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Akeredolu Blows hot Over ondo attack, Vows To Hunt Down Assailants

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has expressed sadness over Sunday’s attack at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, and vowed to hunt down the masterminds of the assault.

He said this in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, shortly after the attack which killed many.

“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state,” Governor Akeredolu said.

“I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.”

The governor, who said he had cut short his visit to Abuja ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to visit Owo immediately, vowed to fish out the culprits.

“This is an unexpected development. I am shocked, to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals,” the statement added.

“I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.”

Governor Akeredolu called for the people to remain calm, assuring them that “security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom”.

Read the full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, on Sunday.

The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.

“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.

“I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom.” Akeredolu said.

Shettima Apologizes To Osinbajo For Liking Him To A Gala, Ice Cream Seller

Former Governor of Borno State, Kassim Shettima on Sunday apologised to the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo for liking him to an ice cream seller for contesting against the national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.

Shettima while speaking on his earlier statement said it was not to claim that Osinbajo and Lawan are not worthy of the presidency.

He said his comment was to clarify that they are non-threatening contenders” to Bola Tinubu, under the ruling party.

The former governor had stated that the character can’t earn him the Presidency but should be selling Gala and popcorn.

Shettima title reacting to his earlier comment released a statement titled: “My Channels TV Interview Taken Out of Context” reads partly: “When I appeared on Channels TV last Thursday amidst the tension rippling through our political arena, it was to underline the promise Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s presidential bid held for those yet to establish the certainty of the hurdle ahead of the APC. I never set out to denigrate the personality of any aspirant and not that of my dear friends and allies.

“My assessments of Yemi Osinbajo, and the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, were well-intentioned.

“I never set out to subject them to ridicule but, rather, to stir up interest in the contrasting virtues of the cast of aspirants putting up a fight against my preferred aspirant, one most favoured and advantaged to guarantee APC’s victory in the forthcoming presidential election.

“The interpretations of my remarks on Osinbajo and Senator Lawan are, thus, being done literally and overblown. My words weren’t woven to portray them as unworthy aspirants, but merely to qualify them as non-threatening contenders.

“I, however, take full responsibility for my utterances and wish to appeal to our teeming supporters to neither take my words out of their metaphoric contexts nor interpret them as a measure and declaration of hostility towards my dear friends and allies.

“I, hereby, tender my unreserved apologies to the Vice President and the President of the Senate for the unintended pains my jibes might have caused them and their families and supporters.”

BREAKING! Many Dead As Explosion Rocks Church In Ondo State

Many people have lost their lives after an explosion on Sunday hit St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, in the Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Reports said the explosion on the church grounds killed several people and injured many more.

An eyewitness, Kehinde Ogunkorode, told Daily Post that the incident caused chaos in the vicinity, with residents fleeing for safety after being caught off guard.
Owo is the hometown of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu

JUST IN: INEC Withdraws Sensitive Election Materials From CBN After Emefiele’s Failed Presidential Bid

The Chairman of the independent National Electoral commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has announced withdrawal of sensitive electoral materials from the custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Yakubu disclosed this at an ongoing symposium tagged “The Electorate: A Conversation on Elections in Nigeria” taking place at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

He said in the interim, the CBN will no longer be in charge of election materials beginning with the Ekiti state governorship election.

According to Yakubu, the commission took the decision to prevent such materials from being compromised.

THE WHISTLER earlier reported that the INEC Chairman had told journalists at a briefing last month the commission had “already started talking about what alternatives are available to us in case we need to change the arrangement for the handling of sensitive materials.”

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had made a failed attempt to contest for the position of the president of Nigeria on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The move had sparked outrage from Nigerians and civil society organizations who called on INEC to withdraw the 2023 election materials from the CBN on the grounds that its head had become partisan and a politician.

More details to follow…

Homicide: Court Remands Osinachi’s Husband In Kuje Prison, Orders Accelerated Hearing

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Wuse, has remanded Peter Nwachukwu, husband of the late gospel singer, Osinachi, in the Kuje Correctional Facility pending the hearing and determination of the homicide related suit instituted against him by the Attorney General of the Federation.

Justice N.K. Nwosu-Iheme gave the order on Friday after he pleaded not guilty to 23 count charges bordering on domestic violence and homicide, among others.

She ordered that the suspect be remanded at the correctional facility while trial was adjourned to June 16 from 12pm and June 17 by 9am.

“The business for today is for arraignment, accelerated hearing is hereby ordered” declared Justice Nwosu-Iheme.

“Defendant should be remanded in Kuje Correctional Facility pending the hearing and determination of this suit,” she ruled.

Nwachukwu’s wife died on April 8 and many of her colleagues had accused her husband of subjecting the deceased to domestic violence, leading to her death.

Afterwards, the Nigeria Police arrested him and he has been in detention since.

FG claims that he contravened Sections 104 and 379 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, section 221 of the Penal Code and the Violence Against Person’s Prohibition Act (VAPP) 2015.

Some of the counts (like culpable homicide) recommends death penalty, 1-year jail term or fine (VAPP Act), among others.

Part of the charges read: “That you Peter Nwachukwu, 56, male, on the 8th of April, 2022 at Aco Estate, opposite police station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did commit an offence to with: culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu by your various acts of violence and aggravated assault with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence of your acts.”

“Statement of offence: Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse contrary to section 14(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act.

“Particular of offence: That you, Peter Nwachukwu, male, sometime between 14th November 2009 and April 2022 at Aco Estate, opposite police station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did commit an offence to wit: emotional, verbal and psychological abuse on Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu (deceased) by humiliating her and making utterances like ‘you are smelling,’ ‘you are mad,’ to her in the presence of her music crew members.”

Buratai To Speak At ABU Symposium On National Politics And Insecurity

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Amb. Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), would deliver a lecture at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna on Saturday, June 11.

National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE reports that the lecture would take place at a day symposium on national security organised by the centre for research and historical documentation, Ahmadu Bello University with the theme: “Politics And Insecurity In Nigeria: Way Forward”.

Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff, would speak on issues bordering on Nigeria’s politics and insecurity. The discourse would proffer solutions to challenges bedeviling Nigeria at large, as well as empower students to generate ideas for equitable development in the political sector.

Expected guests are His Excellency Mallam Nasiru El Rufai, the executive governor of Kaduna stare, His Excellency Prof. Babagana Zulum, the executive governor of Borno state, His Eminence Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and other notable Nigerians.

Lagos Wife Beats 39-Year-Old Husband To Pulp Over Refusal To Divorce Her

A 39-year-old man, Niyi Adeyemo, has cried out after his wife, Jumoke Bamgbola, 38, beat him to a pulp during a disagreement at their residence in Ikosi-Ketu area of Lagos State.

Adeyemo, who is currently receiving treatment in a hospital bed, disclosed that the trouble in his marriage started after his aged mother came to visit him and she objected saying she don’t want relatives around.

According to reports, the alleged assault had happened on Monday, May 30.

He claimed that his wife’s demand for a divorce became intense when she returned from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in January 2022.

He said, “Bamgbola stormed my house on May 30, 2022, around 11 am, and asked me why I had not been picking her lawyer’s phone calls.

“After I refused to respond, she said that I must talk to her because she came prepared for me.

“I tried walking away, but my wife dragged me back, and tore my native attire specially sewn for my late mum’s burial, and became violent.

“She started throwing punches at me all over my body, especially on my legs because she is aware of my health condition.

“She tossed me around the house, and kept saying that she would make sure I was admitted to a hospital.

“She also dragged my private parts and bit my hands as I tried to prevent her from biting my manhood.

“I deliberately stopped myself from hitting my wife like I was advised.

“I called her dad afterwards, and put the phone on speaker, her dad called out her name during the conversation, but she refused to respond or listen to him.

“My wife’s demand for a divorce became intense when she arrived from Dubai early this year.

“While she was in Dubai, we resolved our differences through video calls.

“However, she suddenly changed and began comparing me with another man she met over there.

“My wife came back in January 2022 and requested to lodge at a hotel in the Lekki area of Lagos so as to self isolate because of Covid-19 to avoid virus infection on our son.

“Apparently, she came back to Nigeria with a boyfriend with whom she had arranged to spend the night in the hotel.

“I called her several times, but she refused to receive my calls.

“She once called me, and said that our child is the only bond between us.

“She later threatened to kill me with her bare hands if I didn’t give her a divorce because her boyfriend said that he could not marry someone who was married with a child.

“The matter has been reported at the Ketu police station,” he added.

In response, Bamgbola stated that she filed for a divorce and her husband was served, but he refused to honour the court invite, The Punch reports.

She said, “I called my husband after a visit to see the lawyer, and he complained that my husband had not been picking up his calls or from my mum as well.

“He kept pleading with me that he did not want a divorce.

“He admitted that he allowed a third party in our marriage, and apologized.

“Afterwards, the lawyer told me that I had to see my husband, and make him understand what I wanted because of our only child.

