Connect with us

Politics

Otti vows to make Abia inhabitable for criminals, launches security trust fund

Published

on

Spread the love

Governor Alex Otti has vowed to make Abia inhabitable for criminals and perpetrators of insecurity.

The Governor who made the vow while launching Abia Security Trust Fund Thursday at the International Conference Centre Unuahia, said no inch of Abia soil would be ceded to criminal-minded elements.

He charged Abians and residents to take more than “a passing interest in issues of security around their vicinity” to complement Government’s efforts.

This is as friends and residents of the state including banks, contractors and corporate organisations donated hundreds of millions of Naira to support the Abia security trust fund.

Fund.

Adedeji Adeleke, the father of Music legend, Davido, made the highest individual donation of half a billion Naira; followed by Anambra-born oil magnet, Chief Arthur Eze who announced a donation of N200 million.

With a donation of N100 million, the owner of Innoson Motors, Chief Innocent Chukwuma led other donors including contractors and banks who supported the project.

 Governor Otti explained that the launch was part of his holistic security strategy focused on prevention of criminal activities

He said:”This luncheon is in line with the provisions of the Abia State Security Trust Fund Law 2024, which empowers the state to set up a specialised framework for mobilising, managing and deploying resources in support of our security infrastructure across the state.

“Insecurity creates economic and social crisis, impoverishes the population, and makes refugees of individuals and families in their homeland.

“To counter the enormous cost of security crisis, all of us are invited to always take more than a passing interest in security issues in our neighborhoods, places of business, and in the larger community

 Otti who said  his administration had demonstrated prudence in the management of resources assured that every Kobo raised for the project would be judiciously spent.

The Governor recalled that on assumption of office, he made “a firm commitment to recover every inch of Abia territory from the criminals who had carved out some parts of the state for themselves”

He expressed joy that through Operation Crush and other security interventions, Abia is relatively peaceful, assuring that he would not rest on his oars.

Otti commended all those who supported the launch for their generous donations.

In a remark, Minister of State for Labour Nkiruka Onyejeocha, commended Gov  Otti for his spirited efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.

She also commended Otti’s developmental strides, declaring that she could now proudly say she hails from Abia.

The Minister noted that security should not be politicised, adding that President Bola Ahmed is also fully in support of Gov. Otti’s efforts to keep Abia safe.

Speaking also, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel, DrcUche Ogah lauded Otti’s efforts to re-set the state, adding that “security should be everybody’s business.”

Describing the Security Trust Fund as a laudable project, Ogah said he would handsomely support the project on monthly basis for a period of one year.

Earlier in an address, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Abia State Security Trust Fund, Mr Obiamaraije Stanley, represented by the Vice Chairman, Sir. Johnson Chukwu, said that the Trust Fund “is a public -private partnership initiative designed to mobilize resources from both government and non-governmental stakeholders to enhance the operational capabilities of security agencies within the state.”

“The overall goal is simple: to provide logistics, equipment, communication tools, surveillance infrastructure and other critical support to enable security agencies respond effectively to challenges in real time,” he said

He thanked Governor Otti for not only initiating and supporting the revitalization of the project  but for backing the initiative with “unwavering political will, visionary leadership and actionable commitment”.

The Chairman of the occasion, Ide John Udeagbala said “every individual must take responsibility in supporting and complementing the  Governor’s efforts towards achieving  adequate security.”

He called for vigilance among residents, urging them to promptly volunteer information about suspicious movements in their vicinity.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

I’m in talks with NDC, PRP leaders over my political future — Kwankwaso

Published

on

Spread the love

Former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso has said no final decision has been taken regarding his political future or that of his associates.

The African Democratic Congress chieftain, however, admitted that he is currently consulting with leaders of the National Democratic Congress and the Peoples Redemption Party.

Kwankwaso made this known in a statement shared on his X account on Saturday.

He wrote, “We have noted recent media reports and discussions suggesting a possible realignment within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) due to the current challenges facing the party.

“In light of the misleading narratives in the public domain, I wish to state categorically that no final decision has been taken regarding my political future or that of my political associates.”

He noted that the recent Supreme Court’s judgment affirmed the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee but returned aspects of the matter to the high court, leaving the party in a difficult position.

“The recent Supreme Court judgment, while affirming the legitimacy of the David Mark-led National Working Committee (NWC), also remitted the matter back to the High Court. This has left the party in a precarious position,” he said.

According to him, a separate ruling by the Federal High Court had also invalidated the party’s recent convention, while the Attorney General of the Federation had applied for the deregistration of the ADC.

Kwankwaso said the challenges mirrored the legal issues that earlier forced him and his supporters out of the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

“In addition, the Federal High Court has recently ruled to delegitimise the party’s recent convention. The Attorney General of the Federation has also strangely applied to a Federal High Court to deregister the ADC.

“We left the NNPP due to externally influenced legal problems that made our stay perilous. The ADC has now been also forced into this difficulty,” he added.

He disclosed that consultations had begun with leaders of the National Democratic Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and others to determine the best path forward.

“Consequently, like other major stakeholders, we have commenced wide-ranging consultations — including with leaders from the NDC, PRP and others to explore the best options for protecting our democratic interests. We shall announce our decision in the soonest possible time,” he added.

On the 2027 presidential race, Kwankwaso said he had neither declared interest in contesting nor endorsed any aspirant.

He recalled finishing second in the 2014 APC presidential primary won by Muhammadu Buhari, and later supporting the winner. He also said he contested the 2019 PDP presidential primary before backing Atiku Abubakar.

He said, “On the issue of presidential candidacy, I wish to recall my consistent record as a committed democrat. In the 2014 APC presidential primary, I came second to President Muhammadu Buhari (whom I fully supported to victory), with Atiku Abubakar third, Rochas Okorocha fourth, and the late Sam Nda-Isaiah fifth.

“Similarly, in 2019, I contested the PDP presidential ticket and immediately supported the winner, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, serving as the campaign’s coordinator in the North. I have always placed national interest and party unity above personal ambition.”

Kwankwaso added that the ADC had yet to zone its presidential ticket or choose a candidate, making current speculation unfounded.

He also explained that his absence from two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments, which he had communicated to party leaders.

“Furthermore, the ADC is yet to zone its presidential ticket or take any decision on a candidate. I have therefore neither declared any intention to run for president nor endorsed any aspirant. All speculations to the contrary are premature and unfounded.

“My absence from the two recent ADC stakeholders’ meetings was due to unavoidable personal commitments. I promptly communicated my apologies to the party leadership.

“We shall continue to engage constructively at all levels. Any definitive position on our political direction will be communicated formally through official channels at the appropriate time,” he said.

Continue Reading

Politics

Workers’ Day: ADC criticises rising living costs

Published

on

Spread the love

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over the rising cost of living in Nigeria, saying it is placing increasing pressure on workers and affecting real incomes.

In a Workers’ Day statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said many Nigerians are facing economic strain as prices of essential goods and services continue to rise.

“Across Nigeria today, workers are doing more and earning less. Rising costs of food, transport, housing, and energy have reduced the value of workers’ wages,” the statement said.

The party linked the situation to broader economic and security challenges, noting that inflation, limited job opportunities, and disruptions to business activities are contributing to the pressure on households.

According to the ADC, addressing these challenges requires policies that support job creation, improve security, and stabilise prices to protect workers’ purchasing power.

The party emphasised the need for an economic framework that promotes enterprise, encourages productivity, and ensures that workers are adequately rewarded for their labour.

It also called for sustained interventions to ease the burden on citizens, particularly in areas affecting daily living costs.

“The focus should be on building an economy that works for ordinary Nigerians, where productivity translates into improved livelihoods,” the statement added.

The ADC reiterated its position that workers’ welfare should remain a priority, stressing the importance of policies that enhance income stability and economic opportunity.

 

Continue Reading

Politics

Buhari’s son gets automatic APC ticket to seek Reps seat

Published

on

Spread the love

Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has picked the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest for the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 elections.

Our correspondent  reports that Yusuf picked the ticket unopposed after a stakeholders’ meeting held in Katsina on Tuesday, April 28, unanimously adopted him as the party’s candidate.

The consensus agreement was announced by the chairman of the Consensus Committee for Daura Zone, Alhaji Ahmed Dangiwa, a former minister of housing and urban development.

Speaking after Yusuf’s adoption, Mannir Musa, APC Chairman, Mai’adua Local Government, urged party members to accept the outcome in good faith.

“I urge all our people to be obedient and accept the consensus reached by the committee and stakeholders in good faith. We should all work together for the unity and progress of the party and our people,” he said.

He also appealed to Katsina governor Dikko Radda to support aspirants who did not get tickets so that they could continue to serve their people.

Musa urged aspirants offered the tickets through consensus to work for their constituents when elected in the secondary election.

He named other automatic candidates to include Nasir Yahaya for the Daura senatorial seat race and Mustapha Musa for the Mai’adua constituency in the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Yusuf Buhari, in a remark, thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to provide quality representation if elected. (NAN)

Continue Reading

Trending