We're not leaving PDP, Ortom says after meeting Wike, Makinde, Ikpeazu

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state says he has met with other aggrieved colleagues, including Governor Nyesom Wike, and they have resolved to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor made this known today during a television Program on Arise News TV's Morning Show. He said.

Governor Ortom.Photo credit: Benue State Government Source: Facebook.

 “One thing I want to assure Nigerians is that we are not going to defect to any political party, adding that he recently met with Governors Wike, Seyi Makinde and Okezie Ikpeazu in London, where they took the decision. 

 Wike, governor of Rivers state, is unhappy with the decision of the PDP's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to pick Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate over him.

Ortom is one of the PDP governors who are sympathetic to the plight of Governor Wike, who had earlier lost the presidential ticket to Atiku.     

The Benue governor said he and his aggrieved colleagues have agreed they are not leaving the PDP. He, however expressed that Alh. Atiku the PDP presidential candidate has to reach out to Governor Wike for full reconciliation.

He noted that the Rivers state governor is a big factor who has remained in the PDP even when he (Ortom), and Atiku at some point left the party for the APC.

"Wike in particular has been very instrumental to the growth of our party in the absence of any former President produced by our dear party," the governor noted.

“You are aware that President Olusegun Obasanjo that was produced by this party, you are aware that President Goodluck Jonathan that was produced by this party also has issues. They decided not to get involved in what is happening in the party.

“So, Wike was the anchor man. We discussed this matter in our meeting in London, and we all agreed that we are not leaving the party. But let there be due process and the need to ensure that everybody is carried along.

“You’re aware that since the emergency of PDP in Nigeria, Wike has been there. Even some of us, because of the injustice that was meted out on us in 2015, left for APC, until APC started dancing in the wrong direction. Then, we left back to PDP. Who was instrumental in my coming back? It was Wike.”

Governor Ortom also noted that Atiku has reached out to him to further persuade Wike and  agreed to sit down with the Rivers governor to iron out their differences.

The Benue governor said once Wike is pacified, he is also pacified. He said they agreed in their meeting that Governor Wike needs to be pacified.

"It is not late to put our house in order," the governor added.

24 Katsina LGAs open defecation free — Official

No fewer than 24 out of the 34 local government areas of Katsina State have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF), the Clean Nigeria Campaign says.

The Coordinator of the campaign, Mrs Chizoma Opara, disclosed this on Monday in Katsina at the opening of a 2-day Northwest zonal retreat on ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign.

Represented by her Deputy, Alhaji Musa Lawal, Mrs Opara said that the best results of the Clean Nigeria Campaign was recorded in the North West, particular in Katsina and Jigawa.

“These two states are already far ahead of other states, with Jigawa almost being declared as state-wide ODF, with 26 out of 27 LGAs already declared ODF, while 24 out of 34 LGAs in Katsina State are ODF.

“At this point, therefore, I wish to commend the Katsina State Government for taking the lead to host the first zonal review meeting for the North-West and to showcase the success stories from the zone.

“I also charge you to intensify your efforts in achieving the state-wide ODF for the entire zone,” the coordinator said.

Chizoma expressed the hope that other states in the zone would learn from the two states and take home key action points to drive the campaign to the next level.

“They should also contribute to our national aspiration. We must also explore the option of private sector involvement, which will increase the uptake of public toilets,” she added.

The coordinator explained that the campaign was aimed at mobilising high level political support, resources and the entire populace towards building a new culture of safe sanitation.

“Following the national launch of the campaign, many states followed suit with the launch of their state level campaigns and target dates which ranged from 2022 to 2025.

“As at December 2021, all states have launched their campaigns which is a good indication of commitment to driving the campaign.

“However, in spite of these state level official launches, not much is going on regarding implementation and achievement of results in meeting the campaign objectives in many states,” she noted.

She said there was no commensurate allocation of human and financial resources needed to drive the campaign in most states and LGAs.

“As at May, 2022, 83 ODF LGAs have been recorded. While this is a good progress, it is not significant enough to put us on course our national target of an ODF Nigeria by 2025.    “Also, the spread of the 83 ODF LGAs is limited to 12 out of the 36 states and the FCT. This means that 24 states and the FCT have not been able to contribute any ODF LGAs to the national statistics,” she said.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Katsina State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA),  Aminu Dayyabu, said the retreat was an opportunity for participants to restrategise on ending open defecation.

“Katsina State has already gone far with the current total number of 24 LGAs that have attained ODF status. This was achieved through the support of the state government.

