CODIFIER

The Pioneer District Governor of District 404A-4, Nigeria Dr. Kofoworola Jegede, PMJF, NLCF, LCIP has described as heartwarming the gains of her just concluded visits to some Media Stations in Ondo State. Speaking at the end of the 3-Day advocacy visits to the Media Stations the District Governor said several commitments were gotten from the Chief Executive of the Media outfits that will further poulate the Lions Club with quality membership. "It took us  ten years to get District 404A-1 Nigeria bifurcated into District 404A-3 and District 404A-4, by the time the outcomes of our media advocacies and other networking strategies we are currently deploying begin to manifest, we will be on the fast lane of sustainable growth and another District might just be a matter of time",she said. Dr Kofoworola Jegede accompanied by Lion leaders and Cabinet Officers during the tour visited the Chairman of Hope Newspapers Chairman / Editor-in-Chief, Sir Ademola Adetula; Head of Station, Cres...

The legal process initiated by the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar asking the Chicago State University (CSU) for a discovery of President Bola Tinubu’s academic records has got a new twist, as lawyers to President Tinubu in their fillings blamed the clerk of the 156 year-old school for the errors  in his academic documents and certificate. It will be recalled that the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois had given Tinubu up until 23 August to make a formal filling on why his records should not be released to the petitioner, Atiku Abubakar. In complying with the directive of the court however, Tinubu’s lawyer, on Wednesday, said that an unidentified clerk  of the university “unfortunately” made the errors as to the dates the school stated on his recently-issued certificate and when he actually graduated, thereby creating “the appearance of differences.” Tinubu’s new claim was made before the judge hearing the case, Jeffery Gi...

The Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissociated itself from news making the rounds that the National Working Committee of the party has  replaced the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party as well as the former Zonal Organising Secretary.  The two party Chieftains resigned recently.  However, the State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Bello in a statement said he was surprised that the NEC Committee came up with strange names which didn't pass through the state chapter.  The statement partly read, “Consequent upon the resignation of the two officers from the party, the Kogi State All Progressives Congress under the leadership of the Governor, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello, CON , met to ratify and forward names of replacements for the national and zonal officers that left the party.” “The State Chapter ratified Hon. Yahaya Ade Ismail as the new Deputy National Publicity Secretary and Hon. Isiaka Musa as the Zonal Or...

. Says 'beyond lies, wild allegations, party has no image making strategy for candidate'  Spokesperson for a former Deputy Governor under the People’s Democratic Party in Kogi State, Abu Michael, has berated the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, especially its media handlers, over what he described as spurious lies and continuous unfounded allegations being churned out by them, mainly in the social media, as against constructive campaigns, which responsible Kogites are looking forward to.  Abu who was the Chief Press Secretary to Arc. Yomi Awoniyi, Deputy Governor to former Governor Idris Wada, said those he called "media mismanagers" of the SDP governorship candidate, Muritala Yakubu, had continued to display ineptitude as regards communication matters by sticking to an outdated strategy of cooking up lies against a sitting government to gain public sympathy.  He said in a statement released on Monday that, while the people of Kogi State were looking forward to ...

The zonal chairmen of the Social Democratic Party in the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, on Thursday, officially dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress, along with all the party's chairmen in the 21 local government areas of the state.  The SDP top executives, who made their decision to join the ruling party public at the Government House in Lokoja, said they weighed their options and chose the continuous development of the state and wellbeing of indigenes above other considerations.  SDP's Zonal Chairman for Kogi East, Suleiman Isah, criticised what he described as SDP's campaign, based on ethnicity, saying it was detrimental to the state's socio-cultural wellbeing, and could undermine the peace enjoyed in the past few years.  "We are happy that this is happening today. Even while we were in the opposition, we were aware that you did a lot for the state. The infrastructure projects are what anyone cannot deny, Your Excellency. We ...

The news media was awash with stories of the legal case filed by the embattled deputy governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, against his boss, the governor of Edo State, whom he accused of orchestrating an impeachment plot against him. According to documents filed in the Federal High Court in Abuja, Shaibu is seeking a restraining order to prevent Governor Obaseki from proceeding with the alleged impeachment plot. However, no concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims, leading many to speculate about the true nature of this dispute. In response to Shaibu's allegations, Crusoe Osagie, the Governor's Special Adviser on Media Projects, released a statement firmly denying the accusations. The statement portrayed the deputy governor's actions as akin to "fleeing when no man pursues," suggesting that the legal case is an unwarranted reaction to a situation that does not exist. The statement also highlighted Shaibu's behaviou...

In the realm of governance and leadership, one would expect an appreciable level of wisdom, maturity and selflessness.  These values often steer a leader's hand in the pursuit of the common good, which is the ultimate goal of political office. Yet in Edo State, Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, appears to have turned away from these principles, embodying instead, an unsettling combination of entitlement, immaturity and senseless paranoia. Or else, how do you explain his puerile gimmick of seeking remedy when there is no ailment? Of attempting to foment trouble where none exists? His recent rush to the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking a restraining order to stop an imaginary impeachment, is emblematic of his infantile understanding of power dynamics and political strategy. It is akin to the tale of the boy who cried wolf, calling for attention, fabricating danger where none exists, all in the bid to hug the spotlight. These issues transcend political theatre; they strik...

