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Jonathan not yet our member, says Bayelsa APC chairman

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The chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dennis Otiotio, has said that former President Goodluck Jonathan is officially not yet a member of the party in the state.

According to him, Jonathan could only join the APC if he had been formally granted a waiver by the national chairman of the party, Adamu Abdullahi.

Otiotio spoke amid speculations that the former president had joined the APC in his Ogbia ward in Bayelsa.

He said, “I think the person you people should be asking the question is the national chairman of the party. He should be the one to grant him (Jonathan) waiver.

“As of now, he has not officially joined our party. Ask the national chairman if he has granted him a waiver.”

Even though a waiver is not required to join a political party in Nigeria, the APC constitution states that no person shall be eligible to contest any party position or office or be nominated by the party to be its candidate at any election, if the person is not a member of the party.

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It adds that any party office holder interested in contesting an elective office (whether party office or office in a general election) shall resign and leave office 30 days prior to the date of the party primary.

However, some portions of the recently amended constitution state that the party’s National Executive Committee and its National Working Committee are free to grant a waiver to anyone who doesn’t meet the above criteria if they are convinced that granting such a waiver would be in the best interest of the party.

Clause 31.3 of the constitution titled, ‘Waiver’, reads in part, “Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking a national party office, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.

“Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking the office of President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor, Senator, member of the House Representatives, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.”

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The state APC chairman described Jonathan as “a big fish and an elder statesman”.

Otiotio said it would be great if Jonathan decides to formally move to the ruling party.

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Metro News

Hoodlums attack, set police tation ablaze in Anambra

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Hoodlums have attacked and razed the Neni Divisional Police station in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.

 

Emerging reports suggest that the attackers numbering about thirty stormed the area at about 2am in the morning on Thursday, wreaking havoc on several buildings.

 

The State Police Public Relations officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the hoodlums attacked the police station with Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

 

He, however, stated clearly that the hoodlums did not take away any arms or kidnap any police personnel.

 

The police imagemaker further disclosed that the hoodlums were forced to flee after the police operatives subdued them in a superior fire-power adding that tactical operations are still ongoing in the area.

 

Mr Ikenga assured that more updates on the sad incident will be availed to the public in no time.

 

He did not give much details as regards the extent of damages done to the facility.

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Kaduna Gov Sani offers free education to rescued Kuriga students

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Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has offered free education to the rescued Kuriga school students under his foundation. 

 

The governor also promised to rebuild the LEA primary and government secondary school in Kuriga, in addition to providing other basic infrastructure in the community.

 

Addressing the children at the state house before their departure to Kuriga on Thursday, Governor Sani assured them that the kidnapping incident, would not in any way affect their education, stating that adequate security has been provided to the Kuriga community, to ensure that the residents go about their daily lives without fear.

 

He also announced an N10m donation to the family of the head teacher, Abubakar Isah who died in captivity, as well as offered scholarships to his children up to university level.

 

“Yesterday, the parents came here, met the children and everyone was happy. I would like to give credit to the children who have since been handed over to the Kaduna State government. They were very patient with us. They also understand the situation they found themselves in. When they came back, we realised that some of their situations were serious mentally. That was why we decided to engage the services of psychologists, and they went through a lot of sessions with doctors and nurses, counselling and therapy. I am happy that all the children here are extremely happy and in high spirits.

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“When we met two days ago, they told me they did not want to go back home, and that they wanted to stay with me for the next two weeks. But I told them it was not possible, and that they had to go home. Their parents are missing them after about 17 days since they last saw them.

 

“They will go home by the grace of God today. And I want to say here today, that all the 137, like I promised them; will be my students by the grace of God. I have already directed the Uba Sani Foundation which has been in existence for the past 16 years delivering free education and healthcare, to look after them.

 

“I have also directed, that a lot of renovation be put in place in the community and the schools because to me, Kuriga community is one of the most peaceful communities in Kaduna State.

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“All the children are back safely, but we lost only one teacher, and may his soul rest in peace. Mallam Abubakar was a good man, and his children have missed him. We all miss him. He was one of the most resourceful teachers in the school, but we lost him.

 

“The Kaduna State government will be supporting the children of Mallam Abubakar through school. We will also be supporting the family with N10m because of what they went through. Mallam Abubakar died due to some medical conditions he had. May his would rest in peace,” he said.

 

The fresh move comes after the governor was said to have allegedly employed the services of a private negotiator, a move which had led to the release of the students from captivity.

 

The news of the children’s release met with further questioning from the public, who demanded an explanation of how the governor was able to secure their freedom.

 

However, while speaking on Channel Television’s Sunday Politics, the governor argued that it was irrelevant whether or not a ransom was paid to free the abducted Kuriga students.

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According to him, what was important was the fact that the government had been able to rescue all of them unhurt.

 

He said: “What is more important today is that our children are back home. Most of those permutations are not necessary. If your child is kidnapped, will you be sitting down and talking about how he was released?

“For me, what is more important is that those children are back home. Their parents are extremely happy and what is important to them is to reunite with their children.

 

“But some people who have no business with the situation are the ones coming out with some irresponsible permutations about whether ransom is being paid, whether someone had gone into the kinetic or non-kinetic approach. What is important to us in Kaduna is that the children are back home.”

 

The schoolchildren were abducted from LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga, about four weeks ago, however, the Defence Headquarters, on Saturday, said they had been rescued.

 

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Entertainment

Best dressed woman controversy: Eniola Ajao dumps Bobrisky,  announces new winners with ₦1m gift

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Popular Yoruba actress Eniola Ajao, has finally dumped Bobrisky as the winner of the ‘Best Dressed’ in the Female Category following criticisms that trailed her movie premiere.

 

The actress’s Beast of Two Worlds: Ajakaju movie premiere sparked reactions after cross-dresser Bobrisky, was declared a winner at the event.

 

Although Eniola had since apologised for the stunt gone wrong, she took to her social media handles to tender an apology to Dayo Amusa, Bobrisky, women, Muslim societies and everyone offended by her action.

 

In her message to Bobrisky, the actress apologised for putting the crossdresser in a problematic situation, as announcing him as the winner was to generate publicity for her movie.

 

She then announced two new winners to make amends and correct her mistakes.

 

She also revealed that each woman would receive a sum of ₦1m as a token of her sincere apology and appreciation for their grace and elegance.

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See full apology below:

AN APOLOGY FROM ENIOLA AJAO

Dear Esteemed Members of the Public,

I write to you today with a heavy heart, filled with regret and remorse over the events that unfolded at my movie premiere, BEAST OF TWO WORLDS “AJAKAJU,” #ajakajuthemovie on Sunday, 24th March, 2024. I address you all today, taking full responsibility and seeking your pardon with my deepest regrets for the distress and turmoil caused by the events surrounding the selection of Best Dressed at the premiere of “AJAKAJU.”

 

First, I want to extend my sincerest apologies to the Muslim community, especially during this sacred month of Ramadan. I acknowledge and respect the significance of this time, and it was never my intention to offend or upset anyone with the proceedings of our premiere. Please accept my sincerest apologies for any distress my actions may have caused during this sacred time.

 

To the women in our society, I want to express my profound apologies. As a woman myself, I understand the importance of upholding and honoring our gender with dignity and respect. I want to assure you that I hold the utmost reverence for womanhood, and I would never intentionally engage in any behavior that diminishes or disparages the role of women in our society.

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I also extend my heartfelt apologies to My honorable and supportive boss Femi Adebayo @femiadebayosalami and his wife, @iyanaladuke and @dayoamusa for the undue backlash they faced as a result of the announcement made at our event. I deeply regret the insults and disrespect directed towards them, and I take full responsibility for any harm caused.

 

To Bobrisky @bobrisky222 I offer my sincere apologies for putting you in a difficult position. The decision to award you was never meant to cause harm or controversy but was rather an attempt to generate publicity for our movie. I am truly sorry for any distress this may have caused you.

 

In an effort to make amends and correct my mistakes, I have decided to honour two females, Bode Alao and one other beautiful woman as the best-dressed females at the premiere. Each will receive a sum of N1,000,000(One Million Naira) as a token of my sincere apology and appreciation for their grace and elegance.

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