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APC Ogun governorship Aspirant, Jimi Lawal Petitions IGP Over Primaries Result

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The frontline aspirant of the All Progressive Congress,APC in Ogun State, Jimi Adebisi Lawal has petitioned the inspector general of police, Malam Ibrahim Kpotun Idris over the electoral offences committed by Prince Dapo Abiodun in collaboration with 7 members of National Working Committee assigned to conduct gubernatorial primary in Ogun State. 
Below is the excerpt of the letter:
DRAFT ONLY
6th October, 2018.
Mallam Ibrahim Kpotun Idris,

The Inspector General of Police,

Force Headquarters, 

F.CT, Abuja,

Nigeria. 
Dear Sir,
ELECTORAL OFFENCES PERPETRATED BY PRINCE DAPO ABIODUN, MEMBERS OF THE ELECTORAL COMMITTEE FOR THE 2019 GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY IN OGUN STATE AND THEIR COLLABORATORS:

DEMAND FOR DISCREET INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION
1.0 INTRODUCTION:
1.1 My name is Jimi Adebisi Lawal and I am one of the six (6) gubernatorial aspirants certified fit by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to contest the gubernatorial primaries that was scheduled to hold in all the 236 Local Government Wards in Ogun State on 3rd October, 2018.
1.2 On Friday 5th October 2018, I submitted a letter of protest dated 3rd October, 2018 against the return of Prince Dapo Abiodun as the Candidate of APC to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of our great party and I expect the National Working Committee to empanel an Appeal Committee to consider the submissions and nullify the false results, same having been fabricated by some of the Committee members to favour the candidate returned.

 

2.0. MATRIX OF FACTS:

 

2.1 The National Working Committee of APC set up an Eight (8) man committee led by Muhammad Indabawa as Chairman and Senator Gbenga Aluko as Secretary to conduct the above primary election. The operational rules and/or guidelines of the primary election in all the 236 Local Government Wards in Ogun State, were tabled by the committee for discussions with the aspirants in a couple of meetings between October 1st and 2nd. Stakeholders agreed to adhere to the direct primary and secret ballots system of voting prescribed by the National Working Committee. It was also agreed that the agents and/or representatives of the aspirants would be given full and unhindered rights to monitor the distribution of election materials and conduct the actual elections in all the Wards. Logistics plans were also agreed at the meeting because of the vastness of the size of the state.  The meeting of 2nd October, 2018 came to an end with the resolution that each aspirant would submit a list of Ward electoral officer,  Agents, Local Government and State Returning Officers (the said list to contain names, Wards, LGAs and phone number of nominees) not later than 8:00am the following morning to ensure that the primary election is conducted on 3rd October, 2018 unfailingly. A member of the Committee – Ms Esheza Oshogwe subsequently forwarded an allocation list of five returning officers for each Local Government (from the list submitted by the aspirants) as per attached, marked Annex I.
2.3. In order to assist with logistics, it was also resolved that the Committee would not use vehicles or any other resources from the State Government as a result of which an appeal was made by Sen. Aluko for any of the aspirants who could make a vehicle or two available. I volunteered to make as many vans as were needed available and also assisted in mapping out the routes that would ensure effective and timely delivery of the materials to the 20 Local Government offices of INEC. The vehicles were required to be delivered to the Committee by 8:00pm that evening so the delivery could commence as early as 6:00am the next day, upon arrival of police and other necessary security escorts.
2.4 As agreed, five vans were delivered that evening only for me to learn from one of the drivers at about 10:00am the following day that none of them had left Abeokuta. I promptly called Sen. Gbenga Aluko to enquire about the reason for the delay as we had been mobilizing the voters who had started arriving since 7:00am that morning. Sen. Aluko expressed frustration on account of Governor Amosun having directed the State Commissioner of Police not to make requisite police officers available for the exercise. He however assured me that the Committee Chairman was working with the National Chairman and the Inspector General to secure police officers from another State.
2.5 I called Sen. Aluko again at about 1:00pm, only to be informed that alternative arrangements had been made and that the vans could not be used because they were marked and that thugs might follow them. I immediately pointed out that the materials should not have been dispatched without armed police escort, just as they should have been accompanied by some of the aspirants’ representatives as agreed the previous night. He assured me that it was an oversight and that our returning officers and agents should go to INEC’s offices in the various Local Government Areas to receive the materials and ensure that the elections were held as required. We acted promptly by ensuring that all our Local Government returning officers were present in their respective INEC offices by about 1:30pm.

