I will not impose any Guber candidate in 2023 – Akpabio
Niger Delta Minister Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio yesterday vowed that he will not impose any candidate on Uyo Senatorial District as its choice for the 2023 governorship election in the state. ‘‘My goal is to work with like-minded associates in Uyo Senatorial District (USD) and nominate a suitable candidate that would win the election. I have no particular person in mind, and I cannot repeat the mistake I made in 2015’’, Akpabio said at the inauguration of executives of Uyo Senatorial District chapter of Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum (ADF). It is the first time the former governor would address the issue in such a vehement and fervent manner in front of a large crowd of USD politicians; it was a direct rebuttal of insinuations and innuendoes spread by his political detractors that the Minister is planning to foist a particular aspirant as the choice of USD.
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By the zoning arrangement in the state, the next governor should come from Uyo Senatorial District (officially known as Akwa Ibom North East). Akpabio is from Akwa Ibom North-West (or Ikot Ekpene senatorial District). In the last few months, the former governor has been busy creating a political pressure group known as Akwa Ibom Democratic Forum in the state, thus triggering impressions that the group is his special purpose vehicle through which his anointed candidate would emerge.
But yesterday he was unequivocal in dispelling such allusions. He said: ‘’Akwa Ibom people of various political persuasions do agree that we need a dependable leadership in 2023’’, a direct reference to the motto of the group. ‘’In that case, I will work with all of you to identify and support any candidate that will develop our state…’’, he said, adding: ‘’Uyo Senatorial District is capable of bringing up good a good candidate that would be acceptable to the rest of the state. ADF will work with Uyo in this regard’’. His pledge was received with a standing ovation by the crowd that included eminent politicians like HE Sam Enwang, Dr. Maurice Ebong, Dr. Emaeyak Ukpong; Chief Etim Edem Akpaudo, Her Honour Mrs Valerie Ebe, Mrs Geraldine Ita Etuk, Bishop Ekpe James among many others.
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Speaking along the same line, HE Sam Ewang, a retired military officer who was governor of Ogun and Rivers State during the military era, confirmed that he has had several heart-to-heart discussions with Akpabio on the 2023 politics and he is certain that the minister ‘’will not impose any candidate on Uyo’’.
The idea of imposing a candidate rankles Akwa Ibom people to no end and reminds them of the sad experience of 2015. In that year’s election, Akpabio, then outgoing governor of the state brought a banker from Zenith Bank and imposed him on the state as his successor.
High point of the day was the inauguration of Dr. Emaeyak Ukpong as the coordinator of ADF in USD and other executives from the nine LGAs of the zone.
Former FMBN boss has been summoned by Senate over N3bn contract
The question raised by the AuGF in the report read, “Audit found that a contract was awarded to a contractor in four phases in an entire contract sum of N3,045,391,531.97. “A sum of N 644,040,000.00 was also provided in the Bill of Quantities for overseas instruction and other deliverables from the fourth and third stages of the arrangement, however, there was no evidence of implementation, in contravention of Financial Regulations 70.”
“Audit further detected, from a physical review of the site, a supply of N 80, 000,000.00 was created and paid for the execution of”Unified Access and Attendance System” however, the device was not functioning in accordance with specifications.
” A settlement agreement was entered into by the FMBN and Messrs Starter-Point Limited about the style of repayment of outstanding as a result of the lender. “It was also detected, from the examination of payment documents, the contractor was overpaid at the amount of N118,717,892.72 that resulted from irregular addition of 5 per cent Withholding Tax from the Bill of Quantity on each of the four phases of this contract. “The settlement agreement between the bank and the seller has also taken into account the payment made for your own off-shore training which was not done by the vendor. “No last payment was made by the lender on the stage four job.”
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“Payment of the contract sum for phases three and four were made to the contract from the prior Management depending on the landmark achievement as stated in the contract arrangement. “Each payment was licensed by Messes. Comsoft Limited, the in-house consultant appointed by the bank for the job.
Reacting to the AuGF, the Managing Director of FMBN, Mr. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, told the panel that the contract has been granted in 2011 by the previous management. The Senate panel, now scrutinising the 2015-2018 report of the Auditor General for the Federation, chose after a query raised from the FMBN by the AuGF from the record.
He further demanded the particulars of the contractor who executed the contract. The Senate Public Accounts Committee has summoned a former managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Gimba Yau Kumo, to appear before it to explain the motive supporting the alleged irregular award of N3bn if he was at the helms of the affairs of the bank. “Audit nonetheless noticed the second, fourth and third phases of the contract were over the acceptance thresholds of the Bank.
