A Rivers State-based lady, Regina Ledum Barizaasi who was recently sacked by her former boss for attending the two-million-man march for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi has gotten a new job in Port Harcourt.

DAILY POST reports that the 100-level student of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education had in a viral video requested help from Nigerians alleging that she was fired by her boss for attending the rally which took place on August 27.

In the video, the young lady who works as a receptionist in a hotel in Port Harcourt said she attended the rally because it was her off day.

Regina claimed she had relied on the job to offset her school fees and take care of her siblings.

She said, “I was just laid off from work two days ago because I went out for the two million march for Peter Obi in Port Harcourt. I was working in a hotel as a receptionist.

“The day of the march was my off-day, so I was at home, after the march, I went back to work the following day and my boss now called me and said that I should go and meet Peter Obi to give me a job”.

However, according to a new video obtained by DAILY POST, Regina has been employed by the management of the Omega Power Ministry, OPM.

She was employed to work at the ultramodern printing press belonging to the church with a higher wage.

Popular Nigerian Skitmaker, Debo Adebayo, widely known as Mr Macaroni has questioned the correctness of All Progressives Congress, APC, supporters who ask Nigerians to thank the government for providing electricity.

In a tweet via his verified Twitter handle, Mr Macaroni said those APC supporters may not be paying for electricity.

He wrote, “APC Trolls want us to be thanking Government for providing electricity.

Is that supposed to be some sort of achievement?

Is it free? Be like say some of una no dey pay for Light.”

Mr Macaroni had once said he would neither vote for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He listed alongside five others who were arrested in 2020 for alleged Public disturbance after they participated in the EndSARS protests at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

The police in Ogun State have arrested three suspected serial killers, who they said were leading members of the Eiye confraternity.

They were arrested on Wednesday, having been “terrorizing Ijebu Ode and its environs for quite some time,” Ogun State police image maker, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said on Saturday.

Oyeyemi identified the suspects as Odukoya Odushina (the number one Eiye member), Subomi Popoola and Itunuoluwa Taiwo.

Their arrest, he explained, followed information received by the cops at Obalende divisional headquarters Ijebu-Ode, that cultists were holding a nocturnal meeting at a black spot known as Sanga, behind the Central Mosque.

Commissioner of Police in Enugu, Ahmed Ammani, has ordered the investigation of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The ASP serving at the Awgu Police Division is accused of sexually assaulting a teenager in custody.

Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe issued a statement on Saturday.

Ammani ordered the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation.

The CP said the alleged sexual assault took place on March 18, 2022, but the family of the 17-year-old detainee brought it up recently.

The commissioner directed that the investigation be concluded within the shortest possible time, Ndukwe added.

Ammani assured that the ASP or any other person or persons found culpable would face the law.

Commissioner of Police in Enugu, Ahmed Ammani, has ordered the investigation of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The ASP serving at the Awgu Police Division is accused of sexually assaulting a teenager in custody.

Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe issued a statement on Saturday.

Ammani ordered the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department to conduct a thorough investigation.

The CP said the alleged sexual assault took place on March 18, 2022, but the family of the 17-year-old detainee brought it up recently.

The commissioner directed that the investigation be concluded within the shortest possible time, Ndukwe added.

Ammani assured that the ASP or any other person or persons found culpable would face the law.

Big Brother Naija housemate, Bella has said that she is tired of her relationship with Sheggz.

The couple had a heated argument on Monday because Bella danced with Chichi and Deji.

Sheggz complained that Bella hugs male housemates, an act he doesn’t do.

He said Bella disrespects him and does not listen to his opinions.

Reacting, Bella advised him to create his own woman because his definition of a perfect woman does not exist.

Bella said, ”Let’s end it once and for all. I can’t move freely, I can’t do anything freely. I’m tired of everything, I’m weak, I’m exhausted; let’s end it already, please. I’m done.

”I can’t do it anymore. I’m exhausted. Create your own woman, please.”

Sheggz, however, agreed that the duo should break up.

”Even if you beg me, I’m never getting back to this relationship,” he added.

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, says he has signed the contract for the reconstruction of major roads in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the State.

Abiodun who made this known on Friday while speaking at the Abeokuta North local Government unified wards meeting of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) held at Oba Adeleye Park, Totoro, Abeokuta, said the contract was signed on Monday after he embarked on on-the-spot-assessment of the roads last weekend.

He also promised to continue prioritizing the infrastructural development of the state to ensure that no part is left out.

The governor explained that his visit to Ilugun, Iberekodo, Saje, Elega areas in the local government was to show how important the roads were to the commercial activities of Abeokuta and the state at large.

Appreciating the people of Abeokuta North for their support, Abiodun said that the current administration would ensure that necessary amenities are provided across the state as part of its efforts at making the environment more friendly and inhabitable.

He further added that his administration had installed two new power transformers at Lafenwa Market to power electricity in the market in accordance to the promise he made to the traders during his last visit to the market earlier in the year.

While calling on the party supporters to prepare for the forthcoming general elections, the state helmsman noted that the reason for his visit was to have first-hand information on some of the challenges being faced at the local government with a view to solving them.

He, however, urged women in the local council to key into the state women empowerment programme known as ‘Okowo Dapo’ to enable them benefit.

Speaking earlier, the State Chairman of the party, Yemi Sanusi, commended the governor for the massive infrastructural development across the state, stressing that the governor’s visit to the area would afford him the opportunity to know people’s needs and how to improve on the existing infrastructure.

Determined to make life more abundant for the people in Ogun State, the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration has donated 300KVA (33) to Isara and Oba towns in Remo North and Obafemi-Owode Local Government Areas of the state.

Speaking at the handing over of the power transformer in Isara, the chairman of Remo North LG, Adedapo Odunsi, thanked the state governor for taking the community out of darkness which it had experienced for three years.

According to him, businesses in the area had suffered, adding that the residents of the town had to go extra mile to purchase fuel on a daily basis to sustain their businesses.

In his remarks, the Government Liaison Officer, Remo North LG, Abiola Ogundeko, noted that the lives, health, businesses and security of lives and properties of the community at large had been affected negatively due to the incessant power failure in the area.

“I’m using this medium to thank His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun for his magnanimity. This gesture would put an end to the hardship that had been inflicted on the lives, health, businesses, work and security of lives and properties of the community”, he said.

A resident of the community, Mrs. Dorcas Fajobi, lamented that they had experienced unstable power supply for years as a result of the poor condition of the transformer.

She, however, expressed her gratitude to the state government for putting an end to the total blackout which the people had witnessed in the past.

In Oba community, residents were excited by the donation of the transformer.

According to them, the community had been thrown into the electricity blackout for almost a year due to the issue of a damaged transformer.

A resident and a frozen foods dealer, Mrs. Ife Akinsola, explained that the power outage had affected her sales negativity as she had to buy iced blocks from Abeokuta to preserve her frozen foods.

“I buy my frozen fish, chicken and turkey in small quantities and preserve them in a cooler. There are times when some of the products would become bad due to lack of adequate power, which often resulted in great loss for me. I want to sincerely thank the governor for coming to our aid”, she stated.

Another resident, Mr. Abiodun Badmus, who also thanked the governor for his magnanimity, said that several other businesses including welding, hairdressing, tailoring, to mention a few, had suffered a great deal in the area, adding that the installation of the transformer would bring the community out of darkness.

Earlier in his remarks, the Olu of Oba/Eerin, Oba Abdul-Ganiyu Adegun Sanyaolu, expressed his joy, saying that the governor did not only donate the transformer, he also deemed it fit to install it at no extra cost.

“I thank the State Government for its generosity. As I speak with you, the engineers are on site installing the transformer at no extra cost. All the cables and other equipment.
On behalf of my people, I thank the governor for his timely response to our needs and we declare our unflinching support for him at all times.

Many may wonder what has attracted a groundswell of goodwill, endorsement and accolades to Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun lately. He is lucky to have a good upbringing and a mien uncommon in the pantheon of successful politicians and businessmen.

There is no gainsaying that the gale of endorsement for his second term ambition by traditional rulers, professional bodies, market men and women, artisan, transporters, youths, elder statesmen and the business community has more to do with aversion for the oppositional defiance disorder (ODD) inherent in his predecessor, Ibikunle Amosun, than anything else.

But the governor does not take the goodwill for granted. He has been a major promoter of accountable, open, just, fair, equitable, inclusive governance which he believes is fundamental to building our future together agenda that would equally engender economic growth of the state and individual prosperity of the citizens.

Nothing reveals this more tellingly than the decampment of Amosun’s core loyalists and switching of allegiance to the poster boy for the 21st Ogun State. Ahead of the 2023, the rank of the former loyalists of Senator Amosun, who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ill-fated vehicle, Allied Progressives Movement (APM) used as vehicles to undermine the ruling party, are back in the mainstream APC led by Gov. Abiodun.

They include the Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Olalekan Mustapha, Amosun’s two-term commissioner for health, Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, his counterpart in the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Chief Olajide Ojuko. Others are one-time Party chairman in the State, Alhaji Tajudeen Lemboye and other chieftains like Chief Olu Odeyemi, Gbenga Adekanbi and Hon. Dotun Fasanya among other influential leaders across the three senatorial districts.

Before then, Governor Dapo Abiodun had used emotional intelligence couched in his inclusive approach to governance to deplete opposition elements by getting to his side former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), won the heart of Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, who ran on the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) against him and a horder of other influential political giants in the state like the late Buruji Kashamu who not only collapsed his dominant group in the PDP into the APC.

Most of the decampees love Abiodun’s approach of spreading projects to all sections of the state at the expense of no other, in contrast to his predecessor’s style. Abiodun even-handedness in various projects seems to have eclipsed whatever differences they had against his emergence as governor.

Not sensing that he was swimming against the tide, former governor, Ibikunle Amosun while speaking after receiving an award from Abeokuta Club to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the club said the 2019 governorship election in the state was rigged to favour the incumbent, calling on his supporters – who are already on the other side – to be on the lookout for the next line of action.

“You know clearly my stand on this matter, just wait very soon, you will hear from us, my stand is where I stand, I am not in support of this administration, he must be removed”, Amosun said, passing “fatwa” on his successor’s second term bid.

Many found this apostasy distasteful. They recalled Governor Abiodun’s style of governance and how he has related with the leaders of the party and acquitted himself creditably as an administrator. One rhetorically asked: “How did we miss Governor Dapo Abiodun’s emotional intelligence?”
He cited the event, penultimate month, at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where the national leader and the presidential flag bearer of the All Progressives Party (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, referred to Gov. Abiodun as “Eleyi” ((This one)!

While President Buhari was not physically present and also might require the help of a translator to make sense of what Asiwaju Tinubu said on that day, Governor Abiodun was right at the event and understands Yoruba very well – the language through which Asiwaju made those comments. The comments even managed to get a reaction from the Presidency and the APC leadership; to demonstrate how weighty they are.

“But the response of Governor Abiodun, was cool, calm and calculated. His (Abiodun’s) emotional intelligence practically saved the day. Amosun, the man said, would never take it. He would have unleashed mayhem like he did in February 2019 when his boys pelted party apparatchiks, including a sitting President Muhammadu Buhari with sachet water, not to talk of a would-be President,” the party man enthused

For the reflective politicians, while Asiwaju’s riposte can be explained away on the ground of being an elder and avuncular godfather and benefactor to the governor, what transpired at the Abeokuta Club and beyond with mobilization of sinister groups to oust the governor – fair or foul – would have set the state on fire if the shoe had been in the other foot. It is the the worst form of presumptuous rudeness, infra dignitatem and anti-partyism, they surmised.

It should be noted that Abiodun’s graceful node of emotional intelligence contrast to Amosun’s oppositional defiance disorder (ODD). For the uninitiated, ODD is generally associated with children. Patients afflicted by it exhibit signs and characteristics of belligerence, manifesting in hostile behavior to elders and antagonistic reactions to authority figures. Like an ODD patient, Abiodun’s predecessor has, in an attempt to control, engaged in negative mannerisms: defiant, disrespectful and conducted himself in acts designed to make the authority figure lose his temper.

With emotional intelligence, Abiodun has through a well-thought out action plan and careful monitoring, clipped the senator’s wings. The key element employed is not to get caught up in playing the person’s game, because with their rules it was meant to make him act equally rascally and irritably. Like a trained psychotherapist, Abiodun takes control of the situation and make the delinquent adult accountable for his shenanigans. Any keen observer or dye-in-the wool pundit and realist would have seen how his successor, Governor Dapo Abiodun is holding his own against the apparently irritable behavior of the outgoing senator dancing his last political dance in the market place, after failing in 2019.

As prescribed by doctors, dealing with an ODD requires making a list of specific instances where the adult exhibited oppositional defiance. An adult with oppositional defiance needs concrete examples of inappropriate behaviour rather than a general observation that can be dismissed. Amosun’s cup has overflown. The records are there. Instances abound of Amosun trespassing into the home of the leader of the party in the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba with drone, undermining him and keeping his former friend and predecessor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel in limbo for the eight years he held sway as the Gateway’s Number One Citizen.