 

2.6 Given that Abeokuta North and South were only a few minutes away from the location of the materials, I called Senator Gbenga Aluko again at 2:00pm when none of the INEC offices throughout the State had received any of the materials. He again assured me that some of the materials had been delivered and I asked him to be specific; to which he mentioned Abeokuta North and Ado-Odo/Ota amongst others. I again double-checked with our Returning Officers in those locations and called Sen. Aluko back to make it clear that the materials had not been received. I called him yet again at 3:00pm, but he did not respond to my calls; at which point it became clear to me that after 2:00 hours of departure, which was more than sufficient time for 75-80% of the Local Government Area headquarters to have been reached from Abeokuta, that the materials must have been diverted since none had been received.

 

2.7 Since Sen. Aluko was no longer answering my calls, I sent him a message at 3:03pm as follows “My Brother Distinguished, I must put it on record after our telephone conversation a short while ago that I did not receive any message from you since yesterday and none of our local government returning officers had seen any of the materials in all the INEC’s offices so far! Please investigate and revert ASAP. With best wishes always. JAL” to which he responded “Noted. Will do” at 5:11pm. I then personally visited Ijebu-Ode INEC office being my Local Government and was categorically informed that no such materials had been received.
2.8 It is worth mentioning that a critical requirement for the primary election is not only for the materials to arrive safely in the Local Government Areas ahead of distribution to the Wards but for the process to also be monitored by INEC with a view to ensuring it is free, fair and credible. It is submitted that this requirement is indispensable for the outcome of any election of this nature to be upheld as credible. I therefore addressed a letter, on the spot to the Executive Officer in INEC’s office; who responded by confirming that the materials were not received and that no election was monitored by INEC in any and all of the 11 Wards in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area. Copies of my letter and his response are attached to the enclosed Petition and marked Annex 2A & 2B respectively. 
2.9 I then directed that our Returning Officers who were still waiting in their respective INEC offices to do the same. A couple of the responses from Ado-Odo/Ota and Ogun Waterside are attached to the enclosed Petition and marked Annex 3A and 3B and respectively.
2.10 Apart from not directly witnessing any primary election in my Local Government, all my agents and returning officers also confirmed to me that elections did not hold in their Wards and Local Government. Alas, the members of the committee colluded with Prince ‘Dapo Abiodun by diverting the electoral materials to unknown locations and forging results of elections that never. Furthermore, it came as a rude shock that in the circumstance, the Committee’s Chairman announced the so-called results of the non-existent direct primary election. More so that none of the Committee Members left Abeokuta to visit any of the Local Government Areas and none of the Returning Officers for all the 20 Local Government Areas attested to any collated results whatsoever. The electoral officers at the ward level also did not participate in any declaration of results. To this effect, all our 20 Local Government Returning Officers me to be false Or which is at variance with the signed certificate of return commits an offence and is liable on conviction to 36 months imprisonment.  

Without doubt, the members of electoral committee knew that the results declared were false and must be prosecuted for subverting the will of the people by declaring bogus results for an election that did not hold.

3.0. ELECTORAL OFFENCES:
3.1 IGP Sir, I wish to submit with respect that the above acts of subversion of the will of the people implicate electoral offences under the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended). From the forgoing matrix of facts, I wish to submit that the results declared by the Electoral Committee was false to all intents and purposes. Section 123 (4) of the Electoral Act clearly criminilises this act as follows:

123(4) Any person who announces or publishes an election result knowing same to be false Or which is at variance with the signed certificate of return commits an offence and is liable on conviction to 36 months imprisonment.  

