NASSLAF fitness programme: Sam Melaye commends the beautiful start says Sport is the most unifying tool for peace in the world

By Gideon Ayodele

The chairman National Assembly Legislative Forum today commends the members for attending the first NASSLAF fitness programme and hails the effort put together by the chairman of the sports committee to ensure that the programme takes off on a good note.
Melaye said "for the first time in my life, I was struck by the thought that sport is the most unifying and inspiring development and peace tool in the world".

"other social activity brings people together in such great numbers, and with so much passion and enjoyment.

The sport chairman, Mr. Kigsley Nchor stated that Regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, sport is enjoyed by all; its reach is unrivalled. More importantly, though, sport promotes universal values that transcend language and culture.

I saw this again today with the beautiful initiative of the Comrade Sam Melaye led NASSLAF Executive at the first legislative aides fitness programme.
By playing together, these legislative aides were unwittingly learning the universal values of respect abd tolerance.

It was a victory for NASSLAF and sport.
Moments like these show that sport has huge potential to effect social change. Sport and physical activity improve individual health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally, and teach important values and social skills. But sport doesn’t just empower on an individual basis; it also unites and inspires people collectively, which builds organisations as well as communities.
The chairman therefore urge other members to join the programme as its going to be a continuous excercise.

OMALA ATTACKS, INSECURITY IN KOGI: FAILURES OF GOVERNMENT - SKM

The attack on Kogi State leading to loss of casualties in lives and properties have been decried by Save Kogi Movement as unacceptable and a failure on the much touted security measures put in place by government.

The Save Kogi Movement, (SKM) an umbrella body of concerned citizens of the state, irrespective of political affiliation, lamented the continued attack on the state, lamented particularly the recent attack on Omala, the third in quick succession, as a failure on the part of a state government that prides itself to have spent so much on security.

In a statement signed by Hon. Commodore Folorunsho Daniel, Acting Coordinator, Save Kogi Movement, decried the incessant attacks on Omala by herdsmen, said it is worrisome that the government still lacks the capacity to check the wanton loss of lives after several attacks.

The Movement described the attacks by herdsmen, alongside increased rate of kidnapping, armed robbery in the state, with people no longer able to sleep with their two eyes closed, as a mark of failure on the part of government, alleging that the huge amount claimed to have been spent on security with no tangible result, points to wide scale corruption and misuse of such funds.

The Save Kogi Movement described as unfortunate the level of insecurity Kogi state is presently witnessing, lamented that states that are largely peaceful in the country today do not spend what Kogi state is spending on security, called for a genuine and sincere rethink that would make living in the state habitable.

The Movement notes that the support the state government is seeking by asking for the establishment of special forces military barracks, forward bases, despite having several other military commands in the state as a hallmark of insecurity on the part of government having claimed to have spent so much on security with failed impact.

The Save Kogi Movement pointed out that the state has produced past governor's in Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and Capt. Idris Wada who today freely visit the state without security personnel, asked Governor Yahaya Bello to imaging in his dream if after leaving as governor he can visit the state freely, asked him to learn from their examples.

The Save Kogi Movement, urged for sincere security measures, warned the governor to beware of fair whether politicians displaying four leprous fingers, stating also that another four years for Governor Yahaya Bello, would be naked disaster, tyranny, and heights of dictatorship.

Kogi guber: Plot to replace Bello thickens

Only Buhari can save him now – party chieftain 

By YUSUF MOHAMMED

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State will find re-election very difficult. The first hurdle for him would be to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC for the governorship race.The governorship elections across the country, was an eye opener for the APC and they may not be willing to take any chance in the Kogi governorship election which will take place before the end of the year.
The governorship results were quite different from the results of the February 23, Presidential election.

Some states went the same way. Oyo State governorship election went the same way with the presidential election. While the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP AtikuAbubakar defeated his main opponent, President MuhammaduBuhari of the All Progressives Congress APC, in Oyo State, the same feat was achieved by the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Oyo State, SeyiMakinde who defeated his closest rival, BayoAdelabu of the APC.

In Bauchi State, while Buhari defeated Atiku in the presidential election, APC governor, MuhammedAbubakar was not able to repeat that success in the election as he lost to PDP’s Bala Mohammed.

The performance of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State, a stronghold of the APC in the just concluded elections has also become a source of worry for the party.

While the APC won the presidential election in Kano State convincingly, the party was unable to repeat that feat in the governorship race. Political analysts are of the view that residents of Kano voted along personality lines rather than party lines. They considered the candidates in the presidential and governorship elections respectively.

The APC presidential candidate was Buhari. That of the PDP was Atiku. When it comes to the presidential election, Kano has been a stronghold of Buhari since he started running in 2003. He has never lost Kano. February 23, was no different as he defeated his closest rival, Atiku with a wide margin. It was clear that Buhari is a darling to the people of Kano.

Two weeks later, it became a different tale for the APC during the governorship election. Many people of Kano decided to vote the PDP governorship candidate Abba Yusuf.The reason is not farfetched. Last year, a video of Ganduje allegedly receiving kickback from contractors trended on social media.

Many thought that it would rub off onBuhari and affect his chances of winning Kano. That had no effect, as the love for Buhari could be seen from the results.
However, Ganduje does not have the same love from the streets. Before the election was declared inconclusive, it looked like he was not going to win as he was trailing behind. It took voter intimidation for Ganduje to reverse it.

In Kano, Buhari polled 1,464,768 (78.9%), while Atiku scored 391,593 (21.1%). The difference was 1,073,175.In the governorship election in the same state, PDP won with a margin of 8,982. Ganduje got a total of 1,033,695 against Abba Yusuf of the PDP who got 1,024,713 votes.

In Kogi State Buhari got 285,894 votes while Atiku got 218,207 votes. Some stalwarts of the APC are of the view that if Buhari could defeat Atiku with that kind of margin in Kano and for the APC to almost lose the governorship election, then there is little hope that APC would be able to defeat the PDP with Bello as candidate.

Ganduje who is not from a minority ethnic group in Kano, is said to be unpopular in the state just because of how is being perceived. Bello is even more unpopular in Kogi. Bello comes from Kogi Central. He is the first Ebira man to be governor Kogi since Nigerian became a democratic country in 1999. He became governor by chance.

The manner in which he emerged as governor left a sour taste in the mouths of many of his adversaries. Till date, many of them still feel the taste. They are aggrieved with Bello and he has not done much to appease most of them.

In 1999, PDP which was the ruling party fielded a candidate from Okun land. While All Nigeria’s Peoples Party, ANPP fielded Prince AbubakarAudu from Igala land who easily defeated the candidate of the PDP.
In 2003, the PDP picked Ibrahim Idris, an hotelier, who had no prior interest in politics. With him being an Igala man, they were able to defeat Audu.

The PDP has resolved to use the same strategy this year. They are not considering anyone who is not Igala. Even within the Igalas, they are looking at Dekina Local government. Before Wada emerged as governor in 2012, no one from that local government had governed Kogi. As a result, stakeholders from the East zoned the governorship position to this local government area.

Wada who is from Dekina also fancies his chance to pick the PDP ticket. As far as the PDP is concerned, it is a Dekina affair because that is the arrangement of Kogi East stakeholders. All those who have indicated interest under the PDP are from Dekina.

Most political analysts are of the view that the only way for victory for the APC is for the party to field someone from Igala land and also from Dekina who would be able to rival PDP’s candidate.

What are Bello’s chances some people may ask? 

The reality is that he has a very slim chance. His attitude and the fact that he is from a minority ethnic group has not helped him. He has burnt his bridges in just three years. The people’s major grouse with Bello is that he has failed to pay worker’s salary in the state despite receiving bailout funds from the federal government.

“It would take a miracle for him to emerge victorious. I don’t think that’s a risk APC is willing to take,” said Unekwu Danlamin, a resident of Lokoja.

According to a reliable source, Bello is hoping for Buhari to influence the election. It is one of the reasons he spends most of his weekends in Abuja. He has also visited the Villa more than any other governor in Nigeria.When Buhari returned from the United Kingdom last year, Bello declared a public Holiday in Kogi State to celebrate his return. Many felt that he went overboard with that.

