Politics, World News

‘I don’t want to say the election is over’ – Trump refuses to say he lost in outtakes of January 7 speech shared at committee hearing.

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The January 6 House select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, revealed at Thursday’s primetime hearing unseen raw footage of President Donald Trump on the day of, and day after, the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Trump recorded and released a video message from the White House Rose Garden while the riot was underway on Capitol Hill, urging the mob to disperse and telling his supporters, “We love you. You’re very special.”

The hearing was held to find out what Trump did and didn’t do in the 187 minutes before he finally called off the attack, after hours of pleas from his inner circle. 

“I know your pain, I know you’re hurt,” Trump said in the footage that was eventually released. “But you have to go home now, we have to have peace. We have to have law and order, we have to respect our great people in law and order.”

The next day he recorded another video from inside the White House. Outtakes of both videos were shown during the hearing on Thursday.

“The staff that remained at the White House on Jan. 7 knew the president needed to address the nation again and they had a speech prepared for him that morning. But he refused for hours to give it,” Rep. Elaine Luria, a Virginia Democrat and former Navy officer who sits on the Jan. 6 panel, said at Thursday’s hearing.

Luria said the committee heard testimony that Trump was finally convinced to deliver the message later in the evening of Jan. 7 by advisors who warned of “concerns he might be removed from power under the 25th Amendment or by impeachment.”

The outtakes, Luria said, were taken more than 24 hours after the video filmed in the White House Rose Garden.

After a few takes, Trump is seen saying, “This election is now over. Congress has certified the results,” before stopping himself and saying on camera, “I don’t want to say the election is over. I just want to say Congress has certified the results without saying the election is over, okay?”

His daughter and former senior advisor, Ivanka Trump, can be heard off camera coaching the president on the precise words to say in the video.

In a later moment of footage, Trump stumbles over the word “yesterday” and asks for it to be taken out of the prepared remarks.

In another video shown during the hearing, he smacks the presidential podium while repeating the line: “My only goal was to secure the integrity of the vote.”

Thursday marked the last in a series of televised hearings the committee scheduled this summer.

Politics, World News

Sowore responds after Atiku said he knows absolutely nothing about Nigeria and policy implementation.

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Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has responded to a comment Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) made about him on money spent on electricity while serving as a Vice President in former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government.

Recall that shortly after Atiku tweeted about the national grid collapsing for the sixth time this year days ago, Sowore said Atiku was the vice president when his principal, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, budgeted $16 billion to revive power but with nothing to write home about.

Sowore had tweeted; 

The National Electrical grid collapse started when you and Obasanjo invested $16 billion to procure darkness for Nigeria, the @MBuhari regime came to gazette grid collapse as a law. Alhaji @atiku, don’t pretend that you care about the National Grid! #WeCantContinueLikeThis

Atiku who responded to the AAC Presidential candidate’s claim in an interview on Arise TV, said Sowore lives outside Nigeria and comes only after four years to contest election.

The PDP presidential candidate also added that Sowore knows nothing about policy implementation or even the policy initiative. 

Atiku said; 

“He is my opponent, what do you expect him to say? He has all along lived outside this country. He doesn’t even know the policy implementation or even the policy initiative. When we came in, the total generation was about 4,000 megawatts. We initiated the building of nine additional power stations. By the time those nine were finished, the capacity has gone up from 4,000 to 13,000 megawatts.

“Unfortunately, no correspondent increase as far as the transmission lines are concerned. There is no way our transmission lines cannot evacuate the power you are producing that they cannot collapse.

“These additional nine power stations were completed by Jonathan. Umaru Yar’adua was on it. He died and Jonathan continued and he completed them. That is why any time there is an increase in the power generation and then you’ve the transmission system that cannot evacuate power, there will be a collapse.

“So, he (Sowore) doesn’t even know, because he lives outside this country. He comes after every four years and contest for the presidency and goes back. He fails and goes back again. So, what does Sowore know about this country? Nothing; absolutely nothing.”

Responding to Atiku’s claims, Sowore said the PDP Presidential candidate “failed to address how $16b was used to procure darkness”. 

He tweeted; 

Dear @atiku, I watched a clip of your @ARISEtv  interview this morning wherein you were asked about my view on power scam under your regime, you failed to address how $16b was used to procure darkness instead you claimed “he doesn’t even know,” well these are some things I know

You ran for office for the first time in 1992 as a presidential aspirant of the SDP, I also ran for the post of the SU President of the UNILAG, you lost , I won. You left, I stayed, to deliver democracy to Nigerians.