Without doubt, the members of electoral committee knew that the results declared were false and must be prosecuted for subverting our electoral democracy by declaring a result of an election that did not hold.
3.2 In the same vein, I also wish to submit that the beneficiary of the crime – Prince Dapo Abiodun and other conspirators should be investigated for conspiracies with the electoral committee members and prosecuted accordingly. Section 124 (5) and (6) empower the court to impose the same quantum of punishment on co-conspirators as follows:

124(5) Any person who conspires, aids or abets any other person to commit any of the offences under this part of this Act shall be guilty of the same offence and punishment thereto. 

(6) For the purposes of this Act, a candidate shall be deemed to have committed an offence if it was committed with his knowledge and consent or the knowledge and consent of a person who is acting under the general or special authority of the candidate with reference to the election.
3.3 Finally, by departing fully from the agreed operational guidelines and logistics plans put in place by the aspirants at meetings held for that purpose, diverting electoral materials to destinations unknown to stakeholders, I submit that the electoral committee members, Prince Dapo Abiodun and their co-conspirators committed a crime under Section 128 of the Electoral Act which provides as follows:

‘’Any person who at an election acts or incites others to act in a disorderly manner commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine ofN500,000. oo
3.4 Finally, by departing fully from the agreed operational guidelines and logistics plans put in place by the aspirants at meetings held for that purpose, diverting electoral materials to destinations unknown to stakeholders, I submit that some of the electoral committee members, Prince Dapo Abiodun and their co-conspirators committed a crime under Section 128 of the Electoral Act which provides as follows:

‘’Any person who at an election acts or incites others to act in a disorderly manner commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine ofN500,000 or imprisonment for a term of 12 months or both.’’
4.0 CONCLUSION:
4.1 Although we have an iron cast civil case for the nullification of the election, I wish to urge the Inspector General of Police to work with the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to direct a discreet investigation and prosecution of the electoral offences committed as explained above. Your decision to act in this regard will send the right signal that we are indeed ready to accommodate more descent people in politics and democratic governance. It is submitted that the diligent prosecution of cases of this nature would vividly demonstrate that President Buhari’s Administration is serious in combating corruption and instituting good governance as an integral part of the Change Agenda. Also attached, please see below a video from one of the Committee members who was dismissed under controversial circumstances.
4.2 Please accept the assurances of my highest regards and best wishes always  always. 

Yours faithfully,
Jimi Lawal

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From Construction Sites to Community Service: Temitope Akinyemi Emerges as a Model of Leadership and Impact

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In an era where integrity, excellence and strong moral values appear to be diminishing among many young professionals, Temitope B. Akinyemi has carved a niche for himself as a disciplined professional, visionary entrepreneur and committed political stakeholder whose influence continues to grow across multiple sectors.
Temitope Akinyemi currently serves as the Chief Executive of several thriving companies amongst which is Rencon PDC Ltd, operating within the building, civil engineering construction and procurement sector. Known for his result-driven leadership and strategic foresight, Akinyemi has built a reputation for delivering value, fostering organisational success and driving competitive growth within Nigeria’s built industry.
With close to two decades of professional experience, Akinyemi’s career reflects a blend of technical competence and managerial excellence. He honed his professional skills while working with reputable organisations including Portland Renovations and Construction Limited, Leadway Assurance, and Pixels Digital Systems Limited.
These experiences not only sharpened his expertise but also enabled him to nurture and mentor a team of young professionals within the construction and engineering ecosystem.
Akinyemi is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he laid the academic foundation for his career.
His commitment to continuous learning has taken him across some of the world’s most respected institutions. He attended the Owner Management Programme (OMP) jointly delivered by the Lagos Business School and Strathmore Business School in Kenya, while also earning certifications in Construction Project Management and Investment Management from the University of Cape Town.
Further strengthening his academic and professional credentials, Akinyemi obtained a Public Policy Certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government in the United States, alongside certifications in Construction Management and Construction Estimation from George Brown College, Toronto, Canada. He is also currently concluding a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Energy and Sustainability at Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), Spain
His professional affiliations reflect his deep engagement with the industry.
 Akinyemi is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Building, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC).
Socially, he is also an active member of elite recreational institutions including the Ikoyi Club and the Ikeja Golf Club.
Beyond business and professional accomplishments, Temitope Akinyemi has steadily built a reputation as a grassroots-oriented political figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His political journey gained significant visibility in 2018 when he contested the APC House of Assembly ticket, using the opportunity to engage extensively with party members across wards while presenting a vision centred on improved welfare and holistic community development.
Although the primary contest did not culminate in electoral victory, Akinyemi’s engagement left a lasting impression within the political structure of the local government. His dedication and influence earned him a role in the Lagos State APC Campaign Committee in 2018, and later a more strategic appointment in 2022 as a member of the Presidential Campaign Committee that contributed to the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Driven by a passion for community service, Akinyemi has consistently supported vulnerable members of society through various empowerment and welfare initiatives. He regularly distributes food items, relief materials and financial assistance to elderly citizens, widows, youths and indigent children within his community, demonstrating a practical commitment to social responsibility.
In preparation for the 2023 general elections, Akinyemi also launched the Temitope Akinyemi Political Empowerment Programme, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen party structures and motivate grassroots members.
Through the programme, 183 party faithful, ward chairmen and elderly party members received financial support as recognition for their loyalty and dedication to the party.
The initiative not only reinforced party unity but also inspired new members to actively participate in the political process.
Today, Temitope B. Akinyemi stands as a blend of professional excellence, political engagement and humanitarian service a leader whose journey from the construction sector to community development initiatives reflects a consistent commitment to impact and progress.
As Nigeria continues to seek forward-thinking leaders capable of bridging business innovation with public service, Akinyemi’s trajectory offers a compelling example of how professionalism, education and grassroots connection can combine to shape meaningful leadership.
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Energy experts defend Dangote, blast marketers over blackmail attempt on fuel price hike

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DESPERATE NIGER BEGS NIGERIA FOR FUEL AMID CATASTROPHIC SHORTAGE!

 

Energy experts in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector have defended the pricing structure of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, accusing some fuel markers of attempting to blackmail the refinery and mislead the public over the recent increase in petrol prices.

The experts said reports suggesting that the refinery’s latest adjustment is solely responsible for the recent hike in fuel prices were misleading, noting that importers are also bringing in petrol at almost a N1,000 per litre, while the refinery’s coastal price is N948 and the gantry or ex-depot price stands at N995 per litre.

They stressed that public comparisons fail to consider the differences in pricing structures and supply channels.

According to the experts, N948 per litre represents the coastal delivery price, which refers to petroleum products transported by marine vessels or barges from the refinery to depots along the coastline. On the other hand, N995 per litre represents the gantry or ex-depot price, which is the rate paid by marketers who load petrol directly from the refinery into tanker trucks at the loading gantry for onward distribution across the country.

The experts explained that the two figures should not be interpreted as conflicting prices but rather as different logistics arrangements within the petroleum distribution chain.

Speaking with our correspondent on Sunday, energy expert David Okon said the pricing adjustments were inevitable given prevailing market conditions.

According to him, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals operates in a deregulated market and procures crude at international prices, which have risen sharply due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

“The refinery is already absorbing part of the cost to cushion the impact of the crisis on Nigerians. We can see what is happening in other parts of the world where shortages and scarcity are being reported despite higher prices, yet the Dangote Refinery has continued to guarantee domestic supply,” he said.

Okon explained that when the refinery previously sold petrol at N774 per litre, crude oil was landing at about $68 per barrel. However, with crude now arriving at roughly $95 per barrel, the cost difference of about $27 per barrel translates to nearly N40,000 per barrel when converted to Naira.

“You cannot expect a refinery to continue selling at the old rate under those circumstances,” he added.

“If imported products were truly cheaper, importers would still be selling at the previous prices.”

He warned that without local refining capacity, Nigeria could have faced severe fuel shortages, long queues at filling stations and a resurgence of black market sales.