“The government under the leadership of Gov. Aminu Masari has been supporting such efforts through funding and providing enabling environment to our agency,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat was organised by the Katsina State Government in collaboration with Federal Ministry of Water Resources. (NAN)

World democracy and freedom under assault, Prince Harry tells UN

Prince Harry delivers the keynote address on Nelson Mandela International Day at the United Nations in New York on July 18, 2022. Photo: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP Source: AFP

Britain's Prince Harry told the UN Monday that the overturning of constitutional rights in the United States was part of "a global assault on democracy and freedom."

The Duke of Sussex addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York at an event marking Nelson Mandela International Day.

10 Facts About the Star Wars Universe for May the 4th (2)

"This has been a painful year in a painful decade," the royal told delegates.

He cited the continuing fallout from the pandemic, climate change, disinformation and Russia's invasion of Ukraine before alluding to the Supreme Court's recent overturning of America's nationwide right to abortion.

"And from the horrific war in Ukraine to the rolling back of constitutional rights here in the United States, we are witnessing a global assault on democracy and freedom, the cause of Mandela's life," Harry said.

The royal paid tribute to Mandela, South Africa's anti-apartheid hero who spent 27 years in prison before being elected the country's first Black leader, as "not only a man of conscience" but "a man of action."

Harry, 37, invoked that sentiment to urge leaders to tackle climate change, as his wife Meghan Markle looked on from the chamber.

"As we sit here today, our world is on fire again," said the prince, adding that "historic weather events are no longer historic."

"More and more, they are part of our daily lives. And this crisis will only grow worse unless our leaders lead.

"Unless the countries represented by the seats in this hallowed hall make the decisions, the daring, transformative decisions that our world needs to save humanity," he added.

 

The General Assembly designated July 18, Mandela's birthday, Nelson Mandela Day in 2009 to honor his life and legacy.

Assembly president Abdulla Shahid and New York City Mayor Eric Adams were among other delegates to make speeches.

In a personal moment, Harry said a photograph of his mother Princess Diana with Mandela is "on my wall and in my heart every day."

It was taken in Cape Town in 1997, a few months before Diana's death in a car crash in Paris.

"When I first looked at the photo, straightaway what jumped out was the joy on my mother's face. The playfulness, cheekiness even, the pure delight to be in communion with another soul so committed to serving humanity," said Harry.

Source: AFP

BREAKING: Oyo Deputy Governor, Olaniyan sacked, state parliament confirms Bayo Lawal as new deputy governor

The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, has officially been sacked by the State House of Assembly.

Olaniyan’s removal followed the state Assembly’s adoption of the report of the seven-man panel constituted by the chief judge to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against the deputy governor at its plenary on Monday, July 18.

Oyo deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan has been impeached by the State Assembly. Photo credit: @raufolaniyan, Seyi Makinde Source: Facebook

The report as read by the majority leader of the Assembly, Honourable Sanjo Adedoyin, the deputy governor was found culpable, indicted of all allegations, and complaints levelled against him.

The Assembly approved Olaniyan’s removal from office leaning on section 188(9) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).

Meanwhile, Olaniyan was elected in 2019 on a joint ticket with the current Governor, Engineer Seyi  Makinde on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) until his recent defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Earlier, Olaniyan had approached an Oyo High Court to stop the process instituted by the House of Assembly against him.

Twenty-four out of the 32 members of the State House of Assembly had, in a petition, accused the deputy governor of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office on official duty, insubordination and other offences.

This process, according to petitioners, was in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011 Section 188.

Investigation revealed, however, that the deputy governor had responded to all the allegations raised in the petition through his legal counsel.  

Less than six hours after the removal of the Oyo state deputy governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan by the state parliament, a replacement has been approved by the parliamentary house.

The approval came after Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin read a letter from Governor Seyi Makinde seeking the Assembly’s approval of his nomination of Lawal as the deputy governor.

Until his approval as deputy governor, Lawal was Chairman of Oyo State Water Corporation and nominated as Makinde’s running mate for the 2023 governorship election.

Lawal Bayo Lawal is from Kishi, Irepo local government area of Oke Ogun, Oyo state.

He is also a former Attorney General of Oyo state in 1999 under the administration of Governor Lam Adeshina.

Prior to the approval of Lawal as the new deputy governor, the impeached Olaniyan defected from the state-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the main opposition, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

This move however prompted the state parliament to hold plenary proceedings over Olaniyan's action in other to effect his removal.

It was, therefore, gathered that Olaniyan tabled the matter before an Oyo High Court to give a verdict that will halt plenary proceedings against him at the Oyo state parliamentary house.

However, the majority of the lawmakers in the parliament signed a petition against the embattled Olaniyan accusing him of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office on official duty, insubordination and other offences.

As gathered, the petition was filed on the premise of the already existing stipulations of the federal constitution as amended in 2011 Section 188.