EFCC Arrests APC Ex-Chairman, Bisi Akande's Brother Over N300m Fraud

The claim from some quarters that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption fight is one sided and aimed at persecuting the opposition party members alone may not be true after all, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained the younger brother to Chief Bisi Akande, the former Interim National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Oyeniyi Akande.

Mr. Oyeniyi Akande is a Part-Time Chairman of the Osun State College of Education (OSSCE), Ila-Orangun.

The ex-APC national interim Chairman's brother was nabbed over an alleged illegal diversion of over N300 million public funds approved for the construction of Amphitheatre (Lecture Theatre) and other valuable projects of the institution.

The arrest of Akande was as a result of a petition dated Monday 21st March, 2016 and signed by Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman both of an Osun State based Civil Society Organization (CSO), the Civil Societies Coalition for the Emancipation of Osun State (CSCEOS.)

Aside Akande who was the suspect in the matter, other suspects are the College Registrar, Mr. Aderiola Adeoti, a former Bursar (now Bursar College of Education, Ilesa), Mr. Akin Latilo, College former Acting Provost, Dr. Basiru Gbadamosi and a member of the Governing Council, Mr. David Olayinka Olojede.

Others involved in the alleged diversion of project funds were Mr. Oyegbade Reuben Abayo, Mr. Amobi Yinusa Akinlola, Mr. Ayoola Peter Olajiola, Mr. Moses Oyewole Otitoola, Mr. Kujeunbola Oluwafemi, Dr. Omotosho Adeleke and Dr. Adeleke Sulaiman Ajala.

A reliable source from the Ibadan Zonal Office of the EFCC revealed that the College Provost, Professor Isaac Oyewole led the College team to the EFCC office on Monday and Wednesday this week before Akande was detained for further investigation.

It was also learnt that the agency had concluded arrangement to invite the remaining accused persons in the saga by next week for further interrogation.

EDO 2016: Inside Oshiomhole's Untold Secret Plots To Install Obaseki At All Cost, His PDP Connection Revealed

Ripples Nigeria - The two major parties in the country and by extension, Edo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are perfecting strategies to win the governorship contest in that state scheduled for September 10.

Outgoing Governor Adam Oshiomhole is fighting forces within the two major parties to install his preferred successor.

Within the APC, many of his aides are kicking against his preference for Godwin Obaseki, the Head of the State’s Economic Team.

He is also fighting his Deputy, Dr Pius Odubu, who has also indicated interest in the race and has succeeded in mobilising some serving aides against the Comrade-Governor.

But Oshiomhole’s headache is not just within the APC. He is also interested in whoever will pick the ticket of the PDP.

His obsession with the PDP, according to investigations, is to ensure the party does not pick a formidable candidate who can rally round disgruntled elements in the APC and convince voters against the ruling APC.

Oshiomhole, according to close aides, is determined to push through the Obaseki’s candidature at the primary by all means.

While there are unconfirmed allegations that he has doctored the delegates’ list, Oshiomhole is also bent on inducing delegates to pick Obaseki ahead of others.

Other candidates in the APC include: Chris Ogiemwonyi, a former Minister of State for Works under former President Jonathan; a lawyer and philanthropist, Kenneth Imansuangbon; Major General Charles Airhiavbere, former PDP governorship candidate in 2012; Deputy Governor Pius Odubu and Nollywood pioneer, Don Obaseki.

All of them are said to be tinkering with forming a clique against the alleged plans to impose Obaseki by Oshiomhole and the party’s apparatus.

So, the governor’s first battle is to see through the emergence of Obaseki and calm frayed nerves to avoid the PDP benefitting from the conflict of succession.

Within the PDP, most forces are mobilising for former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under Lucky Igbinedion, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Ize-Iyamu, who left the APC last year after falling out with Oshiomhole, is a formidable grassroots politician with a wide network across the state.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor, according to investigations, is the only candidate Oshiomhole is desperate must not emerge from the PDP.

Others in the race within the PDP are: Chief Solomon Edebiri, Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and Earl Osaro Onaiwu.

This is why the governor has reportedly planted moles within the PDP to frustrate the emergence of Ize-Iyamu, who is believed to have sufficient resources and goodwill to give Obaseki a run.

Oshiomhole, according to sources, has reached out to renegades within the PDP to stop Ize-Iyamu at all costs, a development that is causing ripples within the opposition party.

Ize-Iyamu’s major opponent is Iduoriyekemwen, former Majority Leader of Edo Assembly and a former Edo representative in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

His ambition is said to have the backing of former Minister of Works, Architect Mike Onolemenmen.

Iduoriyekemwen is seen as a loyal party member having been in the PDP since 1999. But some say he is not fit to govern Edo, a position his supporters contend as untenable having served as a Majority Leader.

Will the Comrade-Governor succeed in appeasing other candidates within the APC to support the candidacy of Obaseki?

Will Obaseki wave the olive branch to aggrieved opponents should he win the race?

Will the plot to stop Ize-Iyamu from being PDP’s standard bearer succeed?

Will Edo voters buy the person of Obaseki and choose him above whoever PDP presents?

The answers will be provided on September 10.

Credit: Ripples Nigeria

I Can Swear On My Life, Buhari'll NOT Steal - Tinubu

Bola Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he can vouch for President Muhammadu Buhari when it comes to managing Nigeria’s funds.

Speaking at the headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Friday, Tinubu described Buhari as honest and straightforward.

The APC chieftain said that he was at the union’s headquarters to appeal to the NLC to shelve the strike.

An NLC faction led by Ayuba Wabba had declared a nationwide strike and protests on Wednesday.

But the action failed to gain much traction.

“I cannot say, I’m a part of the decision that created the situation. I can only say I noticed the communication gap. And I cannot say you are enemies of this government,” he told the executive of the congress.

“Today, we came here to appeal to you. Go back to history, we worked real hard to bring Nigeria on progressive path. For me a progressive government is all about the welfare of the people.

“Mr president, the former president of NLC, and senators are here to make it clear that you are not an enemy of a government that is progressive.

“We have refineries, but they are not serving our people. Is it benefiting the public? Why should we continue problem after problem, and continue to do the same things over and over again.

“We must try new things. I’m here to appeal to you to understand this government. You brought this government in. If change is our slogan, are we collaborating to make it possible?

“This is by the way, we must introduce history… the political history of the country is not being taught in schools anymore.

“In good conscience, many of you who are part of genuine labour struggle know is about progress and not cheap oil.

”We are shipping our labour, oil and opportunities abroad, which is not good for the country.

“Buhari is straightforward. We didn’t say we won’t have problems with him, but he has integrity.

“They brought in SURE-P, but the only thing about SURE-P is corruption. It was sure stealing, sure diversion….

“Buhari will listen to us, we will work together to make this change possible.

“I can swear that Buhari will not touch a penny for personal gain. He has that character and integrity to steer Nigeria.

“Let us look at a new mechanism of doing things.

“Let us work together for a government that we know is honest. My mission here is for peace, for us to return to the negotiating table.

“Let us build Nigeria, let us make it the centre piece of Africa.

“Let us call off this strike. I come to beg on behalf of my party.”

Tinubu was accompanied by Rauf Aregbesola, governor of Osun state and Kabir Marafa, a senator from Zamfara central.

Fuel Scarcity: RESIGN Now, APC Also Attack Kachikwu After Tinubu's Outburst

The All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday, asked the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachukwu, to honourably resign his position if he is not capable of doing his part, by efficiently running the ministry assigned to him and providing workable solution to the current fuel scarcity in the country.

National leader of APC,  Senator Bola Tinubu, had first called the minister to order over his recent comments on the lingering fuel scarcity in the country.

The party, in a statement issued by the APC national vice chairman, South-South, Prince Hilliard Eta, said it was high time the minister climbed down from “his high horse” to face squarely the duties required of him by his office, adding that responsibility to the people was one of the cardinal points of the APC which he professes membership.”

According to the statement, “Kachukwu has not entirely cast off the orientation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he was,” noting that such was still manifesting in his actions and utterances.

“Dr Kachukwu must not be a cog in the wheel of progress and he should do the needful by resigning honourably if he is not capable of doing his part by efficiently running the ministry assigned to him,” the statement read.

Nigerian Tribune