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Kogi: Former administrators relocates to Abuja, intensifies lobby to return to offices
Former local government administrators across Kogi State have relocated to Abuja to intensify lobby to return to office as the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC) may release election time table any moment, CAPITAL POST, reports.
Others shuttle between Lokoja, the the Kogi capital and Abuja on a daily basis to lobby Senators representing their senatorial districts to speak with the State governor on their behalf.
The administrators who were dissolved last week after four years in office have their tenures extended every six months totalling eight times.
What was changing the equation for the administrators from getting the APC chairmanship ticket currently was that they are other strong contenders with them who felt they have contributed to the return of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as governor. These LG aspirants are making their points known to see that they are anointed by the Lugard House.
CAPITAL POST also learnt of a greater huddle for the former administrators who are too close to the Deputy governor, Chief Edward Onoja.
Onoja was instrumental to the emergence of many of the administrators in June, 2016 and since then, they have been loyal to him, the way they’re loyal to the governor until recently when Onoja had issues being in the mainstream of Yahaya Bello’s kitchen cabinet.
Our sources can confirm that the former administrators who are too close to the Deputy governor may not get the APC chairmanship ticket. This is even as political appointees who were influenced by Edward Onoja when he was the Chief of staff (CoS) are gradually being removed from offices.
The realisation of the former administrators that, “it will amount to collateral damage of political interest”, bringing Onoja into the lobby that makes them to face their Senators and other power brokers in Abuja and Lokoja.
Former administrators are not alone in not going close to Edward Onoja on this matter, but other APC stalwarts who have interest in the local government chairmanship positions too.
Last week at the National Assembly, Ahmed Attah, Deputy zonal Chairman of APC in Kogi East paid a courtesy call on Senator Isah Jibrin Echocho representing Kogi East Senatorial district.
Ahmed Attah is interested in the chairmanship of Dekina local government Council.
Prior to the November 16th governorship election in Kogi State, the former administrators wanted a “collective push of interest”, when the former Administrator of Ijumu local government, Alhaji Taufiq Isah was the forum chairman.
Then, the administrators made their intention to return as democratically elected local government chairmen known at a meeting with Onoja as Chief of staff and pleaded that they should be assisted to realise their ambitions.
But in a twist of fate, things have taken a different dimension as everyone would have to face his own cross.
While Commander Jerry Omodara, Yahaya Bello’s Chief Security Officer is Isah Taufiq’s power broker as he has the ears of the governor, other former LG boss would have to chop for fresh power brokers and are doing that in a hurry before it gets late.
This is because the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) nominees have been screened by the State House of Assembly and constituted. KOSIEC is expected to roll out the time table for the local government election any moment.
Moreso, sources around the Lugard House pointed out that governor Yahaya Bello might spring surprises by supporting female aspirants to emerge as local government chairmanship candidates.
An insider who pleaded not to be named said that the governor may want a blend of women as local government administrators to placate injuries done at a point in his administration.
The Northern Senators Forum has expressed its sadness over the lynching of travelers in Uromi, Edo State, saying that they were taken aback over the gruesome killing of innocent Nigerians because of the zone where the victims came from.
The Forum was reacting to the attack that led to death of individuals on 27th March, 2025 while travelling to the Northern part of the country after they were tragically stereotyped as Fulani kidnappers and brutally murdered in a despicable manner.
The Forum in a statement issued by its Chairman, Abdulaziz Yar’adua strongly condemn the killing and described it as a heinous act which must be investigated with the culprits brought to book.
It read: “We strongly condemn this heinous act, which is a clear violation of the fundamental human rights of the victims. We urge the Edo State Government to take immediate action to identify and prosecute the perpetrators of this gruesome murder.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident, with a view to arresting the culprits.
“This swift action demonstrates the government’s commitment to upholding justice and protecting the rights of all citizens.
“As stated in Section 41 of the Nigerian Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of movement and residence throughout the country. No citizen can be expelled from or refused entry into Nigeria. We must uphold these fundamental principles and ensure that all citizens are treated with dignity and respect.
“We call on the Edo State Government, the security agencies, and all stakeholders to work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. We must promote a culture of tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians.”
The Ex-Head of Service of Rivers State, George Nwaeke has revealed how the embattled Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara ordered bombing of the State House of Assembly complex in 2023 to avoid impeachment moves by legislators loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike.
The governor who was suspended from office in the heat of crisis rocking the State however, swiftly denied the allegation and urged the public to disregard it.
The former HoS who resigned from office recently gave the revelation during a press briefing on Friday in Port Harcourt, adding that bag of money was allegedly handed over to the former House of Assembly leader, Edison Ehie, who later became Fubara’s Chief of Staff to attack the Assembly complex located along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
He said, “First, it all started with the Rivers State House of Assembly, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara directed his Chief of Staff (Edison Ehie) to burn down the Assembly to avert his impeachment. That evening, Edison was in Government House with two other boys, including the former Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA, one Chijioke.
“I was there with them when a bag of money was handed over to Edison for that operation, though I do not know the amount inside. I want to tell the people of Rivers State today that the House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road was deliberately brought down by Edison Ehie under the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. I challenge him to an open confrontation, and I will provide more details.
“A day after that incident, I almost resigned, but I was very scared because I knew the power of a sitting governor. He knew that I was aware of the whole plan and that I was uncomfortable with the unconscionable act and his deliberate posture of innocence.
“Another attempt was also made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members. If not for the press conference held there by Rivers youths, Rivers elders, and National Assembly members, that would have been another barbaric demolition in Rivers State.
“I realised that they actually wanted to demolish that second building because, weeks later, he personally told me that if he had known earlier, he would have pulled down their hall before targeting the residential quarters of the Assembly. He didn’t realise they had such a beautiful hall where they are now holding their sittings.
“I was shocked and asked myself: how could a man who wants to lead his people be destroying state assets and wasting public funds on a needless ego fight?”
Nwaeke stated that he resigned voluntarily, countering speculations that he was sacked or pressured to leave.
“With the load of misinformation in print and electronic media, I have chosen to set the record straight.
“I was not sacked, nor was I pressured to resign; I did it willingly from the depth of my heart,” he clarified.
Nwaeke further alleged that another attempt was made to destroy the residential quarters of the House of Assembly members but was thwarted by a press conference held by Rivers youths, elders, and National Assembly members.
According to him, Fubara had openly expressed a desire to demolish more state property, raising concerns about his leadership style.
He also claimed that Fubara had made comments about using the Ijaw people to influence Nigeria’s presidency, referencing control over oil pipelines and potential disruptions.
Reacting, Fubara denied the allegations levelled against him, asking Nigerians to disregard them.
The governor described Nwaeke’s allegations as “laughable” in a statement he signed on Friday.
“The truth is that Dr. Nwaeke has been compromised, and whatever he is saying is only aimed at fulfilling his promise to those who may have paid or coerced him to lie against me.
“I call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the good people of Rivers State to disregard everything said by Dr. Nwaeke as they are mere desperate attempts to discredit me and my administration, and undermine the peace process by Mr. President,” he said.
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s longest serving private domestic airline is pleased to announce the resumption of flight services from Abuja to Jalingo and return. Overland Airways has also introduced Lagos to Jalingo flights through Abuja.
Overland Airways has been the pioneer airline on the route for years but flight services were temporarily suspended in November 2024 due to expansion work at the airport. The airline is now set to reconnect the two cities providing passengers with convenient and reliable travel options.
Effective April 3, 2025, Overland Airways will resume three (3) weekly flights on the Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja route. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using Overland Airways’ brand-new Embraer 175 aircraft. Flights will depart Abuja to Jalingo at 10:00am and Jalingo to Abuja at 11:30am.
Passengers across Overland Airways network including Lagos, Akure, Ibadan, Minna and Ilorin, amongst others can connect to Jalingo through our hub in Abuja.
Capt. Edward Boyo, Chief Executive Officer and Accountable Executive of Overland Airways says: “We are excited to reintroduce our Abuja-Jalingo-Abuja services which will not only enhance connectivity but also boost economic activities in Taraba State in particular and the Northeastern region of Nigeria in general. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Governor of Taraba state, His Excellency Dr. Agbu Kefas for his unwavering support and commitment to the development of the Danbaba Suntai Airport. We would like to also thank our customers for their patience and understanding and assure them of our usual excellent customer services.”
Jalingo has been a long existing route for Overland Airways, and for the very first time, Overland Airways will be operating our brand-new Embraer 175, a dual-class 88-seater modern jet aircraft featuring Premium class seats with spacious legroom and the regular Economy class on this route. We are keen on providing our Jalingo travellers with unparalleled convenience and comfort.
Overland Airways service offering has evolved from an all-turboprop fleet to a mixed fleet with the introduction of brand-new Embraer E175 jets. In October 2024, Overland Airways renewed its IOSA safety certification for the 5th consecutive time reaffirming its position as a safe and leading African carrier.
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