The Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, on Friday said although some suspects were arrested in the bush by security agents on Thursday, authorities are “not sure” if they were the ones behind the terrorists’ attack on a Catholic church on Sunday.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that a Punch correspondent had during a Facebook Live on Thursday claimed that Oba Ogunoye announced the capture of some of the Owo church attackers.
Several videos shared online showed some residents, mainly youths, demanding that the alleged arrested suspects are not transferred to Akure, the Ondo State capital. The protesters threatened jungle justice.
The scene caused reinforcement of security in the palace.
However, speaking to the press today, the monarch denied saying the Owo church attackers have been arrested.
“They said some people were arrested in the bush by the security but said they were not sure that the suspects were the ones that carried out the attack,” Punch quotes the monarch as saying.
The people who saw the suspects in the police van thought they were the attackers and they had been taken to the palace, hence the besieging of the palace by residents.
The Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike has directed the filing of criminal charges against former Governor Chibuike Amaechi, over alleged N96b fraud.
Wike, on Friday, ordered the state Attorney General to commence legal action against his predecessor following a Supreme Court judgement that dismissed the latter’s appeal against probe by a Judicial Commission of Enquiry.
Sahara Energy and Tonye Cole, the co-founder of Sahara Energy are to be joined as Co-defendants in the matter.
They were accused of converting state assets for personal use.
THE WHISTLER reported that the apex Court had on May 27 held that the state’s Judicial Commission of Enquiry which was established to probe his administration was constitutional.
But he urged the apex court to stop the body from probing him, adding that it was mere political witch-hunt.
However, the apex court dismissed his appeal for lacking in merit.
Reports have emerged claiming various caucuses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have commenced intense push to produce the running mate for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It was gathered that eight names have been penciled down as possible running mate for the former Lagos State governor but northern political clout and the fear of a Muslim-Muslim ticket is currently leaving APC leaders in a dilemma.
The eight names that have so far emerged included Governors Babagana Zulum (Borno), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) and Samuel Lalong (Plateau); former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima (who led Tinubu campaignorganisation); former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
Top critic of the APC and Bishop of Catholic Diocese in Sokoto, Matthew Hassan Kukah has surprisingly emerged among those been considered.
Daily Tribune quoted a source as saying, “The only drawback for Kashim Shettima is that he’s not Hausa/Fulani and that it will be the first time Hausa/ Fulani will not be represented in government. The same holds for Dogara, Boss, Lalong.
“Another source claimed that there is a strong push for Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah who retires later this year to balance the ticket, in spite of his occasional acerbic views on the APC federal administration.”
It was gathered that leaders of the northern region are bent on securing the interest of the region in the next general election in the country.
Those proposing the possibility of a Muslim-Muslim ticket are of the opinion that that is the only way of stopping northerners from voting against Bola Tinubu.
The source added: “The APC is likely to fly a Muslim/Muslim ticket because some influential members of the northern establishment have insisted that they do not want a Christian vice president in the North.
“There’s no Christian who can match Kashim Shettima in the entire North. Dogara can’t win more than Tafawa Balewa Local Governnent Area in Bauchi State. The SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, is neither Hausa nor Fulani and can’t win in multi-ethnic Adamawa State.
“Lalong is neither Hausa nor Fulani stock, so the majority Hausa Fulani may not accept him. Let’s look at the turn of events, something tells me it will be a Muslim/ Muslim ticket.”
Lalong is seen by some influential members of the northern establishment as part of the ethnic minorities who are spread across such states as Plateau, Benue, Kogi and Niger.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has reportedly offered Governor Nyesom Wike the position of Petroleum Minister if he wins the 2023 elections.
A source close to the negotiation told Premium Times that Atiku also offered the Rivers governor the opportunity to nominate one should the party win the election.
However, Wike camp is insisting on the vice-presidential slot, saying “a promise is not as important as what is currently on hand”.
It was gathered that the Rivers governor insistence in picking the PDP VP slot is behind the delay in the announcement of Atiku’s running mate.
Those in favour of Wike, including some governors, have pointed out his roles in rescuing the party at numerous times and how he had also supported PDP chapters without State governors.
But his critics are of the opinion that the Rivers State governor is not “presidential in conduct”.
They also claim that he would be a dangerous deputy and divisive figure in the presidency should they take over power in 2023.
On the other hand, Okowa who enjoys massive support among PDP leaders was instrumental in the emergence of Atiku as the presidential candidate of the PDP.
According to Premium Times, Atiku is said to also prefer Okowa to run as his vice president.
