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Post Date : August 26, 2022

Convicted Murderer Executed In US After Governor Denies Clemency

  A 50-year-old convicted murderer was executed in Oklahoma on Thursday after the governor rejected a recommendation of clemency from the pardon board of the central US state. James Coddington was put to death by lethal injection at the state penitentiary in McAlester, prison officials said. The execution began at 10:02 am and Coddington was pronounced dead 14 minutes later, said Scott Crow, the director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. He said there were “absolutely no issues.” “The execution today went in accordance with the protocol with no issues at all,” Crow said. forced Oklahoma to temporarily halt executions in 2015 but they resumed in October of last year. Coddington was sentenced to death for the 1997 murder of a friend, 73-year-old Albert Hale, who had refused to give him money for drugs. Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board recommended clemency for Coddington but it was denied on Wednesday by Governor Kevin Stitt. Coddington was the 10th person executed in the United States this year. AFP

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Post Date : August 26, 2022

Tompolo’s contract: Northern youths to occupy NNPC

  A group, The Amalgamated Arewa Youth Groups, on Thursday, vowed to mobilise no fewer than 10,000 youths to protest the award of N4 billion pipeline surveillance contract to repentant Niger Delta militant, Mr Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited. The group said occupying the NNPC in Abuja became imperative just to protest the alleged injustice against the North. The AAYG also accused the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, of allegedly playing the ethnic card by surrendering the “security of the economic valves and nerves” of the country to Tompolo, which it said was not in any way different from the call to hire mercenaries to tackle terrorism or banditry in the North. The group had handed down a seven-day ultimatum within which the Federal Government or its agent (the NNPC) should revoke the contract or be forced to either protest or take legal action. Already, the group, comprising 225 youth organisations from the northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, has officially written the Nigeria Police Force, Abuja, of the proposed protest slated for Tuesday. The letter, dated August 22, 2023 and signed by the Convener of the group, Mock Kure, and obtained by The PUNCH, was titled, ‘Notice of protest over the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) by the Federal Government of Nigeria and the NNPC Limited, effective from Tuesday, August 30, 2022,’ and copied to the FCT Police Command, the Director of the Department of State Services and the NNPC Limited. The Convener, Mock Samuel-Kure, in the letter, noted that the group, with a major objective of advancing and protecting the interest of the North, resolved to protest under the Abuja Police Command against “the annoying and inciting Pipeline Surveillance Contract that has been Awarded to Ekpemupolo by the FG and the NNPC, effective from Tuesday, August, 30, 2022, in front of the NNPC Limited, Headquarters, Abuja.” According to him, in order to effectively manage the crowd that would be participating in the continuous civil action, we have concluded plans to mobilise 10,000 persons to the Head office of the NNPC to press home our demands. The letter read partly, “Sir, as you are aware, Northern Nigeria has suffered so much from activities of bandits and terrorists. Our people came to the sad conclusion that our security agencies are overstretched, hence, we made case for the engagement of mercenaries to help restore peace in our troubled region, however, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, a chieftain of the Niger Delta, sharply rebuked the patriotic call by assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces are more than able to nip the situation in the bud. “It is our considered view that surrendering the security of the economic valves and nerves of our country to Tompolo, is not in any way different from hiring mercenaries. The only difference is that our people can continue to suffer in the hands of terrorist, but crude oil which is considered more important than the blood of Northerners, need the protection of mercenaries. “If the Armed Forces have come to the sad conclusion that they can’t secure the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large, our group is ever ready to rally our youths to secure our communities too if adequately supported legally and financially. “We are also worried that the Federal Government is still funding the Amnesty Program, yet, peace has refused to return to the creeks. What difference will the N4 billion per month contract awarded to Tompolo make? In the course of our protest, we shall demand for the scrapping of either the Amnesty Office or the newly awarded contract. “In the alternative, our group will press for the award of similar security contract to youths of various geopolitical zones to enable them safeguards their regions since the Federal Government no longer have confidence in the country security agencies.”

