Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Thursday 24th June 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 24/06/21
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Ex-Central Bank Governor, Soludo Wins Anambra APGA Governorship Primary Election Amid Party Crisis
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Soludo, has emerged the winner of the Anambra governorship primary election of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Soludo will be representing the party in the November 6 governorship election.
Soludo secured 740 votes to defeat other challengers. The total number of accredited delegates who participated was 795 while 792 votes were cast.
Willie Obiano, Anambra state governor, and other stakeholders of the party were present at the event that took place on Wednesday in Awka, Anambra state capital.Meanwhile, earlier, Soludo was suspended from the party by the National Executive Committee under the Jude Okeke-led faction, for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities.
His suspension by one faction and victory in a primary overseen by another faction further intensified the crisis within the party.
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Ex-Central Bank Governor, Soludo Wins Anambra APGA Governorship Primary Election Amid Party Crisis
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Soludo, has emerged the winner of the Anambra governorship primary election of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Soludo will be representing the party in the November 6 governorship election.
Soludo secured 740 votes to defeat other challengers. The total number of accredited delegates who participated was 795 while 792 votes were cast.
Willie Obiano, Anambra state governor, and other stakeholders of the party were present at the event that took place on Wednesday in Awka, Anambra state capital.Meanwhile, earlier, Soludo was suspended from the party by the National Executive Committee under the Jude Okeke-led faction, for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities.
His suspension by one faction and victory in a primary overseen by another faction further intensified the crisis within the party.
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E2%80%99s-wife-naomi-attends-18-year-old-alleged-endsars-protester-kemisola-baby%E2%80%99s Ooni’s Wife, Naomi Attends 18-year-old Alleged #EndSARS Protester, Kemisola Baby’s Christening In Ondo3
The baby delivered in prison by Kemisola Ogunniyi, an 18-year-old girl detained over #EndSARS protest has been christened.
The baby was named Okikiola, Samuel, Oluwapamilerin, among others.
Among those who attended the event was the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Naomi Ogunwusi.
The Ondo State High Court sitting at the Olokuta Medium Prison in Akure had on Tuesday granted Kemisola bail in the sum of N10 million and a surety in like sum.
The nursing mother was arrested in Akure on October 24, 2020, while going to a pharmacy to buy drugs for her mother.
She was arrested by the police along with three others, saying they participated in the #EndSARS protest in the state.
The police claimed they were part of the #EndSARS protesters who burnt the office of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state last year, about eight months ago.
The three others are Ayodele Bukunmi, Ojo Samuel and Ani Obinna.
The charges preferred against them were conspiracy to commit the following felonies, to wit: arson, riotous assembly, stealing and malicious damage.
Kemisola was said to have gone into labour on June 15 and given birth to a baby boy the following day.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, had in a Facebook post last week called on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of the state to look into the issue, adding that the mother of the newborn was innocent and never committed any offence.
The post by Sowore triggered public outrage, with many Nigerians demanding her swift and unconditional release from detention.
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Army Chief Lands In Imo, Says Troops Must Redouble Efforts Against IPOB Members
The Chief of the Army Staff, Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya, on Wednesday visited Owerri, Imo State, saying he came for an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation of the state.
Yahaya, who met with troops of 34 Brigade in Obinze Barracks, Owerri, urged them to be dogged and decisive against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which he said, was disturbing the peace of the state.
According to a release by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, the army chief lauded “the resilience of troops of 34 Brigade and operatives of other security agencies in turning the tide of the recent spate of insecurity that resulted from the criminal activities of the proscribed group, IPOB, in Imo State.”
He said, “Gen Yahaya made the commendation today at Obinze Barracks, Owerri, Imo State, while addressing the troops during his maiden operational visit to Headquarters 34 Brigade.
“He told the troops that his visit was informed by the need to have an on-the-spot assessment of the security situation in the state. The COAS expressed delight on the successes so far recorded by the troops and urged them to redouble their effort in order to consolidate on their successes.
“Gen Yahaya further charged them to be loyal and exhibit high sense of duty at all times. He pointed out, that more successes would be recorded through compliance to instructions and loyalty to superior authority.
“The COAS also called on the officers to always lead by example and ensure that troops are adequately briefed and kept abreast of the mission at hand.
“In a show of synergy, the COAS also paid a visit to troops of 211 Response Group, Nigerian Air Force, Owerri, where he implored the troops to be professional and alert at all times. He appreciated them for their spirit of jointness and synergy towards tackling insecurity in the state.
“Highlight of the working tour was COAS’ visit to the proposed Military Hospital Owerri and a tour of Obinze Barracks.”
