AljaziralPress

ASABA — Usman O. Sule Esq, the lead Counsel to The People’s Democratic Party,pdp, Delta Central Senatorial Candidate, (Barr. Evelyn Omovovwan Oboro’s counsel counted that the APC Delta could not  maintain status quo and refrain from submitting  list of candidates, as court direct , but yet they went ahead to defil courd orders.

Which the  APC witness testified against his own party irregularities during the elections during a cross – examination by the by Oboro’s lead counsel at the ongoing National Assembly election tribunal sitting in Asaba agreed that there was a court order of judgment delivered on 17th of October, 2018 for the APC in Delta State not to submit list of candidates to INEC, According to a reliable source that Agege chances are slim and serious tension in Ovie Omo+Agege’s Camp as Anxiety, tension filled their heart.

According to a top APC chieftain ,who does not want his name on print said he foresee Doom if proper and speedy measures are taken their will be disasters that might finish the All Progressive Congress, that in total disobedience to a subsisting valid Court Order, the Prophet Jones Erue faction of the APC went ahead to submit list of candidates to INEC on 18th of October, 2018.

According to the APC Chieftain who said with this admission of the APC witness on oath before the election tribunal, APC ought not to have submitted name of Ovie Omo-Agege or names of other candidates to INEC for the 2019 general elections in view of the said order and Judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba at the time the names were submitted.

The NDI/IRI observation mission concluded that the the 2019 Elections did not meet the expectations of many Nigerians. The last-minute postponement of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections on the morning of Feb. 16 and delays in opening some polling units and other administrative challenges on Feb. 23 undermined public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While INEC distributed materials and opened polls in a more timely fashion for the March 9 gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections, many serious irregularities occurred, including vote buying, intimidation of voters and election officials, and election-related violence.

“The 2019 General Elections fell significantly short of standards set in 2015. Citizens’ confidence in elections was shaken,” said Dr. Daniel Twinning, IRI President. “Election stakeholders should take concrete steps to address the concerns with regards to the polls in order to rekindle their faith in the power and possibility of credibility elections.”

“The 2019 elections highlighted for many Nigerians the need for a national convention about the country’s democratization since the 1999 transition to civilian rule.” Said Ambassador Derek Mitchell, NDI President. We hope this report may both spur and contribute to enriching that national conversation.

The legal tussle initiated by Honourable Evelyn Omavowan Oboro, Delta Central Senatorial District Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to address alleged irregularities and perceived manipulation of electoral process, during the 2019 National Assembly Election, is gradually gathering momentum and it appears real facts suggestive of obvious self indictment are emerging from within the All Progressives Congress (APC) family.

Credible media reports has it that a witness called by the All Progressives Congress to testify in the ongoing National Assembly election tribunal sitting in Asaba; has agreed that there was a court order and judgment delivered on the 17th day of October, 2018 for the APC in Delta State not to submit list of candidates to INEC.

The judgment arose from internal legal battles between the two factions of the APC in Delta State; the Light of APC led Chief Great Ogboru for Agege candidacy and the Mainstream Delta APC, led by Olorogun Otega Emerhor, for Emerhor candidacy, after the party’s controversial Delta Central Senatorial primaries.

Oboro and PDP, filed a petition at the tribunal to unravel possible electoral fraud especially, among others, the alleged illegal and compromising activities of APC and INEC leadership to have undermined the power and authority of the Court, as can be seen from the obvious disobedience of a valid court order which restrained APC from submitting the names of candidates in Delta State, to the INEC, until the final determination of the substantive matter before Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court Asaba.

In the ongoing post elections legal battle between the two major contenders of Delta APC and Delta PDP ; APC was sued as 3rd respondent while INEC and Omo-Agege Ovie Augustine were sued as 1st and 2nd respondents respectively, in a petition filed by Oboro Evelyn Omavowan, and PDP at the election tribunal sitting in Asaba, Delta state

It would be recalled that Justice Toyin Adegoke of the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta state, in a ruling on 17th of October, 2018, ordered the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, the APC, INEC, Prophet Jones Erue and the plaintiff, Chief Cyril Ogodo to maintain status quo and desist from submitting any list of candidates from Delta State from the two factions to INEC till the substantive suit filed was heard.