I then left for the US in 1999 at the age of 28. You went on to become the VP of Nigeria, you left Nigerians in darkness after spending $16billion on power, I stayed with Nigerians, shining light on the mess you and your boss created in that sector. You left, I stayed!

After your failed plan to succeed your boss (Olusegun Obasanjo) who wanted a third term in office, I stayed to botch his third term bid. You, however, joined another political party and tried your luck, you left after you couldn’t win. You left, I stayed.

Since 1999, you have lived in about 5 countries outside of Nigeria. I know this because your IP keeps changing the same way you kept changing political parties. We both contested in 2019, it was my 1st time contesting, but after the elections, you left, I stayed. I’m still here!

You’ve done your rounds from SDP- UNCP- PDP- ACN-PDP- APC back to PDP, you have never done anything for the Nigerian people, you’ve only taken care of your needs and those that benefit your family, cronies, and friends. It is time to quit and let Nigeria experience electricity!

My question again, is this; what happened to the $16billion dollars released for electricity during your tenure as Vice President?

Politics, World News

Suspended AGF remanded in Kuje prison over alleged N109bn fraud

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Ahmed Idris, the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) has been remanded in Kuje prison by a High Court sitting in Abuja, over his alleged involvement in the illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of about N109 billion.

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Idris on a 14-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

The anti-graft agency which alleged that Idris and his co-defendants were indicted on a 14-count charge of stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109.5 billion, further revealed that the former AGF allegedly received gratification from one Olusegun Akindele, worth N15.1 billion, in exchange for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine oil-producing states in the federation.

One of the charges read; 

“That you, Ahmed Idris between February and December, 2021 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being a public servant by virtue of your position as the Accountant General of the Federation accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification in the aggregate sum of N15,136,221,921.46 ( Fifteen Billion, One Hundred and Thirty Six Million, Two Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty One Naira and Forty Six Kobo) which sum was converted to the United States Dollars by the said Olusegun Akindele and which sum did not form part of your lawful remuneration but as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine (9) oil producing Sates in the Federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 155 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section.”

Justice A.O. Adeyemi Ajayi who presided over the case on Friday July 22, ruled that Idris who was arraigned alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele and Mohammed Kudu Usman, and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited, be remanded in Kuje prison. 

This came after Rotimi Jacobs, EFCC counsel, asked the court to grant the prosecution leave to prefer a criminal charge under section 109 of ACJA against the defendants.

Idris’ counsel, Chris Uche however orally asked the court to grant bail to his client. He said the bail should be granted pending when he files a written bail application.

Uche also said his client had to take the next available flight from Kano just to be able to make it for trial.

Justice Ajayi however ordered that Idris and others be remanded in prison.

Politics, World News

Upcoming bishops attended Shettima’s unveiling – Tinubu support organisation

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The Tinubu Support Organisation on Thursday described the attack on the clergypersons who attended the unveiling of the Vice-Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima, as “unwarranted”.

The group also clarified that the clergymen who attended the event were not known in Christendom yet and were still building their missions.

In a statement by the group’s Director of Media and Public relations, Bayo Onanuga, the group maintained that the “clergymen were not fake, not mechanics or yam sellers” as been rumoured online.

The statement read, “Tinubu Campaign Organisation has described as unwarranted distractions the viral pictures and videos of some Christian clergymen and women at the unveiling of the All Progressives Congress Vice presidential candidate, Senator KASHIM SHETTIMA, on Wednesday in Abuja.

“APC formally presented Senator Shettima to the public and its various organs as the running mate to the party’s presidential standard-bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the well-attended ceremony at Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

“The TCO through its Director of Media and Communication, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said the event was an open affair, which allowed members of the public to attend, including the clergymen and some others now being derided by hirelings of the opposition.

“We want to say that those clergymen were not fake, not mechanics or yam sellers as the purveyors of hatred have made Nigerians to believe in the social media. They are not big names in Christendom yet, they are gradually building up their missions.

“They are church leaders who genuinely believe that Nigerians must eschew politics of hatred and religious bigotry and rather embrace politics of peace and nation building.

“We, therefore, deplore the hysterical twisting of the presence of these men and women in cassocks and the false accusation against our candidates, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Shettima.

“The orchestrated social media sensation over the presence of the men is needless and all calculated to detract from the huge success recorded at the momentous event on Wednesday.

“We believe Nigerians are too wise and discerning to see through this shenanigan. Asiwaju Tinubu and his running mate and our great party are working very hard to provide purposeful leadership and good progressive governance that will improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

“We are well aware that the opposition parties and the sponsors of the social media charade are jittery and threatened by the intimidating political credentials of our candidates. The only way they hope to shift attention of public scrutiny away from their uninspiring candidates and credentials is to create social media distraction.

“Our campaign is determined on focusing on core governance issues that affect all Nigerians with a view to confronting them and make the desired improvements in the standard of living of our people.”

Politics, World News

Kuje attack: FG to ban motorcycles, mining activities

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Following the terrorist attacks on the Kuje Correctional facility on July 5 as well as others recorded nationwide, the Federal Government is considering a ban on the use of motorcycles and mining activities.

The Ministers of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Justice, Abubakar Malami and Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, disclosed this to State House Correspondents shortly after Thursday’s Security Council meeting chaired by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

The cabinet members were, however, silent on whether the ban would be nationwide or restricted to the affected regions of the country.

According to them, the Council is considering both measures to cut off funding and logistics which the terrorists have leveraged to execute their nefarious activities.

Malami revealed that the use of motorcycles allowed the terrorists to move around funds sourced from mining and channeled to purchase arms.

The federal government, he said, ws now considering ways to block the sources already identified.

The Minister of Justice also noted that the terrorists have since evolved their financing techniques to mining and ransom-taking, necessitating the government’s intervention.

On his part, the Minister of Interior, Aregbesola, said despite the extensive intelligence gathered before the attack on the Kuje Correctional Center,

the terrorists succeeded because “there was no will to act.”

He revealed that President Buhari has received a report on the preliminary investigation on the Kuje attack and officers who have been found to renege on their responsibilities would be punished.

Politics, World News

BREAKING: Biden tests positive for COVID-19

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President Joe Biden tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, his administration announced, saying the 79-year-old leader was experiencing “mild symptoms” and would carry out his full duties while isolating at the White House.

“He is fully vaccinated and twice boosted and experiencing very mild symptoms,” the White House said in a statement, adding that Biden had begun taking Pfizer’s anti-Covid pill Paxlovid.

“Consistent with CDC guidelines, he will isolate at the White House and will continue to carry out all of his duties fully during that time.”

Politics, World News

I’ll be surprised if NLC goes ahead with protest over ASUU strike. It is against labour practice – Ngige.

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Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, says he will be surprised if the National Labour Congress (NLC) goes ahead with the planned protest scheduled for July 26 and 27 in solidarity with the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Addressing journalists, Ngige said such protest is against international labour practice. The Minister also said the NLC has representatives on the negotiation with ASUU, and the congress is privy to all discussions with the university lecturers’ union.

Ngige said; 

“It is a very incongruous situation I must tell you. Why? NLC is on the table of the discussion. They are there. I invited them as the head of the federation to which ASUU belongs, to which SSANU belongs, to which NAAT belongs.

“I invited them. And so, they are on the table as their senior partner. That’s one. Two, we have a National Labour Advisory Council inaugurated in January 2021. It is an ILO instrument, an ILO architecture for labour unions, governments, and the private sector to come together at any given time. 

“So, we’ve just finished our meeting in March, and this issue was tabled before them. And the NLC is in NLAC, the National Labour Advisory Council, and much more importantly, the head of NLC, Nigeria, has an affiliate of workers federation, worldover called International Trade Union Congress. 

“So, I will be surprised if he’s going ahead with his NEC to do a demonstration, knowing fully well that that is not permissible in international labour parlance.”

Politics, World News

Muslim-Muslim ticket: Protesting APC members storm party secretariat

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Hundreds of demonstrators on Wednesday morning stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress to register their grievance over the position of the party on the contentious Muslim-Muslim ticket.

The protest took place almost at the same time the leadership of the APC was unveiling former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, as the running mate of its Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua in Abuja.

The demonstration, which was led by a few party members under the aegis of APC Hausa-Fulani Youth Forum, saw the delegation arrive the Secretariat in six luxury buses and few cars, raising different banners and chanting solidarity songs.

Some of the banners read ‘A cry for justice’, ‘Drop Shettima and give slot to our Christian brothers’, ‘Discrimination and mutual suspicion in our country’ among others.

