We will retire APC to political obituary – PDP candidate Dino Melaye boasts

Published

1 year ago

September 30, 2023

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Dino Melaye has promised to retire All Progressives Congress to political obituary.

He stated this in Lokoja during the inauguration of the PDP Local Government election campaign committee of the 21 local government councils held at the party Secretariat on Thursday.

The former Kogi West Senator who berated the ruling party over alleged maladministration, non-payment of salaries, and insecurity, admonished electorates not to be intimidated, before, during and after the November Governorship election.

He said Kogi State has become a laughing stock among the comity of States, stressing that, the present administration has succeeded in dividing the people along ethnic and religious lines.

Melaye, while appreciating the Local Government Chairmen for their steadfastness towards securing victory for the party, posited that, when elected, Kogi State will be wearing a new look.

The PDP candidate said ” This election is a walkover for PDP because of maladministration, poverty, non-payment of salaries, gratuity, promotion are not being cash backed and many more. The people of Kogi State are not happy as they are looking for a messiah that will save them from captivity.

“Dino Melaye and Habiba are saying here we are, send us. I want to advise especially our Local Government Chairmen, you have all become evangelists and Imam to encourage our people to come out and vote. Our people are afraid because APC has sold fear in the minds of the people. I am telling you that as Dino Melaye, I am not afraid of Yahaya Bello or the APC.

” I am assuring us, let the people of Kogi State show that we are not cowards. As citizens of Kogi State, we are not a conquered territory. We will come out and vote, and campaign in all the nooks and crannies of the State including Agasa, the home town of Governor Bello.

“The PDP is a party with plans, well organized, who uses power for the interest of the People. Today, any Kogites that are still thinking of voting for the APC have what I call Arthritis of the brain. No sane logical human being will today vote for APC in Kogi State.

“Is it about our roads? In the last year, there has been no drop of water in Lokoja, the capital city of Kogi State. Is it about the dilapidated hospitals that have become mere consulting clinics? Is it about non-payment or percentage payment of salaries? Is it about insecurities of lives and properties?

“This is the first time in the history of our State that House of Assembly members and Commissioners have no vehicles. This is the first time in the history of our State that a permanent Secretary will be using Okada to move to office. This is the first time in the history of our State where workers were retrenched for frivolous reasons.

“This is the first time in the history of our State that 120 Professors were ceremoniously sacked from Kogi State University. They are qualified Professors who graduated from first-generation Universities in this Country. The screening at Kogi State University took them out of the system. By the grace of God, we are going to build a new Kogi State”

While appealing to electorates to kick against any form of ethnic agenda ahead of the November Governorship election, Melaye assured Kogites that his administration would reunite the people when elected.

Earlier in his remarks, the caretaker Chairman of PDP in Kogi State, Sen. Philip Aduda said the opposition party will put an end to bad governance in the state.

” We want activities to start immediately for the PDP to win convincingly in Kogi State. The party is fully on ground to deliver for Dino/Habiba in November. It is operation deliver your polling units and guide them from any obstacles.”

Speaking on behalf of the 21 Local Government Chairman, Olajide John from Kabba/Bunu assured his party faithful that no stone will be left unturned to guarantee victory for the PDP.

He maintained that the Chairmen will work in synergy and support the newly constituted Executive to deliver for the opposition party.

“It is all about the party, our destiny and setting Kogi State free from the hand of a tyrant. By the special Grace of God, Kogi State will be free. We must work together by having trust, and confidence in each other. With this, we will attain our desired victory” he stated.

News

Moms demand justice for kids held after Venezuela vote

Published

11 hours ago

October 14, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

Fifteen-year-old Aliangel Jose Rodriguez was driven by curiosity to join a protest after Venezuela’s disputed presidential election in late July, his mother recalled.

What seemed like a simple outing turned into something much more serious. Rodriguez ended up arrested, one of many minors caught in the country’s ongoing political turmoil, according to his family and human rights advocates.

“A boy who is always studying… cannot be labelled a terrorist,” his mother Maria Tovar said tearfully from their humble home in Carabobo, a region roughly 110 miles west of the capital, Caracas.

Data from Foro Penal, a Venezuelan human rights organization, reveals that Carabobo has the highest concentration of so-called “political prisoners,” with 297 out of 1,916 cases recorded nationwide. Of these detainees, 70 are between the ages of 14 and 17.

Since July 29, just a day after the election, Venezuelan authorities have arrested 1,784 people, many facing charges such as “terrorism” or “incitement to hatred,” which carry prison terms ranging from 10 to 30 years, Foro Penal reports.

“Even the most hardened criminals wouldn’t get a 10-year sentence for something they didn’t do, simply for stepping onto a highway to watch some lights,” Tovar said, her voice breaking, her well-worn Bibles lying nearby.

During one of her visits to the detention center, Rodriguez confided in her that he had attempted to take his own life just three days prior, overwhelmed by the sight of another young detainee being sentenced to 10 years in prison.

“I only ask the president to have compassion, and to reconsider the cases of all the children,” Tovar pleaded, addressing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. “It’s not just my son. There are 14 minors.”

Foro Penal confirms that at least 80 teenagers arrested during the protests have since been released, including four from Carabobo.

“None of these children are politically involved, they don’t vote,” said Dennys Benitez, whose 17-year-old son, Luis David Lopez, remains imprisoned. “Sadly, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and were arbitrarily imprisoned.”

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Sports

Super Eagles Return to Nigeria After Harrowing Libya Experience

Published

12 hours ago

October 14, 2024

Tunde-Olubo Bukunmi

Super Eagles have returned to Nigeria, touching down at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano State, after enduring a challenging ordeal in Libya before their upcoming 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

Team captain William Troost-Ekong took to X to share the news, writing, “BACK HOME 🇳🇬 SAFE & SOUND.

“Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken. Throw at us what you want, it’s in our blood to overcome. I’ve seen a lot in my 10 years with this group, but nothing like this, an experience that has brought us even closer TOGETHER.”

Victor Boniface, a forward for the team, also posted on X, saying, “Back to Nigeria 🇳🇬❤️❤️ Next of kin you try out.”

The Super Eagles had departed Nigeria on Sunday, but their trip took an unexpected turn when their flight was diverted to a remote airport in Libya, far from their intended destination.

This forced the team into a grueling three-hour road journey to reach their final stop.

Matters worsened when the players, pilots, and staff were left stranded at the Libyan airport for more than 13 hours without access to basic essentials such as food, water, or a place to rest.

Images of the players attempting to sleep on chairs circulated on social media, with Troost-Ekong and other players sharing their plight, leading to public outrage from Nigerian officials.

Thankfully, the team has now safely arrived in Kano, following clearance for their flight to depart Libya.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has since initiated an investigation into the treatment of the Super Eagles at Al Abaq Airport, with its Disciplinary Board looking into violations of the federation’s rules.

The situation also drew condemnation from several prominent figures, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar, NiDCOM Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor-Kalu.

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