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Benue: PDP tasks EFCC to probe, prosecute officials accused of corruption

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has called on the anti-corruption agencies in the country such as EFCC, ICPC and DSS to ensure that officials of the Benue State government who have been fingered in the alleged embezzlement of local government funds are brought to justice.

The PDP which made the call in a statement signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, described as unacceptable, reports of mismanagement of taxpayers’ monies by the Governor Hyacinth Alia administration in which N20 billion out of N50 billion belonging to the 23 local government councils in the state has allegedly been deducted and paid illegally into private accounts.

The statement read:

“The constitution of two panels by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to probe the administration of his immediate predecessor, Chief Samuel Ortom, is evidently a ploy to shied from public scrutiny the serial failures of his government.

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“In what may be interpreted as lack of confidence in the Benue Judicial family, Governor Alia selected two justices from outside the state to head the two panels which are vested with separate mandates to probe into the assets and finances of the state during the era of the Ortom administration from May 29, 2015 to May 28, 2023.

“Chief Ortom, who since the expiry of his two terms in office as governor has lived freely among the people in the state, has since expressed his readiness to submit himself before any lawful process as will require him to give account of his stewardship as governor.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, likewise, recognizes the place of probity and accountability as necessary components of good governance, and will stand by its Leader, Chief Ortom, through this process of stock-taking, if that is actually what it will be.

“Nevertheless, the party raises questions as to the timing of the probe exercise, coming it at a time Governor Alia’s table is already full with issues of insecurity and allegations of monumental corruption taking place under his watch.

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“PDP recalls that only last week the governor issued a 14 days ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen who have instreamed into the state with thousands of cattle to leave, however, there was no clear statement on the consequences for non compliance with the ultimatum.

“Today marks the 8th day into that ultimatum and if anything, the herders have intensified their influx into the state coming in larger numbers and with larger herds of livestock, thereby deepening insecurity and putting to greater jeopardy the survival of the people who depend on the land for basic sustenance.

“There has also arisen the allegations of massive corruption taking place at the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs where sharp practices have been exposed in the form of illegal deductions and remittances from the accounts of the 23 local government councils into private accounts of certain officials of government and some suspected cronies of the governor.

“In the last few days, the national media have been awash with news of civil society groups who, having observed the fleece taking place at the Benue State local government Bureau, have forwarded petitions regarding those allegations to anti-corruption authorities vested with the powers for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, and the sums involved run into tens of billions of naira within a period of less than a year.

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“PDP notes with sadness that those allegations of mismanagement of taxpayers monies by the Alia government are such that an alleged N20 billion out of N50 billion belonging to the 23 local government councils has been deducted into illegal accounts, and this hints loudly at the reason why Governor Alia had gone to the extremities of disregarding series of court orders to sack the lawful councils and put in their place his selected cronies as caretaker chairmen.

“Also of grave concern are the allegations that an estimated close to N300 million was deducted from the local government funds monthly purportedly to feed and cater for the IDPs in the state, yet it is not anywhere known that the Alia government has any programme in place for the IDPs.

“PDP cautions Governor Alia against trifling with the security and well-being of the people of Benue State whom he swore on oath to serve, and must resist the temptation to indulge in vendetta and smokescreens while insecurity and poverty pose an increasingly monstrous existential threat to the people.

“The party also calls on the EFCC, ICPC, DSS and the Presidency to ensure that those officials of the Alia administration fingered in the alleged grand theft of local government funds in the state are brought to book.“

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Guber Election: Osun APC Accuses Davido of Distributing Money to Residents

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The Head of Media and Publicity of the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, has urged residents of Osun State to assess Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, based on his performance as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund and his contributions to governance rather than his campaign appearances.

Omowaiye made the remarks during a broadcast on News Central TV while reacting to Davido’s participation in campaign activities for his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He alleged that the singer only becomes politically active during election periods, accusing him of distributing money to residents and taking advantage of what he described as their vulnerability. He, however, maintained that voters in the state are now more interested in governance and service delivery than celebrity endorsements.

The APC campaign spokesman alleged that Osun State University is now the most expensive government-owned university in Nigeria and questioned whether Davido had used his influence to advocate a reduction in tuition fees. He also claimed that some students of the University of Ilesa pay as much as N1.5 million in school fees.

