Connect with us

News

Ekiti tribunal judgement is to God’s glory – Oyebanji

Published

on

Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji
Share

 

… Calls on Segun Oni to join him to develop the state

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday declared that the Ekiti State Governorship Petition Tribunal Judgement re-affirming his election as Governor of the state is to the glory of God and benefit of Ekiti people.

Oyebanji, who described the ruling of the tribunal as a “landmark judgement”, thanked the judiciary for living up to its reputation as the bastion of democracy.

Addressing a crowd of jubilant supporters at the foyer of the Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, shortly after the tribunal ruling, Oyebanji said the judgement was a further proof that God had a hand in his election as Governor of Ekiti State.

He urged his supporters to celebrate in moderation and avoid any form of name calling or hostility against members of the opposition party.

He also hailed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Engr Segun Oni for challenging the electoral process at the tribunal, adding that it was within his right to do so. Oyebanji, however said that with the Tribunal ruling affirming him as Governor of the State, it was time Oni accept defeat honourably, re-join the All Progressives Congress (APC) and work with his administration to develop the state.

Oyebanji, who was joined by his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro and other top government functionaries sang songs of praises to God intermittently as he addressed the people.

“I commend the judiciary for this landmark judgement. It speaks to one thing- when God is in a matter, everything will end well.

“The judgement is to God’s glory and to the benefit of Ekiti people. I just want to plead with all of us. We are one in Ekiti State. The party that has gone to court did so in exercise of its fundamental right.

“I want us to celebrate moderately. I don’t want us to quarrel with anybody. I don’t want us to abuse anybody. Engr Segun Oni still remains a leader in this state, and I have absolute respect for him and will continue to accord him due respect. The door of our party is open to as many people as want to join us and I will be waiting patiently to receive Engr Segun Oni and his people back to APC, because this is where they belong.

“We need them to join us in our effort to make Ekiti more prosperous.”, he added.
Also addressing Newsmen after a meeting with a delegation of Ekiti Obas, Oyebanji said he was never distracted by the SDP petition at the tribunal because he knew it lacked substance. He however promised to continue to implement his six pillar development agenda aimed at bringing prosperity to the people of the state.

“It is a victory for democracy and I dedicate this to the Almighty God and the people of Ekiti state, it’s a validation of what they did during the election and I thank the Judiciary for upholding our victory as a party.

“I actually don’t have opponents in fairness when it comes to issue of Ekiti State, Ekiti is a small state, we are homogeneous, we are one and the right I have to the governorship of Ekiti State is the right every indigene of the state has to that office.

“I see it as a contest and I hereby call on Engr. Segun Oni to join hands with me to develop the state. He is my leader, I have absolute respect for him and that respect has not diminished so I will be linking up with him so that we can work together. He was part and parcel of this party before and I want to call him back to his former party and the more the merrier.

Asked whether he was distracted by the tribunal sittings, Oyebanji said he was never distracted. “I’ve been facing my job, Ekiti people has put us on this job and we have a duty to ensure that we implement our manifesto and the contract we signed with them. Court case should not be an excuse for non-performance, the past seventy-five days have been exciting and I’m happy with how we started, we have put together building blocks that will lead to rapid development of the state, and we are on course. He said.

Speaking further, Governor Oyebanji said the state chapter of APC will soon unfold its campaign for the 2023 presidential election, adding that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ,remains the best of all the candidates in terms of competence, character and level of preparation for the job.

He urged all Ekiti citizens to key into the campaign for the Tinubu presidency, assuring that the state would witness tremendous progress under his presidency.

News

#EndSARS Movement Was Funded From US To Ambush Tinubu From Becoming President – Bisi Akande 

Published

on

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Share

The former interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has claimed that the #EndSARS movement was designed and funded from the United States of America against President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, the #EndSARS movement was heavily funded from the US with support from America and only brought to Nigeria to ambush Tinubu from becoming President.

Speaking in an interview with Edmund Obilo, as seen in a video which has now gone viral on social media, he mentioned that the .obedient movement were the ones behind the #EndSARS movement and protest.

He added that it was after the protest they attempted to transform into a political party and when it became impossible, they all migrated into another political party.

“EndSARS was designed to be the end of Tinubu. Those behind the EndSARS knew that’s what they were doing,” Akande declared during the interview.

Asked by the interviewer to identify those behind the EndSARS movement, Akande replied, “The obidients.”

“The Obidients were behind EndSARS; it was manufactured in America and brought in just to stop him (Tinubu).

