Flowerbud News

Author: Ibrahim Abusadiq

  • Ondo election: I-G deploys Alabi as coordinating DIG

    Ondo election: I-G deploys Alabi as coordinating DIG

    Flowerbud News

    The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Dr Olukayode Egbetokun, has deployed Mr Sylvester Alabi as the coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) for the Nov. 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

    The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

    Adejobi said  that Alabi, the DIG in charge of Criminal Investigation Department, would oversee the implementation of the police security strategies to maintain law and order throughout the electoral period.

    He said the I-G had also approved the deployment of Mr Bennett Igweh, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7 as AIG Elections in the state.

    Adejobi said  further that Mr Tunji Disu, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had been deployed as CP Elections in the state.

    He said the deployments were part of  comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible process during the election.

    According to him, as part of the security framework, there will be a restriction of all vehicular movements on roads, waterways and other means of transportation from 6:00am to 6:00pm on Election Day.

    He said those on essential services, such as ambulances, media officials, fire services and other accredited media were exempted from the restriction.

    “Furthermore, security aides and escorts attached to VIPs are banned from accompanying VIPs to polling booths and collation centres to prevent disruptions.

    “Unauthorised security personnel and quasi-security agencies will not be permitted to operate during the election while strict ban on the use of sirens by unauthorised vehicles will be enforced.

    “Special consideration will also be extended to individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers and those facing mobility challenges to ensure that polling stations remain accessible,” he said.

    The police spokesman said designated election lines, to be publicised soon had been established for inquiries and report of incidents.

    Adejobi urged citizens to report suspicious activities that could threaten the integrity of the electoral process and reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police to foster a safe and democratic environment for the election.

    NAN

  • Ondo 2024: Your shenanigans won’t deter our victory, APC tells PDP

    Ondo 2024: Your shenanigans won’t deter our victory, APC tells PDP

    Flowerbud News

    All Progressives Congress (APC) says no amount of shenanigans from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will make it lose its focus of ensuring the success of its candidate, Lucky Ayedatiwa, in Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State.

    The APC Campaign Council Spokesman, Mr Banji Okunomo, stated this while addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Okitipupa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okunomo was reacting to PDP’s allegations of planned rigging of the governorship poll by APC.

    He said that PDP, through the allegation, had again shown its deep frustration and unpreparedness for the governorship election.

    Okunomo noted that while the ‘serious-minded’ APC had been busy campaigning at every nook and cranny of the state, the opposition PDP was busy making baseless accusations.

    “Rather than campaigning, they are going about making baseless accusations about some plans to rig the election.

    “If there were such plans, why then will APC embark on rigorous and aggressive campaigns that we have done in the past few weeks?

    “APC wants to categorically state that there are no plans to compromise any Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official because we have vowed to comply with the electoral process.

    “We will not undercut the process because we have already engaged in massive mobilisation during our campaigns, knowing full well that Ayedatiwa will coast home to victory,” he said.

    The spokesman said Aiyedatiwa had reiterated his commitment to a credible poll as he was convinced that he had been able to win the hearts of the electorate based on his humanist approach to governance in the last 10 months.

    “APC does not need to compromise the process or the electoral umpire to win Saturday´s election because the party is popular and the candidate is widely accepted by all and sundry.

    “To be modest, APC has launched out the best political campaigns in the history of the state as the campaign train visited all the 18 local government areas, including all the remote parts of the state.

    “In each of the places we visited, people expressed their happiness with Ayedatiwa and we have assurances that they will vote for him on Saturday as an affirmation of their love for him and APC,” he said.

    He attributed PDP’s attitude to what he called the unpopularity of its governorship candidate.

    Okunomo appealed to PDP to toe the path of honour by focusing on rebuilding its house because of some political gladiators who had left the party as fallouts from its governorship primaries.

    “I want to appeal to PDP that rather than making complaints that lack merit, the party should simply accept defeat by declining to participate in the election,” he stated.

    Okunomo urged the people of the state to disregard PDP’s allegation and troop out en masse on Saturday to vote for APC and its candidate, Aiyedatiwa and Adelami, to enhance delivery of more democracy dividends.

    NAN

  • Tinubu returns from Saudi Arabia

    Tinubu returns from Saudi Arabia

    Flowerbud News

    President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday returned to Abuja from an official trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he attended the Joint Arab-Islamic summit.

    The president arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at about 8. 00 p.m. and was welcomed by members of his administration.

    On hand to welcome the President were Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff, and Mr Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

    Others were Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, and Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    The President was accompanied on the trip by Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, and Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation.

    Also on the president’s entourage is Mohammed Mohammed, Director General of the National Intelligence Agency.

    NAN

  • Ndume, Shehu Sani differ on Tax Reform Bills

    Ndume, Shehu Sani differ on Tax Reform Bills

    Flowerbud News

    Sen. Mohammed Ndume (APC-Borno) and Sen. Shehu Sani have differed on the President Bola Tinubu’s proposed Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly.

