POLITICS
Crisis may Terminate APC Rule in Kwara State – Assembly Member
From Alfred Babs, Ilorin
A member of the Kwara State House of Assembly, representing Ojomu/Balogun constituency of Offa, Hon. Saheed Popoola has expressed fear over the unending crisis rocking the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) saying that it may lead to the end of the government formed by the party in the state.
Popoola who is a member of the “APC Loyal” (Lai Mohammed group in Kwara state) made the observation while answering questions at the Kwara NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel Personality Interview Programme ‘Newskeg’ on Sunday in Ilorin.
He said, “It’s obvious that we have a lot of divides in Kwara APC, we are in two factions, and I will keep saying it that the basis of the division is the leader of the party ‘Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’ who supposed to be a unifying factor, but unfortunately he is the divider of the party, this, I said in many foray and I can say it anywhere”
“We started the Otoge struggle with a lot of efforts all of us did it together with one mind, but at the end of the day, immediately we came on board, what we heard from the Governor was that Alhaji Lai Mohammed did not work for me, I want to remove Hon Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa (BOB) as party chairman, Saheed Popoola must not be speaker, something that all of us did together in unison, but at the end of the day, this is what resulted to ‘APC Loyal’ that are led by our chairman Hon.
Bolarinwa.
“Who knows, the crisis started by the Governor might even be intentional, in order for him to be on top of all affairs, because when you are together with somebody like Lai Mohammed, BOB, Professor Shuaib Oba AbdulRaheem, Akogun Oyedepo and others with sharp intellect, when you are in meeting with them, you would know that you are talking to intellectuals and you can not just tell them anything, they won’t take it. So, he decided to cause crisis, in order for him to dodge us through that way”
“Unfortunately, the National leadership of our party did not do well in this crisis, and I keep saying it that our crisis is likely to be the beginning of the end of APC in Kwara State, because even the National Caretaker Committee that supposed to be the arbiter in this case have taken side because they said the party belongs to the Governors. But, they should remember that they took side in Adamawa and Bauchi and they lost, if it remains like that in this state, it’s likely that the same history will repeat itself”
“Governors are not God, we are not anybody’s puppet here, and that was the reason for the creation of ‘APC Loyal’ where can you see ‘APC Loyal’ in Nigeria? You should know that we are up to the game and ready, we are not leaving the party, we have fundamental right of freedom of association, what I am saying in this case is that, it’s the Governor that can do genuine reconciliation, if at all it will happen”
“We are APC Loyal, they said we don’t have party, no problem, during elections, they will know if we have party or not.
“The almighty Governors of Nigeria are our major problem in this country, they are too powerful and selfish, let’s look at what they are doing to the President on Electoral Amendment Bill, unfortunately, we have not known our enemies in this country, until we know that the ‘Governors Forum’ is the basis of our problems in Nigeria.
“Give the autonomy to the House of Assembly, they said No, despite that a law has been passed, president even said Executive Order 10 should be implemented, so that, the autonomy of House of Assembly and Judiciary can be implemented, they said No, for the past two years. So, when Governor said you can not become a speaker, what can you do?
“But I could have done my worst, if not for Asiwaju Tinubu, that called me and said, Saheed, I don’t want to hear any noise from kwara through your speakership contest, and I kept quiet. I have hired 3 Senior Advocate Nigeria (SAN) to go to Court and make sure that the rule of the House is entrenched, as the only returning lawmaker in the Assembly.”
Popoola who claimed to be the first person to contest election under APC in the country said, “I am the first person to contest under APC in the whole of Nigeria, immediately the party was formed in 2013, I had my election as chairman of Offa local government council, just one month after, so I have every right to talk about APC, because the way the party is going most importantly at the National level, it is not speaking well of progressive, you can see court ruling on the governorship election held in Anambra, and I said it when they were concocting figure that Andy Uba won primary election, I know of my friend George Moghalu that contested the primary and he did not even see materials for that election and you were declaring somebody a winner of election that never took place in real sense”
“The court now said APC did not participate in Anambra election. This is the work of our almighty Governors, I think they have hijacked the party and they have put the party on a part of sliding, only God can save APC at the moment. They have hijacked and destroyed the party, they can not even fix a date for convention. Look at how PDP is getting their activities right, maybe it’s because they have suffered a lot of setbacks and their sense is very straight now, they are doing everything correctly”
Back to kwara “Let me tell you, kwarans will further teach Nigerians, a better ways to vote in 2023, they did it in Otoge, and people now know that Kwara is not a state of the dullards. ‘That is how outsiders refer to us in the past’ this time around they will know better, by the time they see different party emerging at different level of elective positions, we are better informed and politically conscious”
Popoola who was the only returning member in the 24 member 9th Kwara Assembly, eulogized the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu-Danladi for excellent performance in the Assembly.