Speaking to our correspondent, Convener of Forum, Abdullahi Bilal Mohamadu declared that they will not stop protesting until the party do the right.

On why the demonstrators took to protest on a day the party is presenting his vice presidential candidate, Mohammadu stated that it was a deliberate act to tender their grievances and ensure it reaches the appropriate authorities.

In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and made available to The PUNCH, Mohammadu stated that they saw the selection of Senator Kashim Shettima as an aberration that should be corrected immediately by the leadership of the party.

The letter read, “We write to your good office in light of the prevailing circumstances arising from the decision of our Presidential candidate to select a Northern Muslim as his vice presidential candidate.

“While it must be stated that there is a right to make decisions, however, such decisions must not be made to the collective detriment of the sensibilities of the people that make up the country of Nigeria especially at a time of mutual suspicion amongst the Christians and Muslims in the northern part of the country.

“As concerned stakeholders of the APC and those who constitute the voting strength of our party , we find it worrisome that such a decision could be taken without recourse to its implication on the electoral chances of the party and the attendant uproar such a decision could bring about in the country.

“In our opinion, this is insensitive and a gross display of a lack of respect for our Christian brothers and sisters especially the Middle Belt minority who have given all their best to us as one northern Nigeria. Picking another Muslim from the north eastern part of the country as his running mate is politically and morally indefensible.

“In Northern Nigeria, there are credible candidates with rich credentials and with massive grassroots following that can complement the presidential ticket of the APC in the presidential elections. As such, the Hausa – Fulani Youths Forum sees the selection of Senator Kashim Shettima as an aberration that should be corrected with immediate effect by the relevant authorities within the party.

“The implication of non-action in this regard can only be imagined, so much so that the majority of the eligible voters in Northern Nigeria have elected to boycott the APC in protest of the disrespect and disregard to our Northern Christian brothers , whose population and relevance in the scheme of things in the region cannot be overemphasized.

“If our party is desirous of recording electoral success in the 2023 presidential elections, it must retrace its steps by selecting a Christian from the Middle Belt as its vice presidential candidate. The party must not be perceived as promoting a religious agenda by fielding a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“We consequently say no to a Muslim-Muslim ticket by the APC. We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to kindly intervene to save the party from an electoral crisis. We urge Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emulate the example of President Muhammadu Buhari in the choice of his running mate in the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.

“Our Christian brothers and sisters deserve a place in the scheme of things, and our party must not be seen as a religiously insensitive party. The time to act is now.”

Politics, World News

Igbo group knocks South-East politicians over alleged misrepresentation

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A pan-Igbo grassroots sociocultural organisation, Imeobi Igbo Forum, has described the present crop of politicians in the South-East as the “worst in history”.

The group also said the present legislators of the region at the National Assembly have failed the Igbo race and insisted that they should be withdrawn from contesting the 2023 general elections.

Addressing journalists in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Tuesday, the National Chairman, IIF, Dr Mike Ikegulu, berated the politicians and elites from the region for their public conduct and utterances in a bid “to please the chieftains of some ethnic groups”, describing it as “disappointing” and “painful”.

Ikegulu said, “Since the emergence of the present crop of Igbo political and business elites, Ndigbo have continued to be shamed and short-changed. We are not genuinely being represented in any sphere of Nigeria affairs.

“Their public conduct and utterances are disappointing and painful, just to please the chieftains of some ethnic groups. These Igbo elites have raped and abandoned Ndigbo.

“Those at the national assembly are insensitive to our collective interests. Never lending a voice on anything of interest to Ndigbo for pecuniary interest and personal aggrandizement.”

He called on the people to take advantage of the ongoing registration of the Permanent Voters Card to register and be ready to vote out leaders who have not meant well for the region.

“Their public conduct and utterances are disappointing and painful, just to please the chieftains of some ethnic groups. These Igbo elites have raped and abandoned Ndigbo.

“Those at the national assembly are insensitive to our collective interests. Never lending a voice on anything of interest to Ndigbo for pecuniary interest and personal aggrandizement.”

He called on the people to take advantage of the ongoing registration of the Permanent Voters Card to register and be ready to vote out leaders who have not meant well for the region.

He lamented that the present system of governance in Nigeria is alien to Ndigbo, adding that the leaders in the region emerge by their actions and utterances, not by election or appointment.

According to him, in a multi-ethnic country such as Nigeria, other ethnic groups have stratified leadership, but the Igbos are represented in such a dastardly fashion.

He also accused the southeast politicians of ganging up to have the Indigenous People of Biafra proscribed, rejected the referendum, set Nnamdi Kanu up and got him kidnapped and incarcerated to silence him.

He said, “These greedy and shameless political elites brought similar disgrace to those other nationalities rooting for a Nigerian president of South-East extraction for equity, justice and fairness.

“For their business and political interests, they ganged up to have IPOB proscribed, rejected referendum, set Nnamdi Kanu up and got him kidnapped and incarcerated to silence him.

“They keep mum over the atrocities committed by occupying forces and the continuing intimidation and slaughter of Igbo youths for agitation.

“Igbo politicians followed the dollars in the party primaries, disregarding the recurring political realities which give us the short end of the stick.

“The present and future generations of Ndigbo will look down on the present group of Igbo political and economic elites who have largely relocated to Abuja, as the worst in history.

“The present Igbo legislators in the national assembly should not be allowed back, for toying with the destiny of Ndigbo, in the complex country of Nigeria.”

“They are there for self, family and friends. One wonders why they are gearing up to return to the same indolent representation at the national assembly in 2023. Even the serving governors are buying their way to the senate as retirement home, this is unacceptable to us.”

Politics, World News

Gombe NYSC tasks camp officials, agencies on vigilance

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The Gombe State Coordinator, National Youths Service Corps, Ada Imoni, has tasked Assistant Directors, Heads of Committees, and collaborating agencies to work in synergy as they prepare for the 2022 Batch ‘B’Stream II Orientation Course scheduled for Wednesday.

The PUNCH had reported that the state awaits 1,600 graduates across various schools to undertake the compulsory three-week orientation course in Gombe.

Imoni made this disclosure on Tuesday while addressing authorities preparing for the exercise, adding, “Each camp had its peculiarities, and as such, all hands must be on deck to ensure a hitch-free and successful exercise.”

Speaking on Camp market operators, the State Coordinator said, “All must be vigilant to ensure that corps members don’t over-socialise with them. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency should watch out against infiltration of drugs into the Camp.”

While urging officials to take the assignment personally, Imoni implored them to devise techniques and strategise on ways to beef up security within and outside the Orientation Camp.

“We are dealing with young graduates from the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. It behooves us to groom them and serve as guardians and parents to them,” Imoni added.

Also speaking, Camp Director, Ado Taura lauded the State Coordinator for appointing him to oversee the affairs of the forthcoming orientation course and promised to give his best.

Taura called on all to support him as he promised to be open to constructive criticisms.

On his part, the Camp Commandant, who spoke on behalf of other heads of agencies, Major Ornan, appealed to all not to allow over-familiarity to set in, adding that it would avoid complacency.

“Be proactive and decisive in all your assignments,” Ornan said.

Politics, World News

Kogi gov’s campaign group meets Shettima, pledges support.

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A political support group of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has assured the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Kashim Shettima, of victory in the state ahead of the 2023 general election.

The Governor Yahaya Bello Network 4 Asiwaju, led by the state coordinator, Haddy Ametuo, gave the assurance after a closed-door meeting with Shettima in Abuja on Monday evening.

The meeting is coming nine days after the Kogi governor collapsed his structure, Yahaya Bello Campaign Organisation, and donated his campaign office to the APC presidential flagbearer, Bola Tinubu.

Reciprocating the goodwill, Tinubu, accompanied by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), had commended Bello for mobilising the consciousness of the Nigerian youths, saying he “reminded us of what the nation wants to be.”

In Monday’s meeting, Ametuo briefed Shettima on their activities and proposed plan to ensure the victory of the APC presidential ticket during the 2023 general elections.

He said, “Through the support of our principals Alhaji Yahaya Bello, we paid a solidarity visit to our Vice Presidential candidate Senator Kashim Shettima on Monday to congratulate him on his selection and to assure him of our support for the project.

“We are particularly excited because Senator Kashim Shettima is young, brilliant, resourceful, energetic, and a round peg in a round hole who would add developmental values to Nigeria.”

The political support group pledged its whole alliance and support for the presidential candidate and his running mate ahead of the poll.

Ametuo also reassured that Kogi APC, under the leadership of Bello, has been repositioned and strengthened beyond the reach of opposition political parties in its bid to secure victory for the Tinubu-Shettima ticket in the state.

“Being a grassroots organisation, we assured Senator Shettima that we will ensure massive mobilisation of real voters from all the nook and crannies of Kogi state to deliver the ticket 100 percent during the election.”

“Against all odds, we believe that Senator Shettima was selected based on the principles of integrity, inclusion, and continued performances and relevance in Nigerian politics,” he said.

Politics, World News

Adeboye didn’t meet Tinubu, endorse any candidate – RCCG

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The Redeemed Christian Church of God has issued a disclaimer debunking a purported meeting between its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.

Several news platforms (not The PUNCH) had reported that the revered cleric met with Tinubu on Sunday at the Redemption Camp in Ogun State.

Debunking the claim, the church’s Public Relations Office, in a statement on Tuesday, noted that such a meeting did not hold.

The statement read, “It has come to our notice that some news outlets are reporting that a meeting Between Pastor E.A. Adeboye, The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God Worldwide, and the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was held a few days back at the Redemption Camp where our esteemed father in the Lord was said to have supported the preferred candidature of the party the former governor is a member of.

“This is to inform the general public that Pastor E.A. Adeboye is under the authority of God, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and as such, will not speak on behalf of Christians on issues regarding policies.”

“Pastor E.A.Adeboye and the RCCG have not and will not endorse any candidate for the 2023 General elections in Nigeria.”

Noting that the news of the meeting was false, the church warned, “News outlets should desist from spreading false information about Pastor E.A. Adeboye and the RCCG as it defeats the code and ethics of journalism and the full weight of the law will be employed if such happens in future.”

Politics, World News

Kano government bans tricycle operations after 10pm.

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Kano State Government has announced ban on operations of tricycle operators, popularly known in Kano as ‘A Daidata Sahu’, after 10:00pm.

The announcement was made in a statement released on Monday July 18, by the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba.

Garba who disclosed that the decision was reached at the end of a state security meeting, also revealed that the ban takes effect from Thursday, July 21, 2022.

The statement added; 

“The measure was part of efforts to ensure security of lives and property in the state.”

Tricycle operators in the state were asked to comply and stop operating at the stipulated time, as security agents would strictly enforce the ban.

Politics, World News

Suspected herdsmen kidnap 15 residents in Enugu community.

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About 15 residents of Mgbuji Eha-Amufu Community in the Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State were on Monday July 18, abducted by gunmen masquerading as herdsmen.

Punch reported that the incident occurred at about 7:00am along Mgbuji-Agu road within Mgbuji town, while the victims were going to their farms.

A resident of the community, Onyekachi Odo told the publication that the villagers were going to their farms with tricycles, before being abducted by gun-wielding terrorists numbering over 20. 

He said; 

“Some of the victims, according to information reaching us, were picked on their farms.”

Spokesman for Mgbuji Community, Chijioke Ogbodo, who also confirmed the abduction, alleged that security agencies have done nothing in spite of the continous attacks. 

Ogbodo said; 

“Since they (Fulani militias) started attacking our community, neither the police nor the military had arrested any of the terrorists.

“We received the information on the attack this morning. We called all the security agents deployed to Eha-Amufu, but unfortunately they didn’t respond to our distress calls. This is our tragedy.”

He also called on the state government to do something immediately to rescue the victims, whom he said, their only offence was going to their farms to get what they would eat.

Politics, World News

Surgery: Lawan wishes Osinbajo quick recovery

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The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has sent a get-well-soon message to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who is recuperating in Lagos after a surgical procedure on Saturday to treat pain in his leg.

Lawan joins other Nigerians and well-wishers in expressing relief from the success of the surgical procedure.

He said, “I wish our Vice President a full and speedy recovery. We thank God for the success of the surgical procedure and pray to God, the Great Physician, to touch him with His healing hand and perfect the healing.

“We earnestly pray that the Vice President speedily bounces back on his feet to continue his service to the nation.”

Politics, World News

Peter Obi congratulates Adeleke, justifies Labour Party’s performance.

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he Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has congratulated Osun State Governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory at Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

The PUNCH reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, as the winner of the Osun governorship election.

The Returning Officer for the election and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, announced that Adeleke got a total of 403,371 votes beating the incumbent, Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, who got 375,027 votes in a keenly contested race.

He said, “I declare Adeleke Ademola Jackson Nurudeen, on behalf of the chairman of INEC, of the PDP, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected.”

According to the total votes recorded by the electoral umpire, the PDP won 17 of the 30 Local Government Areas of the state, while the APC won the remaining 13.