    Ndume, a former Senate Chief Whip, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, described the bills as ‘ill-timed’, given the economic challenges Nigerians are currently facing.

    “The general thing is that Nigerians are not willing to talk, hear or pay any tax now considering the situation we have faced because this is the government of the people.

    “Right now, people can’t even afford what to eat. People are struggling to survive. Let people live first before you start asking them for tax,” Ndume said.

    For Sen. Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in 2015 to 2019, the bills were not inimical to the wellbeing of Nigerians.

    “For instance, there is a provision where companies are to pay value added tax to the host state instead of sending it to a single account that would be shared among the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory.

    “It’s in fact economically beneficial and fair to all parts. People should keep aside sentiments and read the bills carefully.

    “It’s a comprehensive and bold move to harmonise and simplify tax administration and streamline its operations and enforcement.

    “The bill will actually generate and safeguard more revenue for the country and the states.

    “It will also combat the corruption in the so-called tax waivers granted to business cabals. There is nowhere in the document where any region will be short-changed or taxes will be increased or jobs will be lost,” he said.

    Sani, who is also a civil rights activist, said that the reform would create a paradigm shift from the outdated tax system to a robust way of generating revenue for the nation.

    Tinubu had forwarded an executive bill to the National Assembly in October, urging lawmakers to consider and pass four tax reform bills.

    They include the Nigeria tax bill, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, the Tax Administration Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment bills.

    NAN

  • AA to hold convention Feb. 22, commences sales of forms

    AA to hold convention Feb. 22, commences sales of forms

    Flowerbud News

    Action Alliance (AA) party, has scheduled its 2025 National Convention for Feb. 22 and approved the commencement of sales of intent forms for all elective positions.

    Mr James Vernimbe, AA National Secretary disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Vernimbe said that the party’s National Think Tank Committee (NTTC) decision and approval was in pursuant with relevant sections of the party’s amended constitution.

    “The National Think Tank Committee has approved the Action Alliance timetable of activities for the 2025 elective Wards, Local Government Areas (LGA), State Congresses and National Convention.

    “Commencement of sales of intent forms for all positions at all levels begins Nov. 13 to Dec. 31; screening of all aspirants begins Jan. 3 to Jan. 12, while appeals begin Jan. 13 to Jan. 16.

    “Ward congresses nationwide hold Jan. 25, LGA congresses nationwide holds Feb. 1, state congresses nationwide holds Feb. 8 and national convention holds Feb. 22,” he said.

    Vernimbe said women and youths not above 35 years have been offered 50 per cent, while Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) were to pay only 20 per cent administrative fees for any of the elective positions.

    He noted that instalment payment was acceptable and interested persons could visit the party’s headquarters for further information and make payment only into the party’s verified bank account.

    NAN

  • Sexual violence against children rises by 1,000% in Haiti – UN official

    Sexual violence against children rises by 1,000% in Haiti – UN official

    Flowerbud News

    The year 2024 has seen a staggering 1,000 per cent or ten-fold surge in sexual violence against children in Haiti, during an unprecedented crisis which has seen armed gangs continue to terrorise communities amid a growing humanitarian disaster.

    Virginia Gamba, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, highlighted the impact on children of the extreme levels of brutality and lawlessness across the country.

    “Children are being used by armed gangs in Haiti and we are witnessing some recent troubling trends, notably the use of sexual violence, including rape and collective rape, as a weapon of war by gangs.”

    “I call on all actors to ensure that children are protected from violence, including sexual violence, and clashes and that they are not involved in hostilities,” she said in a statement on Monday.

    Meanwhile, political instability continues to plague the Caribbean island nation as members of the transitional governing council which was formed in April, removed interim Prime Minister Garry Conille from office amid reported in-fighting, replacing him with businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime.

    Conille, a former UN official, was appointed interim Prime Minister only in June.

    The crisis in Haiti has also disrupted essential services, including education and healthcare, leaving over 300,000 children without access to schools.

    Gangs have targeted hospitals and schools in the capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. Schools have turned into temporary shelters for the thousands displaced by violence.

    This surge reflects the stark vulnerability of minors in a country where approximately 2.7 million people, including 1.6 million women and children, live in areas under gang control.

    Alarmingly, children under 18 years of age are estimated to make up between a third and half of the gang members.

    Gamba called upon all actors and those with influence “to do everything to prevent grave violations against children” and to immediately hand them over to civilian child protection officials.

    She highlighted the urgent need for safe and unobstructed humanitarian access to provide critical services and renewed the call for enhanced voluntary contributions to the UN-administered trust fund, which supports the Multinational Security Support mission (MSS) to bolster Haiti’s security and respond to humanitarian needs.

    The MSS mission, which was reauthorised by the UN Security Council in September for another year, is seen as pivotal to stabilising the country. It however lacks sufficient police officers and funding, restricting its operations.

