The Age Newspaper Online

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has called told the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Iyorchia Ayu to resign or beg for mercy. This is the first time Ortom, who is from same state as Ayu, would openly ask the embattled chairman to resign. Speaking during the Executive Council meeting in Government House Makurdi at the weekend, Ortom called to mind how Ayu had promised to resign if a northern candidate emerges presidential candidate of the party. The Governor then urged Ayu to honour his words or honorably beg the party for pardon. Ortom said; ”Ayu told the whole world that if a northern candidate emerges he will resign. So where is the honour now to continue in office? “If you don’t want to resign beg for pardon. But it is not enough to say your tenure is four years and you won’t resign as you said it yourself.” The call for Ayu’s resignation is led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and his camp.

By Kingsley Chukwuka A former Governor of Plateau State, Fidelis Nanmiap Tapgun has said a faction of the State People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who are in the party presidential candidate’s camp, Atiku Abubakar, may not work for the victory of the PDP governorship candidate in Plateau, Caleb Mutfwang. Tapgun said the decision not to support Mutfwang will depend on his stands to work or not to work for Atiku in the 2023 presidential elections. Recall that the immediate past governor of the State, Jonah Jang has withdrawn his support for Atiku, a decision that has thrown the Plateau PDP into two camps. However the camp of Tapgun said if Mutfwang goes with the decision of Jang, his group will not work for his victory in the governorship election. According to him: “If the PDP governorship candidate in the State, Caleb Mutfwang moves with Jang, the rest of the PDP family that believes in Atiku will not work with him. “If he is with Jang, it means he is not working for Atiku and if he is n

The Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Senator Ishaku Abbo, has been expelled from the All Progressives Congress (APC) over Muslim-Muslim ticket comments. The controversial Senator was expelled by the Mubi North Local Government chapter of the party after the adoption of a disciplinary committee report. They accused Ishaku of carrying out anti-party activities thereby tempering the party’s internal Democracy which they accorded a fair hearing to defend himself. The committee in a press statement signed by the Local Government Party PRO, Adamu Umaru decided against Abbo because of his open attack on Senator Kashim Sehttima, Tinubu’s running mate of the party for the coming 2023 election. The statement added: “Consequently, 29 members of the committee have approved the report of the disciplinary committee dated 5th date of October 2022 wherefore expel Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo based on the interview granted on AIT where he was condemning and criticizing the party Pr

The Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, has said it would review the Judgment of the Appeal Court that ordered the union to end its strike, to determine its next line of action. Recall that the appeal court on Friday ordered the union to return to work as earlier ordered by the National Industrial Court with immediate effect. In reaction to the fresh court judgement, ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, told newsmen that the union is yet to officially receive the Appeal Court ruling. He said the union would after receiving the judgement, go through the document with its lawyers and decide on its next line of action. He said, “We have not received the ruling, when we get it, we will review it with our lawyer and then we can take the next step”. The Federal Government, following its inability to reach a truce with the university lecturer, dragged ASUU to the National Industrial Court on September 11. The court on September 24, ordered the striking lecturers to return to cla

The Federal Government said it has targeted over 1.4m Nigerian for the second phase of the government Empowerment and Enterprises Program, GEEP, loan. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Umar Faruk, stated this on Thursday at the official flag-off of the program in Dutse, the state capital of the state. Represented by Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Nasiru Sani Gwarzo, said, the program is in line with the Federal Government’s effort to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty. According to him “when President Muhammadu Buhari took over the mantle of leadership in 2015, over 70 percent of Nigerians were living at poverty level” “Out of concern and determination to change the negative narration, the president established the Social Intervention Program (SIP) under which a series of empowerment and intervention programs were initiated and implemented to tackle the challenges.” Mrs. Sadiya Faruq explained that the targeted beneficiaries in the second pha

The Rivers state House of Assembly has passed a motion to derecognise Celestine Omehia as a former governor of the state. The lawmakers passed the motion during a sitting on Thursday, October 6, 2022. Omehia is to refund all monetary entitlements he has so far received from the Rivers State Government as of September 2022, including the sum of 600 million in benefits, and 96.5 in pension within seven days. He will also cease to be addressed as His Excellency. Omehia was removed in 2007 by the Supreme Court six months after he was declared winner of the state governorship election. The court ordered that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi be sworn in as Governor. Omehia was however recognized as a former governor of the state, when Gov. Nyesom Wike came on board in 2015. He had recently fallen out with Gov. Wike over his support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar.

