Politics

Ogun Guber: Atiku’s polling agent, more Kashamu, Adebutu loyalists declare support for Gov Abiodun, APC

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2023

Gov Abiodun not distributing expired COVID-19 palliatives, N5,000 cash to civil servants--Ogun govt

Ogun Guber: Atiku’s polling agent, more Kashamu, Adebutu loyalists declare support for Gov Abiodun, APC

Three days to the governorship and House of Assembly elections, hundreds of loyalists and supporters of the Ogun State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, have dumped the party and joined the camp of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The loyalists based in Ogun Central senatorial district under the auspice of the Reformers Group was led by the agent of PDP presidential candidate at the last Saturday’s presidential election collation in the State, Hon. Johnson Fatoki.

Also on Wednesday,
the leadership of Omo Ilu Foundation of the late Senator Buruji Kashamu in Ogun East and Central, collapsed their structures to declared their support for the second term bid of Governor Abiodun, ahead of the Saturday poll.

Some of the chieftains of the PDP who dumped Adebutu include Segun Seriki, Johnson Fatoki, Otunba Femi Osifade, Alhaji Saula Adegunwa, Ralph Olaosebikan and Mr Tola Mebude.

Others are the former Financial Secretary of PDP in Ogun State, Bola Odumosun, Chairman of the Elders Council, Alhaji T.A. Olatokunbo, Alhaja Fatimo Sonibare, former chairman of Ijebu East Local Government, Michael Agbolaade and former House of Assembly member, Akeem Salami.

Speaking at Iperu-Remo country home of Governor Abiodun, the leader of the Ogun Central team and former member, Ogun State House of Assembly, Johnson Fatoki, said the group made up of members of different political parties went through a lot of pressure and overtures from various political parties, but decided to pitch their tent with Governor Abiodun.

Fatoki described the group as “a complete team,” saying it is made up of experienced politicians from Ogun Central who are leaders in their respective communities and are not pushed overs in the political terrain.

“This team is a complete team. Our members cut across different parties who had held at least one political post currently in the past.

” We are not here to demand for anything but here to work for the governor. The party will win even after Governor Abiodun’s next four years. We know that whether we join the APC or not, the party will still win, so it is better we join now” Fatoki stated.

He noted that the inclusive policy and the developmental strides of the incumbent administration across the state, attracted the group to the APC, emphasizing that they were not coming into the party for personal gains but for the benefits of their people.

Speaking on the ongoing construction of the Agro-cargo airport, Fatoki recalled that during his time in the Ogun State House of Assembly, budget provision was made for work to commence at the airport.

Also speaking, Oladeinde Ayinde, said the personality and the policy of ensuring equitable distribution of amenities to all parts of the state, attracted him to the current government, while Mrs.Nurat Yusuf, assured that they would all work for the success of the governor at the poll.

Responding, Governor Abiodun described the leader of the group, Fatoki, as a forthright, reliable, consistent and committed individual who is not a push over in both the Ogun State and national politics, having served the PDP in various capacities.

The governor explained that the inclusive policy of his administration was to open up the political space and make it easy for many people to join the APC.

Abiodun lauded the groups for taking the right step in the right direction, adding that though it was tough, the decision would enable them to be in the mainstream and play an active part in serving their people.

“My being in government is to impact on the lives of the people. Your decision to join us will make you active players in decision making because most of the projects we executed are from the people.

We are responsible and responsive government and we only do those things that our people want us to do. You have not given me any condition to join us and so we will ensure that you do not regret joining us”, the governor said.

He added that “by joining the APC, you have become part and parcel of the winning team as you will not be regarded as new members”.

Welcoming the group to the APC, the State Chairman of the party, Chief Yemi Sanusi, said that there is no group in the party as it is an indivisible and one, calling on them to demonstrate their loyalty by registering at their various wards and work for the victory of the party in the forthcoming election.

Politics

Zamfara Youths Commend Tinubu Over Yazid Danfulani Appointment*

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Zamfara Youths Commend Tinubu Over Yazid Danfulani Appointment

Youths in Zamfara State have commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Yazid Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative.

The Zamfara Good Governance Forum (ZGF), led by Comrade Abdulsamad Yakubu, described Danfulani’s appointment as a well-deserved recognition of his contributions to the region’s development.

Yakubu said Danfulani played a pivotal role in President Tinubu’s campaign, mobilising massive youth support and ensuring a resounding victory for the All Progressives Congress.

He noted that his expertise in the solid minerals sector, particularly in gold mining, is expected to drive the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative forward.

The Zamfara Good Governance Forum expressed confidence that Danfulani’s appointment will have a positive impact on the solid minerals sector in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, which is richly endowed with mineral resources, including gold.

“We wish to express our heartfelt commendation to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the appointment of Yazid Danfulani as the Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative,” Yakubu said.

“Yazid Danfulani’s appointment is a testament to his exceptional leadership qualities and dedication to the development of Northern Nigeria. As a great mobilizer, he played a pivotal role in President Tinubu’s campaign, galvanising massive youth support and ensuring a resounding victory for the party’s presidential candidate.

“The Zamfara Good Governance Forum believes that this appointment is a well-deserved recognition of Danfulani’s contributions to the region’s development. His expertise in the solid minerals sector, particularly in gold mining, will undoubtedly be an asset in driving the Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative forward.

“As the Executive Secretary, Danfulani will oversee the implementation of the initiative, which aims to formalize and regulate the artisanal gold mining sector in Nigeria. This initiative has the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce illegal mining activities in the region.

“The Zamfara Good Governance Forum is confident that Danfulani’s appointment will have a positive impact on the solid minerals sector in Nigeria, particularly in Zamfara State, which is richly endowed with mineral resources, including gold ².”

Politics

Namibians elect Nandi-Ndaitwah as first female president

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Namibians elect Nandi-Ndaitwah as first female president

Namibian Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah of the ruling South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) party has been elected the first female president of the Southern African country.

Namibia’s electoral commission on Tuesday announced Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah as the winner of the election that was held on November 27.

The announcement of the result was delayed until Tuesday as voting was extended in some places due to technical glitches and ballot paper shortages.

According to the result by the electoral commission, Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, polled 57 per cent of the votes, surpassing the 50 per cent requirement to win. Her challenger, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party, came second with roughly 26 per cent of votes.

In the National Assembly election, Mrs Nandi-Ndaitwah-led SWAPO won a majority of seats, 51 of the 96, while the IPC won 20 seats.

“The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability,” Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah said after being declared president-elect on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the IPC has vowed to challenge the election’s outcome in court, describing the process as “deeply flawed.”

Ms Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory now extends SWAPO’s 34-year rule in Namibia since it led the country to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990.

Politics

Senate summons Keyamo over flight delays, others

Published

3 days ago

December 5, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Senate summons Keyamo over flight delays, others

The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Festus Keyamo; Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo; airline operators and other relevant stakeholders over the incessant flight delays and cancellations by airlines.

Adopting a motion to that effect, sponsored by Senator AbdulFatai Buhari (APC Oyo North) during plenary, the Red Chamber particularly charged its Committee on Aviation to unravel the circumstances behind the incessant flight delays and cancellations to find lasting solutions to the problem.

The PUNCH exclusively reported on Wednesday that about 2,000 air passengers lost 19,274 pieces of luggage between January and June this year, according to data from the Federal.

The report stated that data obtained from the half-year report of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, an agency of the Federal Government that regulates civil aviation, further indicated that 19,250 passengers were delayed for long hours during the review period.

Senator Buhari, while presenting the motion, said the problem which he noted had been on the increase in recent times, is all over the media.

“This development is worrisome as air travel is one of the most reliable, dependable, and quicker means of transportation, often undertaken for business/official purposes and to keep other scheduled appointments, which are usually time-bo,” he said

Therefore, he cautioned that “unwarranted flight delays and cancellations will be counterproductive to the socio-economic growth and development of this country.”

The lawmaker noted that as part of interventionist measures to check unethical and unwholesome practices of the practitioners in the àviation sector, the NCAA is statutory empowered through the enactment of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act, to among other things, provide oversight and guidelines aimed at ensuring that airlines operate within the contemplation of international standards in Nigeria and to ensure that airline customers get value for the services paid for.

Buhari pointed out that “the quest for economic diversification and foreign direct investment, which are parts of the current administration’s policy thrust, will remain an illusion if the country’s aviation industry falls short of the acceptable best practices across the globe.”

“Part 19 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Regulations of 2023, makes provisions for consumer protection in the civil aviation industry in Nigeria.”

He added, “However, enforcement has been an issue as most Nigerians are not even aware that they are entitled to compensation for time lost due to unnecessary delay, hence the need for the NCAA to activate this aspect of its regulation so that airline operators will sit up and be alive to their responsibilities.”