Headlines
Ambode Commissions More Projects, Says I’m Wiser Now
Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said he has grown wiser politically, having spent four years in office.
Ambode was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday to pay what he called, “thank you visit” to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Buhari was in Lagos last month to inaugurate some projects initiated by the Ambode administration.
The governor lost his bid for a second term after he was beaten by Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the All Progressives Congress governorship primary election last year.
Sanwo-Olu progressed to win the March 9 governorship poll, leaving Ambode to become the first Lagos State governor to serve one term since 1999.
APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola served two terms each.
Responding to a question on the lessons he had learnt in office, Ambode said, “You see, every politician learns every day.
“The fact remains that I came in as a technocrat so I call myself a techno-politician, but I think I am wiser now.
“I am more of a politician than a technocrat.”
Meanwhile, the outgoing governor is scheduled to inaugurate projects started and completed by his administration on Tuesday.
They include the new Senate Building of Lagos State University.
The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Ade Akinsanya, said this in a statement on Monday.
He said, “It is pertinent to note that the Lagos State Government has procured seven ferries, five of which will be inaugurated and they are named after monumental events, notable towns and Lagos deities as a reminder of our historical values.
“The names are Itesiwaju Eko, Ipakodo, Alausa, Adamu-Orisa, Ejinrin, Eko-Akete and Zangbeto.
“Another project scheduled for opening is the new Senate Building of the Lagos State University in Ojo.
“This project will change the landscape of the university and will remain another legacy project of this administration.”
The Punch
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.
