News Summary 23rd November 2016;Ondo Governorship Election and the surrounding intrigues
Ondo Governorship Election and the surrounding intrigues
The race for the succession of the outgoing governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko has been characterised by crisis and drama leaving little for imagination. Initially it was the question of who succeeds the incumbent governor, under the PDP, which rules in the state.
Later the struggle for the ticket of the opposition, All Progressives’ Congress became the centre of attention.
50 party chieftains reportedly signified interest in the governorship position in the oil rich state, out of which 25 took up the challenge to buy the nomination form,.
One later opted out while four stepped down, leaving 20 political juggernauts fighting for the number one position of the sunshine state.
Following the APC primaries, Rotimi Akeredolu emerged as its candidate with 669 votes defeating others with, his closest rival Segun Abraham who polling 635 votes.
The emergence of Akeredolu for the APC was greeted with mixed feelings as others say the former chairman of Nigerian bar association is an alien who just came to Ondo to contest.
Interestingly, the eye of the nation is on the outcome of the November 26 election for a number of reasons. Read More
INEC Prepares for Ondo Elections
If the conduct of elections is peaceful, the tendency to conclude and declare winners at first ballot would be easier.
The independent national electoral commission INEC says it is leaving nothing to chance as it deploys men and materials to Ondo state ahead of Saturday’s election.
Finance Ministry trainins Directors of MDAs on Cost Management
Directors of MDAs are among beneficiaries of a ‘cost management workshop’ on proper utilization of the nation’s resources organised by efficiency unit of the federal ministry of finance.
The workshop is expected to enable CEOs, permanent secretaries and directors of MDAs to key into the overall chain of cutting down the cost of overheads and personnel.
The workshop is in three phases and intended to integrate workers into the cost cutting drive of the federal government. Read more
Eight New Private Universities Receive Provisional License.
Minister of state education professor Anthony Anwukah says with the approval of eight new private universities, the challenge of access to university education and enrolment in excess of carrying capacity will be addressed.
He stated this at the presentation of provisional license to the new universities
Rejection of Nigerian Products: FG warns on standard and quality control
The federal government says it will come hard on any grains merchant who fails to abide by laid down regulations on standards and quality control.
Office of the vice president says the government is adopting national single quality control management for zero rejection of agricultural produce.
CLO asks FG To withdraw military from Ogoni Land
The civil liberty organization has urged the federal government to withdraw the military from Ogoni land.
This was part of the organization’s submissions at the House of Representatives public hearing on the killings of some persons in Ogoni land on the 22nd of February this year.
Minister of Interior orders investigation into Kwara Prison killings
The honourable minister of interior, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, has ordered investigation into inmate’s riots at Oke Kura prison, Ilorin, Kwara state on Thursday, November 17, 2016 which reportedly claimed six inmates, leaving many others injured with cells condemned.
In a statement by the press secretary to the honourable minister Osaigbovo Ehisienmen the minister has directed an intra-ministerial committee to work closely with Nigeria prisons’ management team with a view to unraveling the remote circumstance surrounding the unfortunate incident, with a view to avoiding a repeat of such in any of the nation’s prisons and sanction any official found culpable. Read More
House of Representatives passes bill on categorization of fines and penalties
The house of representatives has passed at second reading a bill for an act to provide a standard scale for fines and financial penalties in Nigeria.
150 persons reported dead in fresh Zamfara Crisis
One hundred and fifty- five (155) persons have been confirmed dead and 50 others kidnapped following fresh series of attacks by gunmen in four (4) local government areas of Zamfara state.
Governor Adbul-Aziz Yari Abubakar stated this in a special broadcast to people of the state on the tragedy.
Nigeria is set for greater heights in ICT – VP Osinbajo
Vice president Yemi Osinbajo says Nigeria is set for greater achievement in information technology stressing that the country has everything that is required to do this.
It was at the ninth international information technology conference with the theme leveraging ICT innovation for economic diversification.
Ondo PDP Case: Supreme Courts Rules
The Supreme Court has ordered the court of appeal proceed with the hearing and determination of PDP case filed before it by Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, a contender in the Ondo state governorship election.
The apex court also came down heavily on a senior advocate of Nigeria, Kevin Nwofo who had joined three courts of appeal justices in the appeal he filed before the Supreme Court.
President Buhari will not be abandoned in 2019 – Presidency
Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu has dismissed suggestions that the masses will desert president Buhari in 2019 as unfounded and utterly ridiculous.
Reacting to allegations by a former CPC member, Buba Galadima that president Buhari would be abandoned by the people in 2019, the senior special assistant on media and publicity said the calculation and prediction is utterly confusing and misleading.
He said the president’s goodwill remains strong because the people are convinced he is acting in their best interest, despite the temporary unintended consequences of reforms.
ECOWAS member states tackle drug trafficking
Policy makers and experts from national, regional and international organizations are strategizing on possible solution to the growing problem of illicit drug trafficking, related organized crime and drugs abuse in West Africa.
