News
Femi Fani-Kayode, a ‘damn broke’ guy on cash-and-carry loyalty for something to eat – Ortom
Benue State governor Samuel Ortom on Saturday took the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode to cleaners over his comment that the governor should take charge of security instead of leaving it for President Muhammadu Buhari.
Reacting through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Terver Akase, the governor pointedly described the former Aviation Minister as showing cash-and- carry loyalty at the corridors of power in order to eat, having been broke.
In a statement which which sent to CAPITAL POST, Ortom wondered how die-hard critic of President Muhammadu Buhari suddenly changed into praise singing of the President.
“We read a statement credited to the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode as calling on Benue State Governor Samuel among others “to take charge of security in their states and not just leave the problem to the President alone.”
‘Fani-Kayode’s case does not only sound like a broken record which repeats a single beat, causing ad nauseam among the audience, but his utterances also smack of an icky and trite song composed by a man who is bereaved of every ounce of shame and now survives on cash-and-carry loyalty.
“His attempt to compare other Governors with those who procure his meal ticket regarding the security situation in their states is an open reminder to his benefactors that his wallet needs to be refilled.
“Fani-Kayode is a merchant of acrimony who often embarks on narratives sterile in substance, but laden with emotions and only good enough for the cesspit.
“An overtly self-seeking politician who keeps no true friends. A loquacious man prompted by a schizophrenic mindset cowed and tortured by a worried conscience which in turn is driven by the zeal to impress those who are willing to foot his bills; the type that produces a duality of irreconcilable visions rendering the man as a soul on a voyage to profit from prodigality, yet fumbling in delusions, but insisting on swimming in the pool of perfidious political enterprises.
“If any Nigerian fails the qualifying test for counseling a leader on matters of good governance, that Nigerian is Femi Fani-Kayode. This is a man who only a few years ago, took President Muhammadu Buhari to the cleaners on all frontiers, particularly the frightening insecurity in the country. What has changed between the time Fani-Kayode bitterly criticized President Buhari and now?
“For genuinely patriotic Nigerians, we must state that Governor Samuel Ortom is one of the most proactive Governors in the area of security. Aside from being the first to enact a law to prohibit open grazing of animals with the introduction of ranches, Governor Ortom also introduced Livestock Guards to enforce the law and recently established Community Volunteer Guards at the state, local government and ward levels to complement conventional security agencies in safeguarding the people.
“The Governor frequently provides patrol vehicles and other logistic support to the Police, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the military’s Operation Whirl Stroke. He has received national and international awards for his tireless efforts in security.
“The only thing that Governor Samuel Ortom has however refused to do is sponsor the likes of Fani-Kayode to make press statements to commend his efforts in ensuring the security of lives and property of Benue people.”
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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