Defection denial: 27 pro-Wike lawmakers shameless, Say youth leaders
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A group, the Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition, has taken a swipe at the 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House Assembly, allegedly loyal to the immediate past governor of the state and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over their alleged denial of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
The chairman of the coalition, Dr Legborsi Yamaabana, stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and made available to South-South PUNCH correspondent.
Recall that the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers had announced their defection from the PDP to the APC in the heat of the disagreement between the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Wike.
However, a Rivers State High Court on Monday struck out a suit seeking to declare the seats of the lawmakers vacant, saying there is no evidence that they defected to the APC.
The lawmakers had attempted to impeach Governor Fubara, in December last year.
But Yamaabana said the development is shocking, describing them as former lawmakers following their open defection.
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Sallah: Edo To Pay Workers’ Salaries June 14
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The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that the state government will pay government workers salaries on June 14 ahead of the Sallah celebrations.
The governor said this during the inauguration of the state secretariat complex on Wednesday, in Benin City, the state capital.
The governor, who recently raised the minimum wage in the state from N30,000 to N70,000, said, “I have heard all the accolades about the minimum wage. I assure the workers that it is not a fluke. We are a very deliberate government that sits back to do our work. You know that for the seven and a half years since we came into office, we have paid salaries on the 26th of every month.
“In cases where we have holidays, we pay our workers before the holidays so they have money to celebrate. In that same guise, we will be paying the salaries for June on Friday, 14th of June, ahead of the sallah celebration to enable you to have a good sallah.”
Akpabio Denies Teaming Up With El-Rufai For 2027 Presidency
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The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, described as mischievous campaign posters in circulation suggesting a political alliance between himself and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio described the campaign posters as “the handiwork of mischief makers.”
“Senator Godswill Akpabio does not have any intention to contest for president in 2027 nor is he nursing any ambition of a joint presidential ticket with Mallam Nasir El-Rufai or any other person by whatever name,” Eyiboh said.
Describing the posters as “spurious and mischievous,” Eyiboh said Akpabio was focused on his role as the Senate President, supporting President Bola Tinubu in resetting Nigeria and restoring the nation’s pride on the global stage.
“Since assuming office on June 13, 2023, Akpabio has been dedicated to providing the necessary legislative support to the Tinubu administration and has not contemplated running for President at any point.
N80bn Fraud: EFCC Accuses Colleagues, Others Of Shielding Yahaya Bello
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The Economic Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday, said ex-Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, who is accused of N80.2bn fraud, had ridiculed the Nigerian justice system by failing to present himself for trial in court.
The EFCC acting Zonal Director, Benin Zonal Command, Mr Effa Okim, stated this during a familiarisation visit to the Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Asaba, Delta State capital.
The EFCC is having a running legal battle with Bello over alleged N80.2bn fraud.
Following a failed attempt to arrest him and his repeated absence from court for his arraignment, the EFCC declared Bello wanted, while the Nigerian Immigration also placed the governor on a watchlist.
When asked on Wednesday why the EFCC had yet to arrest Bello weeks after he was declared wanted, an irate Okim claimed that the ex-governor was being shielded by the system.
“This is the last question I expected because the shame is on all of us. Is that a question I should answer alone? It’s not me, it is the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the EFCC zonal director said.
“That politically-exposed Yahaya Bello, whose crime has been traced to him by allegation and has been invited by EFCC to come and explain, and for months he is acting drama and we are all here wanting to ask questions! The shame is our own shame!