Media aide to Senator representing South Senatorial District of Ekiti State, Mrs Biodun Olujimi, Chief Sanya Atofarati has berated the former Governor Ayo Fayose for allegedly sponsoring media Attacks against his principal, Olujimi.

In reaction to a publication made and circulating especially on social media and purportedly signed by some former Reps members, Segun Adekola, Thaddeus Aina and Kehinde Agboola wherein they alleged Senator Olujimi of intent to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Atofarati described the allegation as laughable. said, "it is hypocrisy on the Ex-lawmakers who practically lost their voice during the COVID-19 lockdown when their party members were hungry and needed help, they lost this same energy when communities were ravaged by flood and their supposed Constituents had no shelter, they were on mute mode when Fayose sold the state's Party Secretariat but have suddenly regained their voice and have chosen Senator Olujimi as their first point of attack, seeking for political relevance . We understand these guys are being remotely controlled by Fayose to destabilize the party again. Please advise them to redirect their idleness"

He reiterated Olujimi's committment to inclusive leadership in the party, saying the Senator has achieved feats since the commencement of her leadership as the highest ranking officer of the party in Ekiti State in 2018. 

"People are proud of being a member of PDP in Ekiti today because of Senator Biodun Olujimi's leadership; these are the people militated out of PDP prior to 2018 Guber election by the gangsterism and authoritarianism of Ayo Fayose, and many others who have shown interests to join PDP afresh."

Atofarati said her Principal, Olujimi remains the PDP leader in Ekiti State and has no plan to decamp to any other party. He said "Senator Olujimi's only plan for now is to work with other leaders to consolidate on efforts that has been put in place towards strengthening our great party PDP and to ensure it delivers victory in coming elections."

The Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, says he has known the value and landmark a former President, Goodluck Jonathan left in Nigeria and its political landscape after his tenure in office in 2015.

The lawmaker spoke on Saturday at Apo legislative quarters, Abuja, during the Grand Opening of Dr. PhysiQ Specialist Center for Wellness and Medical Lifestyle Change, and launching of a book titled: ‘Everything heals” authored by Dr. Susana Adams, the CEO of the Centre.

 

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Ndume also stated that his recent detention at Kuje prison and subsequent release from the custody was the will of God, saying that “as God wants it, that I must be here, because I was just released from detention yesterday night (Friday), maybe God wants me to attend this occasion, otherwise, I would have been in Kuje prison up till now.”

Jonathan, who was the chairman of the occasion later inspected the new Wellness Centre, and was accompanied by the former of Minister of Information, Labaran Maku; the veteran journalist, Eugenia Abu, among other dignitaries.

Speaking before the inspection, the Borno Senator said other people who were skeptical about the ex-president’s behaviour have also realised how great he is, adding that many Nigerians don’t value what they have until they lose it.

The Borno Senator’s remark is coming a few days after the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Mai Mala Buni, and some APC governors visited the ex-President.

“I must confess, as people call me stubborn person, I’m also a stubborn person… I feel I need to make this testimony here, and also appreciate Mr.(Former) President, as they say you will never know what you have until you lose it. I will stop there.

“For this country, I think Nigerians know that they don’t value what they have until they lose that thing. We thank God for your life and you have changed the political culture and landscape of this country.

“You don’t know how great you are in the eyes of those that were skeptical, those that don’t know you, those that didn’t come close to you. But now, honestly, I am one of those that used to criticize you very well, but I will say it was constructive move,” the lawmaker said.

A 30-year-old man, Mr Ayotomiwa Elegbeleye has appeared before the Ekiti State Judicial Panel of Inquiry into allegations of police brutality where he narrated his ordeals in the hands of operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

Elegbeleye, who appeared before the panel on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said he was arrested by eight SARS operatives in his house in Ikere-Ekiti on January 7, 2020, at about 11:55 pm and was taken to their custody where he was repeatedly tortured.

According to him, he was hanged with a rod in custody while the officers tortured him with pressing iron for 23 days over his failure to offer N500,000 requested for him to be released.

 

During the sitting, the complainant, who was brought from the Correctional Centre, showed members of the panel the bodily injuries he sustained from the hot pressing iron when he was in their custody.

He said, “I was arrested by the SARS operatives around 11:55 pm in my house in Ikere-Ekiti without them telling me the crime I committed. That night, I was taken to their office where I was tortured with pressing iron that I should confess to being an armed robber.

I was hanged up with a rod. I gasped for breath, begging them to release me but they said I will only be released with payment of N500,000.

“After 23days in their custody and with serious bodily injuries , they took me to the police hospital in Oke-isa when they felt I might die due to my worse health condition.”

Elegbeleye, who maintained that he was never involved in any criminal activity, pleaded with the panel to investigate his case with a bid of releasing him from the prison.

” I come to the panel for them to assist me in getting justice from this suffering I am passing through for an offence I don’t know anything about and I need urgent medicare now because I am having serious difficulty in breathing due to the manner I was beaten by the SARS officers, ” he said.

However, counsel to the police said a case of alleged conspiracy, murder and armed robbery against the complainant is currently before the State High Court.

Counsel to the complainant, Layi Obisesan, argued that his client is before the panel to seek justice over the brutality he suffered in the hands of the SARS operatives.

Former Senator of Ekiti North, Sen. Duro Faseyi CON, has congratulated the former commissioner, Chief Segun Akinwumi on his birthday. 

According to him, I thank the PDP apex in Ileje for declaring that Chief Akinwumi is a pillar of the party. I want to confirm that he is truly a pillar of the party.

“My brother is a man of many parts. Many people may not understand him, but I thank God that I know his heart. If you want someone who has a heart for the party, he is such a person.

“There are so many things he does for the party and he does not want people to know. But we know he is a pillar; truly, our Akinwumi  is a good man.

‘If we have few more persons like him, the party will be strengthened beyond limits. I believe that as we move forward, we are going to witness that,” Duro Faseyi added.

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Friday announced that only 12 political parties met the commission’s requirements to take part in the forthcoming Bayelsa West Senatorial District by-election.

Bayelsa West Senatorial District is among the rescheduled by-elections holding on the 5th December, 2020.

According to a statement issued, on Friday, in Yenagoa by INEC’s HOD Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, the 12 political parties cleared for the election include Accord, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Action Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Peoples Congress, New Nigeria Peoples Party, National Rescue Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party and Young Progressive Party.

In the statement, Ifogah further explained that, “the exclusion of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is in compliance with the Federal High Court judgement in suit no: FHC/YNG/CS/60/2020 and FHC/YNG/CS/66/2020 which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from including the name and logo of the candidate of the party for Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Peremobowei Ebebi.”

It could be recalled that the presiding judge, Justice Jane Inyang, had in a judgment on a case of forgery filed by Richman Samuel, a former Director of Domestic Matters, Government House, Yenagoa, upheld the plaintiff’s prayers and declared the APC candidate ineligible to contest.

The plaintiff contended that the academic credentials and voter’s card, which the defendant submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission for the by-election, were forged documents.

Ebebi, who is a former deputy governor, emerged the APC candidate in a direct primary conducted in September by primary electoral committee headed by General Abdulsalam Dahiru (retd.).

Senator Biodun Olujimi started her political carrier about two decades ago, available records have it that she first appeared in the political arena when she was elected as the National Publicity Secretary of defunct political parties before the creation of Ekiti State in 1996.

The name Biodun Olujimi became more prominent when she was elected into the Federal House of Representatives in 2003 and touched virtually every home in Ekiti South Federal Constituency. Her contributions towards People's oriented programs endeared the then Government in Ekiti State to recalled her for a higher appointment when the Deputy Governorship position opportunity became vacant.

As the first female deputy Governor, Senator Biodun Olujimi through her good gesture, unrelenting in humanitarian services and goodness led the liberation movement amongst the women fold, a role which has unprecedentedly inspired, encouraged and increased women participation in politics since 2006 till date.

In 2007, Senator Biodun Olujimi was appointed as Commissioner for Works under the then PDP led Government in Ekiti State, a position she maximized to the benefit of the generality of the public by providing to the Government intellectual capability in areas of planning and execution of sustainable road projects, projects which has still today referred to as the most reliable projects across the state.

In 2015, Mrs Biodun Olujimi was elected as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria where she service diligently and served her constituents and the Nation by representing the Senate in various capacities particularly as the Minority leader of the 8th Nigeria Senate. Beyond her legislative obligation, Olujimi constructed roads, installation solar powered street lights, Secured employment for the Youths, construction of water ways and provision of portable water and empowerment of over 30,000 citizens beyond her primary Constituency and across the 16 LGAs of the state. This in no doubt would have earned her the second tenure re-election into the 9th Senate in 2019, against all odds.

Whichever strategy she may have been adopted in driving her political career is no doubt is working for her. These strategies many have described as alien to Nigerian politics.

