Adamawa REC Playing Script Of INEC Chairman - Atiku’s Aide

Adamawa REC Playing Script Of INEC Chairman - Atiku’s Aide

The Special Assistant on Public Communication to Waziri Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Phrank Shaibu,  has alleged that  the electoral misconduct perpetrated by the Adamawa Resident Electoral Commission, Hudu Yunusa-Ari, is nothing different from what the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, did during the Presidential polls.

Yunusa-Ari had on Sunday, announced Senator Aishatu Ahmed Binani, the APC governorship candidate in Adamawa, as the winner of the election even while the results were still being collated.

The Adamawa REC has since been suspended by  the headquarters of the commission while the announcement of the results has been postponed indefinitely.

Responding in a statement, however, Shaibu said the national leadership of INEC could not pretend to be unaware of the many allegations hanging on the neck of the Adamawa REC.

Shaibu added that the suspension of the Adamawa REC without his arrest and prosecution was merely a slap in the wrist.

“It is crystal clear even to the blind that the Adamawa REC learnt well from the INEC Chairman. INEC as an organization, from the top to the bottom is akin to Ali Baba and the 40 thieves. As a matter of fact, the baby goat learns to eat grass by diligently watching the mama devour the lush grass around them”.

He said, “Over a month ago, Sahara Reporters published an audio clip where the Adamawa REC was heard directing an election official, Hammajam Mohammed, to rig the governorship election in favour of Binani.

“In the leaked audio, Yunusa told Mohammed to do everything humanly possible to make Binani win. He told the electoral official that he was instructed by a higher authority to make Binani win. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri complained severally about the compromised REC but INEC did nothing about it.

“Despite having over one month to prepare for this supplementary poll, INEC retained this compromised REC who went ahead to undermine the election once more. From all that has happened, it is obvious that Yunusa-Ari was acting on orders from above and that is why Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s warnings were ignored.

“This carefully orchestrated action is a reflection of the electoral heist of February 25, 2023 when the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, decided to announce Bola Tinubu of the APC as winner despite the many irregularities and complaints from several opposition parties. Indeed, Yunusa-Ari acted like his father and boss, Mahmood Yakubu.”

Atiku’s aide said the Adamawa fiasco came as no surprise since INEC had always been in bed with Binani and had even admitted in a statement that it awarded a contract to one of her companies.

He added, “INEC had in a statement by National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, admitted to awarding a sensitive contract to the Binani Printing Press Limited, a firm owned by the APC governorship candidate.

“In the statement, Okoye had claimed that the company was awarded the contract as a way of stimulating the economy and encouraging Nigerian enterprise. It is obvious that Binani and INEC are in bed together.”

Shaibu said Yakubu’s name had become a by-word for scorn after conducting the most flawed election in the history of Nigeria.

Atiku’s aide wondered why INEC under the leadership of Yakubu had failed to deliver a credible poll despite receiving the largest budget ever.

He added, “How will Mahmood Yakubu be remembered? Well, Nigerian singers like Falz and Vector have already composed a song titled Yakubu so that generations unborn will remember the sort of character he is. The video alone has garnered over one million views on Youtube and has become a social media sensation.

“This is a man who promised over and over again to upload the results of elections in real-time unto the INEC’s portal and failed to do so yet he lacks the decency to apologise to over 200 million people. Nearly two months after that shambolic election, all the results have yet to be uploaded.

“Results from Rivers State even show that Tinubu did not even win in that state. Rather than suspend the announcement of results, Mr Yakubu decided to announce Tinubu as the winner. One wonders how such a man sleeps at night.”

Reps Speaker Race: Groups, Analysts Tip Hon Gagdi For Top Job

By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON

As the race  for who becomes   the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly gets tough, the  Chairman, House Committee on Navy, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State in North Central geopolitical zone of Nigeria has emerged as the top contender for the post and he is highly rated for it as well.

Last week, a Non Government Organisation (NGO), called Alliance for True Democracy  met in the Federal Capital Territory  and endorsed Gagdi for the office of the No 4 man in the country . 

