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.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Worried by the indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) Sokoto State University chapter, the state government has concluded that it was a politically motivated action.
Addressing newsmen at the Government House, Sokoto, the state commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Isa Muhammad Maishanu expressed concerns that the management of Sokoto State University (SSU) should rather show some degree of appreciation to the governor Ahmed Aliyu led who have intervened in most of their challanges.
According to Prof. Maishanu, SSU had suffered neglect from previous administration thus leaving the state Ivory tower in a deplorable condition without electricity, dilapidated lecture rooms, and offices which rendered the institution unpalatable.
Continuing, Prof Maishanu said, despite not giving any document regarding assets and liabilities of SSU by the immediate past governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal led government, the present administration of Ahmed Aliyu has restored cash allocation to the institution, payment of the stopped visiting lecturers salaries all in his pursuit of better education for he people of the state.
While stressing that the reasons giving for embarking on the strike by SSU ASUU which include, “Non- implementation of the 25% and 35% salary increase for both non academic and academic staff,
non payment of the check off dues, implementation of 25%-35% increase and the EAA, are issues that could be easily addressed as the governor has constituted committee to look into the complaint after it was presented, Prof. Maishanu appealed to the striking SSU ASUU to give peace a chance.
He added that the committee set up by governor Ahmed Aliyu had “obtained templates and relevant circulars and making frantic consultations with relevant agencies including the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment on the said matter’.
The Chairman of Northern Youth Wing Christians Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Musa Misal, has denied issuing any press statement in support of Rev Yakubu Pam, the former Northern CAN chairman, stating that their allegiance is with Rev John Joseph Hayab.
Misal in a statement issued to journalists said some people wrote an earlier statement and asked him to sign, but he refused because he was present when the State Chairmen in the 19 Northern States and FCT elected Rev John Joseph Hayab as their leader.
“I was present, live and direct when the State Chairmen and Secretaries, together with Christian Stakeholders, elected Rev Joseph John Hayab as chairman, an election that has brought joy and relief to many Christians in the region,” he said.
The Northern States YOWICAN and the general public should disregard the fake statement. We are children of God who will give account before God on the day of Judgement.
“I, therefore, wish to disassociate myself from the “Northern CAN Youth Wing Stands Firm for REV Pam ” press statement and also appeal to any of my colleagues that has allowed anyone to use him to stop henceforth.
“My appeal also goes to the former leaders to stop the desperation and join the joy of the moment with Rev Hayab as our New Chairman,” he added.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, their arrest follows credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.
”Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.
”They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
