Headlines
Jamilu, Over 50,000 supporters dump PDP for APC in Gombe
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Gombe State, Isiaku Jamilu Gwamna and his thousands of supporters yesterday decamped to All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irresponsibility and insensitivity as reasons for leaving.
Jamilu came second at the PDP governorship primaries held at Zuguleez hotels in the state capital.
He told newsmen that his decision though personal but was for the general interest of the people and not for desperation purposes as touted in some quarters.
He said it was not true that his return to APC was to further his desperation for power: “I could have joined any of other available parties to further my governorship ambition if truly I am obsessed.
“This is not about me, it is all about Gombe and to tell you the truth, I am now convinced that Governor Muhammadu Yahaya is performing perfectly well, he is fulfilling my dream of Gombe even if I had won the primaries and become governor, I can’t do more than the governor.
“His massive infrastructural dives are just too much for desire. If truly I am for the state then APC is my choice of party. Don’t forget I left there for PDP because of certain things missing but I am happy that those things are now fully rooted,” he said.
He however recalled how he made several peace moves to prevent leaving PDP, noting that the party’s leadership was insincere and too irresponsible for his taste, hence his unavoidable defection.
According to him, not even the intervention of the PDP’s Vice presidential candidate could convince the party governorship candidate, Alhaji Jibrin Barde who he said was not ready to work with him and his group.
“PDP in Gombe is not ready for power, I do not want to stay in a party that does not have respect for members.
“For me, this is a personal decision and since I am not ready to retire from active politics, I needed to find an option and the option is to go back to APC.
“Aside from this, the governor’s infrastructural development is superb and unparalleled, the only way to encourage him is to stay with him. I don’t want to remain in PDP against my wish and be anti-party. PDP in Gombe is divided and any house divided can never hold.
“Now I am in APC to ensure that the governor delivers on his promises to the people and the state, things are now taking shape in APC and in Gombe State,” he stated.
Also in another twist, two serving Gombe All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Gombe State House of Assembly have defected to the opposition, New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP.)
The duo of Hamza Adamu representing Balanga South and Bappah Jurara of Funakaye South decamped to the NNPP after meeting with the Party’s gubernatorial candidate, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki.
Their defection came barely hours to the flagging off of the 2023 election campaign slated for yesterday.
This has however placed NNPP as the emerging major opposition in the state with serving members in the state Assembly.
Speaking with our Reporter, the two lawmakers said they opted for Mailantarki “in the best interest of the state because the candidates of the APC and PDP lack requisite leadership qualities to unite and develop Gombe.”
Meanwhile, it has been observed that aggrieved members of both the APC and PDP have been moving to the NNPP recently.
Other defectors include: the Assistant Director of New Media of the PDP Campaign Management Committee, Hon. Babale Makera who in his capacity has been making the NNPP wax stronger as major opposition in the state.
Headlines
Commission, journalists partner to revamp water sector in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Water Services Regulatory Commission (KADWREC) says it is partnering media practitioners towards revamping water services in the state.
Mr Dogara Bashir, the Executive Chairman of KADWREC, disclosed this on Monday at a one-day workshop organised for media practitioners on regulation of ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’ (WASH) activities held in Kaduna.
Bashir said the commission was aware of the importance of the role media practitioners played in the society.
He stated that the workshop was to provide an avenue to liaise with them as important stakeholders on water supply and sanitation services in the state.
Bashir said: “As media practitioners, we believe you are a gateway to the citizens so, the workshop would acquaint you with some of the regulations already in place so that you can in turn transmit it to the public
“The state of water services in Kaduna State is in dire need of attention and the State Water Corporation and KADWREC were established towards addressing the seeming challenges.
“The commission is mandated to ensure better service delivery and regulation of water and sanitation services in the State.
“The idea is that once the regulations are developed, we send them to the State Ministry of Justice to gazette and then we get the state government to endorse and give the go ahead to commence the implementation of the regulations
“We intend to implement them fully come January, 2025 God willing, as we have embarked on advocacy activities having gone to zones 1 and 2 where we talked to traditional rulers, security agencies and the Judiciary.”
He disclosed that a special Court has already been attached to the commission by the Chief Judge of the State for service providers who may likely violate regulations.
The chairman further said that amongst the commission’s objectives include ensuring security, reliability and quality of service in the production and delivery of water to the consumers as well making regulations to control the sinking of boreholes.
Others included; maximising access to water services by promoting and facilitating consumer connections to distribution systems in urban and rural areas.
According to Bashir, they also include ensuring that regulatory decision-making has regards to all the relevant health, safety, environmental and social legislation applying to the water sector.
Bashir further said that the commission collaborate with the relevant state and federal agencies on water policies.
Crime
2 ladies docked for allegedly obtaining money by fraud
The police in Lagos have dragged two women, Mmesuma Ofunna, and Blessing Adimekwe, before an Ojo Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, over alleged obtaining money by false pretence.
Ofunna, 22, and Adimekwe, 25, were arraigned before the Magistrate, Mr L K J Layeni, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing and conduct likely to breach peace.
They each, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, told the court that the defendants conspired with others now at large, to commit the offence on Oct. 26 at the Okokomaiko area of Ojo.
He alleged that they had obtained the sum of N70, 000 from one Faith Ahamefule, with a promise not to post her nude photo on social media.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendants later posted the nude photo of the nominal complainant on social media, knowing that their promise was false.
He alleged that they stole the N70, 0000, thereby conducting themselves in a manner likely to breach public peace.
The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 168(d), 287, 314, and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
The court granted the defendants bails in the sum of N500, 000 each, with two sureties each in like sum.
He adjourned the case until Jan. 8, 2025 for mention.
Headlines
Driver jailed 6 months for attempting to steal a car
A Jos Magistrates’ Court on Monday, sentenced a 37-year-old driver, Ahmad Umar to six months in imprisonment for attempting to steal a car.
The Magistrate, Shawomi Bokkos, summarily tried and sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Bokkos in his judgment, ordered the convict to pay an option of N30, 000 fine or spend six months in prison.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the case was reported on Oct. 10, at the Area Command Police station through a distress call by one Sydney Peacemorie the complainant.
Gokwat said the complainant parked his Toyota RAV4 in front of Access Bank and went inside to carry out some transactions, only to return to find the convict inside his car.
“The convict unlawfully opened the car and was in the driver’s seat when the complainant raised alarm and he was apprehended, but his accomplice escaped.
“The convict was severely beaten by a mob but was rescued by the police,” said Gokwat.
“The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the Plateau Penal Code Law.
-
Business3 years ago
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
-
Headlines3 years ago
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
-
Foreign3 years ago
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Technology3 months ago
Zero Trust Architecture in a Remote World: Securing the New Normal
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Phyna emerges winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7
-
Business7 months ago
Nigeria Customs modernisation project to check extortion of traders
-
Business9 months ago
We generated N30.2 bn revenue in three months – Kano NCS Comptroller
-
Headlines6 months ago
Philippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet