The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has distanced itself from a purported protest that took place at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Director General, New Media
MuriSam Campaign Council/SDP Isaiah Davies Ijele in a statement on Thursday noted that those causing trouble are not supporters of SDP but loyalists of the ruling party in Kogi State.

Ijele stated that SDP is a peaceful political party whose ideology revolves around peace and seeking justice through all known democratic channels.

“This is why the SDP is seeking redress through the court. So far, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been cooperative except the delay caused by one Mrs. Faith Kotso; the Commission’s legal head in lokoja.

” She deliberately delayed our forensic experts in lokoja from accessing and conducting the physical examination of the electoral materials, frustrated all our initial efforts and the process was opened and hijacked by hoodlums loyal to outgoing the present administration.

“As it stands, Yahaya Bello is proving to be the biggest threat to our democracy. Kogi state under Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello is in a state of anarchy. Both the tribunal and the election materials are no longer safe in Lokoja. If not for the timely intervention of the Nigerian Army, the INEC facility would’ve been attacked and all evidence would’ve been destroyed,” he stated

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said Nigeria achieved in 24 years a feat that took the United States 185 years to achieve.
In his address during the 2024 budget presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the joint session of lawmakers at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Nov. 29, he said, ex-Senators occupy strategic positions in the executive which made the two arms to foster a healthier relationship.

Akpabio said with former lawmakers running the executive, a cordial relationship between the two arms would not only be a must, but they will continue to walk hand in hand and see eye to eye.

Akpabio said: “Mr President, the United States of America has started democracy for about 247 years. But it was only when it marked its 185th anniversary that it succeeded in producing two former senators John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson as president and vice president respectively.

“But within 24 years of our democracy, we have achieved what took the United States of America 185 years to achieve.

“Not only do we have two former Distinguished Senators serving as the President and Vice President of our dear country; we also have other alumni of this Assembly in positions of public trust: Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and other Senators in the Cabinet.

“Mr. President, Distinguished and Honorable Members, maintaining a cordial relationship with the Executive Arm has always been a requirement of the law, but now, given that our Old Boys now run the Executive, a good relationship with the Executive is a must.

“Never have we had so many bridges and connection points between these two arms of Government.

“So we will continue to walk hand in hand and see eye to eye with the Executive Arm while ensuring that the principles of separation of powers, as well as checks and balances as enshrined in our Constitution are observed in the overriding public interest.”

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has approved the appointments of Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Board Chairmen across various portfolios, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The appointments were announced in a letter signed by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, dated 29 November 2023.

This is just as the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, is to combine the role of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media with his current portfolio

The names and portfolios of the fresh appointments are as follows: Oloye Suraj Abiodun- Special Adviser (Education Intervention), Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran- Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)
Dr Gbola Adetunji- Chairman, Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA), Alhaji Murtala Ahmad- Special Assistant (Community Relations) I, Arewa Community, Nwosu Innocent- Senior Special Assistant (Community Relations) 2, Igbo Community.

Saka Moshood Olawale- Senior Special Assistant (OYSIEC), Hon. Yemi Taiwo- Chairman, Oyo State Library Board
Hon. Rauf Adekunle- Chairman, Oyo State Pension Board, Hon. Dare Adeleke- Special Adviser (Federal Constituency Matter), Mr Rahman Abiodun Abdulrahim- Chairman, Education Trust Fund, Hon. Abiodun Awoleye Dada- Chairman, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Rt. Hon. Atilola M.O.- Chairman, Oyo State Scholarship Board, Hon. Akinsete Olakunle- Special Adviser, Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Simeon Oyeleke- Special Adviser, Budget and Economic Planning.

Others are; Mrs Aderonke Adedayo- Special Adviser, General Intervention & Donor Agencies, Hon. Samuel Ademola Adejumobi- Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, Alhaji Omokunmi Mustapha- Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon. Abideen Tokunbo Adeaga- Director General, Oyo State Signage and Advertisement Agency
Hon. Mufutau Ogunremi- Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals, Hon. Ramota Agberemi Dabo- Senior Special Assistant on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

Governor Makinde charged the new appointees to discharge their duties with dedication and loyalty to the state