The group cited Gagdi's pedigree which include,  being the Deputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Legislative Aide to the Deputy Speaker,  Plateau State House of Assembly and the Chairman Special Committee on Peace, Security and Reconciliation Plateau State 2018 and as well as Financial Secretary of People's Democratic Party (PDP) Plateau State 2012 to 2014.

The group further added that apart from holding these posts, the lawmaker was also a  member of Plateau State Library Board between 2012 to 2014 and Chairman of Federal Board, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRBDA Makurdi 2012 to 2014,  Chairman of Special Committee on Peace, Security and Reconciliation Plateau State 2015; Chairman Special Committee on Peace, Security and Reconciliation Plateau State 2018 and as well as Financial Secretary of PDP Plateau State 2012 to 2014.

It therefore, based its arguments that based on  wealth of experience at both state and federal legislative houses, Mr Gagdi should be given the top post of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Another group clamouring for Hon. Gagdi to become the Speaker, is the popular Middle Belt Forum 

According to Okpani Mike Akatu Odeh.

"Hon.Yusuf Gagdi is one of the youngest law maker at the both the 9th and 10 Assembly respectively, as such he would bring about the much needed vibrancy in to the lower legislative House.

"Secondly, Hon Gagdi would be the link between millions of Nigeria's youth and the legislators which would ensure that the wishes and needs of our teeming young men and women would be respected.

"There is also the need to to do a balancing act in the National Assembly, since the President is from the South West, his Vice is from North East and with the Senate President likely going to the South East or South South, the Middle Belt advocacy posited that it would be in the interest of national unity and cohesion to have the experienced lawmaker as the Speaker," he said.

Okpani explained "If we are to have every geopolitical zone represented at the 10th Assembly, then we should do a balancing at. If the President is from the South West, the Vice President is from the North West  the Senate President is from South, is only proper to have the Speaker from one of  the Middle Belt State and it is in this regard we are calling on members of the HoR to please consider justice, equity and fairness by electing Hon. Gagdi as its Speaker." 

Apart from the game of endorsements by prominent groups across the country that the astute legislator heads the Lower House, political pundits and legislative analysts have tipped Gagdi as the most suited for top job .

Dr. Baba Adams of Institute of Leadership and Development, Nigeria added his voice to the debate.

Adams stressed that given the lawmaker's long years of service at the National Assembly, coupled with the fact that most of the law makers in the 10th Assembly are first timers, there is the need to have a leader who would guide them through the difficult  processes of legislative workings.

A veteran journalist who had covered the National Assembly for years, Bashir Bello is of the opinion that  the legislator's emergence as Speaker of the House would restore hope and unity in Nigeria as Christians who have been alienated as result of the Muslim-Muslim ticket would be reassured that they are not marginalised.

Born on November 5, 1980, the 42 year old lawmaker has served in various other capacities before his present position, which included Legislative Aide to Deputy Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly between 2003 and 2006.

He was a deputy speaker of the State House of Assembly before getting elected into the House of Representatives  in 2019.

30 Athletes On Spotlight As AFN All Comers Trials Ends In Kaduna

By Mike Odeh James 

*Outstanding to represent Nigeria at African U-18,  U-20 championships in Zambia.

Over 30 junior athletes would be called to camp from the AFN All Comers, U-18 and U-20 Trials that ended at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Technical Director, Samuel Onikeku has said. 

Onikeku, an officer and Sports Secretary of Nigerian Customs Service, told sports writers in Kaduna that the performances recorded are laudable, “we are happy as a federation for bringing the All Comers, U-18 and U-20 Trials competitions to Kaduna to represent the Northwest. It’s what the AFN president and board promised to do. We are happy that a national record is set. We have an U18 girl setting a national record and we are happy that 11 personal best times were set which is good for Nigeria. 

“We are going to pick over 30 athletes from this competition for camping for the African U-18 and U-20 championships in Lusaka, Zambia. The AFN technical committee will meet to pick the team for the continental championship and present to the AFN board for approval and they would be called to camp in Abuja. From the camp, the team would depart for Lusaka, Zambia. We are happy to have good performances in Kaduna, the Ahmadu Bello Stadium track is one of the fastest tracks in the country and the whether is always competition friendly. So, another junior competition will be coming to Kaduna very soon.”     