Many Kogi State indigenes, under the auspices of Kogi Indigenes Collective Interest Group, have risen in fervent defence of their Governor over what they called  "unfounded and irresponsible allegation by an equally irresponsible fake news peddler whose stock-in-trade is either to blackmail for clout or cash."  In their response to a tweet that Governor Yahaya Bello bribed election tribunal Judges to influence them against the cases of some senatorial candidates in the last elections by one Jackson Ude, who they described as a notorious fake news merchant, the indigenes threatened to drag Ude to court and called on relevant security agencies to investigate and bring "the notorious fake news peddler to book once and for all".  According to them, Jackson Ude has turned himself to the laughing stock of the social media, having allegedly churned out many spurious lies in the past about innocent Nigerians and "is notorious for raising absolutely unfounde...

Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Yahaya Bello, CON, received members of the family of the late political icon and former governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, on a 'thank you visit’ on Sunday in Abuja.  While briefly recounting the process that led to the choice of Prince Shaibu, the governor emphasised that equity, fairness, and justice always come first in his decision-making.  He stressed the importance of unity and tolerance among the three senatorial districts of Kogi State, stating that tribal sentiment has no place in modern politics.  Governor Bello assured the minister-designate, Prince Shaibu, of his unwavering support, believing he will go far and make the nation proud by building on his father's legacy.  “This is an opportunity for you to build on your father's legacy. The joy that accompanied your nomination worldwide must be sustained through how you conduct yourself and lead the people. I have no doubt you will make the nation proud," the g...

Over 300 appointees who served in the administration of former Governor of Kogi State, Capt. Idris Wada, on Sunday, commended Governor Yahaya Bello over what they described as the complete turn around of critical sectors of Kogi State, saying they had decided to totally submit to his leadership.    They also declared their total support for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 11 polls, Usman Ododo, describing his detrabilised personality as a good selling point.  Speaking on behalf of the others during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Lokoja, the leader of the delegation and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abubakar Sadiq Ainoko, highlighted specifically that it was pleasant to see that the first flyover in the state had been watered to fruition by the pragmatic leadership of Governor Bello.  He added that the project completion had improved the rating of Lokoja in terms of aesthetics....

The sobriquet of Small Alhaji, is undoubtedly a very popular one and it means different things to different people. Although the man with the appellation was named Tajudeen Adeyemi Adefisoye ; but he is widely and better known everywhere he goes as Small Alhaji.   To some people, Small Alhaji is a politician while others see him as a philanthropist. Several others know him to be shrewd businessman, just as some other group of persons see him as a trail blazing democrat. Interestingly, he was and still known amongst members of the 9th National Assembly as the poster boy of the House of Representatives.   Adefisoye is evidently a man of many parts as he had set new records, carved niche for himself and also impacted several lives in his almost 39-years of existence. It is no longer news that Small Alhaji, against all odds won election at the age of 34, on the platform of a relatively unknown Social Democratic Party (SDP) to represent Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency...

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Friday, refused the applications for bail of suspected criminals allegedly associated with the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, Muritala Yakubu.  The Appellants/applicants' motion for bail had earlier been refused by Hon. Justice Jamil Isah of the Kogi State High Court, sitting in Lokoja.  The Court of Appeal, presided by Hon. Justice Mohammed Mustapha JCA, in a well considered judgement delivered on Friday, in the appeals marked "CA/ABJ/PRE/CR/544MI/2023", also refused their bail applications.  Ojonimi Apeh, Esq appeared for the Appellants/Applicants, while Badama Kadiri, Esq (DPP) appeared for the Respondent.  The Appellants - Kabiri Echi Iyalo, Adama Kerim, Kabir Abdullahi and Salisu Isah Umar - were intercepted during a joint operation of security agencies on their way to Abuja on March 26, 2023, according to a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Department of State Services, Peter Afun...

By Ojochide Samuel Now, one needs to question the credentials this man called Muritala Ajaka has to qualify him to contest for the governorship of a state in Nigeria beyond his reliance on fruitless propaganda since the beginning of this election season.  If he is not shouting that they want to assassinate him, he is defending well established criminals in a state that has produced world acclaimed professionals across all fields. He and his managers have not, for once, tried to market what they have to offer the people of the state other than this ignoble dance around ethnic jingoism and character assassination without substance.  I was one of those that bought the wide misinformation in the past about Yahaya Bello, the Governor of the state, until I saw proof without being told, that he had actually achieved far more in the state, in terms of development, than had been achieved in over a decade before him.  For a long time too, Kogi State has not been at the centre of po...

