Politics

Makinde Dissolves Cabinet

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde dissolved the state cabinet, sacking all the commissioners and all other political appointees in the state.

The governor, while announcing the sack of the aides on Tuesday urged them to hand over government properties in their custody with immediate effect.

Makinde made the disclosure via a statement signed by his Chief of Staff, Segun Ogunwuyi.

He added that all political office holders are required to officially hand over and submit government properties in their possession to the most senior civil servant in their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

The statement said,“Governor Seyi Makinde to inform you of the dissolution of the Oyo State Executive Council and the termination of the appointment of all political officeholders with effect from today, Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

“All political officeholders are required to officially hand over and submit all government properties in their possession to the most senior civil servant in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”

Makinde who was appointed on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party in 2019 will be completing his first term on May 29.

He has been re-elected to serve a second term.

Politics

Ondo Commissioner Confirms Forgery of Akeredolu’s Signature

The Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Razak Obe, has alleged that the signature of the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, was forged.

Obe stated this in a letter he wrote to the state deputy governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedtiwa, calling the attention of the latter to the development.

The letter was made available to our Newsmen on Friday.

In the letter, Obe noted that after his discovery, the forensic expert had confirmed that the governor’s signature was forged.

The letter read, “I write to call your attention to a critical matter that has been confirmed; the signature of Mr Governor on a certain document has been forged.

“The irregularities in the signature were first observed when a file from my ministry was returnd through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. This is the only fil been returned so far out of the five files that were sent to Mr Governor for approval about two months ago.

“Under close inspection, I noticed significant differences between the suspicious signature and handwriting and Mr. Governor’s known signature and handwriting in the file.

” Concerned about the gravity of the situation, I decided to seek a forensic review before disclosing my discovery. I sent the suspicious signature handwriting samples and copies of the old regular signatures to forensic experts, who have now confirmed that the suspicious signature and handwriting were indeed forged.

“Despite the inherent risks involved, I have chosen to fulfill the obligations of my office by reporting this alarming development to you as the highest-ranking member of the State Executive Council after Mr. Governor. I firmly believe that this is the course of action our esteemed leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, would take in such a situation.

“Considering the possibility that such forgery may be widespread, this heads-up is of utmost importance to the government and people of Ondo State. I have attached a copy of the forensic report and relevant pages from the file for your reference.

“I urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take appropriate actions to address the situation. It is crucial that we restore the integrity of our processes and ensure that such a disturbing development is swiftly punctuated.”

Recall that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kayode Ajulo, alleged that some officials in the administration of the Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu were signing on behalf of the ailing governor.

According to him, the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, cannot take over from the governor since power has not been transferred to him constitutionally, making way for the hijack of state governance by the cabal.

He said, “I have it on good authority as a lawyer. Some of the commissioners, about five of them, sent memos to the governor, and they all returned with approval.

“Going through the approval compared to what the governor had approved when he was hale (sic) and hearty, there are notable disparities in them.

Politics

Court freezes 24 bank accounts of Kano State government over N30bn compensation dispute

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a garnishee order, freezing 24 bank accounts belonging to the Kano State government over a N30 billion compensation dispute

This order, according to a report of Channels Television, was granted in response to a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association.

The association, it is gathered, sought compensation for the demolition of their shops, which they deemed illegal and unjust.

Justice I. E. Ekwo, presiding over the case, delivered the ruling on November 28, 2023, affirming the attachment of funds totaling N30 billion.

According to the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling signed by the Registrar, Chioma Chijioke, the action is aimed at satisfying the judgment in favour of the shop owners, following the alleged illegal demolition carried out by the state in June 2023.

In the court order, Justice Ekwo specified, “A garnishee order Nisi is hereby made attaching the funds (present and future) of Kano State Government, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA, and Attorney General of Kano State… to the tune of N30 billion in satisfaction of the judgment.”

Moreover, the court has mandated the garnishees to appear before it and provide cause, if any, against the order Nisi being made absolute. The Judge also stipulated that the judgment creditors should serve the defendants and Garnishees at least 14 days prior to the next hearing, scheduled for 18th January, 2024.

This ruling comes subsequent to an earlier judgment by the Federal High Court in Kano, where the shop owners were awarded N30 billion as compensation for the demolition of their shops.

The frozen accounts span across 24 banks.

Politics

Fmr Governor, Osunbor Declares for Edo guber race

The Edo State former Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor on Thursday declared his intention to seek the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2024 governorship election in the state.

Prof. Osunbor who spoke with journalists in Benîn City at the APC state secretariat
Shortly after making his intention known, the leadership of the state chapter of the party said that he has the capacity to lead Edo state to an enviable position if given the opportunity in 2024 to be governor of the state.

The former governor said he was aware of the sufferings of the Edo people and would change the narrative if he got the party’s ticket and subsequently emerged as governor of the state in the 2024 governorship election.

He added: “I have the experience and integrity, having been in the office as governor for a short time. I will deliver good governance if given the ticket and win the election.”

Osunbor solicited the support of the party leaders, promising he would take the state to greater heights following his rich history as an astute politician, whose tenure as governor between May 2007 and November 2008 recorded laudable feat.

The ex-governor was received by the state secretary, Mr. Lawrence Okah, the state Youth Leader, Mr. Tony “Kabaka” Adun and a host of others.