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Omowaiye said the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, had pledged to reduce tuition fees if elected and questioned whether Davido would encourage students to support that promise.

He also criticised Davido’s performance as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, alleging that Osun has no functional government-owned stadium despite his appointment.

According to him, the state’s male and female football clubs were relegated during Davido’s tenure as chairman, adding that the singer had not made any meaningful contribution to sports development in the state.

Omowaiye further accused the Adeleke family of concentrating public appointments among relatives instead of creating opportunities for young people across Osun State.

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He claimed that Davido serves as Chairman of the Osun State Sports Trust Fund, while his brother, Tunji Adeleke Jr., was appointed Chairman of the Osun State Local Government Service Commission at the age of 31. He also alleged that another member of the family serves as Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

The APC spokesman maintained that public offices were being recycled within the Adeleke family, arguing that while young people are mobilised during campaigns, they are allegedly excluded from government appointments and other opportunities.

He also questioned Davido’s silence on what he described as major governance issues in the state, including education, healthcare, road infrastructure, electricity reforms and the alleged payment of N13.7 billion to ghost workers.

Omowaiye argued that Davido had not publicly challenged the state government over the condition of schools, hospitals, roads or other public services, despite his closeness to the governor.

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He insisted that the people of Osun would not be influenced by celebrity status during the election, maintaining that they would vote based on governance, competence and performance.

The APC spokesman also referred to comments credited to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who reportedly advised Davido to prepare to employ Governor Ademola Adeleke as a dancer if he loses the August 15 governorship election.

Omowaiye’s remarks came after Davido joined Governor Adeleke at a campaign rally in Osun as political activities intensified ahead of the governorship poll.

The singer arrived in the state on Thursday, August 6, and has actively participated in campaign activities in support of his uncle’s re-election bid.

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Videos from the rally showed Davido moving through a large crowd alongside the governor’s son, Sina Adeleke, popularly known as Shina Rambo, before both climbed over a barricade to join Governor Adeleke on the campaign stage, where they danced with supporters.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Davido nor the Osun State Government had responded to the allegations made by Omowaiye.

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Accord party demands removal of EFCC chairman immediately

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The Accord Party has demanded the resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the anti-graft agency of partisanship and interference in the build-up to the August 15 guber election in Osun State.

The party said its position followed the EFCC’s decision to freeze an account belonging to the Osun State Government before subsequently reversing the restriction.

He called on the EFCC chairman to step down, adding that President Bola Tinubu should remove him if he refused to resign.

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He accused the commission of exceeding its statutory powers when it restricted the state government’s account on August 5, describing the action as capable of undermining confidence in public institutions.

He further stated, “Accordingly, Accord demands the immediate resignation of the EFCC chairman.

“For embarrassing the President, the party, the government and people of Osun State and fellow citizens, the EFCC chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation.

If he fails to resign, President Tinubu should sack him immediately to restore the integrity of the anti-graft agency.”

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The EFCC had maintained that the restriction was connected to an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities and was not politically motivated.

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City Boy Movement sacks Oyo coordinator for insulting TInubu, son

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The City Boy Movement (CBM) has fired Ahmed Ajibola as its Oyo State Coordinator for insulting President Bola Tinubu, Seyi Tinubu and the leadership of the movement.

A statement signed by the movement’s Director-General, Francis Shoga, on Thursday, said Mr Ajibola’s removal came barely two months after he was issued a formal notice to respond to several allegations contained in a petition submitted against him.

On the 2nd of June, 2026, a notice signed by the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, Ajibola was accused of making abusive, insulting and derogatory remarks against the national leadership of the Movement, including the Director-General.

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“The petition also alleged that he made offensive comments concerning the Movement’s Patron, Barr. Seyi Tinubu, directed derogatory remarks at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, engaged in acts of insubordination and disrespect towards constituted authority,” the statement read.

According to the statement, Mr Ajibola also challenged a leader of the movement in the state to a physical confrontation and engaged in conduct capable of bringing the image and reputation of the City Boy Movement into disrepute.

The appointment letter also clarified that the state coordinator reports directly to the Oyo State Director of the City Boy Movement and operates under the director’s authority, supervision and overall leadership,” it added.

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