Category Archives: News

Election, News, Niger Delta, Politics, Security, South-South

Edo Assembly invasion: Police arrest 7 pro-Obaseki thugs with firearms

Leave a comment

The Edo State Police Command has arrested seven pro-Obaseki thugs involved in the siege laid at the Edo Assembly complex on Thursday to prevent the majority of elected members, who have since impeached the former Speaker and replaced him with Rt. Hon. Victor Edoror, from sitting in the complex.

The arrest was made yesterday when the Police responded to an emergency call from 17 elected members of the Edo Assembly who came under attack by thugs reportedly directed by the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to prevent plenary from holding at the Complex.

The thugs identified as Festus Agbonrenren (25 years), Odion Osayande (23 years), Ogbeiwe Wilfred (52 years), Morgan Uwaigboe (47 years), Osayomore Salami (25 years), Ifeoluwa Oladele (36 years), and Iginobaro Collins (26 years) were arrested with five double-barrel long guns, two single barrel long guns, and ten live cartridges within the premises of the Assembly complex.

Sources have confirmed that the arrested thugs have all confessed that they were mobilized by the Special Adviser to Governor Obaseki on Political Matters, Edo South, Mr. Osaigbovo Iyoha, and his Special Adviser on Parliamentary Issues, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto.

Governor Obaseki made an appearance at the Assembly Complex on Thursday to offer a robust defense of the actions of the thugs and the destruction of parts of the Assembly complex under the guise of ‘renovation’, although he failed to answer questions from journalists who sought an explanation on how an Assembly of 24 elected members could be formed and presided over by 7 lawmakers purportedly loyal to the Governor.

Meanwhile, an activist group in Edo State, Democracy For All, has condemned the actions of the Governor and demanded an immediate prosecution of the arrested thugs and their sponsors.

In a statement released on Friday morning, the group denounced the invasion of the Assembly Complex as an ‘egregious crime and affront on the constitution and the rule of law’, insisting that the arrested thugs, who have confessed their ties to the Edo State Governor, must be made to face the wrath of the law alongside their accomplice no matter how highly-placed.

Its statement read in part: “It is a shame that in Edo State today that we have a Governor who is insisting that a House of 24 members should be led and constituted only by 7 members. And to sustain this illegality, he has turned to violence, vandalism, and dark politics.

“While we thought our democracy has evolved and left certain ugly trends behind, Governor Godwin Obaseki, by his actions on Thursday, set us back many years with his flagrant abuse of office, violation of the integrity and expected character of his esteemed position, and the promotion of violence and illegality.

“Our first demand goes to the Police and it is to immediately commence processes for the prosecution of the arrested thugs and their direct sponsors, Mr. Osaigbovo Iyoha and Mr. Kabiru Adjoto.

“Their prosecution will signal to the world that Nigeria is neither home to criminality nor a jungle where appointees of government can break the law at will and threaten law and order through the sponsorship of thuggery, violence, and unfortunate contribution to arms proliferation.”

Breaking News, Election, News, Niger Delta, Photos, Politics, South-South

PHOTONEWS: Edo PDP Women Storm Benin City Centre, Reject APC

Leave a comment

Thousands of women on Friday morning stormed the Benin City Ring Road Friday morning, chanting and praying against the All Progressives Congress (APC)

They said they don’t want the APC anymore in the state.

The women however, wore insignia of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Photos:

Bizarre, Breaking News, Election, News, Religion and Culture

Edo Priestesses Visit Edo Assembly With Juju, Lay Curses on Opposers of Governor Obaseki

Leave a comment

The spiritual leader of Ekutetebite Negwogho group, Princess lnibokun lmasemwenbor, has laid curses on opposers of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The Edo priestess, who visited the Edo State House of Assembly with her team on Friday morning, pronounced the curses at the gate of the Assembly.

She was in company of other priestesses, who said they represent the priestesses of traditional worship centres across Benin Kingdom.

Speaking on their behalf, Princess lnibokun lmasemwenbor, said she inherited her symbol of authority as juju priestess from her grandfather and whatever she pronounced on anyone will be so.

“I was at home when I saw on television the crisis at the Edo Assembly. I heard some of the things said that some people from other ethnic groups are trying to turn Benin upside down. We Benin people don’t like what they are doing.

“APC is oppressing Obaseki, that is mere oppression, they want to oppress our Obaseki.

“Why I am interested in the matter is that we did not have access road to my community before Obaseki became Governor. We used to spend so much to come to Benin. But now, we can travel in and out of our community with ease, no more erosion.

