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Group Rejects Sanwo-Olu’s Brother, Others As Lagos APC Primaries Committee Members
he Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Cornelius Ojelabi, had on Monday inaugurated the committee which is to be headed by the APC Zonal Organising Secretary, Lateef Ibirogba
A pressure group, All Progressives Congress Professionals for Change, has rejected the committee inaugurated by the leadership of the APC in Lagos to conduct the National Assembly, Governorship and House of Assembly primaries in the state, alleging that the composition of the committee does not reflect a level-playing ground for all the contestants.
The Chairman of APC in Lagos State, Cornelius Ojelabi, had on Monday inaugurated the committee which is to be headed by the APC Zonal Organising Secretary, Lateef Ibirogba, but the All Progressives Congress Professionals for Change flayed the state chapter of the party for setting up the committee saying it is a usurpation of the functions of the national body which is constitutionally empowered to perform such duties.
The other members of the committee include Olayinka Oladunjoye, Bola Badmus-Olujobi, Hakeem Odumosu, Gbolahan Idris, Adebayo Sanwo-Olu, Sodiq Ademola, Oluremi Shopeyin and Muritala Seriki.
However, the group alleged that many individuals in the committee have strong ties with some of the contestants thus allowing them to play the role of umpires could jeopardize the interest of other aspirants in the race.
The National President of the group, Hakeem Ogunsanya, wondered why an elder brother of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu would be named in the committee that would conduct an election in which his sibling will participate.
He said allowing the committee, as presently constituted, to conduct the election could taint the integrity of the exercise which could ultimately affect the chances of the party at the poll.
He wondered why the state chapter of the party would be the one to set up the committee without the input of the national body, saying such a move is against the constitution of APC and shouldn’t be allowed to stand so that a bad precedent wouldn’t be set which could lead to further chaos in the party.
“The composition of the committee shows the desperation of some aspirants to subvert the process in their own interest. We have some elements in that committee who have close ties with some of the aspirants. It beats my imagination that our great party in the state would appoint the elder brother of the Governor to the committee that will conduct an election in which he is a contestant; this is like taking impunity to another level, what signal are we giving to other aspirants in the race? This is an aberration that shouldn’t be allowed to stand.
“Our concerns are to protect the integrity of our party and the process; it shouldn’t be the business of the state chapter of the party to set up primaries committee, it is an obligation constitutionally reserved for the national body. If we allow this aberration to scale through, we would be creating problems for the future because other states may want to copy that which will lead to further chaos,” he said.
However, the group charged the national leadership of the party to dissolve the Ibirogba-led committee and reconstitute another one that will reflect neutrality in fairness to all aspirants.
“We in the All Progressives Congress Professionals for Change are calling on the National Chairman of our great party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu to take the bull by the horn and prevent the party from falling into a trap by exercising his powers to constitute a fresh primary committee according to the constitution of our party,” he said.
News
Basketmouth slams filmmakers for failing to showcase Nigeria’s culture in movies
Popular comedian and filmmaker, Bright Okpocha, aka Basketmouth, has accused some of his colleagues of not showcasing Nigeria’s rich culture in their movies.
The movie star alleged that most of the epic movies released recently do not promote the country’s culture.
In an interview with Hip TV, Basketmouth claimed that the filmmakers wasted opportunities to showcase Nigeria’s culture positively.
He said, “I believe that we still have the opportunity to get it right. But we had a great opportunity to showcase our culture and most of the filmmakers blew it up. They just ruined that great chance because I see epic movies and they look like stage plays.
“When I was seeing most of the epic movies, I was disappointed.
“You guys blew up a great opportunity but let’s hope we still have another chance to strike at it.
“I’m sorry, only very few movies have impressed me so far. I believe that we can do more.”
News
Gov Abiodun commiserates with Makinde, Soludo, Wike over stampede victims
The chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, SGF, and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has sympathised with the governments and people of Oyo, Anambra, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, over the tragic loss of lives resulting from recent stampedes at food palliative distribution venues in the affected areas.
The stampedes reportedly claimed the lives of approximately 65 Nigerians, while others sustained varying degrees of injury.
Abiodun expressed his sorrow in sympathy notes to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and Nyesom Wike of the Federal Capital Territory, saying that the deaths of the victims were especially tragic because they were pursuing necessities for survival.
The SGF Chairman noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, together with other levels of government, is still working to improve the living standards of the populace, despite the current economic difficulties they confront.
To prevent further tragedy, Abiodun urged all Nigerians to exercise caution and follow security procedures when attending palliative distribution events.
He said: “Deaths such as these diminish us as a people. These disasters occurred at a time when families around the world are in a festive and joyous mood. It is indeed tragic.
“I, on behalf of my family and the good people of Ogun State, commiserate with my brother governors, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the families of the victims, and all Nigerians on these unfortunate incidents.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace.”
News
Nigerian Govt lifts ban on mining in Zamfara after five years
The Federal Government has suspended the ban on mining activities in Zamfara State five years after the sanction was imposed.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
“The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration activities in Zamfara State, citing significant improvements in the security situation across the state.
“Nigeria has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast gold, Lithium, and copper belts,” the statement read.
According to the minister, the previous ban, which was well intentioned, inadvertently created a vacuum exploited by illegal miners to fleece the nation of its resources.
Alake also emphasized that the state’s potential for contributing to national revenue is enormous.
“The existential threat to lives and properties that led to the 2019 ban has abated. The security operatives’ giant strides have led to a notable reduction in the level of insecurity, and with the ban on exploration lifted, Zamfara’s mining sector can gradually begin contributing to the nation’s revenue pool.
“Since the beginning of the Tinubu administration, however, intelligence-driven, coordinated security operations have resulted in the neutralization of key bandit commanders, significantly reducing incidents of insecurity.
“A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara,” he added.
The minister further stated that the lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.
He said this would enable more effective intelligence gathering to combat illegal mining and ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources.
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