The Omoluabi disposition and performance, however, set Abiodun apart from his predecessor. Across the state and different groups: professional class, youths, market women and men, elder statesmen and women, traditional rulers and workers, the gale of endorsement has been exciting. They all premised their endorsement on Dapo Abiodun’s people-oriented and inclusive leadership, love for the citizens, altruism and performance.

Indeed, Abiodun won the hearts of the people with his practise of politics without bitterness and by bringing down political tension and heat in Ogun State. He also located and spread projects across the three senatorial districts, unlike the lopsidedness of the immediate past.

At the height of Amosun’s open hosititilty, Abeokuta became a no-go area for his living predecessors. His shenanigans gave rise to Egbe Matagba mole (Society that frowns at disrespect for elders) and ouster of the Akinrogun Egba who unleashed the accountant as the candidate of APC on the party in 2011. Long story short, 2019 was Amosun’s albatross as he was shamelessly suspended by the party for working against its interest and the Ogun electorate resounding rejected his nominee who ran on the ticket of the Allied People’s Movement (APM).

Like the chameleon that would not keep changing his colours, 2023 has come and the exuberance remains unabated in the man who could not decipher that who the gods will kill, they first make made. Interestingly, sometimes it’s difficult to recognize the difference between a strong-willed or emotional child and one with oppositional defiant disorder. It’s normal to exhibit oppositional behaviour but with proper grooming and psychological maturity the symptoms can wane. Not for Amsoun.

Conversely, even in the face of provocation, Gov Abiodun ability to perceive, use, understand, manage and handle emotions is commendable. People with high emotional intelligence can recognise their own emotions and those of others, use emotional information to guide thinking and behavior, discern between different feelings and label them appropriately, and adjust emotions to adapt to environments.

Emotional intelligence is a core leadership quality and Prince Abiodun’s display of it throughout this season of pre-election madness tells a lot about his character and substance.

The last time a similar quality was displayed was during the 2015 presidential election, when then INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega handled Peter Godsday Orubebe’s outburst at the INEC headquarters with such calmness that it earned him national and international commendation.

In the case of Prince Abiodun, those who know him very well would attest to the fact that, either as a leader or as an individual, emotional intelligence has never been in short supply in his dealings with people.

The governor will never deny the good people do to him. As attested to by many when they reeled out their endorsement criteria, he remains grateful to people whose contributions have taken him thus far in life and believes that mentorship often succeeds where ‘godfatherism’ fails.

Abiodun has mentioned many times that the position of governor he holds is in trust for the people of Ogun State and that his social contract with the people is to be fair, just and equitable. He owes God, the good people of Ogun and himself the fulfillment of that solemn agreement.

Since power in a democracy belongs ultimately to the people through the ballot, Abiodun’s hope for a renewal of his mandate come 2023 – and the hope for a much better delivery of dividends of democracy – is rooted in his faith in God, the support of the people of Ogun and the numerous achievements his administration has recorded since he was first entrusted with the mandate in 2015.

Prince Dapo Abiodun’s investment, development and empowerment priorities, strategically embedded in his administration’s ISEYA mantra, have endeared him in the hearts of both critical stakeholders and ordinary people alike. Apart from being Yoruba for ‘Time to roll up the sleeves’, ISEYA is also Abiodun’s acronym for his administration’s developmental blueprint, which is: I – Infrastructure; S – Social Development and Wellbeing; E – Education; Y – Youth Development, and; A – Agriculture and Food Security.

His a vision to give Ogun State focused and qualitative governance and to create the enabling environment for a public private sector partnership, which is fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun has transformed the state within three years. His “Building Our Future Together” agenda has been diligently and dutifully pursued so much that even old adversaries have closed ranks and keyed into his vision

Not taking the decampees for granted, Gov. Abiodun reminisced: “You have got it right by taking this bold step in the sense that one cannot say because of sympathy you continue to stay with somebody and become useless. You should know what you want, where to get it and how to get it.

“I am one governor who is passionate about inclusiveness, just and fair. You can see that even if you join the party today, I take and recognize you as people who had been with the party from the inception. Politics is parochial; it is how to better your life and that of others. You cannot do politics with emotions. I want to welcome you back to the larger family and since you are not strangers, you will be promptly integrated”, during one of the harvest of returnee party stalwarts.

Somorin is chief press secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the late Professor of Geography and Urban Regeneration, Akinlawon Mabogunje as a distinguished public policy expert, an advocate of good governance who was accessible, approachable and extremely humble to all who came across him.

The president stated this at the church service for the burial of the late renowned Geographer, held on Saturday, at Ijebu Ode.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Buhari noted that the late professor was a just man who throughout his life led by example.

He noted further that Mabogunje would live in the minds of many people as a great man for a long time, submitting that he was a decent man who served God with all his heart.

President Buhari, however, expressed his condolences with the family of the late professor, saying that the family should be glad that their late patriarch who lived an accomplished life was well celebrated and a cerebral educator.

In his remarks, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, who described the late professor of Geography as a distinguished man who lived and stood firm for his faith and belief, said that he combined total dedication and excellence in all national endeavors he was involved in.

On his part, the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the Pa Mabogunje as an erudite scholar, community leader, who loved his family, the people around him, disclosing that the late professor led other prominent indigenes of the town to start a fund to support and empower transporters, particularly tricycle riders.

Abiodun, while saying that his administration would name a prominent street after the late Professor of Geography, added that he would also be writing the president, requesting that a prominent street be named after the late professor.

“For all Baba has done for us in Ogun State, for this country, for making us very proud, we have decided that we will be naming a very prominent street in Ijebu-Ode in his memory. I have also discussed with the Chief of Staff to the President, I will also be writing to the president, humbly requesting that a prominent street in Abuja be named after Prof. Mabogunje,” Abiodun submitted.

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed his heart-felt sympathy to the victims of the petrol tanker explosion at Matogun Area of Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Saturday, described the incident, in which no fewer than 10 houses and shops were destroyed by fire from the explosion, as unfortunate.

The governor, who thanked God that no life was lost in the explosion, however, expressed grief at the level of destruction of people’s property.

Abiodun explained that such an unforeseen incident was one of the reasons his administration decided to embark on the reconstruction of the Ijoko-Alagbole-Lambe-Akute Road, despite the huge amount of public fund sunk into the road without completion by the immediate past administration.

While suing for calm among the residents of the Matogun and its environs, the governor assured that work would be expedited on the road to forestall such an incident and to make life of the people in the axis comfortable.

Abiodun, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to making the people of Ogun State enjoy the real dividends of democracy, stated that palliative assistance would be rendered to those who lost their property to the inferno, with the view of mitigating their losses.

Kenyan Supreme Court, on Monday morning, affirmed the victory of William Ruto in the country’s presidential election held last month.

Ruto was declared the winner of the just concluded presidential election in the East African country.

He polled 50.49 percent of the total votes cast (7,176,141) to defeat his closest rival, ex-Prime Minister Raila Odinga who polled 48.85 percent (6,942,930) of votes cast.

Mr Ruto also achieved the minimum 25 percent of votes in 39 counties.

However, Mr Odinga had rejected the results alleging irregularities, and went to court as a result.

Four of the seven electoral commission members also refused to authenticate the result.

In its unanimous judgment, the apex court dismissed the petition by the opposition leader, Raila Odinga against Ruto’s electoral victory.

The Chief Justice, Martha Koome, read the judgment on behalf of other justices

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Osun State, Gboyega Famodun, has cautioned the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to sit up with its oppositional role and stop its blame game on the ruling APC for its woes.

According to a statement issued by Kola Olabisi, Famodun’s media adviser, which was made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday, it is characteristic of the state PDP to blame the leadership of the APC or the sitting government for its self-inflicted tribulation.

Olabisi stated that it was a pity that the controversial and embattled leadership of the state PDP found it difficult to separate an individual’s opinion from the news that could be categorized as a corporate view of a political entity.

The APC state chairman’s spokesman disclosed that the APC’s leadership is fully engrossed in an effective party administration and is not interested in what might be going on in another party as there is no luxury of time for mundane issues in the progressive party.

He stated further that the state APC leadership has no business in dabbling into what is transpiring in another political party which is not a licence for the opposition to determine for the APC leadership when, how, and what to discuss at any particular point in time.

Olabisi explained further that if the major opposition PDP deems it wise, fit, convenient, and expedient to expel all its members, the APC doesn’t care a jolt.

The APC chairman’s spokesman hinted that it would profit the opposition PDP to learn how to talk less as only a non-methodical fairy princess appears more than once.

In his words: “The copious blame games of the Osun PDP leadership since it said it won the state governorship election have become deafening, nauseating and irritating and have failed to achieve their targeted nefarious activities of fraudulently demarketing of the ever-focused Governor Gboyega Oyetola-led administration.

“One would have expected a reasonable political party to concentrate on the defence of its pyrrhic victory at the tribunal rather than frivolously dissipating its energy on who was expelled and who was not.

“The untoward development in the Osun PDP which was manifested in the tirade turned out by the state leadership of the PDP yesterday whereby the state chairman of the ruling party, Prince Gboyega Famodun, was undeservedly and unjustifiably accused of querying the PDP leadership over the purported expulsion of one of their candidates in the July 16, 2022 governorship election, is balderdash, hogwash and misplaced”, Olabisi stated.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Plateau has commenced a probe of an assault on a woman.

A female citizen, Joy Owolabi was beaten up by an officer on Friday in Jos, the capital, during an argument.

The incident happened close to the NSCDC state headquarters at Nanmwa Junction in the Abattoir area of Jos South Local Government Area.

A statement on Monday by DSC Chris Longbit, Public Relations Officer described the incident as barbaric and unfortunate.

The spokesperson announced that the security agency was trying to ascertain the identity of the personnel.

“The Commandant, Alexander Barunde has since directed a full investigation into the matter to ascertain the real identity of the suspect”, he said.

Barunde vowed that the individual involved in the barbaric act would face the music when found.

The commandant apologised to the victim, her family members and promised a thorough investigation and due punishment.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says he has what it takes to flog and crush his opponents, whom he described as “small boys.”

Wike made the remark while stressing that he would not leave his political opponents to God but deal with them himself.

The governor spoke while inaugurating the Okezuo Abia Flyover along the Aba -Enugu Expressway in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area and the rehabilitated Aba- Owerri Road in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State on Monday.

He said: “God has given me what it takes to crush these people, for me to crush my enemies.

“No relationship can be bought with money. When I read some newspapers, they say some people are making attempts to break ranks. I said do you understand the modus operandi of what we are doing? If they understand the modus operandi, they will not waste their time.

“I have the capacity to flog these small boys.”

Wike has been aggrieved with leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, since the party’s presidential election.

The governor is aggrieved that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar ignored him and picked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.

Atiku’s decision led to Wike calling for the resignation of PDP’s National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

Chief Ebenezer Babatope, a former Minister of Transport on Monday said the 2023 presidential election will still be a two-party affair between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the former Minister, the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi can only try their best during the election but cannot win because they lack the structure and national spread to secure victory.

He said, “It is still going to be a two-party affair. It is still going to be between the APC and PDP. The Labour Party can only try but there is nothing they can do. Unlike the APC and PDP, the Labour Party does not cover the whole of the country.

“They cannot also claim to have the support of the Labour movement. So, they can try but I don’t see them making any significant impact in the presidential election.”

Asked if he will support a fellow Yoruba man, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who is the APC presidential candidate, Babatope said despite knowing Tinubu for more than 50 years, he cannot support him as both of them belong to different parties.

“We belong to different political parties, even though we are both Yorubas. I have known Tinubu for over 50 years but I cannot support him because we belong to different political parties. He belongs to the APC and I am of the PDP. There is no question of Yoruba race here.

“I am a member of the PDP and our candidate, Atiku Abubakar will win by the grace of God.”

A Federal High Court on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to accept and publish the name of one Sani Yakubu Noma as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency for the 2023 general elections.

The court nullified the substitution of name of the plaintiff carried out by PDP leadership on the ground of being unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional.

Noma in a suit against PDP and others had claimed that he contested the primary election of PDP for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency conducted on 25th May, 2022 and emerged victorious having polled the highest number of votes.

However, in place of his name, he alleged that PDP submitted the name of another person, one Garuba Argungu who at the time, contested only the Kebbi State Governorship primary and lost.

Dissatisfied with the substitution of his name, Noma through his counsel, Mr John Usman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN sued PDP, Garuba, INEC and others challenging the unlawful replacement of his name on the INEC list.

In his judgment on Monday, Justice Baba Gana Ashigar held that PDP acted utra vires in the ways and manners the name of the plaintiff was substituted.

