POLITICS
Alleged N1.3trn Diversion: PDP Demands Immediate Release of Okowa
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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Economic and Financial Crimes commission (EFCC) to immediately release of former Gov.
Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta.The party’s Deputy National Deputy Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, made the call at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja. Operatives of the anti-graft agency had confirmed the arrest of Okowa, the PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections. According to EFCC, Okowa was arrested when he reported at its Port Harcourt directorate. The former Delta governor was arrested for allegedly diverting N1.3 trillion being proceeds of 13 per cent derivation funds that accrued to the state during his tenureOsadolor described Okowa’s detention by EFCC as political witch-hunting, persecution and another method of silencing the opposition parties, saying that this was not good for democracy.He said Okowa had been working free until the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, started criticising government policies.“It is surprising that a man who came to the EFCC office himself was detained and till now, he is still in detention.“The man was not evading arrest. He is a global figure and he is being robed with humongous figures which is not true.“Delta state government has not said that its money is missing.“EFCC is playing the role of a litigant and that of the prosecution, and going to the media with an investigation that was purportedly ongoing.“The development is very dangerous and we must condemn it,” he said.Osadolor said that some former governors and leaders of the ruling party were having some financial management allegations against them and yet walking freely.“What is the difference with what has happened in the case of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa if not mere politics.“Okowa should be released while media trials and embarrassment of opposition leaders must stop.“We should also know that there is a pattern, from the arrest of Okowa, by next week, EFCC may go after Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo.“This is a plan targetted at opposition leaders in the country.“We are not saying that political office leaders should not be called to account but it should be devoid of political sentiments,” he said.Osadolor advised the anti-graft agency not to see itself as an extension of the ruling party or the presidency, but a neutral, independent body that investigates financial crimes.“We are also calling for a total overhaul of the EFCC Act so that no president, no matter how powerful he is, can appoint directors for the commission.“Let the judiciary or the senate be the one that will appoint the chairman or board members of EFCC.“It should be removed from the exclusive control of the presidency,” he said.(NAN)POLITICS
Obaseki Slams Gov Okpebholo Over Alleged N96bn LG Fraud
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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki has slammed his Successor, Monday Okpebholo over allegation that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members benefited from alleged N96 billion local government fraud during his administration.
Reacting to the report of a probe panel set up by Governor Okpebholo, Media Adviser to former Governor Godwin Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, described the fraud allegation as “another desperate effort to justify Okpebholo’s unconstitutional onslaught on duly elected council excos.
”Part of the statement reads: “We have read with disdain a statement by Monday Okpebholo alleging that the elected 18 local government chairmen in Edo State mismanaged N96 billion, in another of Okpebholo’s frantic efforts to justify his unconstitutional onslaught on the elected leadership of the third tier of government.
“What is most shocking about the statement is that Okpebholo appears to be completely oblivious of the fact that he does not have supervisory responsibility over the local governments and can therefore not set up any investigation of government officials that are elected into office just like him.
“As a matter of fact, these local government chairmen have a better claim to their democratic office than he, whose election stands on a knife edge, with the election petition tribunal preparing to deliver justice in the September 21, 2024 election, widely believed to have been rigged.
“Also advertising Okpebholo’s ignorance is his attempt, as usual, to drag His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki into his propaganda.
“Okpebholo should kindly note that Obaseki was never obsessed with control of local government funds during his tenure, as Okpebholo has shown himself to be in the last three months.
“We are forced to, by this statement, inform Okpebholo that there are limits to his powers as governor, and if he believes there are financial infractions in a separate tier of government from his own, he should simply inform the relevant agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
“Okpebholo needs to be reminded that he is neither the Inspector General of Police nor the Chairman of the EFCC.
“We urge all Edo people and Nigerians to ignore the lies and falsehood propagated by Okpebholo in his statement and to rest assured that His Excellency Godwin Obaseki, who is clearly the target of Okpebholo’s witch hunt ran the most transparent government in the history of Edo State and had no authority over local government funds at any time during his eight years in office.
POLITICS
We Never Zoned 2027 Presidential Ticket to S/East – Labour Party
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By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The leadership of the Labour Party has denied the news making the rounds that it has zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South East.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Obioral Ifoh, the party emphasised that it has not and will not zone any of its positions to any geographical zone or individual.
While making reference to a statement released on Sunday titled, “2027: Labour Party still available for Ndigbo to realise presidency – Abure”, Ifoh declared that the party did not at any time said it has zoned the presidency or any of its positions in the coming election.
The party was emphatic on its position that though, it made its platform available for the South East to pursue its political aspirations in the 2023 election, it will not close its doors to the zone if it chooses to work with the party in future elections.
According to Ifoh, “the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure on Saturday while speaking at a gathering of South East members of the party in FCT only advised that Ndigbo can still achieve the presidency if they are more united and are able to reach out to other groups, and that the Labour Party is a veritable platform for their aspiration.”
The Labour Party Spokesman stressed that the LP is a national party and has large followership across the country and therefore the issue of zoning does not arise.
“In 2023 general elections, the party won seats in the North and across the Southern states and we are working hard to surpass that achievement in future elections.
“Candidates of every position must emerge through highly competitive and democratic processes as the party constitution does not permi zoning.
“We therefore regret the misinterpretation of the party’s noble intention by a section of the media. Our party was quoted out of context.
“However, we are excited by the deluge of concerns raised by the public over the misinformation, it clearly shows the level of love and trust Nigerians have for the Labour Party and how far they are willing to support the party in the task of repositioning Nigeria and ensuring that the democracy works again in our dear country.
“We seize this opportunity to call on Nigerians to have faith in the Labour Party and to support us for the huge task ahead. We will not fail you. Together, we shall overcome.”
POLITICS
APC Condemns Alleged Attacks on its Members in Zamfara
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The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned alleged attacks on its members by some sponsored suspected thugs.
This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the State APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris.“The state APC leadership described the incident as uncalled for. “This is condemnable and unacceptable, we are calling on the security agencies in the state to ensure a thorough investigation of the matter,” Idris said. He added that the APC as a peace loving party in the state would not accept any obnoxious and unwarranted acts of intimidation and harassment.“The APC will continue to maintain its position as the strongest political party in Zamfara and nobody will intimidate us.“The State APC chapter is hereby warning politicians in the state who always attack its members and properties especially when the party is organising or carrying out an activity in the state.“Our members were attacked by some suspected political thugs while moving from Gusau to Bungudu town for a function organised by a lawmaker, Abdulmalik Zubairu,” the spokesperson added.According to Idris, the members of the party were moving to attend the official inauguration of over N1billion worth of empowerment projects executed by Rep. Abdulmalik Zubairu for the benefit of his constituents and the state in general.“The political thugs openly and strategically stationed themselves along the Gusau to Bungudu Road to perpetrate the attack.“This led to the destruction of many vehicles and wounding of their occupants simply because they are APC members.“We are therefore calling on the state Police Command and other security agencies to immediately swing into action and arrest the suspected perpetrators,” Idris urged.The State APC leadership also urged its members to remain patient as the party would ensure that justice was done to all those attacked and those who sustained injuries.Idris appealed, “We are also calling on our members to remain calm and not to be discouraged by any intimidation and harassment.” (NAN