Hon. Amupitan Emmanuel a.k.a Chemical, Kiri people frowns at your Anti Kiri attitude and political overzealousness

We listened and read with dismay, Hon. Amupitan Emmanuel, (a.k.a Chemical), antics and the way he lambasted the committee members put in place by the entire Kiri people to check and succinctly screen all the political documents of all the prospective aspirants for the forth coming local government election and also got your petition with a threat to take legal actions on all the Kiri people for this actions. We have also read in various platforms how you tried to discredit the process and to also run down the integrity of our great son of Kiri, Hon. Oloruntoba Kehinde because of your desperation and overzealousness to dance to the dictate of your sponsor.

For the knowledge of all who may not know the genesis and how the screening came to be, we will shed light on it to clarify and substantiate our position.

For over a month now, there have been different stakeholders meeting of both at Kabba/Bunu local government and Bunu at the different residence and official lodge of a high ranking politician from Kabba/Bunu LGA where it was agreed that, since both the elective offices for House of Representative which is running the third terms of 4years now and the state of House of Assembly that is usually rotated between Bunu and Kabba district every four years is also being allowed to run for another four years concurrently because Kabba/Bunu for the first time is the speaker of the house. Because of these two reasons, zoning the chairmanship position to Bunu people became paramount.

Consequently, we are aware the stakeholders in Bunu, held several meetings at some designated lodge in Lokoja where you were always present and even claimed the meetings were sponsored by your principal to the tune of N500,000 for every seating and lambasted Kiri people for not going to say thank you to your boss for this gesture for zoning the chairmanship to Kiri because the Bunu south are the one holding the different political offices of the present regime.

All these have been playing out with your involvement and that of your sponsor despite that you know that SIEC has not been inaugurated and the elections time table has not been rolled out.

We also have been seeing your campaign posters and pictures online and your various consultations with party executives, stakeholders and individuals including all the committee members indicating your willingness to contest for the chairmanship position, despite that SIEC has not been inaugurated and the elections time table is yet to be released.

The entire Kiri stakeholders have been watching with keen interest the various ways you have been engaging the other intending aspirant in hot arguments, blackmailing them  and attacking their personalities which have generated undue tension in Kiri to the extent that some Kiri people are being threatened in Kabba by your supporters.

For these reasons, all the stakeholders in Kiri decided to meet at the invitation of the local government, Wards chairmen and Hon. Kehinde Oloruntoba who is our leader in Kiri today.

Ten stakeholders were carefully selected from each of the two wards and the agenda of the meeting was for the two wards in Kiri to come and debate why the chairmanship position should go to either of the ward and it was decided by them to exempt all the  9 aspirants from the meeting to avert any confrontation.

The debate revealed various political histories and at the end, the elders at the meeting with their wisdom resolved that, we should all be mindful of our relationship in Kiri and should see the unity of Kiri as more important than any individual ambition.

It was therefore  agreed that, the Kiri stakeholders should constitute a 7-man committee to invite all the 9 aspirants to meet the committee with all their political documents and the committee were mandated to succinctly screen those documents in order to avert the kind of scenario that played out at Bayelsa governorship election recently where the APC governorship candidates were disqualified 24 hours to their swearing in.

Also, part of the committee term of reference is to recommend back to the Kiri stakeholders every aspirants that is qualified to contest for this position and if need be, appeal to some of them to step down for each other and if perhaps,  the qualified ones refuse to step down and every avenue has been explored, Kiri stakeholders will now subject them to shadow primary and whoever emerges become the candidate of Kiri people.

The 7-man committee was set up and the party chairman of Kabba/Bunu local government, Hon. Olorunmosule Elisha was made to chairman the committee but somebody raised an observation that the committee reports should be presented to him and as such he can't chairman the committee again. At that instance, Hon. Oloruntoba Kehinde was requested to stand fort for him and cross check the committee reports before presenting it to Hon. Olorunmosule Elisha and the stakeholders for ratification.

Hon. Oloruntoba Kehinde objected vehemently to this but we implored him to act in proxy while at the committee levels, we appointed Hon. Samuel Obanibi to chairman the committee and also unanimously appointed Prince Jibowu Mosiko to be the secretary because we see ourselves as one in Kiri and want a good job done irrespective of the community we hail from.

Before we left the meeting, Hon. Amupitan Emmanuel called to rubbish the stakeholders and the committee formed to do this fantastic job and threatened that he doesn't need the Kiri executives to win the elections because he has all the Kabba executives in his pocket as being funded by his Almighty sponsor. Also, some of his supporter sent WhatsApp messages to the committee secretary threatening that the committee can not work and it will never work.

The committee was unperturbed by this and we decided to write all the 9 aspirants to please attend the committee screening on 28th February 2020 at Kudon Hotel, latest 9am to commence the screening exercise.

Initially, Hon. Chemical refused to collect the letter from Hon. Olowosaiye Femi but when we informed the committee chairman, Hon. Obanibi Samuel and his ward chairman, Mr. Ojo Adebayo, they both persuaded him to take the letter and sign the acknowledgement copy but Hon. Chemical collected both the original and the acknowledgement copy and never return it uptill now, threatening that Kiri stakeholders cannot determine his political ambition because he has a schemer with financial might as his boss.

The committee members didn't relent, as we placed a call to him when we commenced our sitting imploring him to attend the screening.

Hon. Chemical first sent a non aspirant to the committee in order to disrupt the meeting but the members handled it with maturity and himself later showed up where he lambasted all the committee members, the Kiri stakeholders and some of the seated aspirants and walked out. Forty minutes later, he phoned the committee chairman, Hon. Obanibi Samuel to see him outside the gate of the hotel and when the chairman came back, he handed over the photocopy of Hon. Chemical petition to the committee members, therein threatened to take legal actions against Kiri stakeholders for constituting the  committee which he tagged illegal and to also join the committee in the litigation for asking the aspirants to pay N30,000 for the screening.

Interestingly, Hon. Chemical placed different calls to the remaining 8 aspirants a day before the screening commenced asking them to dishonour the invitation of the committee set up by the Kiri stakeholders but they all told him that Kiri unity and love is above their individual ambition and they cannot rubbish Kiri decision and have all been screened except Hon. Chemical who feels he is above every other person in Kiri because of his almighty sponsor.

Thereafter, we read with surprise how he has been writing derogatory articles against the committee and our son, Hon. Oloruntoba Kehinde in order to satisfy the inordinate ambition of his boss against 2023.

Barely 12 hours after the committee met, on 29th February 2020, his soinsore summoned the local government executives to his lodge again perhaps threatening them to  mount pressure on Kiri people to stop every screening exercise that may lead to shadow primary among the aspirants, disparaging us for collecting N30,000 as screening fees when his aspirant has never been a financial member of the party.

OUR APPEAL

As much as we appreciate the zoning arrangement to Kiri, we implore all involved and Hon. Chemical sponsor to allow Kiri people to decide who represent us as chairman, if truly the zoning arrangement is to demonstrate their love for Kiri people except *if it is a Greek gift*

*We have a common proverb in Kiri that says, if you dash somebody a dog, you should also release the rope*

We also appeal that Hon. Chemical sponsor should stop interfering with who emerges as our various councillors because we have our peculiar ways of rotating the various political offices in Kiri that will not lead to acrimony.

That our unity in Kiri is paramount to us than any temporary political office because we are all inter-related.

That the sponsor of Hon. Chemical should caution his aspirant against further derogatory publication against the Kiri people, the stakeholders, the committee and especially our dear son, Hon. Oloruntoba Kehinde.

The sponsor should also advice his aspirant to subject  himself to the screening committee because this is the decision of Kiri people and we will stand by it except he has skeleton in his cupboard because charity they said, begins at home.

The purported writer *James Dare* is not a known name in Kiri land. Hon. Chemical should therefore be bold enough to sign any article written by him or any of his team and not fabricate fictitious names that's non existent in Kiri because we know ourselves.

Hon. Chemical should not single out Hon. Oloruntoba Kehinde for attack because he has been paid by his boss nor exonerate any member of the committee or stakeholders because he wants to attract cheap political sympathy so that his political and life long misdeeds will not be exposed.

We want to also appeal that Kiri heritage is sacrosanct to us and anybody no matter how highly placed that infringe on the foundation of love, unity and peaceful coexistence of our people, either by trying to cause confusing in a way of wanting to foist an unpopular candidate on us will attracted the ancestral spirits of our great forefathers with grave  consequences.

All these we plead for because the future is far

Signed:
Screening Committee for Kiri Aspirants

An Italian-Nigerian player, King Paul Akpan becomes first footballer to contact Coronavirus.

An Italian-Nigerian player, King Paul Akpan Udoh, has become the first professional footballer to be diagnosed with the deadly coronavirus.

King Paul who currently plays for Italian Serie C side Pianese was diagnosed with the disease on February 27 and has been quarantined.

The 22-year-old forward started his career with Reggiana before moving to Juventus in 2011 where he was loaned back for a year.

After progressing through the youth ranks of Juventus, Udoh secured a loan move to Virtus Lanciano, a Serie B side in 2016 with an option to buy at the end of the season.

Failing to impress, he was returned to Juve, and then loaned to Lega Pro side Pontedera later the same year.

He had a loan stint with Pontedera, Fernana, Fano and Viareggio before joining Pianese on July 14, 2019.

Coronavirus: Stop all flights from affected countries, Atiku tells Buhari

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has advised the President, Maj. Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to stop all flights from countries facing coronavirus outbreak.

Atiku, who was the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election said Nigeria should fight the disease the same way it was able to tackle the outbreak of Ebola in 2014.

He said in a Facebook post that since Buhari had been able to shut land borders to protect the economy, it would not be too difficult to stop flights from countries facing the coronavirus scourge.

The former Vice-President added, “Nigeria needs firm and decisive actions to prevent an escalation of the scourge. Recently, we closed our borders as an act against economic sabotage. Perhaps now is the time to temporarily halt flights to and from any nation with a prevalence of this scourge. It is more important to secure human lives than to secure an economy. We also need to invest in early detection facilities at our airports.

“But above all, Nigeria must not panic, whether at government or individual levels. We have defeated Ebola before, and we can defeat this present predicament

First case of Coronavirus in Nigeria Hits Lagos, Man test positive to killer disease.

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, has recorded its first case of the deadly coronavirus disease.

In a statement, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) says : "The Honourable Minister of Health (Osagie Ehanire) has announced a confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) case in Lagos State.

"The case, which was confirmed on the 27th of February, 2020, is the first case to be reported in Nigeria since the beginning of the outbreak in China in January 2020.

"The patient is clinically stable and is being managed at the Infectious Disease Hospital, Yaba.

"We assure all Nigerians that measures are in place to respond appropriately.

"We are working with the Lagos Ministry of Health to identify contacts and initiate response accordingly. "

The coronavirus has killed nearly 3,000 people and infected over 80,000 globally.

Most of the victims are in mainland China.

The hemorrhagic disease was first diagnosed in the Chinese city of Wuhan, with a population of 11 million residents, and has spread to 12 countries since that time.

Sporting events and summits have been cancelled or rescheduled as the disease ravages the world.

The coronavirus is airborne and symptoms begin to manifest after 14 days. You could transmit the disease before symptoms begin to manifest.

Precautions include regular hand washing, using a hand sanitizer, using a nose mask and avoiding contact or proximity with infected persons.

Lagos has a population of 20 million people and is Nigeria's economic capital.

Meet OLUWAKAYODE ESEYIN(1212), Kabba/Bunu Motivational Grassroot Chairmanship aspirant

OLUWAKAYODE ESEYIN, although very young is a household name in Nigeria politics. Since over 15 years ago that he started participating actively in politics, he has grown through the ranks to become a prominent and famous member of the opposition People's Democratic Party, he currently occupies the office of the party LGA Youth Leader.

He is a stable and consistent political Juggernaut who grew through the ranks of PDP. Even when his works were not appreciated at some point by his party, he remained resolute and committed to his beliefs till this moment that he is a celebrated figure in the party.

His vision is to change the aged mindset of the average Kabba/Bunu youth, who relies completely on government to survive. To achieve this, he intend to train the youths on various trades, businesses, vocation, support them educationally and ensure Kabba/Bunu which is the headquarters of of Kogi West Senatorial District becomes a hub for investors.

An administrator per excellent, a graduate of kogi state university Ayingba. He attended St. Augustine College and Saint Mary primary school also in kabba.

As a special assistance to Hon Taiwo Ojo Nathaniel, former chairman of Kabba/Bunu L.G.A, Hon. OLUWAKAYODE ESEYIN build a computer training center in Okedayo in honour of Late Arc. Steven Ojo Olorunfemi
has a dividends of democracy for his people.

This is now a critical time for our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the recently just concluded governorship election in kogi state, it has become imperative for men of honor, virtues, integrity and unflinching loyalty to turn around the recent condition of our party the PDP, especially at the grassroots.

My conviction for aspiring is born of my unalloyed commitment and dogged loyalty to the party, and most especially, my capacity to turn around the political fortunes of the party.
My capacity to deliver is embedded in my antecedent of previous engagement for the party and the Government of His Excellency Capt. Idris Wada as can be attested to by the prominent political stakeholders in Kabba/Bunu L.G.A.

I will be appreciative of your support in my quest to reposition our party, the PDP to make it take its pride of place once more in our Nation's political space.

He is the former special assistance to the Ex Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Capt. Idris Wada. He is also the former youth empowerment coordinator of Kabba/Bunu under his Excellency Governor Ibrahim Idris, and the former special assistance on youth and student to Hon. Taiwo Ojo Nathaniel, also former special assistance on student affairs and youth to Hon. Segun modeyin. He has be a delegate to a party Congresses(PDP) both locally and internationally and the vice chairman of the PDP youth leaders in Kogi State.

Kogi: Court nullifies PDP governorship primaries

A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja has nullified the Peoples Democratic Party primaries in Kogi State on grounds of incomplete process.
One of the aspirants for the primaries had approached the Court claiming that the Kogi State chapter of the PDP manipulated the primary election in favour of a particular aspirant who eventually emerged as the party’s candidate after the process was militarized and ballots boxes destroyed by thugs.

He thus demanded for the cancellation of the result of the election.

BREAKING NEWS: Court overturn Achuba's impeachment in Kogi State

Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State has ruled that Simon Achuba's removal from office as deputy Governor via impeachment was unconstitutional, null and void.

It will be recalled that the deputy governor of Kogi state was removed by the house of assembly after he was accused of gross misconduct. The deputy governor was replaced with Edward Onoja who was later nominated as Governor Bello running mate in the last election.

Details soon.

Four NSCDC officers kidnapped in Kogi

The police in Kogi State have confirmed the kidnap of four officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by unknown gunmen.

The spokesman of the police in the state, William Aya, a deputy superintendent of police, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja that the officers were kidnapped at a spot in Alo-Offoke community on the Itobe-Ayingba road.

The officials were said to be travelling to Makurdi for promotion examination when their vehicles were stopped by the kidnappers.

“Information gathered reveals that four civil defence personnel were among the kidnapped victims,” Mr Aya said, indicating that those kidnapped may be more than four.

He said that three other persons that sustained injuries during the attack were currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

Mr Aya explained that the police responded immediately it received distress calls that some armed men were operating between Alo- Offoke and Ayingba.

” The Divisional Police Officer in charge immediately mobilised his personnel to the scene where they met two abandoned vehicles, one Volkswagen Sharon bus with registration number Kogi KNA 220 LG and a Volkswagen Gulf car with registration number Lagos EZ 376 SMK.

Bayelsa Governorship: APC seeks review of Supreme Court judgement.
Are you honourable members or horrible members? ex-Kenyan anti-corruption chief asks Nigerian lawmakers

” Both vehicles were riddled with bullets and occupants suspected to have been abducted while 20 expended AK47 ammunitions and civil defence kits were recovered from the scene,” he said.

To stem the tide of kidnapping and armed robbery activities currently rocking the state, Mr Aya said that the command had flagged off aerial surveillance patrol of Obajana axis and other black spots.

He said the operation also involved ground troops consisting of police and military personnel who are now combing the bush to rescue victims.

He said that the new operation was being led by the state Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Ekpeji.

(NAN)

Late Audu Son, Muhammed Arrested by EFCC over alleged fraud.

Mr Audu, a son of former Kogi governor Abubakar Audu, was taken into custody by operatives on February 18 after a probe of public sports funding showed he was allegedly linked to a multi-billion fraud at the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

The alleged loot was in dollars and naira, officials said, estimating it to the tune of multi-billion naira. The precise amount would be disclosed in the coming days, operatives said.

The sources requested anonymity because they were not authorised to disclose the arrest.

Mr Audu, who has become a top politician in Kogi and contested for governor there last year, was accused of using his entertainment businesses, Mediterranean Hotels Limited and Mediterranean Sports, to divert the funds.

Efforts have commenced to charge the suspect to court promptly, according to two officials familiar with the arrest.

It was not immediately clear whether Mr Audu has contacted his lawyer following the arrest.

More details later…

Source : Premium Time

TeeJay Empowers Constituents, Artisans In Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu(PHOTOS)

Lawmaker representing Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu at the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Hon Tajudeen Yusuf has once again delivered the dividends of democracy to the doorsteps of his constituents as he distributed empowerment equipments to artisans in the Constituency.

Hon. Teejay Yusuf last weekend, Saturday 15th February, 2020 facilitated the distributions of various artisans tools worth millions of naira.

The event which took place in Kabba on Saturday had all the artisans from Kabba-Bunu/ Ijumu Federal Constituency gathered to receive tools ranging from Welding Machines (15 Nos), Electric Hand Grinders (15 Nos), Mechanic Tools boxes (15), Tractor Tools Boxes (10) and Blacksmith Tools Kits (12).
Mechanic tool box (15)

While bringing the event to an end, the leaders of these various artisan associations prayed that God will continue to be the guide and strength of Hon. Teejay.

• The distribution of materials worth of hundred millions of naira came on the heels of the free JAMB forms distribution to students of the Constituency also sponsored by the lawmaker.

Speaking, Hon. Teejay stated that the distribution of equipment is part of his commitment towards making sure all his constituents reap the dividends of democracy and vowed to do more for the people

Reacting shortly after receiving equipment, one of the beneficiaries thanked the lawmaker for giving him and colleagues the opportunity to be independent people and valuable individuals in the community.