The PDP won in Ede North, Ede South, Ifelodun, Boluwaduro, Egbedore, Odo Otin, Osogbo, Ila, Atakumosa West, Olorunda, Ilesa West, Obokun, Oriade, Orolu, Ife North, Irepodun, and Ejigbo LGAs.

While the APC won in Boripe, Ilesa East, Ayedire, Ifedayo, Ife Central, Ayedaade, Iwo, Olaoluwa, Isokan, Atakumosa East, Irewole, Ife South, and Ife East LGAs.

Reacting to Adeleke’s victory in a statement on Sunday night, Obi, who is a former Anambra State governor, congratulated the LP governorship candidate in the state, Lasun Yusuff, on his “resolve”.

He said, “I congratulate the Labour party candidate, Rt. Hon Lasun Sulaimon Yusuff and his running mate, Adeola Adekunle Atanda, for a hard-fought battle and their spirit of resolve and sportsmanship, despite the outcome.”

Justifying the party’s performance, obi said, “To the Obidient Movement Family and our supporters nationwide, the outcome of this particular election is not a verdict on our exponentially growing strength nationwide, especially when viewed against the fact that we are barely one month old in the party and we had to contend with forces that have been entrenched in the state for the last two decades.

“However, within this very short period of only a few weeks, the Labour Party has made its presence and political impact felt nationally.

“We must strengthen our collective resolve not to relent in our noble march to take back our country. Much work remains to be done, hence we must focus the totality of our efforts now on the forthcoming 2023 General elections.

“In the fullness of time, our message of rescue and recovery will resonate throughout the length and breadth of the Nation and most Nigerian electorate will buy in into our mission to take back Nigeria, for the purpose of rescuing it from continued decline, shift the National psyche from consumption to production and from sharing dwindling resources to creating wealth and frontally combating poverty. – PO”

Politics, World News

Groups counsel Osun voters against vote-buying

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Election monitoring and observation groups, HEDA Resource Centre and Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, on Friday, advised voters in Saturday’s Osun State governorship election against trading their God-given rights to choose their leader.

The Chairman, HEDA Resource Centre, Olanrewaju Suraju and WARDC Executive Director, Dr Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, who said the Osun governorship election would be yet another test for Nigeria’s democratic consolidation and citizens’ fidelity to laws and rules guiding the electoral process, harped on the need to discourage vote-buying.

Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Suraju and Akiode-Afolabi renewed call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and other law enforcement agencies not to stop at arresting and prosecuting party agents involved in vote-buying, “but should also ensure to shine the spotlight on their sponsors.”

They said, “The issue of vote-buying remains about the biggest threat to a credible election in Nigeria and it remains a leading cause for concern as the country edges close to the 2023 General Election.”

Suraju and Akiode-Afolabi charged Osun voters to “come out en-masse to cast their votes and be part of selecting their own leader for the next four years through a credible electoral process. This God-given right should be honoured and not traded. It is not a commodity to sell, but a right to be exercised. Selling vote is criminal, casting it is the ideal.

“The implication of vote-buying is far reaching – it makes it difficult to call leaders to account since they paid their ways to the position occupied and beyond that, it affects the economy and living conditions as leaders would have no moral obligation to make life better for the citizens.

“Making public office holders accountable becomes negatively affected where the processes informing their emergence were largely compromised by vote-buying. Under such circumstances, the grip of corruption becomes quick to sight and preventing such becomes a difficult necessity,” they said.

The groups hailed security and anti-graft agencies for heeding the call to stem the tide of vote-buying, saying, “As reported in the news, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have announced their readiness to man the election with sufficient manpower to forestall any eventualities of vote-buying.

“It was also reported that the deployment of police personnel will be complemented by soldiers and civil defence corps. The Police Force has also promised to deploy the Federal Intelligence Bureau, Tactical Corps and the Special Forces to curb vote-buying. The Inspector-General of Police, Baba Alkali, had warned that the police would not take it lightly with persons or groups seeking to perpetrate vote-buying or any form of inducement in the elections,” they said.

Politics, World News

Two die as bandits, terrorists clash in Kaduna

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A clash between some bandits and a splinter Boko Haram sect, the Ansaru terror sect, has left two locals dead, The PUNCH reports.

The Chairman of the Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union, Ishaq Kasai, who said this in a statement in Kaduna on Friday, said some bandits on motorbikes attacked Damari, Kazage ward in Eastern Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state, killing two locals.

