A rowdy session marred the resumption of the Senate to plenary on Tuesday as senators fought over the seats.

The plenary had started around 11 am and immediately after the procession, the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, read out announcements, specifically the names of the lawmakers who had celebrated their birthdays while the Senate was on break.

It was while the announcement was ongoing that Senator Sahabi Yau (APC, Zamfara North) started to raise his voice at the Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) while he in return pointed his finger at Yau as if giving him a stern warning.

Immediately, Danjuma Goje (APC, Gombe Central) joined his colleague Yau in shouting at Bamidele and the chairman, of Senate Services, Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) who was in charge of the seating arrangements.

The PUNCH gathered that the fight was triggered by the seating arrangement in the newly renovated hallow chamber.

Some ranking Senators were said to have been angry at the seats allocated to them in the front row on the last right side of the aisle.

The Senate President eventually told them to approach the chair one after the other but Yau didn’t oblige him.

The rowdy session lasted for about 20 minutes as senators bickered.

After the Senate President read his welcome-back speech, the Senate leader, moved that the Senate resolved into a closed-door session.

The Senate after that, at about 12: 05 pm resolved into an executive session.

The Senate had on March 20, adjourned plenary till April 16, but postponed resumption twice to allow for the completion of the chamber which had been under renovation since 2022.

https://www.gtnews.com.ng/2024/04/breaking-senators-fight-over-seats-in.html

By Tope Omogbolagun

Drama played out on Monday when power supply was seized as the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, was speaking at the National Assembly.

Adelabu was fielding questions from senators at the investigative hearing on “the need to halt the increase in the price of electricity” organised by the Senate Committee on Power.

Power was, thereafter, restored in less than five minutes.

Speaking about the power interruption, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Eyinnaya Abaribe, said what the minister said about the stable electricity in the country was implicative.

He said, “You see what just happened. This is what we all experience. We the Senators experience it too and I am sure even the President does experience it at the Villa, just that he cannot speak out like we are.”

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had on April 3, approved an increase of 340% in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

According to the NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, Band A, customers will begin to pay N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66.

According to NERC, B and A customers are those who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily.

Further checks revealed that customers under this classification represent 15 per cent of the 12 million electricity customers in Nigeria.

The NERC Vice Chairman however clarified that the review would not affect customers on the other bands.

The Senate had summoned the Minister to speak on the recent tariff and justify the increase.

https://www.gtnews.com.ng/2024/04/drama-as-power-ceased-during-power.html

The founder of Omega Fire Ministries, Johnson Suleman, has spoken after surviving an armed attack in Auchi, Edo State on Friday.

In a video posted on his church's TV social media pages, Suleman said he knew those behind the attack but won't be mentioning them.

He said, "I just escaped an assassination attempt where seven people were killed. They opened fire on my car. My wife and my kids were there. The escort car with police, they killed the policemen. They killed the other people in the escort car, the bus, that were with us. They killed seven people.

"People who did this are expecting me to come out and mention their names, so they can come out and deny it but I won't do that. The truth of the matter is, you can't kill me, my life is in the hand of God, I'm a man of God."

Credit: Twitter | MyCelebrationTV
http://www.gtnewsng.com/2022/10/you-cant-kill-me-im-man-of-god-johnson.html

The convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman was viciously attacked Friday evening.

The cleric is the Senior Pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) International.

Our Correspondent gathered that gunmen ambushed his motorcade on Warake road in Auchi, Edo State.

No fewer than four policemen, one driver and a lady are confirmed dead.

Gory videos of the attack and bodies are circulating on the internet.

A Twitter user, @iamoodickson wrote: “Apostle Johnson Suleman just got off the phone with me now.

He escaped Assassins this afternoon. Sadly his 7 members were all gunned down.”

The incident occurred barely six weeks after the convoy of Anambra Senator Andy Ubah came under fire.

