Politics
NHRC To Question Kogi Governor, MC Oluomo Over violence – Executive Secretary
On Sunday, the National Human Rights Commission announced its plan to summon Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and the Chairman of Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya, who is also known as MC Oluomo, for their alleged comments that incited violence during the general elections.
According to reports, aijbjon February 25, a day prior to the presidential and National Assembly elections, Bello allegedly gave orders for bulldozers to mark out a road that links Kogi Central Senatorial District.
According to the opposition, the move was an attempt to prevent Independent National Electoral Commission officials from delivering election materials to the strongholds of Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In another development, MC Oluomo reportedly cautioned the Igbo community in Lagos to remain indoors if they are not voting for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the All Progressives Congress.
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Tony Ojukwu (SAN), announced during the presentation of the NHRC’s preliminary report on the 2023 governorship and state Assembly elections that Governor Bello and MC Oluomo will be summoned for questioning.
He said, “We are monitoring the cyber space to track hate speeches and cyber bullying. Part of the sources of our information is the cyber space. We’ll invite MC Oluomo for questioning because his statement is worrisome. I listened to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State yesterday (Saturday) and he said they were investigating. But that will not stop the commission from carrying out its mandate. We will also invite the Kogi State governor for questioning over what happened in Kogi State.”
Tony Ojukwu stated that the NHRC dispatched 600 officials to oversee the governorship and House of Assembly elections in all 36 states as part of its responsibility to promote and safeguard human rights.
Ojukwu added that the preliminary report presented by the NHRC revealed significant discoveries made by the commission’s officials, who were assigned to supervise more than 1,300 polling units throughout the country.
Ojukwu said, “The environment before the elections was fraught with tension arising from reports and allegations of threats from different political parties and their supporters concerning the elections. Ethnic division and hate speeches were rife in many states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Kaduna and Rivers. This led to the publication by the NHRC of an advisory on hate speech based on ethnic and religious sentiments and 2023 general elections in Nigeria on March 16,2023.
“In Lagos, Enugu, Ebonyi and a few other states, there were threats of violence on opposition supporters, including the use of traditional institutions, schools and the public service. The advisory highlighted areas of concern for the commission and recommended steps to be taken by the various agencies to address the issues before, during and after the elections.” he added.
The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has declared the removal of the reinstated Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the court also set aside all proceedings and resolutions passed by the House on January 13, 2025, the day Obasa was removed from office.
Obasa had dragged the Lagos State House of Assembly and Mojisola Meranda — who was appointed Speaker following his removal — before the court, challenging the legality of the action.
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In its ruling, the court held that the process leading to Obasa’s removal did not comply with constitutional provisions, rendering the exercise invalid.
The judgment effectively reinstates Obasa as the legitimate Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, while invalidating all legislative actions carried out during Meranda’s brief tenure.
With permutations for 2027 elections already play high on the cards of Nigerian politicians, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is banking on Edo and Delta States to team up and swing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
Biztellers reports that his calculation is informed by the massive defection of notable politicians into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in both States.
Gov Okpebholo made the assertion while welcoming the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chiedu Ebie, who led the members of the Unity Group to join the APC.
Notable among other party stalwarts at the occasion were the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje and the party’s South-South leaders.
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According to Okpebholo “just like Edo, Delta is ready to witness practical governance under APC.”
Beaming with joy, Gov Okpebholo added, “It is our turn to shine in the South South. It is now your turn in Delta. It is happening here, as it happened in Edo State. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing very well for the nation. He is repairing the foundation of the country for better prosperity. Because of that, in Edo State, we have started. We said 2027 is already possible. It is also possible here in Delta. I am here to welcome my brother, Chiedu Ebie.
“Chiedu is an intelligent young man who knows when to move. It is time for Delta to move, and it is starting here with Ika people.”
Receiving the decampees, Alh Ganduje, described the Delta Unity Group as great fighters of democracy, who have provided a strong vehicle that will lead APC to the Delta State Government House in 2027.
According to the APC national Chairman, “we have the three Senators now. We have members of the House of Representatives and State Assembly members, and over 60 percent of the followers of PDP have now joined the APC. We are assured of taking over this State come next election.
“We are not surprised because of the timber and caliber of politicians you have in Delta State in the APC. What we require now is unity. Unity of purpose and unity to win election. So we can provide quality governance to the people of Delta State.
“Very soon, we will organize a stakeholders meeting for all those major stakeholders because they are all good people. They are all wise people. They are all intelligent people, and they are all democrats. So, all of them will be convened for unity, like the Delta Unity Group.”
On his part, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Ebie, noted that their conviction to join the party was borne out of the love for good governance and party inclusiveness which the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated.
Earlier, while at the Palace of the Dein of Agbor, Dr Benjamin Ikenchukwu, the Keagborekuzi the first, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure peace and security across the country for the needed development in the country.
Present at the rally were Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko; Chairman House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Teke Ibori-Swenu; former Deputy Senate President, Omo Agege, among other party big wigs.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that his administration would do everything within its powers to take care of Edo State civil servants and make them happy.
He made the pledge on Friday when he received Executives of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, led by its Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.
Egwekhide said they were in Government House to congratulate the Governor on his recent victory at the governorship election tribunal that affirmed his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
On his part, the Governor said whatever Edo State workers are enjoying in the state is the responsibility of his administration to do because it is worker friendly.
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Okpebholo said, “Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government. Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers.
“We embrace transparency in all what we do as a government to enable the people to trust us as we are not afraid of criticism. Positive criticism will put us on our toes to work harder for Edo people.
“The renewed hope agenda of the president has given us room and platform to perform and serve Edo people better as we embark on practical governance.
“We are doing everything in the State to ensure peace, unity, growth, and development. That is why we ensure smooth collaboration amongst the three tires of government. In all we do in the State, we ensure the three Senatorial zones are carried along.”
The NLC acting chairman, Egwekhide, commended the Governor for his developmental strides and the friendly environment created for Edo State workers to operate.
He said the visit was necessary as the body had come to congratulate the Governor for his deserved victory at the election petition tribunal in Abuja.
According to him, “Workers in Edo State are proud of you for the developmental strides in the State. You have created a friendly relationship between your administration and Edo workers as you have always taken steps to favour Edo State workers.
“Without asking, workers received their 13th month. You raised the subvention of Ambrose Ali University (AAU) from N41 to N500 million. You regularized casual workers in Edo State. You increased what is due pensioners monthly from N50 million to N1 billion naira for both local and State pensioners.”
He noted that a committee has been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which has become a burden on retired civil servants, adding that the report will be submitted to him for his action.
“We thank the governor for several employments given to our people in the very short time in office,” he added.
In a related development, Gov Monday Okpebholo also received the new branch controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Edo State, Apanke Utande who was on a courtesy visit to Government House, where the Governor urged him to collaborate with his administration to improve the lives of Edo people.
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