...Affirms Ododo's victory  ...'Will of a few can't override will of majority' - Court A Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday, dismissed a suit filed by an aspirant in the All Progressives Congress' governorship primaries in Kogi State, Senator Smart Adeyemi, against the emergence of the candidate of the party, Usman Ododo, saying it lacks merit.  Delivering judgement in the suit marked "FHC/CS/556/2023 Smart Adeyemi v. APC & 2 Ors", Justice J.K. Omotosho held that Adeyemi's allegations were criminal in nature, as he alleged that elections did not hold and that the produced results were forged.  He said the Applicant needed to prove the allegations of forgery, falsification of results, beyond reasonable doubts.  The court noted that the burden rests on the Applicant to produce the forged result or the original and the forged results to discharge the burden, adding that failure to discharge the burden "is fata...

  The Kogi State Government has berated the Social Democratic Party (SDP) gubernatorial candidate in the State, Muritala Ajaka, for allegedly spreading “falsehood with reckless abandon so as to put himself a garment of importance”  In a statement signed by Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, on Tuesday, warned those spreading falsehood to prepare to face the law.  The statement read, “we wouldn't have bothered to respond to the watery, evasive and sympathy seeking sinking candidate of the Social Democratic Party, who is dipping himself in the messy mud and and having an ignominious macabre dance on the sensibilities of Kogites and Nigerians as a whole.  “It is important to tell Nigerians and the world that Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, the said Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, is on a blisteringly shameful agenda of whipping sentiments, spreading falsehood with reckless abandon so as to put on himself, a garment of impor...

  . Vows to do everything lawful to guarantee peaceful poll in November  . Reiterates endorsement of recent joint security operation  . Reveals it has reduced crime by 40%  . Says 'we'll never submit our authority to criminals' The Kogi State Government has reiterated its endorsement of the recent joint operation carried out by security agencies in the state, in which a notorious gang leader was neutralised, saying that the operation has reduced crime in the area by over 40 per cent.  The Commissioner for Information in the state, Kingsley Fanwo, who said this at the quarterly press briefing of the ministry on Monday in Lokoja, stressed that no amount of blackmail by desperate enemies of the state would stop the government from protecting lives and property of Kogites and cooperating totally with law enforcement agencies to rid the state of crime.  He said the Kogi State Government would not submit its authority to criminals, while calling on security agenc...

  .Ask Kogites to shun mischievous politicians playing victims, sponsoring crime  . Call on DSS, others to fish out, arrest politicians behind anti-security propaganda  Lawyers, leaders of Civil Society Organisations and professionals across all sectors of the economy have called on Kogi State indigenes at home and in the Diaspora to help security agencies to make the state uninhabitable for criminals masquerading as politicians in the state, especially as the November 11 governorship election draws closer.  They called on the good people of Kogi State to resist those they described as criminal political merchants trying to blackmail security agencies in the interest of their "unpopular ambitions."  Representatives of more than 50 CSOs and scores of lawyers, under the broad platform of Lawyers and Activists for Good Governance, made this position known at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.  Barr. Mohammed Abdulrazaq Sani, a lawyer from Igalamela LGA,...

  The Kogi State Government has called on security agencies to invite politicians expressing “sadness over the death of a criminal for questioning”. Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, stated this in a statement on Tuesday. He noted that residents of the state have thrown their weights behind actions being taken by security agencies to rid the state of crimes. Fanwo, therefore, stressed that no extra Judicial killings in the state, noting that “some naysayers and purveyors of violence who were hard-hit by recent onslaught on criminals in the state want people to believe” The statement read, “the Kogi State Government wishes to state clearly and unequivocally that the good people of the state are totally in support of actions being taken by the security agencies to rid the state of crime and allow the peace that has been enjoyed over the years endure”  “If there is anyone on the streets protesting against the peace and security of the state, that...

. Advise him to limit Kogi politics to Kogi Elders Forum  Longstanding members of the Arewa Consultative Forum have warned the new Chairman of the forum, Gabriel Aduku, to desist from dragging the ACF into his personal political warfare in Kogi State or risk being removed as Chairman.  According to the members, representing the different Arewa states, the idea behind the formation of the ACF is, among others, to promote the development, unity, peace and prosperity of the Arewa North as an entity, while having a healthy relationship with other areas of the country.  In a statement on Tuesday, titled, "Stop Using ACF For Your Political Fights in Kogi State", jointly signed by  Dr. Asha Manga, who was the Governorship Candidate for Action Alliance in the just concluded elections; and Alhaji Sadiq Bulama, member, Borno State/ Secretary to the immediate past chairman of ACF, among others, the Arewa leaders said the ACF was never meant to be a divisive political tool in th...

  Former Presidential candidate and Restructuring campaigner,Rev Chris Okotie has broken his silence since the Presidential inauguration. In an explosive statement released in Lagos early today by his media adviser,Ladi Ayodeji, the Reverend expressed concern on a range of burning national issues and capped them up with his vision for Nigeria. Below is the full statement, issued to mark the Reverend 's 64th birthday: " It is hubristic naivety to envisage the emergence of a new Nigeria from a moribund political cocoon corrupted by duplicity, political criminality and the travesty of the electoral-social etiquette. "The current presidential system of governance has again manifested itself as a hydra-headed monstrousity. "No matter the outcome of the adjudications of the cases brought before the Nigeria assizes, by opposing political parties, nothing tangible will be achieved under this debilitating system. "We must be willing and courageous enough to abandon this ...