Upon the heat of the corona-virus clampdown and the subsequent Government's pronouncement of total lockdown across the states of Nigeria, Ekiti State as civil Service state was among the states poorly affected by the effect of the pandemic. Senator Olujimi beats the imagination of an average Nigerian politician when she disbursed over 20 million naira to over 2000 Ekiti residents regardless of political affiliation. Among other measures to cushion the effect of the lockdown, senator Olujimi distributed several palliative items such as Rice, Garrri, Beans, Noodles and other precoutionary items like hand sernitizers, wipes and nose masks to over 10,000 beneficiaries and citizens of Ekiti including Government establishments.

Senator Biodun Olujimi has been consistent in responsive representation beyond her immediate South Senatorial constituency.

She advocates oneness among all citizen of Ekiti People and encouraged other leaders to see political parties as a vehicle to win an election but that must not be allowed to override the welfare of the people that must be considered as priority, particularly at a time when the people are in dare need support.

Shortly after the Government's lockdown order was over, Senator Biodun Olujimi rolled out the second phase of her empowerment programe the length and breath of Ekiti state where many beneficiaries could not hide their joy and appreciation to the senator many described as "political mother in Israel."

The immense contributions of this national figure, Sen Biodun Olujimi, to the communities, state and humanity has been overwhelming and appreciated across party lines. In his position, the APC National Publicity Secretary ( South), Karonwi Oladapo, has said, “ Political partisanship apart,

Now that the truth has been laid bare before you, be the judge....

Let's celebrate our own jewel, the liberator, the leading leader and the new face of Africa leadership.

The bandits were said to have invaded Dickson’s compound through the Forcados River on Wednesday night Some gunmen have caused serious commotion in Bayelsa state after attacking a former governor’s house. The gunmen shot dead a police officer in a midnight attack at the Toru-Orua residence of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, a report by Vanguard has confirmed. The bandits were said to have invaded Dickson’s compound through the Forcados River on Wednesday night. The slain officer was among a team of police personnel guarding the former governor’s home. He was said to have died on the spot. When contacted, the state Police Command said it would come up with a detailed statement on the incident later Chief Dickson who said that this period was indeed a trying one to the country, the police and the security agencies called on the society to give them the requisite support to effectively carry out the sensitive duty of securing the society.

Former deputy governor of Ekiti state and senator representing Ekiti South, Abiodun Olujimi, has emerged 'female senator of the year' in the 2020 Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards.

The Award is endorsed by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), an advisory body of the African Union (AU) designed to give civil society organizations (CSOs) a voice within the AU institutions and decision-making processes.

Olujimi, chairperson, Senate Committee on Diaspora and former deputy minority leader, beat five other female-nominees to emerge winner of the category in a seven-day voting by Nigerians via online platforms.

They were: Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Lagos Central; Senator Stella Odua, Anambra North; Senator Uche Ekwunife, Anambra Central and Senator Aishatu Ahmed, Adamawa Central.

At a brief profiling event of the awardee on Monday, November 16, at the National Assembly, Abuja, the former deputy governor said she was happy that Nigerians recognise her efforts to national development.

Olujimi, who described herself as a very quiet senator who is only concerned with the day-to-day business of putting her constituents first, thanked management of Igbere TV for their good works.

She, however, called for more concerted efforts at electing female lawmakers into the National Assembly, even as she urged for one out of every three senators from the three senatorial districts in a state, to be of the female gender.

The wife of Ekiti State Governor, Her Excellency, Erelu Bisi Adeleye Fayemi, in her bid to eradicate poverty among young and old women in Ekiti State and to assist the vulnerable ones has yet recorded another feat. 

The generous, kindhearted and friendly First Lady extended her good gesture to a young pregnant Widow in Ogotun-Ekiti in Ekiti South West Local Government area of Ekiti State.

It was like a play when Com. Dahunsi Babatunde one of the Admin of “Egbe Ọmọ Ogotun on Facebook” contacted Alhaji Dauda Lawal (ADL BRAND) an aide to H. E Erelu Bisi Fayemi on October 29th, 2020. Concerning the case of Mrs David Omowumi Iretiola who lost her husband, a military officer in a battle with Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state. 

Immediately, ADL demanded for the official short story of the Young Pregnant Widow;

And the secretary of the team of Admin, Jide Ojaomo forward the short story, which read thus:

The Ekiti First Lady, moved with Iretiola's ordeal, she asked for her contact immediately and talked to her.

She condoled with her, promised to support and visit her.

 Surprisingly, in the afternoon of November 16th, 2020. Her Excellency Erelu Bisi Adeleye Fayemi directed ADL BRAND to reach out to the young Widow, “Her account number was requested for and sum of three hundred and fifty thousands naira (#350, 000) was given to her.

What a kind hearted woman?

What a trustworthy politician?

What a display of true motherhood?

Egbe Ọmọ Ogotun on Facebook uses this medium to appreciate and thank Ekiti mother for the effort placed to secure future for the unborn child and for the quick response to save the young Widow from deep thinking which may be very harmful at this period. 

There are strong indications that all may not be well among the governors of states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A prevailing cold war within the PDP Governors’ Forum is attributed to the inability of the governors to agree on the fate of the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, once his tenure expires in December.

Reliable sources also claimed that the ongoing intra-party crisis rocking the southwest zone of the party is another reason why the governors are allegedly at loggerheads.

Findings made by The Nation indicated that while some governors are appealing to party leaders to consider allowing Secondus to get another term of four years in office, some others have made it clear that they would prefer that someone else takes over the leadership of the opposition party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Reliable party sources claimed that the division created by the second term ambition of the national chairman is festering by the day.

A source at the national secretariat of the PDP said: “Secondus is not hiding his desire to secure a second term come December. And he enjoys the support of some prominent members of the party, especially within the camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whose desire to seek the presidential ticket of the party is also an open secret.

“Some governors of the party, particularly those loyal to Atiku, are also working for the national chairman to retain his seat.

“But a number of PDP governors and chieftains are also determined to see the back of Secondus once his tenure ends in December.”

“Some sources have named Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State as one of those opposing the continued stay in office of the national chairman.

“Also mentioned among those who may not want Secondus to continue in office are Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ben Ayade of Sokoto, Delta and Cross Rivers states.

“And going by recent events within the party, the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi and Akwa Ibom appear to be working for Secondus to continue in office.

“It is not clear whether the national chairman will get the support of Governor Nyesom Wike of his native Rivers State.

“Wike, you will recall, was Secondus’ main supporter four years ago when he got his current mandate. It appears the duo differ over who should get the 2023 presidential ticket of the party, among other issues.”

The Nation also gathered that the governors’ forum is currently torn apart by the crisis rocking the party in the Southwest.

According to reliable sources, Governor Makinde is angry that some of his colleagues are tacitly supporting moves by ex-governor Ayo Fayose to undermine his leadership of the zone.

He has also allegedly expressed concerns that the national leadership of the party is indulging Fayose and his group in the Southwest.

A source said: “The governors are also not on the same page on how best to resolve the crisis in the Suthwest. While Governor Makinde expected the national leadership and his fellow governors to be unequivocal in their condemnation of Fayose and his supporters over the crisis, some of the governors have been unflinching in their belief that the former Ekiti governor is an asset the party cannot wish away in the zone ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“But some others have openly accused Fayose of acting the scripts of a former presidential candidate of the party who desires to clinch the ticket again in 2023.

“Others have even accused the former governor of plotting to emerge as a vice presidential candidate in 2023.

“Last week in Abuja, a PDP governor publicly warned Governor Makinde against pushing Fayose and his supporters out of the party.”

It was also gathered that the pro-Fayose group have been able to convince the Secondus-led National Working Committee (NWC) to refrain from supporting Makinde against Fayose in the raging crisis.

Their argument, The Nation gathered, is that Fayose controls the larger chunk of the party members in the zone as against Makinde; an argument that may not be unconnected with the number of state chairmen in each of the warring factions.

Taking sides with Fayose, four out of the six state chapter chairmen in the zone have constantly accused Makinde of sidelining the party structures in the zone. They include Deji Doherty (Lagos), Clement Faboyede (Ondo), Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele (Ogun) and Elder Sunday Akanfe (Osun).

The Oyo State governor enjoys the support of only two state party chairmen.

Fayose also enjoys the backing of the recognised zonal caretaker committee members-Dayo Akintan, Mustapha Sikiru Banana, Martins Abiloye, Prince Nekan Olagbegi, Mrs. Funmi Ogun, Wahab Owokoniran and Mrs. Fadeyi Ayo Awolowo.

During the week, the crisis rocking the crisis in the zone escalated with the setting up of parallel zonal reconciliation committees by the two factions.

Makinde’s group had earlier set up a committee headed by former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to reconcile aggrieved members of the PDP. Chief Saka Balogun, Chief (Mrs.) Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru and Barr. Olayinka Kukoyi are members.

Dayo Ogungbenro, Acting National Vice-Chairman of the PDP, Southwest, issued a communiqué after the meeting.