Some of the security officers guarding him and two aides died of bullet wounds.

http://www.gtnewsng.com/2022/10/breaking-gunmen-attacked-apostle.html

The woman leader of the All Progressives Congress in ward 3, Ilesha West local government area of Osun State, Mrs Morufat Balogun was on Thursday evening stabbed by one Sope Fadiora.

According to report gathered by Our Correspondent, crisis erupted between the duo whose shops were not far from each other.

Balogun was hospitalized as she unconscious for several minutes after Fadiora stabbed her with broken bottles on her neck.

Fadiora and Balogun were said to be friends untill the former defected to the People’s Democratic Party recently.

Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yemisi Opalola said the duo have been made to write statement and the assailant will be charged to court for incurring bodily harm on another person.

“It was a case of two women fighting. The DPO and his men have arrested the suspect and will be charged to court for incurring bodily harm on someone. The duo have made statement at the station.”
http://www.gtnewsng.com/2022/10/apc-women-leader-stabbed-in-osun.html

The residents of Abule Oyo around Dagbolu Village, Ifelodun Local Government of the State of Osun, jubilated on Wednesday July 1, 2020 has the community received three different cheques for community-based infrastructure projects.

The infrastructure includes Drilling of borehole, Purchasing of Palm Oil Machine and Building of modern toilets.



The facilitator of the projects, Hon Dr Mulikat Abiola, HDMA, representing the Ifelodun State Constituency in the State House of Assembly presented the the cheques to the community leaders at the Abule Oyo Square.

Among those who are present are, the leaders of community, Alhaji Adebisi aka Cairo, who is the Olugbana of Ikirunland, Community and Social Development Project, CSDP, representative and some members of the the community.

Speaking at the Programme, Mulikat enjoyed the community to judiciously make use of the money for the main purpose, and warmed against diverting the funds to another projects.



Mulikat, however, appreciated the Governor of the state Mr Gboyega Oyetola for his giant strides in ensuring all round developments across the state.

She also urged the community to keep supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government.

Speaking further, she enjoyed the gathering to always stay safe and always follow the laid down rules as COVID-19 is still ravaging the world in which Nigeria is not exempted.

She said, “ you should always use nose and mouth cover, wash your hand with soap regularly, using hand sanitizer, avoiding crowded places, and visit hospital when you are sick and avoid self medication.

The community leader, Alhaji Adebisi thank Hon Mulikat, the Community Development Social Projects (CSDP) and the Governor of the state for the funds and promised that the community will make use of the money for purposes in which it were meant for.

.Says Community transmission likely in Ilesa axis

The Government of the State of Osun on Tuesday confirmed that its Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Wole Oyebamiji, has tested positive for Coronavirus.

The State's Commissioner for Health, Dr. Rafiu Isamotu, who made this known through a press statement in Osogbo on Tuesday, also confirmed the discovery of 10 additional cases in the State.

Dr Isamotu was however quick to add that one patient had equally been discharged after testing negative for the virus.

The Commissioner noted that one of the reasons for the sudden rise in the Covid-19 cases in State was largely due to the nonchalant attitude of citizens and residents of the State to laid-down precautionary measures against the spread of the virus.

Isamotu also hinted that there are strong reasons to believe the State now has community transmission around Ilesa axis of the State, warning that unless citizens and residents change their ways, government might be forced to impose another lockdown on the State.

While noting that the 11 new cases were from the contact tracing of previous cases in the State, the Health Commissioner also revealed that with the latest development, the number of confirmed cases in the State has risen to 127 with 74 active cases.

"If you observe, our cases have been on the rise consistently in the last two weeks or so. The reason is simple. Our people are beginning to be too casual about the spread of the virus. The lack of strict adherence to safety protocols and guidelines is one of the main reasons for the rise. As a matter of fact, we are beginning to suspect that we have community transmission around Ilesa axis.

"Government is reviewing the cases. Soon, we shall announce other stricter measures to contain the spread of the virus in that axis.

