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Election: Threat against Igbo voters in Lagos a joke, says MC Oluomo

Published

1 year ago

March 18, 2023

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Musiliu Akinsanya, chairman of the Lagos parks and garages, has denied that he issued a threat against voters who would not vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in today’s elections.

On Thursday, a video appeared on social media in which Akinsanya was heard saying that Igbo people who do not want to vote for the party in the Lagos governorship election should stay at home.

Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, made the comments while addressing his supporters at an event in Lagos.

“We have begged them. If they don’t want to vote for us, it is not a fight. Tell them, Mama Chukwudi, if you don’t want to vote for us, sit down at home. Sit down at home,” MC Oluomo spoke in Yoruba in the viral video.

The comment elicited criticism on and off social media as many Nigerians asked security operatives to arrest MC Oluomo.

Speaking in a video on Friday, Akinsanya said his comment that generated controversy is a playful remark with his sister, whose name is “Iya Chukwudi”, adding that he was not referring to Igbo people residing in Lagos.

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The transport union leader said he has always been on the “side of peace” in his activities.

“The meeting I went to yesterday, the person I was referring to is my sister – Iya Chukwudi. I was referring to Iya Chukwudi, saying if you will not vote for APC, please sit down at home,” he said.

“I saw it on social media that people were saying MC said something. I’m always on the side of peace. If you look at Lagos state, there is peace.

“Why will I say people should not come out to vote? If people don’t come out to vote, how will APC win the election? How will Igbo and Hausa not vote for APC? APC is my party. Count me out of the viral reports. The person I was referring to was at the meeting.

“I was only joking. I did not threaten Igbo. Please ask Igbo in Oshodi, they will tell you that I did not threaten any Igbo.”

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In the video, a woman who identified herself as Iya Chukwudi said she was the one Akinsaya mentioned in the viral video, adding that the APC chieftain is her long-time customer.

Related Topics:Lagos guber MC Oluomo MUSILIU AKINSANYA

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UPDATED: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

6 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

Ngelale said Tinubu believes that Ovia will bring his immense wealth of experience to ensure that no Nigerian student suffers a paucity of funds in the quest for tertiary education.

On April 3, Tinubu signed the student loans amendment bill into law to provide Nigerians with quality and accessible education.

The law will allow Nigerian students in tertiary institutions to access low-interest loans for tuition and other academic needs.

Subsequently, the president appointed Akintunde Sawyerr as the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of the fund.

Tinubu also appointed Frederick Oluwafemi Akinfala as the executive director of finance and administration, while Mustapha Iyal will serve as the executive director of operations of NELFUND.

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JUST IN: Tinubu appoints Jim Ovia as chairman of education loan fund

Published

8 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Ovia as the chairman of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, announced the appointment of Ovia, chairman of Zenith Bank, in a statement on Friday.

More to follow…

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ICPC detains TETFund boss ‘over questionable N7.6bn project’

Published

12 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained Sonny Echono, executive secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Demola Bakare, ICPC spokesperson, confirmed the development on Friday.

Bakare said that Echono was invited by the anti-graft agency on Thursday.

“The executive secretary of TETFund is here with us. He has been invited for questioning. He is still in custody. He was invited yesterday.” Bakare said.

“He was invited on Thursday. He has not been released. He’s still with us. Investigation is still ongoing.”

It was earlier reported that TETfund awarded two contracts to Fides Et Ratio Academy and Pole Global Marketing (PGM) within two months at the cost of N3.8 billion respectively without the approval of the federal executive council (FEC), which is required for the contract size.

The contract was to provide capacity building course and learning management systems to about 2 million students across higher institutions in the country.

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In a rejoinder, TETFund said it did not award N7.6 billion contracts to two companies without due process.

The agency said it was wrong to say they were contracts, whereas they were ICT projects implemented under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) which doesn’t require competitive bidding in public procurement.

TETFund further said its disbursement guidelines were approved by the president on the recommendation of the “Fund’s Board of Trustees and concurrence of the Honourable Minister of Education in line with the TETFund Act 2011″.

In an interview with TheCable, Echono said there was no form of irregularity in the N7.6 billion project.