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Nigerian Army Lambasts Sheikh Gumi, Says Soldiers Not Colluding With Bandits
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi
The Nigerian Army has knocked a popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Gumi, for stating that some Nigerian soldiers were conniving with bandits and worsening the security situation in the country.
The army said on Wednesday that Sheikh Gumi’s statement is both sad and unfortunate, adding that there was no reason for the Islamic scholars to deride the soldiers who lay down their lives always for the well-being of Nigerians.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi
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The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said these in a release in reaction to Gumi’s statement in an interview on Arise Television.
Nwachukwu noted that the army “remains a bonafide symbol of national unity that has conducted its constitutional responsibilities in the most professional manner in line with rules of engagement and protection of the fundamental human rights of the citizenry.”
The army spokesman said, “The sweeping allegation peddled by the scholar is not only sad and unfortunate, but a calculated attempt to denigrate the Nigerian military and undermine the sacrifices of our patriotic troops, who are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability across the country. “It is essential to remind ourselves that these same military, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yawuri from kidnappers.
“While the army will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel, as provisions for dealing decisively with such acts are crystallised in Section 45 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“It must also be pointed out, that while the military is very much receptive to constructive criticism, it should not be perceived as a gateway for derogatory comments that have the potential to embolden criminals. It is also necessary to reiterate that patriotism must be taken to a trajectory where subversive conversations on the state are brought to the barest minimum.
“Opinion leaders are enjoined to demonstrate patriotism in building the peace, rather than being agents of distabilisation, thereby aggravating the current security challenges facing the nation.”
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Delta Peoples Democratic Party Suspends Senator Nwaoboshi
The senator representing Delta North senatorial district in the National Assembly, Peter Nwaoboshi, has been suspended by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for a period of one month.
Nwaoboshi, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), was suspended over what the party described as “anti-party” activities.
According to a statement signed by the state publicity secretary of the PDP, Ifeanyi Osuoza, and obtained by SaharaReporters, the action became necessary following Nwaoboshi’s recent romance with the the All Progressives Congress (APC) and verbal attacks on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
“The State Working Committee (SWC) of the Delta State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rising from an emergency meeting, has suspended the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi, for a period of one month.
“This action has become necessary against the backdrop of the recent romance with an opposition party, verbal recklessness, and unprovoked utterances of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, particularly against the person of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta State, which the PDP State Working Committee views strongly as totally unacceptable, disturbing and unbecoming of a politician and party member of his stature.
“The PDP State Working Committee is in no doubt that the rash, unguarded, confused and heavily noxious, and vitriolic attacks by Senator Nwaoboshi, a serving Senator and a very recent Chairman of our great party, are potentially inimical to the peace and harmony of the party and tantamount to causing discord and disaffection among loyal party members.
“The suspension, therefore, though obligatory, has sadly become imperative and inevitable, especially given the dramatic spontaneity and overzealousness of his verbal attacks, which are totally out of character and may have suspiciously been induced by circumstances which defy immediate rational analysis and comprehension.
“The matter has been referred to the State Disciplinary Committee, in order to afford Senator Nwaoboshi a fair hearing and the opportunity to appear before it and defend himself over his recent utterances and actions against the party and its leadership, in the state.
“We urge all party faithful to remain calm in the face of these provocations and maintain the peace, maturity, and party harmony which have been and will continue to remain the hallmarks of our great party,” the party stated.
Our correspondent observed that Nwaoboshi has been having a running battle with the state governor, Okowa over 2023 governorship projections.
It has also be rumoured that the senator has since dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress following his recent closeness to the Deputy Senate President and senator representing Delta Central senatorial district of the state, Ovie Omo-Agege, who is said to be nursing a governorship ambition come 2023.
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REVEALED: Countries Where All Military Chiefs Sacked By Buhari Were Posted To As Ambassadors
The Nigerian government has deployed all former service chiefs to different countries as Ambassador.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama had earlier in a statement announced former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (retd.) and former Defence Chief, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin as Ambassadors to Benin Republic and Cameroon respectively.
The Minister’s statement was however silent on the posting of the other former service chiefs – Vice Admiral Ibok- Ette Ibas (retd.); former Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.), ex-Chief of Air Staff and and Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Usman (retd.), former Chief of Defence Intelligence.
In an interview with SaharaReporters on Friday, a source said Abubakar was posted to Chad while Ibas was posted to Ghana.
Former CDI, Usman was also deployed by Buhari to Niger Republic.
Buhari had sacked all the former service chiefs on January 26.