“For that reason, I must support Obaseki for a second term. Whoever says he will turn the state upside down to rig the election, let the heads of our ancestors torment them.

“Obaseki is a peace maker, he gave us amenities of life and for that reason, I have to back him up with my strength.”

Princess lmasemwenbor assured that Obaseki will be re-elected Governor again for another four years.

“Nobody will grab it from him and whoever says he will turn the state upside down to subvert the wishes of the people, help us tell such people that the head of our ancestors will torment them, all the deities of Benin kingdom should torment them,” she warned.

Election, National, News, Politics, South-South

President Muhammadu Buhari endorses Ize-Iyamu

Leave a comment

Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mai Mala Buni, on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the governorship candidate of the party in the September 19 elections, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Buni, who stated this while briefing State House correspondents after presenting the APC candidate to the President said that Buhari gave his blessings to the candidate.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu at the briefing debunked the allegation that 14 members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly sat in his house on Thursday to impeach the Speaker of the House and elect a new one.

1. Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mai Mala Buni, on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the governorship candidate of the party in the September 19 elections, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

2. Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mai Mala Buni, on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the governorship candidate of the party in the September 19 elections, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

3. Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mai Mala Buni, on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the governorship candidate of the party in the September 19 elections, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

4. Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mai Mala Buni, on Friday said that President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed the governorship candidate of the party in the September 19 elections, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

He said: “Let me debunk the statement that 17 members of the State House of Assembly sat in my sitting room, it is not true.”

He also said that there was no truth in the insinuations that President Buhari did not want to see him, alleging that it was a falsehood being spread by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Also speaking, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State described his Edo State counterpart and candidate of the PDP in the September elections, Godwin Obaseki, as a liability to the PDP.

“I can assure you that Governor Obaseki is a liability to the PDP. I can assure you that we are contesting against a governor who failed most woefully.”

Election, News, Politics, Violence

The Edo State Drama And Misuse Of Federal Might, Kalu Expresses Worry

Leave a comment

The National Coordinator, People’s Democratic Party Coalition, Chief Dr Emeka Kalu, a mobilization and good governance advocacy group under PDP, has frowned at what he discribed as worrisome development in Edo State activities.

In a statement he issued to the press, Chief Kalu said that it is pertinent to note that the issue of political thuggery and desperate disposition of the APC, if not checked, may plunge Edo State into deep political chaos too catastrophic to contain.

It reeks of direct misuse of power for the opposition to take law into their hands by standing against majority decision in open confrontation that had been displayed by APC in the past few days. I suggest that we as Nigerians should carefully watch what is happening in Edo currently where 19 lawmakers impeached the Speaker in a private house business while in contravention of this legal process, police took over the Assembly complex at the instance of one man.

Whatever the plan of the opposition and lawmakers loyal to Oshiomhole want to achieve by forcefully moving into the Assembly Complex, I assure you, will not be in the interest of peace and may further plunge the precarious peace into more trained resolve ahead of the election. This is what every good statesman should never wish for his people no matter the desperation.

“I am calling on President Mohammed Buhari and the APC leadership to as a matter of urgency and national interest in protection of the people of Edo State, call Adams Oshiomhole and his followers to order. Power is given by God and can never be forced on the people.

“I am certain that any attempt to force any leader on the people will meet a stiff resistance, I assure you” he said.

Chief Kalu also called on the National Electoral Commission to as a matter of duty ensure they organize a free and fair election that will reflect the choice of the people rather than conform with the desperate nature of “Federal Might” that is being abused in Edo State.

Jobs, News, South East

Anambra Sacks Over 1000 Civil Servants Amidst 8 Years Controversial Salary Arrears

Leave a comment

By Sunny A. David

Anambra State Government has confirmed the termination of appointment of the staff of the State moribund Water Board Corporation.

Our correspondent reports that the board, which was officially shutdown in 2012 had over 1000 staff out of which about 300 had died waiting for their unpaid entitlements running from January 2012 to date.

A notice from the State Ministry of Public Utilities dated December 27, 2019, signed by one Rev. Dr. P. C. Amanzechukwu (for Commissioner of the Ministry) but was reportedly pasted last month at headquarters of the agency in Awka the State Capital, said their termination of appointments took effect from 2015.

It read, “The officers-in-charge, Anambra State Water Board Corporation (defunct), Awka. Formal notification of the termination of appointment of the erstwhile staff of the Anambra State Water Corporation.

“I am directed to refer to the Executive Council’s directive of December 9, 2019 and to formally convey the notification of the termination of appointment of the erstwhile staff of the defunct water corporation with effect from June 2, 2015 based in the cumulative effects of the Anambra State water supply and sanitation Law 2015 and reorganisation of the State’s water policy.

