News
Ortom accuses VP security protocols of breach of procedure
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on Saturday accused security protocols of the vice president deliberate breach of order of precedure when they allegedly prevented him from receiving Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the airport terminal of Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Base, Makurdi.
Osinbajo was in Benue on a 2day working visit
Ortom alleged that the incident took place on Saturday morning when the visit of the VP was officially communicated to him and he went to receive Vice President Osinbajo as protocol demands.
An enraged Ortom blamed the incident on the security operatives attached to the Vice President.
The governor said the visit of the Vice President was officially communicated to him on February 10 and he went to receive Vice President Osinbajo as protocol demands only for his security aides to bounced him at the gate.
A letter signed by Abdullahi Gwary, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs/Head of Protocol, Office of the Vice President, dated 10th February 2023 informed Governor Ortom of the visit that Osinbajo was heading to Wukari, Taraba state, en route Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The governor who narrated his ordeal to newsmen at the Government House vowed to officially report the matter to the Vice President.
He insisted that someone must account for what happened at the airport.
“It is unfortunate that an ugly incident occurred today, which is a breach of protocol and I feel so sad for our country Nigeria, where everything has been reduced to politics. There are certain things you don’t politicise.
“I was to attend the burial ceremony of one of our elders and leader, Prof Ignitius Ayua; I’d made all arrangements to travel to Konshisha Local Government Area (LGA), then this letter was brought to me, that the Vice-President is going to be in transit, through Makurdi to Wukari.
“I decided to mandate the Deputy Governor (Benson Abounu) to represent me at the burial of Prof. Ayua. So, this morning I got prepared and went to the Air Force Base, where the Vice President is supposed to land, en route Wukari and unfortunately, I was bounced, at the gate; in my own state.
“It is a normal thing, when distinguished dignitaries, like the President or the Vice President, is passing through your state, that the state Governor receives him.
“It doesn’t happen; this is a breach of protocol and this is not accepted; this is politics taken too far; this is not correct and somebody must account for this.
“If a personality like the Vice President is visiting my state and I cannot go there to welcome him, then it will be a breach of protocol on my part. How can I go to the Air Force Base and I am bounced at the gate? I mean this has never happened, anywhere in this country.
“How can you bounce a governor in a state where you are? What is the meaning of that? I feel so pained and I’m going to report this to the Vice President.
” Well if they choose to do something, fine, if they don’t, it’s okay. But that is the kind of thing they want; they want us to remain as a banana republic.
“It’s really unfortunate. I feel very sorry. And those who are keeping quiet, I tell them, one day, they will not be where they are. We must come out together and condemn the evil that is happening in our country. This is not right, ” he said.
He , however , said that it was possible that “the same Presidency that wrote to me is not aware (of what transpired.)
“But I think we should if we must make progress, differentiate between politics and government activities; it is government activity that I welcome Mr President or Vice-President; that I welcome any dignitary that comes here from the Federal Government.”
Furthermore, he noted that We don’t have a constitution. Can’t you differentiate politics from this thing? Have I insulted the president? Have I insulted the Vice-President? All that I’m saying is that let the right thing be done. Let there be justice, equity and fairness.
“I have never insulted the President, the Vice President or the Federal Government but there are certain things that they are doing which are wrong that should be corrected.
“You will recall that even the Executive Order 10, where does the President in a democratic setting have the right to issue decrees? Maybe because he was once a military ruler, he still believes that he would be issuing decrees. He does not have the right.
“How can the President usurp the powers of the National Assembly? These are the things that I criticise and it is constructive. And today, thank God I am vindicated because the Supreme Court has ruled that the President does not have powers to be issuing decrees. He is no longer a military President, he was democratically elected by the people.
“So, if he wants anything, he should pass it through the National Assembly, just like I do when I want anything; I pass it through the State House of Assembly.
“It is very unfortunate that this presidency is barefooted, it is lame duck. And that is why we are having all these insecurity problems in our country today. That’s is why the economy of this country is going down,” he stated
The Obidient Movement, led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has issued a press statement condemning the circulation of false social media posts attributed to Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed. The fabricated posts, which have gone viral, are described as part of a deliberate smear campaign aimed at damaging the Senator’s reputation.
The movement clarified that Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed does not operate any social media accounts, making all attributed posts entirely baseless. During a recent press conference, the Senator unequivocally dissociated himself from these claims and urged the public to disregard them.
“This is a targeted attempt to tarnish the Senator’s image and credibility,” Dr. Tanko stated.
The Obidient Movement has called on its supporters and the public to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the issue. They urged people to ignore, counter, and report the false posts whenever they appear.
The statement concluded with an appeal for continued support and collaboration in combating misinformation, reinforcing the movement’s commitment to truth and integrity.
The Senate has granted approval for a $2.09 billion (N1.767 trillion) loan requested by President Bola Tinubu to address the N9.7 trillion deficit in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget. The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary, just 48 hours after the request was submitted to the National Assembly.
President Tinubu, in letters to both chambers of the legislature earlier this week, highlighted the importance of the loan for financing key projects and programs critical to national development.
Following the request, the Senate assigned its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, led by Senator Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North), to review the proposal. Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Wammako described the loan as vital for implementing the Debt Management Strategy, reducing borrowing costs, extending debt maturity, and bolstering Nigeria’s external reserves.
The committee recommended raising the loan through Eurobonds or similar international financing instruments, subject to market conditions. It also suggested that any excess funds from exchange rate adjustments be directed toward capital projects in 2024 to support infrastructure and economic growth.
The Senate approved the loan unanimously, with no objections raised during deliberations. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, commended the Wammako-led committee for its swift and thorough handling of the proposal.
This loan approval is part of the government’s broader strategy to bridge fiscal gaps while focusing on developmental priorities and economic stability.
Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, has been arrested and detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on charges of inciting public crimes with terrorist intent.
The alleged offence reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021. Finnish authorities apprehended Ekpa on Monday, November 19, marking another chapter in his history of legal confrontations.
A source confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, noting, “He was arrested three days ago. But this is not the first time. He will likely be questioned and released soon.” Ekpa was previously detained in 2023 on suspicion of fundraising fraud but was released the same evening.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also requested the detention of four additional suspects in connection with terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa has gained notoriety for his leadership of a Nigerian separatist group advocating for an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities allege that he used social media platforms to coordinate actions that resulted in violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the NBI stated that the investigation focuses on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to crimes with terrorist intent.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has continued to engage the Finnish government through the European Union (EU) to extradite Ekpa. In August, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters emphasized the dual approach of diplomatic engagement and sustained military operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, reiterated the government’s resolve, saying, “The FG would respond appropriately to the Finnish Government through the EU. On the part of the military, troops would sustain operations against IPOB/ESN.”
Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local government, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. Finnish authorities continue to investigate his activities, emphasizing the potential connection between his leadership role in the separatist movement and violent actions in Nigeria.
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