Kidnappers demand N50m for abducted INEC officials, as family members cry for help in Kogi

 

Abductors of six Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Officials, in Kogi State have demanded for N50Million before they would release their kidnap victims.

It could recalled that, some INEC staff were abducted in Obajana at the early hours of Sunday, 19th March 2023 during the Kogi State House of Assembly election.

The victims were said to be returning from Kupa North and South under Lokoja Local Government Area in Kogi State before they were attacked by armed hoodlums.

But the Police Public Relation Officer, (PPRO) in Kogi State SP William Ovye Aya had in a statement issued to journalists concerning the incident said 96 persons were rescued by the Police, three injured while two victims were yet to be accounted for.

Addressing a press conference on Monday on behalf of the kidnapped family victims in Lokoja, an Assistant Presiding Officer II, (APO II) in the March 18th Kogi House of Assembly election identified as Babalola Oluwatobi Peter said his sister was part of those who is still held in captivity.

Peter, who is a brother to one of the victims, faulted the claim from the Nigeria Police Force that all the kidnapped victims have been rescued.

He mentioned those still in the hands of the kidnappers as Muhammed Maimunat, and Abdulrahaman Raji, who are two serving Corps members.

INEC Ad-Hoc staff who are still in captivity according to Peter are Oyaniran Atinuke Ruth, Florence Shayo Ajayi, Opara Tina and Blessing.

Explaining how the ugly incident occurred on that day, Peter said “We were actually coming from Kupa North and South for the Kogi State House of Assembly election. I worked in the North, so we left North some minutes past six and we got to the South at 8:03PM in which we were asked to move to Lokoja by our SPO’s. I told them personally that we are not going, that they should allow us to sleep, that by 4am the next day, we should pick up and go just like the way we did during the Presidential election.

“But the SPO South said he wants to move. As an APO two, I cannot just tell them that no. All other Corp members told them to let us sleep over but they insisted no. But when they insisted, we had no option than to move. When we got to Obajana, the armed robbers attacked us. We have six vehicles, and our vehicles happen to be the second one.

“The first vehicle was able to move away, while the second vehicle mistakenly hit the culvert and could not move again. But before we could know what was happening, the third vehicle hit us at the back. We have three Police Officers, only one was armed. When the armed robber attacked us, the armed Police officer instructed us to pull off our white and run for our dear life. After everyone was running for their life, I discovered that I didn’t see my sister Oyaniran Atinuke Ruth.

“The incident happened between 1am-2am. Those people that were kidnapped were directly from our bus. We told the security agency including INEC that we are still looking for six people including my sister. They said we should not worry that we will find them. Up till now, nothing has been done. I was shocked when I read in some newspaper that the kidnapped victims have been rescued. Nothing of such. They contacted us recently, demanding for N50Million.

“The kidnappers keep calling us with different numbers. You cannot call them, but they can only call you. They even told us to send them a recharge card which we did just because we don’t want them to hurt my sister and every other victim in their custody.

He, however, called on the Government and security to work towards the release of the abducted victims.

The husband of one of the kidnapped victims Olawafemi Olakanmi said he last spoke to his wife (Florence Shayo Ajayi) around 12am before the incident occurred. “I have not slept since my wife was kidnapped on 19th March 2023. I only call on God to set my wife free” he stated.

All efforts to speak with the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) in Kogi State SP William Ovye Aya proved abortive as at the time of filing this report on Monday. He failed to pick calls or respond to text messages sent to his phone lines.

Mai Mala Buni: The 'Pini Zahavi' of Nigeria Politics - Fanwo

 

A stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo has described the Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni as the political Pini Zahavi of Nigeria. 

He stated this in Abuja while fielding questions from reporters, commending the CECPC Chairman  for stabilizing and boosting  the strength of  the APC. Pini Zahavi is renowned around the world for executing big football transfers. 

According to him, the party was caught in a big leadership storm before Buni stepped into the boat. 

He said, "You would recall how we were almost consumed in the dangerous interests attrition in the party before NEC decided to set up the Committee to pilot the affairs of the party. 

"Today, we can count our blessings under the leadership of the CECPC. Buni was able to stabilize the party and ensured peace. He also carried out membership registration and revalidation drive which raised our membership to 41 million members, making the APC the largest party in Africa. 

"Gov. Buni was also able to conduct successful congresses at the Ward, Local Government and State levels. He also set up a Reconciliation Committee led by Sen. Abdullahi Adamu to listen to grievances within the party and bring members together ahead of the 2023 poll. 

"A few days ago, the report of the Reconciliation Committee was submitted as part of the events leading to the National Convention of the party".

He also commended the Mai Mala Buni led CECPC for inaugurating the State Chairmen of the party at a well attended event at the National Secretariat, saying it is no surprise that the Chairmen poured encomiums on Governor Buni and Governor Yahaya Bello. 

"I listened to the speech of the Forum of State Chairmen of our dear party and I am glad they commended Governor Buni for stabilizing and growing the party. They also saluted the immense contributions of the Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Bello for being a strong pillar for the party.

"Governor Yahaya Bello is a passionate party leader who has led many campaigns to ensure victory for the party. We can't forget in a hurry his roles in the Governorship elections in Ondo and Ekiti States. He also deployed the media optimally to bring in millions young people and women into the party".

Fanwo expressed optimism that the CECPC will organize a hugely successful National Convention.

2023: Coalition of North Central Groups declare support for Southern Presidency

By Stephen Adeleye

The Coalition of the North Central Support Groups, a group of energetic men and women, strong political stakeholders, have resolved to officially declare their support for the Nigerian presidency to be zoned to Southern Nigeria.

The groups made the declaration in a Communiqué arising from their meeting held on January 13, 2022 in Abuja, and made available to journalists by its Spokes Person, Dr. Moses Paul, on Monday in Abuja.

The communiqué was jointly signed by the groups' National Coordinator, Hon. Ocheme Joseph; its National Secretary, Alh. Isah Momosani Musa; and its National Women Leader, Hajia Agartha Ibrahim.

According to the communiqué, the teeming members of the Coalition of North Central Support Groups, a group of energetic men and women, strong political stakeholders, have gathered and resolved to officially declare support for the Nigerian presidency to be zoned to Southern Nigeria, and further state as follows:

''That this very resolve is anchored on our firm belief in equity, fairness and justice, which characterise the basic essence and foundation of our democracy. 

''That we are solidly charged  to  state that thus far the voyage Nigeria has sailed so safely and peacefully, interms of mutual understanding amongst the various geopolitical zones in our country, Nigeria, and hence the need to promote national unity. 

''That the hinges that allow a political power to swing between north and south have equitably been operated upon by political actors this while, irrespective of one’s leaning and interest, just as we have recorded less power tussles in the PDP and in other political parties. 

''That Lately, Nigeria, which is the big picture, super structure and a superset from where all political parties make their  calculations and permutations, form interests and ponder around, should be the focus of all political parties,  especially our party; the Peoples Democratic Party-PDP, and the  All Progressives' Congress- APC.

''That all political parties build the fulcrum of their operations, pitch their survival and existence, mostly around winning elections, especially presidential election. These are the already entrenched patterns of aspirations in Nigeria. 

''That as it stands, APC has fielded and Nigeria has voted  Muhammadu Buhari as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And President Buhari is a northerner. 

''That going by convention and the usual practice in Nigeria, Buhari will be exiting office on 29th May, 2023, after completing his constitutionally allowed eight (8) years in office. And thereafter, we appeal  that the south should be given a chance. 

''That as Nigerians, we are fully convinced that the most viable way to re-enact and foster the common and agelong cooperation of power rotation between  north and south in Nigeria is to earnestly ask and call for the general support for a President from the south, which we believe that is due and very appropriate. 

''That, for instance,  going by Chapter 1, Section 7(3)(a-c) of the PDP constitution (as amended 2017), for us to ensure equity, fairness and justice, our party- PDP, will zone and rotate political offices between north and south. And as it stands , the north has just produced  Senator Iyorchia Ayu, from Benue State, from the north, as the current National Chairman of our dear party, and his tenure will last for four years.

''That ,we believe to enthrone justice in PDP and in Nigeria, the south will be supported by all to produce the next presidential flag bearer of PDP. And this is our stand in the North Central.

''That in solidarity, we call on all PDP stakeholders in the south to rise up to this task and save our country, Nigeria, from the APC misrule. And let us be reminded that southern Nigeria has capable hands and competent leaders who can rescue and govern Nigeria more than the APC - Buhari government. And we call on all PDP stakeholders and the  entire Nigeria, to support the south''. 

''In conclusion, that as the political events unfold,  we, the Coalition of North  Central Support Group, have affirmed to render unflinching support, loyalty and mobilisation to PDP aspirants, and a candidate from south, that will emerge as PDP presidential flag bearer, soonest. 

''This is  our stand. Long live PDP! Long live Nigeria!! 

PDP: Power to the people!!!

End