The parallel panel instituted by Fayose’s faction is headed by Femi Babalola and has Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi, Ahmed Okandeji Mustapha, a lawyer, Chief Idowu Odeyemi and Chief Tunde Akindehin as members.

Lawmaker representing Anambra West in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Patrick Obalum Udoba, has distributed hundreds of bundles of high yield Cassava stems to his constituents to enable them kick-start farming in earnest.

Obalim-Udoba said the distribution was his effort to ensure that the 2020 flood disaster that ravaged his constituents and destroyed all their crops did not affect them negatively. 

The distribution took place at Umueze Anam and was witnessed by residents of communities making up the local government area including the Igala speaking community.

Noting that cultivation of cassava usually started between November and December, he said this prompted him to distribute the high yield stems which will germinate soon.

He advised the farmers to use the Cassava stem judiciously.

This is not the first time he would distribute Cassava stems to his constituency -- in 2019, the lawmaker distributed two truckloads of Cassava stems to his constituents.

RT. Hon. Karounwi Oladapo was a member of the 1st assembly in Ekiti State House of Assembly, and indeed the Deputy Speaker. He's presently the publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southwest zone and also the special Envoy on Regional Matters to Gov Kayode Fayemi. 

 Karounwi Oladapo is a town planner, he's a brilliant politician who suddenly turns to be prophetic in his postulations.

It could be recall that; On February 1st, 2020. This political philosopher predicted what could be the outcome of the congresses of People's Democratic Party (PDP) to be held in the months of March and April. The postulation which was like a prophecy read thus:

While Ekiti State People’s Democratic Party, PDP, are still legally battling to prove him wrong, Oladapo Karounwi who is popularly known as Kasto-Cicero had come again to predict another woe on the opposition party, PDP.

This prediction had been generating controversies in the public. 

Now, will PDP in the Southwest zone allow this to happen again?

Members of the Worldwide Alumni Association of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology held a successful global convention over the weekend; it was an avenue to appraise the last 3 years of the immediate past Global Executives and to consider various committee reports. As part of the convention, another major milestone reached in the annals of the Association with the election of officers into various positions. The election, which was held at the Ogbomoso campus of the institution on Saturday, 14th November, 2020, had delegates from all the 12 chapters. Hon. Onilede Solomon was returned as the Global President, while Hon. Olalekan Badmus, who is a member of the Osun State Executive Council was elected as the Global Deputy President and Dr. Azeem Ige of the Mother Chapter, LAUTECH Ogbomoso was elected the Global Secretary.

The convention also produced the following officers into the respective offices as provided by the constitution of the Association: Mr. Tekkie Alawiye as the VP North, Akinkunmi Teslim Kilani as the VP South, Olusoji Bidemi Akinrinade as the VP Diaspora, Olugbenga Solomon Agboola was returned as Assistant Secretary, Adeboyejo Leye Alabi as the Financial Secretary, Tunde Olumide Oluwasimirin as the Treasurer, the immediate past PRO, Damilare Hakeem Adeyemi was returned same as the Social Secretary, Sa’dat Yetunde Yusuf, Shittu Olanrewaju Alabi was elected as the Welfare Secretary while Abimbola Mayowa Eyitayo was elected as the Internal Auditor.  

The Electoral Chairman, Prof Remi Aworemi, said the process was transparent and devoid of any complaint from any quarters as those who lost in the election accepted the result in good fate while those who were elected were magnanimous in victory enough to promise an all inclusive operation of the Global Alumni Secretariat.

Prof. Aworemi said;“There is no doubt that we have conducted a great election here today. We did our best in putting in place the necessary material to ease the process, while sensitization of members especially electorates was done before the election day to ensure that all our votes count.”

“We have delegates from all the 12 chapters and it is a thing of joy to witness the determination of our members to be involved in the election of new leadership. In fact, it is interesting to have members from diaspora to even come around for this election. The election is over now and not everyone who contested is expected to emerge winner. The most important thing is for us to support those who won to forge ahead as an independent and united body.”

In his acceptance speech, the Global President, Onilede said the next 3 years will be a journey of making dreams reality called on members burry their grievances and ensure there is unity in the association.

He said, “It is expected to see some aggrieved members who perhaps because of their interests would want to polarise the association. There is a philosophy I believe in which always serve as a source of inspiration for me in everything I do. And that is the fact that, every turn life takes must be accepted as Gods plan for us.”

The election had in attendance the representative of Alumni Relations office, Mr. Yomi Odekunbi, Professors, senior staff of the University, men of the press and security personnel.

It's a great walk 🚶 from day one to 21,900 days!!!

It's great to be alive and in good health.

The path has not been paved with niceties! 

What, with personal losses and disappointments!

In ourselves for not being able to do justice to all manner of people and in others who are perceived to have hurt us!

But in all, 60 years is a time to thank God for his Mercies.

Your excellency, God has been kind to you!

He took you from the back waters and you ruled Ekiti State for 2 teams, what a feat!

May God in his infinite Mercies sustain you, as you move to the club of the "wise" 

Be blessed, be Happy!

Happy birthday your excellency!

 

The PDP in Ondo state in a press statement titled, Re: PDP Leaders Lament Defeat In Ondo, Set Up Committee To Probe Loss, has urged those trying to fan the ember of crises in the party in the Southwest to bury such moves.

Kennedy Peretei, the party’s publicity secretary on Saturday affirmed that the party leaders in Ondo state are united and had on no occasion divided on the recent governorship election in the state, hence it approached the election tribunal to correct the injustice it suffered at the poll.

The party also dismissed the meeting of some PDP leaders led by former Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose in Lagos, adding that such meeting do not enjoy the support of the party authentic leaders of the party.

 

Read full statement below:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter wishes to dissociate itself from the meeting of South West PDP “leaders” who converged in Lagos to review the outcome of the Ondo Gubernatorial Election amongst other issues.

In the first place, it is no news that, our party and candidate at the Election Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, have approached the Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure, to seek redress. To that extent, the final verdict on the Election has not been heard. And it will be therefore, preposterous to gloat over same.

It is also disheartening that the same characters who received money from All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders to sabotage, openly canvass and distributed money to buy votes for APC to turn round and lament “defeat” of the PDP in Ondo State.

As a party, we are undaunted by this temporary setback. We have also put measures in place to appropriately address the anti-party activities of those APC or ZLP members masquerading as PDP leaders in accordance with provisions of our Party Constitution (2017 as Amended)

There is no need to cry more than the bereaved. We have accepted our challenges and willing to take them on head long as we are convinced of victory at the end of the tunnel.

The Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo is willing to weed out the bad eggs amongst us and those who have made themselves ready tools in the hands of unpatriotic elements driven by over ambition.

Our party is organised and peaceful. We shall not allow outsiders to infiltrate our ranks to foment any kind of trouble and bring about crisis that have been managed in the past. Those who are responsible for our present challenges should not dare us as we shall bare our fangs if further provoked.

 

Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol will now sell at between N168-N170 per liter.

This is as because the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, has increased the ex-depot price to N155.17 per litre from N147.67 per litre.

The PPMC disclosed this in an internal memo with reference number PPMC/C/MK/003, dated November 11, 2020, and signed by Tijjani Ali.

The memo, a copy of which was seen by our correspondent, said the new ex-depot price would take effect from Friday.

The ex-depot price is the price at which the product is sold by the PPMC to marketers at the depots.

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BREAKING: Petrol Price increased to N170/litre

 November 13, 2020

Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol will now sell at between N168-N170 per liter.

 

This is as because the Petroleum Products Marketing Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, has increased the ex-depot price to N155.17 per litre from N147.67 per litre.

The PPMC disclosed this in an internal memo with reference number PPMC/C/MK/003, dated November 11, 2020, and signed by Tijjani Ali.

The memo, a copy of which was seen by our correspondent, said the new ex-depot price would take effect from Friday.

 

The ex-depot price is the price at which the product is sold by the PPMC to marketers at the depots.

 

In its PMS price proposal for November, the PPMC put the landing cost of petrol at N128.89 per litre, up from N119.77 per litre in September/October.

It said the estimated minimum pump price of the product would increase to N161.36 per litre from N153.86 per litre.

The National Operation Controller, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Mike Osatuyi, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, said the over N7 increase in ex-depot price would translate into an increase in pump prices.

He said, “The implication of the increase in the ex-depot price is that there is going to be an increase in the pump price. We are expecting the pump price to range from N168 to N170 per litre.

“Crude oil price is going up,” he said, noting that the Federal Government has fully deregulated petrol prices.

Following the deregulation of petrol prices in September, marketers across the country adjusted their pump prices to between N158 and N162 per litre to reflect the increase in global oil prices.

Petrol price band had also risen from N121.50–N123.50 per litre in June to N140.80-N143.80 in July and N148-N150 in August.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said in September that the government had stepped back in fixing the price of petrol, adding that market forces and crude oil price would continue to determine the cost of the product.

The Presidency has reacted to reports that repentant Boko Haram members will be paid N150,000 monthly. Reports emerged on social media that Nigerian government was making plans to pay Boko Haram repentant members N150,000 monthly.