Hon. Sir, Edward Pwajok SAN, LB, KSG, Plateau State Labour Party governorship running mate was born to the family of Da. P D Pwajok, KSM and Ngwo Veronica Pwajok all of blessed memory in Kuru on 21, November, 1965. Barrister Edward Pwajok Started his early school at kindergarten in K/ Vom then Bishop’s school in Jos, thereafter moved to attend Fatima Private School and  passed out in class 5, where he obtained  his first school leaving certificate in 1976. Pwajok Did his secondary school education in St Joseph’s college Vom from 1976 but later changed to GSS Kuru where he completed in 1982 and obtain WAEC as the  best graduating arts student and represented Plateau state in the national schools competition having emerged tops in the all schools quiz competition in Plateau state. For his love for education and a better future,  he went further and attended the university of Jos where he study law and went further to the Nigeria Law school Lagos before proceeding for his NYSC which he di

The oposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP, has released its timetable for campaigns ahead of the 2023 presidential election. In a timetable released by the Directorate for Organization and Mobilization, the main opposition party will kick-start its campaigns on October 10 in Akwa Ibom State. Full PDP Presidential Campaign Timetable North-Central Oct 19 – Niger Nov 8 – Kogi Nov 14 – Kwara Dec 8 – Nasarawa Dec 12 – Plateau Dec 13 – Benue ABUJA- Occasions North-West PDP Presidential Campaign Timetable Oct 12 – Kebbi Oct 13 – Zamfara Oct 17 – Kaduna Oct 18 – Sokoto Nov 5 – Katsina Nov 19 – Jigawa Nov 20 – Kano North-East PDP Presidential Campaign Timetable Nov 9 – Borno Nov 10 – Gombe Nov 29 – Yobe Nov 30 – Bauchi Feb 1- Taraba Feb 2 – Adamawa. South-West PDP Presidential Campaign Timetable Nov 1 – Ekiti Nov 2 – Ondo Nov 15 – Lagos Business Sch Lecture Nov 16 – Ogun Nov 17 – Lagos Nov 27- Osun Governorship Swearing-In Dec 5 – Oyo Dec 6 – Osun South-South PDP Presidential Campaign Timetabl

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has directed the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to resolve their dispute amicably out of court. The Appellate Court suggested twenty-four hours for the two parties to have a rethink, sit down and come out with a resolution that would make Nigerians happy. Justice Georgewill Biobele Abraham threw the challenge when the Federal Government and ASUU appeared before him for a hearing in the appeal instituted by the union against the judgment of the National Industrial Court. Specifically, Justice Georgewill tasked counsel to the Federal Government, James Igwe (SAN) and that of ASUU, Femi Falana (SAN), to first sit down as lawyers, take a patriotic position and convey the position to their clients. The judge said; “There is time for everything, time for war, and time for peace. As Ministers in the temple of justice, we want to see the two of you as senior lawyers encourage and explore amicable settlement of this dispute. “I

Terrorists who attacked Abuja-Kaduna bound train on March 28, have freed the remaining 23 passengers who have been in captivity. Their release was confirmed in a statement by Prof. Usman Yusuf, Secretary, Chief of Defense Staff Action Committee (CDSAC). He said; “I am pleased to announce to the nation and the world that at 1600Hrs. (4:00pm) today, Wednesday 5-10-2022, the seven-man Presidential Committee assembled by the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General LE O Irabor, secured the release and took custody of all the 23 remaining passengers held hostage by Boko Haram Terrorists following the attack on the Abuja to Kaduna train on 28-3-2022. “The nation owes a debt of gratitude to the Nigerian Military under the leadership of the CDS who conceived and guided the operation from start to finish. All sister Security Agencies and the Federal Ministry of Transportation contributed immensely to this Operation. “The unwavering support of the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Ar

The attention of Dr. Patrick Dakum's campaign organisation has been drawn to a Public Announcement attributed to Yohana Margif, resurging claims to Labour Party, LP, Governorship Candidacy which he resigned from on 2nd August, 2022. The general public is hereby reminded that on August 2, 2022, Margif resigned from the LP Governorship candidacy authentically where the leadership of the party notified the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, along side 12 states with similar issue. INEC being satisfied with the observation of Electoral Law by the LP in regards to resignation of Governorship candidates went ahead to supervise the fresh Governorship primary of the LP in Plateau and other states on August 5, 2022.  In the same vein, based on allegation on financial scandal leading to the arrest of Margif in Abuja on Thursday 4th August, 2022, LP sacked him from the party, but he dragged it to court where the verdict to the case would be passed on 15th December, 2022 as state

The peace meeting between members of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party and Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, has ended in deadlock. Daily Report earlier reported that both parties had entered a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday to resolve lingering differences in the party. Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Acting Chairman of the PDP BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, said no conclusion was reached. Wabara said; “We have not concluded. You know it is always easy to discuss. But to make peace takes sometime. “We are better informed. We have gotten some new information. Every coin has two sides. In concrete terms, it is work in progress.” Governor Wike and his allies are demanding for the resignation of Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman of the PDP. Details later…

The Ruling All Progressives Congress APC, has announced Monday, October 10 as the date of its campaign kick-off for the 2023 Presidential Election. APC had postponed the commencement of its campaigns earlier slated for Wednesday, September 28. The development, Director-General of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong said was to expand the campaign council list for more stakeholders. On the contrary, some reports stated that the campaign was rescheduled due to the absence of the party’s flag bearer, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was away from the country. The campaign council is getting set for Tinubu’s return from London to Nigeria within the week.

