Reuben Abati, Daniel, In Kashamu’s Candidates’ List To INEC

The former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former
President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Reuben Abati and the former
Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, were amongst the
names of candidates submitted by Senator Buruji Kashamu’s faction
of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State to Independent
National Electoral Commission, INEC.

In a statement personally signed by the Senator, Leke Shittu,
who emerged at the primaries conducted by the faction led by
Adebayo Dayo remained the gubernatorial candidate of the party,
while Abati was named as his running mate.

Daniel, who is the Director General of Atiku Abubakar
Presidential Primary Campaign Organisation, was also named as the
Ogun East Senatorial candidate of the party, the current position
occupied by Kashamu.

The Senator also revealed that all the candidates by Adebayo
Dayo exco in all levels have been received and acknowledged by the
electoral body.

The statement read, “The candidates’ list of the Kashamu backed
Bayo Dayo exco of Ogun PDP has been received and fully acknowledged
by INEC for the 2019 elections. Prince Leke Shitu and Dr Rueben
Abati were duly acknowledged as the Ogun PDP Governorship and
Deputy Governorship candidates respectively.

“Former Ogun state Governor, HE Otunba Gbenga Daniel is for the
Senate, Ogun East and all other candidates for the Senatorial,
Federal House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly
were equally accepted and duly acknowledged.”

The Senator, who took a swipe at the National Chairman and the
National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Uche Secondus and Kola
Ologbondiyan, respectively, saying that the duo were deliberately
acting unlawfully having refused all wise counsel.

Kashamu said the leadership of the Party was ignorant of the
fact that both the chapter Chairman and Secretary can sign on
behalf of the National Chairman and the Secretary in the event of
judicial resolution in the case of Ogun State.

He further alleged that the leadership of the Party has an
unexplainable desperation to install Ladi Adebutu as the
governorship candidate in the state.

He however vowed not to be intimidated out of the Party,
insisting that the PDP is a creation of Nigeria for all Nigerians
who are willing to be members.

He said: “Any rumours being peddled around by our National
Chairman and National Publicity Secretary through a purported press
release should be disregarded as the duo are deliberately acting
unlawfully and beyond their powers to which they’ve refused wise
counsel to tow the path of rule of law.

“The guarantee of our democracy under established regulations
and rule of law is that no party official, no matter how highly
placed could use the office for selfish preservation/promotion of
his own interests and legacy at the detriment of the interests and
legacy of other party members.

“This resolve to act with unchecked impunity shall be fully
resisted in a fight to finish battle to strengthen our party’s
internal democracy.

“Ignorantly, the National Chairman is unaware that where there
is dispute resulting into a judicial resolution as in Ogun state
matter, the State Chairman and Secretary could sign in place of
National Chairman and Secretary when backed by validly subsisting
court judgements.

“Whatever makes our National Chairman to be this resolute at
challenging the constituted electoral regulatory body, INEC and
also dwelling in nauseating impunity against Nigerian court
judgements out of unexplainable desperation to install Ladi Adebutu
as PDP Ogun governorship candidate should as well have forced him
to create his own INEC and conduct elections inside his office.

“The PDP as a Nigerian creation by law is for all Nigerians by
established regulations and national statue; nobody can as such
intimidate us in our democracy.

“All the state elders, leaders and party faithful are again
enjoined to continue and remain focused on the ongoing aggressive
mobilisation and reconciliation efforts for our party, PDP to come
out victorious in the forthcoming elections. I’m emboldened by the
power and grace of almighty Allah and shall NEVER succumb to
injustice.”

KNSG Pays N9bb as Outstanding Pension

….

As the State inaugurates new committee to settle more
outstanding benefits for Pensioners:

Committed to improve the wellbeing of its teeming Pensioners,
Kano State Government has paid over N9 billion to 5,388 Pensioners
as their outstanding pension inherited from the previous
administration.

This was disclosed by the State Deputy Governor Dr. Nasiru Yusuf
Gawuna while inaugurating an eight Member Committee for the payment
of outstanding retirement benefits for Pensioners in the State.

Dr. Nasiru Gawuna explained that the administration had also
maintained a status quo in sustaining the payment of Monthly
Pension at the sum of N1.2 billion every Month to Pensioners across
the State.

“A part from this, there is also a Committee that has been
constituted by the State Government to ensure speedy payment of
their outstanding retirement benefits covering Gratuities, Pensions
Arrears and death benefits.

“that is also an effort by His Excellency Dr. Abdullahi Umar
Ganduje to see that the various problems faced by the Pensioners
have been solved” he disclosed.

On the new Committee, Gawuna maintained that the administration
of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje has shown so much concern for the
Committee to be inaugurated so that Government would be able to
address other problems faced by Pensioners.

He said “His Excellency has assured that he is going to set
aside some money to make sure that the intended goals have been
achieved.

“that is why he has requested us to inaugurate this Committee
which comprises of experts of high integrity and I am sure they
will do well in trying to see that those that deserved to be paid
first are been considered”

Gawuna further urged Members of the Committee to use their
experiences and talents to work deligently for the overall success
of the exercise.

“I equally want to solicite the understanding and cooperation of
all Pensioners, Stakeholders and people in general towards
complementing effort of the Committee Members in discharging their
assigned responsibilities” he added.

According to the Deputy Governor, the Committee has Hajiya Amina
Musa, Permanent Secretary Establishment, office of the Head of
Civil Service as Chair Person while Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir,
Chairman National Labour Congress, Kano State Chapter will serve as
Member.

Other Members of the Committee include Comrade Salisu Ahmed
Gwale, Chairman National Union of Pensioners, Kano Branch, *Comrade
Hambali Abubakar*, Chairman National Union of Teachers, Kano wing
and *Isma’ila Musa*, Director final account, Kano State Ministry of
finance.

The rest were Hajiya Mairo Umar Tanko from the State Audit as
Member while Alh. Musa Tanko Garko, Director Pension, Kano State
Pension Funds Trustees will serve as Secretary.

Responding, the Chair Person of the Committee Hajiya Amina Musa*
extended their appreciation to the State Governor Dr. Abdullahi
Umar Ganduje for finding them worthy of the new assignment which
she said has gone along way to show a clear testimony of government
demonstration of commitment and concern for the wellfare of
Pensioners.

“this is a testimony that shows that wheather you are a Civil
Servant or a retired Pensioner, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje gets you
in his mind through his able subordinate, by extention our Head of
Civil Service who takes care of all our needs and today workers are
smilling and today again the Pensioners will not only smile but
will jump and praise” she emphasized.

She then reiterated their commitment to ensure judicious use of
the funds and follow the simple step of first come first serve so
as to wipe tears from the eyes of the long awaited Pensioners.

The Committee was given eight terms of references to guide it
and come up with  comprehensive procedures that would address
the issue of outstanding pension and gratuities in the State.

Deputy Governor’s office