He has also been present at the airport whenever Buhari returns from his trip abroad. Last year, Yusuf Buhari, the son of the president had an accident and was flown to Germany for treatment. When he returned to Nigeria in March, Bello who has become a regular face at the Presidential Villa went to receive him at the NnamdiAzikiwe Airport in Abuja and accompanied him to Aso Rock to meet the president. That act by the governor got many Nigerians furious, especially residents of Kogi State.

Bello, it was gathered by this newspaper, also has the ears of the first lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari. The national women leader of the APC, HajiaSalamatuBewa is also on the side of Bello.On the other hand, the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole is well aware of Bello’s lapses and weaknesses. He is also aware of the peculiarities of Kogi politics.

A former aide to APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who pleaded for anonymity, said there are plans to deny Bello the party’s governorship ticket.

“Apart from Oshiomhole, Tinubu is also not willing to lose Kogi and they are already holding talks on replacing Bello with someone acceptable, a man with a clean track record that could easily be sold to the electorate. That would be a lot easy for the party going into race than a Bello option,” he said. He made it clear that “they are looking for someone from the eastern part of the state.”

He however noted that the only thing that may hamper this plan is if Buhari interferes. He continued: “If Tinubu and Oshiomhole are allowed to run the show, be rest assured that Bello will not return.”

At the time of filing this report, efforts to reach Kingsley Fanwo, the Chief Press Secretary failed. Phone calls were also put to Governor Bello’s Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja to get his reaction, but he did not respond.

Mr. and Mrs Sam Melaye Dedicates child to the Lord By Gideon Ayodele

Mr. Sam Melaye while dedicating his child says Christian parents who dedicate a child are making a promise to the Lord before the church congregation to do everything within their power to raise the child in a godly way, prayerfully, until he or she can make a decision on his or her own to follow God.

According to him, as is the case with infant baptism, it is sometimes customary at this time to name godparents to help raise the child according to godly principles. Parents who make this vow, or commitment, are instructed to raise the child in the ways of God and not according to their own ways.

Some of the responsibilities include teaching and training the child in God's Word, demonstrating practical examples of godliness, disciplining the child according to God's ways, and praying earnestly for the child.

Senator Dino Melaye in his goodwill message thank God stating that times like this give opportunity to appreciate God.

He congratulates the family of Mr. and Mrs Sam Melaye as well as everyone present. He said that the Melaye's family is the most favoured family for receiving God's grace everyday.

He prayed that everyone present will receive God's favour especially in the course of the new week for identifying with the family.

ADC Warns Gov. Bello Over Move To Illegally Remove Chief Judge, Nasir Ajana.

The Kogi State African Democratic Congress(ADC) call on Governor Bello and the Kogi State House of Assembly leadership to avoid plunging the state  into an avoidable and unnecessary constitutional crisis over their desperation to ensure the removal of the Chief Judge in the state, Justice Nasir Ajana.

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Bashir Ella, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday said the principle of separation of powers remains sacrosanct in a democracy regardless the buttons they are pressing to forcefully remove the CJ.

The evil move to sack Justice Ajana was a preemptive move against the people of Kogi State who are groaning in pains over years of non payment of salaries and pension.

We have just been made aware of the plot by Governor Bello In connivance with Kogi State House Of Assembly to sack Justice Ajana using flimsy gross misconduct issues as a pretext.

We are aware that this clandestine move is connected to the ongoing fracas between the state judiciary and the government over issues bordering on the screening of the workforce, leading to the ongoing strike action which entered its fourth month without payment of salaries.

This ugly development led to the death of a magistrate and deputy Chief Registrar owed over nine(9) months salaries.

The party thereby warn that despite this clandestine move and meetings in the highest echelon, illegality can not stand the test of time.

The principle of separation of powers and independence of the judiciary must be adhered to at all times, the Governor should immediately end this by allowing a separate arm of government function, allow the Judiciary make use of her internal mechanism to screen workers and thereafter forward the screening report to a committee to be constituted by the Governor for review and approval.

The people of Kogi deserves more than what they are getting now, the party wish to call on all  Kogites to condemn and stand against this illegallity.

Finally we must be ready by November to rescue the state from mysterious years of financial recklessness, non payment of salaries and infrastructural decay.

Don’t Give Yahaya Bello N30b, Senator Dino Warns CBN.

The senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District in the upper chamber of the National Assembly have warned Central Bank Of Nigeria and other financial institutions not to extend loan facilities to the Yahaya Bello led Government.

This is contained in a tweet made by Senator Dino Melaye on Saturday, the Senator raises alarm that the desperation of the state government has now reached an epoch of reckless dimension as to do everything it takes to get resources to fund his re-election bid by November despite plunging the state into irrecoverable debts and over two years of unpaid salaries and pension. 

In his words ‘’ Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State requesting 30 billion from CBN. I have written the CBN Governor not to release the money to the squandermania and akotileta(Useless) Governor.

He is trying to raise money for the November election”

Recall that the Governor is still owing workers over two years of salaries and pension despite receiving billions of bailout funds and PARIS Club refund from the federal government. 

The State Judiciary has also been rendered useless and non functional due to non payment of judicial workers salaries and pension for nine(9) months.

2019 Elections: Kogi ALGON Chairman And Ijumu LGA Administrator To Be Removed.

A source has revealed Governor Yahaya Bello has concluded plans to oust the ALGON Chairman and Ijumu Local Government Administrator, Taofiq Isah, over loss of of the ruling party APC to Opposition party in the just concluded Kogi West National Assembly Elections.

The victory of Senator Dino Melaye(PDP), Hon. Teejay Yusuf(PDP) and Elder Leke Abejide(ADC) at the just concluded poll was said to have angered the Governor who threatened disciplinary action against the Administrator. 

Some appointees of the Governor were said to be pushing for Taofiq Isah’s removal, they claimed the ALGON Chairman who could not win the National Assembly Elections In Kogi West despite the huge funds released has lost it with the people, the Administrator overwhelmingly lost to Hon. Teejay Yusuf, Hon. Leke Abejide And Senator Dino Melaye, a known antagonist and critics of the government. They claimed the unexpected development may affect the Governor’s re-election bid negatively.

The loss clearly shows the ALGON Chairman diminishing popularity among the people which consequently led to use of political thugs to attack voters and snatch ballots boxes in the State House of Assembly election which held after the National Assembly Election. 

Information reaching THE LEAKAGES also confirmed that the Governor’s hammer may also affect some of the appointees who also lost their polling units, wards and  Local Governments to opposition party in the last election. 

Kogi guber: Youth group warns APC against giving Yahaya Bello ticket

The group, which cut across the three Senatorial districts of the state, in a protest speech submitted to the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole said, it is a risk to allow Governor Bello to fly the party’s ticket, considering his perceived numerous wrongs since his assumption of office.

The group itemized the lack of payment of salaries and none developmental projects as reasons that the governor should be stopped at all costs.

The executive Governor of Kogi State has perpetuated numerous wrongs ranging from the lack of payment of salaries; lack of developmental projects.”

“Embezzlement of state funds in humongous proportion; introduction of anachronistic laws, which have heightened insecurity in the state as well as deaths of civil servants due to hardship,” Chairman of the group, Comrade Enejoh Odaudu Enemali said.

He added that, “Kogi State wants continuity of APC, but not with Alhaji Yahaya Bello,” asserting that the governor has failed to prove his mettle in the last three years.

He further explained that the APC must not use the last elections to judge the chances of the party if Bello was given a ticket, saying that the party’s albatross lies with Bello flying the ticket.

He disclosed that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State was waiting in the wings to stage a come-back if Bello eventually emerged as the flagbearer.

Kogi State would face another governorship election later this year with a large number of aspirants from APC and PDP showing interest in Governor Yahaya Bello’s job.

Dailypost

THE ONGOING ILLEGALITY IN KOGI STATE

....Interrogate Activities of Barrister Mohammed Ibrahim, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kogi Leaders Forum Tells Nigerian Bar Association, Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC of the NBA,

The Kogi State Leaders Forum – a social cultural, economic and political association seeking the best interests for all the people of Kogi State, are  constrained to draw attention to the unravelling assault on the judiciary in Kogi State, being perpetrated by the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello, in cahoots with the state legislature. It is our considered opinion that the ongoing attempt to remove the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah on alleged ‘gross misconduct’ by the Kogi State House of Assembly, is preposterously incorrect, condemnably illegal and inexplicably against the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic.