Justice Ashigar while voiding the substitution for being unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional, proceeded to set it aside.

The Judge subsequently ordered the electoral body to immediately accept and publish the name of the plaintiff as the valid candidate of PDP for the Federal Constituency in the February next year House of Representatives election.

Justice Ashigar prohibited PDP and INEC from recognising, accepting or listing any other name other than that of the plaintiff for the House of Representatives election.

PDP and Garba Argungu had, upon being served with the originating summons, filed preliminary objections to the suit challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to hear the case.

But Justice Ashigar dismissed the preliminary objections against the plaintiff’s suit and agreed with Usman SAN that the preliminary objections were frivolous, baseless and unwarranted.

In considering the originating summons, the Court upheld all the arguments of the plaintiff through his Counsel Usman, SAN that the case of the plaintiff is meritorious and ought to be granted the reliefs sought.

The Judge thereafter ordered INEC to accept and publish the name of the plaintiff as the candidate of PDP for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency in the 2023 general elections.

Lecturers under the auspices of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have disclosed that they have been using their blood to run public universities in the country.

The union made this disclosure on Monday.

DAILY POST recalls that members of ASUU had in February this year embarked on indefinite strike.

The union commenced the strike due to non implementation of the agreement reached with the union by the federal government in 2009.

The union on Monday said that its members have been using their blood to run public universities across the country.

The union added that it will not sacrifice her members.

The union insisted that it will resist any effort to turn intellectuals to slaves of irresponsible leadership.

ASUU Chairman at the University of Ibadan, Professor Ayo Akinwole made these declarations via a statement made available to DAILY POST.

Akinwole in the statement urged Nigerians to disregard the lies of the federal government.

He explained that the government was far from meeting any of the union’s seven demands.

Akinwole while speaking further insisted that if ASUU does not go on this struggle, there will be no university for new people to attend.

Akinwole said, “Lecturers in Nigerian public universities have been using their blood to run public universities and sustaining it.

“The Union will not sacrifice her members’ welfare and will resist any effort to turn intellectuals to slaves of irresponsible leadership.

“We waited for 14 months from December 2020 to February 2022 before declaring this strike. I am saying 14 months’ notice, 14 months engagements and Nigeria Inter-religious council intervened in 2021 when we would have declared the strike. We gave them one month with no result.

“Heroes are gone before they are appreciated but our union will not die. We will not die. We are going to be alive to see this struggle through.

“If ASUU does not go on this struggle, there will be no university for new people to attend.”

Nollywood Star, Uche Jombo on Tuesday said that African and Nigerian leaders make her sad with their style of leadership.

Jombo said Nigerian leaders travel out of the country but don’t apply what they learn from their trip.

Jombo, in what she tagged, “copy and paste” leadership, said: ” It makes me sad with the kind of leaders we have. This is my individual opinion and I have to say it. I mean Nigeria is an oil country. We can do so much if we have the right leadership.

“Look at what Dubai is doing. Dubai constantly shows and reminds you of what is possible. ” She spoke at an event which was held in Dubai.

Also speaking on how Africa can develop and become a continent that can attract investors, Nollywood star, Omoni Oboli suggested that the continent must first guarantee the safety of its people and visitors.

According to her: “Mine is security first. When we get the countries actually safe and the people begin to feel that there is safety things will change. You can claim that there is safety, but if you don’t feel safe, you don’t feel safe. Dubai is what it is because people feel safe going to the country.

“Any nation that is safe attracts foreigners. If I come to your country and I don’t feel safe, then I don’t want to come back. The first thing Africa has to look at is the area of security and safety.”

For Chioma Akpotha, leaders should try to learn and apply it in their country any time they travel.

She said: The first time I travelled, I saw what I saw and I wanted it replicated in my home. This is what African leaders should do. That is also what I think good leadership should do for Africa. You want the various arms of government to work well with what you have seen outside. You want to bring it back home and apply it the way it will work for your people.”

The Federal Government says it has set up a tactical committee to review its ‘no work, no pay’ stance against striking members of the Academic Staff Union Of Universities.

This was disclosed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Ben Goong, following the outcome of a meeting by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, with Pro-Chancellors, Chairmen of Councils as well as Vice Chancellors of universities.

The meeting was part of efforts to resolve the seven-month industrial action by lecturers of public universities.

He said the committee is to also look into issues of increase in the salaries of the university lecturers and come up with workable solutions.