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“This (present ) management after an assessment of the functioning of the contractor’s responsibilities about the contract, expressed dissatisfaction with the support rendered by the builder. The Chairman of SPAC, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, in the last sitting of this panel, stated the Auditor General’s report demonstrated that the contract had been granted in four stages to one contractor. Dangiwa stated,
“The waiver was granted by the previous management in 2011 to design, construct and implement a Mortgage Banking Business Process Option workflow and infrastructure with the purpose of producing enterprise applications which will integrate each of the Bank’s procedures.
“Based on the contract specifications, the stage three modules were completed and operational, however, off-shore training wasn’t conducted for this phase. Not satisfied with the presentation, the Chairman of this Committee, arranged for the former MD of this FMBN to appear before the board and provide additional explanation.
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“The Direction, thereafter, severally engaged the contractor over all the problems surrounding the project including amongst others, the issue of overpayment of the amount of N118m as a result of erroneous addition of WHT into the contract award sum in each of the four phases as well as additional payment to the contractor. enate summons former FMBN boss over N3bn contract
Lalong talks tough as gunmen kill eight miners
At least persons were said to have been killed by gunmen in the Kuru community of Plateau state
It was gathered that the victims were miners doing their jobs behind Government Science School in the Kuru community
The gunmen attacked them two days ago around 8 pm.
Reacting to the incident yesterday, Governor Simon Lalong, condemned the attack which had created tension in the community
The governor described the attack as another desperate attempt by criminals to destabilise the state and create fear among the people.
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He said the government would not condone such attacks on innocent citizens, and directed security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of this dastardly act.
While commiserating with the families of those who were killed and those who sustained injuries, Lalong urged security agencies to resolve such attacks as excuses of “gunmen” would no longer be tolerated.
Lalong also advised the citizens to assist law enforcement agencies with useful intelligence and leverage on) structures such as the traditional institutions, community police constabulary, vigilante groups and other associations.
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Matawalle’s anti-south comments ‘irresponsible’
The Pan Niger Delta Forum has berated Governor Bello Matawalle over his recent comment that alleged southerners of attacking northerners indiscriminately in their region describing it as “irresponsible” and “unfortunate.”
Matawalle’s subtle threat that the north might launch a reprisal against southerners in its domain came on the heels of similar claims by the Northern Elders Forum.
But PANDEF, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, said while it ignored the warnings of the NEF because the nation was now used to their “unguarded utterances,” similar comments from Matawalle were “preposterous.”
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The statement read, “It is rather most unfortunate that the governor of Zamfara State, Mr. Bello Matawalle, would make such an irresponsible statement. We’ll ignore that of northern elders because the nation is used to their unguarded utterances but for a governor to make such a reckless declaration is completely preposterous.
“And it conveys how awful the nation’s political leadership has deteriorated, where self-seekers are thrust into hallowed positions, instead of patriots who would pursue national concord, particularly, at a moment like this when the country is facing daunting socio-economic challenges.
The PANDEF spokesman argued that with the country in a state of tension, such comments were not expected of anyone, much less a leader like the governor.
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“Nigeria is on the edge of a precipice, no one can tell what will come next. What is expected of leaders across the country now, especially the elite, is to rise to the occasion and build bridges of understanding, and not to reduce themselves to ‘local wildcats,’ fanning the embers of discord and hatred to aggravate the already precarious situation.
PANDEF also categorically stated that restructuring was not only a necessity but expedient for the survival of Nigeria as a united entity.
Hammed, Ogun Cobbler Electrocuted While Illegally Reconnecting Neighbours’ Electricity
The dreams of Hammed Omotosho, a secondary school leaver in Agbado, Ogun State, sadly ended after he had been electrocuted while fixing the power of a construction disconnected at the area.
Some residents of a home on Ishola Street, Absolute, Agbado Crossing participated Omotosho penultimate Saturday night to reconnect their power supply allegedly disconnected from the electricity distribution company workers serving the area.
It was gathered that there was an outage when Hammed climbed the pole but while he was in the center of the task, electricity was restored.
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He was said to have got a jolt from a naked cable, dropped off-balance, crashed onto the floor and expired on the place.
A source in the area told our correspondent that the inhabitants fled in the consequent panic, adding that the incident was reported on the Agbado Police Division.
He was diligent and talented. He assisted people in repairing electrical problems in their homes in exchange for a token. The house he went to the Saturday night of March 27 was pumped along with the residents who desired to reconnect the power.
“There was no power before he began the relationship. But while he was at it, electricity was restored about 11 am. He had been electrocuted. Those who invited him fled home because of fear of being attacked. Policemen from Agbado branch came to eliminate his corpse.”
Sikiru, who spoke to our correspondent on the phone on Wednesday, said Omotosho did not learn electrical function, stating that he was not aware that he helped people connect the power.
He stated, “I was not at home on the day the incident happened. I learnt he went into the road to assist the occupants to reconnect their power. He had been a cobbler and a part of Man’0 War. He wanted to enrol from the Nigerian Army.
“I was amazed about it because I am not aware he climbed electric poles. He was a nice and hard-working boy. He came through for his mother and me if we did not have money. He was so passionate about joining the military.”
The Police Public Relations Officer from the state, Abimbola Oyeyemisaid the dead person’s family members were not interested in pursuing a case against people who invited Omotosho, including that the corpse was released to them for burial according to Islamic rites.
He said, “It’s true. He went to help individuals connect electricity illegally. He had been on the electric pole when power was restored. He was electrocuted. The family said they had approved his death in great faith.
“People will need to stop illegal connections. Electricity isn’t something everyone can tamper with anyway. If it were to be an official of the energy company, the company would know he was working and wouldn’t restore power at that moment. It’s unfortunate.”
With effect from next week, all officers and soldiers are to dress in their plain green jacket
As of next week, men and officials will probably be dressing in their plain green jackets on Mondays and Fridays.
The Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, has encouraged a brand new dress code for officers and men of their Nigerian Army.
The directive, according to army sources, was contained in a sign to all Army units and formation across Nigeria.
The directive comes around three months after Mr Attahiru, a lieutenant general, assumed office.
The new directive a part of this restructuring being undertaken by the new army leadership.
Soon after assuming office, the military leader approved the redeployment of 204 of its own officials to brand new formations across the country.
The redeployment came the same day Mr Attahiru was confirmed and elevated from the status of major general to lieutenant general.
Reforms in the military are usually expected especially when there’s a change of leadership.
Mode of Dressing
With effect from next week, all officers and soldiers would be to dress in their plain green coat on Mondays and Fridays. The apparel is popularly known as the “number four dress” from the military.
The number four apparel is similar to a short-sleeved lawsuit, popularly called safari. It has four buttons and four pockets and is usually worn with a peak cap.
The new directive further stated that on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, all soldiers and officers would be groom in the green uniform that needs them to tuck in. It’s “called number five apparel”;
The number five apparel is short-sleeved apparel worn with a beret and may be worn with a combat boot or bate shoe.
The substances for number five and four dresses are the same with their fashions being the only real difference.
The directive further said that the apparel for a variety of operations still stays the woodland and desert camo based on the area of Operation. It’s referred to as the number six apparel.
“Butatai gave a brand new directive while he was in power that amounts four uniform be utilized only for seminars and number five for office,” the source stated.
He added that the new directive is not new to the military.
Massive Turnout As Delta Holds State Constituency By-Election
It is reported that the supply of election materials in the Registration Area Centres (RACs) into a variety of polling units began at approximately 7:00 am while the certification of respondents started at approximately 8:30 am in some of their polling units.
The voters that included youths and older were pleased to exercise their civil rights.
A player, Mrs. Aghogho Elias, stated: “I wish to throw my vote because I’m alive.”
There were several vehicles and individuals on the streets while safety personnel manned different strategic places and polling units throughout the country constituency.
This was in fulfillment of this directive of the Commissioner of Police (CP), Delta Control, Ari Ali, who had issued an order controlling the movement of men between Friday midnight and 4:00 pm Saturday at the place.
They explained it as a deliberate effort to manipulate the outcomes.
Mr. Godnews Agbi, an APC chieftain, stated that the collapse of these card readers proved to be a calculated effort by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into thumbprint ballot papers.
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“At Ozoro Ward two, they ripped off the clothes of one of our representatives and it’s a deliberate strategy of their PDP into thumbprint,” Agbi alleged.
At a Swift answer, Mr. Nelson Egware, Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa on Media, stated that PDP Shouldn’t Be blamed for the collapse of their card readers.
“If a person is falling, he seems for something to hold on to.
“In my own unit, card readers are operating and people are voting, there’s nothing like thumb printing of ballot papers.
“l believe it is precisely the exact same thing around the wards in the constituency,” Egware explained.
The Chairman of PDP at Isoko North Local Government Area,” Mr. Godwin Ogorugba, voiced satisfaction with the turnout of Republicans.
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Ogorugba, that voted in Otibio, unit, voiced satisfaction with the by-election.
Additionally, Mr. Jude Ogbimi, PDP candidate at the by-election expressed pleasure at the peaceful behavior of this election while he hunted at Otibio, unit two.
NAN remembered that the by-election was for the empty Delta House of Assembly chair generated by the passing of Tim Owhefere, its former Majority Leader, in January at age 57.