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2023: Political aspirants disposing properties under pressure to raise funds in Niger – Findings
Ahead of 2023, general election, some immediate past political office holders in Niger State, have started disposing off their properties to contest the forth coming general election, CAPITAL POST finding has revealed.
Among those properties already in the market for sales include their landed properties such as some shopping plazas, some hectres of lands, Hotels Lodges, Filling stations, private schools and their vehicles as well as some commercial complexes.
Property agents in Niger State are currently making brisk businesses as some interested buyers are showing interests.
Findings further revealed that some of these properties were aquired through ill-gotten wealth, while in the office as from 2015 to date.
It was reliably gathered that most of these properties were spread in places like Kaduna and Abuja, the federal capital.
However, some properties that have EFCC mark or that have ‘caveat emptor’ pasted which are subject of litigation are carefully avoided.
Our correspondent equally gathered that these political office holders have decided to dispose their properties to raise money to fund their elections in the 2023 general election, even as they have started pasting their campaign posters in every nook and crannies of the state capital and their respective constituencies.
It was further gathered these public and political office holders recently resigned their appointment in accordance with the directive by the electoral act as amended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) directing all political office holders wishing to contest any position at the 2023 election to resign.
Already, some of them have indicated interest to contest State House of Assembly and House of Representatives election in the 2023.
Prominent among them are two Commissioners from eastern and northern Senatorial districts of the state who were among the early persons that tabled their resignation letters to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane in late March.
According to our source who pleaded anonymity,. “these people have not visited their community since they were appointed into office in the last seven years, only for them to come to inform us that they want to contest for House of Assembly and Hhouse of Representativea in 2023 elections and they want us to support them because we are fool.
“We are waiting for them to bring out their money.
“They think they will make fool of us this time again. We are wiser than them. Let them sell their properties after all they got them through ill-gotten wealth and we are ready and waiting to take our share of the loots”
Efforts by CAPITAL POST correspondent to speak to them could not yield the needed result as several calls to their phones has not been responded.
However, a Minna based social critics, Alhaji Ahmed Jibril Ahmed posited that they got the wealth through fraudulent means and it will not be out of place for them to dispose them off as a result of the circumstances in which they aquired the properties while in office.
“I’m not surprised. They got the properties in question through dubious means if they now decided to sell them, there is nothing new about that because the money they use in getting those properties were not genuinely gotten.
“So for them to resort in selling those ill-gotten properties is not new to me at all. I know for sure that day will surely come and is already happening now.” he told CAPITAL POST in an interview in Minna.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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