“Please advice the staff to report to the Ministry to collect their letter and take necessary steps to protect the moveable and immovable assets of the company.”

The State Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources, Engr. Emeka Ezenwanne, who confirmed the notice to our correspondent, said they were sacked in line with the Anambra State Water Law 2015 which repealed the edit establishing the agency and other general conduct of their staff.

“Anambra State Government under Governor Willie Obiano is a law abiding government. Yes, we have issued letter of termination to the former staff of Anambra State Water Board Corporation. The letter is in line with the Anambra State Water Law 2015 that repealed the edit that established the water board.

“Again, they have not come up to account for the money they took from the state government account through garnishing. EFCC is currently investigating it.

“They were sacked due to their general conduct which is affecting the entire process including the unbundling processes stated in the 2015 Anambra State Water Law. After the garnishing, they have continued to make other efforts we don’t know what they are up to,” Engr. Ezenwanne added.

He said the State government was still providing water to the populace through Urban Water Supply and others.

But reacting, a retired staff of the defunct water corporation, Mr. Hilary Izuagu, said they were still employees of the State Civil Service, adding that the State Government was owing them from January 2012 to July 2020 and still counting.

Mr. Izuagu, who urged the State government to abide by all the provisions in the Anambra State Water and Sanitation Law 2015 and other extant laws of the land while dealing with them.

He explained that the money the agency took through garnishing were paid to their deserving staff accordingly, adding that he was unaware that EFCC were investigating its disbursement.

Niger Delta Today
Education, Jobs, News, South East

No teacher was sacked by Abia State Government – Commissioner

Leave a comment

Abia State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu had debunked claims that the state governor sacked 5 666 teachers from the State Civil Service.

In an Opinion authored by Kalu, and published earlier by this media, he explained that the 5,666 teachers were never employed by the state government, as there has been a long standing embargo on employment in the civil service.

He also stated that whereas some of the teachers were employed by the Parents Teachers Associations of various schools, with internal arrangements for their renumeration, many fell victim to fraudulent persons who claimed to be insiders in government and would help them become full civil servants.

His words “There is a long existing embargo on new employment in Abia State Civil Service and only the Governor of the state can validly issue a waiver to employ anyone or group of persons to fill any vacancy within the service.

“Every civil servant, no matter the level, is aware of this fact and its implication for those wishing to join the civil service: only a valid waiver, in this circumstance, from the Governor, or a lifting of the embargo by the Governor, can genuinely give employment.

“Between 2018 and March 2020, Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB) hired some teachers ostensibly as PTA-teachers who were supposed to be paid by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of some schools that needed them to fill some vacancies. They were never meant to draw their wages from the civil service of the state as no budgetary provision was made for that purpose and the Governor never issued any employment waiver for their hiring.

“According to information released from the office of the Chief of Staff (COS) to the Governor, about 5,666 persons were involved in this PTA arrangement without the necessary employment waivers. None of them ever received wages from the state government, in line with the terms of their hiring by SEMB, whereas 187 teachers employed by sane SEMB with valid waivers within the same period were receiving wages from the state government.

“Nobody was sacked, please.

“Obviously, some unscrupulous persons took money from the PTA teachers and others in need of teaching jobs, and promised them full government employment as teachers whereas those involved knew they could only hire PTA teachers at the request of the schools. One of the affected persons told me she was made to part with thousands of naira and told to go and work as the Governor would ultimately be compelled to approve their full employment and authorize their salary payment from the state government coffers.

“That is a SCAM.

“When the Governor found out about this scam, he empaneled a committee to review what happened and report back to him. The committee’s report pointed to all sorts of malfeasance including extortion, deception, manipulation of records etc and the government decided to make public its position via relevant announcements regarding the illegality so that those affected would not fall into the venture of making false claims of being owed for some work supposedly done for the state government.

“In the announcement signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr ACB Agbazuere, government never claimed to have sacked any teacher because you simply can’t sack someone you never hired. None of the affected persons received any employment waiver from the Governor and those validly given waivers are continuing with their job.

“There are windows available to those PTA teachers and others: approach the schools where you were supposedly working to write the Commissioner for Education and request for your services as a teacher giving cogent reasons for the request with the letter copied to the COS. If the Honorable Commissioner finds merit in the request, he will recommend to the Governor for a waiver to be issued. Only the issuance of such waivers validates your employment with the state government. The other window is to wait for the state government to do a general audit of teachers in the state with a view to identifying where vacancies exist and fill same. According to the announcement, the government is ready to consider the 5,666 persons first, before others, to fill such gaps, if in existence.

“As per the argument that they met the then Commisioner for Education, please find out if they met him as newly employed teachers in the civil service or simply as PTA teachers”, he stated.

Election, News, Niger Delta, Politics, South-South

Edo Assembly:17 Members Inaugurate Parallel Assembly, as Another Speaker Emerges

Leave a comment

The impasse rocking Edo State House of Assembly took a new turn when 17 members-elect in the state inaugurated a parallel speaker for the Assembly, on Thursday, 6th August 2020.

Jungle Journalist Media Ltd learnt that the members-elect are loyalists of the former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and staunch supporters of the party’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

They were joined by three lawmakers who had earlier been inaugurated.

The inauguration which was held at an undisclosed venue, saw a former Speaker of Edo Assembly, Victor Edoror, emerging Speaker, after a motion for the impeachment of Frank Okiye was not opposed.

Mr. Sunday Aghedo, (APC Ovia SW) had moved a motion signed by the entire members calling for Okiye’s impeachment, and was seconded by Hon. Ohio Ezomo (APC Owan West).

The motion nominating Edoror was moved by Hon. Washington Osifo (APC Uhunmwonde) and was seconded by Hon Eric Okaka (APC, Owan East).

Mr Chris Okaeben (APC, Oredo West) moved the motion that got Hon Emma Agbaje (APC, Akoko-Edo II) who acted as Speaker ex tempore, elected as Deputy Speaker.

Before the election, 12 out of the 14 members who were not sworn in last year took their oaths administered by a former Clerk of Edo Assembly, Tom Efezokhae.

Following the inaugural sitting, Edoror announced that plenary will resume on Friday, 7th August 2020.

When contacted for reaction, the Clerk of Edo Assembly, Mr. CY Omogbai said; “I don’t talk to press, meet my PRO please.”

Recall that Speaker of Edo Assembly, Frank Okiye, had raised the alarm over planned hijack of the Assembly complex at the Ring Road.

Breaking News, Election, News, Politics

BREAKING: Edo House of Assembly roof dismantled, iconic mace taken down

Leave a comment

Some men on Thursday vandalised the Edo State House of Assembly and removed its roof.

According to a video shared by Channels Television, the men were seen removing the iconic legislative mace on top of the building.

The video also showed trucks offloading gravels at the entrance of the Assembly Complex while the suspected vandals trooped into the building.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that policemen on Thursday surrounded the Assembly complex in Benin City, the state capital.

This is coming barely 24 hours after the Deputy Speaker, Yekini Idiaye, was impeached by the state lawmakers.

The member representing Orhionmwon-South constituency, Roland Asoro, has since been appointed deputy Speaker and was immediately administered the oath of office and oath of allegiance by the Speaker.

(The PUNCH)
National, News

Ikpeazu decries absence of federal secretariat in Abia

Leave a comment

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has made a case for a federal Secretariat in the State.

Governor Ikpeazu stated this during a courtesy visit by Federal Commissioner, representing Abia State at the Federal Character Commission, Mr. Henry Ogbulogo, who was in the State on a working visit. The Governor expressed regrets about the absence of Federal presence in the State adding that Abia is ripe to have a federal secretariat. He called on the Commissioner to join in the clarion call for a federal secretariat in the State, adding that the mere absence of a federal secretariat further points to the absence of federal presence in the State

According to him, despite the fact that Abia is an oil producing State, it cannot boast of having any oil company with an office in Abia. He also pointed out that none of the companies that drill oil in the State resides in Abia but rather prefer to live in another states from where they come to work in Abia and pay their taxes in those other States.

He noted that Abia is one of the most peaceful States devoid of youth restivness and appealed for a change in attitude by the Federal Government. The Governor who noted that the issues raised by the Federal Commissioner including fixing the road that leads to its office in the State as well as compelling the Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to submit their nominal rolls to the Commission, directed such MDAs to avail the Commission all the necessary support.

Earlier in his speech, the Federal Commissioner, Mr Henry Ogbulogo, appealed to the Governor to give the Commission necessary footing in the State as well as compel the State Ministries, Departments and Agencies to make available to the Commission necessary documents and nominal rolls to enable it carry out its job.

Mr. Ogbulogo said the Commission is mandated to monitor compliance to the guidelines and formula for employment. He thanked the State government for providing land for the Secretariat of the Commission and requested that a facelift be given to the road leading to the Commission’s Secretariat in Umuahia