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Post Date : August 25, 2022

Atiku cautions PDP leaders against divisive comments, says Wike will work for the party

  Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asked party leaders to refrain from making comments that could jeopardise the party’s unity. In a statement issued by Paul Ibe, his media aide, Abubakar said Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, and his colleagues are working for the victory of the party in the 2023 elections. Abubakar’s remarks come amid the crisis rocking the leading opposition party. The former vice-president said the PDP is united, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is presenting a “false impression” that there is division in the party. “It has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party,” the statement reads. “This appeal becomes necessary in order to call the attention of party leaders and members to the diversionary antics of the ruling All Progressives Congress which, in manufacturing a false impression of division within the PDP, aims to hoodwink the Nigerian public to overlook the monumental failures of the ruling party. “Today, Nigerians look up to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the charge in ousting the ruling party. This expectation from the people is the reason why the APC is jittery about their impending fall in next year’s general election. It is also the very reason why the ruling party is manipulating the political process to create a sense of division in the PDP.   “Because they know that there is nothing to campaign with from their records of performance in office, the APC has elected to play the role of the devil’s advocate, regaling in celebration of their imaginary invincibility upon a fraudulent claim that the PDP is divided. “It is for this reason that appeals to every true member of the PDP and anyone who truly wishes the success of the PDP presidential candidate to not fall for the antics of the APC in making statements that could give credence to the false claim of divisions in the PDP. “All the leaders of the party, including especially the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Wike and all governors of the PDP are united in working for the victory of the PDP in next year’s general election across the board. “What is at stake in the next year’s election is the future of Nigeria and all leaders and members of the PDP are on the same page in the mission to rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of the APC.” Atiku’s comment comes in the wake of the exchange of words between Wike and Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa.

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Post Date : August 25, 2022

University Closure: NAAT suspends strike for three months

  The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) on Thursday suspended its 158-day-old strike for three months. NAAT President, Ibeji Nwokoma, said the suspension of the strike was to allow the government time to conclude negotiations and implementation of NAAT’s demands. Like SSANU and NASU which suspended their strike on Saturday, NAAT noted that it would proceed on another round of strike without warning should the government fail to effectively address the issues at the expiration of the three months ultimatum. “It is important to state that at the expiration of the three months window period, NAAT will not hesitate to resume the suspended strike action without notice if all the issues agreed upon with the Honourable Minister of Education, on behalf of the government are not holistically addressed,” said Mr Nwokoma. NAAT is one of the university-based unions that downed tools early in the year, following the government’s failure to meet its demands. SSANU and NASU had also on Thursday suspended their strike for two months, threatening to down tools again if the government failed to conclude negotiations by October. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said it would meet on Sunday to decide on whether to suspend the strike or not. The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had last week said ASUU is the only union that has refused to accept his demands that the strike be suspended, insisting that their members’ salaries during the strike must be paid before they will suspend the strike. But the minister said the idea was flatly rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari. NAAT striker suspension In a press statement on Thursday, the NAAT president said the union decided to suspend the strike for the next three months beginning on 26 August, after the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union reviewed the decisions made by the various chapters of the association during their various congresses. According to him, the result of the referendum from branches showed that 80.56 per cent voted in favour of a suspension of the strike while 19.44 per cent voted for the continuation of the strike action. He said: “NEC in the interest of the nation unanimously resolved to suspend the ongoing strike action for three (3) months to enable the Government to address all the issues at stake, effective from midnight of Friday, 26th August 2022.” He said NAAT rejected the position of the government on “No Work No Pay” and demanded that their withheld salaries be paid without delay, noting that his union followed all laid down rules before embarking on strike. He said: “It should be noted that NAAT complied with all laid down procedures before embarking on the industrial action. Therefore, NAAT demands in strong terms the payment of our withheld salaries without delay.” NAAT, however, implored the Minister of Education “to plead with the government on passionate ground to pay August 2022 salaries to members of NAAT immediately the strike is suspended.” Demands Mr Nwokoma listed NAAT’s demands from the government to include the non-full implementation of the FGN/ NAAT 2009 Agreement; the government’s refusal to release enabling circular for the implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for Academic Technologists; and the non-payment of the arrears of Earned Allowances to its members. Others include the non-conclusion of the FGN/ NAAT 2009 Agreement renegotiation; Non-provision of funds for upgrade of Public Universities’ Laboratories/ Workshops, Studios and farms; Inconsistencies of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) operations as well as the proliferation and poor funding of State Universities. Agreements NAAT also stated that it had reached certain agreements with the government before deciding to suspend the strike. The latest agreement, according to the NAAT President, followed the union’s meeting with the tripartite committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari. The committee included the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, his Labour and Employment counterpart, Chris Ngige, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari. NAAT said the meeting led to resolutions and commitment from the government to release enabling circulars for CONTISS 14 & 15 for Academic Technologists, payment of arrears of minimum wage or consequential adjustment, payment of occupational hazard allowances and the implementation of responsibility allowance. “The Honourable Minister of Education agreed to do the necessary follow-up at the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to facilitate the release of the (CONTISS 14 & 15) Circular within the shortest possible time,” he said. For the minimum wage and consequential adjustment, Mr Nwokoma said: “NAAT would submit a list of omitted members to the Executive Secretary of NUC, while the ES would request universities to submit their list of omitted staff that would be compared for accuracy before it would be forwarded to the Budget Office for verification and subsequent payment. “It was resolved that the Seven (7) month arrears of Occupational Hazard Allowance owed NAAT members in Federal Universities would be processed and paid within three months. “The Federal Ministry of Education will facilitate the implementation of the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission (NSIWC) Circular on Responsibility Allowance for members of NAAT.” Government offers NAAT also listed the offers from the government to include a 23.5 per cent salary increase across the board to all members of the four university-based unions –ASUU, SSANU, NASU and NAAT– effective 1st September. “NAAT accepted the offer in the interim,” he said. He added that the government promised to pay N50 billion for earned allowances to all members of the four unions by January 2023, and N150 billion for revitalization in public universities, where the deficiencies in Labs/Workshops/Studios will be adequately compensated. “Arising from these conciliatory efforts by the Government, resolution of the issues with specific timelines for implementation were reached,” said Mr Nwokoma. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe

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Post Date : August 25, 2022

Trouble in Imo APC as ex-minister’s daughter raises alarm over expulsion threat

  First republic Ex-Minister of Trade, Raphael Okafor’s daughter Ngozi Okafor, and an aspirant to the Oguta/Ohaji/Egbema/Oru West House of Representative seat, under the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Thursday raised an alarm over a plot to expel her from the APC. The plot was made known to newsmen in Owerri, by a Chieftain of the APC, from Ngozi’s Oru ward in Oguta local government area, Mr. Agunwa Emeka. Agunwa said the plot to expel her was because she went to the court to seek redress over what they described as a failure of the party to conduct a transparent House of representstives primaries. According to him, “Ms Ngozi RBK Okafor is a registered member of APC. She registered in her home town, Nkwesi, Oru Ward, Oguta LGA of Imo State. And since then she has been the financer of the party in the ward. Also, she was was was as brought back to live in APC led by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma in our Federal Constituency. The above can be verified by the Party Excos of the LGA. “As APC announced its sale of nomination forms, Ms Okafor purchased her form to contest for an APC ticket. It’s also on record that she was the last person to be screened for the position in our federal constituency within the stipulated time. She was issued a provisional certificate of clearance after a successful screening.” However, her anger was that “As Ms Ngozi RBK Okafor failed to obtain justice through the internal mechanism of APC, she approached the law court. The matter is pending in the court, and Ms RBK Okafor firmly believes she will get justice noting that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. “In a bid to stop Ms Ngozi RBK Okafor from seeking proper redress, those concerned with shortchanging at the primaries are desperately trying to expel Ms RBK Okafor from APC. They are trying to expel her through the Oru Ward Executive of APC. As a founding member of APC and a concerned citizen of this constituency, I humbly appeal to the leadership of APC in Oru Ward not to succumb to pressure. The leadership of APC in Oguta LGA should not allow this to happen. This is undemocratic and should be condemned. “To her greatest dismay, Ms Ngozi RBK Okafor and her supporters were speechless when Mr Eugene Dibiagwu was announced through the Imo State Government-owned radio station as the winner of the primary election that never took place. As a civilised party faithful, Ms RBK Okafor followed internal democracy to resolve issues emanating from the failed primaries. “Ms Ngozi RBK Okafor should not be expelled from the party. Seeking redress in court is her constitutional right. We are in a democracy, not an autocracy. It’s important to note that any further attempt to undo Ms Ngozi RBK Okafor as a member of APC in Imo State is the final destruction of APC in Ohaji/Egbema Oguta/Oru Federal Constituency because injury to one is an injury to all.”

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Post Date : August 25, 2022

Tinubu, APC ex-presidential hopefuls to meet in Abuja August 31

  of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and 22 ex-presidential hopefuls on the platform of the ruling party are billed to converge on the federal capital territory (FCT). The meeting is scheduled to be held at the Transcorp Hilton on August 31. In a statement on Wednesday, Nicolas Felix, a pastor and ex-presidential hopeful, said the meeting is aimed at working out a strategy for the victory of the APC at the 2023 polls. The meeting also seeks to address the challenges confronting the country, Felix said.   “The special invitation to the strategic meeting of all 2023 APC presidential aspirants, which will be held at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, on Wednesday, August 31st, 2022 by 2pm is to brainstorm on adopting winning campaign strategies that will carry every Nigerian along and address the challenges bedeviling our country,” he said. In June, Tinubu polled more than a thousand votes to clinch the party’s presidential ticket. Some of those who contested the ticket at the time are Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation, and Ogbonnaya Onu, a former minister of science and technology.   Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, Abubakar Badaru, governor of Jigawa, Ben Ayade, governor of Cross River, and Kayode Fayemi, governor of Ekiti, were also in the race.

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Post Date : August 25, 2022

Legal strategy activated to free Mama Biafra — IPOB lawyer

  The lead counsel to Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Thursday said the legal strategy on how to free Idara Gold popularly known as Mama Biafra, has been activated to free her from the detention facility of the security agency. Ejiofor disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri, after their routine visit to the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, at the Department of State Services, DSS, in Abuja. According to him, Kanu was worried over the continued detention of Mama Biafra. IPOB lawyer said: “The Court-Ordered routine visit to Our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was conducted today, at the DSS Headquarters, Abuja, where Onyendu has been held for over one year in solitary confinement. While concerted efforts are ongoing to secure his unconditional release, the legal team visited him today, in line with the subsisting court Order. “However, Consistent with the court’s ordered guideline, unilaterally distorted by the DSS, the visit was conducted separately/ individually. “My briefings with ONYENDU principally centered on the updates on our preparation for his Appeal coming up for a definite hearing in October. The coast is now clear for the expected legal fireworks on that day. An update on related Appeals on other segments of Onyendu’s case was not left out, but for obvious reasons, the details will remain private. “Onyendu’s concerns over the present troubling conditions of Mama Biafra, Idara gold, and other UMUCHINEKE held in solitary confinement at various detention facilities of the security agents across Nigeria, were carefully noted. He was provided with updates on the legal team’s efforts toward securing their freedom. Every legal strategy being adopted to enthrone positive result have been fully activated, and we are not relenting.” “As usual, Onyendu expressed his profound love, and gratitude for your unwavering support, prayers, and unblended loyalty. He urged you all to remain focused and never to derail. We appreciate you all most sincerely, Ezigbo Umuchineke, and always note that we do not take your support for granted May you all remain blessed, as you continue to remain law-abiding,” he said.

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Post Date : August 25, 2022

South-South chiefs move to end ‘autocracy’ in Rivers

  Some chiefs and elders in the South-South have said it was time to put an end to autocracy in Rivers State as the 2023 elections beckons. Speaking at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Thursday, under the auspices of the South-South Chiefs, Elders and Opinion Leaders Association of Nigeria, they said it was a shame that some politicians have started recruiting thugs for next year’s election. The National Chairman, High-Chief Omubo Harry, said Rivers people have suffered enough and now deserve good governance devoid of any form of autocracy. Harry said the group was backing the state governorship candidate of the Accord Party, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, describing him as a thorough-bred gentleman who has no godfather and can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state. He said, “It is a shame that politicians are recruiting thugs for the 2023 general elections. But Dumo Lulu-Briggs is a clean gentleman that can lead us to the promised land. “He doesn’t have any political godfather. We have a very strong conviction that with Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as governor, Rivers State will liberate state from autocracy and indiscipline leadership. “With due respect for the people, Chiefs and traditional rulers, right now traditional rulers are like house boys. But with Dumo Lulu-Briggs nobody will tell us you, come here, you go there.” He further said following the antecedents of other governorship candidates, Dumo Lulu-Briggs remains the most competent candidate who does not have a political godfather. The group also rejected the Water Resouces Bill before the National Assembly, describing it as provocative. “Having studied the antecedents of all the governorship candidates and their sponsors; having come to the conclusion that the next Rivers State Governor must lead the people to the promised land, we hereby declare support for Dumo Lulu-Briggs come 2023. “With Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Rivers State will be liberated from autocracy. Dumo Lulu-Briggs will bring development, unity and justice in Rivers State come 2023. “As God lives, good governance will be installed in Rivers State. Dumo Lulu-Briggs has no political godfather to order him around,” Harry said. In his speech, leader of Niger Delta Students Association, Maalo Dgreat, said Dumo-Lulu-Briggs without being in government has impacted youths and students within and outside the state. Speaking on behalf of the women, Alabota Dateme, said, “We need a government who will give us development, scholarships, healthcare at our doorsteps and it is only one person who can do that. Dumo Lulu-Briggs is our only chance come 2023.”

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Post Date : August 25, 2022

Sokoto Bans Campaign Posters In Public Places

  The Sokoto State Government has banned the placement of campaign posters on public places. The Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who oversees the state Urban and Regional Development Agency, Sidi Aliyu Lamido, announced this during a meeting with political parties in the state on Thursday. Lamido, who decried the placement of campaign posters on roundabouts, mosques and churches’ fences, described such action as illegal. He urged politicians to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law. “We cannot allow this illegal activities to continue because apart from violating our law, it also violates the electoral law because it is not yet time for electioneering,” he said. Lamido explained that there is a procedure for placement of posters in the state. “Before you place a poster in the state you have to write to us, seeking permission. You must tell us where you want to place your posters. If it’s okay for us, we allow it. If it is not, we tell you where to place them,” he said.

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Post Date : August 25, 2022

Kenya Swears-In Record Seven Female Governors

  Kenya on Thursday swore-in seven female governors after the country conducted its elections earlier in the month. The women make up 45 of the recently-elected regional governors in the East African nation. Reports indicate that over 20 female candidates had vied for the governorship posts. The governors were sworn in by judges appointed by Kenya’s first female Chief Justice Martha Koome. “I commit to satisfactory service delivery, an all-inclusive government geared toward realizing remarkable milestones in good governance and development,” one of the new governors, Gladys Wanga, tweeted after her swearing-in.”God bless Kenya, God bless Homabay.” I commit to satisfactory service delivery, an all-inclusive government geared toward realizing remarkable milestones in good governance and development. God bless Kenya, God bless Homabay. pic.twitter.com/ByINujAOc2 — Gladys Wanga, CBS (@gladyswanga) August 25, 2022 Before now, three female governors were elected in 2017 and analysts believe there would be a push for the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule in the nation. Lady Justice Asenath Ongeri presides over the swearing-in ceremony of Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga at Homa Bay Stadium. pic.twitter.com/UEwzSCLoGt — The Judiciary Kenya (@Kenyajudiciary) August 25, 2022 The seven newly-sworn in female governors in Kenya are: 1. Fatuma Achani – Kwale County 2. Susan Kihika- Nakuru County 3. Cecily Mbarire- Embu County 4. Kawira Mwangaza – Meru County 5. Wavinya Ndeti- Machakos County 6. Anne Waiguru – Kirinyaga County 7. Gladys Wanga- Homa Bay County.

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