Politics

Aspirants strategise ahead of Edo poll April 17, 2020 Tension is heightening in Edo State as politicians are prepare for primaries and the September 19 this year’s governorship poll. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the dominant political parties in Edo State. Barring any unforeseen development, the primary of the ruling APC would hold on June 2. The face-off between the National Chairman and former governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and his successor, Godwin Obaseki may cost the incumbent governor APC’s ticket; thereby opting out of the race or defecting to another political party to be part of the September 19 contest. To say the re-election of Obaseki will be a Herculean task is simply stating the obvious because his benefactor and godfather felt betrayed by attempts of some members and leaders of the party to unceremoniously remove him as the national chairman, in spite of his numerous achievements and contributions to th...

A leader, technocrat, Jibrin Muhammad Barde, a year older April 17, 2020 Today, April 16, 2020, a great and illustrious son of Gombe State, an accomplished banker, a boss, husband, father and brother, Jibrin Muhammad Barde is a year older. He stands as strong as a rock, not by his wisdom alone but by his strong faith in Allah and his keen reflex, his courage and his bull-like determination to pursue a people-driven cause. In 2018, this unassuming and brilliant young man felt the urgent need to serve his people and within few months of consultations, his name became a household name in the state. He became a threat to the political players although he was a different breed of politician. Peaceful but brave and courageous, intelligent, compassionate and a man with a heart of gold. I learned so many things from him. He taught me that when I believe in a cause that is just, there should be no going back. From him, I learnt more that you begin to see obstacles only when you t...

Sule orders arrest of Nasarawa child beggars April 17, 2020 Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has announced the extension of lockdown of the state for another 10 days. The governor also said any child seen on the street begging should be arrested by the security agents. The governor spoke at a press briefing in Government House, Lafia on Thursday, affirmed that all worship centres such as mosques and churches were to remain closed He stated that mobile courts had been established for the purpose of trial of offenders. He said, “The extension of this restriction remains necessary to protect the citizens of the state from the possibility of contracting the disease from infiltrators and to minimise the potential for spread.”

Delta to begin palliatives distribution by weekend April 17, 2020 The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has said the distribution of palliatives to cushion the effects of the lockdown against Covid-19 in the state would commence by weekend. Aniagwu said this in a phone chat on Thursday in Warri on Thursday. The commissioner, who regretted the lockdown that had sparked protests in parts of the state, said the aim was to contain the spread of the pandemic. “We recognise the pains our people are going through in this trying time. We will start the distribution of palliatives to the grass roots by weekend to cushion the effects. “Government is interested in saving lives. The lives of the people are more important than the economy. People should support the government in this trying moment. The extension of the lockdown is for the interest of the people,” he said.

remains high risk, says Gates Foundation April 17, 2020 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says northern Nigeria remains a high-risk region for the spread of COVID-19 due to its weak primary healthcare system. Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mark Suzman, said this during a conference call with select African journalists. Responding to a question on how the pandemic could affect northern Nigeria, Suzman said, “We have worked extensively in the North because it is the poorest part of Nigeria. It does have sort of the weakest overall health infrastructure and facilities and that is also why the region has the highest child and maternal mortality rate. “Those characteristics are shared by several African countries, including in the region that is comparable to the challenges in the other parts of the Sahel and other parts of the continent. “I don’t think there is anything sort of specific you call out other than the risks are obviously greater when you do hav...

ADC rallies support for Buhari’s regime April 17, 2020 The African Democratic Congress has appealed to Nigerians, especially leaders of opposition parties to rally round the regime of the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in order to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Nigeria. National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Yemi Kolapo, made the appeal in a statement, on Thursday. The party noted that just like the nation did during the Ebola crisis, this was the time for all to come together and take bold steps to deal with the current global health challenge. While noting that there were still gaps to be filled, she stressed that those in charge of the disbursement of the COVID-19 palliatives needed to change their strategy “because the current one is clearly not working.” Kolapo said, “Nigerians have never complained of not having enough well-constructed speeches, which, most times, end up as empty rhetoric. “The bone of contention has been poor implementat...