News
Probe Ganduje Over Alleged $5m Bribe, CACOL Tells Buhari, EFCC
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to probe the video clip that has since gone viral, showing the Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje allegedly receiving $5m (Five Million US Dollars) bribe.
CACOL, in a statement sent to newsmen last night in reaction to the video, said the news which went viral since last week alleged that the governor personally receive from 15 to 25 per cent kickbacks for every project executed in the state.
CACOL’s statement was signed by its Media and Publications Secretary, Adegboyega Otunuga, on behalf of its Executive Chairman, Mr. Debo Adeniran.
The organization said, “You could then imagine how much of diversions of public funds would have taken place under his watch and why a state as large and strategic to the northern bloc has not had any meaningful achievements to point at since he assumed office, unlike his predecessor, Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso.
“The impression this man was giving, ab initio after starting his tenure, was that Kwakwanso was teleguiding his regime for selfish and covetous considerations, now we know better.
“Many of the contractors have attested to this heist by a sitting governor who was busy collecting as much as 25percent of total costs of building stalls for the people, as his personal kickbacks.
“The report went further to state that all the investigations carried out on the authenticity of this video by the Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency, clearly confirmed they were never doctored. Since this administration is one that prides itself on total war against corruption, irrespective of whose ox is gored.
“We wholeheartedly call for EFCC intervention by setting up a comprehensive investigative panel over this matter while the Kano state House of Assembly should wade in by commencing an impeachment process on the governor to save the state any further embarrassment and prove its own innocence over this unholy act.
“This scandal equally afford the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration a unique opportunity to prove to Nigerians the truism of his inaugural phrase of ‘having no friends or enemies whenever the issue concerns the national interest of the nation.”
Meanwhile, the presidency has reacted to the viral video of Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, allegedly receiving bribe amounting to about $5million from contractors in the state.
A sting operation by an online newspaper that captured the governor on camera was said to have began two years ago when one of the contractors agreed to plant spy camera on his kaftan while offering the bribe.
During the about 10-month effort to capture the bribe giving/taking scenes, the governor’s face and body were reportedly clearly captured in nine clips, while six others did not clearly reveal the governor’s face. About $5m dollars were said to be delivered to the governor in all.
However, the clip stirred reactions online as some Nigerians described the development as a “shame to the Buhari led administration, who claim to be fighting corruption.’
But, reacting, the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora & Foreign Affairs, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the video was suspicious.
On her Twitter page, she wrote, “No audio?? Suspicious.”
Responding to a user, who asked if CCTV had audio? she said, “You are obviously ignorant. The report said the person who recorded hid the camera in his cloth, in this political season, don’t get carried away with anything and everything. Think.”
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has threatened to sue an online news medium, Daily Nigerian, that released a video allegedly showing him collecting money suspected to be bribe from contractors on different occasions.
Governor Ganduje, in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, said the video was not only cloned, but also that the allegation contained no iota of truth.
He said: “We wish to state that there is no iota of truth to these allegations and if there is any such alleged video, it is at best cloned.
“The government of Kano State is taking this matter seriously and will exploit every appropriate and legal avenue to ensure that it gets to the root of the matter and the perpetrators brought to book.”
Publisher reacts, Publisher of Daily Nigerian, JaafarJaafar, who had gone underground due to alleged threat to his life, said the sting operation to capture the governor on camera began two years ago when one of the contractors agreed to a request by the media outfit to plant spy camera on him, while offering the bribes.
The publisher said: “During a 10-month effort to capture the bribe giving/taking scenes, the governor’s face and body were clearly captured in nine clips, while six others did not clearly reveal the governor’s face. “About $5 million dollars were delivered to the governor during the sting operation.
One of the contractors, who preferred not to be named, said the reason he collaborated with newsmen was to expose corruption and bring sanity to the country.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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