The Governor of Plateau State, Rt. Hon. Simon Bako Lalong ha stated that he has not and will never betray Plateau state or its people for any reason. He said he loves the state and is passionate about its people's survival and progress.   Governor Lalong stated this during the Thanksgiving service to mark the 60th birthday of the All Progressives Congress State  Chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature at Cocin Church Kufen in Barin Ladi over the on Sunday.   Going down memory lane, Governor Lalong  pointed out how he and the celebrant, Hon. Rufus Bature were persecuted for standing strong in defence of the interest of the state when they rejected  the imposition of the state of emergency on the state and the illegal impeachment of the state Governor.    Apparently referring to a statement attributed to a former governor of the state where he has been accused  of betrayal, Governor Lalong said given what he along with 16 other law makers went through, including 40 days illegal detention by t

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will today, Tuesday, September 4, 2022, meet with the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, over the lingering crisis rocking the party. The BoT’s meeting with Wike in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, comes after the advisory body met with the PDP presidential candidate in Abuja, Atiku Abubakar, on Sunday. Recall that Wike and some other aggrieved governors and party leaders pulled out of the party’s presidential campaign council following the refusal of the PDP national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu to resign and pave way for a national chairman of southern extraction. Wike and four of his colleagues namely, Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) had also met on Sunday in Enugu State to strategize on their following line of action. However, following uncertainty about whether Wike would meet with the BoT leaders, the governor’s key ally, former House of Representatives,

Plateau Gov. Simon Lalong has restated his commitment to complete works at the Jos Stadium along Zaria road. The governor stated this on Monday at the Tee-off of the Golf kitty at the Lamingo Golf Club, Jos, as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s independence day. He said that the stadium was one of the legacies he would love to leave behind at the completion of his tenure. He explained that the work on the stadium was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic challenges in the country. He further explained that a new contractor for the project would be engaged to continue works for the completion. “The new contractor has come to buy-off the debt and complete the Jos stadium. “Am hoping in the next few weeks, we will be able to complete negotiations and take over the completion of the stadium,” he said. Lalong assured Plateau people that his administration was determined to support sports development in the state, especially at the grassroots. He described the golf t

By Dogo Bello. The Labour Party (LP) in Plateau State has gotten and caught another big fish with the dumping of the All Progressives Congress (APC)  by Hon Barr Joel Gwatau for the fast rising profile of the LP  across Nigeria.  The latest news in town is that a one-time Commissioner for Youths and sports , Ministry for Environment, Tourism and Culture and an APC Critical stakeholder, Barr. Jeol Gwatau has abandoned the APC and joined the Labour Party (LP).  Hon. Barr. Joel Gwatau to those that know him very well is a trusted, respected and highly principled personality.  The Labour Party is really attracting very eminent and distilled politicians to itself. Peter Obi is really making history in Nigeria as one politician with the midas touch as anywhere he goes, people abandon their parties for the reigning LP.  Recall recently Sir Edward Pwajok SAN KSGG LB dumped the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the LP and was rewarded with the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the LP as Dr

Against the backdrop of his rumoured death, presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that he is hale, hearty and ready to serve Nigeria from day one. Tinubu made this assertion in a statement accompanying a video of his fitness posted via his verified Twitter page on Sunday. His tweet reads, “Many have said I have died; others claim I have withdrawn from the presidential campaign. “Well… Nope. This is the reality: I am strong, I am healthy and I am READY to serve Nigerians from Day One. #BAT23.”

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has come under heavy scrutiny for reportedly offering to hand over power to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State in 2027 if he wins the 2023 poll. The offer follows a closed-door meeting between both politicians in Abuja on Saturday, in a bid to resolve their differences. Atiku is said to have pledged to support Wike’s presidential bid in 2027 if the former agrees to support him (Atiku) in the 2023 election. The duo and their supporters have been at loggerheads since June after the former vice president overlooked Wike and picked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate. Also, previous efforts to reconcile the duo have failed to yield any positive result with 5 of 11 PDP state governors on the side of Wike, leading to a major crack in the party. Sources close to the meeting said Atiku offered to back Wike for the presidency in 2027 as a means to win him over. Wike was said to be non-committal and

Some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, caused massive stirs when they returned over a N100 million paid to them by the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu. The members in their separate letters, accused Ayu of bribing members of the party to gather support over misappropriation allegations against him. The NWC members alleged that the money was given to them as two-year house rent by Ayu. They included Dan Orbih, National Vice Chairman South-South; Stella Effah- Attoe, National Women Leader; Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman, South; Olasoji Adagunodo, National Vice Chairman South West. Orbih confirmed that he signed his own letter, saying the six of them had returned the money. In her own letter to Ayu, Attoe said: “If you may recall, the sum of N28,800,000.00 only was paid into my UBA Account Number 2053101024 on the 14th of September, 2022. - Advertisement - “When I enquired from your office, I was told that the