Politics
Continue to keep faith with APC — Tinubu urges Nigerians
National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, has hailed the incumbent Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for laudable achievements and putting the state on the path to progress.
He, therefore, urged citizens to continue to keep faith in the APC. Tinubu made the remarks on Friday during the flag-off of the long-awaited 1.4 km dual carriageway flyover at Pen Cinema junction, Agege Local Government Area of the state.
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor, Dr Femi Hamzat, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, led other dignitaries at the flag-off ceremony.
The construction of the Agege-Pen Cinema bridge commenced in 2017, during the administration of the former governor Akinwumi Ambode. The flyover connects Agege to Iju-Ishaga and Lagos-Ota road.
The dignitaries at the ceremony, include Members Lagos State Executive Council, members of the state House of Assembly, the Chairman, the Caretaker Committee, the APC Lagos Chapter, the Chief Tunde Balogun, the Whitecap chiefs, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, APC chieftains, market leaders, among others.
Tinubu, addressing the mammoth crowd on the occasion, urged the youths to allow peace to reign in the country, saying no nation can develop in an atmosphere devoid of peace and harmony.
Also read: Sanwo-Olu inspects work on Third Mainland Bridge, urges motorists on patience Tinubu expressed appreciation for the honour bestowed on him.
Also responding to Obasa description of him as a talent hunter, Tinubu said, “We are fishers of talents.
“We don’t destroy talents; we develop talents; we fish for them; we find them and give them the responsibility.
That’s what you find in Obasa, Sanwo-Olu, and Hamzat.” Tinubu also celebrated the emergence of Sanwo-Olu and his deputy Obafemi Hamzat.
He described Sanwo-Olu as the Captain of the “Ship of Our State”, adding that he has steered the ship in the right direction for progress, development, and good leadership.
He also commended Sanwo-Olu for being focused and for keeping the ship steady in stormy weathers. Tinubu said that Sanwo-Olu’s team had demonstrated unequalled determination to redevelop and rebuild the state which “has become one great construction site.”
“We thank this administration for not letting us down, we thank you for being who you are and who we think you are even before the election. “Ever since Babajide Sanwo-Olu became the captain of the ship of our state, he has turned it right for the progress and development of the state.
“Those of you at the cabinet has developed an equal determination to develop and rebuild for the people of Lagos state.” Tinubu stressed that the current administration is a team of” “great performers and doers”, who are capable of building Lagos back to progress.
According to him, “Every vote has a quality which should translate into passion, interest and conscience for development in the community.
Your vote has brought great development to your community and I urge you to continue to keep faith with the APC.’
He thanked all traditional rulers, white cap chiefs, party leaders, and market leaders, describing Hitech the contractor of the project as a very reliable company and a partner in the development of Lagos State and one that the state could always depend on.
Tinubu commended the youths in Agege for cooperating with the contractors and urged them to shun all act of restiveness and appreciate what the government is doing and not to be like vagabonds who destroy public utilities.
He said, “Don’t emulate those who are destroying public properties. There’s no development if there’s no peace. You must embrace peace to have development.” Speaking, Sanwo-Olu, said the commissioning of the bridge coincided with his 648 days in office, saying it is a big achievement for his administration.
The governor said the completion of the bridge was a promise fulfilled to residents as it would bring more economic benefits and faster travel time for the Agege environment and the state at large.
“We stand here with a lot of positive memories because we are here to deliver a landmark project.
The Agege Pen cinema bridge will bring growth to businesses and activities in the area will lead to progress and development of the state,” he said.
The governor described the project as a strong message of his administration’s determination to achieve pre-conceived targets of reducing travel time, save important man-hours, provide better riding surface leading to reduced maintenance cost; boost interconnectivity and generally make life more meaningful for Lagosians’.
Sanwo-Olu, who urged residents to take ownership of the project, said the bridge was conceived to transmit vehicular traffic across the intersections at Agege.
He said the bridge would resolve the perennial gridlocks experienced in the area, with a positive impact on businesses.
Sanwo-Olu appreciated the contractors that handled the project, the Lagos State House of Assembly for cooperating with the government and other parties that saw to the completion of the bridge.
“When the bridge was under construction, it provided employment for 350 engineers, and thousands of artisans and a high number of unskilled labourers,” he said.
The state governor said the flyover bridge would bring more opportunities to Agege and environs and enhance further growth of the state. “Agege deserves more, we will go back and see how all of the infrastructures from Ojodu Berger, the road brings relief and bring positive development to this neighbourhood,” Sanwo-Olu added.
While thanking all stakeholders in the project, Sanwo-Olu said that: “We’ll make sure that Agege becomes a little London.” Obasa, told the gathering that he moved the motion in 2017 and it was supported by all lawmakers, and when he later became the Speaker, he championed the cause and pushed for the project to become a reality.
He also revealed that the APC government has tarred 50 streets in Agege. Obasa said the budget for the construction of the bridge was introduced and approved under his leadership, adding that they are ready to support the executive for the progress of Lagos state. Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, described the project as another infrastructure investment effort of Sanwo-Olu’s administration, in line with the THEMES agenda, to support businesses, promote economic development and ultimately improve the socio-economic well-being of residents.
Adeyoye said the project, which includes the rehabilitation of five adjoining roads, would resolve the traffic and transportation problem in the area.
She added that it would also change the skyline of the area.
She said, “The Pen Cinema intersection is one of the busiest in Lagos given its conflicts around the six major routes – Abule-Egba, Ogba, Agege, Oja, Iyana Ipaja and Iju.
This remained for a long time, being perennially clogged in gridlocks. The solution to this problem was conceived in September 2017 in the construction of a flyover across the Pen Cinema intersection, in addition to the spur linking Old Abeokuta Road.”
In appreciation of the flyover built by Hitech Construction Company, Agege Local Government Chairman, Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, announced that his council has renamed the Old Ipaja Road as Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Road and Dopemu Road as Babajide Sanwo-Olu Road.
He commended Tinubu for laying the foundation for the project and hailed Sanwo-Olu for completing it.
Features of the flyover
The project consists of a 1.4km dual carriageway, flyover bridge component with two lanes of 3.65m width each in either direction with ramps, and rehabilitation of five adjoining roads.
The road component consists of service lanes on either side of the bridge with median, kerbs and walkways, complete with signalised traffic system, junction improvements with low emission diode (LED ) street lights.
The bridge spans across the intersections of Old Abeokuta Road, Railway Corridor and Iju-Isaga Road, and terminates near the entrance gate of Ijaiye Low-Cost Housing Estate on the Oba-Ogunji Road.
It is designed to convey traffic from Oba-Ogunji Road into Old Abeokuta Road, and towards Abule Egba through the ramp across the railway corridor. urges-nigerians/
The Oyo State Government has denied reports claiming it paid ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the claim was “far from the truth” and accused “irresponsible bloggers” of deliberately spreading misinformation to confuse the public.
“Although both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers, no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly,” Oyelade stated.
He urged residents to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.
The commissioner added that the Oyo State Government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abductees and bring the incident to a successful conclusion.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The coordinated attack also claimed the life of a teacher.
The victims have remained in captivity since the attack, while the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies continue efforts to secure their freedom.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed reports that aggrieved aspirants who lost the party’s primary elections are plotting to work against its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Following the conclusion of the party’s primaries a few weeks ago, reports had alleged that some unsuccessful aspirants were considering supporting candidates of other political parties in protest, with the aim of undermining APGA’s chances at the polls.
However, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the claims as false, insisting that the party remains united after a reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Charles Soludo.
“I am hearing this from you. As a party, we have not received any report of such a plot. Let me state clearly that all the aspirants have resolved to work for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections,” Opara said.
He explained that during the meeting held at the Light House in Awka, aspirants and candidates openly discussed issues arising from the primaries, stressing that none of the participants accused the party of conducting an unfair or non-transparent process.
“Everyone expressed their views about the primary elections. No one alleged that the process lacked transparency. The only concern expressed was that each aspirant had hoped to emerge victorious.
“At the end of the meeting, every misunderstanding, anxiety and misgiving surrounding the primaries was resolved, and the party remains one united family,” he added.
Opara also warned opposition parties against what he described as deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods and create disaffection within APGA.
He cautioned individuals engaging in cyberbullying and name-dropping for political purposes to desist, warning that the party would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone found defaming its members.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail by the opposition. They should be mindful of the legal consequences of cyberbullying and name-dropping. We urge our party faithful and the general public to disregard these spurious reports,” he said.
This version improves grammar, flow, attribution, and readability while preserving the substance of the original report.
Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, for an initial 14 days as investigations into alleged certificate forgery continue.
The remand order followed Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.
According to an official of the anti-graft agency, the court-approved remand will enable investigators to interrogate the former minister over the allegations, with the possibility of seeking an extension should further investigation require additional time.
Nnaji was apprehended following the execution of a bench warrant earlier issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended by the commission.
The ICPC subsequently confirmed the arrest in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, stating that the former minister is in the commission’s custody as investigations continue into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening process.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Despite the Federal High Court pronouncement against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in Anambra state, the National Working Committee( NWC) of the party has issued nomination forms to candidates of the National and state Assemblies of the party .
Recall that the Federal High Court Abuja had ruled that Sen Emma Anosike is not the Chairman of the party; a judgement that is unsettling party in the area which the plaintiffs denied knowledge of the suit insisting that it is a kangaroo pronouncement.
The affected state executive members, Bright Osemeka, Mrs Ify Chinwoko Nzekwe and Amaechi Chinweze had contended that they never filed any action challenging the leadership of Sen Emma Anosike adding that they remain loyal to the Anosike led executive.
According to the Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party Mr Emeka Okafor ;
“The Federal High Court pronounent did not mention the nominated candidates of the party for the National and state Assembly elections and we have issued nomination forms to the candidates”
“Again the matter neither joined the nominated candidates nor had any legal position on the primary elections of the party in Anambra state hence the nominated candidates remain our candidates for Anambra state ” he said.
Recall that Sen Emma Anosike as at the period of the primary elections was the Chairman of the party an exercise that was adjudged peaceful and transparent by the National Working Committee of the party and the Election Committee sent to the state by the Leadership of the party in Abuja .
Similarly, the expelled members of the party did not take part in the election following the suit filed by them against the party in Anambra state.
They were suspended by the party because the party found out that they did not explore the laid down avenues of conflict or dispute resolutions before heading to the Court which the party stated that it is against the constitution of the party which also stipulates outright expulsion.
Meanwhile it is not clear if the said Chairman of the party who the Court endorsed has taken over the party Secretarate in Awka , nor has he convened any meeting of the party; a development that has deepened the unsettled state of affairs of the party .
It is however gathered that sustained legal battle is on in Abuja over the said judgement as the crisis lasts .
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Structures belonging the trio of People’s Democratic Party PDP, All Progressives Congress APC and Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC have been collapsed into the candidacy of Chief Chukwudi Oli of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Dunukofia – Njikoka -Ananocha Federal Constituency.
The development followed the adoption of his candidacy by a group made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Njikoka LGA, which is part of federal constituency.
Members of the group declared their support for Oli during a consultative meeting they held with the APGA House of Representatives candidate’s campaign organisation held at Abagana yesterday.
Members of the campaign organisation which is headed by a former chairman of Njikoka LGA as the Director-general (DG), Hon. George Ozor present at the meeting received the three structures into the fold of the organization.
In their separate speeches on behalf of members of the group, the leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and , chairman, Mr. Onyenechi Ezeaso stated that they decided to throw their support behind Oli because of his proven passion and commitment toward the progress of the various communities within the federal constituency, and, humanity at large.
”In this our group, some of us are members of the PDP, APC, NDC, and, other political parties.
”But we decided to come together, to support you because we are convinced that by supporting you, we are working for ourselves because we know that you are going to work for the progress of DNA (Dunukofia/Njikoka/ Anaocha federal constituency) when you get to the House of Representatives.
”We don’t want to allow selfish politicians who have been deceiving our people to win election in this federal constituency, again, because they have deceived us enough “, Ejiamatu stated further.
Also, in his speech, Ezeaso made it clear that the group was not an APGA political group, adding that the support of the members for the party’s House of Representatives candidate in the federal constituency did not mean that the members of his group have adopted all APGA candidates.
Expressing gratitude to members of the group for trusting him, Oli pledged that he would not disappoint them if elected.
He said that his political mantra was anchored on “accountability, transparency, togetherness, and, touching lives”.
He vowed that if elected into the House of Representatives he would not use his position to pursue personal gains, but, would deploy his capacity and influence to the development of the federal constituency while awaiting for the divine reward.Stating that he would be guided by the philosophy of his mentor, the state-born popular oil mongul and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze, Oli pledged that when elected the ordinary people in the federal constituency would breath fresh air, and, life made worth living for them.
Chairman of the campaign organisation, Chief Ozor, and, chairman of APGA in Njikoka LGA, Hon. Chinedu Anakwe eulogised members of the group for the confidence they reposed in Oli.
”We know that this federal constituency election will be one of the toughest elections in Anambra state, but, because we know the capacity of your leader, Ozo Ejiamatu, and, some of you we have no doubt that the fight has been made a lot easier and our victory assured”, Ozor stated.
The APGA chairman in Njikoka described the support of members of the group as a source of great courage, and, moral boost for the party and the House of Representatives candidate, and, indeed, other candidates of the party in the area, including for the senate , Hon Dozie Nwankwo.
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