The proper processes for the removal of the Chief Judge of Kogi State, or any Chief Judge for that matter, can only be activated after the National Judicial Council, NJC, has investigated reported infractions against such a Judge, and found him wanting.

Recent attempts to sidetrack due process and rule of law in the removal of Chief Judges in Kwara and Abia States, respectively, for instance, were nullified by the courts and such meddlesome conduct, rebuffed by the NJC. Justice Raliat Elelu-Habeeb of Kwara State who was unceremoniously removed from office in 2009, was reinstated by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in a unanimous ruling in February 2012. The apex court ruled that the governor of Kwara State at the time, did not have the power to sack her from her position without recourse to and the approval of the NJC.

In March 2018, the NJC recommended the compulsory retirement of Abia State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, and the next in line of seniority, Justice Obisike Oji, who made himself available to be sworn-in as Acting Chief Judge, when the Abia State House of Assembly, purportedly sacked the substantive Chief Judge, Justice Uzokwe. The NJC opined that Uzokwe and Oji were guilty of misconduct.

As responsible citizens from a state which has produced nationally and globally acclaimed legal luminaries, we are particularly pained by the brazen, reckless and mindless manner in which the rule of law is being jettisoned in our state. For the avoidance of doubt, Kogi State has produced two very respectable and activist Presidents of the Nigerian Bar Association, namely Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, CON and Chief Joseph Bolorunduro Daudu, SAN, at various times in our recent history. Kogi State has equally produced three Attorneys-General and Ministers of Justice: Alhaji Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN, CON (1997 to 1999); Chief Bayo Ojo, SAN, CON (2005 to 2007) and Alhaji Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, (2010 to 2015).

At the last count, Kogi State has about 30 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN. The aggregate concentration of legal human resource at this level and quality, is arguably in the bracket of the highest of any state in Nigeria. It should be presumed sacrilegious therefore if such lawlessness is being perpetrated in Kogi State.

We call on the Nigerian Bar Association and Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC of the NBA, to interrogate the activities of Barrister Mohammed Ibrahim, the Kogi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, with a view to sanctioning him appropriately for defaulting in the proper guidance of his Principal, with particular reference to the matter under reference, especially against the backdrop of overwhelming precedence.

The attempt to impugn the integrity of the judiciary in Kogi State and ridicule the institution in the public eye, must not be allowed to stand.



Suleiman Abdullahi
Secretary
Kogi Leaders Forum

4 HND Graduates, brothers Die in Kabba Mysterious Well

KABBA, the headquarters of Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi State was on Monday night, thrown into pandemonium and mourning as four Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates, including two brothers died in a well they dug.

The four men that were said to be between 30 and 35 years were specialists in well digging for which they were popular in the town.

The deceased names were given as David, Sunday, Ayo and Ogbekedo with two of them from the same parents.

Tribune Online learnt that the tragedy occurred at Zango quarters, Kabba, where a primary school teacher, Mrs Agnes Baiyere, had allegedly hired the deceased to dig a well in the front of her newly constructed building in the area.

Baiyere, who teaches at the St Mary’s primary school, Kabba was said to have earlier contracted one of the deceased named David who also invited three other of his colleagues to execute the job.

The people were said to have dug the well up to about 25 feet for about a week and completed with all the finishing done with the outer part of the well plastered when two of them went back Monday evening at about 6 pm to evacuate some broken blocks that fell into the well.

However, when one of them entered into the well he was said to have complained of dizziness which led to the other person quickly coming to the aid of his friend, but the two were mysteriously trapped into the well and could not come out.

The development caught the attention of the people, making the remaining two men to rush to the scene and attempted to rescue their trapped colleagues.

However, as they also got into the well they were also trapped and could not come out.

This made the house owner and other occupants shout for help as it was obvious that the men were dead in the well.

Sympathisers were said to have contacted members of staff of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, (AEDC), Kabba office, who evacuated the remains of the four deceased persons.

Eyewitness account said as they were been rushed to the General Hospital, Kabba, one of the deceased opened his eyes after a pastor prayed for them but he died as they were stepping into the hospital.

One of the sympathisers said David was a member of her church, saying the gentle and hard-working man and his colleagues used vocation to train themselves up to HND level.

Source: Tribune