Kogi
Uk’omu Igala appeals to AG to relocate KSGEPT to Abuja for the safety of all
A national socio-cultural group from Kogi East Senatorial District, Kogi State, the Uk’Omu Igala Organization, has called on the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to relocate the Kogi State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal (KSGEPT) the November 11, 2023 governorship elections to Abuja.
This, the group said is expedient and instructive, in order to guarantee the safety of the members of the tribunal, litigants and the electoral materials which will be used as evidence at the tribunal.
In a statement issued on Tuesday which was signed by its National Leader, Elder David Abutu, and National Secretary, Dr Sabastine Abu, the organization argued that the attacks on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Lokoja, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi State, and the Secretary of the Electoral Tribunal were ominous, and that the safety of the members of the tribunal could not be guaranteed if they had to sit on the election in Lokoja.
The full text of the press statement reads,
“We have observed with dismay the shameless and callous lawlessness taking place in Lokoja, Kogi State, calculated at frustrating the assignment of the tribunal set up to hear petitions against the Kogi State Governorship Election that took place on November 11, 2023.
“After making mockery of our democracy by compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Electoral Officers to accept and announce fraudulent election results, thugs loyal to Governor Yahaya Bello are bent on ensuring that the tribunal did not carry out its constitutionally assigned responsibility of entertaining petitions and taking a judicial decision on them. In the last one week, the violent thugs have insulted the sensibility of Kogi State indigenes by carrying out the following criminal activities:
1. On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, Governor Yahaya Bello’s thugs surrounded INEC’s office in Lokoja, preventing the counsels to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Muritala Ajaka, from accessing the office to inspect voting materials necessary to establish their case against the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) so-called victory at the polls.
2. On Thursday, November 30, 2023, military personnel had to be deployed to the INEC office in Lokoja to disperse the thugs to enable the SDP’s counsels to access the secretariat in order to inspect the materials used in conducting the November 11, 2023 elections.
3. On Friday, December 1, 2023, APC apologists who claimed to be hoodlums, invaded the residence of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kogi State, Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet, destroying several vehicles.
4. On Monday, December 4, 2023 thugs suspected to be working for the APC waylaid the Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Secretary, David Mike, while he was on his way to Court in Lokoja. He was forced into a vehicle and driven off to an unknown location, but documents related to the election petition in his custody were forcefully obtained and destroyed.
It is disturbing that in spite of all these security breaches, the Nigeria Police Force in Lokoja has maintained unusual silence, not making arrests or even investigating the criminal acts. This kind of brigandage cannot be condoned in a democracy, and as a socio-cultural organization representing the Kogi East Senatorial District, we are totally against it. As a result, we make the following demands of the Federal Government:
I. The Kogi State Governorship Elections Tribunal should be relocated to Abuja, to ensure they conduct their activities without being exposed to danger. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN to ensure this step is taken immediately.
II. Security agencies should provide protection for the electoral materials and ensure they are not damaged before the Kogi State Governorship Election Tribunal sit to examine them.
III. The Inspector General of Police should intervene in the lawlessness that is ongoing in Kogi State, by calling the Commissioner of Police in the state to order and ensure a thorough investigation into the criminal activities by thugs loyal to Governor Bello.
IV. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should intervene immediately to ensure that rascality, threats, violence and general lawlessness does not produce a governor of Kogi State.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Professor Tom Adaba, the first Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), who died early Saturday at the age of 84.
Describing the late broadcaster and scholar as a “leading light for development in Nigeria and a courageous voice of the people of Ebira land and Kogi State,” Governor Ododo paid tribute to his legacy in media, academia, and public service.
Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah in a statement quoted Ododo to have said,
“I am saddened by the death of our father and leader, Professor Tom Adaba, who has gone to be with his maker. Our prayers are with his immediate family, the people of Kogi State, and Nigeria at large for the colossal loss of a man widely regarded as a teacher, mentor, and leader,” he said.
The governor extended condolences to the Ohinoyi of Ebira land, Alhaji Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, and the entire Ebira community, recognizing Prof. Adaba’s contributions, including his traditional title as the Ohieteohueyi of Ebira land.
Born in 1941, Prof. Adaba achieved several historic firsts, serving as the first Nigerian President of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), the first Principal of the Nigeria Television College, and later, the first Director-General of NBC, before retiring in the late 1990s.
May his soul rest in peace.
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has empowered 500 women from Kogi State’s 21 local government areas, reaffirming the crucial role of women in economic development.
Speaking at the empowerment distribution event at Muhammadu Buhari Square, Lokoja, Mrs. Tinubu—represented by Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, wife of the Kogi State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, stressed the importance of investing in women for national progress.
She stated that the initiative, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to promote inclusivity, economic empowerment, and sustainable development, particularly for women. She also revealed that 18,500 women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones would benefit from the program, starting with the North Central region.
“Empowering women is fundamental to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly goals 5 and 8, which focus on gender equality and economic growth,” she emphasized.
The program, executed in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), provided beneficiaries with essential business tools, including deep-chest freezers, maxi gas cookers with ovens, generators, and industrial grinding machines, to boost entrepreneurship and economic independence.
Mrs. Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to maximize the opportunity, ensuring self-reliance and contributing to the nation’s economic development.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has expressed deep grieve over the passing of the District Head of Adavi, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami, who passed away on Wednesday at his residence in Ogaminana, Adavi Local Government Area.
In a condolence message, the Governor described the late Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami as a distinguished leader who served his people with honor, dedication, and a deep commitment to peace and unity. He acknowledged his invaluable contributions to the growth and stability of Adavi and the larger Ebira community.
Special Adviser on Media to the
Governor, Ismaila Isah quoted in a statement quoted Ododo to have extended his sympathies to the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Dr. Ahmed Tijani Muhammed Anaje, the Ohi Otenyiete of Ebira Land, Alhaji Isa Ozi-Salami, who is the deceased’s younger brother, as well as the late leader’s family and the entire Ebira people.
Governor Ododo prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the departed and for strength and solace for those left behind to bear the loss.
Born in 1939, Alhaji Salihu Ozi-Salami was appointed District Head of Adavi in 1994. He lived a life of service and integrity until his passing at 86. His remains have been laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites at his residence in Ogaminana.
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