Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said its governorship aspirants in Edo and Ondo States will pay the sum of N21 million each to purchase the nomination forms for the upcoming governorship election.

The party also stated that governorship forms is free for all female aspirants in the two states.

According to the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, who gave details of the sales of the governorship nomination forms, the male governorship aspirants will pay N20 million and another N1million naira for the Expression of Interest form.

The spokesman of the PDP further explained that the governorship nomination form is free for all female aspirants from the two states.

However, he said all female governorship aspirants would have to pay N1 million for the Expression of Interest to enable them contest for the governorship primary elections in the two states.

Meanwhile, as part of preparations for the governorship election in the states, the PDP has released timetable for the election of its governorship candidate, stating that sales of forms in Ondo State will commence on June 22, while notice of election in the state will be issued on June 2.

Also, for Edo State, the party noted that the last day for the submission of the completed governorship forms, according to a statement signed by the National Organising Secretary, Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), is June 2.

Akobundu said the sales of Expression of Interest and the governorship forms would commence on June 22 in Ondo State and the last date for the return of completed forms is June 26, while screening of aspirants would commence on July 2.

The ward congresses to elect a three man ad-hoc ward delegates on July 8. The ward congresses appeal if any is slated for July 13

The local government congresses to elect national delegates is slated for July 15 and the local government appeal would take place on July 18 and the publication of the list of delegates will take place on July 20.

The election or nomination of the party’s governorship candidate is slated for July 22 and July 23 while the appeal on the outcome, if any, will take place on July 24.

The certification of the deputy governorship candidate by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party will take place on July 27 and the last day to submit the name of the governorship candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is on July 28 and the last date for withdrawal and replacement of candidates is on August 18.

PDP said the last date for submission of agents of names of local government officers to INEC is September 24, while election will take place on October 10.

The screening exercise for all those that completed and returned the governorship forms, according to the party, is June 4, while the appeal for those that are dissatisfied with the screening is also June 4.

-ThisDay

•Analysts criticise state executives for breach of travel ban

By Alike Ejiofor

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday met with eight governors of the party over the impending governorship primaries for Edo and Ondo States, promising to prevail on the party’s national leadership to ensure a fair process.

The governors, who represented their colleagues on the party’s platform were the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Senator Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Alhaji Sani Bello (Niger), Muhammad Abubakar (Jigawa), Mr.

Solomon Lalong (Plateau), Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Mr. Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and their host, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Sources close to the meeting held at the Old Lagos Government House, Marina, Lagos said the governors discussed the primaries for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States and proposed to grant the incumbents, Obaseki and Akeredolu, the right of first refusal.

But Tinubu was said to have responded that ordinarily, he would not have been opposed to that. However, he reportedly pointed out to them that once other party members indicate interest, the democratic thing to do in the circumstances would be to allow the primaries to hold.

He reportedly told them it would be difficult to hold down the ambition of other party faithful, advising them to come to terms with the possibility of intra-party contests in the two states.

The sources close to the meeting said there were discussions around the mode of primaries with the governors favouring the indirect process. But the national leader was said to have told them to recognise the constitutional right of the National Working Committee (NWC) to organise the primaries, stating firmly that he personally had always preferred the direct mode of selecting the party’s candidates.

Citing the presidential primaries that produced President Muhammadu Buhari as well as Oyetola in Osun and Sanwo-Olu in Lagos, Tinubu reportedly said the direct primaries give the candidates and the party the opportunity to test their electoral machinery and popularity, saying once a candidate emerges through that process, the general election becomes much easier.

He, however, assured them that whichever one the national secretariat of the party approves, he would prevail on the leadership to ensure that the process is free and fair to all the aspirants.

The governors were said to have thanked the national leader for granting them an audience and for assuring them of the fairness of the process of the primaries to be held this month in Edo and next month in Ondo.

THISDAY gathered that the governors may meet with President Buhari today or later in the week at the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss the Edo and Ondo elections.

Both Obaseki and Akeredolu are having strong opposition in their respective states and preferred the indirect primaries mode because of the distinctive advantage, it has for the incumbent. But their opponents preferred the direct primaries, a preference that also has the approval of the Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC, at least for the Edo contest.

Analysts Criticise State Executives for Breach of Travel Ban

Meanwhile governors that attended the meeting came under searing criticism of social critics yesterday, saying they did not lead by example.

President Muhammadu Buhari had imposed an inter-state travel ban in March as part of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19, save for movement of essential services and goods.

However, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum had complained to the president during their teleconference with him last month that security agencies were sabotaging the inter-state travel ban, forcing the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 to hand down a stern directive to the agencies to buckle up and enforce the presidential directive.
According to a critic, “It is unfortunate that these governors who were complaining about the citizens’ breach of the rule are the ones now attending meetings in Lagos.”

Another critic called on the president to query the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for granting their plane the permit to fly, saying that it was a breach of presidential directive.

“There was nothing essential about that meeting,” he said, adding: “It is embarrassing that governors and other officials of the ruling All Progressives Congress are the ones behaving as if they are above the law.”

He pointed out that a few weeks ago the National Working Committee of the party also met in Abuja with its officials travelling from all regions of the country to attend.

“This lawlessness at the high levels of government is shameful and the president must call his party men to order,” he said.

-ThisDay

By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC on Saturday night met via teleconference and agreed to work towards strengthening internal party mechanisms for the selection of candidates in the Edo and Ondo Governorship Primaries.

Although a terse statement issued by the governors under the aegis of Progressive Governors Forum PGF was silent on the fate of Gov. Godwin Obaseki who was disqualified at the weekend from participating in the June 22 primary election of the party in Edo state, a source who was privy to the outcome of the meeting said there are ongoing engagements to resolve all issues in the Edo and Ondo state chapters of the party.

