministry.
Some of the Paralympics, including one of their coaches, Akunna
expressed regret that less than twenty-four hours to the commencement
of the Sports Festival, they were still in Awka haggling with the
Ministry over game allowances, while their able body counterpart from
the State had already settled down in their camp in Lagos for the
event.
Addressing the journalists in turns, they argued that they wanted any
amount agreed upon with officials of the ministry to be paid them in
full instead of the part payment pattern proposed by the Ministry to
avoid being robbed of it thereafter, as was the case in the past.
However, the State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social
Development, Mrs. Henrietta Agbata after a closed-door meeting with
them said the issues had been resolved but insisted that the Ministry
would not pay the Paralympics more than two thousand naira as
allowance.
The contingent would feature in track and field events, Power-Lifting
and Table Tennis only.
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Flood Reliefs and Rehabilitation Alhaji Aliko Dangote said at the weekend in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state that his committee was able to raise N12bn out of its N50bn target, assuring the government of his support in cushioning the effects of the flood on the victims.
Out of the amount raised, the Chairman disclosed that 36 states in the Federation including Federal Capital Territory contributed N1.8bn.
Making this known during his visit to Bayelsa state, Alhaji Dangote said the fund was meant to cushion the effects of the flood on the victims, lamenting over what he described as unquantifiable loss that the state experienced during the period.
Noting the degree of devastation, the Chairman assured the government of his committee’s support, disclosing that his committee would not only send relief materials but as well rehabilitate the victims, in terms of provision of social infrastructure.
Calling for the supports of the Committee, corporate organizations and well meaning individuals in the rehabilitation of the victims, the Bayelsa state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson described the state as worst hit, as virtually all the communities in the state were affected.
His words, Bayelsa state is the real delta of Niger Delta. The state is below sea level. I don’t think there is any state in the Federation that was as affected as Bayelsa state. Our farmlands have been washed away. People have lost their means of livelihood. Public institutions across the state were submerged.
Lamenting over what he described as incalculable loss, the Governor said the problem confronting the state now was how to rehabilitate the displaced victims.
However, Alhaji Dangote has expressed the readiness to of the committee to work with the State government at ensuring that the victims bounce back to life, adding, “we have seen what happened in Bayelsa State and it is quite touching”.
Alhaji Dangote said in his capacity as the Chairman of Dangote Group, he would visit the state soon and contribute his quota in support of the victims.
Delta leaders under the auspices of the People’s Movement on Friday berated those blackmailing the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
They described Uduaghan as an embodiment of moral rejuvenation, respect, loyalty, honesty, progress, peace and prosperity in Delta State.
The Director of Communications of the People’s Movement, Mrs. Ibifuro Tatua in a statement issued after an emergency meeting of the leaders in Lagos on Friday noted the improvement and standardization in the various sectors, provision of potable drinking water, potent health care delivery and good roads as well as secured living in the state, insisting that the governor has met the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
The leaders accused some individuals and groups of hatching evil motives aimed at dividing Deltans, destroying the solidarity and possibly provoking political tension and crises in the state.
Reacting to stories in some newspapers relating to the governor’s performance, alleged nomination of PDP card carrying members for the state electoral body, handling of the 13% derivation funds and appointment of local government caretaker committees by some individuals and groups, the leaders described their views as a display of outright malice against the governor.
“Whether taken literally or figuratively, it is obvious that they intend to expose the governor to ridicule, hatred and contempt by their actions” the leaders said.
The leaders dismissed the view that some of the proposed members of the state electoral body were card carrying members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing that the appointment of caretaker committees in the local government councils by the governor has nothing to do with the actualization of selfish agenda or to control funds accruing to local government councils from federation accounts as alleged by those faceless groups.
“Uduaghan is not afraid of the democratic process. Caretaker committee is not an attempt to secure funding for the 2015 election or enrich greedy people along the way” the leaders argued.
Continuing, the leaders said “Uduaghan is bent on enthroning democracy at the third tier of government.
“He remains a democrat who values the unity, stability and orderly development of the state. During the swearing of the local government committees, the governor directed the State Accountant General to release council funds to the new chairmen for smooth take off of activities at that level of governance. He also charged the appointees to take their assignment seriously. He recently sent a list of nominees for screening to the House. It is only when a new electoral body is in place; that we can now talk of election” the leaders said.
Reaffirming that the caretaker committee is serving as interim measures, the leaders cited insecurity and intimidation from the opposition as some of the reasons for the delay in the conduct of the local government election.
“Uduaghan has no intention of keeping the appointees in office for long. He doesn’t want the committees to stay longer than is necessary. They are just there to pilot the affairs of the councils until the local government elections are conducted by the yet to be constituted Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC)” the leaders said.
The leaders advised Deltans at home and abroad not to fall victim to the evil antics of these characters.
“Uduaghan is not a looter and it is only an insane person that will buy the idea that local government committees will give the governor full control of all resources coming to the State and also an opportunity for looting the resources meant for the well-being of citizens”.
The leaders said the good people of the state are highly perturbed by the reckless statements of some individuals and groups and therefore condemn in strong terms words used in describing the performance of the governor.
“A clinical appraisal of Uduaghan’s footprints for the past five years reveals that he has created a very favourable and conducive environment for common growth for which he will ever be remembered. He has worked so hard to make life meaningful to the good people of Delta State. He has gained respect around the country and among his peers. He is a brilliant achiever who pioneered the state’s industrial growth and has continually dictated the pace of development in sports, human and physical development in the south- south geo-political zone. Members of the opposition need to remove the log in their eyes to clearly see the achievements Uduaghan has recorded in the last five years in office” the leaders said.
On calls by some groups on Deltans to oppose the appointment of the local government committees, the leaders said they do not mean well for the state, stressing that “they are bent on fomenting trouble and visiting chaos on Deltans”
“This is callous. This is certainly a provocative act which will lead to nothing else than worsening the tense atmosphere in the state. Deltans must condemn the evil machinations of these groups, their highly contagious anointing to lie and the satanic grace to mislead the people”.
The leaders assured that election into the councils would be held as soon as the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) was reconstituted.
They urged the newly sworn in chairmen to ensure that workers’ salaries were paid promptly and reiterated the need for local governments to live up to their primary objective of bringing development to the grassroots.
On the performance of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), the leaders said there is so much on ground in terms of infrastructural and human capital development in the oil-bearing communities to justify the billions of Naira allocated yearly to the commission by the state government”.
The leaders stated that the state government has not mismanaged the funds, stressing that the 13 percent derivation funds have been used to develop the oil producing communities.
The leaders while praising the governor for appointing honest, dedicated, committed, and God fearing individuals in the state, appealed to desperate politicians and their collaborators to desist from their evil propaganda.
The leaders also advised the governor to disregard their antics and concentrate on the job of repositioning the state.
“Governor Uduaghan will continue to incur envy, malice and hatred from those who see perfidy as a virtue in politics” the leaders said.
“The Peoples’ Movement, a movement by the people, for the people, and of the people of Nigeria , particularly the Niger Delta believes that Uduaghan is improving the quality of life of the people by providing all with a quality education and eliminating poverty, joblessness, homelessness and pollution” the statement added.
Fresh war appears eminent for non- inclusion of real Combatants Ex militants belonging to second phase. The group of ex-militants has called the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Programme, Hon Kingsley Kuku w to pay their allowance as due to them – for the interest of peace and their lives.
The group in a statement signed by Commander Darikoro Suokoro, its spokesman warned amnesty office agitating not to include them for their payment from the amnesty programme should prepare for another oil war in the area as they will no longer wait in empty promises any
more.
According to the spokesman, they were called to Obubra Camp in Cross River State for their training. And at the conclusion of the training, they returned home. While at the training, they received their allowance for three months – but after three months of receiving their allowances the amnesty office stopped further payment to them.
The group said they will not embark on any street protest to stop other road users but that they will return to the creek to continue their life since Kingsley Kuku deliberately refuses to continue their payment of allowances.
“We went for the training at Obubra and came out successfully, we were asked to open an account in the Bank were allowances were paid to us over three months and since then the payment stopped, the office could not explain to us till now. This is no threat. We will go back to the creeks to earn our previous living as payment of our allowances is no longer guarantees of what we have learned,” Commander Darikoro lamented.
The group of aggrieved militants warned that the Federal government should bear any consequence as a result of their going back to the creeks, stressing that, they are ready to face whatever that may happen since they have sacrificed their life to that and will not be afraid of anything.
When 247ureports.com contacted one of the involved official responsible for the disbursement of the allowance, General John Esuku of Egane Camp under Ekeremor Local Government area of Bayelsa State, he confirmed that the majority of the aggrieved ex-militants were approved by the Amnesty Office – and were sent for the Obubra training camp – where they also received their allowances through their Bank accounts. General Esuku added however that there appears a mix up. He stated that the officials from the amnesty office registered ex-military above the
specified number that was approved by the Federal government, that is, six thousand one hundred and sixty six (6,166). Also, some military officers – especially the Army and the villagers – engaged in sharp practices by bring-in their persons to be registered as an ex-militant at the camp.
Names were sent to the amnesty office by those actually accredited by various camps by their general, names were called at the Obubra camp and if the actual person that was called in for the training is not present, the military in connivance with officials from the amnesty office will change the names [which was earlier submitted by the generals] – to the name of one of their wards.
Due to transportation and vehicles problem, some of the ex-militants arrived late. But when subsequently arrive, they organizers were said to vehemently refuse to accept the person. The organizers – in refusing the ex-militant – will tell the ex-militant that his name has been substituted with another. And when asked why, the organizers responded, “when we have changed it is changed, don’t ask unnecessary questions here, go and leave this place now for your own interest, the officials warned.”
Talking for the sake of solution, General Esuku said the only solution to this problem will be to call them (boys) to order and send them for their training since they are all from the Niger delta region. Since the documentation was higher than what was specified by the government, that is, the nine thousand four hundred and fifty (9,450) persons, the actual six thousand one hundred
and sixty six persons by my appeal to the federal government, release fund to the amnesty office to enable Kingsley kuku to pay the remaining Transition Allowances to the actual freedom fighters.
Also, Hon. Kingsley Kuku should be aware of those that are working with him of their unscrupulous character that have bedeviled the amnesty office of fictitious names that they have used in manipulating the payment vouchers.
Dry Season: NEMA begins early preparation against Fire Incidents
In the wake of the recent flood in the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has inaugurated a technical committee to map out the most vulnerable areas in early preparation against any likelihood of future re-occurrence of disasters including bush and market fire during the harmattan and dry season. It also warned road users against reckless driving during the Ember months.
Director General NEMA Muhammad Sani-Sidi who disclosed this at the weekend in Abuja solicited the cooperation of the stakeholders and supports of international agencies to protect the communities and build the culture of disaster resilience among the people. He spoke while receiving in his office separate visits by a team from the United Kingdom Cabinet Office Briefing Room led by Mr Nick Gibbons and the newly appointed Commander of the Nigerian Air Force Abuja Camp Group Captain Joseph Malgwi.
He said “We have mobilised our stakeholders and volunteers to be prepared in the likelihood of massive fire incidents in Markets, Farmlands and forests in the harmattan and dry season due to indiscriminate storage of inflammable and bush burning.
“We are closely monitoring the traffic in colloboratiom with our stakeholders during mass-rush of commuters in Ember months so as to minimise risks of road accidents that could involve fuel tankers. While mobile ambulances are strategically stationed in prone areas, sensization campaigns are essential to reduce the vulnerabilities.”
He said the experiences from the unprecedented flood was a challenge that required synergy among the stakeholders including the states and local governments as Nigeria has capabilities to address different kinds of disasters given the necessary cooperation and supports.
However, Sani-Sidi said the Agency has already developed a National Contingency Plan to guide timely response to any sudden onset emergency in the country.
In their separate remarks, Mr Gibbons said his team were at the Agency to explore areas of cooperation to assist the country while Group Captain Malgwi said the visit was to strengthen existing working relationship between NEMA and the NAF unit. Y. A. Shuaib Head Public Relations
The Presidency has raised the alarm that petroleum supply crises looms in the country as Federal Government is losing an average revenue of over N105 billion worth of products and crude to pipeline vandals annually across 5,120 kilometres of pipelines in Nigeria.
The revelation is coming on the heels of discoveries that the emerging queues in petrol stations is due to reluctance by Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) and stakeholders in the chain of distribution of petroleum products in the country to continue the importation of PMS and other products, as a result of the non-payment of subsidy money due to them by the Ministry of Finance.
A top Presidency source who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Sunday said “the current fuel supply and distribution situation being experienced by Nigerians is traceable to recent vandalisation of our products pipeline at Arepo; where Pipeline Products and Marketing Company (PPMC) engineers who went for repairs were shot and three of them killed. As a result of security challenges, PPMC is yet to gain access to the vandalised points to effect repairs”.
The said point, according to the source,” is along the Atlas Cove-Mosimi line that feeds five (5) Depots and accounts for products supply to the whole of the Southwest region and also contributes to about 60 per cent of total bridging to the North”.
The Presidency source who spoke on condition of anonymity argued that there was no way Nigeria with a total land mass of about 910,770 sq KM and with a population of about 167 million can effectively manage the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the country using trucks.
The source added that with adequate security of the pipelines “a robust pipeline network of about 5,120 KM across the nation, 21 loading depots and 19 pumping stations,” the nation will be guaranteed stable and steady supply and distribution of petroleum products.
The source however noted that the over $9 billion assets have been unused due to the incessant pipeline vandalisation but “the present management of PPMC since it took over about 20 months ago is doing all it can to resuscitate some of these abandoned pipelines. Without the support of security agencies, we cannot achieve much”.
