News
Just in: Finally, Shaibu reconciles with former allies in APC
Impeached Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, has said his removal by the Edo State House of Assembly would not stand the test of time, adding that the whole exercise was because of the September 21 governorship election in the state.
In a viral video released, on Wednesday, Shaibu stated this when he received the acting Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Emperor Jaret Tenebe, in his Abuja residence.
Tenebe, who said he was on a solidarity visit, described the impeachment as a sham and urged Shaibu to use all legal means to upturn the action.
This position was barely 24 hours after some APC faithful in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo protested against a planned return of Shaibu to the APC.
Shaibu said: “We have shared a lot of things both good and bad together. I am deeply humbled and happy that even this situation has brought us together as one that we are. You are one person that I have always admired, someone that I grew up with.
“The person that separated us has also united us and that is the beauty of what has happened. I want to assure you that as we move on, just like you said, this whole thing happened between lent and Ramadan and the lessons of Lent and Ramadan are obvious. I am not ready to change my attitude, I am ready to be a friend and loyal friend and partner.
“What has happened will not change my quest to be loyal to anybody that I will work with and I will encourage anybody to be loyal to their boss. I was a loyal person and I am still loyal, the price of loyalty is success and the impeachment that has happened is because God wants to open a new chapter and I see that new chapter, the new opportunity.
“I can assure you, my chairman, I call you my chairman because you are already my chairman and I think you are also one of the reasons they hurriedly did what they did because they know what it takes for you and me to be together and they thought they could use impeachment to get me to succumb but you know that I won’t succumb.
“I am somebody that is strong-willed and when I mean something, I mean it and when I look at the whole thing, I am paying the price, I also believe that it is only the man that God impeaches that is impeached. `
“By the grace of God, I know the judiciary will do the needful because it is an impeachment that I have not been served. So, I want to assure you that my cooperation and my loyalty will remain my weapon and I will definitely be there at all times. Our next target is September 21 and by the grace of God we will get there.”
Earlier, Tenebe had assured Shaibu that he would not be abandoned, saying: “I am here to pay you this solidarity visit because I still regard you as the deputy governor of Edo State because that sham they did in the Edo State House of Assembly is a disgrace to the governor and it is an aberration to our democracy which I know that the court will not allow to stand.
“You are somebody who stood out, the price you paid is the price of loyalty, you were loyal even to the detriment of people you started with, you paid that price.
“Today they have removed you as the deputy governor but we still regard you as the deputy governor, it is the price that you have paid to ensure that Obaseki and his semblance are rooted out of Edo State and I can tell you that we will not allow you walk alone, we are with you in spirit. You are a strong man and I am here as the chairman of APC in Edo State and I am also an Uzairue indigene where we both come from, we should be strong and I implore you to continue to pursue this matter in court and we will be with you all through and God is your strength. When one door is closed many more are opened and many are opened for you from today. That is what the detractors don’t know, be strong and we will match on together.”
Shaibu shouldn’t leave PDP, he can still be governor —Aivoji
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Philip Aivoji, has urged Shaibu to be patient with the party, saying he could still become governor of the state.
Speaking on the issues in an interview with NAN, Aivoji said that Shaibu should remain in the PDP, saying he could still become the governor of the state with perseverance and patience.
News
BREAKING: Makarfi dies in Kaduna at 93
Jafaru Makarfi, a respected Islamic leader and retired public servant, has passed away in Kaduna at the age of 93.
Suleman Abdulkadir, who announced the death on behalf of the family, in a statement on Saturday in Kaduna, said he passed away on Saturday night.
Mr Abdulkadir, who is also the Garkuwan Zazzau, said Mr Makarfi was the Chairman of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna State.
He was a prominent figure in the Nigerian Muslim community and he served as a commissioner in the defunct Kaduna state.
Mr Abdulkadir said, “A veteran of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Makarfi joined the corporation in 1950 and had a distinguished career spanning over four decades.
“He was the first Northerner to hold the position of District Superintendent in the Western District of the NRC.”
He said the funeral prayer would be held on Sunday at 1:00 pm at the Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna.
Mr Abdulkadir added, ”Makarfi is survived by six children.
“We extend our condolences to his family, friends, JNI, and the entire Muslim community.
Premium Times
News
Senator Abaribe welcomes arrest of Simon Ekpa
The lawmaker representing Abia South, Senator Abaribe, said the arrest of separatist agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland is a welcome development.
The lawmaker stated that the arrest would deter purveyors of violence in the southeast region from continuing the mayhem being unleashed in the region.
According to him, Ekpa and his supporters are hiding behind the Biafra agitation to perpetrate crimes in the region.
In an interview with Channels TV, Abaribe said: “The arrest of Simon Ekpa is something that is very very welcome because this will tell all those people at home, who are purveyors of violence and instigated by Simon Ekpa that he actually said that he is just a content creator and not a serious person.
“We have always said that his activities in South East are totally wrong and not what Ndigbo stands for.
“The quest by the IPOB seeking non-violence referendum was turned by all these criminals. They are using IPOB to cause mayhem in the South-East.”
News
Nigerian military kills several IPOB members, recovers bombs, pump-action guns
The Nigerian military said its troops of Operation Udo Ka have neutralised several suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in Imo State.
The Nigerian Army Headquarters stated this in a post on its official Facebook page on Monday.
The post said the operation was carried out along the Ekeututu–Ihiteunansa Road in Orsu Local Government Area of the state.
According to the post: “During the operation, the troops encountered suspected IPOB/ESN members. In the ensuing engagement, several of the suspected criminals were neutralized.
“Captured items included pump-action guns, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and IED-making materials, as well as charms.
“The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain their efforts in eliminating criminal elements from their hideouts.
“He also reassured the peace-loving people of the South East to carry on with their daily activities without fear.”
-
News22 hours ago
Just in: NYSC Releases Batch ‘C’ Corps Members Call Up Letters
-
News16 hours ago
NNPC’s failure to fix refineries might encourage Dangote to be monopolistic
-
News20 hours ago
PHOTO: Courtesy visit to Priesthood Orphanage by Just Friends Club of Nigeria Founder
-
News4 hours ago
Few Months After Retirement From Winners Chapel, Bishop David Abioye Launches New Ministry, Gives Reasons
-
Metro4 hours ago
Gunmen Kidnap Deputy Superintendent Of Corrections, 15 Others
-
Metro5 hours ago
SAD! Cult war claims life of groom on wedding day
-
Sports5 hours ago
Mohamed Salah Speaks On Dumping Liverpool Amid Contract Delay
-
Politics4 hours ago
Cross River: PDP members stage protest over ousted chairman