News

PDP Endorses Adeleke for Second Term

Published

2 years ago

January 9, 2024

Eric

Osun state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned political appointees against corruption and abuse of office in their various ministries and agencies.

He handed down this warning today at the 2024 prayer programme of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), where he was publicly endorsed as the governorship flag bearer of the party for 2026 guber polls.

Addressing party stakeholders and top officials of the state government, Governor Adeleke said “from the outside, we are inside as officials of the government. Those yet to be reached will soon get accommodated. Those already appointed should be mindful of public service regulations.

“Let me use this opportunity to warn our party members holding various offices to be good representatives of the party. We are a party of law and order, due process and rule of law. We must comply with the law in all our doings.

“Appointees must know their rights and responsibilities. As board members , you are not to be involved in the day to day running of the agency. That is the turf of the management of the agency. But as a board, you have supervisory roles on the management in line with policies you set at your board meetings and in line with laws setting up the agency. All appointees must take note of this separation of functions.

“I had earlier warned all appointees to beware of self-serving posture. We are in office to serve the people.This administration will not tolerate corruption and abuse of office and powers either by appointees or management of the agencies. We will impose heavy sanctions on those who breach state laws”, Governor Adeleke told the party stakeholders.

While recalling the rot inherited from the previous government, the Governor said his team devised several strategies and tactics to provide much needed solutions.

“Our efforts paid off in several areas. God provides us with wisdom and directions, leading to ongoing attention to workers welfare, infra upgrade, water provision, school rehabilitation, and widening of health access to our people.

“Since we took over a year or so ago, we have launched a series of reconstruction efforts to achieve recovery. Your government since inception has equally been delivering democratic dividends to the good people of the state. Everywhere in Nigeria and abroad, our good work attracts commendation and applause from Osun people at home and in the diaspora.

“I am happy to congratulate you all that your government has not failed the people. We have kept faith with our electoral promises. We are directly addressing the wishes and aspirations of our people. In all our conduct as a government, we have carried the party along to ensure those who worked reap the benefit of their labor.

“As a pro-people leadership, we have used the party structure to service our people. The goal is to strengthen the party as the platform on which we all got into office. We are going to do more for the party in 2024”, he said.

Governor Adeleke said several programmes have been lined up for the benefit of the state, her people, and our party members, calling on party members to unite for the good of the party and the state.

“Permit me to also inform you all that we have kickstarted the reconciliation process. We are to build a united strong family. I call on us to embrace the peace and unity movement. Henceforth, there should be no more segregation. We are all one happy family”, he noted.

Earlier, the party through its state Working Committee announced its endorsement of the Governor for a second term in 2026.

Speaking for the working committee, the State Publicity Secretary, Hon Ayodeji Areola, said the party has decided that there will be no vacancy in Osun state come 2024.

“I have the directive of the party in Osun state to announce that there is no vacancy in Osun Government House come 2026. We declare today that the 2026 governorship ticket of PDP is for Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“ The party took the decision because the Governor has performed creditably well and has not betrayed the confidence reposed in him by the party and the people of Osun state”, Hon Ayodeji noted.

State chairman of the party, Hon Sunday Bisi eulogised the state Governor for making the party proud since assumption of governorship, noting that the prayer session was to thank God for successes of the past and the victory of the future.

News

Court Grants Malami N200m Bail in DSS Terrorism, Firearm Charges

Published

20 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Eric

Justice Joyce Abdulmalikof the Federal High Court Abujahas admitted a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and his son Abdulazizto N200 million bail in the charges bordering on alleged terrorism and illegal firearms possession brought against them by the Department of State Service (DSS).

Malami and his son were, however, ordered to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions imposed on them by the Court.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik granted them bail while ruling on their bail applications, which were argued by their lead Counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).

The judge ordered the former AGF and his son to get two sureties each, one of whom must own landed property either in Maitama or Asokoro.

Justice Abdulmalik said that the title of the property must be deposited with the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court, along with valid international passports.

The sureties are also to depose to an affidavit of means and submit their two recent passport photographs to the court.

Malami and his son were also ordered to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

The judge subsequently fixed March 4 for the commencement of the trial.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arraigned Malami and his son, Abdulaziz, on a five-count charge bordering on terrorism and illegal firearms possession.

In the charge, Malami was accused of refusing to prosecute suspected terrorism financiers, whose case files were handed to him while he served as the AGF and Minister of Justice.

Malami and Abdulaziz are equally accused of warehousing firearms in their residence at Gesse Phase II Area, Birain Kebbi LGA, Kebbi State, without lawful authority.

The DSS accused Malami in count one of the charge, with knowingly abetting terrorism financing, while the ex-AGF and his son are charged in counts two to five, with unlawful, possession of a Sturm Magnum 17-0101 firearm, 16 Redstar AAA 5720 live rounds of cartridges and 27 expended Redstar AAA 5’20 cartridges, contrary to and punishable under relevant Sections of Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and Firearms Act, 2004.

News

Fubara Appoints New SSG, Chief of Staff

Published

2 days ago

February 26, 2026

Eric

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) and Barrister Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff, after the recent shake-up of the State’s political and administrative structure.

The appointments were announced on Thursday in a Special Government Notice signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, and made available to journalists. Both appointments take immediate effect.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, the governor appointed Dr Dagogo Wokoma as Secretary to the State Government and Mr. Sunny Ewule as Chief of Staff.

The statement said the appointments take immediate effect, adding that the new appointees would be sworn in at 2:00 p.m. at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.

The development comes amid the protracted political crisis in the State, which recently escalated into impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, by the State House of Assembly. The crisis was eventually diffused following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, had last week announced during plenary that the Assembly formally withdrew the impeachment notice against the governor and his deputy after the President’s intervention.

Political observers suggest that the dissolution of the cabinet may be part of efforts to rebalance the power structure in the following the peace accord. However, it remains unclear whether the new appointees are aligned with the governor or loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The statement read in part: “The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has appointed Dr. Dagogo S.A. Wokoma as the Secretary to the State Government and Barrister Sunny Ewule as the Chief of Staff.

“Both appointments are with immediate effect. The new appointees will be sworn in at 2:00 pm.today, Thursday, February 26, 2026. The swearing-in ceremony will take place at the Executive Council Chamber, Government House, Port Harcourt.”

News

Court Strikes Out Forgery Case Against Ozekhome As FG Withdraws Charges

Published

4 days ago

February 24, 2026

Eric

The Federal Government has formally withdrawn the forgery charge filed against senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome, bringing an abrupt pause to a case that had drawn public attention.

The charge was originally instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).
It followed a judgment delivered by a London court over a property linked to the late former FCT minister, Jeremiah Useni.

In January, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation took over the matter from the ICPC for what it described as effective prosecution.

However, proceedings took a new turn on Tuesday at the FCT High Court.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed Peter Kekemeke that the Federal Government was withdrawing the case file for “further instruction”.

He explained that the decision was taken in line with the provisions of Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Counsel to the defence, Paul Erokoro, SAN, told the court that his team had no objection to the withdrawal of the charge.

In a brief ruling, Justice Kekemeke held that since the application was not opposed, it was granted.

He consequently struck out the charge and ordered that the case be dismissed.

The withdrawal effectively halts legal action against Ozekhome over the alleged forgery linked to the disputed property transaction.