Kasai also said the attack which happened on Wednesday left shops, vehicles, as well as a private hospital, burnt.

According to him, the clash between the two terror groups lasted for more than two hours with the Ansaru, with superior firepower overpowering the bandits, who also wielded sophisticated weapons.

The development led to the locals applauding the efforts of the Ansaru terror group for saving them from the bandit attack.

The BEPU chairman also disclosed that the terror groups’ clash forced hundreds to flee their communities.

The statement read, “Bandits numbering about 200 on motorcycles, wielding sophisticated weapons targeted and attacked Damari town of Kazage Ward in the eastern part of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The attack took place around 5:00 pm on Wednesday, 13th July 2022, while Ansaru members were right inside the town preaching to locals.

“On hearing the sporadic gunshots from the bandits, the Ansaru members moved towards them and started exchanging fire. They clashed for about an hour. The Ansaru members who were also heavily armed overpowered the bandits which made them retreat and run away.

“During the clash, some damages were done to the town. One shop was burnt, two vehicles were burnt, one private hospital was burnt as well as two locals (labourers) were also killed by the bandits on their way from the farm, while the bandits were running away to the forest.

“The private hospital was burnt accidentally as a result of the fire spread from the second vehicle burnt nearby.

“As a result of this, most of the community members appreciate and hail the Ansaru members for defending the town from the bandits’ attack without which they believe that the situation could have been more damaging.

“Hundreds of persons including women and children migrated from the town as a result of the attack.

“The attack was a very organised one because the armed bandits knew that the Ansaru members are covering the town. Hence, it was countered by the Ansaru members.

“However, the casualty figure between the armed bandits and the Ansaru members is unascertained.

“The Ansaru members continue to preach and administer Shari’a justice to locals and also advise them to acquire arms to defend themselves against enemies, as well as fight government, in order to establish what they refer to as Islamic State.”

Politics, World News

APC House Of Assembly Candidate And Son Of Former Lagos Deputy Governor, Gbolahan Ogunleye Enmeshed In Certificate Forgery Scandal

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly in Ikorodu Constituency 1, Gbolahan Ogunleye is currently enmeshed in a certificate forgery scandal.

Gholahan, who is a son of Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, former Lagos State deputy governor, in May during the APC primaries defeated the House Majority Leader, Sanai Agunbiade, who has represented the constituency for almost 20 years.

Sources said despite failing to present some vital documents such as his birth and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) certificates during screening, he was cleared because of his father’s influence.

Gbolahan claimed to have graduated with a pass in Economics from Lagos State University in the 1999/2000 set but documents obtained by Sahara Reporters show that the APC candidate’s name is not on the school’s brochure, listing the names of graduating students for the set.

Checks by SaharaReporters on the list of graduates for the set show that none of them graduated with a pass.

The list stops with Economics graduates with Third-class degrees as seen on the university’s brochure and none of the graduates listed is Ogunleye Gbolahan Adetokunbo.

“You can see the results stopped at Third class as seen on the university brochure and there is no name like his on it.

“Economics stops at page 108 of that brochure. Every LASU graduate has their name published in the university brochure. Mr Gbolahan Ogunleye should present a brochure that has his name published,” an employee of LASU told SaharaReporters.

The university authorities also confirmed Gbolahan’s record could not be found in the Examination and Records Division.

“Having gone through records available at the Examinations and Records Division, I write to confirm that there is no record that the Notification of Result in respect to Mr OGUNLEYE Gbolahan Adetokunbo with Matriculation Number 94/06/01/092 was issued to him by the university,” a letter signed by Odusami Adetutu, Deputy Registrar of the institution read.

SaharaReporters however learnt that Adetutu has been queried for issuing the letter saying Gbolahan Ogunleye has no records in the school.

The Deputy Registrar who issued the disclaimer on June 28, 2022, was said to have been issued a query by the school management under the influence of Gbolahan’s father.

Another letter dated July 14, 2022, was issued saying the APC candidate graduated with a pass.

“The Deputy Registrar who issued the first one has been queried and already put into trouble because of Gbolahan. Remember his father is a former deputy governor,” a source told SaharaReporters.

“A member of LASU Governing Council is close to Gbolahan Ogunleye’s father. He was the one who influenced the second letter.”

However, efforts to reach Gbolahan Ogunleye were not successful as calls to his mobile line were not answered nor returned.

A text message also sent to his line had not been replied to at the time of filing this report.

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