Politics
Alleged Misgovernance: Ayade Tackles Otu’s Aide
Immediate past Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ben Ayade, has taken a swipe at Governor Bassey Otu’s media aide, Emmanuel Ogbeche, over allegations that the State was badly managed during his administration
Ogbeche, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Otu, had accused Ayade of misgoverning the State and that it would require the support and collaboration of all to put things in order.
Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Calabar on Monday, Ogbeche claimed that little or no records were kept during Ayade’s administration, adding that approvals on matters bordering on governance were issued via WhatsApp.
“Otu inherited a rundown State, it was so badly rundown. There is no record of anything; approvals were given on WhatsApp. It will require a lot to turn the State around and thank God, we have a capable and listening governor who is ready to pro-vide the needed leadership,” the CPS alleged.
Reacting to the allegations of lack of transparency against him, the former governor, in a statement issued by his media office, said he was not surprised at Ogbeche’s outburst, noting that the CPS is a PDP mole planted to create bad blood in the APC-led administration.
In a statement made available to The Tide source, Ayade warned Ogbeche against causing disaffection among APC members in the State, just as he reminded him that he is a beneficiary of his wise decision of ensuring Governor Otu’s victory at the 2023 governorship poll in the state.
The statement signed by his media aide, Egbelo Edward N, noted: “Former Governor Ayade and Governor Otu share a very cordial relationship that has lasted for years, dating back to their years as lawmakers in the National Assembly.
“It is important for Mr. Ogbeche and his cotravellers to note that such statement will be misinterpreted as a rift between Governor Otu and his immediate predecessor, His Excellency, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade.
“We are not unaware of Mr. Ogbeche’s long standing romance with the PDP, therefore, it is now imperative to state emphatically that Mr. Ogbeche is a PDP agent sent to cause disaffection among members of the APC in Cross River State.
“We advise Ogbeche to tread carefully and respect the existing peace and harmony amongst members of the APC family in Cross River State.
“Governor Ayade gave his all to ensure Governor Bassey Otu emerged victorious in the last gubernatorial election, so, Mr. Ogbeche is a beneficiary of Governor Ayade’s wise decision and shouldn’t be acting like a fifth columnist.”
Ayade denied granting government approval via WhatsApp or any other social media channel.
In this regard, the statement said, “Appointees of the Ayade administration are still alive and can bear testimonies to the rigorous procedure of securing government approvals”.
“Every approval, including major land allocations, compulsorily passed through the scrutiny of the Executive Council, Due Process and Audit before getting to the final nod of Governor Ayade.”
Politics
Why I Won’t Help Tinubu’s Govt Overcome Economic Challenges – Sanusi
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
Politics
Reps Loses Deputy Chief Whip
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Politics
Aiyedatiwa Dissolves Cabinet, Retains Finance Commissioner, Attorney-General
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.
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