NEWS
Ambitious Figures Exploiting Akeredolu’s Health, Governor’s Aide Raises Concerns
Dr Doyin Odebowale, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Special Duties and Strategies, has voiced accusations against certain ambitious politicians for capitalizing on the absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in an attempt to gain control over the state’s finances.
In a statement released in Akure, the capital of Ondo state, titled “Of Narcissism and Moral Bankruptcy: Sustained Assaults on Decency,” Odebowale expressed his concerns that these politicians are attempting to take advantage of Governor Akeredolu’s absence by causing confusion and discord.
“While the people of the state, representing diverse socio-political backgrounds, fervently pray for the governor’s return to continue serving the people, these meddlesome individuals are determined to sow chaos for their personal gain,” Odebowale remarked.
“These rootless politicians, claiming to be representatives of the people without actual followers, believe that the best way to exploit the governor’s current health challenge is to spread falsehoods about those they perceive as obstacles to their self-serving ambitions. They are pitting members of the Executive Council against one another, dropping dangerous yet baseless insinuations about their fellow appointees,” he added.
The governor’s aide went on to explain that these elements hold frequent meetings, speculating on the governor’s health, and employ negative tactics to tarnish the administration’s image, despite its prior relative tranquility and widespread support due to its notable achievements.
“Uncultured, vacuous, sycophantic, and greedy, these shameless individuals lack even the most basic decency to respect the man who elevated them from relative obscurity and rescued them from various forms of poverty,” Odebowale lamented.
“To gain unfettered access to the state’s treasury, they persistently publish negative articles about the governor, certain members of his immediate family, and their fellow appointees, who have clearly demonstrated their dedication through their responsibilities,” he continued.
Given their lack of capacity for selfless service and competence, these individuals view governance merely as an opportunity to amass wealth at the expense of the people’s suffering.
“The people of the state recognize these personalities as greedy, unscrupulous, dishonest, wicked, and devoid of any moral integrity, as evidenced by their notorious track records of self-interest,” Odebowale asserted.
“Having been challenged by the governor for engaging in blatant corruption, some of them are now attacking known gatekeepers in an attempt to force them into submission through cheap blackmail,” he added.
“We will not only fiercely resist them, but we will also invite the people of the state to witness the atrocities committed against their interests by these opportunists. I owe this sacred duty to the good people of Ondo State.”
The governor’s aide stated that these politicians within the government have been orchestrating attacks and spreading lies about the governor and his family.
“A particular sycophant, who was previously marginalized until receiving a fortuitous rescue, is suspected to be the shameless malevolent force disguising themselves as a ‘Concerned Citizen’ and ‘Bimbo Oloruntuyi,’ among other aliases employed to deceive the unsuspecting and gullible,” Odebowale revealed.
“This individual and their accomplices have embarked on a campaign of audacious deceit, sponsoring flatterers and ill-informed individuals to spread falsehoods about the governor and his family. They continue to peddle lies in their pursuit of capturing the treasury,” he continued.
Odebowale further urged government officials who have refused to partake in delusional and treacherous schemes aimed at replacing their benefactor to remain steadfast.
NEWS
JUST IN: Justice Adeyeye, Ekiti State’s CJ Passes On
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.
ALSO READ: #EndBadGovernance Protests: Tinubu Orders Release Of Detained Minors
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.
NEWS
BREAKING: Court Drops Charges Against 76 #EndBadGovernance Protesters
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.
READ MORE: N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa
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……….
NEWS
Fuel Pricing: PETROAN Accuses Dangote Refinery Of Monopoly
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns over alleged monopolistic practices by Dangote Refinery, following a public dispute about fuel pricing in the downstream petroleum sector.
Recall that the refinery, Africa’s largest, recently disclosed its petrol pricing at N990 per litre in trucks and N960 per litre into ships, a move it justifies as being in line with international rates.
READ MORE: Nigeria’s Debt Service Ratio Falls To 65% As Tinubu Tackles Economic Woes
PETROAN, however, sees this as an attempt to suppress competitors and dominate the Nigerian market.
The rift began when Dangote Refinery claimed that complaints from marketers regarding its pricing were fueled by intentions to import cheaper, potentially substandard products.
In response, PETROAN strongly rejected these allegations, suggesting that Dangote’s claims are tactics designed to maintain a monopoly in the sector.
Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s spokesperson, stated that the association remains committed to importing high-quality products at more competitive rates to ensure affordability for Nigerian consumers.
According to PETROAN, competition in the market is essential for achieving fair pricing, and any attempt to stifle it would be detrimental to consumers.
They argue that Dangote Refinery’s pricing should reflect production costs and fair margins rather than international benchmarks, especially given concessions granted by the government for the refinery’s establishment.
PETROAN also announced its plans to partner with foreign refineries and financial backers to import premium-quality petroleum products at prices below current rates.
The association aims to enter the market by December 2024, pending necessary regulatory approvals.
“The allegations that PETROAN will import substandard products are unfounded and aimed at creating an unfair playing field,” the statement read.
PETROAN warned that similar claims in the past had led to significant price hikes when competitors were pushed out, emphasizing that the entry of new players into the market would lead to more competitive pricing and ultimately benefit Nigerian consumers.
PETROAN expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s state-owned refineries and urged the government to consider privatizing the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries once rehabilitation is complete.
The association believes a transparent privatization process will help strengthen Nigeria’s downstream sector and counter monopolistic tendencies.
To address the ongoing pricing challenges in the sector, PETROAN called on the government to convene a comprehensive meeting of industry stakeholders, including major associations like IPMAN, DAPPMAN, MEMAN, NUPENG, and PENGASSAN.
PETROAN believes that collaboration among these groups will be instrumental in establishing a sustainable and competitive pricing framework for petroleum products in Nigeria.