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Anti-Party: Fayose Protests As Ekiti PDP Recommends Expulsion

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The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has recommended the expulsion of former Governor, Ayodele Fayose, from the party.
The recommendation was submitted by the party’s caretaker committee chairman, Dare Adeleke, before the Chief Tom Ikimi-led PDP disciplinary committee.
The party accused the former governor of anti-party activities, especially his declared support for the second-term bid of Governor Biodun Oyebanji.
Fayose had, in an interview last week, said he would support Oyebanji for a second term in office, though he did not belong to the same party as the governor.
The former governor, while inaugurating the Dehead/Faglo Road and electrification project recently completed by Oyebanji in Ado Ekiti, reiterated his support for the second term bid of the governor who belonged to the All Progressives Congress.
Speaking on the recommendation for expulsion, Fayose said he was not bothered, adding that Adeleke lacked such power to recommend him (Fayose) for expulsion.
Speaking through his aide, Lere Olayinka, the former governor dismissed the activities of the CTC chairman.
“We will soon know between him (Adeleke) and Fayose who owns the politics of Ekiti. He will be the one that will come to Ekiti from Ibadan to vote for PDP in 2026 and 2027”.
He said, “Does he (Adeleke) have that kind of power? No, he does not. His position as CTC chairman is being challenged in court. I am aware of three or four court cases saying he ought not to be CTC chairman.
“If your authority to operate is being challenged, where will you have such power to say you are recommending someone for expulsion?
“He is just like that. He makes noise. We are not bothered. He can continue, he should go to Abuja to suspend Fayose.
“I am aware of various utterances of the person who is parading himself as the CTC chairman. In the last meeting they held, he said that he had removed Fayose from the party and the party is now free for him.
“If he said he does not want Fayose – is it wrong for the person you said you don’t want in your house to go to another person’s house?”
In his recommendation, Adeleke had said Fayose’s “public declarations and serial endorsements of the opposition are a direct affront to the values and unity of our great party, hence the step.”
Adeleke, who spoke at a press conference in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, said Fayose’s actions were misleading to the public, “giving a distorted and false image of what the PDP stands for”.
He said, “The PDP has set up a disciplinary committee headed by Chief Tom Ikimi. We (CTC) have met with the committee. Our position is that Ayo Fayose must be expelled from the party.”
Speaking of the former governor’s comments, Adeleke said, “My reply is very simple, that Fayose is not a member of PDP anymore. So, whatever he says is being said to soothe or massage the ego of his boss, Oyebanji. Oyebanji is his boss now.
“If a man (Fayose) shouts on top of the roof that Oyebanji came to his house 18 times in two years – what is he (the governor) doing there? Sharing Ekiti’s money, going to Fayose to give him Ekiti’s money! What is the governor doing there?
“Fayose is a person who wants everything for himself. If Fayose is now telling the whole world he can do this, he can do that, it is because he wants another money from Oyebanji and Oyebanji will surely give it to him. He needs to say something sweet. He knows that he is doing it for something.”
The PDP CTC chairman wondered the basis upon which anybody could express support for Oyebanji who, he said, had failed Ekiti State in the last two years in the areas of infrastructure, health, security, education and others.
He said, “Where is the infrastructure here in Ekiti? I have not seen much infrastructure in the state, the roads are in a state of decadence, and the health sector is bad.
“We must confront the reality of the past two years under the present administration of Governor Oyebanji. It is regrettable that this period has been marked by a glaring lack of progress, with many areas of development and governance left unattended.”
The PDP CTC chairman condemned Fayose’s actions and encouraged him “to take the bold and honest step of officially defecting rather than openly aligning himself with an opposing party and misleading others into his self-serving interests.
“Our focus is on strengthening Ekiti PDP. Fayose’s behaviour only serves to weaken our collective efforts. As we continue this journey of rebuilding, I urge all party members to remain focused and avoid any form of distraction that could derail our progress.
“Together, we can achieve a renewed and vibrant PDP that serves the people of Ekiti with integrity and purpose.”
He asked the people to reject the cycle of neglect and choose leadership that genuinely prioritizes our collective well-being and development,” he said.

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Rivers Chief Judge Grants Six Inmates Pardon

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The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.

By: AkujobiAmadi

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‘Fubara’s Administration Is Driving Transparent Public Procurement’

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The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.

By: Kevin Nengia

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NAPPS’ 19th Anniversary: Education Stakeholders Task Govt On Assistance

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The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.

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