Politics
BREAKING: APC Stalwarts Infiltrated, Turned #EndSARS Protests Bloody – Gbadamosi
Lagos politician, Babatunde Gbadamosi has asserted that members and hired thugs of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) infiltrated and turned the October 2010 #EndSARS protests bloody.
The fiery opposition politician took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Sunday to recall his encounter with the protesters and how state actors, including law enforcement agents turned the #EndSARS protests bloody.
He wrote, “I hear Pontius Pilate the Mass Murderer is touting a laundry list of properties that were allegedly destroyed by #EndSARS protesters.
“I can now say this openly:
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“I was in the middle of my campaign for the Lagos East Senatorial District Bye-election when the protests broke out.
“I had to keep going during the protests, holding meetings and such. On one of those movements, I went to Ikorodu and had to go on foot from Itowolo to Ogolonto junction, where the protesters had a PA system and a makeshift stage.
“I passed amongst them and even though I tried to disguise, I was recognised by some of the youths and asked to address them, which I did briefly before I went in my way.
“Yes, they were loud and vociferous about government putting a stop to the harassment and murders by @PokiceNG officers, BUT they were VERY PEACEFUL.
“On my birthday, I went to see a prominent Oyo State politician in company of another Lagos politician and some of my aides in Ìbàdàn. We encountered protesters, walking and biking from New Garage, through challenge to Avoid and there was no violence. Noise, yes, but no violence
“On our return to Lagos, we had to abandon the car at Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, and WALK through the protesters, who were camped at the Lateef Jakande Road/Awolowo Way Junction. Again, noise, but no violence.
“The violence started when thugs suddenly started showing up in BRT Buses that were hitherto unavailable to Lagos taxpayers for transport.
“It is a matter of public record that an APC politician was recorded on video SHOOTING into a crowd of protesters, killing two and injuring several, at Abule Egba.
“The young journalist that captured and posted the video was later arrested and murdered in detention by @PoliceNG. They will deny it, and foolishly demand evidence of their crime, but the fact remains that the last time he was seen alive, he was in their custody.
“Several men of the @PoliceNG were caught on camera DURING the protests, SHOOTING, Killing and brutalising protesters and non-protesters alike.
“Just as @jidesanwoolu DENIED giving the order to murder protesters singing the National Anthem and waving the flag of Nigeria at the #LekkiTollGateMassacre and was later EXPOSED as a LIAR by @HQNigerianArmy officers testifying at the Official Inquiry, I fully expect him to issue pompous, blustering denials about sponsoring the violence that led up to that massacre on #20102020.
“The internet is awash with videos of some of the incidents I have described above and more, and I would appreciate it if Nigerians posted those videos in the comment section. #TinubuMUSTGo”
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.