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Obaseki’s Reign In APC Was Hell, ‘We ‘ll Never Pray For Such’, Says Party Chieftain

Published

4 years ago

June 24, 2020

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Hon. Samson Osagie, has described as as ‘hell’ the reign of the state governor, Godwin Obaseki, before he eventually joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Osagie, a former House of Representatives member who was reacting to the successful conduct of the just concluded party primary in the state, prayed the state never had such a person as a governor again.

According to him, the exit of the governor from the party was a good omen for the party, just as he said the four months left for him as the governor of the state is for the PDP to have a feel of him.

Osagie said, “We have been through thick and thin; we have been through a lot of troubles, since through his election to the post of governor of Edo State and through his administration, it has been a tough rough journey for the party as a whole and we pray and hope we will never experience the kind of torture we went through him.”

“I strongly believe that APC will hold on to power by November this year.

“This four months is a period of grace we have given to PDP to celebrate and taste government, that seat is for the APC.

“And we decided to take that risk for the overall heads and future sustainability of our party.

“APC practically rejected Obaseki. You can see what is happening now, he joined the PDP last week and today there is a court order against him by a member of the party restraining him from contesting. He carried his troubles to PDP.”

On Obaseki’s stand to contest under the platform of the PDP, Osagie opined that Obaseki is not qualified to contest under the party within a week of joining the party.

He added that the governor joined the party when sales of Expression of Interest form had closed hence he is not qualified.

“He is not qualified to participate in that exercise. Ogbeide Ihama is exercising his legitimate right.

“How can Obaseki be qualified to run for PDP primaries when he joined the party last week when the sale of forms have been concluded, including screening of aspirants.

“I am not a PDP man , let them test their constitution”, he said.

Commenting on the outcome of the APC primary, Osagie said it was the first time in the history of the state that there was no rancour after the exercise

“I want to congratulate the All Progressives Congress in Edo State for the successful completion of the governorship primary by direct mode.

“It is one process that was quite peaceful with the police and security agencies exhibiting uncommon professionalism in ensuring the peaceful conduct of that primary election.

“Now the party has a candidate in the person of Osagie Ize-Iyamu, with the very kind cooperation of other aspirants. This is one occasion where a party candidate emerges without rancour”, he said

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PICTORIAL: Lagos Arrests 10 Fake Enforcement Officials

Published

44 seconds ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

The Lagos State Government has arrested 10 individuals parading themselves as enforcement officials at the Cele/Itire axis of the state.

This was made known in an update shared by the state governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Jubril Gawat, on his X account on Friday.

Sharing photos, Gawat wrote, “The Lagos State Government has apprehended 10 fake enforcement officials at Cele/Itire axis of the state.

“The apprehended persons; Ojo Oluwaseun, Rafiu Agbabiaka, Babatunde Ibrahim, Abiodun Olusegun, Daniel Olanrewaju, Aweda Kabiru, Olufowobi Michael, Olamilekan Olasupo, Bunmi James and Iyiola Shola (female) were caught carrying out unauthorised enforcement earlier today using different fake ID cards.

“The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, while addressing the press, revealed that the arrest was made in response to complaints registered at the ministry by concerned citizens.”

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Forgive Me, Purported Hausa Traditional Ruler Begs Benin Monarch

Published

25 mins ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

Following the reservation the Benin Traditional Council raised over the planned installation of Alhaji Danjuma Binkola as Hausa traditional ruler (Garkuwan Hausawan) in Benin, Edo State capital, the embattled Binkola has begged for forgiveness.

Binkola, who was to be installed on May 5, was seen in a viral video begging the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for forgiveness.

Binkola, who spoke in Pidgin English in the video, pleaded ignorance of the magnitude of his purported installation as the Garkuwan Hausawan Benin.

He said, “I know the traditions and customs of the people of the state, having been born and raised in Edo State, the same way my father, Alhaji Garuba, was born and raised in Benin.

“I did not know the implications of my actions, as the person who was to confer the title on me only told me that my role was to assist him in overseeing the activities of the Hausa Community in Edo State while, in return, communicating to the palace.”

He, however, begged the monarch to forgive him, noting that Edo State had favoured him.

The Benin Traditional Council, had in a statement on Thursday, warned against the purported turbaning of anyone as Garkuwan Hausawan Benin in Edo State.

The statement read, “The BTC hereby inform the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies as well as the general public, that this planned event is a violation of Benin Tradition and Customary Law applicable to chieftaincy matters and therefore must not hold under any circumstances.

“Consequently, BTC therefore warned the organisers of the installation against violating the sanctity of the Benin Traditional and Customary Law by cancelling the planned ceremony.”

News

FG, States, LGs Share N1.123tn In March

Published

59 mins ago

April 19, 2024

Editor

The Federation Account Allocation Committee has disbursed a total of N1.123tn to the federal, state, and local governments for March 2024.

The allocation, derived from a gross total of N1.867tn, marks a critical distribution of funds aimed at supporting various government tiers.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, on Friday.

FAAC has the duty of examining and approving the distribution of financial resources to the states and the Federal Government.

Monthly, this committee is tasked with the disbursement of funds across Nigeria’s 36 states and its 774 local government areas.

This allocation is anticipated to drive progress and support governmental bodies across various tiers in executing their duties.

The PUNCH reported that the FAAC shared N1.152.trn to the three tiers of government for February 2024 from a gross total of N2.326.14trn

Manga stated that the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, chaired the meeting and highlighted the importance of the allocation.

“This distribution is pivotal in ensuring that all government levels have the necessary funds to continue their development projects and provide essential services to the citizens,” the statement read.

The statement noted that the Federal Government received N345.890bn, states, and local governments received N398.689bn and N288.688bn, respectively, while oil-producing states received N90.224bn as 13 per cent mineral revenue derivation.

The FAAC statement also noted an increase in the gross revenue from Value Added Tax for March 2024, amounting to N549.698bn—an N89.210bn rise from the previous month.

This increase reflects the country’s economic growth and improved tax compliance.

Despite the positive trend in VAT, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N1.017tn for March was lower than February’s N1.192tn by N175.212bn.

The decrease has been attributed to reductions in excise duty, oil royalty, petroleum profit tax, customs external tariff levies, and electronic money transfer levy.

The balance in the Excess Crude Account as of April 2024 stands at $473,754.57, indicating a reserve for future financial stability.

The statement noted that the FAAC’s decision to allocate these funds is expected to bolster economic activities across the nation and support the government’s efforts in improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other vital sectors.