“Without the Dangote Refinery, many filling stations would likely shut down, queues would return across the country and black market traders would exploit the situation, hawking four litres keg at N20,000 or more. The refinery has effectively prevented that scenario,” he said.

Another analyst, Mohammed Ibrahim, also faulted narratives circulating in some quarters suggesting that the refinery’s pricing adjustment was responsible for worsening economic hardship in the country.

Accusing some importers of attempting to manipulate public perception, he said, “What we are seeing is nothing but deliberate blackmail by some fuel importers who feel threatened by local refining.

“They are twisting the pricing structure to mislead Nigerians and create unnecessary panic in the market.

“By exaggerating the refinery’s gantry price and ignoring the comparable costs of imported fuel, they are trying to make it appear as though Dangote Refinery is the cause of rising prices and economic hardship. This is a calculated attempt to protect their import businesses and undermine local refining, which is meant to reduce our dependence on imported petrol.”

Ibrahim added that such narratives were aimed at portraying the refinery as the reason Nigerians were struggling with higher petrol prices.

He stressed that petrol pricing in Nigeria is largely influenced by global crude oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and distribution logistics, noting that these factors affect both locally refined and imported fuel in the country’s deregulated market.

Afolabi Olowookere, Managing Director and Chief Economist at Analysts’ Data Services and Resources (ADSR) Limited, explained that although Nigerians expect refined products from the refinery to be significantly cheaper, prevailing market realities such as global crude oil prices, the cost of crude supply and refining margins make substantial price reductions unlikely in the short term.

“Therefore, improving domestic crude allocation to the refinery would strengthen supply stability and enhance the long term benefits of local refining for the economy,” Olowookere noted.

Recent conflicts in the Middle East and disruptions along key shipping lanes have tightened global oil supply, pushing crude prices past $90 per barrel, a development that directly raises the cost of both imported and locally refined petrol in Nigeria.

The unrest has pushed up fuel costs and transportation in several countries, including Ghana, the United States, the United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, and Japan, as rising crude prices increase the cost of refining, distribution, and logistics globally.

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CHETACHI NWOGA-ECTON EMPOWERS 300 WIDOWS IN IMO

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CHETACHI NWOGA-ECTON EMPOWERS 300 WIDOWS IN IMO

 

A renowned humanitarian and proud daughter of Mbaise in Imo State, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton, has empowered over 300 widows and vulnerable women across the Owerri Zone, in a remarkable demonstration of compassion and service to humanity.

 

CHETACHI NWOGA-ECTON EMPOWERS 300 WIDOWS IN IMO

 

The empowerment programme, which took place at the Palace of the Eze of Ngor Okpala, HRH Eze Engr. Fredrick Nwachukwu, brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, women groups and beneficiaries from different communities within the zone.

 

During the event, the widows received food materials and cash support, aimed at helping them meet basic needs and strengthen their small-scale businesses.

 

CHETACHI NWOGA-ECTON EMPOWERS 300 WIDOWS IN IMO

The initiative was widely applauded as a timely intervention to support women who often face severe economic hardship after losing their spouses.

 

 

Many of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to High Chief (Dr.) Nwoga-Ecton, describing the empowerment as a lifeline that would help them take better care of their families.

 

 

Some widows, while offering prayers for the philanthropist, noted that the gesture had restored hope and dignity in their lives.

 

 

Fondly known as Ada Imo and Adaure, High Chief (Dr.) Princess Chetachi Nwoga-Ecton has earned widespread admiration for her consistent humanitarian efforts both within Nigeria and internationally.

 

 

Through her philanthropic activities and foundations, she has continued to support widows, children, and vulnerable communities with interventions in healthcare, welfare and economic empowerment.

 

Community stakeholders who attended the programme commended the Mbaise-born philanthropist for her generosity and dedication to uplifting the less privileged, noting that her actions reflect true leadership and compassion.

 

 

Observers say the initiative further reinforces her growing reputation as one of the most impactful humanitarians of this generation, whose commitment to humanity continues to inspire hope across Imo State and beyond.

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