Speaking in the same vein, Secretary General, Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Mrs. Rita Mosindi commended the performances of the junior athletes, noting that Nigerian 100m hurdles world record holder, Tobi Amusan started same way when she attended the 2011 World Youth Championship in Athletics in Lille, France. She however called for sponsors to support AFN programmes, while urging athletics coaches and states associations to comb the grassroots for young talents. 

“Some states are not here for the All Comers, U18 and U20 selection trials for the African U18 and U20 Championship in Lusaka, Zambia because they don’t have grassroots programme. We registered over 700 athletes which is good for us. You cannot do without the grassroots because that is where we get young talents to replace the ageing stars. 

“We are calling on sponsors to come in and help sponsor our programmes. We thank Premium Trust Bank for their support but we want more sponsors because we have lots of competitions for the year.  We want to combine education and sports by engaging our youth from young age. We are looking at U13, U20, we are getting support from World Athletics to carry out grassroots programmes. 

“I took Tobi Amusan to the 2011 World Youth Championship in Athletics in Lille, France, 11 years later she broke the world record. We have so many talents but we don’t know how to harness them. The timings from our athletes here are very good. This is beginning of the season, the first event of the year and this is World Athletics Championship year, hopefully we would get more good performances as the season progresses,” she added.

ADAMAWA RERUN Why Fintiri Will Win

By Mada Ibrahim and Mike Odeh James  

Even as the Independent National Electoral Commission prepare for the  runoff between the incumbent Governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Umar Fintiri and the Governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress,Aishetu Binani, the signs are very clear that Fintiri would still triumph .

Here are some of the reasons why voters choose FINITIRI over his rival 

In recent times, Adamawa have not have  a Governor that have focused on infrastructural  development like Fintriri is doing currently.exchanging him for a fellow whose policies Adamawa people are not sure of  is a major impediment to Binani .

Apart from the infrastructural development, Fintiri have invested much in human capacity starting from the rural areas to the urban centres in the state .Furthermore, salaries are being paid regularly, farmers get subsidies as  well 

More so, through out the country, APC has become very impervious to the suffering of the masses that in return  the electorates do not feel the need to vote candidates of APC to power .Binani is also a victim of such  lethargic feelings 

“

AHEAD OF NEXT WEEK RERUN 

Governor Ahmadu Umar Fintiri would be heading to the  rerun election with  the benefit of having two senators-elect and seven House of Representatives members-elect as fellow party men, while  Binani has just one senator-elect and one House of Representatives member-elect on her side. The fact that the incumbent Governor have won for his party that number of seats during the polls shows that Fintiri clearly has the initiative .

Secondly, less than two weeks into the rerun, Binani's party was  embroiled in a deep crisis leading to the suspension Binani campaign organization, senator Ahmed Barata, the Director General of Binani's Campaign Organisation . 

He was suspended for the following reasons,:

Anti-Party activities during the 18 March, Governorship and House of Assembly Election.”

Impersonation of the party by appointment of agents in same election 

being a principal actor in causing crisis at the polling unit between agent sent by the party and those you sent during the 18 March Governorship and House of Assembly Election.”

for withholding  of relief food items sent to party faithful before election by the APC Governorship Candidate, Distinguish 

Earlier on, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha was suspended but his suspension was quickly revoked .

Even as the spate of suspension continues in Binani's party, internal struggles between the law makers would also work against the ambitions of the Senator Binani .Senator Elisha Abbo, the only senator which APC has in Adamawa state has vowed to work against his party due to the Muslim Muslim ticket adopted by Tinubu .Abbo's camp have also taken that anger against Tinubu to include the lady senator .

Thus, Binani would be going into the supplementary election with her party, campaign team in tattered and diminished form .

Again, the odds are in favour of the incumbent as Fintiri has an unassailable lead in all the local government areas of the state before the election in Fufore was declared inconclusive .

