Culture

Atiku, Ayu, Ex Govs. Visit Olubadan of Ibadanland

By Web News 543

By Olawale Asake

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has paid a congratulatory visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja at his Bodija residence, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Alhaji Abubakar was in company of Former Governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, Former Senate President, Senator Iyorchia Ayu and others.

Former President Abubakar said, the coronation of Oba Ladoja was historic, praying that Ibadan would experience peace and development during the reign of the monarch.

Alhaji Abubakar later handed over a letter of “Congratulations” to the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Responding, The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja appreciated the visit and gave assurance that he would use his reign and the rest of his life to serve Ibadan people, Oyo State, Yorubaland and Nigeria at large.

Oba Ladoja restated his promise to make everybody proud of him as the Olubadan of the ancient city, by ensuring fairness and justice for all. 

Governance

Prevail on Governors, PASAN Tells President Tinubu

By Web News 303

By Mosope Kehinde

Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, Southwest Zone has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on governors to respect the agreement reached with state assembly workers on the full implementation of financial autonomy.

The association, which made the call while speaking with newsmen during its zonal meeting, held in Ibadan, Oyo State capital said the call on the president was imperative to avert another strike which could cripple Legislative activities across the nation.

Speaking on behalf of the association, the PASAN Zonal President, Mr Adele Adewale said the ultimatum given for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy has expired according to the signed agreement with no positive response from State Governors, except for Benue state. 

“The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria South West Zone sincerely commend the Executive Governor of Benue State Rev. Hycathin Alia who recently assented to the legislative fund management law. 

“This laudable gesture of Benue State Governor bears testament to the fact that he’s indeed a democrat who is so passionate about upholding and strengthening the principle of separation of power among the three arms of government in the state. There is no doubt he has written his name on the sand of time and history will forever be kind to him.

Mr. Adewale said the suspension of the industrial action then was given the confidence the Association reposed in the negotiators and in consideration of the essential roles of the legislative arm in the budget process as states prepared for the year 2024  budget estimates. 

The zonal president said the Association considered the non-compliance of the Nigeria Governors Forum with the MOU as a breach of trust and a grave violation of section 121 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“Ladies and gentlemen, the ultimatum given for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy has expired according to the signed agreement with no positive response from the State Governors except for Benue. 

“We are optimistic that the implementation of full legislative financial autonomy will strengthen the State Houses of Assembly Service Commission, enhance the career progression of the legislative staff and also resolve issues like non-remittance of legislative staff monthly deductions e.g cooperative and pension deductions, non-payment of legislative staff wardrobe allowance, non-implementation of Conless as well as other germane issues bothering on the welfare of the Parliamentary Staffers across the federation.

“While we are awaiting further directive from the national secretariat of our union on the next line of action, it is pertinent to state that members of the ZEC of PASAN SOUTH WEST will stand firm to vehemently resist any attempt to subvert the quest for the implementation of legislative financial autonomy.

Earlier, during a courtesy visit, the Chairman, Nigeria Conference of Speakers of state legislature who doubles as speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin promised to facilitate a meeting involving the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Conference of Speakers and leadership of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN to discuss the implementation of legislative autonomy.

Our correspondent reports that PASAN chairmen across Southwest states were present at the meeting.

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Governance

Tinubu, Govs Give Nod to State Police

By Web News 422

President Bola Tinubu and state governors have agreed to establish state police in the country as part of measures to check the rising wave of insecurity in the country.

This was one of the six high points of an emergency meeting summoned by the President at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, yesterday, given the economic hardship in the country and the upsurge of insecurity in different parts of the country.

The emergency meeting also had in attendance Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Nyesom Wike.

Specifically, President Tinubu approved the establishment of a committee comprising state governors and representatives of the Federal Government to, among other things, explore modalities for establishing state police.

The President and the state governors also discussed the possibility of improving the numerical strength of forest rangers to train them so that they can keep our forests and borders very safe.

Following a spike in insecurity across the country, there have been calls by some stakeholders and ethnic nationalities groups for the establishment of state police as was practised in the First Republic before it was abolished by the Military.

Currently, many states have vigilante groups and the South-West zone has Amotekun The President also directed security chiefs especially the National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Director-General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Yusuf Bichi; and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to crack down on those hoarding food commodities and bring them to book.

It will be recalled that since President Tinubu on May 29 had said “subsidy is gone” inauguration speech, the economy has witnessed a downward spiral with the attendant hardship and high cost of living leading to protests in some states of the country.

Although President Tinubu has directed his economic team, including all relevant officials in the government to find a way to ameliorate the situation, the Special Presidential Committee on Emergency have been approved to make available about 102,000 metric tons of assorted items including rice, maize, millet among others.

Governors who attended the meeting were those of Ekiti, Delta, Borno, Lagos, Kwara, Nasarawa, Edo, Yobe, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Plateau, Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Taraba, Adamawa, Cross River, Ogun and Enugu. President Tinubu also informed the governors that the Federal Government would work with them and the National Assembly towards putting in place a mechanism that will engender state police instead of the vigilantes that are being used in some states.

He charged the governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially poultry and fishing products. The president also pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers and gratuities to retired workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue.

They also urged the governors to create economic opportunities for youths in their states. He urged the governors to deal with the problems of hoarding in their states. Tinubu’s position on state police, food security Addressing the meeting, President Tinubu said: “My position at this meeting is that we must move aggressively and establish a committee to look critically at the issues raised, including the possibility of establishing state police.

‘’From Kano, we have read reports about large-scale hoarding of food in some warehouses. The National Security Adviser, NSA, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, should coordinate very closely and ensure that security agencies in the states inspect such warehouses with follow-up action.

‘’We must ensure that speculators, hoarders, and rent seekers are not allowed to sabotage our efforts in ensuring the wide availability of food to all Nigerians.

How decisions were taken – Information Minister

Briefing State House Correspondents at the end of the emergency meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said far-reaching decisions were taken including the consideration for the establishment of state police. The Minister said that there will be more meetings to fine-tune the modalities for setting up state police. He said: “The Federal Government and state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police. Of course, this is still going to be further discussed, a lot of work still has to be done in that direction. But the Federal Government and state governments are agreeing to the necessity of having state policy. “This is a significant shift. But more work needs to be done in that direction. A lot of meetings will have to happen between different governments and sub-nationals to see the modalities of achieving this.” Disclosing that the meeting was at the instance of the President to intimate the state governors about what was happening, and what the Federal Government was doing and to also hear from the state governors, their input about issues of development in this country, Idris continued: “A lot of issues were discussed about the security situation in the country. The apparent food issue that the media has also been reporting about and some other measures that will help in improving the state of our nation. “Now, the first point is that the governors and the President have agreed to set up a committee to deepen the conversation that has happened at the just-concluded meeting. c “Secondly, Mr. President and the governors have agreed that these kinds of meetings will continue in the interest of our nation. NSA, DSS, IGP to crack down hoarders of food items “First, the National Security Adviser, the Director General of the state services, and the Inspector General of Police have been directed to coordinate with the state governors to look at the issue of those hoarding commodities. “At this point, the nation requires foods to be brought out to the people so that we can control prices and put food on the table of most Nigerians, other commodity traders are busy hoarding these commodities so that Nigerians will suffer or they will make more money as a result.

“So the governors and Mr. President have taken this decision that security agencies will collaborate with the state governors to ensure that this ends.

No food importation

“A decision has also been taken that in the interest of our country, there will be no need for food importation at this point. Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and even be a net exporter of food items to other countries. And we do not also want to reverse some of the progress we have seen in terms of food production in this country.

“What we’re seeing now is just a temporary difficulty that will soon go away. Therefore, the solution to it is continuous investment in agriculture so that food can be made available to all Nigerians. “Of course, you know that Mr. President declared an emergency in agriculture many months ago. Therefore, part of the measures that he has taken is to ensure that investments, more investments are made in this sector for the benefit of our people.”

Governors back Tinubu

The Minister said that the governors agreed to join hands with the president to deepen their own investment in the agricultural sector so that more food will be made available to Nigerians. “Of course, this investment is not just in crop production, it is also in livestock development and management,” he explained. On insecurity, the minister said that President Tinubu and the governors agreed that there was significant improvement in the security situation around the country but “this is not to say that the security situation has been solved completely. But we have seen significant improvement. In Borno, for example, areas where farmers have not been able to cultivate as a result of security, those farmers have now returned to their farms. “It is also the same thing in Jigawa and many parts of the country. The governors, including the governor of Plateau State, have also attested to the fact that despite all the challenges that we’re having, there appears to be improvement in security in these areas.

“Mr. President and the governors also thank the security agencies for the work they are doing. Some of them even pay the supreme price with their lives to ensure that Nigerians have a secure environment.”

Training forest rangers

“Now in this direction, Mr President and the state governors also discussed the possibility of improving the numeric strength of forest rangers to train them so that they can keep our forests and our borders very safe.

President Tinubu also called on the state governors to join hands with the Federal Government to provide more for people, especially the teeming youth population.

The presidency said: “There is going to be a joint programme between the state governments and federal government to ensure that our teeming youth population is gainfully employed. So that we will reduce to the barest minimum the issue of unemployment in the country.

Adding that the president and governors are on one page irrespective of political differences to ensure that Nigeria remains peaceful and united.

Reps task IG to implement community policing

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun to fully implement community policing as outlined in Section 15 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020. The call was a sequel to the adoption of Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Rep. Asama Ago (LPPlateau) at plenary, yesterday. Ago recalled that the House of Representatives had passed several resolutions on attacks by assailants in communities across Nigeria. He said in spite of the numerous resolutions arising from motions, communities still continue to be victims of these heinous attacks. According to him, all efforts of the security agencies seem inadequate because of the overwhelming nature of the situation. The lawmaker said that the atrocious killings have become incessant in several communities across the federation with recent attacks in the Nkienzha community of Bassa LGA, Plateau State “Aware that the Police Act, 2020 provides for the establishment of Community Policing as stipulated explicitly in Section 113, 114, 116 and 117 of the Act. “113.-(1) says for the effective and efficient policing of communities in a state or Federal Capital Territory, the Commissioner of Police of a State shall establish a Community Policing Committee which shall consist of representatives of the Police Force and the local community in the state. “It says a Commissioner of Police of a state shall establish a Community SubPolicing Committee at all Divisional Police Headquarters in the state or Federal Capital Territory. “Subject to section 116 (1) (b) of this Act, the Commissioner of Police and members designated by him from time to time for the purpose, shall be members of the Policing Committees and Sub-Policing Committees established at various police formations. “114.-(1) says a Commissioner of Police of a state or Federal Capital Territory shall, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders in the community, establish Divisional Community Policing Committee in all Police Divisions within the state,” he said.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Crime

13 Ex-Govs under EFCC’s Radar over N772bn Fraud Cases

By Web News 500

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has reopened money laundering cases against 13 former governors and some former ministers, with the amounts involved running into over N853.8bn.

The amount at stake in the high-profile cases involving the former governors and ex-ministers was not less than N772.2bn, however, the anti-graft agency is currently investigating the N81.6bn that was allegedly looted in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

However, another $2.2bn was alleged to have gone missing through money laundering, fund diversion and misappropriation in recent times. The $2.2bn was allegedly diverted by a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; late media mogul, Raymond Dokpesi; former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa; and former Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, and others.

According to the EFCC, the money was meant for arms procurement in support of the war against terrorists, but it was laundered, diverted, and misappropriated.

While Dasuki was in custody of the Department of State Services in 2015, the EFCC arrested Dokpesi, Bafarawa, Yuguda and others.

They were all arrested after being indicted by a presidential committee that investigated arms procurement under former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

The committee said about $2.2bn was diverted for purposes other than arms procurement.

The affected persons include two former Ekiti State governors, Kayode Fayemi and Ayo Fayose; former Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle; two former Enugu State governors, Chimaroke Nnamani and Sullivan Chime; former Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Adamu; former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Others are former Rivers State governor, Peter Odili; former Abia State governor, Theodore Orji; former Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje; former Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Wamako; former Bayelsa State governor, Timipre Sylva; and former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido.

Matawalle, who is currently serving as the Minister of Defence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, is being probed for alleged N70bn money laundering; while Fayemi, who served as Minister of Solid Minerals Development in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet from November 11, 2015 to May 30, 2018, before resigning to contest the governorship election for his second term, is being investigated for an alleged N4bn fraud, while Fayose, a two-term governor of Ekiti State, is being investigated by the anti-graft agency for an alleged N6.9bn fraud.

Nnamani is being probed for an alleged N5.3bn fraud; Chime is being investigated over an alleged N450m campaign fraud as part of the N23bn allegedly shared by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, while Adamu is under probe for alleged N15bn fraud.

Kwakwanso is being probed for alleged non-remittance of N10bn pension fund; Orji is being investigated over alleged N551bn money laundering; while Odili is similarly being probed for alleged N100bn fraud. It is not yet clear how the probe of the ex-Rivers State governor will be handled as he obtained an order of perpetual injunction restraining the EFCC and other security agencies from a Federal High Court in March 2008, which has not been vacated to date.

Goje is being probed by the commission for an alleged N5bn fraud; Wammako is being investigated for allegedly diverting N15bn; Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum under Buhari, is under probe for alleged N19.2bn money laundering; while Lamido is being investigated over an alleged N1.35bn fraud.

Diezani is being probed over several alleged money laundering cases running into several billions of naira and millions of dollars.

Sources privy to the development told our correspondent on Friday that the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was reviewing all the high-profile cases, and had since his assumption of office reappointed investigators to take up the several probes without prejudice to the suspects’ social or political status.

“The chairman is reviewing all high profile cases, and he has ordered the investigators not to treat anyone differently, especially politically exposed persons, such as former governors and ministers, who were indicted for money laundering,” an impeccable source told Sunday PUNCH.

The EFCC had also recently commenced the probe of some former ministers, Olu Agunloye (power, mines and steel), Olu Agunloye, over an alleged $6bn fraud on the Mambilla Power Project; and Sadiya Umar-Farouk (humanitarian affairs), over an alleged N37.1bn fraud.

Agunloye and Umar-Farouq served under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Muhammadu Buhari, respectively. The EFCC is probing both former ministers and arraigned Agunloye, who was remanded in a custodial centre pending the perfection of his N50m bail.

The commission is also probing the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and the embattled Coordinator of the suspended National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, over alleged N81.6bn fraud uncovered in the ministry.

EFCC was also probing the chief executive officers of several banks, civil servants, and contractors in connection with the humongous fraud uncovered in the ministry.

Olukoyede had on Friday declared that all high-profile cases would be reviewed and revisited, while noting that indicted former or incumbent public officials’ corruption cases would not be overlooked or abandoned by the commission.

He made the declaration in Abuja through the acting Director of Public Affairs, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, who spoke to journalists following a protest by members of the Zamfara Alternative Forum at the commission’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

Members of the group had urged the anti-graft agency to revisit the probe of the immediate past governor of the state, Matawalle, over alleged N70bn money laundering.

Responding to the request of the protesters, Uwujaren revealed that Olukoyede had reviewed all inherited high-profile cases since he assumed office, adding that the commission would proceed with the probe of every indicted high-profile person.

He said, “I want to assure you that, as far as the commission is concerned, nobody is above the law. What the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has done since assuming office is that he has reviewed all the high-profile cases he inherited.

“And the EFCC Chairman has asked me to assure you that this case, like others, will not be an exception. The case will be reviewed, and the chairman assures you that something will be done under the law, and no one is above the law and no case shall be swept under the carpet.

“Rest assured that these cases will be revisited because the EFCC believes that no case should be swept under the carpet. If you have done something wrong and if our investigation is able to establish that you have a case, we will proceed with the matter.”

On May 18, 2023, the EFCC, through its spokesman, Osita Nwajah, had said Matawalle was being investigated by the commission over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts, and diversion of over N70bn.

He stated, “The money, which was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors, who received payment for contracts that were not executed.

“The commission’s investigations revealed that more than 100 companies received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.

“Some of the contractors, who had been invited and quizzed by the commission, made startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States dollars.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Governance

Put Masses Interest First, Tinubu Urges APC Governors  

By Web News 351

President Bola Tinubu has advised APC Governors to put the interest of the people first and work for the good of their states.

Receiving outgoing Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, the re-elected Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and the Governor-elect of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, in Abuja, the President expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the elections, which he described as “free, fair, and peaceful”.

“You worked hard for this victory. I am very proud of you, but the real challenge has only started, and it will stare you in the face. That is the challenge of good governance. Make sure that everyone is carried along. You are now the servants of the people. To God be all the glory for the victories, and may God guide you,” he told them.

“Once the people of Nigeria and their concerns are the focal point of your plans and actions, not only will governance be easier for you, but you will enhance the value of your states and the masses of the people will have new opportunities to grow and enjoy a new standard of living. This must be your driving focus as governors, but especially as governors elected on the platform of our great party.”

He hailed the APC for winning “Two out of three” governorship contests, saying, “[this] is not a bad way to start”, and urged his guests to “focus not on winning the elections alone but on delivering for the people”.

“They (the people) are sovereign, and when we achieve what we promise, voters will respect us,” the President admonished his guests, adding: “We will work with you at the sub-national levels, and we will uphold the strength and superior excellence that is symbolized by the eagle on our coat of arms.”

Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC, who led the Governors-elect and other ruling party stalwarts to meet with the President, said the party’s candidates conducted themselves “with integrity” as directed by the President during the elections, and applauded the APC for conceding victory to the opposition in Bayelsa State.

“We lost the election in Bayelsa, and we have conceded in good faith. You directed that the elections should be free, fair, and peaceful, and it was so,” Dr Ganduje told President Tinubu.

Speaking on behalf of the candidates who contested the elections, Governor Uzodinma thanked the President for “providing strong and purposeful leadership” at the centre, which he said “enabled and energised” their campaigns.

“We won because of the leadership you demonstrated. The country was struggling, but the economy has been responding to the reforms and rapid-response strategy you have put in place,” he said.

Abdullah Bello

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Security

FG Withdraws Mobile Policemen from Ex-Govs, Ministers, Vips

By Web News 487

The Federal Government has withdrawn the Mobile Police Force personnel attached to several Very Important Persons, including ex-governors, former ministers and lawmakers.

The order, which was contained in a police wireless message from Mopol 45 Force Headquarters, Abuja, affected Daura Buhari, brother to former President Muhammadu Buhari as well as former First Lady, Aisha Buhari’s sibling and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

The development came a few weeks after the IG vowed to withdraw Police Mobile Force personnel from VIP escort and guard duties.

He had also announced plans to establish the Special Intervention Squad, which according to him, would have 40,000 highly trained police officers including selected officers from the Police Mobile Force.

This, the IG said, was to allow the police to take back its place in the “internal security architecture” of the country.

Egbetokun, who spoke during a meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja, on June 26, stated, “We shall effect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties. While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole. By relieving the PMF of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large.

“In a bid to kick-start the process of regaining our pride of place in the internal security architecture of our dear country first and foremost, modalities for the creation of a new special squad – the Special Intervention Squad have been initiated.

“This special squad shall consist of 40,000 specially trained elite officers. The Squad will be formed by selecting officers from the pool of existing Police Mobile Force personnel and all tactical units in the country.

“These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for frontline operational duties in all the states of the Federation, with a particular focus on areas plagued with unrest and turmoil.

“By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.”

Egbetokun set up a committee headed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Adeleke Bode, to assess and advise on how the new policies could be implemented seamlessly.

The committee submitted

The PUNCH reports that thousands of police operatives were attached to public officials, ex-political officer holders, businessmen and other private individuals, thus reducing the number of police personnel required to protect the public while fewer officers were available for core police duties like investigations and patrols.

Though previous IGs had withdrawn the police orderlies deployed to protect some politicians in the past, the cops found their way back to the VIPs.

Statutorily, only the president, vice president, governors, local council chairmen, legislative principal officers in the states and at federal level, magistrates and judges are entitled to police protection.

 But this privilege has over the years been extended to just about anybody who can pay, leaving ever fewer personnel for real police work.

However, the Force headquarters in its order with reference CB: 4001/DOPS/45PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.15/353 signed by the AIG MOPOL, directed the addressees to implement the directive with immediate effect.

The message was addressed to DSPs Lauretta Iruonagbe; Yusuf Ishaq; Okeme Emmanuel; Ilesanmi Temidayo; Emmanuel Akaniro; Yakubu Francis; Chindo Atege; Zakari Mohammed and ASPs Osori Sani; Job Andrew; Iyabo Oluwadamilola, and Yakubu Anthony who are believed to be attached to some of the affected dignitaries.

VIPs affected by the withdrawal order include former governors of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim and Rochas Okorocha; former governor of Bauchi, Adamu Muazu; ex- Gombe State governor, Danjuma Goje and former governors of Ogun and Zamfara, Gbenga Daniel and Bello Matawalle, respectively.

Similarly, the MOPOL attached to some former ministers who served under the Buhari administration were withdrawn.

They are ex-Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipreye Sylva; former Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Gbemisola Saraki; former Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Henry Ikoh; former Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba and former Minister of State for Power, Goddy Agba.

Also, the orderlies working with the former Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Haliru Dauda; former Chairman House Committee on Police Affairs, Rabiu Lawan, and Senator Stephen Adey, were equally withdrawn.

The mobile police officers to the suspended National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu were also affected.

The order read in part, “You are directed to withdraw all personnel mine attached to the under-listed politicians: Former governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; former governor of Bauchi, Adamu Muazu;  former governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha; former governor of Gombe State, Danjuma Goje; former governor of Ogun, Gbenga Daniel; former governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle;  former Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipreye Sylva; former Clerk of the National Assembly; Aisha Buhari brother; Daura, brother to the former president Buhari ; APC National women leader; former Minister of State for Mines and Steel; former Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Haliru Dauda; former Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation; former Minister of State for Power; National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyocha Ayu; former Chairman House Committee on Police Affairs, Rabiu Lawan; Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba and former Senator Stephen Adey. Treat as very important.”

Reacting to the action of the police authorities, the media aide to Senator Gbenga Daniel, Steve Oliyide, said it was in the power of the IG to determine the security architecture of the country.

Oliyide said, “It is actually within the precinct and powers of the IGP to determine the security architecture for the country and Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel will support any and every initiative towards strengthening the country’s security system, notwithstanding any temporary discomfort to his personal safety.’’

“Once there are composite security arrangements for the entire country, it also suggests that VIPs too will also be secured, and Senator Daniel has implicit confidence in the capacity of the IGP to provide and make adequate security for all in the circumstance. Where and when the need arises, I am sure he will arrange complimentary security supports,” he added.

The former SGF could not be reached for comment on Sunday as he did not respond to several calls and a message sent to him on WhatsApp.

Also, Matawalle, who was also affected by the new development, was not available for comment. The former Principal Private Secretary to the former governor, Lawal Maradun failed to react on behalf of his principal despite repeated messages sent to his mobile phone number.

Commenting on the development, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Adedayo Adeoye (retd.) commended the IG for making good his word.

He, however, expressed fear that the directives could be truncated by the VIPs.

Adeoye said, “I am in total support of what the IG is doing but my fear is that they will not allow him to complete this. Others have tried it in the past and did not succeed.

‘’He needs the president’s support to implement this to the letter. For me, there should be no special protection unit for anybody. The law provides a guideline for people entitled to police protection. We should follow that.”

A retired Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu described the attachment of the mobile police to VIPs as an abuse, adding that the VIPs had denied Nigerians the valuable contributions of the mobile police personnel.

The former force spokesman noted, “The police have what is called a special protection unit for the VIPs to harvest police to protect them. Mobile Police was not created for that. The mobile police is the combatant arm of the police; As a result, the VIPs want the utmost protection; that explains why they have been going for the mobile police.”

A retired FCT Commissioner of Police, Lawrence Alobi, said the withdrawal of mobile police would bolster the security architecture of the country.

He added that the VIPs have nothing to fear as the personnel of the Special Protection Unit are equal to the task.

 “Security operations are about the need and the reality on the ground.  The IG must have assessed these before giving that order. Also, the primary duty of the government is to secure the lives and properties of the citizens and not only the VIPs,”.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Lifestyle

Obasanjo, AbdulSalami, Atiku, 13 Governors, Ooni, Davido, others to grace Oyo Speaker’s Wedding

By Web News 699

As the 34year old Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin prepares to walk down the aisle with his fiancé, Olamidun Majekodunmi, former heads of State, Governors, political icons, industrialists, traditional rulers, entertainment gurus and other dignitaries across the country and beyond are set to storm the ancient city of Ibadan this weekend.

Adebo Ogundoyin, the son of the late philanthropist and business tycoon, the late Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin became the speaker of the Oyo State 9th assembly at the age of 32 following the victory of the state’s ruling party at the 2019 general election.

The wedding ceremony tagged “DO THE HONOUR” is slated to hold on the 25th and 27th, November, 2021 and is expected to be attended by influential personalities and political bigwigs including the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State, Alh AbdulSalami Abubakar, the Turaki of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abukakar, 13 Governors, His Imperial Majesties – Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo and the Olubadan of Ibadanland

Among the 13 Governors are the Oyo State Governor, Engr Oluseyi Makinde who is the Chief host, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu and their counterpart from Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

The roll call of dignitaries expected at the Wedding will equally include Speakers of States Houses of Assembly, federal and State lawmakers and legal luminaries including chief Justices.

The King of Juju Music, Sunny Ade , the popular Nigerian-American Singer David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido, Juju Gospel King, Yinka Aiyefele, Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel aka Mayorkun and Ayo Balogun are amongst top Musicians expected to spice up the Wedding ceremonies.

The Turaki of Adawama, Alh Atiku Abubakar is the father of the day.

The Wedding ceremonies will hold at the International Conference Center, U.I Wedding Engagement, All Saints Anglican Church, Bodija Holy Matrimony and the Polo Club Eleyele, Ibadan Wedding Reception.

Adewumi Faniran