Connect with us

News

2023 Polls: LP Demands Forensic Investigation Of N300bn, Donor Funds

Published

on

The Labour Party has demanded for a forensic investigation into the expenditure of budgeted disbursements and donor funds received by the Independent National Electoral Commission as well as the N300 billions of Nigerian taxpayers funds used for the 2023 general elections.

Director General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Otumba Akin Osuntokun, made this demand on behalf of the Labour Party and the council, at a media briefing in Abuja, on Thursday.

He explained that Nigerians deserved to have details of how these funds were disbursed in exchange for arguably “the worst election conducted in recent memory.”

Advertisement

Osuntokun said, “We also demand unequivocally, the immediate dismissal from office and prosecution of Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, and the commencement of forensic financial investigation, into the expenditure of budgeted disbursements and Donors’ funds received by INEC…not the least of which is the N300 billion appropriated from the National purse, as well as other funds and materials from international donor agencies.”

READ ALSO: Again, Binani Drags INEC To Court Over Nullification Of Declaration

According to him, it was disheartening to note that spokespersons of the All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu, chose to condemn the report of the European Union Observer Mission on the 2023 General Election and engage in the selective celebration of the 2019 Election reports from the same observer group.

The LP campaign DG said, “The Labour Party and the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation condemn vehemently, the negative and jundiced responses on the EU Report and other Election Observers’ reports, by the Spokespersons of the APC administration and other Ill-informed persons, which are totally in discord with the mood of the nation, at this time and which also present an embarrassing contrast to the celebration of the 2019 Election reports, from these same Observer groups.

Advertisement

Osuntokun also urged “those who have deployed hired protesters to the offices of the EU in respect to their election report to desist from any further wastage of public funds, as the objective of intimidation is without basis, and has failed from the beginning.”

He further said, “We commend the international community and civil society for their continued support in growing and consolidating our democracy.

READ ALSO: 2023 Poll Challenges: INEC Begins Post-election Review

“It is now only logical, bolstered by the final Observer Group reports, that the international community take immediate and appropriate punitive action against Prof. Mahmud Yakubu, Barrister Festus Okoye and other top administrative and field staff of INEC, directly complicit in the desecration of these elections.”

Advertisement

He argued that it would not be out of place to declare that our national problems have gotten worse given the extent of fraud, impunity, conspiracy, deceit, financial waste and democratic impediment, orchestrated and effected in the 2023 elections a situation which Nigerians trooped out and voted to change but had their collective will subverted.

VANGUARD

Advertisement

News

Rivers Crisis: Pro-Fubara Assembly To Screen Commissioner-nominee On Monday

Published

on

The Rivers State House of Assembly members loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and led by factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, have invited a Commissioner-nominee, Danagogo Iboroma, for screening and confirmation as a member of the state executive.

Iboroma may be pencilled in to replace Zaccaeus Adangor, who recently resigned as the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Adangor’s resignation came after he rejected his deployment to the State Ministry of Special Duties (Governor’s Office) by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Advertisement

The nominees’ invitation was contained in a letter signed by the factional Clerk, Dr. G.M. Gillis-West, who asked Iboroma to appear before the House on Monday by 10 am and sent to newsmen.

The factional clerk directed Iboroma, to appear at the Hallowed Chamber, Rivers State House of Assembly, Auditorium, Admin Block, Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.

The letter read, “The Rivers State House of Assembly hereby invites the following Commissioner-nominee for screening and confirmation as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council. Danagogo I Iboroma, SAN.

“Date: Monday, 13th May 2024. Time 10 am. Venue: Hallowed Chamber, Rivers State House of Assembly Auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt.

Advertisement

“The nominee is to come along with 10 sets of his Curriculum Vitae, photocopies of his credentials and the original.”

Continue Reading

News

Obasanjo To Adeleke: Keep The Dancing Spirit, Deliver On Infrastructure

Published

on

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to continue his dancing spirit while prioritising the delivery of crucial infrastructure projects in the state.

Obasanjo, who spoke at the inauguration of a VIP lodge, an edifice located within the premises of Osun State Government House in Osogbo, recalled a private conversation he had with Adeleke when he admonished him not to stop dancing, but to work very hard to improve the lives of the residents of the state.

The former president, who declared himself as Adeleke’s dancing partner, also challenged the governor to unite the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, implement good initiatives that would affect people positively and ensure proper documentation of all his achievements as governor.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Adeleke Lists New Retirement Age Conditions For Osun Teachers

Speaking in a mixture of Yoruba and English, Obasanjo said, “Some people once despise you, calling you a mere dancer. In reply, I told them that it is only happy people that used to dance. From now on, you are my dancing partner.

“What I have heard and seen since three days that I have been here If anyone is doubting you, bring the person to your state to see for himself or herself. If you remember at one time, I called you on the phone and I said don’t stop dancing but I added that, as you are dancing, ensure you are working.

“If I tell you that I don’t know what happened before you get to the government, I will be telling a lie. But you did something last week Sunday that I appreciated. You called the leaders of your party together. I am happy that you called them and brought them together. Senator Olu Alabi is here, ex-governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola is here and Fatai Akinbade too.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Osun: 18 Pupils Hospitalised After Eating Contaminated Meal, Adeleke Orders Probe

“You should bring everyone on board. That is the best thing to do. I have talked to two out of three of them. It is a good move which is not only good for your party but for the state and the country. You said government is a continuum. You also said that you are working on all abandoned projects, may God crown your efforts.”

He added that he is happy that Adelek is taking project deliveries one after the other taking them.

He urged the governor to be honest with his conscience, with the people and with God.

Advertisement

“You have to be a man of character,” Obasanjo said.

READ ALSO: PHOTOS/VIDEO: Prince Harry, Meghan Visit Sanwo-Olu

Speaking earlier, Adeleke said his administration has completed some major capital projects, while work was also progressing on many others captured under his infrastructure plan.

According to him, the VIP Lodge would enable his administration to minimise the cost of hosting important personalities visiting the state, adding that with the completion of the project, a major milestone in cost efficiency has been achieved.

Advertisement

Adeleke, nicknamed the dancing governor, took the oath of office as the 6th elected governor of Osun State on Sunday, November 27, 2022, following in the political trajectory of his late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who was the first elected governor of the state.
PUNCH

 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Nigeria Medical Association Gets New President

Published

on

A professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bala Audu, has been elected as the new President of the Nigeria Medical Association.

The election took place during the annual delegates meeting held in Calabar, Cross Rivers state.

Audu obtained a degree in Medicine from the University of Maiduguri in 1988 and a Master’s degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology from the University of London in 1994.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: U.S. Man Who Received First-ever Modified Pig Kidney Transplant Dies

He’s also a Fellowship in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1997.

In 2008, he obtained a hospital administration and health services certificate from the National Institute of Public Health, Japan.

Before his election, Audu served as the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, in 2017 and later as Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, in Bauchi state.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Customs Intercepts N10m Worth Petrol En Route Cameroon Illegally

Audu is recognized for his contributions to the field of medicine, having trained many young obstetric doctors and conducted numerous research works on cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.

Other leaders elected during the meeting include Benjamin Olowojebutu as Vice President, Usha Anenga as Vice President 2, Ben Egbo as Secretary-General, Wale Lasisi as the Assistant Secretary-General, Celestine Ugwoke as Treasurer, Harrison Omokhua as Financial Secretary, and Manir Bature as the National Publicity Secretary.

The NMA has announced that the new leaders were selected from NMA branches across the country and will lead the association’s activities from 2024 to 2026, after which another leadership cycle will emerge.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending