Connect with us

News

Ondo: 15 APC lawmakers back Aiyedatiwa for Governorship

Published

on

Fifteen members of the Ondo state House of Assembly have thrown their weights behind the aspiration of the governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to pick the ticket of the All Progressives Congress APC ahead of the party’s primary election slated for April 25.

Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Olamide Oladiji disclosed this on Monday in Abuja when he led 12 of his colleagues on a courtesy call to the National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Speaking after the meeting with Dr Ganduje, the speaker said; “We are here to appreciate our leader, the National Chairman of the largest party in Africa, Alhaji Umar Ganduje. We are here to appreciate him for his quick intervention in the political crisis that erupted in Ondo State a few months ago, and that quick intervention and that of Mr. President, led to a peaceful resolution and also to appreciate him for making himself physically present in the burial ceremony of our late governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu.

“We are here also to tell him that as far as we are concerned, those of us around, among our members, and those who are on their way, that we are fully in support of the continuity of APC-led government. We are in support of continuity. We want APC to continue with the government of Ondo State. We believe it will work out and we are giving them 100% assurance that the primary elections will be peaceful.

“In respect of the letter that some few members of the House of Representatives wrote to Mr. President, we disagree with the letter. And because we are honourable members representing our various constituencies and we have almost 15 of us here present. You know what it means, we have 22 APC members in the House of Assembly. We have 13 here now and another two are on their way coming. So that is about 15, and if we are telling you that the state under the leadership of Mr. Governor is at peace, you know, we mean what we are saying and then apart from that also, for now, the appointment he has done is just for six commissioners, and he did it you know senatorial district by senatorial district, two per senatorial district, of which it is still very okay.

“Like those people who are complaining I want to believe that they have not been coming to Ondo State to witness what is going on there. They are permanently in Abuja here. We are the ones who are closer to the grassroots. We know what is going on in Ondo State.

“And then concerning the last question.
Maybe I should put the question to my members. Do we have anyone of you that want to contest against Aiyedatiwa?

“They said they believe in continuity and let me use this opportunity to put the records straight. Ad far as we are concerned, we are not here to come and deceive the people of Nigeria. His achievements, the achievements of the incumbent governor are out there. Presently, he has started the recruitment of 2000 workers in the academic sector, and the most important thing is that he did not stop the legacy started by the late governor. He directed all the contractors to go back to the site of which everybody in the state applauded. So what I am trying to say in essence is that as I am talking to you now, all the contractors are now on sites working and other projects too are ongoing in Ondo State. And there iss a synergy now between the executive, the judiciary, and the legislature. There is peace in Ondo State and we are all working together. We are praying together and I can give you 100% assurance that our primary elections come April is going to be very peaceful”.

The speaker also dismissed allegations that the governor may have betrayed his late boss, saying the constitution is clear on who should succeed the dead in the circumstance.

“As far as I am concerned, I don’t want to join issues with all the aspirants. I am not an aspirant. I am a legislator but as far as I am concerned, the issue of betrayal does not come in. We lost the late governor to death. The constitution is very clear that when a sitting governor dies, you know, the deputy governor will have to take over. So, I do believe that the issue of betrayal does not come into this issue. It is just the issue of nature. None of us can predict when God will take our lives.

“As far as the aspirants are concerned, my own advice as Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly is that we should not heat the polity. We should try as much as possible to play the politics with all decorum in such a way that we don’t have any other state to go to. We should try as much as possible to maintain decency while we are campaigning. It is within our party. We must not allow another political party to snatch this power from us”, he counselled.

On his part, Dr Ganduje said the party has prepared a well-articulated programme for the primary election, promising a free and fair exercise.

“I want to call upon you, very soon you know your government is an off-season as far as election is concerned. This year, there will be election for governorship in Ondo State and there are many things that must happen according to the programme.

“We started with verification of party membership, then it will lead to screening of aspirants and of course there will be primaries among the aspirants so that we can come up with a candidate for our party.

“Ondo state is an APC state and we will continue to maintain it as an APC state. We need your cooperation so that we can have a free and transparent primary in the state so that we can shore up our opportunity and we believe our members are equal to the task with good synergy between the party and your institution as members of the State House of Assembly.

“We thank you for coming and we assure you that we have prepared a well articulated programme for the primaries in Ondo state in order to produce a candidate.

“Also, I have noted your request that we should extend your greetings and happiness to the Governor of Ondo state because he has succeeded in working with the legislature, judiciary and different segments. I will do that”, he promised.

News

Kogi’s Ododo Tasks Officials on Grassroots Engagement, Clears N98.8bn Debt

“Governor Ododo is driving a government that listens, learns, and leads from the grassroots. His directive on Made-in-Kogi fabrics is a strategic move to grow our economy and export our identity,” Fanwo said.

Published

on

By

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has charged government officials to remain close to the grassroots and ensure constant engagement with the people, noting that such connection is key to responsive governance.

Also in a separate briefing, the Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, announced that within just 15 months, the Ododo administration has fully liquidated N98.8 billion in debts inherited from previous administrations.

“We are in government to serve the people, and that means staying connected to their needs and aspirations,” said Ododo during the Kogi State Executive Council meeting held today at the EXCO Hall, Government House, Lokoja.

LOCAL PATRONAGE

As part of efforts to boost the local economy, the Governor also directed all government officials to wear Made-in-Kogi fabrics as a show of support for indigenous industries.

He encouraged the citizens to take pride in local products and lead a cultural and economic renaissance from within.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the administration is committed to making governance more visible and impactful.

“Governor Ododo is driving a government that listens, learns, and leads from the grassroots. His directive on Made-in-Kogi fabrics is a strategic move to grow our economy and export our identity,” Fanwo said.

On infrastructure, Fanwo disclosed that the perimeter fencing at the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara is 90 percent completed, while both male and female hostels have been completed and are already housing students.

Similar projects at the Kogi State University, Kabba, are progressing satisfactorily.

As part of efforts to boost the local economy, the Governor also directed all government officials to wear Made-in-Kogi fabrics as a show of support for indigenous industries

To improve public safety, the Council also approved a bill to restrict the movement of heavy trucks during peak hours.

Another bill was approved for the establishment of the Kogi State Agency for Climate Change as part of a forward-thinking response to global environmental challenges.

STATE‘s DEBT BREAKDOWN

Regarding the paid state debt, he said:

“The breakdown includes: • N8 billion in bonds from the Idris Wada administration. • N50.8 billion salary bailout from the last administration. • N10 billion ECA-backed infrastructure loan. • N15 billion infrastructure loans from Zenith Bank and another N15 billion from UBA Plc.”

“This is a landmark achievement. His Excellency Governor Ododo has demonstrated fiscal discipline and commitment to economic recovery.

Within 15 months, we have cleared N98.8 billion in inherited debt,” Idris said.

He added that Fitch Ratings has upgraded Kogi State’s credit rating from ‘B-’ to ‘B’, with a stable outlook, citing prudent financial management.

As of September 30, 2024, the state’s debt profile stands at N40.5 billion, placing it on a strong path to debt sustainability.

Continue Reading

News

FG Declares June 6, 9 Holidays To Mark Eid-Ul-Adha

This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement issued on behalf of the Federal Government on Monday.

Published

on

By

The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, 2025, as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-ul-Adha celebration.

This was announced by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement issued on behalf of the Federal Government on Monday.

The minister congratulated all Muslims in Nigeria and the Diaspora on the occasion, urging the Ummah to continue to embody the spirit of sacrifice, obedience, and faith as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him).

Continue Reading

News

I use my popularity to elevate PDP in Rivers, what did you do in Lagos?– Wike criticises Bode George

Published

on

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has reacted over the recent comments by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Bode George, asserting that his own efforts brought prominence and electoral success to the party, rather than the other way around.

Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike responded to George’s claim that the PDP had made him a nationally recognized figure.

The former Rivers State governor acknowledged the role the party played in his rise, but maintained that it was his own work and influence that led to tangible victories for the PDP particularly where others, including George, had failed.

“It’s true the party gave me a platform,” Wike said.“But platforms don’t win elections people do. Ask yourself, who has PDP made relevant in Lagos since 1999?”

Wike criticized George for allegedly contributing little to the party’s electoral strength in Lagos, pointing to his own record of building the PDP into a formidable force in Rivers State and beyond.

He suggested that George, given his age and current position, might be better off stepping back from political commentary.

“If he has no role anymore, perhaps it’s time he stayed home and read newspapers,” Wike remarked, in a pointed rebuke.

The minister also addressed criticism surrounding the temporary sealing of the PDP’s national headquarters over unpaid ground rent.

He clarified that he is not the property’s owner and cannot be held accountable for the liabilities, emphasizing that even resolving the issue had required intervention from the highest levels.

“There were claims that the sky would fall—yet the matter couldn’t be resolved without the President’s involvement,” he said.

In a final jab, Wike reflected on past struggles to strengthen the PDP during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, suggesting that despite their efforts, support in Lagos remained elusive.

Continue Reading

Trending