Politics

Governor Usman Ododo and The Desecration of His Oath of Office By Nelson Ekujumi

Published

1 month ago

October 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Governor Usman Ododo and The Desecration of His Oath of Office

By Nelson Ekujumi

On being sworn into office on the 27th of January, 2024 as the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Usman Ododo swore with the Quran to uphold the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

However, since his assumption into office and with subsequent events surrounding his immediate predecessor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who is presently on the run from the law, have exposed Governor Usman Ododo as a leader who is violating his oath of office and by extension, pushing to the back burner, the welfare and well-being of the good people of Kogi State.

On several occasions, Governor Usman Ododo has abused his office to assault the constitution in preventing the EFCC from arresting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the latest being his abracadabra visit to the EFCC office in Abuja, where he was pictured, holding hands with the wanted suspect and thus, misused his constitutional immunity to prevent a wanted Yahaya Bello from being arrested.

Sadly, we also recollect how the EFCC stormed the Kogi State Government lodge in Abuja on two separate occasions in April 2024 and on the 18th of September, 2024 with the intention of arresting Alhaji Yahaya Bello for questioning over corruption allegations while in office as governor after failing to honour EFCC’s invitations and how Governor Usman Ododo on both occasions prevented the arrest by leveraging on the immunity he enjoys as a sitting Governor.

As we write, former Governor Yahaya Bello has been declared wanted by the EFCC for failing to honour it’s summons to explain himself on issues surrounding the misappropriation of billions of Kogi tax payers’ money. In addition, ex Governor Yahaya Bello’s wanted person tag has been affirmed by the courts, though he has tried unsuccessfully to have it removed from his neck.

Fortunately, while Alhaji Yahaya Bello is on the run from the law, though temporarily, one is aware that some of his accomplices who partook in the alleged illegal and corrupt siphoning of the people of Kogi state’s money are presently standing trial for the crime of corruption and abuse of public office and misuse oftrust. In addition, some of the stolen funds have been traced to where they were lodged by Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

However, in the midst of the commendable efforts of the present EFCC administration to live up to it’s core responsibility of fighting corruption as mandated by the constitution, one is shocked and ashamed that the Kogi State House of Assembly which ought to be in the forefront of supporting the anti graft agency in it’s war against corruption for the collective interest of the good and long suffering people of Kogi State, is rather waging a parochial, self serving and anti people war against the EFCC for carrying out it’s statutory functions.

The Kogi State House of Assembly which ought to put the collective interest of the people of Kogi State as it’s topmost priority, which is the reason why they were voted into office, by their conduct so far, have proven to be enablers of corruption by waging a campaign of blackmail and calumny against the anti graft agency to hands off ex Governor Yahaya Bello, that the Kogi people’s money is not missing!

While we are embarrassed by this condemnable and anti-people conduct of the Kogi State House of Assembly in prioritising the interest of an individual far and above the collective good of the people of Kogi State, we are not surprised that they are following in the shameful, despicable and condemnable footsteps of the Delta state house of assembly in 2013 during the former Governor James Ibori saga, when they claimed that Delta state funds is not missing, that EFCC should leave him alone, even in the face of the incontrovertible facts of James Ibori attempt to bribe the then EFCC chairman now National Security Adviser (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu with the sum of $15 million dollars which was deposited with the CBN as an evidence.

But while the show of shame by the Delta state House of Assembly as an enabler of corruption lasted, former Governor James Ibori was arrested by the authorities in London, prosecuted and jailed for corruption, only for the same shameless Delta state house of assembly to come back to public glare and demand for the return of the seized bribe money of $15 million from ex Governor and convict James Ibori to be returned to the state coffers that they previously mounted a campaign that it was not stolen from.

Tragically, it’s sad and unfortunate that in our democracy today from the Kogi State show of shame by Governor Usman Ododo and the Kogi State House of Assembly, we are now witness to the violation and abuse of the constitution by persons who ought to uphold the provisions of the constitution for the collective good that they swore to on oath; but have rather turned violators because of individual, personal, self-serving and corrupt interest, this is condemnable in it’s entirety.

But we must commend the EFCC under the present leadership for it’s professionalism and diligent conduct in the face of intimidation, provocation, campaign of blackmail and calumny to distract it from performing it’s constitutional duty. We urge EFCC to remain focused, law abiding and consistent to ensure that the war against corruption is fought to a logical conclusion with the Yahaya Bello case and others in tandem with the provisions of the law and the collective good of the people of Nigeria.

Nelson Ekujumi, is a good governance advocate and rights activist.

Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

3 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent