Man, 40, commits suicide in Ibadan

A 40-year-old man, Lanre Kazeem, allegedly committed  suicide at the early hours of Sunday by hanging himself in his house at Eyin Grammer area of Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the deceased was living in a rented house, and worked in a private palm kernel company around Soka Ibadan.

The incident took many residents of the area by surprise as they express sadness over the incident.

The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer,(PPRO),SP Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the incident to NAN Correspondent on Sunday.

Fadeyi said that the deceased hanged  himself to death in his house and his corpse had been deposited at Adeoyo state Hospita’s mortuary.

“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Sanyo division has visited the area to see what happened.

“Investigation has commenced on the matter to know what actually happened,”Fadeyi said.

Some residents of the area who spoke to NAN said that the deceased hailed from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital and has no known relatives or friends all through his one year stay in the rented house.

They said that the deceased left no suicide note behind to explain the cause of his action and some of his neighbors claimed that the deceased has been sick for close to two weeks without any medical care.

Also speaking on the incident, the  Chairman Eyin Grammar Landlords’ Association, Alhaji Lateef Adegoke said the incident was reported to him this morning and the police had visited taken the corpse to the mortuary. (NAN)

Workers are paid peanuts, senators earn luxury wages – Ndume

A former Senate Leader, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army in the 9th National Assembly, Senator Ali Ndume, declared on Sunday that federal lawmakers and other highly placed public officers were earning luxury wages to the detriment of Nigerian masses.

and a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Muhammadu Sanusi, had vindicated his position on the high cost of running a presidential democracy, which he insisted was no longer realistic.

Ndume stated this while reacting to the views expressed by Osinbajo and Sanusi during a webinar organised by the Emmanuel Chapel, themed, ‘Economic stability beyond COVID-19’, on Friday.

Sanusi had on the occasion, pointed out that the governance structure in the country had set it up for bankruptcy, and asked the Vice President what the current regime would do differently to address the perennial problem.

In his response, Osinbajo had said, “There is no question that we are dealing with large and expensive government, but as you know, given the current constitutional structure, those who would have to vote to reduce (the size of) government, especially to become part-time legislators, are the very legislators themselves.”

The senator, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, insisted that the current cost of governance was too much.

Ndume said the change from presidential democracy to parliamentary might be difficult for the current National Assembly to undertake because the present system was also in their favour. (Punch)

Obaseki Faces Fresh Hurdles In PDP As Imasuangbon Vows Not To Step Down

By Clifford Ndujihe, Dirisu Yakubu & Ozioruva Aliu

Having scaled the screening of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, to contest for the party’s governorship ticket on June 25, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has fresh hurdles to scale in the party.

The first is winning the party’s ticket, the second is getting majority of the PDP family in Edo to buy into his quest of running with his deputy, Philip Shaibu, while the third is to calm frayed nerves of some Edo PDP stakeholders who are bitter that Obaseki is pushing them aside and out of reckoning.

Obaseki and Shaibu resigned from the All Progressives Congress, APC, after the governor was disqualified from the party’s governorship primary. He defected to the PDP on Friday and was granted waiver by the National Working Committee, NWC, to contest PDP’s primary after screening him on Saturday.

However, reading meanings into Obaseki’s speech while defecting on Friday that he is now the leader of the PDP, some stakeholders said the comment was not discreet and has cast the governor as a dictator.

This came as PDP governors and Obaseki Mandate Forum assured Obaseki, Shaibu and their supporters who joined the party on Friday, of accommodation and level playing field.

The Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal-led PDP Governors’ Forum also wished Obaseki God’s blessings and guidance as he subjects himself to the forthcoming primary of the party.

The PDP Governors Forum, in a statement by its Director-General, Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum, described Obaseki’s entry into PDP as a homecoming to a democratic platform that accommodates all Nigerians desirous of good governance, accountability and deepening of democratic tenets.

“We welcome you to the PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR and all other PDP Governors in the Forum. Your entry into the PDP family is a homecoming to a democratic platform that accommodates all Nigerians desirous of good governance, accountability and deepening of democratic tenets.

“The PDP Governors welcome you to use the PDP as a vehicle to enthrone rapid economic, social and infrastructural development of Edo State. As you subject yourself to the forthcoming primaries of the party, we wish you success and God’s blessings and guidance.

“The Forum extends the solidarity and support of your colleagues to you and all of your teeming followers into the party and assures you all of accommodation and level playing field,” the statement read

In the same vein, the Obaseki Mandate Forum congratulated Obaseki and Shaibu for taking a bold step of quitting APC for the PDP.

National chairman of the forum, Chief Nathaniel Momoh, said the group considered Obaseki’s defection as one “that was long in coming, following the poor handling of his aspiration by the Adams Oshiomhole-led APC.

“We believe this is a positive step in the right direction and a clarion call on members of the forum to double our efforts to ensure his victory at the poll.”

Disquiet over Obaseki’s defection

However, some entrenched forces in Edo appear bitter over how Governor  Obaseki was accepted into the party.

Obaseki was received by Edo PDP Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, in a carnival-like atmosphere in Benin last Friday. Some members are claiming they were not carried along and have expressed reservations over how the defection happened, especially the governor’s remarks.

After receiving the PDP membership form, Obaseki said: “I know that upon taking up membership of this party, I automatically become the leader of the party in the state. That is the constitution; I read it thoroughly last night (Thursday).

“I want to assure all of you that I am prepared to provide leadership. I am prepared to provide a leadership that will lead this party to victory and I am prepared to provide a leadership that will not only put PDP in office in Edo State but as the ruling party in Edo State.”“One of the aggrieved stakeholders picked holes in the comment.““What he said was very revealing and disturbing. Who joins a party and automatically becomes the leader? 

Even if that is what will be, Obaseki should have been more discreet. It shows he is coming to the party to displace those who have worked for years to build the structure.

“He is going to plant his people everywhere, thereby suffocating those who have toiled for the party even in opposition,” he lamented.“Another stakeholder added: “It is just about him and his ambition. It is not about the party structure. He simply wants to use our platform to fulfil his ambition and move on. This is a great danger that will boomerang for the party.”

Fearing that the development might hurt existing cohesion in the PDP, which under the leadership of  immediate past chairman,  Dan Orbih, won four of the nine House of Representatives slots at the last National Assembly elections, two of the three senatorial seats and did well in the 2016 governorship poll, despite facing a ruling party with federal machinery,  a stakeholder said it was not yet late to make amends.

“So, to give Obaseki the impression he is coming to help us is false because if not for federal power, PDP routed APC in 2016. Rather, he is the one that needs us. The notion that he is a big fish is just nothing but guesswork,” he said.

Indeed, PDP leaders and Obaseki are expected to ensure that the rough edges are smoothed as the growing disquiet may affect the party’s chances at the poll if long-standing members feel sidelined and unappreciated.

Many of them, sources said, may not work for the PDP in the September 19 governorship poll.

One of the party members said:  “Our party feels we will just win by fielding Obaseki as a sitting governor but it is not true. 

Look, APC knew why they rejected him. He hasn’t sorted out his qualifications issue. 

Supposing he even manages to win, do you think the APC won’t cash in on that to file suits against him? Where will that leave us as party members and stakeholders?”

No stepping down for Obaseki — Imasuangbon

Indeed, one of the three PDP aspirants who will contest the party’s ticket with Obaseki, Mr. Kenneth Imasuangbon, weekend, agreed with the views of the aggrieved stakeholders and vowed  not to step down for Obaseki.

Imasuangbon, who lost the 2016 APC ticket to Obaseki, told Vanguard on phone: “I cannot step down for Obaseki, he should be the one to step down for me. I am not going to step down for anybody. We have concluded congress before Obaseki came.

“The action by those calling for a step down must be condemned by all; it is wicked and undemocratic. The military can’t do this; we don’t have democracy in Nigeria, what we have is autocracy. There is no morality in all this. He (Obaseki) can’t push my dream of 16 years away. Thank God for the position of Benin monarch, Oba Ewuare II, who said he needs peace to prevail and that there should be no godfatherism.

“It is not about pressure but about doing the right thing in line with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, due process and the Electoral Act.

According to him: “It is disappointing and a big shame in Edo state and the entire nation and it portends danger for the country and the party. Nigerians should rise up against what is happening, we are not in the jungle, it is no do or die affair but about the process. It is totally unacceptable.

Vanguard

FG releases N13.6b hazard allowances, life insurance for health workers

The Federal Government has released N13.642billion for the payment of hazard allowances and group life insurance for health workers and Federal civil servants nationwide.

It said all the issues raised in the 14-day strike action notice have been met.

It asked the striking doctors to live up to their Hippocratic Oath by calling of the strike action.

The government also unveiled juicy packages for health workers in the frontline against COVID-19.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed made the disclosures at a joint briefing in Abuja with the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire and the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige.

The Federal Government also said it has trained over 33,000 workers in the country on how to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mohammed said: “It is pertinent to say that the issues raised by the Association, while issuing its ultimatum on June 1st, have received or are receiving full attention.

“We have also begun the Group Life Insurance, totalling N9billion, for all health workers and Federal civil servants. We have paid to 14 insurance companies. “

Ondo deputy governor’s defection raises dust in PDP

The defection of Ondo State Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has jolted some aspirants who complained about the undue advantage of the party is giving him in the race for the party’s governorship ticket.

No fewer than eight aspirants have so far purchased the PDP Nomination and Expression of Interest forms, including the 2016 candidate, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).

Sources said the fears among the aspirants were allegations that the deputy governor single handedly nominated the chairman and all the members of the committee to conduct the party’s governorship primary in the state.

A source also said Ajayi paid for a private jet to convey the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) led by its chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to receive him into the party (today).

This could not be confirmed last night.

One of the aspirants who has obtained nomination form and refused to step down from the race described the coming of Ajayi as a welcome development but said the PDP would be in tatters if Ajayi had his way as being rumoured.

The aspirant said: “How can he now come to our party and insist on running as sole candidate to the extent of nominating the chairman and members of the primary committee? Or is it the reason he hired an aircraft for the NWC members that will come tomorrow (today) to receive him? It’s the height of insults.

“Let’s wait and see as events unfold because we are not fools in this party,”

But Ajayi in a statement by his spokesman Babatope Okeowo denied that he had been adopted as the governorship candidate by the NWC of the PDP.

He said the rumour does not reflect the minds of the leadership of the PDP.

Ajayi said he would not fall into cheap blackmail by agents of government trying to create enmities among members of the PDP.

“The deputy governor who has just resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and picked the membership card of PDP said the PDP had not imposed candidate on the party in Ondo State and the party is also not interested in imposition of candidates for elections.

“The deputy governor said he will go to the primary with other qualified members of the party, who have shown interest in the governorship ticket of the party.

“As a democrat, Ajayi said he will not subscribe to any imposition of candidate and would not do anything to undermine the peaceful atmosphere that attracted him to the PDP.

“He appealed to PDP members to be wary of those spreading wicked rumours that can lead to crisis in the party,” the statement added.

PDP spokesman Kola Ologbodiyan confirmed that leaders of the party would travel to Akure.

He said: “I’m aware that there is an invitation (to Ondo State). I’m also aware of the invitation to attend has been made. I don’t know whether they will attend.”

(The Nation)

Aisha Buhari’s ADC, security aides restored

Following clearance, the aide-de-camp (ADC) to First Lady, Aisha Buhari has been restored to his post.

The ADC, Usman Shugaba, who is a police officer, was absolved of any complicity by an investigative panel which was drawn from the Security Council.

Also, other security aides of the First Lady have been returned to the Presidential Villa.

But a nurse on the private jet from Abuja to Lagos and Kano, which caused misunderstanding at the Villa, has tested positive.

The Federal Government has however directed that all staff at the private wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja for COVID-19 test.

There had been issues in the last two weeks over a minor family  misunderstanding between the First Lady and an aide to the President over compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.

The family challenge led to shooting at the Villa,  the withdrawal and detention of the First Lady’s ADC and other security details.

The President also directed that the incident be investigated.

It was learnt that a team, comprising Security Council members, probed the case last Monday.

As at Saturday, the panel had cleared the ADC.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The First Lady has got all her staff back because the investigative panel discovered the ADC did not fire a shot in the Villa.

“It was discovered that the ADC was not even at the scene of the incident and he was not armed on the said day.

“The panel was also able to establish that there were no armed policemen at that moment. There were only issues about compliance with COVID-19 guidelines.

“What really happened was that a presidential aide travelled to Lagos penultimate Monday in a private jet and when he returned last Thursday, the First Lady asked him to isolate for 14 days.

“The whole intent of the First Lady was to protect President Muhammadu Buhari and his household from COVID-19 infection. It was not really a personal matter per se.

“Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the First Lady has always asked those on palliative mission for her pet project, the Future Assured Programme to self-isolate for 14 days upon return from any trip

It was however learnt that a female hostess on the shuttles to Lagos, Abuja and Kano with the private jet used by the Presidential aide tested positive.

Another source added: “The air hostess is receiving treatment and the government has asked all the staff or workers at the private wing to go for COVID-19 test and self-isolate in line with the enabling guidelines.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu last Sunday said: “The Presidency wishes to acknowledge concerns expressed by several members of the public regarding the recent incident among the occupants of the State House which escalation led to the arrest of some staff by the police.

“This is to assure all and everyone that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, is not, and was not at any time in any form of danger arising, either from deadly infections or the reported incident by security personnel which is currently under investigation.

“This particular incident happened outside the main residence of the President.

“Armed guards and other security personnel assigned to the State House receive the necessary training of especially weapons handling and where they come short, their relevant agencies have their rules and regulations to immediately address them.

“Having authorized the proper investigation to be carried out into this unfortunate incident by the Police, the President has acted in compliance with the rule of law.

“That a minor occurrence is being used by some critics to justify attacks on the government and the person of President Muhammadu Buhari beggars belief.

“In this particular instance, the President says the law should be allowed to take its course.” (The Nation)