Digital Leonard Blog

The Kogi State Governor-Elect, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday, has refuted claims that he was owing salaries, describing such claims as “lies.” Bello said his administration met salary backlog owed workers in the state, but insisted that his administration did not owe workers. The governor-elect said this while featuring on Channels Television, also alleging that thugs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stabbed a resident after he was declared winner of Saturday’s election. Bello also alleged that the wife of his deputy was also shot at after he emerged winner of the election. He said: “ All these reports of me owing salaries are lies. Past governors of Kogi State were owning salaries starting from Audu to my immediate predecessor. Kogi state is not owning any dime at the state level, what is left is the ten percent from the previous government. “ As for El-Rufai kneeling, he was begging that Kogi people should forgive Bello for ensuring security and ensuring the state was peaceful and no...

The Senate received six aviation sector bills from President Muhammadu Buhari for consideration and passage into law on Tuesday. The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and read on the floor during plenary. The letter reads: “ Pursuant to Section 58 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I formally request that the following Six (6) Bills be considered for passage into law by the Senate. “ The bills are: Civil Aviation Bill, 2019; Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Bill, 2019; Nigerian College of Airspace Management Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2019; Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (Establishment) Bill, 2019; Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2019; and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (Establishment) Bill, 2019. ” The Senate President, after reading the letter, directed the clerk to ensure that the bills are gazetted and distributed to Senators. The Senate also swore...

  Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State has disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan is happy with the victory of David Lyon in the Bayelsa Governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared David Lyon the winner of the Bayelsa Governorship Election. Lyon scored a total of 352,552 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party, Duoye Diri, who polled 143,172 votes. After the election, Governor Atiku alongside other chieftains of the APC paid a visit to the home of the former Nigerian leader. The delegation of APC leaders also met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. While speaking to State House correspondents, Atiku said despite being in another party, Jonathan was pleased because the victory of the APC was transparent. He said: “ We were in Bayelsa for over 72 hours, we didn’t see a tyre burning, we didn’t see peopl...

Senate’s Deputy Chief Whip Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has stated the proposed Hate Speech Bill recently introduced by the Senate was not meant to give President Muhammadu Buhari alleged third term agenda. Abdullahi, while addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja, said the Bill is meant to check what he called abuse of the nation’s “faultiness of ethnicity and religion” to cause crisis. “ For those who think their ludicrous assessment that the Hate Speech Bill is meant to give the current President (Muhammadu Buhari) a third term, it is not true ,” he said. Also yesterday, Acting Senate spokesman Godiya Akwashiki described the Hate Speech Bill as a private member Bill which will be thoroughly scrutinised by the Senate during second reading. Abdullahi regretted that many Nigerians, who decried the Bill merely “jumped the gun” by reaching conclusions before reading it. “ For those shouting and using words that by every definition is Hate Speech, let them be guided ,” he said. “ People said that ...

The Presidency on Monday reprimanded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for always “disparaging every unfavourable result” of elections. It advised the opposition party to accept its defeat in Saturday’s governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states with grace instead of “casting aspersions” on the exercise The All Progressives Congress (APC) had been announced the winner of Saturday’s governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states, but the PDP rejected the results, citing rigging and violence.   Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in a statement, said rather than accept defeat, the PDP is engaged in accusation of results fabrication. He said: “ Predictably, we have seen the accusation of fabricated results from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. Yet, the only fabrication is PDP’s conduct. “ It has now become standard procedure for the party to challenge any poll that does not return its candidates.   El...

The All Progressive Congress (APC) has announced that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party will be convened on Friday, November 22, 2019. The last NEC of the party was convened in August, 2018, contrary to the party’s law, which stipulates quarterly meeting of the body. Reliable sources at the party’s national secretariat made a revelation in Abuja on Monday that a circular had been issued to the effect. According to reports, the party’s National Caucus will meet on Thursday, while the NEC is scheduled for Friday. The failure of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led executive council to convene the NEC for more than a year has been a major concern among party stakeholders. It led some stakeholders of the party, including the non-National Working Committee (nNWC), the Forum of State Chairmen and the Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Salihu Moh Lukman, calling for its convocation. A source in the party’s executive council, who pleaded anonymity, said the...

Bello Abdullahi , one of the suspected kidnappers of Adamawa businessman, Abubakar D Bashar has disclosed using his share of the N20m ransom paid to them, N450,000 to buy 10 cows at his village in Yobe state. Abdullahi who was paraded on Monday at the Adamawa State police headquarters alongside another member of his gang said they collected N20 million from the family of the businessman before releasing him. He revealed that a boy herding cows gave them clues on how to abduct the businessman. “ Our syndicate comprises of six men. After we released the businessman, our ring leader told us that N20 million was paid as ransom. “ Out of the amount, I was given N450,000 which I used in buying 10 cows for rearing, ” he said. The image maker of Adamawa State Police Command, DSP Sulaiman Nguroje told newsmen that Abdullahi and other members of his gang had been responsible for several incidents of kidnapping in the state. He said the police are working to ensure that the other four fleeing sus...

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has dedicated his victory in last Saturday’s governorship election to his mother and the entire people of the state. While speaking shortly after INEC officially announced him as duly returned after he beat his main rival, Musa Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party, the governor expressed gratitude to all those who made the victory possible for his party, the All Progressives Congress. Governor Bello paid tribute to those who lost their lives saying that their killers would be brought to book “ While we sympathise with those who lost their lives during the election, I assure you that everyone who had a hand in their killings will not be spared, they will be made to face the full wrath of the law of the land ,” he said. Bello said that his mother played a vital role in his quest for the position and deserved to be so honoured. He assured the people that he will never go back on his campaign promises adding that the victory will inspire him and his deput...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello winner of the 2019 governorship election in Kogi state. Bello secured his return to the Lugard House with a total of 406,222 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the PDP, Engr Musa Wada who polled a total of 189,704 votes. Natasha Akpoti, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) came a distant third with 9,482 votes. The state collation officer and Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ibrahim Garba made the announcement of the result at about 11.40 am on Monday after receiving results from the last two local government areas. About 25 political parties contested the governorship election. Agent of PDP at the collation centre, John Agada, however, declined to sign the final result saying it was not a reflection of what actually took place during the election. Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello, the Governor-elect is already receiving hearty congratulations as di...

Burundi’s main opposition leader Agathon Rwasa has reaffirmed plans of his party to contest in elections slated for next year. He also denounced what he described as “arrangements” aimed at “getting rid” of his party, the National Freedom Council. With months before the 2020 presidential election, the historic opposition figure also dispelled rumours of going to exile amid government’s intimidation to the opposition party members and supporters. “ Are you asking if I’m going into exile or going to hide? No I’m not. Go tell them there is no question of going into exile, there is no question of going into hiding, what we’re doing is preparing for 2020. ” “ The goal of these arrangements is to get rid of the CNL, to try to hurt Rwasa, to disband the CNL militants, to ensure the CNL’s rivals that they can cruise through the upcoming elections ,” Rwasa told journalists. Intimidation of suspected opposition supporters has been rife since a constitutional referendum in May last year and the a...

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it will remain strong and united in the face of all its experience in the Bayelsa and Kogi governorship elections conducted on Saturday. This was stated in a statement issued by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan on Sunday in Abuja while reacting to the outcome of the two states governorship elections.  He said that the PDP would continue to fully exert itself in upholding the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians. Vanguard

Governor  Nyesom Enzo Wike  of Rivers State has reiterated that the state is a Christian State. While speaking at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Holy Ghost Rally, which held at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium on Sunday, the governor said he owes no one any apology. He said,  “But for God, the enemies would have taken over the state. I thank the Church for standing firm. “They prayed for God’s will to be done and God’s will was done. But for your prayers, I won’t be here as Rivers State Governor. “Anytime I have the opportunity, I repeat the declaration with authority and I owe nobody an apology. I am standing on solid authority. Rivers is a Christian state.” Speaking further,  Wike  also mentioned that he was re-elected Governor of Rivers State due to God’s intervention. According to him, God dislodged “forces of darkness” who were primed to rob him of his mandate. “Nigerians are aware of what happened on 9th March 2019. If anyone says...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is to announce the date for the supplementary election in Saturday’s Kogi West Senatorial District rerun. While Senator Smart Adeyemi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has 80,118, Senator Dino Melaye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 59,548, a winner has yet to be declared. Prof. Olayide Lawal, the Returning Officer (RO), declared the Kogi West Senatorial election as inconclusive and that supplementary election will be conducted. Affected are 53 polling units and 46,127 registered voters, as INEC decide on the new date for the supplementary poll. Below is a breakdown of how both parties performed in the seven LGA’s Kabba/Bunu LGA APC-15,037 PDP-8,974 Ijumu LGA APC-11,627 PDP-7,647 Kogi/Koton Karfe LGA APC-14,168 PDP-9,786 Mapo/Muro LGA APC-4,874 PDP-3,704 Yagba East LGA APC-6,683 PDP-7,745 Yagba West LGA APC-7,941 PDP-8,980 Lokoja LGA APC-19,788 PDP-12,712

Former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan have been pictured celebrating with Jigawa Governor Badaru, Chairman APC Campaign Organisation with Senator Ita Enang during a visit to their residence on Saturday evening. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, wife celebrating with Jigawa Governor Badaru, Chairman APC Campaign Organisation with Senator Ita Enang during a visit to their residence on Saturday evening

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent hearty congratulations to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the November 16 election in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, on his impressive victory.   According to a statement released in the early hours of Monday by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, the president also commended APC supporters in particular and Nigerians in general in the State who exercised their civic rights in a peaceful manner, notwithstanding the pockets of unrest recorded in some locations. Condemning the loss of lives in Bayelsa, particularly prior to the election, the President commiserated with the families of the victims. Buhari said ‘‘ Violence during elections vitiates our commitment to demonstrate to the world and upcoming generation that we are a people capable of electing leaders in a peaceful and orderly manner. ’’ Pointing out that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security age...

It truth behind the SMS war between the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as reported by this column last Saturday, has been revealed as being provoked by the manner the members of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were picked. An trustworthy Presidency source revealed that contrary to popular belief, Senator Akpabio actually made an input into the appointment of the board members but was irked that the member he nominated was not made the chairman or managing director of the commission, hence his decision to constitute a three-man interim management committee to manage the board’s affairs. As the story goes, President Muhammadu Buhari had told Senator Omo-Agege, who is said to be very close to the Villa, that he needed upright and competent people to run the affairs of NDDC because he believed that the huge sums hitherto pumped into the commission had not been well utilised by ...

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Charles Airhavbere, has explained why members of the party want Governor Godwin Obaseki ousted. Speaking to NAN on Sunday, the former governorship aspirant in Edo accused Godwin Obaseki of refusing to listen to the voice of reason. According to the APC chieftain, the Edo State governor has resorted to the use of raw power in dealing with his political associates. He stated that the crisis in the state chapter of the party was not due to “stomach infrastructure” or a quest to share the state resources. Airhavbere also said the crisis was never about godfather and god-son struggling for the control of the government. The APC chieftain said: “ It is all about ensuring governance with a human face and our resolve is to check the destructive approach to governance in Edo State and put our party on the path of moral rectitude, transparency and inclusion. “ The struggle is all about a governor who lacks interpersonal relationship...

Constitutional and human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has alleged the Department of State Services (DSS) of giving three different reasons for the continued detention of the #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore. Recall that the DSS had explained its continued detention of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and Omoyele Sowore. The Nigeria secret police revealed that Dasuki, Sowore and  El-Zakzaky  requested to remain with the agency. DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya stated that the said individuals requested to remain in DSS facilities, adding that it was not in the character of the DSS to join issues with persons or groups. “ Since their stay, the Service has continued to extend the best courtesies to them. They are allowed access to people and use of other facilities like telephones, gymnasium, TV, newspapers and medical facilities. “Among others, their families and trusted persons bring them food of their choices on a daily basis. There could n...

The Governor of Ekiti state,  Kayode Fayemi, was pictured  n Saturday as he attended the wedding of Tomiwa, one of the sons of his predeceaaor,  Ayodele Fayose . R eports have it that the event which held at Haven Event Center in Ikeja, Lagos, had many dignitaries in attendance. Fayemi and Fayose had made the headlines over their political differences but they set aside that on Saturday to celebrate together. See photos below: