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Ibori’s Daughter Defection; Deltans Not Surprised – PDP Chieftain

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…Says We Foresee Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu Returning To PDP After 2027 General Elections

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that the defection of Chief James Ibori’s daughter, Hon Erhiatake.Ibori-Suenu, was foreseeable and never a surprise to the good people of Delta State.

He made the assertion when he was asked to comment on the defection of the former PDP member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Erhiatake Ibori, assuring that her exit from the party is grossly inconsequential, a big relief and a good omen that was long awaited.

The Orientation and Communications Bureau Director General, further disclosed that PDP political structures in Ethiope Federal Constituency is solid, unshakable, members are united, and shall deliver the party effortlessly in the forthcoming general elections, and more particularly the governorship election.

He noted that prior to 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, Chief James Ibori invited leaders of Ethiope Federal Constituency to his country home in Oghara where he assured leaders of PDP that his daughter, Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu should be allowed one tenure to complete the two tenure slots of Ethiope West LGA, so that Ethiope East can take her turn in 2027 under the irrevocable internal power rotation agreement in Delta PDP.

Oghenesivbe, who was a campaign spokesperson for Delta PDP in 2023 general elections, pointed out that Ethiope East agreed to Chief Ibori’s proposal and thereafter delivered his daughter clean and clear in a transparent, free and fair election, noting that Hon Erhiatake Ibor ‘s defection to the opposition party in the state was a deliberate attempt to truncate the promise made by Chief Ibori, so as to return his daughter for a second tenure, so as to shortchange Ethiope East LGA in 2027.

He assured that Chief Ibori’s daughter will obviously face political brick walls within and outside their party in 2027, as.PDP is poised to clinch overwhelming victory under the political leadership of the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, adding that the enviable performance of the ruling party in the state through the instrumentality of the MORE agenda would resonate with the people at the polls.

“The defection of Hon Erhiatake Ibori suffered unexplainable delays for obvious reasons. The political calculation by Chief Ibori camp was that they can eat their cake and have it after the 2023 general elections. But alas, the reverse was the case.

“They (Chief Ibori Camp) have now decided to opt out of PDP instalmentally. We clearly understand their politics of one leg in and one leg out, the Weysom Wike style.

“We.lost Ethiope West to the opposition party in the House of Assembly in 2023 due to the political deceit of some political actors whose one leg is in PDP and the other leg in the major opposition party in the state, some people call it smart anti party politics, just like what Chief Wike is doing in Rivers State at the moment.

“The video clips of 2023 governorship election in Oghara is still in the archive. At the appropriate time we shall do the needful, it’s not yet time for 2027 electioneering politics.

“Deltans are not surprised that Erhiatake Ibori defected to the major opposition party. They knew it will come and here we are. The coast is now very clear for all to see and appreciate.

“PDP will never miss Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, rather we foresee her returning to PDP after 2027 general elections,” Oghenesivbe assured

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US Embassy, Consulate To Close Monday For Presidents’ Day

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The United States will temporarily shuts its Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos on Monday, 17 February 2025, in observance of Presidents’ Day.

This was disclosed in a post on X by the diplomatic mission.

It assured the public that normal operations would resume the following day.

“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 17, 2025, in observance of Presidents’ Day. We will resume normal operations on Tuesday, 18 February 2025,” the mission said.

The Presidents’ Day is observed in the United States annually on the third Monday of February to honour past and present leaders of the nation.

Although essential services will remain accessible through emergency contact channels, routine consular services will resume after the holiday.

Nigerians seeking U.S. visas or consular assistance are advised to plan their visits accordingly.

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Alleged ₦96bn Fraud: Edo Panel Indicts Obaseki, Impeached LG Chairmen

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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, receives the report from the Administrative Panel of Enquiry set up to investigate the financial dealings of the impeached 18 Local Government Chairmen in the state.


Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has received the report of the Administrative Panel of Enquiry set up on the 18th of December, 2024 to investigate the financial dealings of the impeached 18 Local Government Chairmen in Edo State from 4th September, 2023 to November, 2024 and has vowed to petition the EFCC over its findings.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

He said the Chairman of the panel, Solomon Imohiosen, while submitting the report and recommendations to Governor Okpebholo over the weekend disclosed that findings and forensic investigations uncovered that huge sums amounting to ₦96 billion were either mismanaged and/or diverted to private accounts.

“The panel’s investigation uncovered significant irregularities in the financial activities of the 18 Local Governments Councils. The recommendations outlined in the report aim to address these issues and promote transparency and accountability in the Local Governments finances,” Imohiosen said.

According to the statement, the panel observed that ₦95 billion was received from the Joint Allocation Account Committee (JAAC) by the 18 Local Government Area Chairmen for the period investigated. It, however, reported that the funds were not judiciously utilized as no meaningful projects were on the ground to justify the amount received.

The panel reportedly confirmed fraudulent diversion of Local Government funds to political godfathers in the State, alleging that over ₦10 billion was fraudulently siphoned, using the psudo name, “Security, Environment and Training.

The report is said to claim that the 18 Local Government Area Chairmen contributed to the account, which was used as a conduit pipe to drain government resources, as money were transferred from there to various individuals and companies.

Besides the impeached Local Government Chairmen who were reportedly indicted by the report, former governor Godwin Obaseki, and leaders of the factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others, were also allegedly fingered.

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‘Taxes And More Taxes On Over­burdened Masses’, Nigerians Fault CBN’s Decision To Impose Minimum Charge On ATM Transactions

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By Augustine Akhilomen

Nigerians have questioned the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria boss, Olayemi Cardoso, to impose a mini­mum charge of N100 for ATM transactions exceeding N20,000, which is expected to take effect from March 1st, 2025.

Under the revised fee struc­ture, withdrawals from one’s bank ATMs will remain free of charge.

However, customers using ATMs of other banks will be subjected to a charge of N100 per withdrawal of N20,000 or less at on-site ATMs, which are located within or directly affiliated with a bank branch.

Off-site ATMs, which are po­sitioned outside bank premises such as shopping malls, fuel sta­tions, and other public spaces, will attract an additional sur­charge of up to N500 per trans­action.

However, such policies have angered some Nigerians who believe that President Bola Tinubu has increased the burden of the masses with such policies.

Meanwhile, bishop Herbert Ekechukwu, a cleric and economist, recount­ed: “This new policy is expected to take effect from March 1, 2025. Another bank ATM will attract N100 levy, plus additional sur­charge of up to N500 per N20,000.”

“Taxes and more taxes on over­burdened masses. The average Nigerian is struggling to make a living.

“They are already encum­bered with super runaway in­flation. To suffocate them again with more taxes shows a high level of insensitivity by the elite ruling class.

“Not quite long, we discussed the proposed increase of telecom tariff and now this.

“I remember many years ago when Military President Ibrahim Babangida was putting Nigerians under great affliction with the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP).

“General Olusegun Obasanjo warned that SAP should have a human face. I do not see this gov­ernment having a human face.

“Please, let us think outside the box to grow this economy. Taxation is not the only way to grow the economy.

“Let us look at other options available without putting more stress on the already suffering masses.

“Let our emphasis shift to youth empowerment, agricul­ture and rural industry, quality education, etc.

“Taxation is necessary, but people’s welfare is of utmost im­portance.”

Also, Tola Oresanwo, an activist and public affairs analyst, said, “It portrays this administra­tion as one that is insensitive, unresponsive and callous.

“The weight of the burden being placed on the common man in the country is becoming unbearable day by day.

“Although the CBN attributes this review to rising operational costs and the need to enhance the efficiency of ATM services in Nigeria’s banking industry, I want to disagree with that notion because going by the huge profits after tax being declared by these commercial banks, year in, year out, there is no basis whatsoever for an upward review of the ATM transaction charges.

“The increased fees may discourage the use of banking services, especially among low income earners who may see the upward review as a means of cheating or shortchanging them, and this move could negatively impact the CBN’s financial inclu­sion campaign.”

In the same vein, Utase Joseph Utase, a consul­tant, stated: “The new CBN poli­cy imposing a minimum charge of N100 per N20,000 withdrawn from other banks’ ATMs will sig­nificantly impact on everyday Nigerians.

“Many rely on ATMs for cash transactions, especially in areas with limited banking services.

“This additional cost could strain low income earners who frequently use ATMs for small withdrawals.

“It may also discourage cash transactions, pushing more peo­ple toward digital banking.

“However, for those with lim­ited access to mobile banking, it could lead to frustration and increased financial burden.

“Ultimately, while the policy may benefit banks operationally, it adds another expense for regu­lar Nigerians.”

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