According Alex David, it would be more difficult for Hajia Binani to mobilise the whole of the electorates in Fufore  Local Government to vote only for  APC .

David also is also of the opinion that even the incumbent gets less than 5% of the votes in that area , he would win resoundingly.

Two weeks into the runoff, Alex opined that the well-oiled political campaign team of Fintiri has traversed Fulfore in length and breathe leaving no stone unturned .It is would be such a herculean task to have him best in Binani's backyard

Northern Group Endorses Hon. Faleke As CoS To President Elect Tinubu

By: Mike Ideh 

Mike 

Kaduna

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has endorsed Hon. James Faleke as Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A press statement issued by the national president Alhaji Yerima Shettima said, as stakeholders and keen watchers of the ongoing wrap-up of civilian-to-civilan transition, they feel it is not just important but very necessary to state their position on the national conversation regarding the best man for office of the next Chief of Staff. 

"We belief Hon James Faleke is a very loyal Tinubu supporter and associate who has proved to be reliable as ambassador to president-elect any day and Nigeria has had serious challenges caused by the communication gap between the President,  ministers and even State governors, so this is an oppprtunity for the President-elect to get someone with good skills of managing the relationship between the President, officials of government and the rest of Nigerians

" Hon. Faleke, being a highly-experienced lawmaker can build very cordial relationship between the Executive and legislative arms of government in the new dispensation because he represents the new generation of Nigerian political class, politically savvy and intellectually vibrant. 

"We are in a new, ideas-driven world and Nigeria's Presidency therefore, needs a Chief of Staff on tune with modern system of democratic governance. We expect  that by now, President-elect Bola Ahamed Tinubu is fully aware of the consequences of our past mistakes of choices on Chiefs of Staff and won't  allow a repeat of the inglorious past.

"In view of the forgoing,  we urge President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make sure he makes an informed choice of his Chief of Staff with loyal, proactive progressive and hale and hearty parliamentarian like Hon James Faleke".

ENDSArewa Youth Group Drum Support For Hon. Faleke As CoS To President Elect Tinubu

BY ISAIAH BENJAMIN

Kaduna

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has endorsed Hon. James Faleke as Chief of Staff (CoS) to the President elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A press statement issued by the national president Alhaji Yerima Shettima said, as stakeholders and keen watchers of the ongoing wrap-up of civilian-to-civilan transition, they feel it is not just important but very necessary to state their position on the national conversation regarding the best man for office of the next Chief of Staff. 

"We belief Hon James Faleke is a very loyal Tinubu supporter and associate who has proved to be reliable as ambassador to president-elect any day and Nigeria has had serious challenges caused by the communication gap between the President,  ministers and even State governors, so this is an oppprtunity for the President-elect to get someone with good skills of managing the relationship between the President, officials of government and the rest of Nigerians

" Hon. Faleke, being a highly-experienced lawmaker can build very cordial relationship between the Executive and legislative arms of government in the new dispensation because he represents the new generation of Nigerian political class, politically savvy and intellectually vibrant. 

"We are in a new, ideas-driven world and Nigeria's Presidency therefore, needs a Chief of Staff on tune with modern system of democratic governance. We expect  that by now, President-elect Bola Ahamed Tinubu is fully aware of the consequences of our past mistakes of choices on Chiefs of Staff and won't  allow a repeat of the inglorious past.

"In view of the forgoing,  we urge President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make sure he makes an informed choice of his Chief of Staff with loyal, proactive progressive and hale and hearty parliamentarian like Hon James Faleke".

ENDS

Northern Christian Youths Professional Urge Nigeria To Unite, Shun Calls For ING.

As Christians worldwide as well in Nigeria are celebrating the Easter Festival in commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ, the Northern Christian  Youths Professionals have extended warm wishes to all Nigerians on the event .

In a statement issued and signed by the President of the group Isaac Abrak and made available to journalists, the group  called on Nigerians  to reflect on the virtues of Jesus Christ's death on the cross and emulate theses virtues their  daily lives.

The group also seized the opportunity to reflect on the state of the nation and the outcomes of the Presidential and Gubnatorial elections adding that though the processes posed challenges, it however believed that there is light in the tunnel 

"We must also use this opportunity to reflect on the state of our nation and the challenges we face. In light of the Presidential election, we congratulate His Excellency Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. We believe that under his leadership, Nigeria can make significant progress in improving our economy and security.

It further appealed for Unity amongst Nigerians saying that President Elect Bola Tinubu would unite Nigeria s 

"We are aware that not all Nigerians voted for President Elect HE Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but we urge those who did not vote for him to put aside their differences and support him in his efforts to improve the lives of all Nigerians. He will now be responsible for the well-being of all citizens, and it is important that we all work together towards a better Nigeria.

As a Christian organization, we firmly believe in the power of prayer and the importance of leadership that upholds Christian values. We urge all Nigerians, irrespective of religious beliefs, to support President Elect HE Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Northern Christian  Youths Professionals further urged Nigerians  to distance themselves from calls by certain individuals not to handover power to President Elect Bola Tinubu come May 29, 2023

"However, we note with concern the recent calls by some individuals and groups to shelve the handover of power to President Elect HE Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

"We call on all Nigerians to distance themselves from any person or group that calls for the subversion of the will of the people. We must all work together to tackle the various challenges facing our nation, including insecurity, economic hardship, and political unrest

. Ends

Ikpeazu Best Governor Among His Predecessors - Ohanaeze Ndigbo

The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has described the governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu as the best among his predecessors. 

In a statement signed by the group's Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro on Thursday said "Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has embarked on assessment tours in the Southeast to ascertain the level of development and distribution of public amenities in various LGAs in the Southeast".

"We had convened a high level of disciplined Igbo Team of Ingerity, made of erudite scholars, Igbo patriots, and impartial Court Judges(retired), with strict rules of engagement and terms of reference to evaluate the level of progress put together and challenges confronted in the 95 LGAs of Southeast towards the end of the tenures of the outgoing State Governors, and in alphabetical order, the Igbo Team of Integrity commenced the Assessment Tour from Abia State and their findings were remarkable and outstanding". 

"Igbo verdict on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is akin to the position of Former President Goodluck Jonathan found himself towards his exit from Power in 2015 after some years out of power Nigerians began to see the contrasts then started to celebrate him.

"We caught sight of Abia as of May 29th, 2015, which was deeply messed up and was grounded by activities of men of the underworld, the level of insecurity challenges then was at its crescendo

"Abia was the den of Kidnappers, the commercial city of Aba was the dirtiest metropolis in West Africa, the external debts of the State was the highest in Nigeria.

"Armed Robberies and other vices were the order of the day and the institutionalized godfatherism were about to kick off and modernized in 2015, and workers and pensioners welfare packages were at Zero level, amongst this myriad of challenges, Okezie Ikpeazu is leaving Abia State in 2023 in a better way than he met it at the resumption of office as Governor in 2015". 

"The records available to the Igbo Team of Integrity led by US-based scholar, Professor Obioma Nwadiuko, revealed that there was a steady State of revamping of dead institutions through PPP, there were records of reconstruction of over 700 roads, and the majority of the roads are in Umuahia and Aba and its environs, resuscitation of public confidence through improved security and wealth creation was superb, and the Promotion of SME businesses and Made in Aba Products we're second to none".

 "Irrespective of minimum tackles in the areas of clearing of backlogs of workers' welfare packages and low tackles of godfatherism, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu based on the indexes on the ground is as of today seen as the best Governor, Abians has caught a glimpse of in the last 24 years of Democracy in Abia State".

"Ndigbo urges the President-Elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to employ the security template of Abia State from 2015-2023 to deal with the undefeated insecurity challenges facing the country.

"It is only a magician like Okezie Ikpeazu can capsize the headquarters of kidnappers and bandits in Nigeria into the best-secured State with Zero violence, in the face of the heavily compromised security situation in the Southeast, the President-Elect needs Abia Security blueprints to save Nigeria from total collapse".