News
Disruption: ‘Don’t Push Me To Use My Powers,’ Kogi Returning Officer Warns SDP Secretary
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
The otherwise smooth collation exercise of the governorship election in Kogi State on Sunday took a dramatic turn when the State Returning Officer, Prof Johnson Urama, threatened to use his statutory powers to remove the Secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for disrupting the process.
Urama gave the stern warning after the SDP official, who did not give his name while giving his remarks on the results for the Okene Local Government Area (LGA), which had just been read out.
Once the SDP secretary introduced himself, the Returning Officer said, “I thought it was one party agent per [party]… There is somebody representing your party here.”
The SDP secretary was challenging what he described as “a doctored result,” alleging that the actual results were uploaded to the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
READ ALSO: Off-season Election: Kogi LGA Chairman Arrested With Ammunition, Cash
The party official retorted that though his colleague had spoken, he had “observed something that he probably has not seen.”
Describing the figures read out as “a doctored result,” the SDP secretary alleged that the results had been made known to the party “since yesterday,” adding that it was on the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
“I want to understand why the result was changed now. Why should the result be changed now? My party has been manipulated up until this point in time,” he said.
But Urama maintained that the SDP stalwart was not permitted to speak and was at risk of being thrown our.
“Secretary of SDP, you know I have the powers to remove anybody trying to disrupt this. Don’t push me to use those powers. You have an agent here and he has spoken,” he said.
The incident came hours after a Labour Party (LP) agent in Imo State, Calistus Ihejiagwa, was beaten and bundled out of the Imo State Collation Centre in Owerri, the state capital.
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News
Tension In Kano As Sanusi, Bayero Loyalists Clash Near Emir’s Palace
Published
27 minutes agoon
July 7, 2025By
Editor
A paralysing fear reigns in the minds of residents in Kano as the power struggle between the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and the 16th Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has led to attacks and counterattacks by their respective supporters, creating significant tension.
A statement from Emir Sanusi’s camp alleged that supporters of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero unleashed mayhem on the Kofar-Kudu palace of Emir Sanusi on Sunday.
However, an eyewitness, who identified himself as part of Emir Bayero’s entourage, disputed this claim, stating that the incident involved a confrontation between the supporters of both emirs.
According to a statement from the Kano Emirate Media Team, signed by Sadam Yakasai and released to the press on Monday, the alleged attack occurred while Emir Sanusi was away from the palace.
According to Yakasai “They broke the gate and attacked the guards, injuring some of them. They smashed the police vehicles in the palace.”
READ ALSO: Kano Emirate: Appeal Court Halts Sanusi’s Reinstatement, Awaits Supreme Court
He stated that Emir Aminu Ado Bayero deliberately passed through the Emir’s palace road instead of taking the proper route from Koki to Nassarawa, and his hoodlums decided to attack Gidan Rumfa.
“This is not the first time he has passed through the area. He had done that previously after he visited his Mandawari residence. He did that to intimidate the people of the area,” Yakasai alleged.
Yakasai insisted that the 15th emir, after his deposition by the Kano State government, had relocated and taken over the Nassarawa mini-palace, thereby trespassing without caution.
“This is the first time deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero is taking his fight directly to Gidan Rumfa while remaining in his heavily secured domain in Nassarawa Palace, very close to the Kano State Government House,” Yakasai alleged.
READ ALSO: Sanusi Risks Contempt Of Court If He Parades Self As Emir – Kano Titleholder
Efforts made to get the comments of the spokesperson for the 15th Emir, Abubakar Kofar-Naisa, did not answer calls made to his phone.
However, an eyewitness to the incident, Muhammed Ibrahim refuted the alleged attack and insisted the incident was rather a clash between those he described as ‘unknown miscreants’ at Kofar-Kudu palace and supporters of Bayero.
He stated that the crisis started when ‘unknown miscreants’ brandishing dangerous weapons mounted a barricade to prevent the 15th emir from passing through Kofar-Kudu, citing his entourage.”
The eyewitness, who insisted he was not aware of any palace guard inflicted with injury, however, confirmed the forceful repel of an attempt by unknown miscreants to block the passage of Bayero.
READ ALSO: Kano Extends C Of O Recertification Deadline
The source stressed that the clash prompted the intervention of the police, who dispersed the hoodlums with tear gas.
“I was on the entourage of the Emir of Kano, Alh. Aminu Bayero, at the time the incident occurred. We were actually coming from Koki quarters on a condolence visit to Alhaji Aminu Dantata’s family house. But while returning to Nassarawa palace through Kofar-Kudu, we saw some hoodlums blocking the road at the front of the palace.”
“They were with dangerous weapons. At that point, the supporters of Emir Bayero had to confront them to clear the way, and they did that successfully, and Emir Bayero made his way unhurt,”
At the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Tribune contacted Kano State police spokesperson SP Haruna Kiyawa, who stated that a press statement regarding the attack would be issued.
SP Kiyawa said, “Am right now, working on a statement in respect of the statement.”
News
Tension As FG Strips FAAN, NCAA, NAMA Of Revenue Collection Powers
Published
43 minutes agoon
July 7, 2025By
Editor
Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) among the 63 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that will have their revenue collection powers transferred to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).
This move will significantly impact the operations of these agencies, as they will forthwith rely on federal allocations for funding, rather than generating revenue independently.
Should the plan be effectively carried out, the bill could bring improved revenue transparency, enhanced accountability, and increased efficiency, as a single revenue collection agency could streamline processes and reduce duplication of efforts.
However, industry experts have raised concerns about the potential implications of this bill.
READ ALSO: JAMB Releases Results Of Mop-up Examination
Reacting, a retired top management staff who preferred anonymity said: “I think this will create very serious revenue challenges for NCAA, FAAN, and NAMA,” stressing that; “in my opinion, Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development (FMA & AD) will need to get a couple of consultants to study the newly created NRS act and see how this will not impact these agencies negatively.”
But Rtd Group Capt. John Ojikutu, airport security expert, thinks differently; stating: “I don’t think so. First with FAAN, they have to do what the Commercialisation, Privatisation and Concession Act of 2000 says. Government will make more money than FAAN is reporting.”
He added that NAMA needs help, which can only come from the sharing of the 5 per cent ticket sales charge, cargo sales charge, and chartered flights charge, which are not rationally shared.
Capt Samuel Caulcrick, a financial analyst, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the potential innovation that NCAA could adopt to mitigate the challenges.
READ ALSO: INEC Announces Dates For Commencement Of Continuous Voter Registration In Osun
“The present system has put both statutory charges paid by aviation operators and cost recoveries meant for personnel into one bowl,” he explained.
He further stated that: “The idea of such being paid through the NCAA accounts was to mitigate corruption by limiting money exchanges between operators and NCAA personnel.”
He suggested that NCAA could exclude non-statutory expenditures from being paid to the NRS, ensuring that only statutory charges are affected.
The implications of this bill are far-reaching, and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the affected agencies adapt to their new funding model.
While the bill’s intentions may be to improve revenue transparency and accountability, its implementation could have unintended consequences, such as delays in fund allocation, inadequate funding, and loss of autonomy, which could hinder the ability of these agencies to respond to emerging challenges and deliver services effectively.
News
Flash Flood Warning: Sokoto, Edo, Akwa Ibom 17 Other States At Risk In July — NiMet
Published
58 minutes agoon
July 7, 2025By
Editor
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has released its crucial Flash Flood Risk Alert for July 2025, warning that numerous states across the country face varying probable risks of experiencing flash flooding events as the onset of rainfall intensifies.
This flash flood warning aligns with NiMet’s earlier Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) for the year, prompting an urgent call for nationwide preparedness.
According to an infographic posted on NiMet’s social media on Monday, Sokoto State has been identified as a high-risk area for flash floods this month.
Also, many others states are listed with a notable risk of flash flooding. These include: Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom.
READ ALSO: NiMet Predicts Three-day Haziness, Thunderstorms From Tuesday
In light of these escalating predictions, NiMet has issued a series of vital advisories aimed at mitigating the potential impacts of flash floods and safeguarding public safety.
The agency strongly urged residents to clear all drainage systems around their homes and communities to ensure the unhindered flow of water. Furthermore, the public is vehemently advised to avoid driving or walking through flooded areas, as currents can be deceptive and hidden hazards may pose significant dangers.
“The flash flood risk alert for July, 2025 shows the states with varying probable risks of experiencing flash flooding events as a result of setting-in of onset of rainfall across the country as predicted in NiMet Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and some advisories to mitigate its impacts,” tne agency noted.
NiMet also recommended that individuals residing in low-lying areas or those identified as being at high risk consider relocating to safer ground if warnings are issued.
READ ALSO: NiMet Warns 19 States Of Impending Heat Stress, Urges Safety Precautions
Households are encouraged to prepare an emergency kit, ensuring they have essential items such as non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, a flashlight, and a power bank readily available. In the unfortunate event of flooding, it is critically important to turn off all electricity and gas supplies to prevent electrocution and potential explosions.
For communities in hilly or mountainous regions, NiMet stressed the importance of taking proactive measures to strengthen mudslide prevention, especially in areas prone to soil erosion.
The agency emphasized the collective responsibility of community leaders and residents to promote widespread awareness of flood risks and safety measures, underscoring the importance of acting promptly on alerts and staying continuously informed through official channels for updates on weather conditions.
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