Tinubu Faces Hurdles To Reconcile Aggrieved APC Members

Following the appointment of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by President Muhammadu Buhari to reconcile aggrieved APC members ahead of the 2019 elections, indications emerged on Thursday of possible hurdles that may pose serious challenges to Tinubu’s efforts and may dent the party’s chances in the forthcoming general election.

Analysts said after a sweeping victory that brought the APC to power in 2015, the party could not consolidate its gains as evident in the increased bickering amongst party bigwigs at all levels especially among leaders of factions that came together to form the party in February 2013.

The party that emerged from the merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is currently fragmented owing to crisis among leaders both at the federal and across some states of the federation.

APC chieftains have hailed President Buhari’s decision in giving priority to reconciling aggrieved party members and the appointment of Tinubu to lead the consultation, reconciliation and confidence building efforts toward improving cohesion within APC.

However, party chieftains who spoke with INDEPENDENT on Thursday said since Tinubu is not a neutral person and is deeply involved in some of the events causing crisis in the party, it remains to be seen how he as head of the reconciliation panel will initiate the peace moves between himself and some key leaders of the party which include President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, National Chairman of the party, who he wanted sacked.

According to APC sources, the biggest conflict in the ruling party is between Tinubu himself and Saraki. Both men have been at loggerheads since June 2015 when Saraki against all odds defied the directives of the party and connived with senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emerge Senate president.

His action was seen by many as a direct affront to Tinubu, who wanted to install Senator Ahmad Lawan as the number three man.

Since his emergence, Saraki has been going in and out of the courts on allegations of corruption which many of his supporters link to Tinubu. Inside sources said both men hardly see eye-to-eye and stakeholders are waiting to see how the reconciliation between the two plays out.

Speaking with INDEPENDENT, a member of the party’s National Working Committee said the major hurdle before Tinubu is reconciling with Saraki, adding that this will go a long way in fast-tracking the healing process the party seriously craves for.

“To me, the major hurdle before Asiwaju Tinubu is how he will reconcile with Saraki. It is a tough task because given Tinubu’s influence, we are all wondering if he will be humble enough to go to Saraki and seek a truce. It is a herculean task but we believe nothing is impossible”, he said.

Stakeholders are also wondering how Tinubu will mend fences with Odigie-Oyegun. Though he was instrumental to his emergence as national chairman, Odigie-Oyegun in several of his decision-making process has gone against Tinubu as witnessed in his handling of the Kogi and Ondo governorship primaries leading to Tinubu’s demand for his resignation.

Above all, they said, Tinubu’s reconciliation with President Buhari himself is another issue stakeholders are anxious to see happen. The Tinubu faction in the APC believes that the president tacitly endorsed Saraki’s emergence as Senate president, especially with the cabals believing that Tinubu will hold the presidency to ransom and be in total control of government if he is able to install his men as leaders of both chambers of the National Assembly.

Aside that, INDEPENDENT also gathered that Tinubu’s supporters are asking him to be wary of the president, who may only be interested in using and dumping him after the peace process has been achieved and the party secures victory in 2019 election.

“I have personally written to Asiwaju wishing him the best in his new assignment but also telling him to be wary of the presidency, who after plunging the party into crisis is now running to Asiwaju to assist them in bringing members together across board. He was sidelined throughout the first term, what assurance do we have that this will not repeat itself again if the party wins in 2019”, said a party chieftain.

Across The States

In Kano, Tinubu and his team will face a major hurdle in brokering peace between Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor, Rabiu Kwankwaso. The state is seen as very crucial if the APC will retain the presidency in 2019.

Ganduje recently said Kwankwaso would be replaced as senator by another fellow in 2019 and has ruled out any reconciliation with the senator.

“They want us to reconcile. Why should we reconcile? On what basis?” Ganduje said.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was recently in the state to broker peace between the duo, but from all indications, it seems his efforts recorded little success.

In Lagos, Tinubu is also expected to broker peace between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his predecessor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, now Minister of Power, Works and Housing.

In Kogi, it also remains to be seen how Tinubu will reconcile the state governor, Yahaya Bello, who is facing crisis on all fronts. First from aggrieved executives of the state chapter of the APC, who have been at loggerheads with the governor for allegedly side-lining them since he assumed office.

Aside Senator Dino Melaye, Tinubu also has the daunting task of bringing James Abiodun Faleke/the late Prince Abubakar Audu’s political family on the same page with Bello.

The national leadership of the APC had at one time set up fact finding/reconciliation committees chaired by Tony Momoh and Gen. Idris Garba on the Kogi crisis but not much was heard of it.

In Ogun State, Tinubu is also expected to broker peace between the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun and Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of the state who is hell-bent on installing Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi) currently representing Lagos West as Amosun’s successor. The governor on his part has vowed that no ‘outsider’ will succeed him in office.

In Bauchi, quarrel is between Governor Mohammed Abubakar and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as well as three senators from the state: Ali Wakili, Isa Hamma Misau and Nazifi Gamawa. They all accused the governor of reneging on the promises he made to the people during campaigns. The Senator Chris Ngige led committee could not resolve the problem.

In Oyo State, the Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, wants to succeed Governor Abiola Ajimobi but clearly the governor has someone in mind and this has led to some spats between the duo.

In Katsina, Governor Aminu Masari is trying to contend with threats from APC splinter group called the APC-Akida comprising people like MT Liman, Sadiq Yar’Adua, Sada Ilu and Usman Bugaje.

In Kaduna, there is serious revolt against Governor Nasir El-Rufai from the camp of Senator Shehu Sani and the likes of a former APC chairman in the state, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed. The governor’s camp has threatened that Sani who has been very vocal in his criticism of El-Rufai will not return to the Senate in 2019.

In Zamfara, Senator Kabiru Marafa is at daggers drawn with Governor Abdul’aziz Yari over his recent comment that the governor had failed to stop killings in the state. People close to the governor had since declared Marafa’s seat vacant as 2019 draws near.

Speaking on these challenges, Prince Tony Momoh, former Minister of Information and one of the party’s national leaders, said he believes Tinubu as an experienced politician is equal to the task of bringing all members of the party on board.

He also argued that it is erroneous for people to accuse him of being responsible for Saraki’s travails as there are no evidence to back up the claim.

“When you are given a particular responsibility, you are briefed on that responsibility and you define and then you put yourself in the position of an agitator or a peacemaker. A lot of people accused Tinubu for lot of things happening to the Senate president but that may be true or not be true. It is a question of fact that he did anything in that direction or he did not do anything in that direction”.

“That people think he is the cause of Saraki’s problem does not necessarily mean he is the cause. Be that as it may, he has a role to perform and reach out to some people in his party that have issues either they are governors, individuals or groups. So, I believe no matter the crisis, Tinubu as a very matured and digital politician knows how to address them. But I have no doubt in my mind that the problem of man is absence of communication.

“The only way to achieve success in a man’s relationship with his fellow man is too communicate and I believe Tinubu will have that in mind as he begins the reconciliation process”, Momoh said.

PDP To Presidency: Tinubu Cannot Deliver A Bad Product

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lampooned the Presidency for abandoning its responsibility of governance and now deploying resources meant for the good of the people to push a desperate but ill-fated mission to perpetuate on Nigerians, an obviously unpopular Presidential candidate in 2019.

The party said the Presidency has become so panicky that it effectively hijacked the functions of the leadership of its dysfunctional and ideologically vacuous All Progressives Congress (APC), by appointing people into partisan offices, outside its much-desired responsibility of governance.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Thursday, said it is ludicrous that after almost three years of failure to deliver on the littlest of its campaign promises, the Buhari Presidency is now moving around, cap in hands, looking for those to use once again to beguile Nigerians ahead of the 2019 elections.

The PDP stressed that the Buhari Presidency has failed to be remorseful for its misrule noting that the disagreements in their party are fallouts of members’ resentment towards its desperation for power. 

'There is widespread disenchantment and indignation across the nation resulting from hunger and the inability of the Buhari Presidency to provide the people with basic necessities of life, which they had always enjoyed in the past.

'Nigerians are therefore waiting to see how Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who has also openly expressed his concerns and disapprovals on the mismanagement of the economy and whose large constituents are direct victims of the ineptitude, impunity, nepotism, dictatorial tendencies, corruption and insecurity that has characterized the Buhari Presidency, will now turn around to preach that all is well and attempt to sell a practically bad product to the nation.

'It is instructive to further state that the desperate move by the Presidency to politically prey on individuals is mere foolhardiness and a totally decadent approach to pitch key leaders against the people on an issue that has already been thrown overboard.

This is more so as the political institutions and front runners that threw up the Buhari Presidency in 2015 have now, not only regretted their actions, but have also strongly advised that President Buhari should not contemplate contesting a second term in office.

Nigerians today suffer from pains inflicted on them by this administration and no amount of manipulation of individuals and public institutions can make them change their resolve to vote out APC in 2019, particularly as the party is stuck with an unpopular candidate.

The PDP therefore finds APC’s attempt to reconcile its dwindling ranks as laughable, cosmetic and politically inconsequential.

It will interest the APC to know that Nigerians are already rallying with the repositioned and rebranded PDP as we are poised to present a credible, competent and reliable candidate through a free, fair and transparent presidential primary.

Signed:


Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary
[2/9, 7:56 AM] Nuru Shehu: February 8, 2018

Press Statement

PDP Hails Wike, Fayose over Visit, Gesture to Benue Victims

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and his Ekiti State counterpart, Ayo Fayose, for visiting Benue state and extending assistance to victims of the recent violent attacks and other internally displaced persons in the state.

The party leadership, which had earlier visited Benue at the wake of the attacks, said the gesture by the two governors at a time the Presidency and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been turning a blind eye to the sufferings of the victims, underlines PDP’s commitment to the wellbeing of all Nigerians in line with its undying ideology and vision of its founding fathers.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement on Thursday, said it is disheartening that the Presidency had refused to visit Benue state recalling that when the APC governors visited, after much entreaties, they failed to show any form of empathy to the victims, a stance which further displayed APC’s disdain for Nigerians.

The party said that instead of APC empathizing with the people and ensuring that perpetrators of the attacks were brought to book, the party leaders have shown more concern for their selfish political interests across the nation.

The PDP urged the people of Benue state to be vigilant and continue to work with their leaders, while assuring of its support always.

Signed:


Kola Ologbondiyan

National Publicity Secretary

KOGI ASSEMBLY: BETWEEN GAP POLITICS AND CRISIS OF EXPECTATION

A critical look at the current 6th legislature of Kogi Assembly has overtime revealed the lack of conscientiousness caused by setback of leadership competence to identify and tackle through legislative assignment the underlying hitches endangering development in kogi state. OJO MARTIN MEJABI takes a cursory assessment at the delivery system, syndrome of leadership incompetence and why expectations were not met.       

The basic principle of legislative success in any renowned climes is foremost, a classic appetite for man-centered socioeconomic and political transformation  of self, groups and the entire institution/structure of government of a given political system in order to present or offer a remarkable and qualitative conditions of living to the citizenry.

   More pointedly, this is done to harness opportunities underlying in various potentials indigent in the act of governing to inspire and improve humans lives, aspirations and capabilities in order to eliminate or reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment; at least to a minimum capacity, enhancing a wake of self discovery and self production through its enactment of human- support policies of government at any given time.

Against this backdrop, the 6th legislature in kogi state at the inception of its duties and activities was greeted with uphill of anxieties; prefaced by purposelessness and unpreparedness with relative embers and disunity arising from leadership tussle from the executive.

No doubt, since their inauguration in 2015, the much expected consolidation and expectations is being dashed and circumstantially weighed down with relative and excessive manipulation from the governor.

 It would be recalled that the emergence of the 6th  assembly; inaugurated by former governor, captain Idris Wada was slit off the access to peace and unity to discharge its constitutional obligations.
Barely three months of governor Yahaya Bello's emergence in January 2016, the 6th. assembly had already been marred by altercation and bickering exhibited in high level of immaturity and bad attitude to the standing order of the legislative conducts, norms and ethics.
This development led to the incessant sundering of legislative composition until the last appointment that saw to the emergence of Hon. Rt. Prince Kolawole, a member representing Kabba/Bunu constituency in a heavy battle and antagonism orchestrated by  governor Yahaya Bello. It is also important to mention that this period welcomed avalanche of disruption which led to deemphasized rules, motions and resolutions; a palpable efforts which would have craved an actions that would ordinarily reflect the mood of development and propelled growth for the benefit of kogi citizenry.

Notably, this was a trying time in the history of legislative occupation; a time kogi assembly strove in highhandedness, misappropriation and period of massive stealing of public funds occasioned by the struggle for who rode on giver’s horse. How did this happened? Simple. The bailout funds and all the Paris club funds including allocation allowances that was meant to develop the state, were used to lobby in the choiced assembly's leadership thereby Plunging the state into an abject penury.

It could not be forgotten in a jiffy, this period when expectations were in high heaven; a very time when much were desired  by the electorates, this same time kogi state house of assembly due to protracted crisis rocking the house was laid bear under locked and key.

It is past two years now since the operations of the 6th legislature of kogi assembly was called to bear on its constitutional obligations. And quite a while its has settled down its businesses of legislation. This report howbeit reveals the lackeys of ineptitude and display of unprofessional prowess in the discharge of service delivery system.

However, the greatest challenges with Kogi State House of Assembly 6th legislature, has been the displacement of priority to gauge and measure the stances between the executive and legislative responsibilities. The principle and doctrine of separation of power between this organs in the state is contentious. Therefore, no clear demarcation in the operationalization between them and that’s why, overtime, there has been along time confrontation between policies and development in the state.

This two years old administration has been a hangman tightened noise situation; showcasing a rude and gruesome backlash of development and myriad dysfunction of state and its functionaries. Obviously, this narratives defile any sufficient argument in that, this administration, if fostered by the smooth running efforts of the legislature should have ensure great achievement interest in the feat of good health, good road network, power supply, equitable water and other basic facilities.

Kogi Assembly no doubt has been toothless bulldoggish and puppetry. Therefore, have failed the electorate led in holding the executive responsible in most of its armchair and top bottom approach to raising the standard of the people in the state. For instance, the state assembly should have step in to ameliorate cases of incessant industrial action that has thrown primary and secondary education in the state into oblivion.

Also, it is within the modus operandi of the legislature to check the excessiveness of the power of the governor and to stand tall to make sure the longstanding salary saga is being resolved. Instead the governor has resolved to sacking workers indiscriminately.

What has the state assembly done to arrest the devil of #45billion debt incurred by the state Governor? Why has assembly not have summoned the governor on how bailout, Paris club funds and others taken from financial institutions in Abuja were expended?

Given this shortcomings,  several questions are being put forward as to the ascertain if the constitution that established other state house of assemblies is different from the one that established the existence of Kogi Assembly? This question became reflective and pointer because the two years of governor Yahaya Bello puts many mouths uncontrollably wagging, if by operational sense, the state assembly really meant to drive succors to the door step of the electorates from the seemingly inhuman policy project of the governor.

These and more alibis  forms the incidence of persistence and prevailing poverty which has grip to a deepening dimension and has brought kogi citizens to the kneel of pervasive crisis here and there.

Ojo Martins Mejabi, is a political scientist, an activist and a journalist, writes from Lokoja.

WAEC LIFTS BAN IMPOSED ON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL KAKUN-KABBA AS COL. (BARR) ABAYOMI DARE UPSETS BILL.

The People of Kakun in Kabba/Bunu Local Government of Area of Kogi State, have expressed their happiness and gratitude to Colonel (Barr)  Abayomi Dare, an aspirant contesting for senate in Kogi western senatorial district under the platform of APC, as he paid Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (₦250,000) to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), to lift the ban imposed on the Community High School Kakun three years ago, which barred students of the school from writing any examinations conducted by the body.

The Principal of the School, Mr. Medaiyedu Mathew, thanked Col. (Barr)  Abayomi Dare for having the people at heart and expressed happiness over the lifting of the ban. He said, 'It's a dream come true,' and promised to do everything within his capacity to ensure that the School re-writes its good name in the good books of the WAEC and tertiary institutions across the country.


While speaking at the presentation of the bank draft cheque in Kakun, Col. (Barr)  Abayomi Dare said the rationale behind the gesture was to show that every child education counts.


Represented by the Coordinator , Colonel Abayomi Dare Campaign Organisation, Mr Funsho Famodile, Abayomi noted that the era where people had misconceptions about the school was gone, and charged heads of tertiary institutions to admit students from the  Kakun High School without any fear. And that they should have confidence in them like any other student from the other schools.


"I call for concerted efforts from all stakeholders, and the students themselves, to ensure the school maintains its integrity and competence, in order to produce the expected human resource needed for the development of the area in particular, and the nation as a whole." Said Abayomi.


Speaking on behalf of of the community, Pa. Owoleke applauded Col. (Barr)  Abayomi Dare for the kind gesture and said the school had also been restored the opportunity of being an exam centre after over four years. He urged other wealthy people in the society to help in the development of the community.

How Gov Bello Planned To Divert Relief Materials For Kogi Flood Victims

Save for quick intervention by higher authorities, relief materials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) meant for last year's flood victims in Kogi State are currently being delivered to the Kogi State government for its ulterior motive.


The motive, according to insider sources in NEMA, is for the Kogi State government to rebrand the relief materials as if they are donations by the Yahaya Bello-led administration in the Confluence State to the victims of 2017 rainy season flood disaster.


According to a letter written to Governor Bello by the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja, dated December 5, 2017, and titled "Relief Materials To Persons Affected By Flood Disaster In Kogi State," four categories of materials were approved for the state as "humanitarian relief assistance" by the Federal Government of Nigeria to alleviate the sufferings of the affected persons.


The categories are food items, non-food items, building materials and livelihood restoration tools.


The food items included 500 bags of rice, 200 bags of beans, 360 bags is maize, 300 cartons of 3-in-1 tea, 216 cartons of powdered milk, 216 cartons of Milo, 216 cartons of tin tomatoes, 144 kegs of vegetable oil, 144 kegs palm oil, 200 cartons of Indomie Noddles, and 50 bags of salt.


For the non-food items: 700 pieces of blanket, 1000 pieces of mosquito nets, 500 pieces of form mattresses, 100 cartons of bath soap, 100 cartons of Omo detergent, 500 pieces of Wax print, and 500 pieces of Guinea brocade.


Under building materials category, there were 600 bags of cement, 1000 bundles of roofing sheets, 100 packets of zinc nail, 1000 pieces of ceiling board, and 100 bags of 3-inches nail.


While the livelihood restoration tools included 50 pieces of sewing machines, 50 pieces of fishing nets strokes 9, and 50 pieces of water pumping machine for irrigation.


The NEMA DG's letter expressly stated that "the materials listed above will be distributed and directed by officials of the Agency's Operations Office in collaboration with Emergency Management Agency team."


But a highly placed source in the agency has put a lie to the DG's directive in the letter to the Kogi state governor, saying it was just a smokescreen as no NEMA official is allowed to be part of the distribution team.


According to the source, the plot was hatched by the Kogi State government with the connivance of the NEMA DG in order for the former to have a complete control of the relief materials and also turn around to present them the flood victims as Yahaya Bello's intervention.


"Some relief items are leaving NEMA for Kogi state and the DG has refused staff to go for direct distribution so that the state government can use it (the materials) for politics.


"The first truck left on Monday (February 5, 2018) while the second truck is now loading and Hon. Comfort Alegbe is receiving the items on behalf of the Kogi state governor. In totality, eight trailers are expected to be delivered to Kogi State Government House," the source confirmed.


Meanwhile, the Senator representing Kogi West in the Senate, Senator Dino Melaye, has reacted to the revelation on the planned hijack of the relief materials by the Kogi State government, threatening to report the NEMA DG to the Senate if he fails to do the right on the Kogi relief materials immediately.

Melaye To Bello: Sell Kogi Properties, Meet Me In Court

By Tom Olasunkanmi

The Senator representing Kogi West senatorial District, Sen. Dino Melaye has sent a strong warning to the governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, advising him to stop his plan of selling monuments that belong to the state under the disguise of wanting to boost the economy of the state.

This warning was contained in a Press statement issued by the legislator today.

In the statement, Melaye said that "There is no gainsaying the fact that Kogi State is a civil service state. Although blessed with resources that remain untapped, the state has avoidably relies on allocations from Abuja to keep body and soul together over the years".

"Despite a poor Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile occasioned by the foregoing coupled with bad governance syndrome, Kogi has remain one of the underdeveloped states of the federation irrespective of its natural endowments".

Against this backdrop, he said it is unthinkable that the current state government under Governor Yahaya Bello will contemplate trading off what is left of Kogi's glory for momentary financial gains under the pretext of bolstering the state's finances.

"I therefore urge the Kogi State governor not to sell, as planned, the following edifices or legacies built by the past administrations in the Confluence State as doing so will portray Yahaya Bello as a prodigal son of the state".

"The state properties/legacies are Kogi House in Abuja; Mega Terminal Park; Kogi State Liaison Houses in Kaduna and Lagos; Commissioner Quarters; State Assembly Quarters; and Confluence Beach Hotel".

"For the records, no past governor of Kogi State since inception contemplated selling the state's monuments or properties like the ones listed above and as bequeathed by successive administrations, hence Bello must listen to the voice of reason otherwise his prodigal decision will be challenged in court by me as a representative of the people" Melaye concluded.

CATTLE COLONY: KOGI PDP BERATES GOV. BELLO

The People Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman for central district of Ijumu Local Government Area, Pastor Stanley Ajileye, has accused the All Progressive Congress government in the state of gross insensitivity over its hasty decision in accepting Kogi State a test ground for the heavily criticized cattle colony scheme.

Ajileye who spoke with selected newsmen in Lokoja, condemned Governor Yahaya Bello for undermining the  general interest and the security of lives and properties of the people he is meant to protect.

The obviously infuriated man of God said the actions of the governor since he came into office two years ago, have proved a high mark in youthful exuberance. Adding that, one would naturally have expected a man in such an office as a governor to tread more cautiously in relation to matters as volatile as the burning issue of Fulani Militia, especially with the ongoing carnages in places like Benue and Adamawa State.

 He said it would have been more appropriate for the state government to first engage stakeholders in simple dialogue that may probably lead to mutual understanding.

The Clergy, who doubles as a front line journalist in the state, confirmed to his colleagues that the state governor is motivated; not only by a desire to please President Muhammadu Buhari, but an inordinate desire for the financial benefit accruable from the Federal Government’s fund disbursement for the cow colony purpose is central to the decision of the APC governor.

“Another reason, we must clear, is that the APC government has an ulterior motive of using the Fulanis for election purposes, since it is apparent to them that they can no longer win election in this state after biting the fingers that once fed them.” He stressed.