But the possibility of Wike adding a stronger political structure and financial muscle to the ticket is delaying Atiku’s decision.
The mark the 2022 Democracy Day celebration, the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has declared Monday, 13th June 2022, as a public holiday.
Naija News reports that this was made known in a statement on Thursday by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
While congratulating Nigerians on the 2022 Democracy Day celebration, Aregbesola called for support for the Buhari government in its efforts at ensuring a secured, united and prosperous nation.
He said: “As we mark another Democracy Day in the history of our dear country, let us reflect on the efforts of our founding fathers and ensure that Nigeria remains one united, secured, peaceful and indivisible entity.
“With the challenges we face in Nigeria today, I see an opportunity for us not to break up or break down, but to break open; open up to ourselves in truth so that we may appreciate each other, understand each other, honour each other and live together in peace and prosperity.”
Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, urged Nigerians to make use of the Nigeria Internal Security and Public Safety Alert System (N-Alert) Mobile App designed to mitigate security challenges and other disasters.
He stated that Nigeria will continue to do better with efforts being put in place by the present government.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed all political parties to submit the names of candidates that emerged from their respective presidential and national assembly primary elections within the next seven days.
The political parties were also mandated to submit the names of running mates of all presidential candidates within the stipulated time.
The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, at a meeting with the commission’s resident electoral commissioners (RECs) Thursday, said failure to include the names of running mates in the submitted lists will render the nominations invalid.
According to Yakubu, the political parties have until 6.00 pm on June 17, 2022, to submit the presidential and national assembly candidates’ list, after which the online portal will be shut down.
The names of governorship, deputy governorship, and state houses of assembly candidates must be submitted between July 1 and July 15, said the electoral umpire.
The INEC Chairman’s reminder came as the deadline for concluding all primary elections expire today.
It also followed the conclusion of the presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic (PDP), where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar emerged as the respective candidates of the parties.
Yakubu said, “For the next one week from tomorrow 10th June 2022, all Political Parties are required to submit their list of candidates for national elections (Presidential/Vice Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives) latest by Friday 17th June 2022. For State elections (Governorship/Deputy Governorship and State Houses of Assembly), the list of candidates shall be uploaded from 1st to 15th July 2022 as already provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election already released by the Commission.
“All Political Parties are required to upload the details of their candidates for each constituency to the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP). To achieve this objective, four officials recommended by each of the 18 political parties were trained on the procedure for uploading the nomination forms to the dedicated web portal. Confidential Access Codes to the portal have already been given to each Political Party to facilitate the uploading of its nominations.
“For emphasis, the Commission wishes to remind Political Parties that only the names of candidates that emerged from democratic primaries as provided by Sec. 84 of the Electoral Act 2022 shall be submitted to the Commission. Similarly, the list of all Presidential and Governorship candidates must be accompanied by the names of their running mates (i.e. Vice Presidential and Deputy Governorship candidates) without which the nomination is invalid. All nominations must be uploaded to the portal on/or before the deadlines. The portal will automatically shut down at 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 17th June 2022 for national elections and 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 15th July 2022 for State elections. With this innovation, the Commission has eliminated the physical interface between party officials and INEC staff for the purpose of submitting the list of candidates for the 2023 General Election.”
He added that a nomination centre had also been set up at the INEC’s headquarters to receive and process all nominations by political parties, including dedicated telephone lines to assist all political parties resolve issues they may encounter.
Yakubu also addressed complaints that citizens in some parts of country are unable to access INEC officials to partake in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).
He noted that insecurity in some parts of the country has prevented INEC officials from carrying out registration activities but promised that the commission will ensure that all eligible persons seeking to register are captured.
“Unfortunately, in some places the exercise was disrupted by general insecurity. In other places, our Local Government Areas offices were consistently attacked resulting in the suspension of all activities, including voter registration. A number of IVED machines were snatched and uncollected Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) destroyed. Worse, our registration officials were violently attacked. Some of them were abducted but later released. In one sad incident, an official lost his life.
“Despite these challenges, the CVR has continued nationwide. However, as the deadline for the suspension of the current exercise approaches, the Commission has received reports of a surge in the number of prospective registrants that daily throng our State and Local Government Area offices as well as designated centres in many States across the country,” he said.
Yukubu added, “I wish to reassure Nigerians that the Commission remains committed to ensuring that all citizens who wish to register are given the opportunity to do so.
“This is one of the reasons why this meeting has been convened. Already, some of the Resident Electoral Commissioners have requested for more voter registration machines to ease the congestion. The Commission will deploy additional machines to areas of need immediately. Thereafter, the Commission will meet to review the progress of the exercise and take further decisions. We will always respond positively to the needs of Nigerians and therefore appeal to all citizens to be patient with the Commission as we strive to serve them better. We appreciate the desire of Nigerians to register as voters. Let me reassure all eligible registrants that no one will be left out.”
THE WHISTLER earlier reported that the INEC chairman’s chief press secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi, had specifically blamed the activities of ‘unknown gunmen’ in the South East for the commission’s failure to efficiently capture residents in the region.
“While our staff are prepared to do their job, it should not be at the expense of their lives,” Oyekanmi had said.
Obi Cubana’s wife, Ebinna Iyiegbu has shared a question her son asked her after Bola Tinubu emerged as the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential candidate.
In a post via her Insta Story, the billionaire’s wife stated that her son Anyi asked her why Nigerian presidents are always old.
Throwing the questions to her fans, she asked how she would answer his question.
A media entrepreneur, Dumebi Kachikwu, has defeated a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghlau to the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Naija News reports that Kachikwu defeated Moghalu, who had vowed to retire Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, the presidential primary of the ADC held on Wednesday night.
Kachikwu polled 977 votes against Moghalu’s 589 votes. Chukwuka Monye came third with 339 votes at the primary exercise in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
It was gathered that other aspirants kicked against the victory of Kachikwu. They accused the Roots Nigeria CEO of “dollarising” the process by bribing delegates.
“I appreciate Prof. Moghalu and other credible aspirants for a spirited fight even though we didn’t make it. The fight to rescue this country from the brink of disaster is still on…. Monye is committed to this” Mr Monye said. “Will communicate who we will support.”
Kachikwu is the younger brother of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu.
Earlier Kingsley Moghalu had vowed to retire Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu and set Nigeria on the path of prosperity.
Moghalu said, “I am here to offer myself to you not because I am better than anybody here but because I care about the future of our country. I offer myself because God has given me the main recognition to stand side-by-side with Atiku, Tinubu and to send them into retirement.”
How do you know a true man of God or a prophet to the nation? Its when his message comes to fulfilment! Interestingly, the prophetic message of Prophet Joshua Iginla concerning the emergence of Ashiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the APC presidential flagbearer has been confirmed.
The clergy with the prophetic mantle, Abuja-based General Overseer of Royal Champions Assembly, Prophet Joshua Iginla has said, only God can stop Tinubu’s presidential ambition and that he is a major factor in the equation of things in the ruling party.
The clergyman during his prophetic release for 2022 said God told him Tinubu will be a great factor in the forthcoming 2023 election. “God said something to me that is very deep. The man called Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a factor in the equation and you can not remove him and you cannot push him aside. You cannot drive him backward or push him aside, except God pull him out of the equation. You cannot remove him by human means. If you push him aside, you will know that a factor has been removed from the equation, the only thing that can move him is God. Only God stops him. I’m not speaking in favor of anybody but I’m saying what I’ve seen and will leave the rest for God,” Prophet Iginla said.
And of a truth, the road to Victory for Tinubu in the just concluded APC primaries was tarred with twists and turns. It was a journey filled with betrayals from loyalists. At a point, his Victory looks like a mirage but the message of the clergy keeps resounding clearly that Tinubu is the major factor in the equation.
And true to his prophetic message, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has emerged as the winner of the party’s presidential primary.
He obtained over 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, ex-minister Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
While Amaechi polled 316 votes, Osinbajo scored 235 votes.
He contested against thirteen other aspirants – Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.
Nine aspirants had earlier stepped down, eight of whom asked their supporters to vote for Tinubu, while one asked his supporters to vote for Osinbajo.
Those who stepped down before voting began are Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Robert Boroffice, Ken Nnamani, Ibikunle Amosun, Dimeji Bankole, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and Godswill Akpabio.
They asked their supporters to vote for Tinubu, just as the only female aspirant, Mrs Uju Ken-Ohanenye, followed suit.
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Bola Tinubu in the just concluded presidential primary of the ruling party.
Tinubu on Wednesday won APC’s presidential ticket with a wide margin to defeat the likes of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who came third in the race and former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi who came second.
Atiku had through his official Twitter handle earlier, mocked the ruling party for allegedly failing to fulfil the promises made to Nigerians in the 2015 elections.
The PDP presidential candidate added that the ruling party cannot gloss over its scorecard for the mandate Nigerians gave to the party.
