CODIFIER

By Wilson Macaulay A Yoruba indigenous rights group, under the aegis of  the Yoruba Rights Initiative, has condemned what it alleged to be the dispossession of 1,355 hectares of land in Eti-Osa in Lagos State from an 85 year old man, Pa Faloye Awosika, by two individuals of Southeastern extraction, Samson Nnadi and Jerry Erondu, through their real estate development company, Carter-Tech Ltd. Addressing newsmen over the weekend in Lagos, the group, through its Convener, Bamidele Adebanjo, and spokesperson, Eniola Fafunwa, alleged a case of gross injustice and naked oppression done to Yoruba people in Yorubaland by certain individuals from the Southeastern part of the country that had recently come to its attention. The group said:  "This case involves an 85 years old Yoruba elder, Pa C. Faloye Awosika, who has been most heinously duped of his land of 1,355 Hectares in Eti-Osa, Lagos State, by one criminally inclined fellow, Samson Nnadi and his equally crooked busin...

A Coalition of 25 civil society organisations have called on security agencies to caution political parties against activities that could plunge states into serious crisis, ahead of the off-season governorship elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states.  The Civil Society Organisations, in a communique issued after a three-day election preview on the three states, specifically singled out the Social Democratic Party's slant of activities in Kogi State as an example of what security agencies must caution stakeholders against.  According to them, the wild allegations and ethnic profiling which have become the hallmark of the SDP's campaign in Kogi State, "are  capable of compromising the peace and security of the electorate, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, election observers and other candidates in the state."  The CSOs said they came to this conclusion after painstakingly monitoring campaign strategies of various political parties participat...

The Ofu Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State has welcomed over 500 new members into its fold ahead of the 2023 Governorship elections in the state.  A former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Hon. Oduh Akowe, along with his supporters from PDP, SDP and NNPP, were, on Tuesday evening, received into the party at the Ofu Local Government Secretariat Ugwolawo.  The event was graced by high-profile politicians such as the APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Elder Joel Salifu Oyibo; Kogi East Zonal Chairman of APC, Hon. Muhammed Nasiru Alfa; Senator representing Kogi East, Isah Jibrin Echocho; House of Representatives member for Idah Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. David Idris Zacharias; and Kogi State House of Assembly member for Ofu constituency, Hon. Seidu Shehu Amodu, among others.  The Zonal Chairman of the party, Alfa who welcomed the new members assured them that they would be fully integrated and given equal opportunity to...

His Excellency, RT Hon (Elder) Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, the Executive Governor of Delta State, in continuation of the celebration of his "FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE"  on Thursday  14th , September 2023   Commissioned  the 2.6 km Okpolo/Enhwe/Uwheru  Road (Phase 2) amidst pomp and peagantry to the glory of God. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori the Delta Chief Executive in the course of Commissioning remarks stated that irrespective of the paucity of funds, the  State decided to embark on this Road Project due to the  fundamental need to mitigate the chalenges of perennial flooding in the Area. The Governor clarified and reaffirmed that his administration is  committed to giving equal attention to both Rural and Urban Roads in the State,  hence the recent  Exco approval of three flyovers to be constructed in Warri and Uvwie to   Check the problem of persistent traffic gridlock in Warri and Effurun  Metropolis...

...Describe her status in state as 'very controversial' ...Say 'we have enough female politicians that we've not appreciated' Women from the 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State, on Tuesday, dissociated themselves from a celebration of the tribunal victory of a Senatorial Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Kogi State, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.  The women, who addressed the press in Asaba, the state capital, said they would have not bothered to raise an eyebrow on the tribunal victory but for the senatorial candidate's "media congratulatory stunt", which focused on Delta women.  The Convener, Delta State Grassroots Women, Umukoro Oghenekevwe, who addressed the press on behalf of others, pointed out that the media stunt compelled them to set the records straight and publicly dissociate the good women of Delta from the purpoted celebration of someone who allegedly "has a very controversial status in Delta State."  The women, who sa...

. To unveil next line of action soon The crisis rocking the Kogi State Chapter of the People's Democratic Party took another dimension on Thursday, as a former Deputy Governor of the State, Arc Abayomi Awoniyi, officially dumped the party "after 25 unbroken years of loyal and dedicated membership and service."  Awoniyi, who served as Deputy to former Governor Idris Wada, conveyed his resignation in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State, dated 31st August, 2023.  Though he has not officially indicated his next line of action, and did not give specific reasons for his exit from the PDP, his resignation might not be unconnected with his dissatisfaction with the last Governorship primary of the party, an exercise he termed a "farce".  There are also strong indications that he will be joining the All Progressives Congress very soon.  The letter, titled, "Letter of Resignation from the Peoples De...

Senator Sadiku Abubakar Ohere representing Kogi Central Senatorial District has expressed optimism that he is confident of victory, as he heads to Appeal Court.  Abubakar stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen this evening.  The statement reads, “I received the judgement of the Tribunal with great shock.”  “Particularly worrisome is the aspect bordering on the Tribunal’s decision that as Respondent, I ought to have filed a cross-petition to be able to challenge votes in an election petition.” “I feel strongly that, that decision is contrary to Paragraph 15 of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022. As a matter of fact, I presented before the Tribunal through my team of lawyers a decision of the Appellate Courts which held that a Respondent does not need to file a cross-petition to challenge votes in an election petition, if the ground for challenging the election is “majority of lawful votes”.  “While I am wai...

...Look elsewhere for votes, Kogi not available for other parties, Sanwo-Olu tells opposition  The Chairman of the National Campaign Council for Kogi State Governorship Election, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, on Saturday, assured the All Progressives Congress' supporters that the national leaders of the party across the country would work together and provide all the necessary support to ensure overwhelming victory for the APC Governorship Candidate, Usman Ododo, on November 11, 2023.  Describing Kogi as an APC state, he said, from the reality on the ground, it was clear that there was no vacancy for any other party in Lord Lugard House.  Gov. Abiodun spoke at the inauguration of the Kogi State National Gubernatorial Campaign Council held in Lokoja.  He noted that, with the inauguration of the Campaign Council, election victory had begun in Kogi State, and commended the  resilience and hardwork of Governor Yahaya Bello, which he said had led to the restor...

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...