However, Bashir Ahmad, media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari described the report as false. He urged Nigerians to disregard the report. Ahmad on his Twitter page wrote: “FAKE NEWS ALERT: The Federal Government is NOT planning to start paying repented Boko Haram members N150,000 monthly.

“The story is baseless and should be regarded as the usual fake news. When you see it here or on WhatsApp, ask the poster to provide a credible source of the story.”

A Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Otunba Yinka Akerele, popularly known as Ajinde Ekiti, in this interview with Kehinde Agboola of DAILYREPORTERSNG, addressed numbers of issues around the leadership crisis rocking the State's chapter of the party and other issues around the 2022 Governorship election in the state.

"The experience you want me to recollect is a sad experience because if democracy is defined by renown authors as government of the people, for the people and by the people then no matter how wrong the decision of the people is, they are responsible for it. Exactly what was supposed to be the case in Ekiti PDP during the primary in 2006, a case where majority of the delegates who went for the election voted for me, and I won the primaries. We were meant to go for a runoff because of the lacuna in the Constitution of the party then, which has been corrected now. If there was to be a runoff it was supposed to be between Professor Ojo Yinka, who came Second and myself Yinka Akerele but to my dismay, we were summoned to Abuja by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo and were forced to step down for a man who came third in the primary; Engr. Segun Oni. That's a story I don't like recalling."

"When former Governor Ayo Fayose drove many of us leaders to the opposition APC then because he saw some of us as unfriendly and was not ready to work with us then, he went to the news announcing our suspension from PDP, so we left for him and after his tenure was over we came back to the party and the election I met on ground was the National Assembly Election and of course, Senator Olujimi was instrumental to my coming back from the opposition APC to PDP. I was not the only one she approached, she also approached some other leaders who left the party such as former Deputy Gov. Sikiru Lawal; former Secretary to the state government, Amb. Dare Bejide; former Commissioner Segun Akinwunmi and host of other leaders and arranged how we met with the national leadership of the party who encouraged and welcomed us back to the party and respectively we came back to Wards where we re-enrolled our membership and since then I have been playing my role as a leader in PDP. I spontaneously joined hands with other leaders to ensure victory in the National Assembly election where Senator Duro Faseyi and Senator Biodun Olujimi were candidates in the election. Perhaps the reason why I am exceptionally attached to Senator Olujimi was because of her roles in my coming back to PDP and, she is a leader I admonish and admire so much in terms of her leadership approach. So calling me Olujimi's Field Marshal is just a nomenclature and as long as it is for the progress of the party, I consider it as great privilege."

"Every leader must learn to stand by the truth. The rule in PDP is that the highest ranking officer is the leader of the party in the state. For instance, when a Governor is elected he naturally becomes the leader of the party in the state being the most senior elected officer. So in the absence of a Governor and we have a democratically elected senator, not minding the name or face of the individual, the Senator becomes the leader of the party. Hence, Senator Biodun Olujimi is the statutory leader of PDP in Ekiti State and we are all pleased with her inclusive leadership. I also acknowledge the fact that former Governor Ayo Fayose is our Boss, having served the state for two terms but definitely not the leader of PDP in Ekiti State."

"Party factionization is not alien and neither is it peculiar to PDP. As long as they can harness their potentials, groupings and factions only makes the party stronger. In Ekiti PDP today we have the Repositioning Group and the Fayose led group and the two groups are on ground impressing the name PDP on the people, sensitizing the public and mobilizing to the party to show the readiness of the party to take over governance of the state come 2022. So, I have seen nothing wrong with it as long that at the end of the day we all have to come together as one large family members. The obvious truth is that the Repositioning Group can not win alone and the Fayose led group can not win alone unless we all come together. So I am optimistic that both groups would come together at the end of the day."

"Well let me say this, Engr. Segun Oni is my senior brother even though he may see me otherwise. For instance, prior his arrival or return to PDP from APC, thank God he met me on ground, so, I got to the party before him, he has refused to call me yet he calls people around me and I don't know why he hasn't called me but I am convinced he is not my enemy. However, I just think it is natural of me to feel shortchanged by the fact the he was used as a joy-spoiller when my opportunity came --- I won an election, struggled for ticket as a young man, I was just 41 years old during this period and I won that election but the devil used him to truncate the process. I felt bad really but the treatment he meted on me thereafter made matter worse but I have forgiven him wholeheartedly because it was all political and has become a watershed. So, what matters to me now is what is on ground. If he is back to PDP with the intention to contest, that has got nothing to do with me. When it is time for me to contest, I will come out to declare my intention. But right now, where is the party? So, for me, the struggle for the control of the party is paramount. For example, if I'm to go out to canvas for support, to who? Is it to the Repositioning or the Fayose led group which are still subject to serious litigation and until that is resolved, any effort put in place would be counter-productive. I agree that some people may want to be on the field now for many reasons, don't forget that Yinka Akerele is a household name in Ekiti politics while some of the said aspirants are still greenhorn and would need to sell their names to the people and I can only advise them to make their campaign more of issue based than personalities attack. Our nature of campaign would invariably define our person. So, when the issue of the party is resolved, I will tell the public my position."

