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Defections: Buhari’s Men Angry Over Tinubu’s Silence –

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Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

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The alleged continued silence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, national leader of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), on the gale of defections rocking the party is causing disquiet in the presidency, especially among loyalists of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Some of the presidency sources, who spoke with Daily Independent on Thursday, said loyalists of President Buhari are unhappy that Tinubu, who was appointed by the president to head the party’s reconciliation team in February, has not uttered a word since the defections began a fortnight ago with the departure of 14 senators and 37 House of Representatives members to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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The lawmakers’ defection was followed by the exit of Senate President Bukola Saraki; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto; Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ruling party.

Others who dumped APC include Alhaji Musa Ibeto, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to South Africa, as well as some members of the state Houses of Assembly in Kwara and Sokoto states.

Our source, an official in the presidency, who was the first to reveal to Daily Independent last week that President Buhari will be embarking on vacation in the United Kingdom (UK), said the president’s men believe Tinubu’s silence in the midst of the crisis “is an indication of tacit support for the renegades”.

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According to him, “Buhari’s men are angry that Asiwaju Tinubu and his men such as Papa (Bisi Akande), Segun Osoba have not uttered a word in the midst of this national crisis. It is a national crisis because key stakeholders, including the number three man in the country, state governors, federal lawmakers and others are leaving the ruling party in droves.

“The National Assembly has been shut because of the selfish motives of some people till September while party primaries will begin later this month, according to INEC timetable. INEC is complaining that the shutdown of the National Assembly will affect its smooth operations because its request for fund is still pending yet Tinubu as the party’s national leader and head of the reconciliation team has not said anything.

“One of them told me it is unusual of Tinubu not to make comment when serious issues like these are happening. Recently, during the governorship primary in Ekiti, there were reports that Segun Oni has dragged Fayemi to court, Tinubu alongside Akande, Segun Osoba, Niyi Adebayo issued paid advertorials condemning Oni’s actions and pledged loyalty to Fayemi. If he and his lieutenants can bare their minds on Ekiti APC primary, why have they chosen to keep mute on these defections as if it is something insignificant”, he said.

Another source in the presidency alleged that there are reports Tinubu may have met with Saraki privately few days to the defection of the Senate President.

He, however, said those who got wind of the report are not sure of what was discussed. He said it may be a last minute intervention by Tinubu to persuade Saraki not to dump the party.

“There are even strong speculations that Tinubu privately met with Saraki few days to the defection of the Senate President. What was discussed at the meeting is not known. If Tinubu actually had the meeting with Saraki, maybe in a last minute attempt to persuade him not to leave APC, he should come out and let the world know. His silence over this very important issue in the party he laboured to build is totally uncalled for”, he said.

When Daily Independent contacted Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s media aide, he promised to give our correspondent a comprehensive response after seeking clarifications from his principal.

Reacting on the defections, the PDP said more APC stalwarts including governors, National Assembly members and members of President Buhari’s cabinet are joining its fold.

Speaking with our correspondent, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, said its doors are open to every Nigerian, including Tinubu.

“For us in the party, we are confident that more members of the APC are still on their way to PDP. More governors are still coming, senators and members of the House of Reps are coming; including serving ministers in President Buhari’s government will soon announce their defection to our party”, he said.

On the possibility of Tinubu joining PDP, he said, “Our party is open and we welcome every Nigerian that is desirous of a change in the clueless and incompetent government of President Buhari”.

Also speaking, Yinka Odumakin, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, said maybe Tinubu as head of APC’s reconciliation committee is working behind the scene and may have chosen to remain silent so that his efforts will not be jeopardised.

“Maybe he is working underground. He may be working behind the scene and doesn’t want his efforts as the chairman of the reconciliation committee to be jeopardised”, Odumakin said.
https://independent.ng/defections-tinubus-silence-ruffles-buharis-camp/amp/

 

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Rekhiat Momoh: Rise of an Amazon in the Power Sector

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Rekhiat Momoh: Rise of an Amazon in the Power Sector

Rekhiat Momoh: Rise of an Amazon in the Power Sector

 

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In a sector that has not always made space for women, Rekhiat Momoh, the newly appointed Acting CEO of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc, has fearlessly taken up a conspicuous space for herself. A self-driven professional who comes across as an enviable Amazon and achiever in an area and era where everyone seems to understate the role and worth of a driven woman, those who know Rekhiat say she exemplifies a modern yet timeless construct of femininity that manifests as a blend of relentless and noble pursuits.

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For the past three decades, Rekhiat has worked her way up in the power sector and served the EKEDC in various capacities, most recently as the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO).According to a statement announcing her new appointment, “Mrs Momoh has been in the power sector for more than 31 meritorious years. She has risen through the ranks in the power sector from the days of NEPA, PHCN, and now Eko Disco, receiving several excellence awards, commendations, and medals.

 

Rekhiat Momoh: Rise of an Amazon in the Power Sector

 

 

“A marketer by training, she has an MBA from the Lagos State University. She is a fellow of several organisations including the Nigeria Institute of Management, the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, and several others. She has attended several local and international leadership and management courses and training programmes.” The board further expressed confidence in her ability to perform in her new role effectively and take the company to greater heights.
The Edo State native will oversee Eko Disco’s operations, drive strategic initiatives, service improvements, and stakeholder engagement initiatives within the company through her deep industry knowledge and strategic vision, and ensure the company continues to deliver reliable and efficient power distribution services to its customers.
Indeed, Rekhiat brings extensive experience and exceptional leadership capabilities to her new role. Many described her as a proven team player, change agent, and thought leader in the power distribution space. Her colleagues unanimously said she is the ideal choice to lead EKEDC into the future as her focus on empowering teams, driving continuous improvement, and forging strong partnerships with stakeholders has positioned the company as a frontrunner in the Nigerian power sector.Her appointment further comes at a pivotal time as EKEDC seeks to ramp up productivity and enhance power distribution across its coverage areas.
Born on 7th March 1967, Rekhiat hails from Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State. She attended Auchi Polytechnic where she obtained OND Business Administration and HND Marketing in 1991 and went on to bag an MBA (Marketing) at the University of Lagos. Without a doubt, the power and pull of Rekhiat’s rise in the power sector will make space for a new generation of young women willing to interrogate their fears and achieve greatness.

Olatunji Oke is the publisher, Lagos Indicator, Nigeria Indicator, and Africa Indicator

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Wanted Delta Monarch Reports Self To Police

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Wanted Delta Monarch Reports Self To Police

 Wanted Delta Monarch Reports Self To Police

 

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Determined to prove his innocence in the controversy surrounding the murder of 17 military men in Okuama, the Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom, Ughelli South local government area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo, Urhukpe 1, has surrendered himself to the State Police Command.

 

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Wanted Delta Monarch Reports Self To Police

The monarch is one of the eight persons declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) for their role and connection with the gruesome killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom of Ughelli South LGA of Delta State.

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Ikolo reported Thursday evening at the Delta State Police Command in Asaba and was received by the Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi.

The monarch had been living in London, United Kingdom, before his recent selection and crowning as Ovie of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.

He was presented with a staff of office by Delta State governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in November last year.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the monarch had not returned to his kingdom since his coronation ceremony over a legal tussle arising from his selection following the passage of the former traditional ruler.

Briefing journalists before surrendering himself to the Police, the monarch denied any involvement in the killing of the 17 soldiers, comprising four senior officers and 13 soldiers of the 181 Amphibious Battalion of the Nigerian Army.

He called on the federal and Delta State governments to constitute an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the killing of the military personnel within the Okuama community of his kingdom.

HRM Ikolo further stated that he decided to present himself to the authorities to prove to the Nigerian government and the international community that he had no hand or connection with those who murdered the soldiers.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, confirmed that the monarch had surrendered to the Police.

Okuama, an Urhobo community, is one of the over 40 communities under the rulership of the monarch in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.

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Kogi Tribunal: Confusion as SDP witness contradicts self on alleged ‘affidavit forgery’ .Renders testimony baseless

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Panic As The Cardoso Family Takes Possession Of Lagos Land With 300 Houses

Kogi Tribunal: Confusion as SDP witness contradicts self on alleged ‘affidavit forgery’

.Renders testimony baseless

The testimony of a witness of the Social Democratic Party at the Election Petitions Tribunal on the Kogi State governorship election went awry, on Thursday as the witness’ statement before the Tribunal contradicted the documents submitted.

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The petitioners had delved away from BVAS, after their star witness claimed he was not in Kogi State during the said election, and alleged that the All Progressives Congress candidate, now the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, forged his age declaration affidavit.

The witness, one Dan Musa Williams from the FCT High Court, in Abuja, who had said the document did not emanate from the Court, upon cross examination, could not substantiate his claims.

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When asked whether he checked the record of the registry to ascertain that it was a forged document, he said he just looked at the date, being a Saturday and concluded that it could not have been from them.

It was, however, found that the “declaration of age” affidavit was sworn in Okene, Kogi State, and not in FCT, but the witness claimed that a lawyer forwarded the one he was talking about to him.

Confusion, however, set in when the witness claimed that he also concluded that the affidavit submitted by the APC candidate was fake because it did not have the name and picture of the deponent on it.

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At this point, the attention of the SDP witness was drawn to the fact that the affidavit with INEC, which he also annexed, had both the picture of the deponent and name, and that it was sworn in Okene and not FCT.

The contradictions between what the witness said in court and the documents he (the same witness) presented to the court, seemed to have damaged his testimony beyond repair, as he could not give further defence after the discrepancies were pointed out.

Sitting was thereby adjourned to March 30, 2024 for continuation of hearing.

Pius Akubo, SAN, represented the petitioners, while Kanu Agabi SAN, JB Daudu SAN, and DC Denwigwe SAN represented the Respondents.

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