"Today, we intensified our enforcement drive. All those arrested were made to go through a compulsory course on Covid-19 preventive protocols. We will go a step further by setting up a mobile court to try and sentence violators of safety protocols and guidelines. We must collectively join hands with the government to contain the spread of the virus.

"Also, I want to confirm to you that our SSG and some of the staff around him have tested positive to the virus. But they are all in stable condition and are receiving adequate medical care.

"With the latest development, the number of our active cases as at today, Tuesday, June 30, is 74. We have 127 confirmed cases, out of which the State has successfully treated and discharged 48 patients while five deaths have been recorded," Dr. Isamotu added.

The Federal Ministry of Education has presented to the National Assembly a detailed proposal on its plan to reopen schools across the country.

The Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, stated this on Tuesday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education.

He was in the upper chamber to brief the federal lawmakers about his ministry’s plans for pupils who had been forced to stay at home following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nwajiuba refused to give details of the proposal, saying some people would misconstrue it as the ministry’s guidelines for schools reopening.

He said, “Children are asymptomatic carriers. Nobody can prove whether they can infect each others. Not even the health experts. Everything we know about it is what we read. There is nothing we discovered on our own.

“In the document we have provided, we have suggested how we can move our education sector forward in this pandemic period.

“We don’t want to make it (proposal) known at this period so that some people will not take our proposal for the guidelines for schools reopening.

“The documents were presented to you so that you can criticise and make inputs as major stakeholders”

The Minister, however, expressed concern over the decision of the Oyo State Government to reopen its primary and secondary schools despite the current rising cases of coronavirus infection in the state.

He said, “Why is Oyo State talking of reopening schools when it has just started recording an increase in cases of coronavirus infection?
Just beside Oyo is Ogun State which was part of the three states under the FG’s lockdown since April and it’s not talking about schools reopening.
“As we speak, Kogi and Cross River states are not on the same page with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on the issue of testing while all their neighbouring states are conducting tests.”

The vice-chairman of the panel, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, who presided over the meeting, expressed the fears that the academic calendar could be distorted in public schools where no visible arrangement was being made to teach the children at home unlike their counterparts in private schools.

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State has barred Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State from participating in the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary slated for Thursday, June 25, 2020.

According to the court documents, which were made available to our correspondent, the suit was instituted by one of the governorship aspirants on the PDP, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, who had vowed not to step down for Obaseki.
Ogbeide-Ihama, prayed the court to stop Obaseki from participating in the primary on several grounds.
A major reason by Ogbeide-Ihama was that Obaseki recently joined the party and that only those who purchased the forms during the stipulated window before the waiver granted Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who recently defected from the All Progressives Congress, should be allowed to partake in the primaries.
He also questioned the validity of Obaseki’s certificates.

While the primaries of the PDP was scheduled for June 25, the Independent National Electoral Commission had fixed the governorship election for September 19, 2020.

see more at www.gtnewsonline..com

Former Military President, retired General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has raised alarm over comments on Nigeria’s general elections being attributed to him.



His media office in a release made available to GTNewd on Monday urged Nigerians to ignore messages not signed by the former leader.



It expressed worry at the existence of several twitter handles and other social media accounts, purportedly owned by IBB.



“In the light of the unfortunate development, the media handlers of the former Military President wishes to inform the general public, particularly the Social Media community that IBB, as is fondly called, currently has no active twitter account and does not operate any other social media site.



“Also, we wish to state categorically that the twitter handles bearing the name and photographs of General Babangida are fictitious.



“Their creation by unscrupulous elements is aimed at misleading uns

uspecting members of the public.



“Accordingly, we wish to advise the social media community and the general public to be wary of the ‘IBB’ fake accounts, mischievous online stories and discountenance whatever message conveyed therein about the revered Nigerian leader”, the statement added.

See more at http://gtnewsonline..com

Former General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara has said the 2019 Presidential election postponement was a divine intervention.

He said the postponement was God’s way of averting ‘devilish plots’, hence Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu should not be blamed.

He further stated that the INEC chairman was not God and Nigerians should take the situation as an act of God.

Speaking during Sunday’s sermon, Prophet, Abiara, however called on Nigerians to come out and vote on Feb. 23.

He said; “Nigerians must thank God almighty for this situation because God owns Nigeria and God is aware of the cancellation of these elections.

“It so sad many people travelled from different parts of Nigeria to cast their votes in their various states and they will be disappointed by the postponement.

“But Nigerians must appreciate God for averting a series of devilish ploys concerning these elections by the postponement

“The chairman of INEC is not God, he needs to apologise to Nigerians. We Nigerians should also not blame him because it is God’s intervention.”

Elections Postponement: Prophet Taiwo Oluwatade Tells Nigerians What To Do https://gtnewsonline..com/2019/02/elections-postponement-prophet-taiwo_17.html

General Overseer (G. O) of Christ Apostolic Church CFAMIC, Prophet Taiwo Oluwatade has called on Nigerians to adjust to the inconveniences that the shift in the dates for the conduct of the general elections would have caused them.

The Prophet implored them to work towards participating in the elections on the new dates.
Oluwatade said this during a sermon in Osogbo on Sunday.
He said people should stop dwelling on blame game but support INEC to achieve free, fair and credible elections.
According to the Prophet, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given us its reason, Nigerians should thus support the commission to succeed.
“The process is being handled by human beings and there are bound to be errors, so we should stop mourning our fate.

“Nigerians must keep faith with INEC because that is the only body that can create the platform for us to choose our leaders,” he said.

Oluwatade maintained that all efforts should be geared towards convincing the people to maintain their zeal to take part in the election no matter the cost.

Oluwatade also advised the electorate to shun vote buying and other electoral vices as it was not only an offence but a sin against the society and God.

http://gtnewsonline..com/2018/07/how-fayemi-outbid-fayose-at-ekiti-stock.html

Tunde Odesola

Scene I

It’s the zero hour. Nobody slept all night. Everything is set for the war. Commanders are busy, surreptitiously dispatching orders and supplies to the frontlines. The night before the war is the most crucial night. It’s the night before the dawn of victory or the groan of defeat. It’s also the night treachery wears the cloak of loyalty, clinging tightly to the battledress of the commander-in-chief, with eyes glazed on the treasury chest. What a night!

Today, the sun, wary of the task ahead, stirred slowly in the East. But it is screened off by the green canopies of the bended boughs of the baobabs, mahoganies, irokos, palms and sycamores in the thick forests of Ekiti. Hot and cold water cascade down the hills of Ikogosi. Even the cock knows it’s not yet time to announce the break of a new day. The wards are secretly awake, though the world is still asleep. Men are at work as the clock tick-tocks.


National anthem:

Arise, O compatriots
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our fatherland…

Continuity announcer: I say a very good morning to you our cherished listeners out there. This is Ekiti Kete Broadcasting Service, transmitting on frequency 41.9. I welcome you to our first programme of the day, “Ekiti Decides.” As you all know, 35 candidates are set to slug it out in today’s governorship election. I’ll take you right into our studio where our indefatigable politics editor, Dimeji Ologbenla, is waiting. Over to you, Dimeji.

Ologbenla: Thank you, Wale Aberuagba. Good morning, Nigeria. You’re welcome to another edition of your incisive programme, “Ekiti Decides.” Today, we shall be analyzing the election results as they trickle in from the 177 wards of the 2, 185 polling units in the 16 Local Government Councils of the state. The total number of registered voters for this election is 913,334 but only 630,000 voters have their PVCs in readiness for this landmark election. I have with me in the studio Comrade Tunji Aduroja, Alhaji Mukaila Ehinola, Apostle Jesusegun Olorunjeda, and an Ifa worshipper, Baba Ifaleke Famoriyo. Your opinions, gentlemen.

Apostle: Sincerely, I think the wave of defections within the ruling party is going to affect the outcome of the election. Elections are won by people and not stones. When you have key people defecting from your party, the end result won’t be palatable.

Comrade: The power of incumbency will play a major role. Remember, Nigerian politics still feeds fat on violence. Any of the party that controls the mechanisms of violence will have an edge.

Alhaji: Money will play a deciding factor in this election. Ekiti civil servants are hungry; they’re being owed several months of salary arrears. Anybody that dangles the carrot will have their votes. The fatter your carrot, the higher your votes.

Famoriyo: There’s no sincerity among our political class. The skirt and blouse are of the same fabric. Ifa hates deceit. Ekiti must vote wisely.

Ologbenla: Gentlemen, let me link up with our correspondents out there to have a feel of the field…

PHCN strikes. Programme goes off air.

ENDS


Scene II

Government House, Ado-Ekiti

Peter Rock: Hello, Blahlah! Hello! How far? Is that the sound of victory I’m hearing in the background? (Smiles)

Blahlah: Yes, Your Excellency.

Peter Rock: Jehovah seun, Thank God! The Lord God of Host showed Himself to me thrice in a trance this morning. He said, “Peter, after installing your anointed, you’re going to Aso Rock as vice-president.”

Blahlah: Ha, no sir, Your Excellency! It wasn’t God that you saw, sir. The victory sound here is from the camp of the Apola Party, sir.

Peter Rock: W-h-a-a-a-a-t! Kilo sele? Didn’t you distribute the N250m within the LG?

Blahlah: I did, sir, but the Apola Party are stoning people here with money ni o. The party is even giving money to people who have no voter cards.

Peter Rock: Are you saying 16-0 has won in that LG, Blahlah?

Blahlah: He has won o. People were complaining that you didn’t pay workers’ salaries arrears, yet you raised money to bribe voters in the election.

Peter Rock: I’ll deal with them, they’re stupid! Wait, Blahlah, let me pick this call from Hitler. Don’t cut it o, just hang on…“Yes, Hitler, what’s the situation report in your LG, I can sense you’re excited. How did we crush them?

Hitler: I’m not excited, sir. I’m breathing heavily ni, sir. I was hotly pursued by voters. When they received minty N5,000 each from Johnny, they came after me, saying if Johnny who’s not a governor could give N5,000, Apata Ayeraye should be able to give more. They caught Eyin-Ejo, Sandpaper and Petrol and beat them to a pulp. They broke their necks and hands. They too now need neck braces and slings, they too are touching their heads and weeping like infants denied breast milk.

Peter Rock: Shut up, there, you idiot! Did you see tears in my eyes when I put my hand to my head like Roger Milla? (He terminates the calls)

(Dials) Sola! S-o-o-o-l-a!

Sola: Sir, Your Excellency!

Peter Rock: Where’re you!? Ehn…!? Toilet...!? Stooling!? What pressure have you seen that’s making you stool!? Drive down to my quarters immediately!!

ENDS


Scene III

Johnny Walker Campaign Office

Johnny and Apola Party leaders sit round a large table, monitoring the election on TV.

Johnny: (Cleans his eyeglasses repeatedly and wipes sweat from his brow. His phone rings) Hello, Your Excellency!

Excellency: How far, Johnny?

Johnny: The air, land and sea bombardment seems to be working, sir.

Excellency: I told you it would work. You don’t punch the mosquito that perches on the scrotum. They were foolish in the way they conducted their own rigging in 2014. Walahi, nobody can trace this election to Abuja. His arrogance and quarrelling with the leaders of his party did enough damage. The teargassing by security agencies three days ago was enough to break them. The money bombardment was the killing shot. I have fought many wars in my life, Johnny. We’ll move to Osun next. Congratulations!

Johnny: Thank you, sir. Peter doesn’t know I’ve learnt how to crush all manner of rocks at the solid mineral ministry.

Excellency: You must move closer to the people now, and stop blowing big grammar. I have Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye as ex-governors from the North serving jail sentences. Peter from the South-West will serve his jail term in Abeokuta. I’m looking for ex-governors and senators from the South-East and South-South to balance the equation.

Johnny: Why Abeokuta, sir?

Excellency: Yowa! I think he calls himself ‘The Rock’, and Olumo Rock is in Abeokuta; let his rock go and jam Olumo Rock and let’s see the one that will scatter.


ENDS


Scene IV

Epilogue

Morning after the election

Peter Rock: (Calling, panicky) Hello, my national leader, I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday, sir. I called madam, her line was unavailable. I called Ogbeni, my friend and ex-schoolmate at The Poly, Ibadan, he said he would help me appeal to you to appeal to His Excellency...

Bourdillon: R.A spoke to me, Peteru... But I warned you, it’s always best to keep your words soft and sweet, you might never know when you have to eat them. If death kills the cautious chameleon, what won’t it do to the moth that stalks naked flame? You went too far…, but I won’t leave you to the wolves. Why did you announce your own election result? That was irresponsible. Well, I’ve sent my security to come and pick you. They’re at the Ekiti Government House. Are you there?

Peter: No, sir. I’m just entering Cotonou. I disguised like a herdsmen and escaped out of Ado immediately after the election. I had to keep calling you to give the impression that I’m still in the country. Buhari for skin me live!

http://gtnewsonline..com/2018/07/pdp-condemns-alleged-attack-on.html

The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the ‘acts of violence’ unleashed on journalists and other innocent members of the public by thugs allegedly loyal to a faction of the All Progressive Congress, APC, at a popular hotel in Osogbo.

The party,in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Sunday Bisi, said that the violent attack was sequel to the purported suspension of the State APC chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun and the State Secretary, Mr. Rasaq Salinsile, by a faction of the party leadership.
The PDP said it was rather unfortunate that the APC would resort to such acts of violence on members of the fourth estate of the realm who were only performing their duties as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.
It therefore called on the Police and other security agencies to immediately arrest sponsors and perpetrators of the acts of violence and bring them to justice.
The party also warned the APC and State government to avoid any conduct which might jeopardise the ‘fragile peace’ of the State and truncate the processes leading up to the governorship election in September.
The Integrity Group of the State Working Committee, SWC, of the APC, had on Monday, suspended the Chairman and Secretary of the APC in the state, at a press conference held at the GMT hotel and event centre.

http://gtnewsonline..com/2018/07/breaking-gov-ortom-dumps-apc.html
Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom at the banquet hall of the Government House in Makurdi on Monday announced that he is no longer with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ortom stated this while swearing in the newly appointed Special Adviser on Local Government and Cheftaincy Affairs, Jerome Torshimbe, disclosing that the APC had given him ‘red card’ to quit party.
Confirming the development to our reporter on Monday, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, quoted the governor as saying that, “As for party, I’ve been given the red card and I’m now outside the pitch. So, if I have been given the red card and I’m standing outside, that means I’m a free man.”
GTNews recalls that Gov. Otom was considering dumping the APC.
The Governor is yet to disclose his new found political party, but has, however, noted that as soon as he makes up his mind in that regard, he would make it known to the Benue people.
“I don’t know what will happen next, but I’m waiting. If others approach me, then I will tell the Benue people that I’m joining another football club.”
He, therefore, called on the people of the state to remain united and not to allow party or ethnicity cause diversion among them, stressing that God who helped him to win in 2015 is well able to see him through in the coming general elections.
“Let party or ethnicity not divide us. I’m a child of destiny and it’s only God that will decide what I will be. These challenges that we see today, we shall see them no more. All that we are required to do is not to begin to be wayward in our conduct but to move to the righteous side of God. Once we do that, things will work out for our good.”

uhmmmmmm