"That is a very sensitive question but the truth is that our generation of leaders has failed the younger generation because the change the Nigerian youths are now clamouring for ought to have been done before now and this would have given them the necessary leverage and this current agitation would have been needless but because they compromised. The protest we witnessed across the country recently remains a wake-up call, especially to the executives, political office holders, the legislators and all political leaders to be courteous of their actions henceforth. If you could observe, the protest was not deliberate, not mechanically organized but was spontaneous and that will tell you the level of issues on ground unresolved. The #EndSARS was just a phrase. The Youths are aggrieved. There are lapses in this so called dividends of democracy, they have no jobs and they have no means of raising funds for personal enterprise. So they are stranded. I am particularly attracted to the item 13 of their articulate demands which is the Electoral Reform which I know the President Buhari/APC led may not likely listen to. The desired goals such as good road infrastructure, good education, good policing system and the rest would be actualized when votes begin to count in Nigeria". 

"Well, very soon we will hear from the Court but one thing is obvious and that is the fact the PDP National leadership are biased against us. My assumption ab-initio was that the National itself would want to be part of the success in Ekiti but I found out their own focus is different entirely. So, to our people, by and large, I want to appeal to them that peace is the answer, togetherness is the answer and our ability to set aside our differences and sentiments to get to the Government house come 2022 as one formidable and indivisible party is the hallmark of this whole struggle and our struggle, by God's grace, shall not be in vain but for us to achieve this we must come together at the end of these bickerings and allow peace to reign."

Former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings is dead.

He died on Thursday afternoon at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

It is reported that the first President of Ghana’s 4th Republic died after contracting coronavirus.

He was in intensive care before giving up.

Rawlings was 73.

After Trump's pressure and voter fraud allegations, Georgia announces plans to conduct full hand count of presidential race ballots

Crack In Ekiti PDP Over Fayemi's Appointments 

The executive governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi had earlier last week roles out appointments for over 100 members of his party All Progressive Congress, APC. 

Sequel to the announcement of the appointments, Mr Lere Olayinka, the Special Adviser to the Fmr Governor Ayodele Fayose on communication had taken to all social media platforms to alleged some PDP members who are loyal to Sen Biodun Olujimi. 

"In confirmation of close relationship between the Ekiti State Governor,  Dr Kayode Fayemi and the PDP Senator representing Ekiti South,  Biodun Olujimi,  two loyalists of Olujimi were appointed as the governor's aides today.

Those appointed were former member of the State House of Assembly,  Hon. Anifowose Badejo and immediate past State Women Leader of the PDP,  Yemi Afolabi.

Mrs Afolabi was appointed Special Assistant on Women Mobilisation (Central) while Hon. Badejo was appointed Chairman,  State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)." Lere said. 

Meanwhile, Princess Afolabi Olayemisi Doherty had denounced her involvement, " It has come to my notice that there is a mix of names in the list of the appointments  released yesterday by the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi  that some people are taking me for another person.  My names is Yemisi Doherty Afolabi not  Yemi Afolabi.

I want to state  categorically that I don't have any business with  All Promises cancelled (APC); also, that I don't have anything to do with the Governor not to talk of securing an appointment from him (Fayemi). 

I Princess Yemisi Doherty Afolabi is a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party {PDP}  under the leadership of our able leader, Most  Distinguished Senator Biodun Olujimi  that  without any gainsaying, I am still 100%  a member of PDP also, the present  State Women leader   PDP Ekiti State Chapter.  So, on this note I want to make it understandably clear to everyone that the name in list of the appointments is not mine, those who are spreading such fake news should desist from the act."

We therefore wish to appeal to our teeming supporters not to pander to the mischievous publication. We should therefore  continue our meetings in the Units, Wards, Local Government Areas and the State, to consolidate total victory for our Party in 2022 elections, for Ekiti State Government House and other positions.