Kogi LGA election: PDP aspirant, Eseyin oluwakayode Emmanuel (1212) picks party nomination form, optimistic of victory

Comrade Eseyin oluwakayode Emmanuel(1212) a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kabba/Bunu Chairmanship aspirant in Kogi State, on Tuesday said he was optimistic his party would clinch victory in the upcoming LGAs Election.

1212 spoke with newsmen at the PDP Secretariat, Lokoja, shortly after obtaining the PDP nomination and expression of interest forms for the LGA election.

He expressed his belief that the party would do all it could to ensure the will of the people prevailed in the election.

Whatever it takes for the will of the people to prevail is what we will do within all legal boundaries,” he said.

1212 said he had the intention of offering quality representation for the people of Kabba/Bunu and Kogi at large, hence his aspiration.

Burna Boy rejects Sowore's invitation to join revolution now protest, Says He's Not Fela

|OBJECTV MEDIA 

Burna Boy has turned down an invitation by convener of the RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, to join the march planned for 1 October.

 

In inviting Burna Boy, Sowore said Burna Boy is usually compared to legendary musician and revolutionary, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

He also referenced how Burn Boy projected himself to foreign media as a Fela-styled musical activist, but has never led any protest on behalf of his fans.

Burna Boy, however, flatly rejected the request, while also denying to be Fela. 

In opting out, the self-appraised "African Giant" accused his fans of mocking Fela while fighting for them. Hence, rejecting the idea of protesting on their behalf.

Ize-Iyamu Begs Obaseki to Return to APC

By Adibe Emenyonu

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s governorship election, in Edo State, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, has called on Governor Godwin Obaseki to return to APC.

In a television broadcast last night, Ize-Iyamu said, “We are going to talk to everybody. We are going to bring everybody back. I want to salute my brother, the governor. I will like to appeal to him to return to the party. In every family, we have a disagreement.

“Let it not be said that it was this disagreement that pushed him out. I made that mistake before and I have come to realise that it was a grievous error and I will not want him as a senior brother to make the same mistake.

“I will like to appeal to him to set aside his anger and come back. In APC, he is recognised as a leader and it would be difficult for him to be recognised as a leader in the new party he is going to.

“Certainly, we are ready to work with him and all well-meaning Edo people. We believe it is time to bring peace back to Edo State.”

Obaseki polled 307,955 votes to defeat Ize-Iyamu, who secured 223,619 votes in Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

This days

KOGI GOVERNMENT DECLARES A TWO-DAY STATE MOURNING IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE FELELE TANKER ACCIDENT

The Government of Kogi State has declared a two-day state mourning in honor of the victims of the Felele tanker accident on Wednesday 23rd September, 2020.

The Governor and the Government of Kogi State are saddened by the unfortunate incident that claimed many lives in the early hours of today.

The people are the State. Therefore, the primary responsibility of Government is to ensure the safety and well-being of the Kogi people. 

As a result of the importance placed on the lives of our people, Government has declared a two-day state mourning to honor the departed souls. 

In this time of grief, we urge the people to be deep in sober reflection and stand together for one another to pull out of the agonizing loss.

Government wishes to reiterate her call on road users to act responsibly in order to avert unfortunate situations that simple care and caution could have averted. Full investigations will also be carried out to determine the causes of the painful incident.

The Kogi State Government wishes to assure families that lost loved ones and those whose houses were affected of support at this trying moment.

We also call on relevant Federal Government agencies to provide relief materials to support what the State Government shall be providing. 

Our hearts are with the affected families. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.

Kingsley Fanwo 

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kogi State.

KOGI TANKER EXPLOSION: A VERY SAD, SHOCKING, UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT-TEEJAY YUSUF

With a heavy heart, I wish to express my sincere concerns by commiserating with  the families of victims of the very severe, unfortunate and painful tanker fire explosion that happened in the early hours of today around the Felele district of the ever-busy Lokoja-Abuja expressway.

Indeed, the sad, shocking and painful incident which claimed the lives of many people; including school children, women and men who were on their ways to their respective businesses and vocation for the day, as well as the loss of varied properties, will go down as a Black Day not only for the residents of Felele district but also the people of Kogi state and Nigeria. 

On a personal note, it was very difficult for me to hold back tears while watching the gory pictures of some of the victims. Since I saw pictures of mangled, burnt and dismembered bodies, as well as outrightly damaged properties that were razed down in the inferno, I have being thrown into a state of shock, pain, anger and confusion.

One is particularly not happy that over time, cases of this and similar nature including multiple fatal accidents are increasingly becoming regular occurrences  especially between the Jamata bridge, Nataco, International Market Junction and Felele axis of the Lokoja-Abuja expressway.

It is on this note that, I strongly call on the Federal Roads Safety Corp, and other traffic management agencies to show more seriousness, professionalism and competence in their responsibilities. Fact is, a cursory look at some of these trucks, tankers and articulated vehicles will reveal that majority are outrightly not road worthy. One is convinced that if the FRSC and similar agencies have been up and doing in their responsibilities by barring vehicles in terribly bad conditions from plying the roads, such negative and dastardly incident that happened today may have been avoided.

I call on the Kogi state government and relevant government agencies to put necessary precautionary measures in place to prevent such, similar occurrences. Also, there should be immediate and concerted efforts by relevant agencies towards the arrest and prosecution of those involved in this tanker explosion, as well as taking punitive actions on the haulage and/or oil company whose vehicle triggered the explosion.

Finally, as I join numerous others to identify with and commiserate the families of victims of this tanker inferno, I pray that they will never be victims of such incidents again. I also pray that God Almighty will stretch forth His hand of protection and preservation over the residents of Felele and other locations within Lokoja metropolis and the entire Kogi state, Amen.

HON. YUSUF TAJUDEEN (TEEJAY)

Member representing Kabba-Bunu/ Ijumu Federal Constituency 

National Assembly

Abuja.

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020.

Faleke commiserates with Lokoja tanker accident victims’ families

Honorable James Abiodun Faleke has commiserated with the families of victims of the Lokoja fire incident on Felele Road, Kogi State.

Faleke described the incident, as depressing, sad and sickening.

“I received the news of the unfortunate accident with grief and sadness, I am pained that it led to loss of lives and property of innocent citizens.

“I condole with families and friends of those that died in the incident and I wish those injured speedy recovery. I prayed God to grant eternal repose to the souls of those who died in the incident"

Senator Smart Adeyemi's Daughter Deola buys Husband Toyota SUV as birthday gift

Deola Smart, daughter of Senator Smart Adeyemi has bought a  SUV for her husband and jeweler, Malivelihood as a birthday present. 

 

Deola who also penned down a heartfelt message to Malivelihood in celebration of his first birthday as her husband on September 20, wrote; 

 

 

My dear Husband,

Olusola oko mi, olowo ori mi ... May the good Lord continue his good works in your life. May evil be far away from you. May the grace of God follow you forever. May the favor of God be with you always and May God’s blessings on you continue to multiply...

As you add another year, may the spirit of God continue to lead you. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be with you now and forever. Amen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUBBY !!!!!! Enjoy your new toy

EDO 2020: Frustration hits Obaseki, PDP as Banks Declined Loan Request, Desperately Begging Wike for a Rescue.

In a last-ditch effort to induce Edo voters, the People's Democratic Party, PDP and its candidate in the coming gubernatorial election, Godwin Obaseki have been genuflecting, begging cap in hand for loan from  commercial banks across the country.

Progressives Media Organisation (PMO) a media advocacy network for APC finds that the already kicked out governor and his party are now frustrated as the banks have turned down their loan request and vowed not to offer any facility to someone they consider as unrepentant dictator and anti-democratic fellow.  

PMO gathered on good authority that the banks refusal to Obaseki's request is based on the fact that there are two factions laying claims to the leadership of the Edo State House of Assembly, sensing that the court may recorgnize the faction with majority members. The crisis leading to a factionalized state assembly leadership was due to the way Governor Obaseki brazenly undermined Rule of Law by locking out majority of elected House of Assembly members from chamber since the inception of his administration.

Obaseki had previously secured chains of loans in the name of the state without achieving what the loans were meant for. 

Ridiculously, he in his weird imagination thinks that by securing more loans, squandering and frittering Edo people’s collective patrimony, prosecuting an already lost election, he would save his face from the shame of defeat that awaits him few hours from now. 

Frustrated and cash-strapped, Obaseki has been begging his Rivers State friend like a drowning man to come to his rescue. Obaseki must accept the reality staring at him by immediately submitting to the will of Edo people. Let their votes decide.

He was four years ago sold to the people in error, a mistake our dear party has owned up to. Now that the people are fed up with the dictatorial tendencies of a man who has offered nothing but misery and pain to the people, it is time to kick him along with his plummeting party out of Government House. 

As a party whose stock in trade is falsehood and mischievous propaganda, we are not surprised that the sinking and stinking PDP has resorted to pointing fingers in a desperate effort to clutch on to anything, including straw to justify their rejection on Saturday. 

PDP's accusations of vote buying arrangement by our party is pure calculative calumny. The party has realized that its scorched-earth campaign has failed. Now in a malicious bit to gain cheap sympathy. But the intelligent people of Edo are wise enough and will vote out a government that has festered pain and violated their sensibility.  

Even in the face of lies and deceitful antics of Obaseki and his fizzling party, the good people of Edo are aware of the facts and records. No amount of fictitious accusations will save Obaseki and his party come September 19. 

Edo voters are prepared to go out and vote for the progressive party and its candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, a tested and trusted man of God, a democrat and performer. Edo must be on the part of progress and prosperity again. An end to this impunity in governance has come. Time to usher in change is now.        

Signed 

Peter Ioter

National Publicity Secretary

YOU LACK EVERY DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS TO ADVISE BUHARI ON TRANSPARENT ELECTION, YOUR PAST STINKS OF ELECTORAL BRIGANDAGE, PMO REPLIES SARAKI

 

The attention of the Progressives Media Organisation (PMO), a media advocacy network for the APC has been drawn to Saraki's meaningless outburst on credible elections. 

We are shocked but not totally surprise that the rejected former Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki is now masquerading as a champion of credible election, counseling President Muhammadu Buhari on how to conduct credible poll in Edo and Ondo States.

Our understanding of the person of Senator Saraki’s is not just of someone whose reign was surrounded by people who aided and abetted electoral crimes but a character whose political successes as Kwara governor was predicated on a mischievous and highly compromised process. 

Today, the same man has been rejected by his people and is now wailing like a helpless baby whose lollipop was taken away. Suddenly, he started preaching a gospel he never practised.  Saraki clearly lacks the democratic credentials to speak on credible elections.

Lest he forgets, Saraki and his vanishing political gangster called the PDP  had in the past presided over a national shame they considered as election; figures were milled from the figment of their fraudulent imaginations.

Saraki should not forget how under the PDP government, the electoral umpire and security agencies were used to scuttle the will of the people to desperately perpetuate themselves in office to continue their reign of profligacy and impunity. 

Saraki and his brigade of electoral fraudsters must bear in mind that the people of Edo are ready to finally kick them out of existence on Saturday, September 19, 2020. Governor Obaseki has not only advertised his disdain and disrespect for the Rule of Law but has denied the people their democratic right to representation in government; when he stopped elected Assembly members from being sworn in. 

Their unpopular candidate has demonstrated an emperoric autocracy, a sin for which Edo people cannot wait to kick him out of Osadebe House come Saturday and usher in a true progressive government to be led by Pastor Osage Ize-Iyamu where no one will be denied democratic right and the people’s welfare treated as the number business of the government.

He should understand that crying foul at this time is indicative of a losing contender. He should be prepared to accept the defeat that is  coming his way. As in Edo, so shall it be the case in Ondo. His imposed candidate for Ondo governorship election, Eyitayo Jegede is not new in the market of defeat. We have defeated him in the past and the October 10 defeat will be more disgraceful and catastrophic than ever. 

The popularity of our performing candidate and governor of the state, Rotimi Akeredolu has increased ten times than what it was in 2016 when he mercilessly trounced Mr. Jegede. In Edo, the Progressives are already playing the music of victory; because the game is played and won.  

It is easy to understand the pain and agony that have beclouded the heart of a man whose insatiable desire to plunder our common patrimony could be seen as the reason he wanted to clinch political power.

We really sympathise with the former number 3 man, because he never envisaged that a day will come when he would be out of power which he saw as a parternal estate. We can understand his frustration and the reason he now seeks for relevance. 

President Buhari has not only preached fair and credible elections but has openly demonstrated his commitment to ensure the fidelity of our polls. Saraki is frustrated that the water tight atmosphere in Edo will not allow him and the PDP ply their trade come Saturday. 

We want to clearly amplify the fact that Saraki and his ailing PDP lack status to raise a voice whenever matters of electoral credibility are being discussed.   

Saraki and all those whose past is a cankerworm of electoral malfeasance should thank their star that they are not cooling off behind the bars. 

We can only appeal to Saraki to stop putting on the gab of angel of light when indeed his sordid past clearly states otherwise. Nigerians and indeed people of Edo cannot be fooled forever.

Signed

Peter Iorter

National Publicity Secretary

RE: KOGI LGAs 2020 ELECTIONS : GROUPS WANT KABBA AS CHAIRMAN

We read in dismay and utter disappointment a recent publication by some sponsored and faceless groups supposedly known as Kabba for Good Governance (KGG), Kabba Political Likes-mind (KPL) and Kabba in Unity (KU), insinuating the following:

That the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Bello should compensate Kabba for the position of the Chairman in the coming Council election in Kabba /Bunu Local Government( even for obvious anti party activities in 2019 and for not supporting his re-election in 2019.

That Kabba is more of APC than Bunu considering the vote the Governor got in his last election not minding 9532 Bunu votes and 5,832 Kabba votes with 3700 margin. that Bunu people currently enjoys more political patronages than Kabba people under the current administration.

That Bunu district is a junior district /settlement to Kabba

Contending for the Chairman

We want to state categorically that these groups are faceless, they are not known and certainly not speaking the minds of the Kabba /Owe people, as well as not standing by the truth that exists between the good people of Kabba and Bunu. They are also totally insensitive to the magnanimous nature of Alh Yahaya Bello, hence they are set to take his benevolence, simplicity and just nature for granted. To start with, several parts of the said piece is a disrespect to the honoured office and person of the governor. They have also decided to tell a half story and from an angle that only favours their paymaster(s).

In their main submission, they were canvassing for the Chairmanship to be shifted to Owe, as against the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kabba /Bunu Stakeholders and also the Traditional rulers from both Districts. The group failed to acknowledge an existing practices of Kabba and Bunu sharing two political posts, that is, State House of Assembly and the Local Government Chairmanship. Currently, the House of Assembly seat is being occupied by the Rt. Honourable Prince Matthew Kolawole, a Kabba man who is running his second tenure as a House member and also as the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, representing the two Districts. Therefore, it is expected that a sane mind would agree that the Chairmanship be zoned to Bunu District. 

We wonder where these groups were, when the Bunu people massively supported Prince Matthew Kolawole to win overwhelmingly for a second term. Are we now saying the two elective posts we share should be in Kabba? These groups are certainly not known to APC in Kabba /Bunu, likewise not representing the interest of the Owe people who have been living in harmony with the Bunu people over the years. 

Kabba being more of APC than Bunu considering the vote the Governor got in his last election

We equally want to say that the groups( KGG, KPL and KU) ‘s analysis within their write-up that the Kabba people voted more for the Governor in the last election, is not only shameful but must have come from a paid mischief merchant to derail peoples sensibility and also cause chaos. What an aberration to twist the whole truth to favour their selfish interests. 

We wish to correct this falsehood by craving your indulgence to please note that Kabba has nine (9) Wards while Bunu has six (6)Wards( which has and is still a subject of discussion in the future political development of Kabba /Bunu.) Going back to the results of the elections conducted recently for the Presidency, Senate, Federal House of Representatives and State House of Assembly, you would be surprised that Bunu people with only six (6) Wards, came out enmasse, in one voice, supported and overwhelmingly voted for APC more than Kabba with nine (9) Wards. 

However, since the groups mentioned the Governorship Election in particular, we would charge them to go through the election results provided here in.

GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION RESULTS FOR KABBA /BUNU 

Fig 1.

Governoship Election Results in Kabba/Bunu

APC

PDP

Total

15,364

8,084

23,448

Fig 2.

Bunu Vs Kabba Results for APC where Bunu voted more than Kabba for APC

Bunu

Kabba

Difference

Total

9,532

5,833

3,700

15,364

It is obvious that Kabba people even with their nine (9) Wards could not come close to the number of votes cast /delivered by Bunu people.

Owe Anti-Party Activity in National Assembly Elections

It was on record the same Owe people these groups are claiming to represent that worked against APC candidate of Bunu origin for the House of Representatives and voted for the opposition - Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the last general elections. Are they now saying that the Governor should pay the Owe people back for their anti-party activities during the last elections where they voted Hon. T. J Yusuf, whom both Kabba and Bunu are not seeing today, not to talk of any developmental projects from him since his re-election? That the government has being queit on the anti party of Owe people against APC does not mean he does know the right thing to do. The governor is very forgiven and magnanimous, these trait I think this faceless groups are taking for granted.

That Bunu People enjoys more Political Patronages than Kabba People under the Current Administration

These groups also challenged that more appointments are in Bunu compared to Kabba, of which they specifically mentioned the positions of the State Security Adviser, Commissioner and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security; we wonder why they cannot mention more of the appointments. As as today, fifteen (15) major appointments are in the hands of the Owe people while Bunu that gave the highest number of votes have only six (6).

What injustice are we practicing? We have been in the support of our leaders representing us in Bunu, we trust them, they are doing their best but we are bringing it even to them right now that it is against the wish of Bunu, what is currently happening for Kabba, that does not recognize His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello, his government and what he represents, who fought and did so many unimaginable acts against the Governor's re-election, are now holding major appointments in the government.

Bunu District is a Junior District to Kabb

We want to specifically sound this pint of warning to these faceless individuals never in their thinking spew out such a thrash about our dear Bunu district. Who is awarding seniority amongst districts? Wht is the basis for such unintelligent assertion. Bunu is not subservient to Kabba either politically, culturally or traditionally. Let this fact sink into the dirty minds of the promoters of such view. What alienation, classification and ranking shuld exist only the Owes as no Owe man is superior to the Bunu in whatever guise. Please be warned.

Fig 3.
A  Brief Reminiscence
Analysis of Political offices held by Owe and Bunu since1999-date.
Offices
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019

House of Assembly
Kabba
Kabba
Kabba
Bunu
Kabba
Kabba

Chairman
Bunu
Kabba
Bunu
Kabba
Bunu
Bunu

Commissioner

Kabba
Kabba
Bunu
Bunu
Bunu

Council Leader
Kabba
Kabba
Kabba
Bunu



Reps
Nil
Bunu

Kabba
Kabba
Kabba


Note that more Kabba people have benefited in board appointments than Bunu both in the state and federal since 1999.

For the interest of peace and unity that the two Districts have enjoyed over so many years, we call on these groups to come out and be ready to face Bunu people in debate, as well as speak the truth to the market women, artisans, religious groups, etc; rather than stand to disunite the people by creating hatred, chaos and unhealthy rivalry among Kabba /Bunu people. 

As a people, Bunu  deserves more appointments from this present government because Bunu people respect, recognize the government and what it stands for, long before now. 

The position of the Commissioner mentioned by the group was well deserved by Bunu. Also, the position of the State Security Adviser is not a shared appointment, as a matter of fact, this is the first time the position would be in Okun Land. For Bunu having it, we appreciate the Governor for going back to the voting board to know that the Commissioner ought to come from Bunu and not Kabba.


We therefore, call on KGG, KPL and KU as claimed, to desist from their acts of irresponsibility that may jeopardize /lead to a major disunity between Owe and Bunu people as we would not look away from any junks to want to feed the public with.

BUNU INTEGRITY INITIATIVE