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Metuh warns NLC not to shut down South East due to removal of fuel subsidy

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Chief Olisa Metuh, a former national publicity secretary for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the South East Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) not to shut down the region in protest over the removal of subsidy. He added that the subsidy regime benefits the oppressors, not the oppressed and that the regime should be abolished.

Metuh, who recalled how he worked with the South East chapter of the NLC to reject the nationwide strike that paralyzed the region in January of 2012, added that fuel subsidy has never been of benefit to the masses of the South East, highlighting the fact that it has only been beneficial to the wealthy and the economic saboteurs in the land. Metuh said that he worked with the South East chapter of the NLC to reject the nationwide strike that paralyzed the region in January of 2012.

He did, however, urge President Bola Tinubu to immediately take steps to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians “by cutting down on the size of government, ending the profligacy associated with governments, and channeling the resources to projects, amenities, and facilities that directly impact on the wellbeing of the people.”

Metuh expressed his concerns in an open letter addressed to the NLC that was obtained.

“I fervently appeal to the South East chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to, in the overall interest of the people, toe the path of their comrades in the South-west and northern states’ chapters and pull out of the proposed strike action over the announcement of the removal of the subsidy on fuel by President Bola Tinubu,” said the Nigerian politician Atiku Abubakar. “It is in the overall interest of the ordinary people.”

Metu stated that he does not agree with the seemingly sudden nature of the subsidy removal, but he urged the NLC to look beyond the immediate difficulties and consider the larger benefit of ending the corrupt subsidy regime. This regime has benefited the rich against the poor and ordinary Nigerians. Metu noted that he does not agree with the nature of the subsidy removal.
“You will remember that in 2001 when I was serving as the Chairman of the South East Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Committee (SERRAC), I worked with the leadership of the South East NLC to resist the attempt to work against the increase of fuel price to N40 at that time. I worked with the leadership of the South East NLC.

“That effort was predicated on the fact that the South East has never benefited from fuel subsidy because fuel price has always been exorbitant in the South East; always higher than what is obtainable in other parts of the country. ” “That effort was predicated on the fact that the South East has never benefited from fuel subsidy.”

Read Also: “Police can’t declare me Wanted” – Auxiliary fires back from hideout

“Remember also that in January of 2012, while I was serving as the National Vice-Chairman of the party that was in power at the time, I collaborated with the South East chapter of the National Labor Council to oppose the nationwide strike that paralyzed the entire country. Our reasoning was based on the idea that the strike offered no advantages to the South East as a region. The fuel subsidy has never been of benefit to the general populace of the South East; rather, it has only been of benefit to the wealthy and those who seek to undermine the economy of the nation.

“It is on the basis of this premise that I come to you once more to urge you to resist the attempt to be blindly lured into shutting down our region for a fight that will not be to the benefit of the average people living in the South East. The South East should rather concentrate on the challenges that are currently facing us in order to put our God-given inventiveness to use.

“We must use the energies of our Labor fronts to get the current administration to address the issue of insecurity, economic retrogression in the South East, as well as the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from incarceration. These imperatives were disregarded, ignored, and even encouraged by the previous administration. We must use the energies of our Labor fronts to get the current administration to address these issues.”

“As the people are being asked to make sacrifices, and without prejudice to the petitions in the Presidential Election Petition Court, I call on President Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by immediately taking steps to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians by cutting down on the size of government, ending the profligacy associated with governments, and channeling the resources to projects, amenities, and facilities that directly impact on the well-being of the people. ”

“We cannot remove the subsidy on fuel while at the same time continuing to subsidize the lavish lifestyle of political office holders, spending government money to maintain the luxury presidential fleet, providing services to posh government houses, purchasing expensive vehicles, securing luxury apartments, and financing wasteful trips for government functionaries to the detriment of the wellbeing of the people.

“The end of subsidy on petrol must mark the end of luxury government guest houses, long convoys, hiring of private jets by governors and public officers, foreign medical trips, and jumbo allowances for political office holders,” said one politician. “The end of the subsidy on petrol must mark the end of these things.”

He went on to say that Tinubu should be prepared to reduce the cost of running the Presidential Villa by getting rid of extraneous items and that he should also reduce the number of Presidential aides and appoint ministers, special advisers, and other aides who are willing to forego luxury cars, expensive accommodations, and fat allowances in favor of living with the people and making do with public amenities and facilities along with other Nigerians.

Read Also: Why Tinubu Should not Appoint Any Former Governor Into His Cabinet: APC Chieftain

“I am writing to urge the South East Chapter of the NLC to reconsider their position to shut down our region in order to participate in a protest that will benefit those who oppress others, not those who are oppressed. “Our enterprising spirit, which flourishes on daily commercial life and which we must not repress by shutting down our own homeland, which has been greatly impoverished by sponsored security challenges, is the life wire of the South East,” he said. “Daily commercial life is where our entrepreneurial spirit thrives.”

Why Tinubu Should not Appoint Any Former Governor Into His Cabinet: APC Chieftain

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Engineer Kailani Muhammad, a senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised President Bola Tinubu not to include any ex-governors in his cabinet.

He believed that all of the ex-governors who were circling President Tinubu should be removed, especially those who had opposed local government autonomy.

He urged the president to remove former senators and ministers who had underperformed during the previous administration as well.

Khailani, who is the Director-General of the Amalgamated of APC group and the National Chairman of the Tinubu Support Network, spoke to reporters to urge support for former Governor Abdulaziz Yari as the 10th Senate President.

We don’t want those lobbyists to appear on stage again because they are bad people. Every time, this crop of individuals has been used. He suggested that the President bring in fresh faces who had not stolen.

Speaking about the Senate presidential race, Kailani asserted that Yari is more than just a representative of the Northwest, which contributed the majority of votes to the APC in the 2023 election.

As a former member of the House of Representatives and the governor of Zamfara State, Yari, he claimed, was among the APC’s most devoted supporters.

Engineer Kailani commented on subsidies by saying, “This is the right choice because the previous administration shifted it. We’ve been delaying the bad day. The time has come for this nation to compete on an equal footing with other nations.

He asserted that Nigeria, as an OPEC member, should benefit from profits from oil sales in order to advance infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, and other sectors.

According to him, the removal of subsidies will boost competition and cause prices to decline.

Bello narrowly escapes death and urges restraint

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Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, came dangerously close to losing his life on Saturday when his convoy was reportedly attacked and blocked by some criminals who were thought to be political thugs.

Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s commissioner for information, accused those allegedly supporting Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party’s candidate for governor on November 11, 2023, of carrying out the attack at around 12.30 a.m. on Saturday.

“The attack occurred close to the Naval Base, a few kilometres from Lokoja, where Muritala Yakubu Ajaka’s convoy blocked the road after spotting that of the governor, and some of his armed thugs began sporadically shooting at the governor’s convoy.

“A Tundra vehicle bearing the SDP logo and the party’s flags also blocked the governor’s car, and the people inside the Tundra bearing the SDP logo were carrying rifles and short guns.

According to the statement, “The governor left the scene unscathed and there is no need for concern as the governor is in high spirits.”

Ajaka has revealed how he escaped an alleged assassination attempt in the meantime.

He claims that the incident happened in Koton Karfi as he was returning from the palace of one of the traditional rulers, where he had gone to inform him of his intention to run for office.

On Saturday night, Ajaka spoke to journalists and claimed that a prominent politician, whose aide is said to have opened fire on him and his convoy, was behind and in charge of the attack.

According to him, seven people were hurt and are being treated in an unnamed hospital.

Atiku warns against rubberstamping NASS, faults Tinubu on subsidy removal

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Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, has urged newly elected PDP National Assembly members to carry out their duties in accordance with the Constitution.

Additionally, he urged them not to support “those who may want to rule as dictators” or the “rubber-stamp legislative arm.”

The former vice president urged elected members of the National Assembly to remember that their primary responsibility as members of the opposition was holding the current administration accountable while addressing them at a one-day retreat on Saturday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Bauchi.

He claimed that by doing this, they would be able to prove that their party was prepared to take office as soon as possible.

Read Also: “Police can’t declare me Wanted” – Auxiliary fires back from hideout

“Our party ran on a platform of specific programmes and policies, so keep in mind that laws must reflect the promises we made to Nigerians, and that they expect you to do the same in your work as National Assembly members. It is insufficient to say that you are not currently a member of the governing party that INEC chose.

He instructed them to work together to influence the interim administration to pursue policies and initiatives that would benefit Nigerians.

“You shouldn’t be a part of the rubber-stamp legislative branch or those who might want to rule as autocrats,” he continued. You should work to ensure the continued existence of our democratic system.

“As you are aware, the PDP continues to be the only genuine political party that is controlled by its members as opposed to one or more godfathers. No single group of PDP members is greater, superior, or more significant than the party.

“In your communities, you serve as the party’s representatives. Don’t try to leave your party because of a temporary setback that INEC caused. In the end, truth and goodness will prevail over lies and evil.

Therefore, I ask that you maintain your resolve and refrain from working alone. You should always work together as a team if you want to produce significant results and keep ties to your constituencies and other stakeholders, who are your roots.

Atiku said, sounding upbeat about the party’s case before the Presidential Election Petition Court.

“Our members-elect are not the majority in the National Assembly, according to the results declared by INEC, and this situation is still unresolved pending the outcome of the legal challenges.

Therefore, they must make plans to serve as a strong, positive opposition while also getting ready for potential roles as the majority party once the cases are resolved. Don’t just give up on hope.

The Turakin Adamawa claimed that by eliminating the fuel subsidy without providing relief for those affected, the Federal Government had put the people through unspeakable hardship.

Let me just mention the recently announced elimination of fuel subsidies. I served as committee chair during the PDP government’s 1999–2007 removal of petroleum subsidies. We removed subsidies in two phases, but only after giving palliatives to those who would be most negatively impacted, he continued.

Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has been chosen to lead the PDP Governors’ Forum.

At the conclusion of a closed-door meeting of the governors held on Saturday at the office of the governor of Bauchi, Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri said Mohammed would replace Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, while Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was chosen as the vice chairman of the forum.

“Police can’t declare me Wanted” – Auxiliary fires back from hideout

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coic
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In response to his dismissal, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, who was recently removed as chairman of the disciplinary committee of the Park Management System (PMS) in Oyo State, has stated that the police do not have the authority to declare him a wanted individual.

According to what was reported, Lamidi, also known as Auxiliary, who is currently wanted by the police for alleged involvement in gun-running, expressed gratitude to Governor Seyi Makinde, emphasising that the governor continues to be a destiny helper in his life. Lamidi is currently wanted by the police for alleged involvement in gun-running.

Read Also: Tallen, like Fayemi, claims EFCC did not invite her for fraud

Auxiliary stated, in accordance with his commitment to maintaining peace, that he would adhere to any decision concerning transport unions that was made by the governor.

Auxiliary, speaking on a live radio programme from an undisclosed location on Saturday morning, addressed the recent allegations of violence that have been attributed to his associates in Ibadan. He stated that he is a peace-loving individual who would never turn the state into a battleground due to the dissolution of the PMS by the governor. This was in response to the accusations that his associates were responsible for the violence in Ibadan.

Auxiliary dismissed as irrelevant the announcement made by the Oyo State Police that he is wanted for questioning by stating, “Why would I, a sensible person, hide or store weapons at my residence?” Auxiliary was referring to the announcement.

He warned his associates not to cause trouble or get involved in violent behaviour in Ibadan or any other part of the state, and he urged them to abandon their plans to act in such a manner.

Auxiliary stated that both Governor Makinde and his ally, Otunba Seye Famojuro, have been important figures in his life while at the same time praising both of these men.

Read Also: “I will not accept your fake appointment list” – Governor Fintiri warns PDP

Auxiliary, on the other hand, reassured him that he was willing to comply and cooperate with the integration and reform efforts that involve other driver unions within the PMS. He emphasised that he would accept the outcome even if the new reform did not favour him. In other words, he would accept the result regardless.

“I will not accept your fake appointment list” – Governor Fintiri warns PDP

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coic
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The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has voiced his displeasure with the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders for ignoring his instructions regarding political appointments. The governor’s comments were made public on the Adamawa State Government website.

It was reported that the Governor unequivocally stated that he would not accept any list of political appointments that had been fabricated by a machine. He also stated that he would not accept any list.

Fintiri asserted that the party stakeholders had disregarded his earlier directives, in which he had urged them to conduct an appropriate consultation with their constituents and present their top eleven candidates for political appointments. However, Fintiri claimed that the party stakeholders had ignored his earlier directives.

Read Also: Tallen, like Fayemi, claims EFCC did not invite her for fraud

The Governor emphasized his dedication to ensuring that all individuals are given adequate representation in the political process in a post that he made on Twitter on Saturday.

He reaffirmed that any list that did not adhere to the instructions he had provided in the past or that did not satisfy the predetermined criteria would be disregarded as invalid.

Governor Fintiri has declared, “I will not accept any mechanically fabricated list from @OfficialPDPNig stakeholders in Adamawa, who disregarded my earlier directives to present their best 11 for political appointment through proper consultations with their constituents,” and “I will not accept any list from @OfficialPDPNig stakeholders in Adamawa.”

Read Also: Withdraw your petition against Tinubu, Apapa LP faction tells Obi

“It is absolutely necessary to make certain that everyone is included in order to ensure accurate representation. “I will not take into consideration any lists that do not adhere to the criteria or instructions that I have outlined,” he stated further.

Withdraw your petition against Tinubu, Apapa LP faction tells Obi

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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP), has been urged by the Lamidi Apapa faction of the LP to withdraw his case before the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal because the case lacks merit.

Following the incident that took place at the tribunal on Thursday, the faction believes that the advice has become necessary as a result of the occurrence.

It was brought to everyone’s attention that the court had postponed the hearing of the petition that Obi and the LP had submitted in opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s election.

Read Also: Ebonyi Communities Unrest After Gunmen Burn 3 Cars and Injure 1 Person

These concerns were voiced during a press conference held in Abuja by Abayomi Arabambi, who serves as the national publicity secretary for the faction.

Since the beginning of the tribunal’s proceedings, he told the journalists that Obi has failed to provide any tangible evidence to back the claims he is making.

His words were as follows: “We have followed with keen interest the shameful developments and approach by the so-called legal team assembled by Peter Obi challenging the outcome of the February 25 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission and we have, like many Nigerians, come to the conclusion that Obi is not only taking Nigerians for a ride but would continue to waste the hard earned resources donated by Nigerians for this purpose to even enrich himself th.” (We have followed with keen interest the shameful developments and approaches

“Every one of you here who has been following this case can remember that on the day that we had an altercation in court with (Julius) Abure’s group, INEC announced that Peter Obi could not pay for CTC form EC08 and other documents,” she continued. “All of you here who have been following this case can recall that.” Because of this, they were forced to only present thirty percent of the materials that the Election Petition Tribunal would require for the hearing on their petition.

“How could any person with a clear head go before an election tribunal with only 30 percent of documents, knowing that none of those documents would be accepted or agreed to be tendered by any of the other political parties?”

Read Also: Tallen, like Fayemi, claims EFCC did not invite her for fraud

“They reported that two of their counsels were absent due to illness three days ago, and on Thursday (this past week), they were unable to even file a single process with the multitude of SANs at Obi. This is exactly what we have been saying all along, that they are just trying to con the general public, fool the Obidients, and give them a false sense of hope that they have something to present at the tribunal.

New governor of Kano, Abba begins demolition of ‘illegal’ structures

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coic
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Abba Kabir Yusuf, also known as Abba Gida-Gida, was recently elected as the new governor of Kano State. In his first act as governor, he took action against illegally constructed structures on government properties.

According to the report, late on Friday night, a task force assembled by the governor began demolishing buildings that were located within the Kano Race Course (Filin Sukuwa).

This action is in line with the resolute stance that Governor Abba Gida-Gida outlined in his inaugural speech earlier this week.

He issued a clear directive to all of the state’s security agencies, ordering them to promptly reclaim all public properties that had been sold during the previous administration, which was led by former Governor Umaru Ganduje.

Read Also: 10th NASS: SDP chooses Ahmed Wadada to oversee its caucus

In response to this matter, the Governor of the state, Abba Gida-Gida, made the following statement: “Today, I announce that all of these public places and assets, which were unlawfully looted and sold by the Ganduje administration, must be seized by law enforcement agencies.” This effort will be led by the police, DSS, Civil Defence, and Hisbah until the government makes a final decision.

The properties at issue include a wide variety of locations, including educational institutions, places of worship and cultural heritage, medical facilities and clinics, cemeteries, green spaces, and the Kano city wall. In addition, individuals and their associates were illegally given ownership of landed properties and assets that belonged to Kano State. These properties and assets were located both inside and outside of the state.

In order to guarantee that justice is carried out, Governor Abba Gida-Gida announced that the formation of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry would take place in the days to come. It will be used to investigate and prosecute all of those responsible for the illegal activities, as well as those who aided and abetted those responsible for the illegal activities.

In a separate but related development, the governor on Friday issued an order stopping all land development projects at the Hajj Camp immediately, which was the subject of a directive that he also issued. During his trip to the Kano State Pilgrims Camp, he voiced his disappointment over the state of the facility to those who were with him.

Read Also: Court Fines Police N100m for Killing ‘Free Zakzaky’ Protester in Abuja

“It is extremely disheartening to see a facility that was designed with the intention of providing pilgrims from Kano State and further afield with a home away from home as it has been degraded,” said one pilgrim. According to Governor Abba Gida-Gida, “the administration that just left office shamefully sold numerous parcels of land to their friends and associates.”

Court Fines Police N100m for Killing ‘Free Zakzaky’ Protester in Abuja

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coic
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The unlawful detention and subsequent execution of Ja’afar Muhammad by the Nigerian Police in 2019 has been deemed by the Federal High Court of Nigeria to be a flagrant breach of Ja’afar Muhammad’s fundamental rights, and the court has made this determination.

It was reported that the ruling, which was delivered by Justice Z. B. Abubakar of the Abuja Division, highlights the clear infringement of Muhammad’s rights as guaranteed by Section 33 (1) 35 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Muhammad’s rights are guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Read Also: 10th NASS: SDP chooses Ahmed Wadada to oversee its caucus

The court case that was brought forward by Naziru Isah Abdullahi and assigned the suit number FHC/ABJ/CD/409/2020 shed light on the terrifying events that took place around the time of Muhammad’s arrest and his untimely death.

Justice Abubakar affirmed that the evidence presented by Naziru Isah provided compelling proof that Ja’afar Muhammad was shot and injured while participating peacefully in a protest for ‘Free Zakzaky’ on July 22, 2019, at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja. The protest was calling for Zakzaky to be released from prison.

According to the article that was published in this newspaper, shortly after the shooting, Ja’afar was taken to the Gwagwalada Teaching Hospital for medical treatment. The shocking event occurred when the police removed him from the hospital against his will and transported him to the SARS Cell located in the Abattoir in Garki, Abuja.

According to reports, Ja’afar Muhammad was not given the necessary medical attention while he was in the custody of the police, which ultimately led to his untimely death on July 24, 2019.

In addition, Justice Abubakar emphasized that the evidence established beyond a reasonable doubt that Ja’afar Muhammad’s body was taken to the Asokoro District Hospital in Abuja after his death. This was another point that he emphasized.

As a consequence of this, the court issued an order that instructed the Inspector General of Police and the Medical Director of Asokoto District Hospital to hand over Ja’afar Muhammad’s remains to his family so that they could be buried as quickly as possible in accordance with the precepts of Islamic law.

Read Also: Ebonyi Communities Unrest After Gunmen Burn 3 Cars and Injure 1 Person

In addition, the court ordered that the Inspector General of Police pay the applicant, Naziru Isah, restitution in the amount of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) for the unlawful detention and killing of Ja’afar Muhammad.

Tallen, like Fayemi, claims EFCC did not invite her for fraud

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coic
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Pauline Tallen, the former minister of women’s affairs, claims that she visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on her own initiative and was not formally invited or interrogated by the anti-graft organisation.

The former minister claimed in a statement made public on Saturday, June 3, that the purpose of her trip to the EFCC was to refute some accusations made against her.

“Around 9 o’clock yesterday night, rumours that I had been detained by the EFCC started to spread. Several media outlets that were either malicious or misinformed carried this fake news. I would like to clarify that I approached the EFCC voluntarily to address the recent, blatantly false accusation made against me, Tallen said.

According to reports, the EFCC detained and questioned the former minister for women’s affairs in Abuja on suspicion of money laundering.

Tallen is under investigation, according to a report citing an EFCC source, for the alleged misappropriation and diversion of N2 billion in funds.

The ex-minister arrived at our Abuja Zonal Command (not the headquarters) on invitation at around 12 o’clock, but as of 8:30 o’clock she was still being questioned by commission investigators.

“She’s being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds and corrupt enrichment to the tune of N2 billion, and part of the money was allegedly diverted from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project,” the source was cited as saying.

However, Tallen claimed in the statement that despite the fact that she had previously been the subject of fraud accusations, she had delayed responding to them out of respect for the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

“First off, if this had been a legitimate inquiry, the decent and fitting course of action would have been to write to the Ministry for Women Affairs and inquire about any funds sent to the Ministry.

It is extremely unprofessional, shows a lack of respect for the Ministry of Women Affairs, and is damaging to my person and character, said Tallen, to jump into the open without any proper formal correspondence.

A former minister has visited the EFCC office twice in the past week, both times coming out to refute reports that the events were related to allegations of corruption.

On Friday, June 2, it was reported that former Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi denied rumours that the EFCC was looking into him for an alleged N4 billion fraud.

According to the report, Fayemi was interrogated on June 1 at the EFCC’s zonal command office in Kwara State.

His interrogation reportedly came after the anti-graft agency had invited him to respond to allegations of money laundering totaling N4 billion made against him last month.

On the other hand, Fayemi stated in a statement that was released on Friday, June 2, by his spokesperson, Ahmad Sajoh, that the alleged misappropriation of N4 billion was not brought up during his discussions with EFCC officials on Thursday.

He asserted that the sole purpose of the visit was to respond to what he characterised as a groundless petition that had been submitted by a group with the intention of smearing his reputation. According to him, he was given permission to leave the commission’s office a few hours after he arrived there and answered questions posed to him there.
“We wish to note, as well, that contrary to the news that made the rounds about a purported N4 billion fraud case against Dr. Fayemi, no such allegation was raised in his conversation with the EFCC. This is something that we would like to bring to your attention.
“All he did was respond to a frivolous petition from an anonymous group, the so-called Ekiti Patriotic Coalition,” the statement said. “We strongly believed that this faceless group is a front for some anti-Fayemi politicians who are trying to soil the former governor’s good name and image.”

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