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Why I won’t Leave APC – Kogi Gov
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State says he is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as there is no crisis in the state chapter of the party as being reported by the media.
Mr Bello spoke with State House correspondents on Monday at the sidelines of the Induction of New and returning governors at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the outgoing and the incoming governors needed to be inducted so that they would be informed on the challenges ahead.
”I think all I can say about my state is that the APC is not in crisis in Kogi.
”The real elders and the real stakeholders, the youth, the women and people of integrity know that Kogi chapter of the APC is intact and that was why we were able to deliver the state for the President.
”We were able to deliver two out of the three Senatorial seats to our party; we were able to deliver seven out of nine House of Representatives to our party and for the first time ever in the history of politics in Kogi State we were able to deliver 100 per cent; that is 25 House of Assembly members in Kogi State.
“If there is crisis there is no how we could have achieved this.
”So I want to assure you that the APC in Kogi is intact and I remain a bonafide member of APC and as a matter of fact, I rebuilt the party in Kogi State from the scratch to what it is today and we are able to achieve this feat.
”So those that are making certain passes of me leaving the party I think that is their wish and by the grace of God their wish will never be granted,” Mr Bello said.
On alleged misappropriation of funds by the state government, Mr Bello said his administration had been transparent and could not be termed corrupt.
He said the state’s finances, starting from bailout funds to Paris Club refunds and bank statements were published in dailies.
According to him, with the little resources the state is generating, his administration has been able to achieve a lot of infrastructural development, security among others.
”This is what was not done for the state in the past 20 years of Kogi State’s existence before I came on board but under three years we were able to achieve all these successes.
”Probably some might think we were using stones or sand to do all these but this is the prudent management of resources and the good hands that we were able to recruit in my cabinet and in governance in the state.
”So those that are making such comment; it is a strategy; it is either that they want me to perform more or they are simply living in oblivion.
”They don’t know anything that is happening in the state and they cannot participate in state’s politics as it stands today because we are doing politics of inclusiveness or exclusiveness, the way it was done in the past,” he said.
On recent remarks allegedly made by the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, that he would not support him for a second term office, the governor said he did not believe the royal father would say so.
He said the traditional ruler is like a father to him and could not have said such that about a son that restored the real value of the traditional institution.
Mr Bello said he had repositioned the state in terms of security, addressing lopsided employment among others.
”You know what security situation used to be in the state and Ebiraland and today we are having a different story.
“He should not be misquoted by the press or anybody.
”The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland is a revered person; we hold him in very high esteem; he will continue to be my father; my great supporter and by the grace of God, he is urging me to re-contest and also to do more than what I have done in this first term,” he said.
The governor said he is giving the traditional ruler assurance that he would not disappoint him in terms of performance.
(NAN)
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has summoned President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, over the emergency rule declaration in the oil-rich State.
The summons follows a lawsuit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Peoples Life Improvement Foundation, alongside individuals Precious Elekima and Inanna Wright Harry, challenging the legality of the emergency rule imposed on the state.
Also listed as defendants in the suit are Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, the National Assembly, Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
President Tinubu, on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending both the executive and legislative arms of government and appointing retired naval officer Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as administrator.
In suit number FHC/PH/CS/45/2025, the plaintiffs are seeking judicial interpretation on whether the emergency declaration aligns with constitutional provisions, arguing that it is unconstitutional, null, and void.
They contend that it violates Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act) and Section 305(3)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a state of emergency can be declared.
The plaintiffs have urged the court to restrain the Rivers State Administrator from appointing caretaker committees for the 23 local government councils, forming a state executive council, or making financial transactions from the state treasury.
Additionally, they are seeking an order for the immediate reinstatement of the suspended executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
Meanwhile, the court has given the defendants 30 days to respond to the summons.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has celebrated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at he clocks 73 years on Saturday.
In a statement the Minister personally signed, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), he noted that Tinubu has guided the nation with steady hands and showed commitment to Democratic ideals since he was sworn in in May 2023..
The Minister further pledged his commitment to the administration’s renewed hope Security agenda, which has seen the ministry made laudable achievements in a very short time.
The statement reads in full:
Congratulations!
I, Senator (Dr.) Ibrahim Gaidam, Honorable Minister of Police Affairs, extend heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, on his 73rd Birthday.
Since taking office as Nigeria’s 16th President on May 29, 2023, you have guided our nation with a steady hand and a commitment to democratic ideals, navigating challenges to envision a prosperous and united Nigeria.
We pledge our unwavering support for your leadership and urge all Nigerians to unite in building a brighter future. Under your guidance, the Ministry has achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of the National Criminal Data Fusion Centre, the Digital National Convict Database, and advancements in community policing and technological resources for the Nigeria Police Force.
We are committed to the President’s Renewed Hope Security Agenda, enhancing safety and security for all citizens. Our collaboration with regional security initiatives, like the West Africa Police Information System (WAPIS), has improved law enforcement’s ability to share critical information across West Africa.
We emphasize accountability, efficiency, and professionalism, ensuring swift responses where no one is above the law. Additionally, we are accelerating inter-agency cooperation through innovative technologies to address security challenges effectively.
Once again, congratulations to His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on this special day.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Senator Ibrahim Gaidam CON,
Minister of Police Affairs
Glo Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Globacom, on Saturday extended its Food Drive Initiative “Giving Back Together” to more communities as thousands of families in Ikota, Ajah, Lagos, received packages of food and household items from the team.
Two Saturdays ago, the foundation was in Bariga where it shared food and other household items to thousands of other vulnerable members of the community.
In a similar vein, Glo Foundation officials and the project partners, the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, last Saturday presented packages containing Rice, Garri, Spaghetti, noodles, tomato paste, tooth brushes, sardines, salt, vegetable oil, bread and seasoning cubes to thousands of beneficiaries, the majority of whom were women, at a ceremony held within the Ikota neighborhood.
Thousands of beneficiaries had assembled at the New Generation Baptist School in Ikota as early as 7 a.m. to await the start of the distribution.
Before the gifts were distributed, Globacom’s Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Jumobi Mofe-Damijo, welcomed the recipients and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to aiding the underprivileged in the society. She pointed out that helping the most disadvantaged members of society nationwide was one of the Foundation’s goals.
“Giving brings joy and smiles to the faces of the beneficiaries as we have seen here today. It also makes us happy that we are able to do something to touch the lives of others in a highly interdependent world,” she noted, adding that the Foundation was working on other projects that would impact various segments across the country.
At the occasion, the beneficiaries, who were mostly women, expressed their happiness and gratitude to Globacom by singing and dancing. Some of them who expressed their opinions were happy that they were able to benefit from the gesture and prayed that Globacom would continue to thrive.
The recipients were ecstatic and unable to control their excitement. After getting their food gifts, a few of them spoke up and thanked and prayed for Globacom for showing their community such love and concern.
Christina Itoro, an Akwa Ibom indigene, who operates a POS business within the community, expressed happiness at the content of the package. “When I opened the carton and saw the content, I was so excited. May God bless the company and the staff,” she said.
For Godwin Mary, who sells Kunu drink, Globacom has come to her aid at a time that her business was crumbling. The native of Benue State thanked Globacom for remembering her and other women in the Ikate neighborhood.
On her part, Sarah Oliseh, who is a housewife, said: “I am very happy and so excited getting this from Globacom. It will definitely go a long way to help me and my family”.
