Category Archives: Politics

By Ndon Asian

The presiding chief magistrate Emmanuel Iyana of Abuja Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse 6, has now reversed himself, setting aside his earlier order and warrant for the arrest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial flag bearer for Akwa Ibom State.

The ruling followed a motion filed by counsel to Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Bar Samuel Ikpo who asked the court not only to set aside its earlier order but also to decline jurisdiction which it wrongly assumed, thereby rendering every proceedings a nullity.

Chief magistrate Iyana, in his ruling delivered some minutes ago, admitted in line with the submission of Ikpo that the order was issued in error having been misled into assuming a jurisdiction he lacked in the first place.

He also set aside his his warrant for the arrest of the PDP flag-bearer on the same reason of having been misled to issue it.

It can be recalled that the magistrate had in late December 2022 issued an order for the arrest of the PDP governoship candidate under very controversial and suspicious circumstances.

The the controversial order followed a complaint by one Edet Godwin Etim who claimed to reside in Ibeno – Ibeno LGA, and who according to him, left the employ of Royalty Hotel Eket in Eket LGA.

The Defendant who has has been publicly campaigning had repeatedly stated that he was not aware of the existence of any case against him, having not been served any court processes; had resigned from the BOT of Royalty Hotel in 2020 to take up an appointment with the Akwa Ibom State Government as a Director.

News of the purported “conviction” by magistrate Iyana was recently broken by the Cable – an online news medium. Since the news emerged, many opposition figures and their supporters have taken to the social media to celebrate.

Apparently, Mr Etim may have to return to Akwa Ibom State where the jurisdiction lie, to begin the process afresh if he has sufficient substance to support his claims.

The matter was brought pursuant to section 89(3) and 101(1)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 for the offence of Cheating and Dishonesty of Inducing Delivery of Property in the Penal code.

The gubernatorial candidate of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the March 2023 election in Delta State, Chief Olorugun Kenneth Gbagi and his campaign team got a big endorsement from the Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Ughelli on Wednesday when the Governorship candidate visited the cleric.

The Bishop of the Anglican Communion Diocese, Right Rev Cyril Odutemu who conducted the New Year Annual Prayer Service at the Anglican Girls Communion School ground endorsed the ambition of Chief Gbagi to become the next Governor of the state.

The Cleric prayed for the success of Olorugun Gbagi in his quest to become the next occupant of the Delta State Government House in Asaba, while presenting him to the congregants.

The Cleric further blessed the gubernatorial candidate asking that God should grant him the power and will to do as he promised.

Speaking earlier, Olorugun Gbagi urged the people of Delta State to vote him as their next governor based on his track record as a former minister, administrator and human capacity developer.

The popular and energetic politician said, during his tenure as a Federal Minister he created 13 Federal Universities across the country, “within that short period, I brought the Federal Government Girls College to Ughelli South and I’ll do more”, he added.

He continue by urging the good people of Delta State to take their fate in their hands and liberate their states this 2023, “if we don’t liberated ourselves then we are in trouble. Hence, my conscious efforts in creating facilities that would generate employment opportunities”.

He further promised to initiate Local Government reforms that would make Local Governments autonomous and viable.
“I promised to pay unemployed youths in Delta State N30,000 every month till they are gainful employed”.

According to political observers, the endorsement of Kenneth Gbagi by Bishop Odutemu is a major milestone that would greatly increase his chances at the polls. It could be recalled that community leaders from Ughelli South and other great leaders from communities across the state have been endorsing Gbagi as the next Governor .

The Delta State governorship candidate under the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olorugun Kenneth Gbagi is undoubtedly the best among the rest as his outstanding achievements is speaking loud and clear in his favour as the man the good people of Delta State need as their governor at this juncture.

As a minister for State For Education, under his tenure, 13 Federal Universities were created, while numbers of educational reforms were introduced which saw to heavy government funding of tertiary, secondary and primary schools. By and large, these reforms have helped increased the access of millions of Nigerians to education at all levels.

According to Fabian Idehin, a journalist, “Mr Gbagi within that short period as a minister introduced series of reforms that triggered the positive growth of the educational sector in the country.

“He made sure that the federal government invested heavily in primary and secondary schools across the country with the aim of bringing secondary and primary schools closer to the masses and it worked”.

Idehin added,
“It was the efforts made by the former minister that led to the creation of 13 Universities in country.

“He also instituted reforms at the tertiary levels which led to more enrolment of candidates into universities, polytechnics and monothenics. Furthermore, students were given more access to loans and scholarships while tertiary institutions enjoy more fundings from local and international partners

“At the homefront, Mr Gbagi ensured that a Federal Girls College was established at Ughelli South to cater for the need of people from that areas”.

Before he became a Minister, the first Military Administrator of Delta State, Colonel Bassey Asuquo, had appointed him Chairman of Delta Development and Property Authority (DDPA) due to his capacity, sincerity and commitment to serving humanity in all honesty.

Chief Gbagi didn’t operate below the confidence reposed on him as within that short period, he came up with a revenue formular that saw the DDPA, which had a zero account balance when he assumed office, to have over N800 million in its accounts from issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.

It was testified that “As a businessman and an industralist who has employed hundreds and provided opportunities to numerous Deltans, Gbagi has the leadership qualities and what it’s takes to lead Delta State to the promised Land. As he had demonstrated and shown capacity while as Minister of State for Education and has a successful entrepreneur and industrialist.

Mrs. Mary Daniel, a house wife and residence of Asaba opined that

“The former Minister has invested his resources in generating employment opportunities within the state by building and setting up businesses to provide employment for jobless Deltans.

According to her, “If Olorugun Gbagi is elected as the next Governor of Delta State, for the first time, Delta State would have the highest private investor and employer of labour in the state, and incorruptible leader rolled into one, as a governor”.

Therefore, the best that the good people of Delta State can do at time is to queue behind Chief Kenneth Gbagi, give him all the supports he needs and massively vote for him to emerge as the next governor of Delta State.

The National Coordinator and Visioneer of the Nigeria Inter-faith Alliance (NIFA) who is the Chief Host of the Mother of all Endorsement Rally of Obi-Datti, Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas, declares that the organising committee has concluded all preparations toward the successful hosting of His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed live in Jikwoyi, Abuja for the endorsement rally.

While thanking all the members of the organising committee and the co-hosts of the occasion Sheikh Mahmoud Murtadam, Sheikh Alhassan Useni, Sheikh Mohammad Musa, Archbishop Charles Yohanna, Archbishop Jude Ifenetu and Bishop Samuel Eduviere for what he described as “perfect preparation” he added that “some of the expected over 3,000 Christian and Muslim Clerics from all 36 States of Nigeria and FCT are already arriving the city of Abuja from different parts of Nigeria. and many Nigerians in diaspora who will also grace the occasion are now in Abuja for the superlative history making event” kicking off 10 am tomorrow at 13th December, 2022 at World Harvest Pavilion by Ashaka Cement Bus Stop in Jikwoyi, Abuja

“Members of the public as well as OBIdient Support Groups who want to be on ground to welcome His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Barr Julius Abure and other distinguished personalities should arrive on time to avoid been crowded out”, the Archbishop concluded.

…Commends Nigerian Navy for Exonerating NNPCL

An Energy Expert ,Dr. Muhammad Kailani has commended the Nigerian Navy for putting the record straight which inter alia exonerated the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) from blame.

According to him , the Nigerian Navy taking a decisive step to clear the air of the much publicized oil theft saga and subsequently exonerating NNPCL of involvement as well as blame is not only worthy of commendation ,but a great feat.

Speaking during a Press briefing held at 20C, Blantyre Street, Abuja, Dr. Muhammad Kailani, who made the commendation ,urged government agencies to work in harmony with one another in order to avoid creating unnecessary panic and confusion in running government affairs.

Dr. Kailani a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the National Chairman of Network for Election Education And Awareness, said when government collaborate to fight or work for a common course the results are undoubtedly reflected in the progress and development of our country .

He emphasised,”That’s why Government Agencies must come together and work in harmony”.

He however said, in view of the on going campaign of calumny by some unpatriotic elements, it has become necessary to explain the position of things, particularly with regard to the effort being provided by the NNPCL in addressing the challenges of insecurity and oil theft, which has become a serious area of concern to the government and people of this country.

While stating that the Navy/NNPCL working relationship has remained cordial as attested by the Naval Headquarters.

According to him, for a long period of time the Nigerian Navy have had good working relationship with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and the Director, Information of the Naval Headquarters, Commodore AO Ayo Vaughan has cleared the air and confirmed.

While referring to the press release issued, by the Naval Commander, Dr. Kailani said the news report was popurtedly sponsored to malign the NNPCL as presenting incorrect figures about oil theft was not true.

He equally revealed that “The Navy and the NNPCL have cordial relationships and are working in harmony to ensure the protection of oil facilities across the country.

He further explained,”The monitoring system,which has been operational in the past has been reintroduced to further protect the oil facilities and monitor the process using the latest technology.

“That’s why the report was disregarded by the Nigerian Navy Headquarters as untrue, false and malicious and a misrepresentation of facts on what transpires at the public hearing of the Senate.

“A National Daily which reportedly said NNPCL has been presenting figures about oil theft that do not reflect the reality of the situation should be disregarded, the Naval officer was quoted to have said as he was quick to exonerate the NNPCL over the false allegations.

“What was reported was just an attempt to malign a very credible organisation that has been working to stabilize fuel supply and ensure the protection of national facilities in collaboration with the security agencies in the country.”

The national umbrella body of inter-faith clergy, comprising both Christian leaders and Islamic clerics across the 36 states of Nigeria and FCT has adopted the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and plans to hold endorsement rally to flag off religious communities massive mobilisation for Obi-Datti.

This was disclosed yesterday December 4, 2022 by Archbishop Prof Leonard Kawas while addressing pressmen at the headquarters of his church in Abuja shortly after the celebration of his 21st year as a Bishop.

According to the Archbishop who played host to the National Chairman of Labour Party, Barr Julius Abure and other dignitaries at the celebration of his 21 years of his ordination as a Bishop, Mr Peter Obi will storm Jikwoyi to be part of the endorsement rally slated for 10am on Tuesday December 13, 2022 at World Harvest Pavilion by Ashaka Cement Bus Stop in Jikwoyi, Abuja.

The cleric who is one of the key leaders of the inter-faith group and a co-convener of the proposed rally as well as the Chief Host of the events, further asserted that out of their teeming members, not less than three thousand (3,000) Christian and Muslim Clerics across all the states in Nigeria have strongly indicated interest to be part of the history making event and are preparing for the journey to Abuja for the occasion and to receive His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, his entourage Obi and some key leaders of Labour Party in person.