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BREAKING: Billions Approved For Buratai, Olonisakin, Other Service Chiefs To Buy Weapons Unaccounted For – Nigerian Government
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The President subsequently announced the nomination of the immediate past service chiefs on February 4 as non-career ambassadors, a decision which was greeted with widespread condemnation.
The decision was condemned by most Nigerians who believed that the former service chiefs should be probed particularly on the controversial $1 billion arms fund released between 2018 and 2019.
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EXCLUSIVE: Buratai, Olonisakin, Other Ex-Service Chiefs To Forfeit Salaries As Nigerian Ambassadors
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Nigerians also said Buratai, and his colleagues must appear before the International Criminal Court, The Hague, Netherlands, to answer for several massacres in the country under their watch with the most recent being October 2020 Lekki shooting, where a disputable number of civilian protesters were killed and injured.
They also noted that the former Chief of Army Staff and possibly others must be probed for what has become known as the Zaria massacre, which was carried out by the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State, on December 12, 2015, against Shia Muslims, mostly members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
At least 348 civilians were reportedly killed, with 347 bodies allegedly secretly buried by the army in a mass grave.
The Kaduna State government had in April 2016 said 347 corpses were given a mass burial at the Mando cemetery after what they claimed was a clash between soldiers and members of the Shiite’s sect in the state.
The then Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, who said this when he appeared before a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, added that the corpses were given a mass burial in a grave on December 14, 2015 in a cemetery along Mando/ Zaria Road.
According to the SSG, a total of 191 unknown corpses were recovered from the Army Depot in Zaria and another batch of 156 corpses were recovered from the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama had earlier in a statement announced former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (retd.) and former Defence Chief, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin as Ambassadors to Benin Republic and Cameroon respectively.The Minister’s statement was however silent on the posting of the other former service chiefs – Vice Admiral Ibok- Ette Ibas (retd.); former Chief of Naval Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.), ex-Chief of Air Staff and and Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Usman (retd.), former Chief of Defence Intelligence.In an interview with SaharaReporters on Friday, a source said Abubakar was posted to Chad while Ibas was posted to Ghana.Former CDI, Usman was also deployed by Buhari to Niger Republic.Buhari had sacked all the former service chiefs on January 26.The President subsequently announced the nomination of the immediate past service chiefs on February 4 as non-career ambassadors, a decision which was greeted with widespread condemnation.The decision was condemned by most Nigerians who believed that the former service chiefs should be probed particularly on the controversial $1 billion arms fund released between 2018 and 2019.Nigerians also said Buratai, and his colleagues must appear before the International Criminal Court, The Hague, Netherlands, to answer for several massacres in the country under their watch with the most recent being October 2020 Lekki shooting, where a disputable number of civilian protesters were killed and injured.They also noted that the former Chief of Army Staff and possibly others must be probed for what has become known as the Zaria massacre, which was carried out by the Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State, on December 12, 2015, against Shia Muslims, mostly members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. At least 348 civilians were reportedly killed, with 347 bodies allegedly secretly buried by the army in a mass grave.The Kaduna State government had in April 2016 said 347 corpses were given a mass burial at the Mando cemetery after what they claimed was a clash between soldiers and members of the Shiite’s sect in the state.The then Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, who said this when he appeared before a Judicial Commission of Inquiry, added that the corpses were given a mass burial in a grave on December 14, 2015 in a cemetery along Mando/ Zaria Road.According to the SSG, a total of 191 unknown corpses were recovered from the Army Depot in Zaria and another batch of 156 corpses were recovered from the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika.I’ll
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BREAKING: SERAP Gets Court’s Permission To Sue Senate President, Lawan, Gbajabiamila Over ‘Missing’ N4.4billion
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said it has secured legal authority to sue Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to the group in a tweet on Wednesday, the suit is to compel Nigeria’s numbers three and four citizens to investigate alleged missing N4. 4 billion budgeted for the National Assembly.
The motion on notice is to be served on the respondents within seven days, the group added.
Hon. Justice Ekwo of Court 5 also ordered that the Motion on Notice be served on the Respondents within seven days of the order, together with hearing notices. The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/366/2021 is adjourned to 13th July, 2021 for the hearing of the substantive application.— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) June 23, 2021
“The Federal High Court in Abuja today granted SERAP the permission to pursue our case seeking to compel Senate President Dr. Lawan and Speaker Mr Gbajabiamila to investigate or refer to anti-corruption agencies alleged missing N4.4bn budgeted for the National Assembly.
“Hon. Justice Ekwo of Court 5 also ordered that the Motion on Notice be served on the Respondents within seven days of the order, together with hearing notices.
“The suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/366/2021 is adjourned to 13th July, 2021 for the hearing of the substantive application,” it said.
SERAP had in March filed a lawsuit against Lawan and Gbajabiamila over “their failure to probe, and to refer to appropriate anti-corruption agencies allegations that N4.4bn of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in three annual audited reports by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”
The suit followed the publication of annual audited reports for 2015, 2017 and 2018 in which the Auditor-General of the Federation raised “concerns about alleged diversion and misappropriation of public funds, sought the recovery of any missing funds, and asked that the evidence of recovery should be forwarded to his office.”
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All Progressives Grand Alliance Suspends Ex-Central Bank Governor, Soludo
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been suspended from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for allegedly engaging in anti-party activities.
Soludo was suspended on Wednesday by the National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the second highest decision making body of the party, after ratifying the resolution of National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.
The National Executive Committee acted under the Jude Okeke-led faction.
The National Working Committee of the party had previously met on Tuesday where the decision to suspend Soludo was met, Daily Trust reports.
Meanwhile, the suspension of the former governorship aspirant in Anambra State from the party, has further intensified the crisis within the party.
The party’s Acting National Publicity Secretary in Abuja, Comrade Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, said, “The party is ready for the July 1 primary election and the winner will lead APGA to victory at the November 6, 2021 governorship election.”
The Okeke-led faction described the governorship primary election held in Awka, the Anambra state capital, by the Victor Oye- led faction as a sham and effort in futility.
“The NWC of APGA has resolved to suspend former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and governorship aspirant, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo from the party for anti-party activities,” he said.
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E2%80%94activist-blasts-fani-kayode-praising-governor Rise Above Your Stomach, Respect Yourself—Activist Blasts Fani-Kayode For Praising Governor Bello
Activist, Usman Austin Okai has slammed former aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, for praising Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state.
This comes as Fani-Kayode took to his Twitter handle to shower praises on the Kogi State Governor, whom he met during the weekend.
Fani-Kayode, in his tweet, expressed optimism that amid the current crisis bedevilling the nation, “Nigerians will have every reason to smile again”.
The tweet reads, “I had a fruitful and productive meeting about the way forward for our country, crucial national issues, security matters, and politics with Governor Yahaya Bello before leaving for Abuja. Much will unfold in the politics of this country in the coming days, weeks, and months and Nigerians will have every reason to smile again.
“We shall surely prevail and God will guide, lead and protect our people and our country and grant us peace. I had a wonderful time in Kogi and I met wonderful people.
“Thanks be to God and my love and appreciation go to the Governor and his team for hosting my delegation of 15 and me so well.”
But in a statement on Wednesday, Okai advised the former minister to rise above his stomach and pecuniary gains by desisting from insulting the sensibility of Kogi indigenes with the unmerited praises showered on Bello.
The statement reads: “I have observed with great dismay the complimentary remarks and comments showered on the infamous Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, by a former minister, Chief Fani Kayode.
“Until recently, Chief Fani Kayode used to be a man I held in high esteem but, he is gradually tilting towards the path of infamy.
“I expected that being a man who has served at the highest level of government- the Federal Executive Council, Fani Kayode should be able to differentiate between good governance from clownishness but I was wrong.
“For some days now, FFK has been using every opportunity and platform that he has to insult the sensibility of Kogi indigenes and residents alike- who have been at the receiving end of Bello’s evil and maladministration by labelling a man who has been judged by the majority of people in the population of the state and Nigeria at large as a failure per excellence.
“The same Yahaya Bello who is infamously known as a disgrace to youths and governance is the man Chief Kayode coronated with the robe of champion of Nigerian youths.
“It is unfortunate that since 2015, FFK has fallen from the exalted office of Campaign Spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan to the clownish state of instability and riff-raffism.
“His notorious instability has seen him become a champion of Biafra secession whenever he is with Nnamdi Kanu, a champion of Oduduwa Republic secession whenever he’s with Sunday Igboho; and at the same time an advocate of one united Nigeria whenever he is with Yahaya Bello or any Nigerian Governor. Which mentally stable human being will be an advocate of secession and at the same time an advocate of united Nigeria?
“While I am not against the decision of Chief Kayode to take advantage of the wastefulness of Governor Bello, he would have done himself good by quietly taking his share and hiding his head in shame instead of dancing naked in the market square.
“It will be in the interest of Chief Fani-Kayode to respect himself as a former minister and rise above the dictates of his stomach. He can’t be a critic of the failed Buhari administration but and at the same time praise Yahaya Bello – who in relative terms is failure personified.
“Kogi state indigenes will not fold their arms and watch anyone insult their sensibility by making them look stupid simply because such a person craves to fulfil the ambition of his stomach.”
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