Oluwasegun Adesuyi, Author at SocietyGazette.com

Osun: I’m Not An APC Member, I Only Work For The APC Government – Femi Adesina

The special adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina has denied being a card-carrying member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adesina on Thursday submitted that APC is only his preferred party but he is not a member of the party, adding that he is a Buharist as well.

Naija News reports he made the stand known in an article released on Thursday in which he reacted to those calling him out after the APC lost the July 16 governorship election in his home state of Osun.

It will be recalled the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ademola Adeleke on Saturday, defeated the incumbent governor and candidate of the APC, Gboyega Oyetola.

This led many to start calling out APC stalwarts from the state including Adesina on how they couldn’t deliver their very own state.

However, Adesina on Thursday in an article titled ‘OSUN: BUHARI DOES IT AGAIN’ said though he would have preferred Oyetola as his preferred candidate to win the election, he is not a stakeholder in the Osun election as people painted it to be.

In his words, “I’m also a Buharist, a firm believer in the ideals of that honest man, the Mai Gaskiya from Daura, in Katsina State, though I am not a registered member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“It was, therefore, laughable for some people to try and rope me into Osun State politics, as the gubernatorial election held last Saturday. First, they came up with the news that Femi Adesina had lost his ward to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Which Femi Adesina. Me? Or another one? Do you lose what you don’t participate in?”

He further clarified that contrary to insinuations that the PDP defeated the ruling party in his ward, the APC actually won in his ward.

“Out of curiosity, I checked. The APC had, indeed, won my ward, in the Post Office area of Ipetumodu by 176 to PDP’s 130 votes. But it didn’t matter. It just shows how heinous and petty some people can be,” he added.

On his membership of the APC, Adesina said while he is sympathetic to the party, he is not a registered member of the APC and those calling him out after the party’s loss in Saturday’s governorship election should be properly guided.

“My position is this. I work for an APC government, and it is my preferred party. But member? Not so. I have always rooted for good APC candidates and I would have loved if Governor Gboyega Oyetola had won in Osun last weekend,” he declared.

Adesina also added that he would most likely never be a member of the APC.

“Yes, APC is my preferred party, but I’m not a member, and won’t likely be, with my eyes set on farming and media work after leaving government service,” he added.

Buhari Govt To Spend N30.2 bn On NASS Complex Rehabilitation

The Muhammadu Buhari-led government is set to spend the sum of N30.222 billion to rehabilitate the National Assembly Complex.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Musa Bello, said this on Thursday during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on FCT to various project sites being constructed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCDA) in Abuja.

Bello said the cost approval of NASS complex rehabilitation by President Muhammadu Buhari was N37 billion which was included in the 2020 budget of the Federal Capital Development Administration.

He said the amount was downwardly reviewed to N9.25 billion in the revised 2020 budget to enable the FCDA to pay contractors, leaving a balance of N21.025 billion.

According to him, the total cost of rehabilitation work which stood at N30,229, 290,830.35 billion was not part of the National Assembly’s annual budget of N128 billion as insinuated in some quarters.

He also disclosed that the contract, which was awarded on 30th December 2021, has a completion period of two years.

He stated that the National Assembly Phase II, popularly known as “the White House” was realised from 1996 to 1999 by ITB Nigeria Ltd without any major rehabilitation works carried out on the building over the years.

Speaking on other projects embarked upon by the administration, the Minister said the Federal Secretariat complex and the construction of the Southern parkway from Christian Center to ring road had commenced.

He said other projects are rehabilitation of the expansion of Outer Southern Expressway, provision of engineering infrastructure for Wuye District, rehabilitation and expansion of Outer Southern Expressway Villa Roundabout and completion of B6, B12 and Circle Road in Central Area.

The Minister pointed out how the FCDA decided to prioritize key projects due to paucity of funds, but assured that all projects which were ongoing would be completed in record time.

Bello further indicated that the ministry is determined to ensure that a number of projects are completed before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

On his part, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT Senator Tolu Odebiyi (APC Ogun-East), who led the committee members, expressed happiness with the quality of the projects being constructed.

“We believe that in the twilight of this administration, in the next month, it is important we catalogue all the projects that are being done and prioritize the ones that must be completed before the end of this term.

“This is so that we can also make sure we provide the adequate funding and budget for it.

“Their budget is going to be forwarded to us very shortly and it is important we come and see the state of the work and the completion rate of the programme before we take them on,” he said.

2023: PDP Gov Candidate, Jandor Receives APC Decampees In Lagos

The Peoples Democratic Party Governorship candidate in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor on Wednesday received decampees from the All Progressives Congress.
The decampees from the ruling party came from the 20 Local Government Areas of the Lagos State ahead of the 2023 governorship election.

