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Adamawa Rerun: Hon. Boya Denies Masterminding Snatching Of Summary Sheet In Fufore
Controversies have continue to trail inconclusive declaration of governorship election in Adamawa. One of the latest is the fingering of Aliyu Wakili Boya Member elect, House of Representatives Fufore/ Song Constituency over the Fufore electoral malpractices. The Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Alh Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on two occasions, on national television accused, Hon. Boya of sponsoring thugs who snatch election results sheets in Fufore.
But, a few hours after the allegation on Channels Television, Barr. Boya at the Nnadi Ezikiwe International Airport Abuja spoke to journalists denying the allegation.
Tell us; did you sponsor thugs to snatch results sheet as alleged by His Excellency, Adamawa State Governor?
The allegation is completely unfounded. I am constrained to react to this allegation to clear my name. When you allow falsehood to be repeated for so long, it becomes like the truth. I want to say that the statement made by His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on Channels TV, this Sunday evening, and the one of two days ago, that I participated in the electoral illegalities that took place in Fufore during gubernatorial and state assembly elections, on the 18th March, 2023, is not true.
I share a similar view that the event in Fufore on election day was totally uncalled for and regrettable. And, by this position, I hereby disassociate myself completely from the illegalities that took place that day.
But what do you think is responsible for your name being mentioned?
This is the handiwork of mischief makers. They want to tarnish me before my constituents. This is purely for political reasons. To score cheap political goal. To say the least, I am taken aback that, a mischief maker would informed the Governor that I was involved in the electoral illegality. This is not only a mistake, but a mischief taken too far.
How do you justify your innocence?
There is even no proof that the criminal acts were undertaken by persons associated with our party, the APC.
I am a trained lawyer, a title holder, a former Local Government Chairman and an elected Law Maker. I can never get myself involved in any act of criminality, especially subverting the popular will of the people. I am a product of democracy and a respect democratic processes. I have no such record in my political career. This alone vindicates me.
Beside, I come from a very respected family background and my upbringing was based on the virile values of honesty and mutual respect for norms. I want to state categorically, with every sense of honesty as a devout Muslim that, I am totally not involved in the Fufore debacle and felt embarrassed that my name could be associated with such dastard illegality.
What then is your message to your constituents, the people of your state, and the Governor?
Those who mentioned my name and attributed such criminal action to me are totally wrong, and mischievous, and are doing so for political reasons. Trying to link my name and person to the events in Fufore is absolute falsehood and blatant duplicity by whoever gave such information to the Governor. I want to state that the person(s) who linked my name to the event and even went ahead to wrongly inform the Governor is (are) simply a purveyor of “Fake News” and true enemy of the people. I pledge to dig deep to unravel those who are peddlers of this caricature. It is my sincere hope that this reaction would re-inform His Excellency of the true happening in Fufore and disabuse the minds of the people of Adamawa state to the effect of any involvement by me in any form of illegality that took place in Fufore.
Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media and Public Communications to Nyesom Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to the recent appointment of Bashir Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.).
Olayinka took to X (formerly Twitter) to address discussions surrounding this leadership transition. His post aimed to clarify that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not dismiss Mele Kyari, a northerner, to replace him with a southerner, as some speculated. Instead, Olayinka pointed out that Ojulari, like Kyari, hails from the northern region of Nigeria.
According to Olayinka’s post on his official X account, he emphasised that Bashir Ojulari is from Kwara State, located in North Central Nigeria. Additionally, the new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, originates from Borno State in the North East.
His post stated: “Bashir Ojulari, the new NNPCL CEO, is a northerner from Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. The new Board Chairman, Ahmadu Musa Kida, is also a northerner, from Borno State, North East Nigeria.”
Olayinka’s statement came in response to narratives suggesting that the appointment was politically motivated to favour one region over another.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has strongly condemned the extrajudicial killing of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, while warning against retaliatory violence targeting Southerners in Northern Nigeria.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, MBF Spokesman Luka Binniyat denounced inflammatory threats from individuals claiming to represent Northern interests in response to the killings.
Recalled that the victims, were allegedly armed hunters, traveling from Port Harcourt to Kano when they were attacked by a mob that accused them of being kidnappers.
“The MBF strongly condemns the unlawful killing of any Nigerian citizen, including those who lost their lives in Uromi,” the statement read. “However, we categorically reject any attempt to use this tragic incident as a pretext to unleash violence against Southerners residing in Northern Nigeria.”
The forum assured that the Middle Belt would not become a battleground for reprisals, emphasizing that it remains a safe haven for all law-abiding Nigerians. It urged community leaders and youths to remain vigilant and prevent any attempts to instigate violence, calling for anyone with such intentions to be handed over to authorities.
The MBF also reaffirmed its commitment to justice for all victims of violence across Nigeria. The statement highlighted the ongoing security challenges facing Middle Belt communities, citing persistent attacks by armed herdsmen with little government intervention.
” We hope that the swift response to the Uromi killings would serve as a precedent for broader action against criminal elements terrorizing the region.
“Thousands of our people remain in captivity, and vast portions of our land are still under the control of violent outlaws—primarily Fulani militants,” the statement noted.
“Justice must be served across the board.”
The MBF concluded by reiterating its support for the ongoing investigation into the Uromi incident and calling for a fair and decisive crackdown on all forms of criminality across the country.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Deputy Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Kabir Ibrahim kware, has commended governor Ahmed Aliyu for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.
Ibrahim Kware whp gave the commendation when he led other members of the State Assembly on Sallah homage to governor Aliyu, added that, the governor is very prudent in managing resources to achieve results.
“There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,”he affirmed.
This , according to him, is worthy of commendation considering the myriad people- oriented projects the governor is executing across the state.
Speaking on behalf of the State’s Judiciary, Sokoto State Chief Judge, Justice Muhammad Sa’idu Sifawa, commended the governor for the construction of additional Court rooms at the State High Court.
Justice Sifawa also expressed delight over the way and manner the governor responds to issues affecting the Judiciary, which he said, is a clear testimony of the good working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state.
Responding to the commendations, governor Ahmed Aliyu appealed for more synergy among the three tiers of government in the overall development of the state.
A statement by Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to governor Alhmed Aliyu reaffirmed his principal’s unwavering commitment of the executive arm to providing the direly needed dividends of democracy to the people of the state,in line with his campaign promises.
The governor also urged lawmakers to present all the needs of their constituencies for prompt and diligent implementation.
“”I want to assure you that my doors are always open for you at any given time, to listen to the demands of your people.”
He reminded them on the need to put politics aside and work together with the executive arm for the progress and even development of the people they represent.
Turning to the members of the State Judiciary, the governor appealed to Judges and Khadis to ensure the quick dispensation of justice, so as to decongest the correctional centres.
“It is worrisome to see how inmates are languishing in correctional centres for minor offences in the name of awaiting trial.
“We recently appointed seven additional Judges and 7 Khadis, which is the first in the history of Sokoto State.
“The idea is to enhance the manpower in our Judiciary so as to speed up the dispensation of justice,” he added.
The governor further assured the members of the Judiciary of his administration’s readiness to ensure their welfare at all times.