Television Nigerian

Governor Alex Otti is allegedly misappropriating local government monies, according to former Abia State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Eze Chikamnayo.

In an interview with Arise Television, Chikamnayo said that the governor has impeded the local government’s growth, making it impossible for it to function efficiently.

“Unfortunately, what we have today in Abia is that Alex Otti has mopped up all the funds going to the local governments,” he said. He has ensured that the grassroots development is firmly rooted in reality. Additionally, he has rendered it hard for municipal governments to function and survive.

Additionally, he refuted allegations that Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives,

He went on to say that Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, had no political disagreements with the governor and had simply asked for responsibility.

“The Honorable Benjamin Kalu and our beloved Governor Alex Otti have no personal issues. However, we, Ben Kalu, the APC, and every member of the Abia community are all saying, “Governor Alex Otti, practice what you preach,” Chikamnayo stated.

He emphasized that “transparency and accountability” are in Abia’s best interests, pointing out that Kalu’s request was appropriate given the state’s financial resources.

Transparency and accountability are in Abia’s best interests. Furthermore, we are aware that a significant amount of money has been sent to all states, not just Abia, as requested by Honourable Benjamin Kalu. And we are aware of President Tinubu’s outstanding performance. Napoleon was unable to do what he did. He’s liberated resources. And we are aware that the governors are expected to do much more due to the resources President Tinubu has provided to the states.

According to Chikamnayo, tangible development outcomes rather than rhetoric should be used to evaluate good administration. “A governor’s success cannot be determined solely by their slogans. When you compare the resources at the governor’s disposal with the deliverables the governor can present to the public, you can only conclude that the governor is performing exceptionally well. Therefore, every individual, not just in Abia but throughout the country, has the right to ask questions when the resources are not matching up or balancing with the deliverables.

In the 2024 Edo state gubernatorial election, Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen, a former African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for governor, congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 65th anniversary of independence and praised their bravery and tenacity in the face of unheard-of economic adversity.

Izedonmwen exhorted people to hang tight to the hope that the current storm will pass and encouraged households to take doable measures like starting cottage farms and small gardens to lessen their financial load.

Additionally, he urged leaders at all levels to put aside party politics and reaffirm their commitment to nation-building, accountability, and service by strengthening democracy, empowering young people, and utilizing Nigeria’s abundant resources for long-term development.

Nigeria can become a first-world country in three decades if it has discipline, vision, and teamwork, he said, emphasizing that unity is the cornerstone of growth.

In his glowing ode to the decent and hardworking people of Edo State, Izedonmwen hailed their tenacity, inventiveness, and unwavering sense of community as a constant source of inspiration for the country.

In Taraba State, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, or ASUP, has urged Governor Agbu Kefas to provide the long-anticipated 25–35% pay increase to employees of Taraba State Polytechnic, Suntai.
The recently elected ASUP Chairman in the state, Dr. Bala Sule, made the demand at a news conference held at the Jalingo campus of the organization.

Along with bemoaning the backlog of unpaid compensation arrears owed to staff, Dr. Sule emphasized the ongoing delay in implementing the authorized salary rise.

The state government should immediately respond to the association’s appeal, he said, adding that he will prioritize the financial well-being of union members during his term.

“As the chairman of ASUP, I will make every effort to draw Governor Kefas’ attention and urge him to enact our 25/35% pay rise.

He added, “We will also bring up the matter of unpaid salary arrears and inform him that it is not in the institution’s best interests to keep employees in trouble financially.”

While admitting the difficulties that employees face, Dr. Sule emphasized that the union would use diplomatic channels to pursue its demands and ruled out the idea of industrial action.

“No kind of strike action will occur while I’m in charge. He promised that we would continue to engage in dialogue to make sure our concerns were acknowledged, even if the government did not comply with our demands.

Dr. Sule also revealed plans to work with the national and zonal leadership of ASUP in order to advocate for the implementation of the salary adjustment and further involve the state administration.

In addition to restating the union’s dedication to employee welfare, he underlined that the new leadership would keep looking for amicable and beneficial solutions to the problems that its members face.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said that those responsible for the recent tragic attack on the Oke-Ode community in Ifelodun Local Government Area will not evade justice and has pledged to rid the state of bandits and kidnappers.
Several people were killed and locals were reportedly terrified when gunmen ambushed a traditional chief and local vigilantes in the area on Sunday.

The governor said he had already informed President Bola Tinubu about the incident in a statement released on Wednesday by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye. He also reiterated his request for more federal deployment to secure the border communities in Kwara.

He said that as part of heightened military activities in the state, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2nd Division had been moved to Ilorin by Army Headquarters.

On Monday night, AbdulRazaq revealed that the Army, DSS, and Police forces began a significant operation along the Kwara-Kogi border near Baba Sango.

“Approximately 15 armed bandits were neutralized during an operation by the Army, DSS, and Police combined troops on Monday night near Baba Sango, along the Kwara–Kogi boundary. On Tuesday, the same procedure was carried out,” he stated.

The governor went on to say that he chaired a State Security Council meeting at Government House in Ilorin on Tuesday night, when state and federal security resources were combined into a unified plan for operations in Kwara North and South.

Residents were reassured by AbdulRazaq that his government will keep supporting security forces and providing logistics to ensure the safety of people and property.

“The security forces have promised me that they will smoke out and remove the criminals from their hiding homes. We will use all available resources to combat insecurity. Kwara will not serve as a haven for criminals, he declared.

Gangs operating within the state’s boundaries were forewarned by the governor: “Any criminal who tries to disturb the peace in Kwara may flee, but you cannot evade justice.” Kwara’s citizens own it, and their tranquility will be protected.

Residents have expressed new concerns and calls for stricter security measures in response to the Oke-Ode killings, particularly in border areas where bandits are thought to be launching operations, according to reports.

The government’s promise coincides with stakeholders’ ongoing calls for long-term fixes to the state’s vulnerability.

Following the dismissal of more than 800 employees who joined the union, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members to immediately stop supplying gas and crude oil to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Lumumba Okugbawa, the union’s general secretary, signed a directive on Saturday stating that the refinery’s “illegitimate and provocative action” against its members prompted the shutdown.

Addressed to branch chairmen nationwide, the letter urged members to take firm action against the facility that produces 650,000 barrels per day.

“As you are aware, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery management has disengaged our members in response to the exercise of their constitutional right to be unionized,” the union said.

Instead of interacting with us in a meaningful way to make amends, they have gone farther on a mission of disinformation and propaganda to defend this illegitimacy.

As a result of these, you are instructed to immediately turn off NGIC’s gas supply. All of the refinery’s crude oil supply valves ought to be closed. The loading process for the ship that is going there needs to end right away.

The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) branch was particularly instructed by Okugbawa to make sure that the refinery’s gas supply was immediately cut off, and all branch chairmen were instructed to report compliance progress as soon as possible.

“Injury to one, injury to all,” the letter continued.

Less than twenty-four hours have passed since Dangote Refinery acknowledged that it had fired a few employees for alleged sabotage, but denied that the action was related to unionization.

However, PENGASSAN maintains that more than 800 Nigerian workers were singled out soon after they willingly joined the organization, accusing management of unfair labor practices and union-busting.