Once the pipelines are available, the source said “PPMC is ready to pump all products to the Depots located in all regions of the country. It is only when the pipelines are not available that they are compelled to use other methods to make the products available. In the absence of security, the vandals have a field day and prevent the pipelines from functioning effectively”.
The Presidency source added that despite the challenges “PPMC have re-commissioned Kaduna-Suleja line, Kaduna-Kano line, Suleja-Minna line, Kaduna-Gusau line, Kaduna-Jos line and Port Harcourt-Aba line and Warri-Benin line. With these lines functioning, NNPC have been able to distribute products to Suleja, Kano, Minna, Jos, Gusau and Aba Depots. Some of these Depots have not worked for over 15 years. It is noteworthy that in spite of the numerous challenges facing the NNPC in maintaining pipelines, products like AGO and DPK that have not been pumped to these Depots has been achieved”.
“The successes achieved with the re-activation and rehabilitation of the above mentioned lines is rooted in the strong belief that the pipelines are by far the safest, most efficient, quickest, cost effective means to distribute products especially for a country as large as ours,” the source stated.
Our investigation revealed that to distribute the current contribution of about 35 million litres of PMS daily by NNPC to the national demand for example, about 1,061 trucks need to ply the roads daily.
“With our bad roads, robbers and environmental considerations in having the trucks travel length and breadth of this large country, what effects can that achieve?,” the source queried.
Meanwhile, the Presidency however appealed to Nigerians to help government secure the pipelines saying that the assets belong to them.
“Nigerians must not forget that energy worldwide is regarded as National Asset. A threat to energy supply is often viewed as a threat to national security. The nation cannot allow persons or group of persons threaten what is collectively ours. It should be considered as security risk and economic sabotage” the source said.
The government called for a redoubled effort from the side of security operatives to help in the protection of the pipelines.
An industry source who also prefers anonymity lamented that with increase in cases of pipeline vandalism in the last two decades ago, “how many culprits have been apprehended and successfully prosecuted; except for the small time jerry can boys while the main players who use valves to siphon products with barges and with trucks are left to enjoy their loot. These are pertinent questions we should ask ourselves as a nation rather than blame the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or an individual. The problems are rather systemic!”
The source urged the present crop of PPMC management that took over in February, 2011 to continue to improve on their distribution chain; saying that “no major fuel supply and distribution issues have been encountered in the last 20 months except pocket of queues caused by the non-payment of subsidy money to marketers”.
The source said “since the heated issue of subsidy began in early 2012, NNPC/PPMC has solely sustained Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) supply to the Nigerian market as Marketers have refused to bring in products. Despite that singular effort by PPMC, supplies have been robust and hitch free with PMS available across the nation at a uniform price”.
“Nigerians should cast their minds back to our immediate past, to the horrible period of 2009-2010 when Nigerians were sleeping in fuel stations looking for fuel to buy. All that has now become a thing of the past; thanks to this administration and the current Management of PPMC” the source noted.
Kogi PDP Elders paid a courtesy call on the party’s National Chairman Bamanga Tukur on Thursday in Abuja to formally complain about the illegalities and undemocratic practices of the Idris Wada administration.
“We want the national leadership of our great party to intervene decisively to save the PDP in Kogi State from an untimely death”, said Senator Alex Kadiri who led the three-man group that also included Senator Mohammed Ohiare and Dr Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba.
“All is not well in Kogi State. Our party has been hijacked by strangers. There is no governance in the state. State funds are being used to settle judges and anti-corruption agencies. Not even a culvert has been constructed by the nearly one year old Wada administration”.
The elders listed the crisis in the State House of Assembly, the appointment of Liaison Officers for local councils, the continued looting of state treasury by the duo of former Gov. Ibrahim Idris and current Gov Wada, and the undemocratic conduct of state congress last weekend as some of the issues they are unhappy about.
They accused Wada of cluelessness, profligacy and looting. They cited the appointment of 20 commissioners, 57 advisers, 74 senior special assistants and scores of other assorted aides as proof that Wada is ill-prepared to govern the state. The recent discovery of 800 ghost schools and thousands of ghost teachers, the elders added, represents only a tip of the iceberg of the rot that is Kogi State.
Responding, Tukur promised to look into their complaints and commended the elders for their civilized and mature approach. He said the PDP under his watch will be democratic, inclusive and transparent in all its dealings. He promised to treat the petition seriously adding that the calibre of the petitioners demands nothing less.
The elders (including Former Speaker and Acting Gov Clarence Olafemi, Retired AVM Salihu Atawodi, and former State Chairman of the party John Odawun) had earlier submitted copies of their petition to President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