The source said: “I know there are several engagements still ongoing to resolve some of the controversial steps taken by the APC NWC. We might likely see a reversal of some of these decisions because the feeling is that NWC does not have the powers to do some of the things they did regarding Edo. So, the governors are still engaging with all concerned stakeholders”.

However, the governors in their resolution reached after an emergency teleconference meeting late Saturday, pledges to work towards the unity of the party

In a vague Communiqué signed by Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum PGF and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the governors expressed confidence that the party would resolve its current challenges and emerge stronger.

According to the Communiqué, the participants “unanimously reaffirmed the commitment of all Progressive Governors to work for the unity of our party;

“Forum members are confident that the party will resolve all current

challenges and emerge stronger.”

The governors’ position nonetheless, the national leadership of the party said it has already taken a final position on the matter.

The National Working Committee NWC of the party had on Saturday night sealed the fate of Gov. Godwin Obaseki by approving the decisions of the Screening Committee as well as the Appeal Committee which had earlier disqualified him from the race.

National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole made the announcement on Saturday night shortly after a meeting of the NWC.

The party also approved the expulsion of a governorship aspirant, Hon. Mathew Iduoriyekemwen and the deputy state chairman of the party in Edo, Kenneth Asakomeh.

The party’s Appeal Committee had moments before Oshiomhole’s announcement submitted its own report to the NWC, explaining that it received complaints from only one of the aspirants.

In its report, the committee upheld Friday’s decision of the party’s Screening Committee which disqualified Mr Obaseki from the race.

“It is inconceivable that the same University will award two certificates with separate dates for the same graduate. We also find it difficult to vouch for the authenticity of his NYSC certificate, there is no indication as to where he served”, the committee held.

Led by Prof. Abubakar Fari, other members of the appeal committee were Prof. Sadeeque Abba, Barr. Gbenga Olubajo, Mohammed Idris, Esther Bepeh and Barr. Daniel Bwala who served as Secretary.

Presenting the report, Fari said, “We looked at the grounds on which he was disqualified and I would like to say his disqualification was based on solid grounds.”

“We found the Screening Committee findings on the other two as justified. In respect of Mathew, the appeal committee in the course of reviewing the report of the Screening Committee observed that it failed to make a finding and draw a conclusion of his prejudicial finding of filing a legal action against the National Chairman and the party itself. We reached the conclusion that such conduct runs contrary to Article 21 (D) 5 of the party’s 2014 Constitution as amended. Having failed to exhaust internal mechanisms for seeking redress in the party prior to instituting the action and pursuant to the same provision. As a result of that, we upheld the decision of the Screening Committee that he should be disqualified and he is so disqualified by the appeal Committee.”

“The other candidate whose case we reviewed was that of Governor Godwin Obaseki. This committee finds that although the screening committee disqualified Obaseki on the evidence of the documents he presented, however, the committee did not take into account their contradictions in the various petitions submitted to the committee against Godwin Obaseki.

“We take the liberty to highlight these discrepancies. In the affidavit sworn to by Godwin Obaseki before the High Court Abuja, he stated under oath that he graduated from the University of Ibadan with a BA degree in Classical Studies in 1976. However, the University certificate he attached to his nomination form bears 1979 which is a material contradiction.

Presenting the report of the committee to the National Working Committee NWC of the party in Abuja, Prof. Ayuba cited discrepancies in the names and certificates of the governor. For Ogiemwonyi, the committee also cited discrepancies in his names while it disqualified Iduoriyekemwen on the grounds that he instituted a suit against the party without exhausting all mechanisms of settlement in line with the APC Constitution.

The governor had immediately disclosed his resolve not to appeal the decision of the screening committee. In spite of that, the appeal committee said evidence before it made it to uphold the decision of the screening panel.

Addressing journalists, Oshiomhole said the NWC reviewed the reports of the screening and appeal committees, adding that the decision of both committees were unanimous as none of the members had a dissenting opinion.

Oshiomhole specifically faulted the governor for his wilful refusal to inaugurate 14 members-elect of the State House of Assembly.

The party chairman had at the inauguration of the committees described them as the High Court and Appeal Court respectively, stating that the NWC as the Supreme Court has the final say on the reports of both committees.

Meanwhile, a Governorship aspirant of the party in Ondo state, Olayide Adelami has condemned what he described as “a spurious claim by the purported chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Owo, Sydney Ogunleye”, that he is not a registered member of the party.

Both Adelami and the incumbent hail from Owo Local Government Area.

The Adelami Lamilaka Campaign Organization in a statement by Barr. Segun Ogodo described the allegation as “great balderdash” adding that Chief Adelami is a financial and card-carrying member of the APC.

He said; “We duly acknowledge the place of party structures right from the ward to the national level and are of the belief that they should be used to promote cohesion rather than bringing members down and unnecessarily overheating the polity.

“While we would have loved to get to the field before we disprove the claims of Mr Ogunleye and his paymasters that Chief Adelami is not known in the APC, we will advise him to be less economical with the truth on our principal’s membership status.

“Mr Ogunleye also knows that Chief Adelami as Coordinator of the Presidential Support Committee for the Buhari/Osibajo 2019 project worked with party structures and leaders within the Party.

“While we would have expected Mr. Ogunleye to have provided a level playing field for all aspirants, especially from Owo, the present sing-song brings many questions to the mind.

The campaign organization charged the star governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to rein in his supporters, accusing them of sponsoring violence in Owo town.

“The unprovoked attacks on Chief Adelami’s supporters and campaign vehicles in different parts of Owo local government are well documented and have been reported to security agencies.

“We reiterate that we are not unaware of the streaks of falsehoods and evil machination they have lined up against us in the days ahead, but ours is a campaign based on people-driven issues, devoid of violence and rumour mongering and falsehood. We will not be distracted even in the face of intimidation. Our focus is to rescue our dear sunshine state from the Present personalized government of the Father, the Wife and the Children in Ondo State.

“We shall never stoop so low to the level of physical attacks or sponsoring lies against any aspirant as our principal is a decent and honest man who sees every other aspirant as members of the same APC family”, Ogodo added.

-Vanguard

•Directs police commissioners to beef up security
•APC, PDP trade blame over allegations

By Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja, James Sowole in Akure and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has raised the alarm that politicians in Edo and Ondo States are arming thugs ahead of the governorship polls scheduled for September 19 and October 10 respectively.

He has, therefore, ordered the commissioners of police in both states to rejig their security system to forestall a possible breach of the peace during the elections.

The directive, according to a statement yesterday by Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, a deputy commissioner of police, came against the backdrop of security reports that politicians in the two states are planning to foment trouble on Election Day as they are arming thugs to be deployed to rig the polls.

The IG, therefore, warned the politicians to conduct themselves properly, play by the rules and steer clear of tendencies capable of undermining the electoral process.

However, the two major political parties in the two states, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have traded blame over the IG’s allegations.

While the Edo State APC said the IG’s warning was an affirmation of the party’s previous petitions and warnings on alleged arms build-up by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and his PDP, the Edo PDP accused the opposition party in the state of sponsoring thuggery and violence.

The APC and PDP in Ondo State have also denied any involvement in arming thugs or encouraging violence.

The IG said the warning and the directive to beef up security were informed by the election security threat assessment reports submitted by the commissioners of police in the states at a meeting held last Tuesday.

“The election security threat analysis reveals amongst other indicators, arming and movement of political thugs, use of inciting statements during political campaigns, high likelihood of violence and possible cross attack by political opponents, misinformation/disinformation aimed at heating-up of the polity and deliberate efforts at delegitimising government institutions involved in the electoral processes,” he said.

The IG ordered the commissioners of police in the two states to rejig their preparations for the elections to accommodate and address the threats and emerging trends as contained in the security reports.

He noted that the force leadership was evolving customised security architecture to protect the people and ensure hitch-free elections.

“The IG, however, warns politicians and their supporters in Edo and Ondo States that the force will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law on anyone or group, irrespective of status that may want to sabotage the security arrangement being emplaced for the elections,” Frank’s statement said.

He assured Nigerians, particularly the people of Edo and Ondo States, that the police remained committed to protecting the sanctity of the ballot.

“The police would be neutral, apolitical and will work assiduously with all stakeholders in ensuring a level playing ground for all in the elections,” he added.

APC, PDP Trade Blame

The APC in Edo State has described the IG’s warning on arming of thugs as an affirmation of its previous petitions and warnings on the alleged arms build-up by Obaseki and the PDP.

Reacting to the IG’s warning, the Chairman of the Edo APC Media Campaign Council, Mr. John Mayaki, said the security report cited by the IG backed its previous allegations of arms build-up against Obaseki and the ferrying of thugs from neighbouring PDP states, notably Delta State.

Citing an alleged attack on the Edo Assembly complex and the arrest of seven persons caught with firearms during the invasion, the APC said the incident exposed Obaseki’s alleged involvement in the arming and funding of thugs to carry out attacks on the state.

The APC also accused the governor of shielding his aides from investigation after they were allegedly mentioned by the suspects as their direct contacts in the state government by securing a court order precluding them from arrest and prosecution.

The APC, in a statement, said: “The Election Security Threat Analysis report is an affirmation of all our previous petitions, alarms and warnings that Mr. Godwin Obaseki and his party, the PDP, are planning to mar the September 19 governorship election with large-scale violence to scare away voters because they are afraid of the people’s verdict after a four-year term of non-performance.

“We have filed video evidence of some of the violent attacks staged by known and identified thugs of Governor Godwin Obaseki and the world bore witnesses to others as they took place on live television. One of such is the attack on the Edo Assembly complex, in which Governor Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu, led thugs and other supporters to loot, vandalise and remove the roof of the complex in broad daylight.”

But the PDP Publicity Secretary in Edo State, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, exonerated the party of any involvement in thuggery and violence.

He accused the APC of sponsoring thuggery and violence.

He added that he has a video in the social media where the candidate of APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in the midst of people who described themselves as “lions and tigers,” was directing suspected thugs to disrupt the election.

“He (APC candidate) even said some of you are dangerous that you can move to the next local government,” he stated, noting that such uncomplimentary words coming from such calibre of person can encourage people to violence “because by so doing, you are telling them they are covered.”

“In PDP, we condemn anybody involved in thuggery, especially thuggery that is intimidating other members of the public in the state. We condemn it and it is unacceptable to us.

“It is unfortunate that the IG made such a statement and we want him to fish out those involved and bring the full weight of the law on anyone involved,” Nehikhare added.

However, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in Ondo State, Mr. Alex Kalejaye, said the party would not engage or encourage any act that can bring pains to the people.
“The APC has been preoccupied with engaging the people. We have reminded the people about our promises to them four years ago and told them how far we have gone in fulfilling some of the promises.

“We are not arming thugs and we do not have an interest in doing that. Our works shall speak for us and we shall not do anything that will cause violence and bring pain to the people,” Kalejaye said.

Also reacting to the IG’s allegations, the Publicity Secretary of PDP in Ondo State, Mr. Peretei Ikandu, said the party was not arming any thug.

He said: “We have tried as much as possible to make our campaign issue-based. The IG that has the intelligence that politicians are arming thugs should use the same intelligence to follow up and nip the matter in the bud, before they will unleash violence on people before, during and after the election.

“The IG is not saying anything new. He should be proactive and that is when we will know that he is doing the right thing. The police should be on the top of the game.
“We saw what happened in Kogi State during the election, when the IG said thugs in police uniform attacked people.

“Since IG has the information, he should do the needful by being proactive on the information available to him.”

Similarly, the spokesman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)’s governorship candidate, Mr. Allen Sowore, said the IG should know the direction he should look considering some comments recently made by some leaders of the APC in the state.

Sowore said the ruling APC had shown its desperation with some attacks on members of the ZLP in the state.

“ZLP is relatively a new party. The party is not part of the arming of thugs. The IG should ask the former aspirant of the APC, Mr. Isaac Kekemeke, what he meant when he said thugs would unleash terror against other political parties in the state during the election.

“The statement by Kekemeke, which was circulated through social media in a video, is enough for IG to know the direction to go and not by telling us that politicians are arming thugs. He should know those who are doing this by their acts and comments,” Sowore said.

-ThisDay

Nseobong Okon-Ekong and James Sowole write that Goveror Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State would still have been re-elected even if his two major opponents, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede of the Peoples Democratic Party and Deputy Governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party had joined forces against him. Their combined votes was not enough to stop Akeredolu

Idowu Oladapo left her Ore in Odigbo local government area home to Kiribo her homestead late afternoon on Friday. She rounded up the business of the day early to embark on the trip. She did not want to miss out on the opportunity to vote for her favourite candidate in the Ondo State governorship election holding the next day, Saturday. Most people from Kiribo had been sufficiently sensitized on the critical nature of this particular election. Their son, the Deputy Governor of the State, Mr. Agboola Ajayi was running for office on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). Ajayi had been embroiled in a long battle with his principal, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The people of Kiribo and the surrounding communities in Ese Odo local government area of the state were schooled to believe that Ajayi was victimized by Akeredolu for daring to ask for a fair share of the dividends of democracy for his people.

Ajayi had frequently told them that Akeredolu had made governance of the state a family affair such that state functions which ordinarily should be carried out by him on behalf of the governor were assigned to either his wife or his sons. The sidelining of the Deputy Governor coupled with the neglect of the area naturally provided good grounds for a grouse against the Akeredolu administration.

However, when the opportunity came to deploy the legal instrument of the ballot to remove Akeredolu and install Ajayi as governor, the people of Ese Odo could not garner enough votes to express their dislike of Akeredolu and what he represents. The frequent complain of the people includes the fact that for close to 15 years, they had been disconnected from the electricity national grid. They were hopeful that an Ajayi government in Ondo State would prioritise that critical need.

Seeing that they were very vociferous about this particularly need, why did their agitation not express itself through massive votes to Ajayi, at least, in his local government of origin? His poor performance at the ballot in Ese Odo was very revealing. Ajayi could only secure 4,760 as against the 13, 383 votes scored by the APC candidate, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, while the PDP scored 4, 680 votes.

Different schools of thought have blamed the dismal performance of the two main opponents of Akeredolu, Ajayi and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede on the widespread incidence of vote buying. The APC was alleged to be offering between N1 million and N1.5 million throughout the 3,009 polling units in 203 wards of all 18 local government areas in the state. The PDP made available N500,000 per Polling Unit, while ZLP could only muster N50,000 in each Polling Unit.

The overriding role played by money in the Ondo governorship election can’t be ascribed to one particular political party. Though there were 17 political parties on the ballot, only three-APC, PDP and ZLP- were clearly visible through representation by agents in almost every Polling unit.

Speaking on ARISE News Television Akeredolu accused Ajayi of deploying huge resources acquired from the state to give former governor Olusegun Mimiko political resurrection. Dr. Mimiko is the promoter of ZLP on whose platform Ajayi contested the election . Jegede’s campaign was believed to be funded by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President and the 2019 presidential candidate of the PDP and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who was the arrowhead of the PDP campaign for Jegede. Funding for Akeredolu is suspected to come directly from the coffers of the state government, augmented with generous support from the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State.

Leading independent election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa in its post-election assessment of the Ondo governorship election stated, “Nigerian elections are signposted with practices that compromise the freedom of choice and undermine political legitimacy. Yiaga Africa notes with great concern the menace of vote-buying and the impunity exhibited by major political actors in procuring votes with huge amounts of cash during the Ondo governorship election. Across several polling units, the secrecy of the ballot was severely compromised despite attempts by polling officials to prevent voters and party agents from showing how ballot papers were marked. On election day, votes traded between N1000 and N7,000 at the polling unit. It is Yiaga Africa’s opinion that the massive vote buying employed by political actors in the election made it difficult for voters to freely cast their ballots in the polling units where they occurred. It is disappointing that elections are largely defined by the highest bidder and spender.”

However, the organisation concluded that the incidence of vote-buying, though distasteful and not to be encouraged may not have significantly altered the outcome of the election. According to the report, “The INEC official result for the 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election falls within the Yiaga Africa WTV estimate. Had the official results been changed at the ward, LGA or state collation centres, the official results would not have fallen within the Yiaga Africa WTV estimated ranges. Because the official results fall within the estimated ranges, governorship contestants, parties, and voters should have confidence that INEC’s official results for the 2020 Ondo gubernatorial election reflect the ballots cast at polling units. It is important to highlight that the counting process at polling units was transparent and included representatives from the three political parties that received the most votes.”
Yiaga further posted that, “INEC’s official results for turnout and rejected ballots also fall within Yiaga Africa WTV estimates. Yiaga Africa is able to estimate that turnout is 33.4% with a margin of error of ±1.3% (between 32.1% and 34.7%) while INEC’s official turnout is 32.6%. Similarly, Yiaga Africa estimates rejected ballots are 2.8% with a margin of error of ±0.3% (between 2.5% and 3.1%) while INEC’s official result for rejected ballots is 3.1%. This can be compared to the Ondo 2016 governorship turnout rate of 35% and Ondo state turnout rate of 33% in the 2019 presidential election.”

Based on reports from 97% (291 of 300) of sampled polling units, Yiaga Africa’s statistical analysis shows that the APC should receive between 48.9% and 54.1% of the vote; the PDP should receive between 31.2% and 36.6% of the vote; ZLP should receive between 10.5% and 13.3% of the votes, while no other party will receive more than 1% of the vote share.

Mr. Debo Ologunagba, the State Collation Agent of the PDP described the wide and inducement of voters with money “weaponisation of poverty.”

“It is unfortunate the governments we have both at the state and the federal levels have weaponised poverty, it is almost becoming a weapon of mass destruction,” he said.

“They have destroyed the consciousness and the ability of the people to reason positively.

“That is what you saw and witnessed in the distribution and purchase of votes

They targeted the poor with N2000, N3000 and they fell for it because they are poor.”

He also said he had reservations on the conduct of the election in areas where there was violence, where INEC and security officials refused to act appropriately.

“It seemed to me that there was a collusion between some INEC officials and security agencies to create that problem,” Mr Ologunagba added.

By not mentioning the involvement of his party in the incidence of vote buying, the PDP Agent was playing the ostrich, with his head buried in the sand, while his exterior is exposed

Expectedly Mr. Donald Ojogo, Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy believes that the people have opted for continuity because they are confident in the direction that Governor Akeredolu is leading the state. “They know that the logical way to go is to give another four years to the governor to allow him finish what he has started in many sectors and take the state to an irreversible path of progress. Nobody is saying that Akeredolu or indeed any government can do everything. Governance is always work in progress. What no one can deny is that this administration has been able to manage the resources of the state in a prudent manner, while recording landmark achievements.”

APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena signed a statement thanking the people of Ondo State for coming out enmasse to reelect Akeredolu. He said, “While we thank the Ondo electorate for voting for good governance, industrialisation, security, empowerment and general welfare of the state, we will continue to advocate for and support safe, free and credible elections that guarantee that valid votes count and the people will prevail.

“The APC particularly thanks President Muhammadu Buhari as leader of the Party and Governor Mai Mala Buni as Chairman of the Party’s Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee for rallying our supporters, members and leaders, particularly our governors in total support of our governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu.

“We also recognise and appreciate the tireless efforts of the Ondo State APC Reconciliation Committee chaired by the Governor of Niger State, H.E. Abubakar Sani Bello and the APC Ondo State Governorship National Campaign Council chaired by the Governor of Lagos State, H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“Governor Akeredolu’s reelection is indeed testament to the inclusiveness, genuine reconciliation and peace the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker Committee has ensured among party ranks in Ondo State, other chapters and the Party in general,” he said.
Indeed the people of Ondo showed enthusiasm to carry out their civic duty. INEC disclosed that turn out was a little over 32 percent, but people did not mind the weather which became inclement for a better part of the day. The resulting rain led to extension of voting period and caused the exercise which would ended on time to drag in many areas.

Implications of Akeredolu’s Remarks on Jegede

One thing that anybody cannot take away from the re-elected Governor of Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is his frankness and down to earth attitude. Akeredolu is one individual, who does not hide his feelings about any individual or issue. This is the main reason, his supporters, gave him an appelation of “Mr Talk and Do” during the electioneering for his second term.

For this reason and other matters that may not be known to everybody,, some people had been wondering about the likely implication of many sweet remarks that Akeredolu made about one of his opponents in the just concluded governorship election, and in fact the main challenger, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, of the Peoples Democratic Party, that emerged the first runner-up in the election.

Despite seeing Jegede as a major threat to his re-election, Akeredolu, in the heat of the campaign, described him (Jegede) as a friend and somebody eminently qualified to be the governor of the state not just once. This remark of Akeredolu on Jegede, was not that pleasant to many of his supporters who regarded those words as cheap promotion for one’s “enemy”.

Not done yet, Akeredolu’s commendation in his speech after he was declared the winner of the poll, was also seen by many, as suggestive that the governor may have further relationship with Jegede who is not only a lawyer like the governor but share the distinction of being a Senior Advocare of Niger, as well.

In his address to the people of the state on his victory and the contest, Akeredolu, described his main challenger, Jegede as a worthy adversary.

Akeredolu said Jegede’s participation in the electoral process, was historic.

He said: “Jegede patriotism is not in doubt. His love for the people is unassailable. He is indeed a worthy adversary. Our State is indeed blessed for having people of his quality.”

The suspicion of the people, may have also been heightened by the fact that Akeredolu, did not defer by any means, to any other candidate in the election not even those who declared support for him at the last minute of the campaign.

Though, Akeredolu in the same speech, noted that his re-election would pose more challenges for him to do more good things for the state and the people, he would need to act the talk and demonstrate his new apelation as “a talk and do” personally.

“It affirms that the confidence reposed in our Administration remains unshaken. It is a statement on your assessment of our performance in the last three and a half years.

“It is unequivocal, direct, inspiring and soul lifting. It is awesome. It is a reward for hard work, dedication, focus, honesty and patriotism.

“It is also a challenge to us for rededication to service in the interest of our people. On this, we shall not relent,” Akeredolu said.

He said the administration, has not relented in the promises made when he was elected for the first time adding that the achievements in various sectors, are testimonies for the dedication to serve the people.

The re-elected governor would have to act the talk, because some people did not want Akeredolu’s re-election, not because his first term was a failure but because of the fear that many second term experience, is not always cheering..

Political Grave of Prominent Politicians

The Ondo State governorship election may have finally dug the political grave of Mimiko, who was once revered as invincible. In times past, it would have been unthinkable that the immediate past governor of the state can be defeated anywhere in the state. But he was trounced by the APC in his backyard, in his local government. The ZLP candidate, Ajayi suffered thesame fate, losing in his local government.

Ajayi’s desperate ambition to rule Ondo State may be his undoing. It is doubtful if he will be welcome in either the APC or PDP. Having lost in the PDP governorship primary to Jegede, many believe he should have remained in the party to build a stronger platform, but he felt he was a giant and had an Iroko in Mimiko watching his back. Albeit, Ajayi’s strength was small. His seeming toughness will be tested in the coming days when the Ondo State House of Assembly resumes its suspended impeachment process against him.

For Jegede who Akeredolu has spoken kindly about, the future may require forging new political alignments in order to achieve his ambition of becoming governor of Ondo State. As the result of the election show, he could only win in three of the 18 local governments. And even if he had an understanding with Ajayi, Governor Akeredolu would still have triumphed against their combined votes.

Commendation for INEC

All stakeholders in the election including the leading political parties Md their candidates commended INEC in the area of deployment of materials and coordination of the process.

Yiaga Africa commends INEC for its efforts to improve on the election day process and efforts to comply with the COVID-19 protocol with respect to providing disinfectant/hand sanitizers in all polling units. Yiaga Africa however, believes that there are opportunities for improvement in our elections and calls on INEC to conduct a post-election audit on both the Edo and Ondo governorship elections in order to enable the Commission to assess its performance, identify operational areas for improvement and drive policy reforms to effectively plan for future elections. Additionally, the National Assembly should accelerate reforms to the Electoral Act to legalize the effective deployment of technological tools to promote citizen’s participation and enhance transparency in the electoral process. The INEC Result Viewing portal deployed for the election has demonstrated how citizens’ access to polling unit results increases the integrity of the electoral process and encourages acceptability of electoral outcomes

QUITE 1

Ajayi’s desperate ambition to rule Ondo State may be his undoing. It is doubtful if he will be welcome in either the APC or PDP. Having lost in the PDP governorship primary to Jegede, many believe he should have remained in the party to build a stronger platform, but he felt he was a giant and an Iroko in Mimiko watching his back. Albeit, Ajayi’s strength was small. His seeming toughness will be tested in the coming days when the Ondo State House of Assembly its suspended impeachment process against him. For Jegede who Akeredolu has spoken kindly about, the future may require forging new political alignments in order to achieve his ambition of becoming governor of Ondo State. As the result of the election show, he could only win in three of the 18 local governments. And even if he had an understanding with Ajayi, Governor Akeredolu would still have triumphed against their combined votes.

QUOTE 2

Leading independent election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa in its post-election assessment of the Ondo governorship election stated, “Nigerian elections are signposted with practices that compromise the freedom of choice and undermine political legitimacy. Yiaga Africa notes with great concern the menace of vote-buying and the impunity exhibited by major political actors in procuring votes with huge amounts of cash during the Ondo governorship election. Across several polling units, the secrecy of the ballot was severely compromised despite attempts by polling officials to prevent voters and party agents from showing how ballot papers were marked. On election day, votes traded between N1000 and N7,000 at the polling unit. It is Yiaga Africa’s opinion that the massive vote buying employed by political actors in the election made it difficult for voters to freely cast their ballots in the polling units where they occurred. It is disappointing that elections are largely defined by the highest bidder and spender

-ThisDay

By Dayo Johnson – Akure No fewer than ten suspected looters of shops in Akure, the Ondo state capital and other parts of the state during the #EndSARS protest have been arrested by police detectives. Police spokesperson, Tee Leo lkoro, who said this in Akure pointed out that the search for other looters was still ongoing across the state. It was gathered that house to house search was conducted in order to recover looted goods from the hoodlums who went on rampage during the protest. Ikoro, said that ten suspects were arrested for looting shops and armed robbery.

Taraba Looting: Police arrest 17 suspects, recover items Ikoro explained that those arrested were not ENDSARS protesters but looters. “The operation is still on to arrest other fleeing shop looters. The police spokesperson said that the suspects would be paraded and thereafter charged to court. Meanwhile, a dealer in electrical parts was reportedly shot dead last weekend at his shop located at Sijuade area of Akure metropolis. The identity of the victim was yet to be ascertained by Vanguard as at the time this report was filed for publication. Vanguard News Nigeria. Kindly Share This Story:FacebookTwitterEmailWhatsAppPinterestShare Related Plateau Govt gives looters three days to return items October 26, 2020

-Vanguard

By James Sowole

Protesters comprising commercial vehicle drivers, farmers, forest guards and traders, Friday trooped to the streets of Akure, the Ondo State capital, condemning the position of the presidency on the order of the Ondo State Government asking unregistered herdsmen to vacate state forest reserves.

The protesters, who were led by the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), carried placards of various inscriptions, to express their support for the order issued by Governor Okuwarotimi Akeredolu.

The protest came just as traditional rulers in the state, expressed their support for the order of Akeredolu against unregistered herders operating in the state forest reserves.

The traditional rulers at the end of their emergency meeting, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to show the world that he is the father of all irrespective of ethnic affiliation

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Tuesday lamented over the activities of some foreigner in the state’s forests, saying most crimes are being perpetrated by foreigners who have turned the government reserves into their abode.

Akeredolu who stated this while receiving the zonal coordinator Zone ‘F’ of the Nigeria Immigration Service, comprising Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States, Mrs Dora E Amahian, in his office in Akure, Ondo State capital, charged men of the Immigration Service to establish synergy with other security agencies to strengthen security at the land borders.

The governor said the rate foreigners are coming into the country through the land borders was alarming and urged the immigration officers to prevent unknown individuals from coming into the country without record and identity.

Akeredolu said: “We all know what this service is established to do. It’s clear to us. The number of people who come into Nigeria through the land border is becoming alarming.

“Knowing your efforts to secure our borders, we are worried about some foreigners that come in and are almost permanent in our forest reserve. I know a number of criminal activities that are being perpetrated in our reserves that are done by foreigners.

“Yes, foreigners. They might be Fulanis but they are not Nigerians. I think there must be collaborations with other security agencies. That way you can function well and achieve more result. Collaborate with security agencies like Amotekun.

“Peace is very important to us, not only in the South-West or Ondo State but peace in the country. All over the country, we are being ravaged by foreigners.”
Speaking earlier, the zonal Coordinator of the NIS, Amahian, commended Akeredolu for the cordial relationship between him and the Immigration Service.

She noted that the passion of the governor for good governance and delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state has been seen in his ability to maintain peace as evident in the peaceful co-existence of the diverse people of the state.

While highlighting the various achievements recorded by the governor across sectors, the Immigration boss said Governor Akeredolu’s quest for infrastructural development was outstanding.

Meanwhile, lawmakers under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC) South-West caucus in the House of Representatives, have thrown their weights behind the fight against criminality in the South-West embarked upon by Akeredolu.

The lawmakers who commended Akeredolu for his determination to flush out criminals in the zone and for giving priority to the protection of lives and property of the people of the region.

Representing the 72 members of the caucus, Hon. Femi Fakeye (Osun), Enitan Dolapo-Badru (Lagos) and Mayowa Akinfolarin (Ondo) maintained that the cultural differences of the various ethnicities in the country must be respected, stressing that criminality has no ethnicity.

The leader of the delegation, Hon. Fakeye who spoke on behalf of the seventy-two members of the caucus said they are in support of any legitimate steps to flush out criminals in the South-West.

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state.

-Tribune

From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure

Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has directed the state’s Ministry of Justice to investigate the allegation made by an indigene of the state, Mr Olupelumi Fagboyegun, against the Chief Judge of the state, Justice O Akeredolu, on his alleged illegal arrest and detention for over three years.

Mr Olupelumi had in a video which has gone viral on the social media claimed that the Chief Judge had caused him to suffer unjustly.

He claimed that he had returned from the United Kingdom to visit his father only to be arrested on the order of the Chief Judge.

He said he had spent three years in detention and faced trial in three different courts presided by three different judges without delivering judgment.

Olupelumi, who claims to be a single father, said he wants to return to the United Kingdom to reunite with his children, appealing to the the Federal Ministry of Justice to intervene in his matter.

He said he could not get justice from the Ondo State Ministry of Justice due to the perceived influence of the Chief Judge who he alleges has shown bias in the matter.

Mr Olupelumi called on the federal government to prevail on the state judiciary and revisit his case currently pending before the state high court of justice.

Olupelumi in the video raised the alarm that the state judiciary was being used by the Chief Judge to persecute him and keep him in unlawfulcustody for entering into his father’s house.

Governor Akeredolu in a tweet, responding to the video petition, directed the office of the state Attorney-General to investigate the matter with a view to unraveling the facts behind the case and ensure that justice is done.

The Governor tweet reads:

‘I have instructed my Attorney-General to investigate the allegation. We will ensure the investigation is thorough, fair and transparent.’

‘In view of this, the Attorney-General of Ondo State and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, has directed the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) to immediately investigate the allegation made against the Chief Judge.

‘The Attorney-General assured that the investigation into the matter will be thorough, fair and transparent in order to assure the public that Governor Akeredolu’s administration is determined to preserve the integrity of the courts and the judiciary.’

-Sun

By Muhaimin Olowoporoku

Suspected unregistered cow herders in Ondo State ran away as Amotekun officers arrested over 100 cows in the state for flouting the open grazing laws.

From Left: Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Akwa Ibom Deputy Governor, Moses Ekpo; Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Ebonyi’s David Omahi, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Chairman, Southern Governors Forum and Govenor of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu; Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos, Enugu State’s Ifeanyi Ugwanyi, Imo Deputy Governor, Placid Njoku; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia in a photograph after Southern Governors meeting at Government House, Asaba. Tuesday.

…Agree to ban open grazing in Southern Nigeria

…Call for convocation of national dialogue

…Insist on federal character

…Reiterate Southerners’ commitment to Nigeria’s unity

…Express concern over Oshodi-Apapa expressway gridlock

…Buhari approves new security measures for South-East, South-South

…Military tactics’ll no longer be publicised-NSA

…Don’t be selective in handling situations, PANDEF tells FG

By Festus Ahon, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Davies Iheamnachor

Worried by the rising wave of insecurity in the country, Southern governors yesterday met in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation on the issue.

Those in attendance include the host, Governors Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia; Willy Obiano of Anambra; Douye Diri of Bayelsa; Godwin Obaseki of Edo; and David Umahi of Ebonyi.

Others are Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo; Seyi Makinde of Oyo; and Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

While Hope Uzodimma of Imo was represented by his deputy, Prof Placid Njoku; Udom Emmanuel of Akwa-Ibom by his Deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo; Governors Gboyega Oyetola of Osun and Ben Ayade of Cross River States were absent.

The governors met on a day President Muhammadu Buhari also, for the third time in two weeks, met with service chiefs and heads of other security agencies, and approved new security measures to curtail insecurity in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones of the country.

‘Convene national dialogue now’

Rising from the meeting which started at about noon and ended at about 4:20pm, the Southern governors urged the Federal Government to convene a national dialogue as a matter of urgency and insisted on the ban of open grazing across Southern Nigeria.

They also expressed concern over the continued gridlock on Oshodi – Apapa Expressway and the chokehold it has exerted on the nation’s economy, being the sole outlet from Apapa Wharf.

The governors in the 12-point communique read by chairman of Southern Governors Forum and governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, “affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples, with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.

Communique

The communique read: “Governors observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives, including pursuing various productive activities, leading to a threat to food supply and general security.

“Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria. Governors noted that development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South.

“Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the South by foot); recommended that the Federal Government should support willing states to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.

Call for restructuring

“Governors agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian federation, leading to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism.

“Recommended that in view of widespread agitations among our various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance arrangements, the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency.

“Governors recommended that in deference to the sensitivities of our various peoples, there is need to review appointments into Federal Government agencies (including security agencies) to reflect federal character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogenous.

“Resolved to foster cooperation among the Southern states and the nation at large; expressed concern on the continued gridlock on Oshodi- Apapa Expressway and the chokehold it has exerted on the nation’s economy, being the sole outlet from Apapa Wharf.

‘Activate ports in other states’

“The meeting, therefore, recommended the activation and establishment of ports in other states of the federation to create new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country.

”The meeting expressed concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country, and, therefore, suggested greater coordination and cooperation between federal and state governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.

“It expressed very grave concern over the security challenge currently plaguing the nation and strongly urged that Mr. President address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people. The meeting expressed gratitude to our host, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, for his generosity and hospitality.

Buhari okays new security measures for S-East, S-South

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday rose from a security meeting with his service chiefs and other security heads, with an approval for new security measures to curtail insecurity in the South-East and South-South.

The new measures were adopted at the end of the security meeting presided over by the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Major General Babagana Monguno, retd, also said a decision had been taken not to publicise measures to be deployed to tackle insecurity in the country henceforth for more effective results.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, who addressed State House correspondents on the approval of new measures, did not, however, disclose the measures to be taken.

New drug control measures

The President also approved a memo presented by the National Security Adviser, NSA, on the control of drugs, which he described as enablers of insecurity but did not also elaborate.

However, the NSA said the meeting stressed the need to address the security challenges in the country, particularly those that had arisen in the last few months.

He said President Buhari is concerned about the worsening security situation in the country and had given marching orders to deal with the security issues. He also said the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, was given instructions on how to deal with crime reporting system. The council agreed that the level of insecurity in the country, especially in the last one month, must be reversed.

The acting IGP, Usman Baba, flanked by the NSA and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, said far-reaching decisions on how to deal with the heightening security situation in the country were taken.

The security chiefs, who were joined by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, noted that President Buhari had presided over the security council meeting three times in two weeks, adding that it “shows the premium the President and the administration has placed on security issues.”

The acting IGP said the security council meeting, which had taken place three times during the last 11 days, assessed the situation in the country, particularly in South-East and South-South, as it affects law and order.

He said: “We have some measures which we have outlined and have been approved by the Council and we will see how we can change the narrative within the quickest possible means to restore law and order and restore peace in that area.

Security chiefs got marching orders from Buhari – NSA

On his part, the NSA, Gen. Monguno said the President gave marching orders to security heads to deal with the emerging problems physically.

He said: “The first two meetings were inconclusive, but today’s meeting is the final in the three meetings. Again, Mr. President’s concern at the growing trend of insecurity has been highlighted and the meeting, basically, was briefed by the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Inspector-General Police.

Enablers of crime

“I briefed the meeting on strategic issues in relation to security, while the Chief of Defence Staff briefed on operational issues, and Inspector General of Police briefed on constabulary matters. On my part, I briefed council on the enablers of crime and the need to find quick responses, with a view to mitigating the growing threats to society.

“These enablers were discussed in detail and Mr. President has already given direction on how to deal with them, specifically issues of drug abuse as propellants for crime, how to make the criminal justice system much more effective, as well as look at issues of unemployment, which, of course, the Federal Executive Council, FEC, had given an approval, through previous memos on how to get 100 million people out of poverty. That was also discussed.

“Again, the President has given direction on how to make these things effective. Already, the Nigeria Communication Commission, NCC, has been given certain instructions on how to deal with this, but by and large, the council has agreed that the level of insecurity in the country, especially in the last one month, is something that has to be addressed with the immediacy.

”Of course, the Chief of Defence Staff has been working with the service chiefs and the recommendations they’ve made to the Council are already being handled.”

Irabor on his part, said far reaching decisions had been made to boost the operations of the security agencies. He said: “No doubt, far-reaching decisions were made. On our part, just as the National Security Adviser indicated, I briefed on various measures that the Armed Forces, in partnership with other security agencies, have taken to stem the tide of insecurity across the country.

“The council was pleased with the actions and, of course, the prayers that were made, which council has also graciously undertaken to look into. These have to do with manpower development, training and equipment issues, and thankfully, the glow on my face should, of course, give you an indication as to the graciousness of the National Security Council, in relation to the briefings that we have given in this regard. I believe that going forward, we shall be translating that and it will have some great impact on the security disposition across the country.”

Stop selective approach to issues, PANDEF tasks FG

Reacting to the federal government’s move last night, the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, advised it to stop being selective in handling issues that affect the country.

The National Publicity Secretary of PANDEF, Hon Ken Robinson, in Port Harcourt yesterday, noted that the problem that had affected the country was the selective approach of FG to handling issues.

Robinson said: “The federal government should not be selective. This is one of the problems of this country. The the main issue that is causing disaffection, dissolution and the hopelessness in the country, is the bias manner issues are being handled.

“Why the selective setting up of security arrangements for South-South and South-East? What of North-West and North-Central and North-East?

“The country needs a new security arrangement and we said when the new service chiefs appointed, it was not about the new service chiefs, it is about the whole security architecture of the country.

“Students in schools and innocent Nigerians are being kidnapped and livelihoods are being decimated in the North-West, people are being killed in the North-Central and, of course, Boko Haram is having a field day in the East.

“Why the selective approach to set up special security for the South-South and South-East?Nigeria is at war and the Commander-in-Chief should realize this and begin to act dispassionately and address the insecurity in the country.

“We are not in anyway happy with what is happening. The lives of every Nigerian is important. PANDEF has long before now condemned the attacks on security formations and we restate that position and condemn it.

“It is unacceptable. But the Nigeria government must stop this selective approach in handling situations in he country. Nigeria is one country and the security system needs to change. The attitude of the President and those in government needs to change.

“Nigeria is in trouble and the sooner we realize it and begin to act decisively in a manner that will satisfy everyone, the better for us.”

-Vanguard

From right: Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, Evelyn Joshua, the wife of late TB Joshua and Hon. Anafi Elegushi, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Lagos State at the Laying-to-rest service in honour of TB Joshua at the church. Photo by Ayodele Efunla

-PM News