Connect with us

News

Presidential/NASS Polls: INEC living up to expectations – Sen. Bamidele

Published

on

Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele speaking with Journalists after voting
Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele speaking with Journalists after voting
Share

The Senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ekiti Central District, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, has given kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for going ahead with the 2023 general elections in spite of initial challenges.

Bamidele gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, after casting his vote at Polling Unit 003 of Ward 13, Ibedoyin Ward, Iyin Ekiti.

NAN reports that the current Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, arrived at the polling unit at about 12 noon and voted by 12:27pm.

While describing the process of his accreditation and voting as smooth, he said that INEC deserved commendation for overcoming some initial obstacles on its way of carrying out the exercise.

He made allusion to the problems created by the introduction of new naira notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) few months to the general elections.

He said that initial challenges of non-functional BVAS in some parts of his senatorial district were corrected by INEC, thereby making the process hitch-free.

“We give God the glory that this election is even holding today. This election is holding today against the backdrops of daunting challenges in our country; owing to certain policies of government, especially through the CBN.

“But we’re happy that people refused to be pushed to violence and everybody worked hard to prevent the eventual breakdown of law and order.

“This is an election that would have been enmeshed in crisis due to recent development, but we’re happy that the election is holding.

“I took my time before coming out to vote, I came here after 12 noon because I needed to touch base with different parts of my senatorial district and different parts of the state.

“With respect to my senatorial district, what I gathered from various reports from the field is that the turnout of voters has been impressive and secondly INEC has lived up to expectations,” he said.

“As you can see, voting is going on without any hitch. My hope is that what we’re witnessing here is also what is happening in other parts of the country.

“The electioneering process is peaceful, smooth, fair and credible. And, I know that at the end of the day votes of Nigerians will count. By the grace of God, I look forward to a victorious outing that will give me an opportunity of a renewed mandate to go back to the Senate to serve my people.

“I also pray that through this process, the best will emerge for our own country at all levels of governance; in respect of the three positions that are being contested for today. If we have the right person as the president and right people in the Senate, Nigeria will move forward,” he said.

Also, Mr Ayodele Adetilewa, the Assistant Presiding Officer (APO 1), at the polling unit, described the process as hitch-free.

He said that electoral materials reached the venue at scheduled time, while there were no cases of thuggery and disturbances.

NAN further reports that Bamidele, who is the Chairman of the Southern Senators’ Forum of the 9th Senate, was accompanied to the voting venue by his wife, Yemisi and members of his immediate family.

 

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