COVER
Gale of Endorsements, Tensions as Guber Polls Hold in 28 States Tomorrow
By Johnson Eyiangho (Abuja), David Torough (Makurdi), Jude Dangwam (Jos) &
Mike Tayese (Yenagoa)
Following the failure of their political parties to win the February 25 Presidential election, members of the Labour Party (LP) have decided to join forces with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in some states of the federation to win Saturday’s governorship election.
Though the Labour Party have not formally entered into alliance with the PDP, its members in Benue, Plateau states have endorsed the governorship candidates of the PDP to win the Saturday polls.
Besides the Labour Party’s endorsement of the PDP governorship candidates in the two states, other political parties like Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party and Booth Party have endorsed the candidates of the PDP for Saturday’s governorship election.
In Benue State, the Labour Party and the governorship candidate of Action People’s Party (APP), yesterday endorsed the PDP guber candidate in the state, Rt Hon Titus Uba.
In separate ceremonies yesterday at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi, the State Chairman of Labour Party, Engr Ibrahim Idoko Otene said the decision of the party to support Uba to win the governorship election was sequel to the collaboration the presidential candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi received from the PDP in the state.
Engr Otene, who was accompanied by members of the State Working Committee of the Labour Party, stated that their action was a directive from the National Secretariat of the party. According to him, the support Governor Samuel Ortom gave to their presidential candidate had to be reciprocated.
He said the Governor stood for equity, fairness and justice, and even risked his senatorial ambition for the Obi presidential bid.
The Benue State Labour Chairman, also commended Engr Titus Uba for his humility and synergy with other key players, expressing optimism that the PDP guber candidate would serve the state diligently.
Similarly, the governorship candidate of Action People’s Party, APP, Engr Terlumun Kenneth Kwadzah, endorsed Titus Uba of PDP to emerge victorious on Saturday.
Engr Kwadzah who was accompanied by some officials of APP and members of his campaign team said his decision to endorse Uba was on account of the fact that Governor Ortom has stood firmly in defense of the people and it is only right that those who understand the weight of the security challenge in the state should support Uba to continue from where Governor Ortom will stop.
Responding, Governor Ortom thanked the two political parties for voluntarily deciding to endorse Titus Uba to win the governorship election.
He assured them that Uba, being an experienced lawmaker and administrator would not disappoint the Benue people.
Also speaking, the PDP governorship candidate, Rt Hon Uba appreciated the two political parties for the huge endorsements, pledging that if elected, his administration will give priority to the issues of security and the economy.
In Plateau State, no fewer than 200 Obidient support groups in the state, yesterday endorsed the candidature of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang and his Deputy Hon. Josephine Piyo, two days to the Governorship and State Assembly Elections.
This is coming barely 24 hours after the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi came on a thank you visit to members of the Obidient Movements, Labour Party and the people of Plateau Sate, which ended at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Hiepang on Wednesday this week.
The Coordinator of Obi/Datti Support Group in Plateau State, Mr. Stephen Danladi Wuyep addressing Journalists yesterday in Jos the State Capital said the development became necessary after are careful look at the trend of events and the various candidates going into the elections in the State.
“The decision was reached after scrutinizing all the Gubernatorial candidates for the coming elections. We have realized that it was Mutfwang that has the capacity to mobilized and harness fully all the natural resources, the endowment of the State, he has the energy and also the Will and ingenuity to empower the greater population of citizens of Plateau State,” he said.
The embattled Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Amb. Yohanna Margif who’s candidature has been disqualified by the Supreme Court on Wednesday has commended the Presidential candidate of the party, Mr. Peter Obi for allowing Plateau people to vote for their preferred Governorship candidate during the Saturday elections.
“Indeed, the coming of Obi to Plateau at this crucial moment was very relieving in-view of the fact that our people are still grieving over the outcome of the presidential election which was characterized by massive rigging.
“I am also happy because Obi only spoke with stakeholders of the party at the Yakubu Gowon Airport and deliberately refused to come inside the state capital because of how important the Saturday Governorship election is for Plateau people.
“He is aware that his support during the last election came strongly form the Church and wish to allowed the people vote their preferred Governorship candidate without necessarily voting for the Labour Party candidate,” he acclaimed.
Recalled that the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the appeal of Amb. Yohanna Margif in an Appeal challenging the judgment of the Appeal Court which affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court Jos that the substitution of his Governorship Candidature with Dr. Patrick Dakum was done with his consent.
The Court maintained that the plaintiff (Margif) before now voluntarily signed for his withdrawal and substitution as the Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Plateau State where he submitted copy to the party National Headquarters in Abuja that warranted the conduct of a fresh primaries which produces Dr. Patrick Dakum as the legitimately elected flagbearer of the LP for the March Governorship and State Assembly Elections in the State this Saturday.
In Delta State, eight governorship candidates yesterday adopted the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, for the Saturday election.
The guber candidates led by Prince Henry Eze of Allied Peoples Movement (APM) disclosed this at a news conference in Asaba.
The political parties were the Action Alliance (AA), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), African Action Congress (AAC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Accord Party and Booth Party.
Eze said the decision to jettison their ambitions and endorse Oborevwori for Saturday’s election was in recognition of the achievements of the PDP, especially Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa led administration in the state.
“Delta is a traditional PDP state and for stability and furtherance of an atmosphere for inter-party harmony and cohesion.
“It became necessary to adopt a governorship candidate with good political credentials, pedigree and general acceptability as consensus candidate for the 2023 governorship election in the state.
“The choice of our consensus candidate fell on Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori of the PDP who happens to be the current Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
“Oborevwori has worked very hard, embarked on ward-to-ward campaigns and done wide consultations with virtually all known stakeholders in the state,” Eze said.
He said that Delta State political stakeholders believe in continuity, noting that the present governor has performed very well in office.
“It is, therefore, natural that another PDP governor should continue from where he stopped in order to consolidate on the gains of his administration,” he added.
He said that the eight governorship candidates came together to endorse Sheriff Oborevwori “as consensus candidate based on the following reasons.”
“Delta state requires a candidate that would continue the laudable projects of Governor Okowa.
“And Rt. Hon. Oborevwori has proven to be a good administrator and a team player, having become the longest serving Speaker in the history of the Delta State House of Assembly and the first to transmute from one administration to another.
“Oborevwori is a calm, calculated workaholic, a devout God fearing Christian who can be entrusted with the management of human and material resources.
“Like the Americans would say, there is no need changing the winning team.
“PDP governors in Delta have brought peace and development to the state and there is no reason why we should change a party that is doing well.
“From this end, the governorship candidates of APM, Prince Henry Eze, Emeka Bidokwu (AA), Oghenejabor Onome (AAC), Cosmos Annabel (APP), Emmanuel Ogba (ADP), Engr. Okolie Austine (ADC), Fred Obi of (Accord) and Umudane Sylvester of (Booth Party), are stepping down their governorship ambitions to declare their support for Oborevwori.
“We have taken this all important and crucial decision with the backing of the relevant organs and membership of our various political parties,” Eze said.
Jonathan Cautions Against Do-or-Die Politics
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has admonished politicians against do-or-die politics ahead of the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday.
The former Nigerian President gave the admonition yesterday at Sampou community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State shortly after paying a condolence visit to Governor Douye Diri over the demise of his father, Pa Abraham Diri.
Dr. Jonathan stressed that politics should be about service and not about self, urging politicians to wait for God’s time to get into leadership positions.
He said in a democracy, the people play a critical role and wondered why those who aspire to lead want to force themselves on the people.
He also advised people of the state to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner during the House of Assembly elections.
Speaking on the late Pa Diri, Jonathan said the death of a parent was painful but urged the family of the departed to take solace in the worthy legacies he left.
The former president noted that the fact that Pa Diri produced a governor meant he inculcated good virtues in his children and prayed God to give the Diri family the fortitude to bear the loss.
“Leadership is not by force. It is about serving the people. So, if you want to lead the people, you cannot kill them before you lead them.
“In Bayelsa, the challenges will be minimal because we do not have governorship election on Saturday. But I urge our people to conduct themselves well.”
“When you go for condolence visit, sometimes you lack words. We are lucky that our father lived for 88 years but that is not the most important. What you will be remembered for is what matters. From the messages so far, it is clear he lived a worthy life.
“He had good qualities that probably helped him produce a governor. We have come to join the governor and members of his family and community to console you and the rest of the family,” he further stated.
Responding, the Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri, described the visit of the former president as special, saying his family and community were strengthened by his presence.
He traced his relationship with Dr. Jonathan to when he was Bayelsa deputy governor, saying he became very close to him until he became governor and appointed him Commissioner in his administration.
Diri said Jonathan’s rise to the position of president was divine, saying the people of the state were proud of him and his achievements in politics.
The governor said he was overwhelmed with joy by the former president’s show of love, who he said was among the first to call him and even sent his wife to visit before coming in person.
The state’s helmsman stressed the need for the people of Bayelsa to exhibit same brotherly love and unity in order to move the state forward.
PDP, Atiku Deny Withdrawing Presidential Election Petition
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday stated in clear terms that the party and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar did not withdraw their petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Presidential Election Tribunal.
The PDP said its attention had been drawn to a mischievous report claiming that the party and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar have withdrawn the petition filed against INEC, APC and Tinubu at the Presidential Election Tribunal.
National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said in a statement described the report as false and a fabrication by the APC which is disconcerted by the overwhelming evidence against it.
Ologunagba said to set the record straight and for the benefit of the party’s teeming members, supporters and the general public, the PDP clarify as follows; “On Monday, March 13, 2023, the Legal Team of Atiku Abubakar led by J.K Gadzama, SAN was in court to move a Motion Exparte accompanied by an Affidavit of Urgency (CA/PEC/12M/2023), seeking Orders directing INEC to allow us observe/participate in the process of sorting out the ballot papers used for the Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives elections conducted on February 25, 2023 across the country.
“The Court directed that all parties should be put on notice and asked that we amend our Motion Exparte to Motion on Notice, to serve same on the parties (INEC, APC & Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and return on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, for hearing of our Motion on Notice.
“On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, our Legal Team had a conference meeting with the Legal Team of INEC, and the Commission gave its assurance to cooperate with our Team during the inspection and sorting out of ballot papers, and to also provide election materials needed to file our petition.
“On account of this agreement with and assurance by INEC, there was no longer need to proceed with the hearing of the Motion on Notice (CA/PEPC/13M/2023). Consequently, our Team filed a Notice of Discontinuance of the said Motion.
“On Wednesday, March 15, 2023, our Legal Team returned to Court to inform the Court of the resolution reached with INEC and formally discontinued the Motion on Notice against all the Parties (INEC, APC & Bola Ahmed Tinubu).”
He stated that the PDP is on course and determined to pursue the case to its logical conclusion, which is the retrieval of its Presidential mandate at the Tribunal.
Ologungba thanked “millions of Nigerians”, who expressed concern over the report, adding that such concern further point to the fact of the overwhelming support of majority of Nigerians for the PDP and Atiku Abubakar at the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils.The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.
A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request. The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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