Politics
2023: Amosun Preferred Guber Candidate, Otegbeye, Others Dump ADC, Join APC
A scion of the Otegbeye’s family in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State and son of the legendary politician, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, Dr. Leke Otegbeye, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Vanguard.
The former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said, he joined the APC and will lead campaign for Prince Dapo Abiodun’s reelection because he was convinced that if his father was alive “he would be in the progressives fold”.
Otegbeye, who led other leaders and stalwarts of the African Democratic Party (ADC) to the ruling party, told newsmen after meeting with Governor Abiodun at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, that he and the former ADC members identified the personal qualities of the governor and his style of governance, hence, their decision to join the APC.
“I see His Excellency as a cool, calm and collected individual and a man, one will be a delight to work with. He is a compassionate person who has the capacity to lead and it will be good to align with somebody who can lead people in the right direction.
“Apart from me, I am bringing people of like minds and of high integrity who are ready and willing to add value to the party and work for its success.
“We have seen what the governor is doing across the state and I must say he is doing very well. As you know, government is a continuum and we are certain that he is going to do even better. From where he started, he has done a great job and I believe if given another opportunity, he will continue and enhance what he has done so far”, Otegbeye stated.
The former ADC chieftain lauded the governor for keeping his promise of even distribution of developmental projects to all parts of the state, noting that the current administration has been able to touch all sectors of the economy in the last three and a half years in the saddle.
On the timing of their decamping to the ruling party, Otegbeye said: “Sometimes, it takes time to measure decisions, so once you make the decision, it stands. I am a progressive and if there is any where I should be, I should align with the APC as a progressive. I think that is where I belong”.
A member of the extended Otegbeye family, Biyi, is the candidate of ADC that was recently stopped by a court order from contesting the governorship ticket.
Responding, the Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters, Tunji Egbetokun, described the former ADC members as men and women of proven integrity and responsibility who have seen the light and decided to take a stand with the progressives in the state.
He commended them for choosing to align with the ruling party and work towards its total victory in the 2023 general election.
Welcoming the defecting ADC members into his campaign train, Governor Dapo Abiodun said “it is always good to appreciate good deeds. I assure you that you will be treated as equal stakeholders in the APC”.
He thanked Dr. Otegbeye for honouring the memory of his late father by identifying with the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership and accountability in politics.
“We want to assure you that you will be treated with decorum and we will not disappoint you in any form.
“If the ultimate goal is for the welfare, well-being and wellness of our people across the length and breadth of Ogun State is your driving force to join us, you are welcome to join the winning streak of our building our future together”, he concluded.
Politics
ICPC Tracks 60 Kaduna Projects Worth Billions
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has commenced the monitoring of constituency projects worth N21 billion across Kaduna State.
The initiative, aimed at promoting accountability and transparency in the use of public funds, is part of the commission’s broader effort to tackle corruption and ensure the timely completion of government projects.
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Addressing journalists in Kaduna, Chief Superintendent Haruna Aminu, who represented the Constituency and Executive Tracking Department under the leadership of ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, revealed that the commission is currently tracking 60 projects across the state.
“We are here to track about 60 projects across Kaduna State with a total value of N21 billion. We started on Wednesday with the Kafanchan axis, where we tracked at least 21 projects.
“Now we are in Kaduna main town, Kabala area, focusing on projects such as solar-powered streetlights across the town,” Aminu said.
The ICPC team observed progress on some of the projects, but Aminu highlighted concerns over delays and execution challenges.
“Generally, on the solar project, we have seen a level of execution. However, we discovered certain shortcomings. This is a project that touches people’s lives, and we will ensure its completion,” he added.
Aminu stressed that contractors who fail to deliver on their obligations will be held accountable.
“There is no contractor that is going to be skipped. They cannot collect government money and abandon projects. The era of abandoned projects is over. We have clear directives and support to hold defaulters accountable,” he warned.
The delay in completing certain projects, particularly the solar-powered streetlights, has affected the intended impact on communities, Aminu noted.
“These projects are vital to improving livelihoods in Kaduna State. If completed last year as planned, they would have made a significant difference by now,” he said.
The ICPC announced that the next phase of the exercise would focus on taking action against contractors who fail to execute their projects.
The commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring that public funds translate into tangible benefits for citizens.
Politics
PDP Governors Probe Ondo Polls, Criticizes Edo Result
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the outcome of the Ondo State governorship election, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of electoral malpractice, including vote-buying and result manipulation.
This was disclosed during a meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State.
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The forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, criticized the conduct of the election, which saw APC’s Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa secure a landslide victory for another four-year term in Alagbaka, Akure.
“We are still reviewing documents from the Ondo election, where the APC openly bought votes and manipulated results,” Mohammed said.
He urged the judiciary to “save Nigerian democracy” and called on the National Assembly to strengthen electoral laws to prevent what he described as “institutional sabotage of the people’s will.”
The PDP governors also condemned the September governorship election in Edo State, describing it as a “rape of democracy.”
The forum accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of colluding with the APC to declare its candidate the winner despite claims that the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had secured the majority of lawful votes.
“INEC blatantly manipulated the results in favor of the APC candidate. This undermines the credibility of our electoral process,” Mohammed said.
Beyond electoral grievances, the governors urged the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) to convene a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting by February 2025.
They emphasized the need for broader consultations with stakeholders to resolve the party’s internal leadership crisis and strengthen its position as the main opposition party.
The forum reiterated its commitment to democratic values and vowed to push for electoral reforms that would restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
The Ondo governorship election has sparked a renewed call for transparency in the country’s electoral system, with the PDP vowing to challenge what it views as a subversion of democracy.
Politics
Gaetz Withdraws From Trumps Cabinet Nomination
Following his observations that ‘the momentum was strong’ Matt Gaetz whom 47th POTUS elect, Donald Trump nominated for Attorney General has withdrawn.
Biztellers reports that this follows his meeting with Senate and the feedback, which included two women, represented by their attorneys, who accused him of having paid for sex.
Consequently, Gaetz placed on record his full commitment to seeing “that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history.”
His withdrawal according his statement on micro-blogging site, X, was based on his conviction that “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle”.
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In is view, “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1”.
Gaetz wrote, “I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.
“I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”
His backers have promptly encouraged to take his seat in the House of Representatives, having been elected to the house under the flag of the Republicans to represent Florida.