Jandor disclosed that the decampees, named ‘Best Alternative Network’ dumped APC because they believed in their (PDP) promise to Lagosians.

He further stated that they are against the misrule they are currently experiencing under the ruling party.

According to Jandor, “Yesterday, (Wednesday) I received into the Lagos PDP family, some members of the APC who dumped the APC for the PDP.

“The group by name, Best Alternative Network said they left APC, despite being the party in power because they believe in our promise of a better tomorrow as against the misrule they are currently experiencing under APC”

Jandor is contesting in the 2023 governorship election under the PDP alongside popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, also known as Jenifa.

The PDP governorship candidate would be contesting against the state Governor and candidate of the APC, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other candidates.

Buhari Meets Service Chiefs, Security Heads, Others In Aso Rock

President Muhamadu Buhari is currently meeting with Service chiefs and heads of security agencies over the worsening insecurity in the country.
Naija News reports that the National Security Council Meeting is taking place at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting is being attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao.

Also in attendance are the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman; the Director-General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Bichi; and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai Abubakar.

Others at the meeting are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (retd).

CAN Reacts To Presence Of ‘Bishops’ At Unveiling Of APC Vice Presidential Candidate

The Christian Association of Nigeria has reacted to the presence of some clerics at the unveiling of Kashim Shettima as the running mate of the All Progressive Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Reacting to the event on Wednesday, the Vice President of CAN (19 Northern States and Abuja) and its chairman in Kaduna State, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, likened the Bishops to desperados who went there for themselves.

John Hayab further said the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was free to “hire mechanics and other artisans and sew clerical garments for them”, that effort would only add to their many ropes but would not change the need for fairness and justice.

He said, “The people we saw at the unveiling of Shettima paraded as Bishops are people who did not have enough time to learn how to wear Bishop garments. Take a closer look at their photo and you will see another Nollywood movie.

“CAN wonders why the desperation. First, a story was out claiming to have come from the Chairman of CAN Borno state only to be refuted. Secondly, there was another lie that BAT (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and his running mate were on their way to meet CAN President one night. A meeting that was not true and was on a night that the CAN President was in Alabama USA attending the Baptist World Alliance Conference of which he is the Vice President.

“Another desperation story was that they met Papa Adeboye which the RCCG later refuted. If Christians are not important why the desperation?

“BAT is free to hire mechanics and other artisans and sew clerical garments for them. An effort that will only add to their many ropes when the political exercise is over but will not change the need for fairness and justice that CAN is calling for.

“CAN appreciate that we are in a democracy, no need to do funny and dubious things just to prove a point because it will in the end bounce back. BAT team should simply do what is right and stop the drama.”

‘Inhumanity To Man’- Abia State College of Education Staff Lament Non-Payment Of 29 Months Salary Arrears

The College of Education Association Staff Union, COEASU, has vowed to continue with the ongoing industrial action following the non- payment of 29 months salary arrears owed staff of the Abia State College of Education Technical Arochukwu, by the State government.

The union, after an emergency meeting on Tuesday, said staff of the institution live in deplorable condition due to non-payment of their salary arrears.

In an interview with THE WHISTLER on Wednesday, Chairman COEASU, Abia State College of Education Technical Arochukwu chapter, Comrade Kevin O Egesi, revealed that the nonchalant attitude of the state government towards teacher education was condemnable.

The union further accused the college management of refusal to promote staff for more than 7 year and to implement financial increment from 2008 till date.

He said: “In the meeting held on 19th July, 2022 the National Executive Council of COEASU agreed to continue with the strike action going on in the Colleges. Agreed to meet again in three weeks time.

“Abia State College of Education (Technical) Arochukwu staff are in a very deep suffering because of 29 months salary arrears owed to them. Abia State Government’s nonchalant attitude towards teacher education development and non release of subvension to the college have killed many staff, rendered many homeless and scattered many families. What is our offence in working for the state.

“The college management refused to promote staff for more than 7 years and also refused to implement financial increment from 2008 till date. Non- remittance of deducted union check-off dues by the management to cripple the union is a big offence. And the continuing deduction of staff salary by 15% for more than 2 years now. What a management, man inhumanity to man.

“Based on all these plight and suffering of the workers, strike continues in Asceta till all our demands are done.We will all see light at the end of the tunnel. Aluta continua”.

Recall that the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on Tuesday withdrew the accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, for failing to pay staff salaries and allowances for over 30 months.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, a spokesperson for NBTE, Fatima Abubakar, said the accreditation was withdrawn because the polytechnic had not shown any commitment to offset the arrears and ensure regular payment of salaries.

BREAKING: INEC Presents Adeleke With Certificate Of Return

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented a certificate of return to Senator Ademola Adeleke, the winner of the just concluded Osun State governorship election.

Adeleke was presented with the certificate of return on Wednesday at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo.

In his acceptance speech, Adeleke commended INEC for the conduct of the elections, while appreciating the good people of Osun for trusting him with their votes.

THE WHISTLER had earlier reported how Afrobeats singer, Davido, called out the electoral umpire over the delay in issuing the certificate of return to Adeleke, his uncle.

Davido, real name David Adeleke, took to his Twitter account with about 12 million followers on Tuesday to query why INEC has yet to issue his uncle with a certificate of return 48 hours after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate defeated the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola who had sought re-election on the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.

Responding, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, explained that Section 72 of the Electoral Act 2022 provides that a sealed certificate of return at an election in the prescribed form shall be issued within 14 days to every candidate who has been returned by the Returning Officer in an election under the Act.

Recall that Adeleke of the PDP polled 403,371 votes to defeat incumbent governor, Gboyega Oyetola of the APC who garnered 375,027 votes.

He will be inaugurated on the 27th of November, 2022 when the tenure of the incumbent governor will come to an end.

NNPC Quietly Approves Petrol Pump Price Hike To N179/Litre

The increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol from N165 per litre to N179 per litre has been approved by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).
The new price approved by NNPC is expected to take effect today across the country as it directs fuel marketers to change the petrol price on pumps today.

NNPC also increased the ex-depot price from N148.17 to N167 per litre.

The decision was reached weeks after fuel marketers adopted different prices following petrol scarcity across the country.

Some filling stations had changed the price on their meter, while others left the approved retail price of N165 per litre but were selling above the displayed price.

Some filling stations were dispensing fuel for motorists for around N170 to N175 per litre.

Tinubu Visits Pastor Adeboye Over Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has met with the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, following the controversy trailing the Muslim-Muslim presidential preference of the ruling party

THISDAY had reported yesterday that Tinubu had set up a team of eminent persons with whom he was scheduled to meet the Christian leaders within the party and faith-based organisations like the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and the Catholic, to appeal to them and secure their buy-in.

A source in the Tinubu Campaign team, who pleaded anonymity, informed THISDAY that the plan, which was going to be a holistic approach to the crisis, was to make the Christian community see reasons behind the Muslim-Muslim ticket, adding that Tinubu decided to lead a team to appeal to the Christian community.

But THISDAY yesterday gathered that the meeting with Adeboye was actually held on Sunday at the Redemption camp.

A reliable source, who also pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that the meeting with Adeboye was very fruitful, adding that the clergy was not against a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Though THISDAY could not confirm those on Tinubu’s entourage to the meeting with Adeboye, it was reliably gathered that the wife of the presidential hopeful, Senator Oluremi,was there.

“He met Adeboye on Sunday. The meeting was very fruitful. He (Adeboye) is not against Muslim-Muslim ticket,” the source said.

Asked who was with Tinubu at the meeting with Adeboye, the source insisted “his wife”, stressing that Tinubu would soon meet with the leadership of CAN.

Kuje: Embattled Abba Kyari Begs For Fresh Bail Over Fear Of Attack

The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, has filed a fresh application seeking bail following the recent terrorist attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Naija News recalls that Kyari has been remanded in Kuje prison after his arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

NDLEA had alleged that Kyari and his men unlawfully tampered with 21.25kilograms worth of cocaine that they seized from two apprehended drug traffickers- Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwane, accusing the DCP and his men of dealing in cocaine worth 17.55kg.

It alleged that the police officers committed the offence between January 19 and 25, 2022, at the office of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) IRT, Abuja, in connivance with one ASP John Umoru (now at large), contrary to section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Kyari, who has maintained his innocence, is asking the court to grant him bail based on safety grounds.

Justice Emeka Nwite has fixed Wednesday, July 20th, to hear the bail application.

Also, three other police officers in Kyari’s team who are equally on trial over the alleged offences – ACP Sunday J. Ubia, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu – asked the court to grant them bail on similar grounds.

However, the 3rd defendant, Bawa James, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, did not join them in the application.

Kyari’s counsel, Ikpeazu, said his client’s new application became necessary, considering the nature of assignments he undertook while performing his duties as a police officer, Daily Sun reports.

Ikpeazu submitted that some of the inmates on remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre were people Kyari’s team at the Police IRT made their arrest possible.

Reacting, the NDLEA, through its counsel, Sunday Joseph, urged the court to refuse their new request for bail.