Politics
Kogi SDP Gov Candidate Attack Was Planned – Spokesman
Murtala Ajaka’s campaign for governor of Kogi State on behalf of the Social Democratic Party has once more accused Governor Yahaya Bello of planning the recent attack on their convoy in Lokoja.
The SDP spokesman, Faruk Adejoh-Audu, made the assertion on Monday night’s episode of “Politics Today” on Channels Television.
A few kilometers outside of Lokoja, near the naval station, Bello said in a statement signed by his commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo, that gunmen who he believed it is a good to be Ajaka loyalists had halted and attacked his convoy.
The governor reported that as soon as the armed thugs saw him, they began firing randomly at his caravan.
Adejoh-Audu, though, refuted the accusation and claimed it didn’t accurately represent what took place.
“It was an orchestrated attack. The incident happened around 12.40 pm. We didn’t block the road. The truth of the matter was that things happened very quickly. And as the time we discovered what was going on, the road has been blocked while some gunmen opened fire on the car of our candidate (SDP), Alhaji Murtala Ajaka.
“At a point, two outriders on power bikes came past. I wasn’t in the car of the candidate but in another car. Those of us who were behind were hearing the sirens but it wasn’t like a convoy per se. The candidate was on his way from Abuja and only stop to pay homage to a first-class traditional ruler, the Attah Igala in Idah.
“Now after we left, a lot of people most of who we didn’t know including motorbike riders followed the convoy. Some other people on the bridge turned and followed us. At a point, the convoy got extended even beyond our own control. Before we got to Lokoja, there was a place called ‘the banda’ (sic). That is where you have the naval base.
“The car (Ajaka) also stopped to greet some people. One of them is a commissioner in Yahaya Bello’s government. His name is Bashir Gegu. You remembered I told you he just left the APC?
“Gebu was in a pick-up (hilux) and another pick-up came and crossed the road. The next thing we heard was gunshots. They started shooting. There was panic everywhere. Some people even jumped out of their cars. But the obvious target was the car of our principal.
“The only thing that saved him was that the car was an armoured car. The bullets that rained on the car didn’t penetrate. But not every other person was as lucky as he was. It was an orchestrated attack. A senior advocate of Nigeria, Shuaibu Aruwa, was affected. His own car was penetrated.”
On what he thinks can be done to prevent innocent people in the state from getting caught in the crossfire of fire before the election period, the SDP spokesman said only President Bola Tinubu can call Bello to order.
He claimed that the reason why the Kogi governor became too powerful was that he was indulged by former President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), who never intervened in any reported violence in the state.
He said, “It is a very simple thing. We have a new president and new federal government unlike in the last eight years where several people have been killed and nothing ever happened. So that courage and confidence that I can always get away with whatever I do since the president is from my party is there.
“If the new government sends out a strong signal that ‘Look, we are democrats. We’re not going to allow the blood of people (be spilled) in the name of election, I think it will cease.”
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned against attempts to destabilize the peace and security of Igbajo by some group of people led by Prince Gboyega Famodun through conflicting Oroke festival days.
He directed security agencies to deal decisively with any trouble maker.
According to a government statement, issued in Osogbo, reports at the disposal of the government indicated an attempt by a faction belonging to Famodun to create conflict at Igbajo by fixing a different festival date from the one officially announced by the legal and officially crowned king of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde.
An effort, it noted was designed to create violence and crisis in the peaceful town of Igbajo.
As a government, the statement added, we reiterate that the Monarch of Igbajo today is Oba Ademola Makinde and the May 23rd already fixed for the Oroke Day Festival remains the sacrosanct date for the popular cultural and traditionally significant event.
“We note further that the Head of Igbajo traditional institution remains the present Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Makinde and he is therefore empowered and entitled to fix the day for the Oroke festival. Actions of the Famodun faction is therefore against tradition and law and is therefore a nullity.
“In a bid to forestall breakdown of law and order and in line with my responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of Osun state, I direct security agencies to enforce the holding of the Oroke festival on the official date of May 23rd and to ensure no gathering is held on May 19th set by any other faction.
“The above directive and actions are taken to maintain peace and protect the ancient town from those hell-bent on manipulating the traditional institution to destabilize the state”, the Governor was quoted as saying,” he cautioned.
Adamawa State High Court’s Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan has issue an arrest warrant for suspended INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari.
The court instructed the Inspector General of Police to promptly apprehend Barrister Ari and present him in court to face trial on three charges.
This directive followed an application filed by the Adamawa State Government on April 16, 2024.
During the proceedings, Chief L. D. Nzadon, representing the complainant, informed the court that they were seeking an arrest warrant against the defendant.
Referring to Section 20, Subsection (1j) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2018, Chief Nzadon urged the court to utilize its authority and instruct the Inspector General of Police to apprehend the defendant, regardless of his location.
He explained that attempts to serve the defendant were unsuccessful, as the court’s bailiff had been in Bauchi State from May 2nd to May 4th, 2024, but couldn’t locate him.
In his ruling on the application, the judge noted that this was the third instance the case had been mentioned without the defendant present in court.
He acknowledged the complainant’s counsels’ explanation regarding their inability to serve Ari, suggesting that it seemed he was deliberately avoiding
The executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbotako Ward II, Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State, have officially suspended Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who represents Ondo South, citing alleged anti-party activities and insubordination.
The suspension notice was jointly signed by several ward executive members, including Omotoye Olusola, Bakere Usuf, Tore Obwoselu, Oloyinmi Idowu, Borewaye Louyomi, Oladipupo Bose, Alkimbobola Seyi, Lawal-Babatunde, Aritawe-Ademole, Akinkuoju Olarewaju, and Fabioye Ajoke.
Ibrahim’s suspension follows the recent APC governorship primary election in the state, where he faced defeat. Citing Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution, the party executives justified their decision to suspend Senator Ibrahim.
The 16-member Executive Committee made this decision during a meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024.
Additionally, the party recalled a prior meeting in Abuja, convened by the APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, where all governorship aspirants were urged to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Despite the suspension, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proceeded to file a lawsuit against the governor and the APC, disregarding the party’s directives.
The letter, made public in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, states: “We, the members of the APC Executive Committee of Igbotako Ward II in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, convened a meeting on Monday, May 13th, 2024.”
“During our meeting, we deliberated extensively on various issues affecting the progress and development of our party, notably indiscipline and insubordination among some members.
“We have found Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s actions and activities to violate the party’s constitution, particularly his decision to sue the party as well as his anti-party activities.
“As such, we have resolved to take appropriate disciplinary action against him as outlined in the party’s constitution. Senator Jimoh Folorunso Ibrahim is hereby suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect for acts of insubordination and anti-party activities By Article 21, Section A of the APC Constitution.
“It is worth recalling that the National Party Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, met with all Ondo State governorship aspirants on April 25th, 2024, in Abuja
“During the meeting, he urged them to cooperate with the party’s candidate and incumbent Governor of Ondo State, Honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. Despite this, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso proceeded to sue the Governor and APC, blatantly disregarding party instructions.
“Additionally, he has engaged in anti-party activities by urging his supporters in Igbotako and Ondo State to join NNPP, claiming he will soon receive the gubernatorial ticket from them.
“Senator Jimoh has openly declared his intent to disrupt APC before leaving the party, as evidenced by his actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja and his derogatory remarks about APC in various media outlets.
“For emphasis, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim Folorunso has been suspended from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect, and he is hereby prohibited from participating in any APC activities nationwide.” the letter added
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