“I have no regret of not been the speaker, because I am enjoying, Hon. Yakubu, as if I am the one there. I love him and I cooperate maximally with him and other members. He is a young guy, but very very intelligent, excessively intelligent, he is doing what I could have done, if I happen to be the speaker.
“He knows where to start and stop but, unfortunately for the 9th Assembly, the influences of the Governor is overbearing, he said.”
On the suspension of the only PDP member in the Assembly, Hon. Jimoh Agboola, “the opposition in the state is too weak, it’s not for Agboola to be talking, it’s the party that supposed to be shouting, I don’t know of a party that they would suspend its member and you keep quite, they just leave the guy to his fate. Let me now tell you why I would still repeat it that the leadership of the 9th Assembly is very fantastic, as I am talking to you, I don’t believe Hon. Agboola is on suspension, because he is taking his salaries, all his allowances, all his entitlement is being given to him by leadership of the Assembly led by Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, we even traveled to Kigali in Rwanda together, there is nothing they are doing in the House that they don’t call him, the only little different is probably, he has not been allowed to attend plenary.
“Just like I said, there are some external influence on this matter, and they need to be cautioned, Legislative House is an autonomous arm of government. A member of a parliament can not be suspended by his colleagues from another constituencies, it’s a Supreme Court judgement”, Popoola affirmed.
Responding to question on recent visit to Tinubu in Lagos by some APC members in the state, he said that 12 members of the Kwara APC loyal group visited the National leader of the party when he arrived the country after the overseas medical treatment adding that “Asiwaju Tinubu received us well and chatted with us for over five hours. Let me say this, the only person that is bringing unity to APC today in Nigeria is Tinubu.”
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has implored voters in Ondo State to re-elect Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
Shettima made the call on Wednesday while addressing the crowd at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park, Akure, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign.
The Vice-President assured that the duo would bring hope, prosperity, and unity.
He added that they would ensure that the sun continued to shine brighter in the sunshine state.
Shettima told the electorate to ensure their votes collectively become their voice, conviction and message to those underestimating APC’s strength and will in the state.
“Aiyedatiwa is not merely campaigning to hold onto a position — he is campaigning to bring hope, prosperity, and unity to every corner of Ondo State.
” I am confident he is the leader who can turn these ambitions into realities. This election is more than a choice between two candidates.
” It is a choice between progress and stagnation; unity and division. It is a chance to stand with a party that has consistently delivered and with a leader who truly understands the heartbeat of Ondo.
“So, as you go to the polls, remember what we stand for. Remember what you deserve: a governor with the experience, the compassion, and the strength to keep pushing Ondo toward greatness.
“Let’s secure Ondo’s future together. Let us vote APC, and re-elect Aiyedatiwa,” he said.
Extending President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill to the people of the state, Shettima said the President was in support of Aiyedatiwa.
According to him, President Tinubu is confident that the governor’s re-election will sustain the commitment of APC to the people’s well-being.
“Today, I bring you the goodwill of President Tinubu, who would have loved to be here today, but he is with us in spirit, and he has fully endorsed the Aiyedatiwa-Adelami ticket as the torchbearers of prosperity for the state,” he said.
Shettima urged the people of Ondo to look beyond distractions and instead at the integrity and stability, the APC has brought to the state.
“Look at the work we’ve done to strengthen our economy; even if the gains may not always be immediately visible. Consider the real, practical solutions APC offers to make the sun shine brighter in Ondo State,” he added.
He described Aiyedatiwa and his deputy as men of exceptional courage and leaders tested by challenges that would have deterred many.
Shettima noted that the governor had shown remarkable resilience in building a formidable force for the APC in the state.
“From overcoming politically motivated attacks to uniting our great party, he has proven himself not just a survivor but a leader who stands strong for the good people of the sunshine state,” he said.
Earlier, Aiyedatiwa urged the people to vote for APC, saying that his predecessor, late Rotimi Akeredolu, would be happy seeing all APC winning the election.
Aiyedatiwa recalled that Akeredolu once told him that he, Aiyedatiwa, would succeed him, adding that the late governor would be glad to see this happen come Saturday.
He said that the electorate would attest to the level of development in the state, pledging that by the time he returned, he would do his best.
The National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, also expressed confidence that Aiyedatiwa would win the Saturday, Nov. 16 gubernatorial election.
According to him, a vote for Aiyedatiwa is a vote for unity, peace and development. (NAN)
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, has warned Afenifere Chieftain, Dr Femi Okurounmu, to avoid getting involved in matters capable of ridiculing his status as an elder statesman, especially matters on which he would not speak objectively for obvious reasons.
Olayinka stated this while reacting to Dr Okurounmu’s statement, accusing President Bola Tinubu of being laid-back on the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, asked “what exactly Dr Okurounmu expected President Tinubu to have done?”
Olayinka said it was strange that Dr Okurounmu, a former Senator could opt to be playing ostrich to the avalanche of disobedience to court judgements by the Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, and the danger such affront on the judiciary posed to democracy and peace in the country.
“One is however not too amazed because he (Okurounmu) holds the record of being the first Senator to be suspended by his colleagues out of the seven Senators that have been suspended since 1999 till date,” Olayinka said.
Dr Okurounmu had accused the FCT Minister of being the architect and mastermind of the Rivers crisis, saying, “even if Governor Sim Fubara is his godson, Wike should be told that he cannot be his surrogate as a sitting governor with full powers.”
Responding, Olayinka asked when Wike told Dr Okurounmu that he wanted Governor Fubara to be his surrogate, and not function as the Governor of Rivers State, adding that “He (Okurounmu, as an elder should be honest enough to stand before the mirror and ask himself the roles he played in Fubara becoming governor.”
He said: “In Yorubaland, when two children are fighting, what the elders do is to sit them down and listen to their sides of the conflict. Elders don’t just sit in their bedrooms and apportion blame as done by Baba Femi Okurounmu.
“Was it Wike that went to the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex and set it on fire so as to prevent duly elected lawmakers from carrying out their duties?
“Was it Wike that has been illegally using three members out of the 32-member State House of Assembly to carry out legislative business in Rivers State, including passing the State Budget as well as screening and confirming commissioners, when the constitution says that budget can only be passed by two-third of the Assembly members?
“Hasn’t Governor Fubara been ignoring judgements of the courts concerning his regime of lawlessness in Rivers State? When the Court of Appeal in Abuja on October 10, 2024, affirmed a lower court’s decision nullifying the Rivers State’s 2024 budget signed into law and being operated by Governor Fubara, did the governor obey the judgement?
“And is it not shocking that Dr Okurounmu had chosen to ignore the danger Governor Fubara’s deliberate affronts on the rule of law pose to democracy and peace in Nigeria?”
On Dr Okurounmu’s accusation that President Tinubu was being laid-back on the Rivers State crisis, Olayinka asked; “What exactly does Baba Femi Okurounmu expect the President to have done? Overrule the various judicial pronouncements and join Governor Fubara in his reign of lawlessness?
POLITICS
$35 million Atlantic Refinery project: Ex-Reps member commend Tinubu, EFCC over diligent prosecution
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Former Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny Goli has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over the recent investigations and prosecution of graft cases and fight against corruption.
Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, who represented the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, also commended the EFCC for the thorough investigation into the $35 million fraud concerning the 2,000 barrels per day (BPD) Atlantic Refinery project in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Hon. Israel Sunny Goli, in a commendation letter addressed to the Chairman of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said the arrest of Mr.
Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, and Eng. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and others who are key figures in the alleged fraud, has instilled hope among our people and bolstered confidence in the EFCC under your leadership.According to him, “It is heart-warming to observe that public confidence in the agency under your leadership has grown significantly, as you have steered a new course of transparency, focus, and zeal in the operations of the foremost anti-graft agency.”
“While the arrest of the aforementioned individuals is a positive development, I respectfully request the investigation of the
board chairman of the NCDMB and its members for their potential complicity in approving the award of the contract to an entity with no known track record for the construction of a 2,000 BPD Modular Refinery in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area.”
“The lack of response or support from either the board chairman or its members since I raised the petition on this matter raises significant concerns about their potential complicity in the fraudulent act. To fully understand their involvement, I recommend an immediate arrest and investigation of Timipre Sylva, being the board chairman and other members of the board.”
“Nothing would be more gratifying to the people of Brass Local Government Area than to see everyone involved in the perpetration of this $35 million fraud brought to justice, with every stolen dime refunded so that the project can be executed for the benefit of all.”
Hon. Sunny-Goli, who is also a traditional ruler from Two Brass with the title Kemmer V; Amadabo of Kemmer-Ama, extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the unwavering stance against corruption,”I would like to extend my gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering stance against corruption. This firm position has expedited the investigation and arrest of those involved in grand larceny while holding public trust, particularly in this case.”
“Such a resolute approach by the President serves as a deterrent to other public office holders.It is disheartening that, despite the government’s good intentions towards its citizens, those entrusted with implementing policies for the benefit of the people are choosing to corruptly enrich themselves at the expense of the populace.”
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Timber Kesiye Wabote, in connection with an alleged $35 million fraud involving the Brass Project.
It was gathered that the arrest is related to a failed refinery project for which $35 million was allocated.
Wabote’s arrest followed the detention of Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, who is facing allegations of misappropriation, money laundering, and diversion of $35 million in public funds.
Wabote is currently held at the EFCC’s facility in Abuja.
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