Pastor Ajileye lampooned the state's legislators for jettisoning their primary responsibilities in a hot chase of filthy lucre.  According to him, it has never been this bad in the history of Kogi State, for the entire state assembly to be pocketed by the executive arm.

Pastor Ajileye submitted by calling on all Kogians to keep their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) well and use it wisely during the next election, to send APC to where it belongs.

Signed

January 26, 2018.

Okun Youth Congratulates Hon. Samuel Melaye as new National Assembly Legislative Aides Chairman

The umbrella body of all youth association in Okunland, Okun Youth Leader's Forum have sent words of congratulations to Hon. Samuel Melaye Over his inauguration as the Chairman of National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum(NASSLAF).

Hon. Samuel Melaye, from Ijumu LG in Okun area of Kogi State was inaugurated as the Chairman of all National Assembly  legislative aides in Nigeria  after a protracted electoral crisis that hit the forum over Who takes over the leadership of the forum.

In a statement signed by the youth National Coordinator Alamoh Kehinde Samuel, the forum said Melaye victory at the poll and his subsequent inauguration as the Chairman is a testimony of his commitment and dedication to work.

We are proud of you and we

pray that God give unto you knowledge,wisdom and Understanding to be able to discharge your duties to the good of NASSLAF and the people of Okunland, the forum concluded.

It's time for work- Omoluabi

Daily, the time keeps coming closer to the decisive moment of our collective destiny, we have had various dispappointments, disenchantment and displeasure on some of our elected officials. The months ahead offers us the golden and rare opportunity to make correction in our leadership selection and those elected where necessary.

I am not here to castigate or condemn anyone, not at all, I am here to remind us that no matter how good it is, we can make it better. If however some are considered bad in our opinions, we can make a replacement.

It is therefore important that we take informed decisions this time so that the next four years can be great for us.

 Lagos did and today Ambode is doing exploits, Kaduna Central did and today Shehu Sanni is making them proud, Gombe did and Dankwmbo brings smiles to them daily, Enugu did and Ekweremadu is influencing projects. We can do the same for our people, all we need is to elect humble leaders that knows your problems and ready to tackle them headlong.

I'm not presenting myself as the most brilliant, no, not as above everyone, at all, not as a saint or all-knowing, far from it. But I come to you as a humble and willing tool who has taken years to understudy our immediate challenges, their remote causes and the most practicable solutions. This is so because I believe in all modesty that I know and have related with every single community and her people across Kogi West through marriage, education, sports, students and youth unionism, civil rights activism and personal relationships.  I therefore believe and know as a fact that I have what it takes to make Kogi West great by the grace of God.

I present myself to you to access, relate with, support and at the end vote to represent you and you will never regret it.
We have articulated out our vision and agenda for Kogi West and we have started the process of pilot programme of all we promised to achieve.
As you begin February I pray it turns out to be a beautiful, fulfilling and successful month for all of us. But remember, it is only the future you can picture that you will feature in.
I remain your commited and humble servant.

Omoluabi Bode Adeyemi (OBA)
Senatorial Aspirant,
Kogi West, Nigeria.

Hon Samuel Melaye Inaugurated as Legislative Aides Chairman

• 
  

By Gideon Ayodele

The leadership of the National Assembly yesterday inaugurated Hon. Sam Melaye (Chairman) and his other executives to pilot the affairs of the National Assembly Legislative  Aides Forum (NASSLAF).
The inauguration was a clear indication that the factional crises rocking the associations has come to an end.

Melaye, while interacting with the media after his Successful inauguration as the Chairman, said the forum would be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to enhance its engagement with the management of the National Assembly management regarding its members welfare and conditions of service.

Melaye urged bonafide members of NASSLAF and general public to ignore the fictitious story meant to cause friction amongst members and portray NASSLAF in bad light.
The Executive Chairman also pledged to unite members said the vision of NASSLAF, which is to protect collective interest of National Assembly Legislative Aides and serve our bosses diligently can only be achieved when the members work in unity and vowed to protect the interest of the Association members.