“Obideints came from America to do the EndSARS and later became a movement to form a party, and they couldn’t form a party and joined whichever party,” the APC chieftain said.

Pushing further, the interviewer noted that Obidients are tied to Peter Obi and Akande, in response said: “Well, maybe Obi’s party, I don’t know, maybe Obi’s movement, I don’t know, but the obidients were behind the EndSARS.

“It was well planned with a lot of money from America.”

He added that it was an ambush that President Tinubu wasn’t aware of.

Continue Reading

News

Court Grants Sowore ₦10m Bail

Published

on

Omoyele Sowore
Share

The judge gave him 24 hours to perfect the bail conditions or be remanded by the police until the bail is perfected.

The convener of #Revolutionnow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has been granted bail to the tune of ₦10 million and one surety in like sum.

The surety must be a responsible individual with landed property valued in like sum.

The surety is expected to deposit the original documents of landed property and a passport photograph to the registrar of the court.

While ruling on the bail application, the trial judge, Justice Musa Liman, ordered Sowore to deposit his international passport with the registrar of the court.

The judge, however, gave him 24 hours to perfect the bail conditions or be remanded by the police until the bail is perfected.

Sowore had honoured the invitation of the police on Monday, January 27, 2025, when he was questioned at the Force Criminal Investigation Department.

He was subsequently granted administrative bail but rejected the conditions of bail and remained in custody.

The police later filed a 16-count charge of cybercrime against him.

In count three, the police said Sowore on December 20, 2024, through his X handle, called the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, “the illegal IG of Nigeria Police Force”.

Sowore is being accused by the police of posting the picture Egbetokun on his X handle with the caption: “Mediocrity, incompetence, corruption, a country run by characterless people can not make progress”.

The police also alleged that Sowore, through his X handle, said, “IGP Kayode Egbetokun will destroy the Nigeria police if we don’t act now”.

He pleaded not guilty to 16 count charge of alleged cybercrime.

 

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria Was On Life Support When Tinubu Assumed Office – Akpabio

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio
President Bola Tinubu and Senate President Godswill Akpabio
Share

The Senate President and Chairman of the 10th National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the country was on a “life support” as at the time President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

Speaking at his 2024 Constituency Briefing and Empowerment Programme held at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, he called on Nigerians, particularly the people of Akwa Ibom State, to continue supporting President Tinubu as he works to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

“Nigeria Was on Life Support,” he said.

His stance comes following ongoing major reforms such as the introduction of the tax bills, removal of fuel subsidies, floating of the naira, and others introduced by Tinubu.

Akpabio recounted a conversation with President Tinubu about the state of the economy inherited from the previous administration.

“Nigeria was on life support when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu took over. I once asked him, ‘Are you excited about being president after seeing the economy left behind by Emefiele?’ He replied, ‘I must tell you, I didn’t know it was this bad.’”

The Senate President expressed optimism about ongoing economic reforms, noting that while they may be painful, they are necessary for sustainable growth.

“You did it in Lagos, and you will do it again for Nigeria. It’s just a matter of time. We are praying for you, and God will grant you the wisdom to lead us to El Dorado.”

He advised beneficiaries not to sell their empowerment tools but to use them to uplift their families economically.

“We have enough foodstuff to distribute; there should be no stampede. These items are being extended beyond Ikot Ekpene to other senatorial districts in the state.”

“Your support has not only enhanced our educational experience but also inspired us to strive for excellence. Thank you for your unwavering support.”

Akpabio commended Governor Umo Eno for promoting peace and inclusivity in Akwa Ibom.

“Without peace, there cannot be development. The governor has embraced all Akwa Ibom people, regardless of political affiliations.”

He also acknowledged the governor’s Christmas gesture of distributing 1,000 bags of rice to the APC family in the state and announced an additional 1,500 bags of rice for the PDP State Chairman.

Akpabio praised Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, for fostering unity in the Senate.

“Everyone in the Senate has an equal voice, regardless of party affiliation. Opposition is good, but it should be constructive.”

Senator Abba Moro described Akpabio as a leader committed to empowering his people.

“It takes wisdom to know what to give people for lasting benefits rather than instant gratification.”

Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, called the empowerment programme “mega, marvellous, and magnificent.”

The event was attended by key political and community leaders, including,

Obongemem Ekperikpo Ekpo (Minister of Petroleum Resources, Gas) Senator Ita Enang (APC Chieftain), Senator Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South), Paramount Rulers of Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim

In closing, Akpabio emphasised the importance of collective effort in building a better Nigeria and assured constituents of continued representation and development-focused initiatives.

 

 

Continue Reading