Metro
APC Destroyed Nigerian Economy, All Institutions Built For 16 Years – PDP Governors
Published
12 months agoon
By
Editor
Governor elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PPD, have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of running down the nation’s economy and inflicting untold hardship on Nigerians.
The governors, under the umbrella body of PDP Governors, expressed dismay and grave concern over what they called “unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC-led federal government”.
They frowned at the long delay in the minimum wage negotiations.
Rising from a meeting hosted by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, the governors welcomed the autonomy granted Local Government Councils, and said that they believe in the efficacy of the Local Government system which ensures that governance is taken closer to the people as enshrined in the constitution.
The Forum also frowned at what it called the destruction of good institutions and developments put in place by the party when it was in power at the federal level by the ruling APC.
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The Forum expressed strong support for the Governor of Rivers State in his political battle and said that a political solution that would bring peace to the state would be initiated.
A communique from the meeting read by the Forum’s Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said:
“The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues bordering on critical national interest. The unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC led federal government, the minimum wage negotiations and the recurring issue of intergovernmental relations with special reference to local government autonomy and funding.
Following an exhaustive discussion and consultations with all the organs of the party as you can see here, the national Working committee of the party.
Upcoming congresses
“In the spirit of the founding fathers of our great party who adopted internal democracy as a fundamental principle on which our party was built, the congresses leading to the elections of the party leaders at the various tiers must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in compliance with the constitution of our party. To ensure the successful conduct of the congresses of the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory”.
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Off-season election.
“Of the off-season elections in Edo and Ondo, the Forum admonishes all parties in the election to ensure that campaigns are issue-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provision of the electoral act. The forum urges the Independent Electoral Commission INEC to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and peaceful elections as any act of bias will be resisted. The forum urges the president to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggesting political interference in the entire process”.
The economy
“The Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC led federal government”.
The Minimum wage
“The Minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted in the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the people. The forum resolves as follows: The Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands total support of the forum. While the forum supports Labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the sub-nationals, the federal government and the third tier of government.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to a complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately the collapse of the economy”.
Supreme court ruling on LG autonomy
“The forum believes in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance comes closer to the people as provided in the constitution. The forum will also support the autonomy of the local government as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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Restoring the Nation’s Past Glory
“The forum regrets that the 16 years of the tremendous development of the PDP-led federal government during which the country with single-digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living by the majority of Nigerians has been eroded during the lifespan of the lacklustre APC led federal government.
“The forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days of low inflation rates, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI influx resulting in high Naira value and great quality of human life that was recorded.
“In that regard, the meeting commended the Governors of the PDP-controlled states for their innovative approach to governance in many fields, especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth initiatives and the timely delivery of developmental projects across the country.
“The forum notes the crisis in Rivers State of the party and commits to supporting the governor of Rivers State and also resolved that the issue could be done through the political solution that will be required and other measures that all the leaders of the organs of the party will be committed so that we can go together and resolve this issue with minimal friction, division or rancour.
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“The forum therefore calls on all Nigerians to refrain from any anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027”.
Earlier the chairman of the Forum described the meeting as “an extraordinary meeting of the PDP Governors Forum and some of our major stakeholders, including our National Working Committee and various organs of the party. This meeting is very unique and auspicious because we are here to showcase our history as a party. We have been leading in this country as a party. We have all the structures established before the commencement of the APC administration”.
The governors in attendance were Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and the host governor, Peter Mbah.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara and the Acting National Chairman of the party, represented by the Deputy National Chairman, South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, former governor of Kaduna State and former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and former governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu.
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Metro
JUST IN: Psychiatric Hospital Staff Shot Dead In Benin
Published
6 hours agoon
July 11, 2025By
Editor
A yet-to-be identified man was, this evening (Friday, 11 July, 2025) shot dead at Uselu Share, Benin City, in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State.
The man, who should be in his late 50’s was a staff of the Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Benin.
He was reportedly trailed by two vehicles – GLK Jeep and a red car – as he drove out from the hospital premises after the close of work.
According to our source, the two vehicles had packed in a nearby place waiting for the man’s vehicle, adding that immediately he drove out, he was trailed to a point where he was caught up and shot at a close range on the head.
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Our source who does not want his name mentioned, said: “He works at Psychiatric Hospital. He closed for the day’s work and was about driving home, but unfortunately he drove in less than one minute when he was gunned down.
“It happened around 5pm this evening. We were at a nearby fast food restaurant when we heard the gunshot. It didn’t take the guys one minute to gun him down.
“After they killed the man, they were still shooting as they moved. The guys in the two vehicles were more than five.
“He’s an advance person, but we don’t know why he was killed,” he added.
READ ALSO: Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape Of Married Woman In Edo
According to source, security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police, officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army arrived the scene promptly, adding that before they arrived the assailants had left.
Our source added that the security personnel immediately evacuated the body from the scene.
Our source, who lamented that “three days ago, they came to rob a beer parlour and Baba Ijebu Shop in this same area,” urged the authorities to draft security personnel to the area.
Contacted on the phone by INFO DAILY, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, Moses Yamu, said he was yet to be informed of the incident, promising to make his founding.
Metro
Gunmen Invade Catholic Seminary School In Edo, Kill One, Abduct Three
Published
10 hours agoon
July 11, 2025By
Editor
Gunmen on Thursday night attacked the Catholic Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary School at Ivianokpodi, Agenebode in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State and killed a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the school.
The gunmen also abducted three students of the school.
This is coming barely ten months after an attack was carried out in the area. Two people including a priest were kidnapped and one killed during the attack.
The Directorate, Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Auchi, Rev. Fr Peter Egielewa confirmed the incident on Friday
He said that the gunmen attacked the school at about 9:00 pm at night.
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Egielewa expressed displeasure over the persistence attack on the Catholic school, personnel and its facilities.
“This is the second time in 10 months that the school had been attacked
“10 Months ago, a priest was kidnapped.
“And now three seminarians were abducted and a civil defense corps is killed, while a local vigilante sustained gun injuries
“We call on the government to protect the lives of all those who work in Catholic institution and our diocese.
“We hope the security agencies at the local, state and federal level take up the responsibility on that, so our people can be in peace and safety,” Egielewa said
Metro
Pastor Arraigned Over Alleged Rape Of Married Woman In Edo
Published
11 hours agoon
July 11, 2025By
Editor
A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem, of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.
The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday.
The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.
Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.
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The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.
The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion, told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.
Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.
The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
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“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.
“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.
Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.
The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.
The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.
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