Lawmaker accuses Benue governor – Lawmaker accuses Benue governor…

Lawmaker accuses Benue governor – The Deputy Spokesman of…

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Honourable Philip Agbese, has raised the alarm over Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia’s alleged deliberate attempts to frustrate developmental projects in the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.

In a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the National Security Adviser, Agbese called for immediate intervention to salvage his constituency’s progress.

“It is with a heavy heart that I bring to your urgent attention a grave situation that is unfolding in my constituency,” Agbese wrote in his letter dated November 22, 2024.

According to him, Governor Alia’s actions appear to be targeting his office and federal projects initiated to improve the lives of constituents.

Agbese highlighted several projects allegedly obstructed by the governor, including the construction of a Special Needs School, the upgrade of a primary health centre, the renovation of a sports stadium, and the distribution of farm implements.

He lamented the intimidation of contractors and the looting of project materials, describing these as “a blatant act of hostility.”

In a specific incident, Agbese accused Governor Alia, alongside local officials and police, of orchestrating the overnight removal of farming implements meant for distribution to local farmers. Despite reporting the case to the Inspector General of Police, Agbese said no action has been taken.

The lawmaker further criticised Governor Alia for neglecting the three local governments under his representation.

“Governor Alia has failed to execute any project in these areas,” he alleged. Instead, Agbese said the governor uses law enforcement to halt federal initiatives aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Agbese also expressed disappointment over Governor Alia’s hostility despite his support during the governor’s election campaign.

“I financially supported Governor Alia from the moment he became the party’s candidate in 2022 until his victory. Yet, I have never sought personal favours,” he noted.

Calling on President Tinubu to act decisively, Agbese warned that the governor’s actions could undermine the administration’s developmental agenda.

“This trajectory threatens to erode democratic progress,” he stressed, urging the president to advise the governor to prioritise the welfare of Benue citizens.

Agbese concluded by pointing out the lack of tangible achievements under Governor Alia’s administration despite substantial state allocations, a situation he described as “surprising and distressing.”

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Tinubu to Nigerians: 'Don't – Tinubu to Nigerians: 'Don't…

Tinubu to Nigerians: 'Don't – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cautioned Nigerians against expecting an immediate solution to the country’s electricity crisis, highlighting the challenges posed by the outdated power infrastructure.

Speaking during a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, December 11, Tinubu described the national power grid as severely aged, with some transmission lines dating back 50 to 60 years.

His comments came amidst growing frustration over Nigeria’s 12th national grid collapse in 2024.

“Nigeria, being a nation in a hurry, wants a magical response,” Tinubu remarked. “But don’t forget, those transmission lines are about 50 to 60 years old. The snags are what we are trying to improve and reduce the possibility of problems.”

The President acknowledged Siemens Energy’s ongoing efforts to address the crisis under a Nigeria-Germany partnership. However, he stressed the need for comprehensive reforms to modernise the power infrastructure.

“I’ve signed a reform that decentralised the power distribution and generation in the country,” he revealed, adding that states and sub-nationals are already working to generate their own electricity.

Tinubu also urged the adoption of alternative energy sources to diversify Nigeria’s energy mix.

“We need to encourage the deployment of alternative energy to address these challenges,” he said, emphasising collaboration to mitigate future grid failures.

The President’s remarks reflect the federal government’s broader push to decentralise power generation and encourage localised energy solutions, even as citizens demand urgent relief from chronic blackouts.

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Herbalist slaughters his 41-day-old – Herbalist slaughters his 41-day-old…

Herbalist slaughters his 41-day-old – A 41-day-old baby has…

A 41-day-old baby has been tragically killed in what is believed to be a ritualistic murder in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The police arrested Ifagbenga Taiwo, a herbalist-in-training, in connection with the infant’s death. The incident happened on Monday, December 9, 2024, in the Keesi area of Adatan, where the baby’s mother, Raimat Wasilat, had left her son lying on a bed inside their home while she went outside to wash clothes.

When Wasilat returned, she was horrified to find her baby’s lifeless body with a slit throat. Neighbours, drawn by her screams, rushed to the scene and discovered that the infant had been murdered while she was away. 

Adewumi, a local resident, shared that the assailant had likely entered through the window to carry out the brutal act. “The mother had been washing clothes outside when she came back and found her baby dead. It was clear that someone had entered the house and slit the baby’s throat,” Adewumi said in a video recorded at the scene.

The baby’s maternal grandfather, Mukaila Olaide, also spoke of the terrifying discovery. “We were some distance away when we heard the commotion. When we arrived, we found the baby slaughtered,” he recalled.

According to the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Omolola Odutola, the mother, Wasilat, has accused her husband, Ifagbenga Taiwo, of committing the crime. She claims that Taiwo, who is studying to become a herbalist, may have intended to use the baby’s blood for ritual purposes. 

The police confirmed that Taiwo was arrested shortly after the mother’s allegations, and the crime scene was examined.An investigation is ongoing to uncover further details surrounding this horrific crime, with the infant’s body sent for an autopsy. The community remains in shock over the tragic loss.

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