In a dramatic twist which tend to negate the fundamental principles of justice administration, equity and good conscience, the Prophet Jones Erue faction of the APC went ahead to submit list of candidates to INEC on the 18th of October, 2018 (a day after the court order was issued); a development which point to show that APC and Senator Ovie Omo Agege knowingly disrespectfully disregard a valid Court Order.

Further credence was given to the fact in issue when on Monday June 17, 2018, during cross-examination by Usman O. Sule Esq., lead Counsel to the petitioners (PDP and Oboro), the APC witness Mr. Adehor Ochuko Albert admitted at the NASS Election Tribunal in Asaba, that there was a restraining court order for APC in Delta state not to submit list of candidates to INEC but could not justify the action of the party in disobeying the said Court order.

It follows that with this admission of the APC witness on oath before the election tribunal, APC ought to obey the Court Order but went ahead to submit the name of Ovie Omo-Agege and names of other candidates of the Ogboru faction to INEC for the 2019 general elections, thereby knowingly disobeyed valid order and Judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, at the time the names were submitted.

The internal crisis of Delta APC has lingered for nearly six years and it got to the climax during the 2019 general elections.

The swearing in of Senator Ovie Agege and other candidates of Delta APC on May 29, 2019 at NASS and Delta State House of Assembly, trigged suspicion that the alleged disobedience of Court orders may have been masterminded by a cabal within the APC.

It is hoped that the tribunal will unravel the legal lacuna and allow justice to prevail.

The Kogi State traditional rulers council on Wednesday met President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

The council led by its Chairman and the Attach Igala, His Royal Majesty, Dr. Michael Idakwo Ameh Oboni commended Governor Yahaya Bello on security and peace-building, noting that no meaningful development can take place in the absence of peace.

The Monarchs told Buhari that Yahaya Bello is their choice for November 16 Kogi governorship election.

They therefore urged the President and APC leadership to support the return of Kogi governor.

Reacting, President Buhari said he will be coming to the state soon to commission projects executed by Yahaya Bello.

Governor Yahaya Bello and his Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja accompanied the traditional rulers to see the President.

By Abba Dukawa

Today’s victory is ours; today’s victory speaks to a better and brighter future for us, our children and generations yet unborn. I accept this responsibility with humility and I truly understand it’s meaning, namely: that you expect me to be a servant of the people, and to lead the charge for the restoration of hope over despair and good over evil. At the core of this mandate is the crucial drive to give Bauchi State citizens a better prospect and greater opportunity for a prosperous life. Reducing poverty and empowering our citizens in the areas of Agriculture, Education, urban and rural infrastructure among others. Governor Bala Muhammad

IT is repeatedly said that the only thing that is permanent and constant in life is change as it will definitely come when it chooses to come. The 2019 elections have spring up surprises, even as the wind of change did not spare Bauchi State where the political history of the state was altered as the former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) became the first sitting governor to be voted out of office in the state. However, the victory of the Governor Bala Muhammad of PDP over Governor Abubakar is not an easy victory for the party it was a victory for the people of the state and, in all ramifications, a reflection of the collective decision of the people of the state to elected peoples of their choice not on the party affiliations.

In fact, the change is not so much in the trust the people of the state have in the eventual winners of various elective offices, but it has more to do with their resolve to vote out a government characterized by alleged egotism and under-performance. A confirmation of such an assertion was the fact that the people voted massively for the APC in the presidential and National Assembly elections, but overwhelmingly ensured victory for the PDP in the governorship, even as the political party considered as the underdog, the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), won the two biggest federal constituency seats in the state (Bauchi and Katagum). This is because the people are now graduating from party loyalty to choice, based on what they perceive as the quality of the candidates. They chose to follow their pulse, right or wrong.

Governor Bala Muhammad in special broadcast shortly after was declared winner He said “ his government is determined to give citizens of the state a better prospect and greater opportunity by reducing poverty and empowering them in the areas of agriculture, education, urban and rural infrastructure among others,” even as he chided the former administration for not fulfilling its electoral promises. Historically, Bauchi people are known to be brave and politically savvy by the state peoples collective resolve and by the results of the election, their have demonstrated to the world that no-man made chains can bind us to servitude. The chains have come undone, sending a clear message that Bauchi will never bend its back again for an oppressor to ride. “We have proven that, working together, there is no challenge that we cannot overcome as a people. I understand as we all celebrate this victory because it came at a cost so many of us were willing to pay in order to salvage our state from the cliff. Conversely Governor understand the task of rebuilding the state commences immediately as the people of the state have entrusted their hope in him, the task ahead is indeed challenging and he must not betray the confidence reposed in him as the people of the state are looking up to him to meet their yearnings and aspirations.

The tasks before governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed is enormous as there is also the case of infrastructural collapse in the state. In fact many government facilities in the state are either not functional or at least in a state of near collapse – the failing school system, dilapidated hospitals, bad roads etc are a testament to this fact. during the campaigns described the poor state of infrastructure, 1.3 million of our children are out-of-school, Doctors now use torchlight for operations in the In hospitals, lack of youths gainful employments jobs except to guard posters for the governor and his friends.

There is also need for his administration find a way to put an end to, or at least reduce thuggery (Sara suka), poverty, drug abuse, high unemployment and empower women with useful entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance to avert an impending implosion caused by many years of neglect and exploitation knowing the implications of this time bomb wait to burst out Kauran Bauchi assured peoples of the state that his administration would create enabling environment for private sector organizations to take advantage of opportunities that exist on the global market for both unprocessed and semi-processed agricultural products that abound in the state.

Even though Bauchi Governor reiterate his administration commitments toward establish an industrial zone that will serve as a one-stop investment mall for investors and business-minded people to interact. Thereby provide the needed engineering infrastructure, governance platform, tax relief and investment promotion office. Kauran Bauchi visions to the uplifting peoples of the state is paramount as there is no any reason the state to remain among the poorest state in the country because state is blessed with an abundance of unprocessed and semi-processed products that are in high demand all over the world. What is lacking is the capacity to tap into the treasure chest of our state. We shall promote and support value addition to empower local farmers to eventually become competitive globally. Governor said

The peoples of the state want Kauran Bauchi to bring his wealth of experience in public service as the Governor is strong man of his own conviction, a leader with few words and robust action. He has been largely guided by the words of the American Republican statesman and 26th President of the US (1901-1909), Theodore Roosevelt that if you want to go far, you should speak softly and act decisively. To succeed as Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed has been conscious of the fact that he must be dispassionate and ever busy. In doing so as a practical leader given to example rather than precepts, he does not look at faces so as to avoid succumbing to praise singing or shylock emotions. Rather, he has stuck to action and compassion primed on legality and humanity. He is very courageous and firm. Senator Bala Mohammed knows that his legacy will be determined not by how much praise he receives while in the saddle but the quantum of work he did. In other words, what he does will go a long way to determining the attitude of the rest of the people towards him. Realizing that the first step matters, he has remained strong, focused and uncompromised.

Dukawa wrote in from Kano and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II says, Kano Emirate Council has no grudge against the state government as being speculated.

The monarch made the remarks while addressing members of Kano State Assembly led by the Speaker, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Gafasa, who paid him a courtesy visit at his palace on Tuesday in Kano.

He said the council was always ready to work towards the development of Kano state in the present democratic dispensation.

Sanusi said that the state government, under Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje had in the last two years entrusted him with the task of seeking ways and means to revitalise the industrial profile of Kano for the moribund industries to be resuscitated.

Kano Emirate crisis, says Ganduje
According to him, his mission to China in that regard has opened the gate for the state government to take complete inventory of what is most needed in effecting such an industrial revolution in the state.

He said the report he gave to the state government was taken into cognisance for such an objective to be realised.

He, however, noted that no state in the country could ever develop with its industries folding-up, adding that concerted efforts had to be made to ensure that viable avenues for employment were created.

He said the status of Kano as a commercial nerve centre of northern Nigeria had to be sustained and consolidated in the interest of creating jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

The monarch expressed optimism that his mission to China in ways to explore avenues of revitalising Kano industries would not be an exercise in futility.

On the legislatures, the monarch charged the lawmakers to be diligent and committed in fulfilling the responsibilities bestowed on them by the electorate.

He pointed out that their mission at the assembly, was to ensure that they fulfilled all their campaign promises with regards to the issue of good governance.

“As leaders, you are expected to be spectacularly honest and have the fear of God in whatever you are doing.

“You should all remember that you will one day die and be made to account for your deeds, while in the saddle of authority.

“ You and I and everybody are not immune to such investigation by God, who created us to serve humanity as leaders.

“We will be made to account for our deeds and we will also be judged by posterity for being at the helm of affairs and what we did whether it is good or bad, will be the legacy we will all leave behind,” he said

He told the lawmakers that the emirate council had also given its contributions along with other notable opinion leaders to the issue of presenting a bill on marriage, which a copy would soon be sent to them for their perusal and consideration.

“We want some gray areas to be cleared. We are serious on achieving such objectives by the grace of God,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the speaker told the monarch that they were at the palace to seek his blessings on ways to develop Kano in the present democratic dispensation.

“We are also here in the palace to introduce the principal officers of the house to you,” the speaker said.

A 67-year-old woman has been arraigned before the Lagos State Magistrate Court at Igbosere, Lagos, for allegedly hacking into a First Bank Plc account and stealing N16.2million.

The woman, Wuraola Folashade Oluloye, was arraigned on a five-count charge of fraudulent diversion, was arrested following a complaint from Solomon Akhanolu, Head of the Department of Forensic Auditors of First Bank.

Oluloye pleaded not guilty to the five counts and was granted bail by Folashade Olukoya, the presiding magistrate and the chief magistrate of Igbosere court. She is to raise N500, 000 in bail bond and provide two sureties in like sum.

Oluloye would be remanded in Kirikiri Prison custody until she meets her bail conditions

George Nwosu, the prosecution counsel, said Oluloye committed the alleged offences between last October 16 and December 31, at First Bank’s Agidingbi Branch, Lagos.

He said the 67-year-old woman allegedly hacked the account of a First Bank customer, Emefiele Ogbor, with account No 3014419974, and withdrew N16,200,000 from there and transferred same to her accounts in Stanbic IBTC, Union, Sterling and First banks.

Shortly afterwards Oluloye showed up at the bank to make withdrawals from her account. Unknown to her, the police were waiting and she was arrested.

The alleged offences contravened Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, the court heard.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.

The case continues on June 24.

By Anayo Akubueze

IKWERRE People’s whose majority are more in Rivers state has been experiencing good governance since the administration of Hon. Engr. Samuel Wanosike as the chief Executive Chairman of Ikwerre local Government Area of Rivers state.

According to Comrade Anayo Akubueze, Newsline Director on Communication, in a brief interview with News men recently in Ikwerre revealed the sterling qualities of the humble Ikwerre Council Boss, Akubueze who noted that Ikwerre people have not seen it good like these since the creation of the local government, he appreciates the good works of the Council Chairman, Hon. (Engr ) Samuel Anosike style of governance. That his administration is second to known, Anosike who operate open door policy, transparency his watchword and his words his bonds.

His administration runs an inclusive government like his boss, governor Nyesom Wike, included some members of other opposition parties into his cabinet.

Newsline executive members -Rivers state chapter led by it’s national director comrd. Anayo Akubueze, today in their interview with some members of Ikwerre local government executive, discovered that out of 100% council appointees 40% are the opposition party members from across the 13 wards of Ikwerre LGA.

Meanwhile, the joy and happiness on the faces of the people of Ikwerre local government area have pushed them to clamour for Hon. Samuel Anosike’s second tenure in the office as their council chairman.

Therefore, Newsline executive members are calling on the chief executive chairman of Ikwerre LGA, Hon. Samuel Anosike to maintain his good work in caring people along.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Delta State Council, has dissociated itself from a purported planned media award in conjunction with the Global News Media, slated for Thursday, June 19, 2019.

In a statement endorsed by the Council’s Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, the NUJ said that it was not aware of the planned event and had not entered into any collaborative pact with Global Trust News Media or any organization to present an award to one Hon. Chukwudi or any individual on the said date.

The union advised the general public to discountenance invitations of any kind to be part of the event, saying it would not take responsibility for anything incident associated with the event.

The union also seized the opportunity of this release to admonish the general public to always liaise with the leadership of the NUJ Delta State Council to clarify the authenticity of awards before they key into such programmes as there are many fake agencies in the country given unverified awards.

While assuring the general public of the union’s preparedness to weed out quacks from the profession, the statement implore Deltans to be weary of Facebook and social media tigers as not all that writes or post on social media are journalists.

It warned all registered practising journalists in the state to have nothing to do with the event or any other award not endorsed by the leadership of the union in the state.