“So, I went to his place, and met another lady with him in the kitchen.

“I asked him why he refused to pick the lawyer’s calls, and why he was telling people that he gave me N1.5m to rent an apartment, but he denied it.

“I actually visited to inform him that the court had fixed June 28, 2022, for our divorce case, and discuss the matter with him if we could settle the dispute amicably.

“He usually beat me, but I always tried not to hit him back because he is a sickle cell patient.

“Apparently, it resulted in an argument, as I was also admitted to a hospital at the Ijoko area because I had a swollen face and bruises all over my body and could hardly talk.

“I was invited to Ketu police station on Tuesday, May 31, about how my husband had filed a case of assault against me.

“I denied the allegation, and told the police operatives that I would visit the station as soon as I get better,” she added.

The state police public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, however, he is yet to say anything concerning the case.

Women Affairs Minister, Tallen, Gets UN Appointment

Nigerian politician and incumbent Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has been appointed by the United Nations to head a Global Committee on Prevention of Genocide and Atrocity from the perspective of women.
Tallen’s appointment was confirmed in Abuja today by the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, Ms Alice Nderitu, Naija News understands.

Nderitu who visited the minister at her office in Abuja today said the committee is expected to develop a framework of analysis on atrocities and genocide that reflect the perspective of women in conflict prevention, as the existing one does not reflect issues of women.

She said, “there are situations where there is clear intent to destroy whole ethnic, racial and religious communities.

“The question we are asking is, what should be the solution against that intent? What should we do if we see that violence that is happening that bears that kind of character?”

Nderitu said her coming was to seek the minister’s leadership because, in July, the organization would be convening very eminent women from around the world “who work in peace building; women who have been signatories to peace agreements, whose character can be seen in their countries constitutions, decisions that have been made in ending the war.

“In Italy, we will sit with these women and we will draw up a framework of analysis for the prevention of such atrocities,” Nderitu noted.

She added that the committee was expected to articulate the perspectives of women on peacebuilding and submit them to the Office of the UN Secretary-General, to be presented before the General Assembly.

She narrated further that the document would inform the UN Policy on peace building and prevention of atrocity crimes that may lead to genocide, stressing also the importance of women’s participation in decision-making processes, especially in the area of peace and conflict resolutions to guarantee its success and impact.

In her remarks after being informed of the development, Tallen thanked the UN for the consideration to provide leadership for the global assignment.

She gave the assurance that Nigerian women would play their roles in ensuring peace across the world, adding that “women are calling for peace and we must give peace a chance.

Tallen said: “I listened so carefully to your request and I feel so moved.

“On behalf of Nigerian women, I say thank you for the honour and for having found me worthy to lead other African women leaders to work and find solutions to issues affecting genocide and all forms of violence within our region and the world at large.”

2023: Why APC Will Collapse After Buhari’s Tenure – Shehu Sani

SFormer federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will collapse after the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sani stated that the ruling APC will cease to exist after Buhari’s exit from Aso Rock in 2023 due to the inherent injustice and the act of betrayal in the party.

He slammed the party for failing to zone its presidential ticket to the South West after it was agreed that the region would produce Buhari’s successor.

Sani accused President Buhari of betraying the South West and failing to support the zoning of the party’s presidential ticket to the region.

He told The Punch, “For the APC, it is still confused about whether to rotate or not and it has collected so much money from candidates. Only that it has not decided on zoning.

BBNaija’s Pere Denies Affair With Gov Yahaya Bello’s Wife

Big Brother Naija reality TV star, Pere Egbi, has denied an allegation that he had an affair with Rashida Bello, the First Lady of Kogi State.

Rashida is the wife of Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State and 2023 presidential aspirant.

Egbi, who was one of the ‘Shine Ya Eye’ housemates in season 6 of the show, took to his Twitter page to deny the allegation on Tuesday.

The allegation was made in a now-deleted tweet by Jackson Ude, a U.S based Nigerian journalist.

But reacting, Egbi threatened a lawsuit against the journalist over what he described as a “demonic lie”.

He tweeted, “For the records, the publication about me and the First Lady of Kogi State is a demonic lie and a figment of a diseased imagination of Jackson Ude and those retweeting that rubbish.

“They must answer me in court both in Nigeria and in the United States of America where he is based.”

For the records, the publication about me and the First Lady of kogi state is a demonic lie and a figment of a diseased imagination of Jackson Ode and those retweeting that rubbish, they must answer me in court both in Nigeria and in the United States of America where he is based