POLITICS
Anambra Polls: Etiaba not Our Candidate—AA tells INEC
By Jude Opara, Abuja
With barely two months to the November 6 Anambra State governorship election, the Action Alliance (AA) has protested to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the adoption of Ben Etiaba as the party’s candidate for the election.
National Chairman of the party, Barr.
Kenneth Udeze who led the protest told newsmen that INEC has also failed to only operate as an unbiased umpire, even as he alleged that some staff of the commission had decided to compromise the process by ensuring the recognition of Etiaba instead of their preferred candidate, John Okechukwu Ikeotunye.The AA leadership who also submitted a formal protest letter to the INEC Chairman, Prof.
Mahmood Yakubu reminded the Commission about some earlier litigations to buttress its points said there were credible suspicion that some staff of the Commission were hell-bent in destroying the party.He added that it was as a result of the Court Order which INEC was forced to comply with that also saw the National Chairman of AA, Chief Udeze emerging as the National Legal Adviser of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
“Moving on, the Party conducted its National elective convention on April 8th, 2017 where Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led National Executive committee (NEC) of Action Alliance AA, was duly elected under your supervision for a four years term renewable.
“Fast forward 2019, INEC having been dealing with Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze as AA National Chairman, UDEZE was elected the National Legal Adviser of the Inter Party Advisory council (IPAC) within your first tenure as INEC Chairman.”
The National Chairman further contended that the AA was also challenged in another suit instituted against it by one Adekunle Omoaje, but the Court struck it out for want of diligent prosecution.
“In another related suit, in an FCT high court Suit NO: FCT/HC/CV/2705/2019 presided over by Hon. Justice O.C. Agabaza, dismissed a suit for an order of court to stop the National Chairman, chief Barr Kenneth Udeze from parading himself as AA National Chairman.
“While these valid court judgements and findings subsists and never been challenged on appeal including the latest judgement of Justice Binta Mohammed in SUIT NO: FCT/HC/CV/2080/2020 between Chief Kenneth Udeze Vs. INEC & 2 ORS delivered on 12th day of February, 2021, your commission out of over zealousness and lawlessness refused to give effects to the orders and findings of courts of competent jurisdiction because it is compromised through some of your staff, who must be made to declare truly their interest in Action Alliance and the reason to destroy our party.”
The AA therefore charged INEC to rise up and dig deep to fish out the alleged fifth columnists within its operations especially as it concerns some alleged compromised staff of the Commission with a view to unknot the avoidable causes of pre-election cases by recalcitrant political parties that work in connivance with INEC Staff.
“It appears that this same INEC staff, has accepted to be used by external forces (politicians from other parties, especially in APC) to hijack the party by facilitating every form of illegality and sabotage against the leadership of Chief Barr Kenneth Udez led National Executive and we have come to officially inform you that we cannot allow such intimidation to stand or thrive, not under our leadership.”
The party concluded that apart from John Okechukwu Ikeotuonye, any other person parading himself as the candidate of the AA in the November 6 Anambra state governorship election is illegitimate and cannot stand.
POLITICS
Abiodun Appoints Tunde Onakoya Sports Ambassador
Kunle Idowu,Abeokuta
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has appointed Mr. Tunde Onakoya, the National Master of Chess and the current Guinness World Record Holder for the longest Chess Marathon in history, the Sports Ambassador of the State.
Governor Abiodun, who made this known on Thursday when he received Mr.
Abiodun, who was impressed with the achievement of the National Chess Master at the global stage, said this could not have been possible without determination and resilience and hard work.
“I can see why you continue to be an inspiration to many young people across the length and breath of this country. You have gone further by establishing a foundation called the ‘Chess in Slums Africa’ because you are determined to tell your story and encourage other children and get them out of the slums and give them hope and a future.
“Today, we will be officially appointing you as our State Sports Ambassador. Coincidentally, Ogun State will be hosting the National Sports Festival in the next nine months or thereabouts and we are boasting that we are set to host the best National Sports Festival that has never been held in the history of this country and coincidentally, chess is one of the games that will feature in that event.
“I have decided that because of you and in your honour, we will begin an Ogun State Chess Competition across the length and breath of the state. Since you are now officially our Sports Ambassador and our Chess Ambassador, we will leave it to you to design that competition from the local government all the way to the state level.
“But we as your state, we will have a sponsor in the Tunde Onakoya Prize, for the winner of that competition,” the governor explained.
The governor likened the travails of the Chess Master to that of millions of youths in Nigeria who are struggling to make something out of their lives, stating that his achievements in the face of difficulties is a testimony that life does not recognize where one comes from, place of birth or parent’s status in the society.
He commended the longest Chess Marathon holder in the world, for his resolve to succeed without engaging in dubious activities, noting that with the feat, he has joined the league of illustrious sons and daughters who have done Ogun State proud in their chosen endeavours.
Mr. Onakoya had earlier told the governor of his immense gratitude for the support he received from Nigerians in his march to stardom, adding that he felt proud to be a Nigerian.
He also recalled his challenges while growing up, noting that he saw chess as a way out of poverty and ability to think critically beyond the surface.
Onakoya acknowledged the unpopularity of chess in the country, attributing it to lack of understanding of the value of the game.
He said he has intensified efforts in making the game popular in Lagos, Kenya and other parts of Africa, saying he and his team are trying to bring the game to the grassroots in collaboration with Lufthansa Airlines.
Onakoya said he was determined to break the world record as it was said that no human had played the game beyond 56 hours, but he did it in 60 hours.
He thanked governor Abiodun for the honour done to him and his parents, pledging to work with the government to make the game attractive to the youths.
“I am proud to be a Nigerian and from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, I felt highly honoured and happy in the way Nigerians all over the world supported me immensely to achieve this feats and the honour accorded me by our royal fathers and His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, my state Governor,” Onakoya said.
POLITICS
Reps Threaten Sanctions against NNPCL, Others over Environmental Degradation
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
The House of Representatives on Wednesday, threatened to sanction the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, (NNPCL), other oil companies and agencies of government, responsible for the environmental degradation caused by the activities of oil companies in oil producing communities of the country.
This is just as the joint Committee of the House probing the matter, summoned the Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mr Mele Kyari, and others, to appear before it for the probe.
The summon was handed down by the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon Pondi Julius Gbabojor, at an investigative hearing on the need to investigate the service and unprecedented environmental damage within the communities on Wednesday.
Also to appear before the joint committee are the chief executives of some oil companies and relevant government agencies.
The House Committees include Environment, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream) and Climate Change.
Gbabojor said the matter to be addressed was critical as he threatened appropriate sanctions if those invited failed to turn up.
Besides the NNPCL, oil companies summoned include Chevron Nigeria Limited, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Total Energies, Oando Oil Limited, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited Seplat Energy among others.
Also government agencies summoned include Nigeria Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, National Oil Spill Detection Response Agency, National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency.
When the probe commenced on Wednesday, only four out of 35 oil companies and agencies invited for the probe showed up.
The National Environmental Standards Regulations and Enforcement Agency, however sent an excuse through a representative, but the rest did not give any reason for their absence.
The Committee members however complained that even the four that turned up submitted the relevant documents just the previous day, not giving the lawmakers enough time to study it for the probe.
They rued the attitude of the oil companies and agencies saying it impeded efforts aimed at moving the country to a better place.
Gbabojor said, “We will write another letter to everybody. They should turn up to answer questions on issues pertaining to degradation of the environment due to the activities of oil companies.
“They have to be here on the 8th of May. If anybody fails to show up, then we would not decide as a committee on what to do. I want to believe that there was enough time, two letters were sent, there was ample time for them to see the letters and duly honour. But for putting on a human face, we would still give another time to do so,” he said.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, in his opening remarks earlier said it was important to protect the environment.
Represented by the Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, he said, “I fully recognize the immense responsibility which befalls us as public servants to protect and safeguard our environment and meet the challenges posed by the ravages of environmental damages, and the need to balance economic prosperity and social responsibility to ultimately achieve equitable development.
“Also as representatives of the people, we must ensure that the voices of those most affected by environmental damage are heard and respected. We have to listen to the fears that are faced by frontline communities, indigenous people, and marginalized groups who usually bear the brunt of environmental injustice.
“It is therefore, for this reason that the House mandated the Committees on Environment, Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Petroleum Resources (Downstream), and Climate Change, to investigate the environmental damage in oil producing communities caused by non-compliance to extant laws by oil producing companies.”
POLITICS
Ondo Guber: PDP Holds Primary Election Today
By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold its primary election in Ondo State today (Thursday, April 25, 2024) to select a candidate for the Governorship Election in November and has approved a seven-member electoral committee to conduct the exercise.
In a statement on Wednesday, the PDP said the exercise will be held at the International Culture and Event Centre, The Dome, Akure, Ondo State.
The statement listed the seven-member electoral committee as Sen. Ewhrudjakpo Oborawhartevwo, Chairman, Hon. Oluwole Busayo Oke, member, Rt. Hon. Muktar Ahmed, Member, Haj. Hassana Diko, Member, Barr. John Mathew, Member; Hon. Nnena Ikondon, Member and Hon. Dare Adeleke, Secretary.