    The humanitarian impact of the violence extends far beyond immediate threats.

    In October, armed clashes in Port-au-Prince’s neighbourhoods of Solino and Tabarre, and the adjoining district of Arcahaie led to mass displacements, compounding existing aid challenges.

    Estimates indicate that over 12,600 people were displaced in Solino and Tabarre alone, with many forced into makeshift shelters.

    The UN International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reported that 58 per cent of these displaced individuals found refuge in 14 sites, including newly created shelters following the outbreaks of violence.

    Arcahaie witnessed a parallel wave of displacement, with over 21,000 people fleeing their homes.

    NAN

  • 111 accredited organisations, 3554 observers for Ondo election –INEC Chairman

    111 accredited organisations, 3554 observers for Ondo election –INEC Chairman

    Flowerbud News

    Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, National Chairman Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC), says the commission has accredited 111 domestic and international organisations, and will deploy 3,554 observers for the Ondo State Governorship Election.

    Yakubu made this known on Thursday in Akure during a stakeholders’meeting organised by the commission ahead of the 2024 governorship election scheduled to hold on Nov. 16.

    “As you are aware, an election is a multi-stakeholder activity. INEC has a role to play and we have done so always in consultation with stakeholders,” he said.

    The INEC chairman, who said that the commission’s role had to be complemented by all stakeholders, urged political parties to continue to restrain their supporters from any disruptive behaviour.

    “Accreditation tags have been produced for all your agents bearing their names, photographs and location of deployment.

    “We have also added a QR code to the tags that can be read even from mobile phone applications.

    “We have also accredited over 100 radio, television, newspaper and online media organisations, deploying about 700 personnel, including 129 female journalists.

    “The largest number for any off-cycle governorship election in Nigeria.

    “We have also accredited thousands of agents representing candidates and political parties for all the polling and collation locations across the state,” he said.

    Yakubu, therefore, assured that the accreditation cards for all categories of stakeholders were ready, saying the state office in Akure would soon commence the distribution of accreditation tags, including election duty vehicle stickers.

    Also, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, Supervising Nat’l Commissioner in charge of Ondo, Oyo and Osun States, called on political parties and their candidates to conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum and responsibility.

    According to him, political parties need to bear in mind that their actions will have a profound impact on public perception and the eventual outcome of the election.

    “This election is a collective endeavour. The future of Ondo State and the credibility of our electoral process rests in our hands.

    “The eyes of the nation will be on Ondo State come November 16.

    “Let us make this election a positive example of what is possible when we come together with a shared commitment to democracy,” he said.

    NAN

  • Military deactivates 216 illegal refining sites in 1 month

    Military deactivates 216 illegal refining sites in 1 month

    Flowerbud News

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed 216 illegal refining sites across the Niger Delta region in  October.

    The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military on Thursday in Abuja.

    Buba said the troops also destroyed 195 wooden boats as well as recovered 30 vehicles and 429 assorted ammunition during the period.

    He said that the troops also impounded 3.2 million litres of crude oil, 763,860 litres of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) and 12,690 litres of Premium Motor Spirits (PMS).

    According to him, troops operations have progressively increased the nation’s daily crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day.

    “During October, troops arrested 126 persons involved in crude oil theft and recovered 429 assorted ammunition,” he said.

    Buba said the troops of Operation UDO KA in the South East, conducted offensive operations against IPOB/ESN terror group in several states killing 40 terrorists, apprehended 55 suspects and rescuing 35 kidnapped hostages.

    According to him, IPOB/ESN incidents were recorded in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu States.

    “Troops recovered 21 AK47 rifles, 24 pump action guns, 19 assorted arms, 177 live cartridges and 191 assorted ammunition,” he added.

    NAN

  • DHQ confirms emergence of new terrorists’ group in N/W

    DHQ confirms emergence of new terrorists’ group in N/W

    Flowerbud News

    The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the emergence of a new terrorists’ group known as ‘Lukarawas’ exacerbating insecurity in the North Western part of Nigeria.

    The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the operations of the military on Thursday in Abuja.

    Buba said that the new terror group emerged from the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.

    He said that the terrorists began incursion into northern parts of Sokoto and Kebbi States from the Niger Republic and Mali axis, particularly after the coup in Niger Republic.

    According to him, prior to the coup, there were joint border operations with Nigerien security forces which kept the terrorist at bay.

    “The terrorists took advantage of the gaps in cooperation between both countries and exploited difficult terrains to make incursions in remote areas in some North Western states to spread their ideology,” he said.

    Buba said that the group was accommodated by the locals who initially thought that the group meant well for them, adding that they failed to report the movement to the military and security agencies.

    He gave assurance that toops had sustained Imtelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) to degrade the terrorists.

    He added that the terror group had continued to take advantage of the vast under-governed areas to hide and evade troops as well as harass the locals.

    According to him, troops are locating them and eliminating the threat.

    NAN