NEWS
‘There’s groundswell of northern supporters for Obi after the AJC character contest’
By John Danjuma
The spokesperson of the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Dr Tanko Salisu Yunusa, has said that contrary to expectations on the party’s rating in the north, the Arewa Joint Committee’s character contest has created a huge groundswell of supporters for its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Speaking against the backdrop of the backlash the recent endorsement of Peter Obi by Afinifere generated especially against one its leaders chief Ayo Adebanjo, he said they should wait for a shocker as Obi’s supporters in the north are growing astronomically by the day, especially after the Arewa Joint Committee’s character contest
He paid glowing tribute to Afenifere, pan-Yoruba socio-political group for their patriotism.
The announcement of the group’s support for Peter Obi in the 2023 presidential election by Chief Ayo Adebanjo had drawn the ire of the Yoruba nation when one of their own Asiwaju Ahmad Tinubu is also in the race.
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Adebanjo said the group stood on justice and fairness and believed in true federalism and the Federal Character principle.
Adebanjo had said, many Yoruba leaders questioned why he should be supporting Peter Obi, a candidate of Igbo extraction, against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a Yoruba, but he took his time to explain that the presidency is not a contest between the Yorubas and the Igbos.
However, when asked what made him to think Obi’s support base is growing, Tanko quipped, “presidential election is like beauty contest, you have to choose among the presidential candidates. You cannot go to the spectators’ stand to elect a more beautiful girl.
“Obi is not a saint, but in character, competence, and capacity, he is not only a Pan-Nigerian candidate, albeit he is head and shoulder above the three leading presidential candidates.
For our dear Compatriots, they trust Obi more than the rest in his capacity to salvage our dear country from dangerous slide into failed state.”
Reminded that older politicians who have control are day and night working assiduously to stop Obi by all means, Tanko responded saying, “we have heard of this security threat severally; however to us Obi’s life is in the hands of Almighty God, because in God alonewe trust. Obi depends solely on Almighty God and our security agencies.
“We believe sincerely that our security agencies are themselves earnestly yearning for a more productive and prosperous country, which Obi is prepared to engender.
A tragic building collapse in Rivers State has left a middle-aged contractor, identified as Udeme, feared dead after a two-storey structure under construction caved in at the Egbelu Mgbaraja area of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This incident comes just one week after a three-storey building collapsed at the Iriebe axis of the same local government, though that incident fortunately recorded no casualties.
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The latest collapse occurred on Monday, November 4, 2024, around 2 p.m., with construction workers on site when the structure gave way.
According to eyewitness Mr. Jonathan Obey, the building’s second floor suddenly buckled, trapping Udeme beneath the rubble, while another worker managed to escape with serious injuries.
Obey, who attempted to rescue the trapped contractor, suspected negligence, saying, “We couldn’t reach him despite our efforts. An inspection revealed substandard materials had been used, with the foundation only three feet deep for a two-storey building, which is insufficient. The rebar was of poor quality, and essential supports, such as a center beam, were absent.”
The Rivers State Government has since sealed off the property and declared the developer, Vincent Nwoye, wanted for questioning.
Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, visited the site and expressed his dismay, attributing the collapse to gross negligence.
“This tragedy was preventable,” Bipi stated. “The developer failed to obtain an approved building plan and used inferior materials. The government will ensure accountability and take severe action.”
Bipi extended his condolences to the victim’s family and the Ogbogoro Community, affirming that the government will facilitate the family’s recovery of their loved one’s remains. “We sympathize with the bereaved family and the entire community,” he added.
The Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Samuel Anya, also condemned the developer’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed when profit is prioritized over safety. “This loss is a direct consequence of unethical practices,” he said.
The government has committed to a thorough investigation and tighter regulatory enforcement to prevent further tragedies in Rivers State.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye has passed on.
The news of his passing was leaked by a reliable source under the condition of anonymity.
The sad incident, according to the source, happened in Ado Ekiti in the early hours of Tuesday.
His death is being traced to a sickness which came upon him following the injury he sustained when a section of the Ekiti State High Court Complex, Ado Ekiti wall collapsed in July 12, 2023.
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The late Justice Adeyeye was at the office when the building collapse happened and sustained injuries.
While the state and his family were yet to issue statements on his demise, the Ekiti State Chapter of the Association of International Female Lawyers (FIDA) has sent condolences to the family.
The condolences message read: “With deep sorrow in our hearts and in total submission to the will of God, FIDA Ekiti consoles with the family of the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Hon Justice Oyewole Adeyeye on his call to glory.
“May He find rest with his maker.
“I pray that God grants the family, the Judiciary and the people of Ekiti State, the grace to bear this irreparable loss.
Adieu great one.”
Justice Adeyeye was born 1960 in Araromi Ugbesi in Ekiti East Local Government of Ekiti State and was called to bar in 1986.
He started his career as a State Counsel in the civil service of the then Ondo State before joining the Ekiti State Judiciary Service Commission shortly after the state was created in 1996.
He was promoted to the position of a judge in the state’s high court in 2002 and has served at different occasions in the election petition tribunal.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed all charges against 76 individuals accused of participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The ruling came after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, moved to discontinue the case under orders from President Bola Tinubu.
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Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the matter, struck out the charges after hearing a motion from the AGF’s representative, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) Mohammed Abubakar.
Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, the AGF formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police, then requested to drop all charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors.
The judge granted the AGF’s application without objection from defense counsel, ordering the immediate release of the accused, who were not present in court.
This decision follows a directive issued on Monday by President Tinubu, instructing the AGF to withdraw charges against the protesters.
More to follow……….
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