The Senatorial Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ogun West, Alhaji Mohammed Azeez has described as baseless the allegation that the National leader of the Party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was keen on imposing Senator Olamilekan Adeola on the district.

Alhaji Azeez stated this in a Press release received by Nigerian Newstrack, while reacting to a Guardian news story titled, "don't impose Adeola on Ogun West, APC leaders caution Tinubu" written by Azeez Olorulomeru, on Sunday.

The Chairman challenged the Guardian reporter to provide any credible means of identity of Chief Adegbite that spoke to him, describing the personality as nameless and faceless.

He said the story portrayed Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as undemocratic due to the baseless allegation of imposition of aspirant, stressing that Senator Solomon Adeola is a bona fide son of Ogun West Senatorial District who is qualified to vie for the Senatorial seat of Ogun West like any other indigene.

Below is the full statement...

The attention of the leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC in Ogun West Senatorial District has been drawn to a vexatious publication in “The Guardian on Sunday” of April 3, 2022 titled “Don’t Impose Adeola on Ogun West, APC Leaders Caution Tinubu” at page 5 and repeated word for word in some online blogs.  

Ordinarily, we would not bother to respond to expression of personal opinion by anyone under a democracy but we are compelled to join issue as not only was a credible medium as the Guardian was used to purvey falsehood by its reporter, the story further portrayed our party APC and our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as undemocratic in the allegation of imposition of any aspirant. 

As the elected APC Ogun West Senatorial District chairman, I am not aware of any “prominent leaders of All Progressives Congress” from Ogun West meeting and asking our national leader, Asiwaju Tinubu “not to impose Senator Olamilekan Adeola, on them”. 

The duly elected leadership of APC in Ogun West Senatorial District have equally not received any request to impose anyone in any position in the race towards 2023.

For the records, Senator Solomon Adeola is a bona fide son of Ogun West Senatorial District and we want him in the race alongside others for the Senatorial seat of Ogun West as he is eminently qualified to contest.

Furthermore, we have checked and asked around to know the identity of one “Chief Sikiru Adegbite” who spoke on behalf of the purported prominent leaders of APC in Ogun West Senatorial District and say with all emphasis that there is no APC leader, much less a prominent one, bearing that name and identity. We know ourselves. 

On the contrary, we firmly believe that the said leader is fictitiously concocted by the reporter and his sponsors to purvey falsehood, discredit our party and national leader for no just cause. We challenge the reporter to provide any credible means of identity of his fictitious Chief Adegbite that spoke to him alone on behalf of nameless and faceless “prominent leaders of All Progressives Congress in Ogun West Senatorial District”. 

Let me use this opportunity to advise all aspirants on the platform of our great party not to engage in blackmail and name calling in desperate gambit to get the tickets of our party. We are a party of progressives and democrats and will chose our candidates on the basis of our party guidelines, the popularity of the aspirant and the rule of law as applicable to all Nigerians. Every aspirant, particularly legislative aspirants, should conduct their campaign with decorum devoid of falsehood and unfounded allegations and leave the leadership and members of the party to decide who represents them in the race for 2023 election. 

Signed: 

Alhaji Mohammed Azeez  

Senatorial Chairman, 

All Progressives Congress 

Ogun West Senatorial District 

Ogun State. 

3rd April, 2022. 

An officer of the Ogun State police command, one Inspector Kamarudeen Bello has allegedly paid the sum of N700,000 ransom to kidnappers to regain his freedom after being abducted by unknown gunmen.

The inspector was said to have been kidnapped in a mosque last Sunday around 8pm, while praying.

Nigerian Newstrack gathered that inspector Bello was kidnapped alongside two others by unknown gunmen after they invaded a mosque at Soyoye, Rounder area of Abeokuta.

Bello, whose wife gave birth four days before the incident, is reportedly the Imam of the mosque and he is attached to one of the divisional police headquarters in Abeokuta.

A source who pleaded anonymity told Nigerian Newstrack that “after he was abducted alongside two others, the kidnappers called to demand N5 million ransom for the release of each of the victims. But with pleadings and negotiations, the money was reduced.”

The source added that, “the wife of Inspector Kamarudeen was contacted with the phone number of one of the kidnapped victims.”

It was learnt that the kidnappers did not know that Bello is a police officer, as he was not in uniform or with any identity when he was picked up in the mosque.

“Most of us were scared when they kidnapped him; we didn’t want them to know he is a policeman. If they knew, they might have killed him over fear that he would aid their arrest,” another source stated.

Nigerian Newstrack further gathered that the policeman and others kidnapped with him have been released before the week ran out, after the payment of ransom.

“I don’t know how much each of them paid, but I think the police Inspector parted with about N700,000 before he was released,” it was gathered on Thursday.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the abduction declined knowledge of any payment of ransom to the abductors.

He added that the police would not relent in dealing with kidnappers and other criminal elements terrorising the state.

Condemnations have continued to trail the suspension of the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, over a sermon considered to be “anti-government”, the Punch has reported.

In the sermon, the cleric lambasted government over killings in Nigeria, advising Nigerians not to vote leaders who cannot guarantee the safety of lives and properties during the 2023 general election.

Though many Nigerians commended the Imam for speaking truth to power, the steering committee of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque accused Khalid of “inciting” the electorate against politicians.

Many Nigerians condemned the action of the mosque committee headed by Senator Saidu Muhammed Dansadau, describing the suspension as an “oppression”.

While calling for the reinstatement of the Imam, they urged Khalid not to be intimidated.

Khalid, popularly known as Digital Imam, had after hissuspension said, “God is the most powerful. He gives (enthrones) and takes away power (dethrones) from whomever He wishes”.

Reactions:

Senator Shehu Sani @ShehuSani:

Sheikh Nuru Khalid dusted the mirror the Clergies used to show GEJ and he showed it to the President and his colleagues couldn’t stand it.Khalid has demonstrated fidelity to his faith,to his conscience and to his conviction.

Many religious clergies lose their gospel voice or dilute their sermons when the oppressor is of their faith or denomination.

Reno Omokri @renoomokri:

The Chief Imam of Apo Jumat Mosque, Abuja, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has been suspended for criticising Buhari over the Abuja-Kaduna train bombing. Yet, nothing has been done to the terrorists! They punish critics and victims.

Farooq Kperogi:

The mosque steering committee said the sermon was “inciting” and in violation of “Islamic tenets.” But when Muslim clerics all over the North used to routinely curse and preach against Goodluck Jonathan in mosques for his inability to contain the intensifying insecurity in the country at the time, which pales in comparison with what we’re seeing now on Buhari’s watch, it was neither “inciting” nor against “Islamic tenets.”

In fact, there is a famous video clip of Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami crying like a baby during a sermon where he blamed Jonathan for being singularly responsible for the mass deaths of northern Muslims in the country. Now, his eyes are as dry as the Sahara desert even when more northern Muslims than ever before are being murdered daily as a result of Buhari’s dreadful ineptitude and unconcern.

The hypocrisy is galling! When/if a southern Christian becomes president next year, I can bet you that criticising a president would no longer be considered “incitement” or a violation of “Islamic tenets.” I don’t know how these people are able to live with this quantum of disgustingly reprehensible double standards.

FS Yusuf @FS_Yusuf_:

So, a popular Imam in Abuja is getting suspended for criticising Buhari over the Kaduna train bombing? So, it would have been acceptable if he had come to the mosque to praise Buhari for the killing and kidnapping of passengers? What are you people actually telling the world?

Kescambro@lordkeke:

It’s a shame that all our so-called fathers of faith in this country are silent about the suffering of Nigerian people. Abuja envelopes and contracts have closed their mouths to the death, poverty and suffering of the people. Thank you Imam for speaking the truth, you are a hero.

Technokrat @maestro_chimex:

I heard that a Sheikh, The Chief Imam of an Abuja mosque was suspended for calling out the government over insecurity in Nigeria. This should teach us that the battle is between the masses and the political elite and not regions or religion.

Prominent leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun West Senatorial District have asked one of the party’s presidential aspirants, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not to impose a Lagos Senator, Olamilekan Adeola, on them.

According to a report by the Guardian Adeola, popularly called YAYI, has been working underground to emerge as the senatorial candidate of Ogun West in the 2023 general elections, amidst stiff resistance from a section of the party within the district. 

Speaking on behalf of the party leaders in Ogun West, also known as Yewa, Chief Sikiru Adegbite, said it was unthinkable that Adeola, who started his political career in 1999, as a member of Lagos House of Assembly, and later became a member of the House of Representatives and now a second term senator representing Lagos West, is being pushed by Tinubu to become senator in Ogun West.

“It is an open secret that Adeola, who has some supporters running a strange ‘West to West Campaign’, is being prepared not to only emerge as Ogun West Senator in 2023 but to also take over from Governor Dapo Abiodun in 2027.”

The leaders, under the aegis of Ogun West Stakeholders Forum, after their caucus meeting yesterday, in Ilaro, said the plan for Adeola to move over to Ogun State will only lead to serious crisis in the party. The group allegedly claimed that there was no evidence that Adeola hails from Yewa.

Adegbite noted that: “The people of Yewa consider it an insult that a non-indigene, who is not electorally qualified here, will be imposed on them by the party’s leadership, when there are bonafide and loyal party members in Yewa.

Why will anyone ask Adeola to come from Lagos West to cause crisis in Ogun West? “When he started his West2West campaign and empowerment programme in Yewa, we thought he was gambling, but with allegation that Tinubu is his chief promoter, with the ultimate goal to becoming Ogun governor in 2027.  

“It is true that we have not produced governor since 1976, when the state was created and we are determined to succeed Governor Abiodun, but not with a stranger, whose genealogy cannot be genuinely traced to anywhere in Yewa land.”   

The group wondered how a serving senator in Lagos would also desire to hold the mandate of Ogun West at the same time. 

“We hereby call on Tinubu not to encourage such a gamble that is immoral and illegal. We must express our dissatisfaction and disgust at this level.”

A middle-aged man, yet to be identified, was crushed to death by a truck that fell off Ojuelegba Bridge in Lagos on Saturday night.

The man was driving a Honda Accord when the truck fell on his car. Rescue agents brought him out of the wreckage, dead.

According to witnesses, it took some time to get the man out. But he was dead, when he was retrieved.

Accidents caused by falling trailers or unlatched containers are common in Ojuelegba.

No fewer than four of such incidents have been recorded in the past 12 months, because the bridge lacked side rails.

Several comments on Twitter criticised the Lagos State Government for not taking steps to stop the avoidable accidents.

“Every single year, containers always fall at Ojuelegba and no sensible person in government has thought to use their head. Bunch of fools across board”, wrote “the stoned Immaculate”.

“How is it this hard for Lagos state Government to stop these Ojuelegba accidents? Stop the .. trailers from using the bridge”, said @Collins_Okpe.

LagosTrafficreports suggested: “I think it’s time to stop Containers&Lorries from using Ojuelegba bridge. Lagos State govt must not witness another casualty again. A barricade will do”.

A 50-year-old pastor , Isaac Akinbola has been arrested for allegedly hiring his suspected two concubines to beat his wife,Dasola Akinbola and in the process an eight-month-old child reportedly fell from his mother and died .

The police said the pastor and the two women,Esther Olowolayemo, 29,and Oluwakemi Oshinbajo, 30, have been arrested for assaulting the pastor’s wife, and murder of Obadiah Akinbola.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun state, DSP, Abimbola Oyeyemi disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Oyeyemi said the incident occured last week Sunday at Awa Ijebuin Ijebu-North local government area of the state.

Oyeyemi said the suspects were arrested following a report lodged at Awa Ijebu divisional headquarters by the pastor’s wife.

According to police, Dasola said she had been having a disagreement with her pastor husband over his alleged illicit affair with some female members of the church for sometime.

The PPRO said the wife said her husband came to her house at ipinle area of Mamu ijebu with two women, whom she has been suspecting of having illicit affair with her husband to beat her up.

He said “while they were beating her, her eight months old baby, Obadiah Akinbola, fell down while her husband was urging the two women to beat her thoroughly.

“Upon the report, the DPO Awa Ijebu division, CSP Adewalehinmi Joshua, ordered the arrest of the three suspects, while the woman and her baby were taken to Mamu ijebu health center for medical care .

“The woman and the baby were later reffered to Blessed Hospital Oru ijebu where it was discovered that the baby had internal injury which he sustained when he fell down from his mother hands during the scuffle.

“The child gave up the ghost on the 28th of March 2022 while receiving treatment as a result of the internal injury.

“The remains of the child has been deposited at the general hospital Ijebu Igbo mortuary for autopsy.”

Oyeyemi however said the commissioner of police, CP Lanre Bankole, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation with the view of arraigning them in court as soon as investigation is concluded.

Goods and property worth millions of naira have been destroyed in the early hours’ inferno on Sunday, which gutted a plank market at Odo Eran Bus Stop, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.

Meanwhile, men of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service are currently battling the raging fire which started in the middle of the night according to Vanguard.

Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, while confirming the incident, explained that the agency was alerted through the State’s Command and Control portal at about 3:37 am, which saw the Ikeja and Alausa Fire Stations responding with backup from other emergency responders due to the high intensity and nature of the combustible materials involved in the Fire.

“Firefighting operations still ongoing without any reported injury or death case so far.

“The agency is, however, assuring the public that the strategy being deployed to control the raging fire with copious water and chemical foam compound would not allow it to affect any nearby property or life,” Adeseye stated.

However, she said officials of the state fire service and other emergency responders remained on top of the situation as the fire had been put under control.

As of press time, the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained as affected traders thronged the scene lamenting over the loss.

Federal government has scrapped post-arrival PCR Covid-19 tests for fully vaccinated travellers entering Nigeria the Cable reports.

According to a revised travel protocol released by the presidential steering committee (PSC) on Covid-19, fully vaccinated passengers are required to show evidence of “verifiable” vaccination certificate and permit to travel certificate.

Boss Mustapha, PSC chairman, said passengers who are not able to show evidence of full vaccination will be treated as unvaccinated or partially vaccinated under the new protocol.

He said the new measures will be effective from April 4.

“In-bound passengers to Nigeria who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 are no longer required to carry out Covid-19 PCR test before boarding Nigeria-bound flights,” the protocol reads.

“Fully vaccinated passengers arriving Nigeria will not also be required to carry out post-arrival PCR test or a rapid antigen test upon arriving Nigeria.

“Children below the age of 18 years will be accorded the same privileges as persons who are fully vaccinated;

“In-bound passengers who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated for Covid-19 shall take a Covid-19 PCR test 48 hrs before departure and undergo days 2 and 7 post-arrival PCR tests at their own cost.

“Travelers who are fully vaccinated are not required to observe the mandatory 7-day quarantine nor undertake the day 2 and day 7 post-arrival PCR tests.”

The PSC advised passengers travelling out of Nigeria to have evidence of full vaccination; comply with the Covid-19 guidelines and testing requirements of their destination or transit countries before embarking on the journey.

“Passengers who do not have evidence of full vaccination must perform a Covid-19 PCR test not more than 2 days (48 hours) before boarding,” it said.

“Travelers must bring along an electronic or hard copy of their negative Covid-19 PCR test for presentation at the departure airport and upon arrival in Nigeria.

“On arrival in Nigeria, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers are to show up at the laboratory/sample collection centers chosen by them while filling the NITP on the 2nd and 7th day of arrival.

“Samples will be taken, and a Covid-19 PCR test done. The selected private laboratory will send a reminder text message, email, or phone call to the traveler a day before the appointment date;

“Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Persons who test negative for Covid-19 after 7 days of  self-isolation/quarantine will be allowed to exit self-isolation on receipt of their result, but if tested positive, will be treated according to measures instituted by the government.”

The Nigerian navy says it has acquired a new warship, NNS KADA, to improve security on the country’s coasts and regional waters.

Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, navy spokesman, who made this known in a statement on Saturday, said the change of flag ceremony was performed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

He said the ship, which is expected in Nigeria on May 22, would berth at ports in Oman, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, and Gabon before arrival in the country.

Awwal Gambo, chief of naval staff, said it is important for states on the coastlines to have a quality fleet that would necessitate naval power protection in support of national and regional stability.

He said the homebound voyage of NNS KADA is another milestone achievement in the navy’s fleet recapitalisation efforts.

Gambo said the recent survey and charting of Nigeria’s offshore waters by NNS LANA, and the addition of NNS KADA, will help deter maritime crimes and improve the well-being of Nigerians and maritime trade.

On his part, Bashir Magashi, minister of defence, said NNS KADA was conceived as a replacement for the NNS AMBE and NNS OFIOM which were decommissioned about 10 years ago.

The mosque committee of Apo legislative quarters, Abuja, has suspended its Chief Imam, Nuru Khalid, over a sermon he delivered on Friday according to a daily trust report.

Khalid in the sermon flayed the government over its failure to tame the escalating insecurity and killings in the country.

In the sermon, the imam hinted at some measures that electorate should devise should the authorities fail to protect their lives.

He said, “Nigerian masses should resort to only one term which is – protect our lives, we will come out to vote; let us be killed, we will not come out to vote, since it’s only elections that you people know,” he added.

In a statement, chairman of the mosque committee, Saidu Muhammed Dansadau sent to BBC Hausa Service, said the committee suspended the embattled imam over his sermon that it deemed ‘inciting public outrage’.

The statement read, “I am informing you that you have been suspended from leading prayers in the Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque from today being April 2nd, 2022 until further notice.

“The decision was taken out of the inciting Friday sermon you delivered on April 1st, 2022; where you advised people not to vote come 2023 general elections unless politicians respond to some critical questions.

“You should have advised them to vote out those that transgress the Almighty and breach people’s social contract as well as the state.”

The committee maintained that Khalid’s sermon negated tenets of Islam.

The committee has immediately appointed Malam Mohammad who will deliver Ramadan Tafsir while Malam Abdullahi will be leading Friday prayers.

However there’s no reaction from the suspended imam.

Khalid has been an avid critic of the government over the escalation of insecurity in Nigeria.

His latest sermon is coming a couple of days following terrorists’ devastating attack on Kaduna-bound train where a yet-to-be ascertained number of passengers were killed and others abducted.