₦airaland Forum

Aggrieved Imo governorship aspirants under the aegis of New All Progressives Grand Alliance, N-APGA, and supporters,Thursday, staged a peaceful protest, demanding the cancellation of purported gubernatorial primary election which produced Senator Ifeanyi Araraume as flagbearer of the party in the state for the upcoming 2019 general election.

The protesting N-APGA members marched towards major streets in Owerri, the state capital, with banners and placards bearing different inscriptions.

The aggrieved aspirants who led the protest included, Frank Nneji, chairman of ABC Transport limited, Chief Uche Onyeaguocha, Sam Amadi, former Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and Chief Ike Ibe.

Addressing newsmen during the protest in Owerri, Chief Uche Onyeaguocha condemned the declaration of Araraume as governorship candidate of APGA.

He claimed that there was no primaries, saying the purported imposition of Araraume on APGA members in the state was unacceptable.

Onyeaguocha said,” Gentlemen of the press, as you know, the APGA governorship primaries slated on Oct 5th, 2018 did not hold. There was no accreditation or any other activity related to the conduct of that primary election in Imo state.

“Any claim by any one that primaries was held in imo state for the election of the governorship flag bearer for APGA is false. Again, any report that the aspirants stepped down for any candidate is a pure falsehood.

“We, the aspirants resolved that the governorship candidate of APGA in Imo state must emerge through transparent process. We also resolved that the party’s stakeholders in Imo state can no longer be slaves to political courses outside the state, who considered Imo state as market for their own economic fortunes.

“We have decided to fight for the right of imo people and APGA members in imo, pertaining to their fortunes. The failure by the National leadership of the party to guarantee credible primary election for Imo state APGA is a terrible disappointment”.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-aggrieved-apga-guber-aspirants.html

The inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA)’s GIABA’s Director General, Kimelabalou Aba gave hint yesterday that the global experience has shown that criminals have now resorted to capturing govermental power and at the end collapse the entire system By orchestrating irresolvable crisis.

Aba said this in a speech he delivered at the “regional capacity building workshop for law enforcement agencies on promoting best practices on structure, investigation and techniques of criminal asset seizure, freezing, confiscation, recoveries, management in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions”

The workshop was put together by the GIABA in collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and the European Union.

Aba, who was represented by a Director in GIABA, Buno Nduka noted that global efforts to combat financial crime now focus on dispossession of criminals of the proceeds of their illicit activities with the ultimate aim of taking the profit out of crime by deploying tools for forfeiture and recovery of tainted assets.

According to Aba, “One of the critical ways in ensuring that criminals do not take control of our financial systems, capture governmental powers and ultimately collapse them is to deprive the criminals of the proceeds of their criminal activities.

“This should be done through the confiscation and recovery of tainted property. The strategy of depriving criminals of the profits of crime through asset recovery is particularly useful in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism and must be government priority.

“A robust system of provisional measures and confiscation is an important part of an effective anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regime.

“Confiscation of proceeds of crime prevents such criminal property from being laundered or reinvested either to facilitate other forms of crime or to conceal illicit proceeds,” Aba said.

The President of The Community Court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Justice Edward Asante advocated for enhanced international collaborations if countries of the sub-region were to succeed in the war against financial crimes and terrorism financing.

Justice Asante, who assured of his court’s continued support for the fight against crimes and injustice in the sub-region, urged member states to always obey the court’s decisions and to increase the number of its judges.

He called for an urgent review of the statutes of GIABA, noting that “We need structures with more legitimacy and greater capacity to deal with investigations, prosecutions and possible seizures, freezing, confiscation and recovery of assets and proceeds of transnational crimes.”

This is just as the Federal Government disclosed that it will now emphasise the seizure of proceeds of corruption and other financial crimes as a measure to further strengthen its anti-graft strategies.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who disclosed this in Abuja, said adoption of the measure was informed by the realisation that criminals prefer imprisonment to losing their illegally acquired wealth.

Malami said this in a speech he sent to the “regional capacity building workshop for law enforcement agencies on promoting best practices on structure, investigation and techniques of criminal asset seizure, freezing, confiscation, recoveries, management in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions.”

The workshop was put together by the Inter-Government Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA).

Malami said: “We cannot over emphasise the importance of criminal assets confiscation or forfeiture; besides the redistribution of wealth from the criminals to legitimate use, criminal assets forfeiture can be used as a veritable means to control criminal behaviour as well as a means of deterrence against crime and as a measure of punishment for criminals.

“Many criminals fear the loss of their money and other illegally acquired wealth more than they fear the prospect of a jail term.

“Assets confiscation and forfeiture can be used to take away the benefit from the crime, as no one has the right to retain the money or property gained from illegality.

“It has been noted that when you separate the criminal from the profit that motivated him to commit the crime, you will also be removing the incentives that may propel others to commit a similar offence.

“It is indisputable that when criminal assets are recovered and used to enhance the capacities of law enforcement agencies or other relevant government agencies, the ability of the law enforcement agencies to combat organised criminal activities will be enhanced.”

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/criminals-use-proceeds-of-corruption-to.html

A former Nigerian ambassador to Greece and Australia, Professor Olu Agbi is dead.

He died at the age of 73.

A family source told DAILY POST that Prof. Agbi died in the early hours of Wednesday after he slumped and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he gave up the ghost.

The source who pleaded anonymity said the former ambassador and one time Secretary to the Ondo State Government had been battling with kidney related problem.

He was one of the delegates at the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national convention held in Port Harcourt, Rivers state few days back.

Professor Olu Agbi who was also the Asiwaju of Akure Kingdom was born on May 2, 1945, to the family of Mr and Mrs Agbi in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Professor Olu Agbi was born on May 2, 1945, to the family of Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Elizabeth Agbi in Akure. He went to L.A Primary School, Akure for his primary education in 1951, and by December 1957, he completed primary school education. He later proceeded to the L.A Modern School in 1958 for his secondary school education and was there for about three years before he went to the Government Teachers Training College, Ilesa for Grade Two Teachers’ Certificate and was there for another three years.

In 1965, he taught briefly at the L.A Primary School, Akure and in 1966, he was transferred to the Community Primary School, Iju, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, where he was until he gained admission to the University of Ibadan in September 1967 to study history. In June 1970, he graduated with Second Class Upper Division and the Federal Government gave him a scholarship for his post-graduate degree in the University of Ibadan.

However, when he went back to the school, he realised that the kind of specialisation he wanted was not being taught. He wanted to specialise in Diplomatic History, which was also regarded as International History. So, he had to get another scholarship to travel abroad.

He eventually got both the Commonwealth and the Western Nigerian Government Scholarship to go to Birmingham in the United Kingdom and upon arrival, he eventually opted for the Western Nigerian Government scholarship because it was more attractive than the commonwealth scholarship in the sense that it allowed the recipient’s wife and children to get some allowances which the Commonwealth scholarship did not offer.

He was in School of Modern History in Birmingham for four years before he returned to Nigeria in September 1976 to join the Department of History in the University of Ibadan where he later rose to the position of a senior lecturer from 1976 to 1979. From the University of Ibadan, he moved to Ondo State University, now Ekiti State University, where he became a professor, head of the history department and later the Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Oludare Agbi was also an ambassador to Greece and Australia as well as former Secretary to Ondo State Government (SSG).

Professor Agbi, a PDP Chieftain became the Asiwaju of Akure Kingdom in 2016.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/former-nigerian-ambassador-to-greece.html

The federal government yesterday made real its promise to rejig the country’s security architecture, with the inauguration of a Defence and Security Think Tank team. The minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, inaugurated the Security Think Tank committee approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to proactively and continuously examine the security situation in the country.

According to the minister, the think tank team is to give necessary advice based on its findings, even as it is also empowered to co-opt any person deemed necessary to contribute positively to its assignment.

“You are further expected to constantly intimate the Ministry of Defence of your findings and recommendations on quarterly basis,” Dan-Ali said. The minister noted that the nation was faced with different security challenges, which has claimed a lot of lives and property, adding that the challenges also pose threats to social, economic and political stability of the country.

He continued: “Addressing these challenges require analysing the causes of threats as well as critical evaluation of the performance of the security agencies in handling emerging scenarios. It also requires the provision of thought-out and far reaching advice by security experts and experienced individuals.

“The effective implementation of a comprehensive approach to these challenges require the contribution of all security agencies and other stakeholders based on shared sense of responsibility, openness and determination, taking into account their respective strengths, mandates and roles as well as decision-making autonomy”.

The terms of reference of the think tank committee are to constantly undertake strategic threats and vulnerability analysis, and evaluate strategic defence and security requirements of the nation.

It also includes assessing the degree of success and failure of measures taken to address threats and exploiting avenues to establish strategic partnership and collaboration with foreign countries, organisations and individuals that would benefit the country.

Other terms of reference are to suggest plans for handling specific problems, advise on how the armed forces can interface with other security agencies to achieve joint operations and any other task deemed appropriate by the minister of Defence. The chairman of the committee, Gen Abdulmalik Jibril, noted that though the Boko Haram insurgents have been degraded, there are still other security challenges in the country. Jibril promised that the team will live up to expectations.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/fg-reviews-security-architecture.html

The National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, October 6 announced that President Muhammadu Buhari got 14.8 million votes during the direct presidential primary the party held on Friday, Sept. 29.

Chairman of the Convention Election Committee and Governor-elect of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said President Buhari polled 14,842,072 votes in 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). APC claims to have developed a database of 15.6 million members.

The various state chapters of APC had earlier announced various figures as the votes for Buhari during their state congresses to endorse the President’s candidature using the party’s recently adopted direct primary model under which every party member is involved in selecting a candidate.

A report this morning by the authoritative Daily Trust newspaper, however, indicated that the figures were inflated in a number of states.

The report said: “The figures given by the APC indicated that votes were cast and counted in all the states and the FCT as follows: Abia, 43,308; Adamawa, 263,945; Akwa Ibom, 140,822; Anambra, 248,268; Bauchi, 316,199; Bayelsa, 210,201; Benue, 259,130; Borno, 466,601; Cross River, 145,615; Ebonyi, 157,455; Edo, 505,827; Ekiti, 199,724; Enugu, 17,291; Gombe, 112,857; Imo, 115,830; Jigawa, 202,597; Kaduna, 597,209; Kano, 2,931,335; Katsina, 802,819; Kebbi, 210,687; Kogi, 387,003; Kwara, 159, 822; Lagos, 2,272,722; Nasarawa, 110,879; Niger, 387,097; Ogun, 586,453; Ondo, 436,968; Osun, 512,013; Oyo, 421, 200; Plateau, 123,073; Rivers, 388,653; Sokoto, 313,091; Taraba, 139,102; Yobe, 199,414; Zamfara, 247,847; and FCT, 54,128.

“But reports from our correspondents on the APC presidential primary indicated that while elections did not hold in some states, the president was returned through a voice vote in others.

“Similarly, the figures given by some governors soon after the primary were different from what the APC declared on Saturday.

“For instance, while Ekiti and Ogun supported President Buhari’s re-election through a voice vote, the APC said the president got 199,724 and 586,453 respectively.

“The party also said the president got 512,013 votes in Osun while reports from the state on the day of the election indicated that he was actually voted through affirmation by APC members.

“Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who was the ‘Returning Officer’ for the exercise in Kaduna, had shortly after the presidential primary said Buhari got 1,956,500 votes but the results released by the Fayemi committee indicated that he got 597,209 in Kaduna.

“Sources within the APC in Taraba State said the president was given 875,385 votes during the primary but the results released by the Fayemi committee showed that Buhari got 139, 102.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/how-buharis-votes-were-padded-during.html

Actress mercy aigbe who step out in style for the wedding of Okiki Afolayan and Abimbola Ogunnowo has received shades by fans for flaunting her cleavage.

Sexy Or Not??

See reactions Below:

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/actress-mercy-aigbe-bares-her-full-boob.html

The recent dust generated by the appointment of a Director General for the Department of State Services may have settled. So also, public outcry expressing sectarian and tribal bias over his emergence as the DGSS may have come and gone as the new man at the helm of affairs has assumed office.

Anyone who has been in the intelligence or security circles would know that Mr. Bichi, armed with 35 years of experience, exudes professionalism, dedication and excellence. All these he demonstrated in his duty tours around the country during his career engagements in various capacities across different Departments, Directorates and Commands of the Service. He is a gentleman Officer, highly humane and approachable and with deep insight into the expertise of security and intelligence.

His depth of personnel management easily endears him to officers and men of the Service as they remain at the heart of his policies and vision. This is his conviction and it is geared at creating the most conducive work environment and other motivations that would drive the workforce to achieve effectiveness and greater efficiency.

It goes without saying therefore, that he is not only experienced, but well suited to take on the job and deliver on expectations of an improved security for the nation. His emphasis on professionalism and discipline is instructive. He is firm without being authoritarian.

His return to the Service as DGSS especially at a time when public confidence in the service seemed to be waning ostensibly brought back an air of excitement to staff who have latched on to his vision of restoring the Service to its pride of place. The spring in the step of operatives would surely be restored and their confident smiles point to their willingness to contribute meaningfully to the success of not only the Service, but the government in general.

For instance, while on his tour of duty as Director of Administration, several welfare packages were reactivated and reviewed for the benefit of staff. This was propelled by his astute belief that loyalty is boosted by motivation (which he believes is not only pecuniary benefits). He has mentored several fine Officers who have in their right passed on these tenets and uphold the values he stands for.

What should concern us therefore is that the SSS returns to its traditional way of doing things and remain at the background as the covert agency it should be. Rather than be dragged alongside the Police and other enforcement agents, Its core should focus on providing the direction’s that will ensure that people oriented policies are pursued by the government. In my opinion, this is a job perfectly cut out for Mr. Bichi. To Mr. Bichi, I say the task ahead maybe a herculean one, but I have complete faith that you will surmount the ethnic, religious and sentimental jabs thrown your way.

Nigeria and indeed posterity are counting on you to build a Service that everyone, Officer or not, will be proud to be associated with. I urge you sir, to look beyond the myopic reasoning and interests of a few and embrace unity as your watch word. Soon, your detractors will be forced to pitch their tents on your divide.

Rising through the ranks affords you the opportunity to understand the challenges of each cadre. Emphasis should be directed at training and building the capacity of Officers, while making room also for career enhancement. In doing so, you develop not only the staff and their output, but the Service and the nation. What stands out for me is that despite the huge outcry, not one person has questioned your capabilities as a leader of Nigeria’s SSS. Mr. Bichi, you are the man of the moment, and all eyes are on you. Soar and touch the sky. –Akinbode is a retired personnel and wrote in from Abuja.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/the-bichi-i-know-his.html

Former Flying Eagles gaffer, John Obuh is confident that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will defeat the Mediterranean Knights of Libya when both team lock horns in their crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double legged encounter.

While speaking to LEADERSHIP Sports Obuh expressed that the Eagles team who is led by Gernot Rohr has the qualities to overcome any threats from the North Africa side hence taking the maximum six points in match day 3 and 4 respectively and to qualify for Cameroon 2019.

“From the players invited by Gernot Rohr we have the quality to beat Libya home and away, I believe Super Eagles players will not like to miss out in the 2019 AFCON so they must strive to get the maximum six points from the double header” He opened.

Despite Libya leading Nigeria on the standings Obuh aired that it is an added advantage for Eagles as that will serve as a benchmark for them to overturn the log table in their favour whereby going for an outright win in both games.

“Libya leading Nigeria is an advantage to us because Super Eagles just have to win and make sure they did not lose in the home and away matches against Libya if we really want to overturn the table” he added.

It could be recalled that, the Super Eagles of Nigeria failed to qualify for the last two edition of the Africa Nations Cup after they emerged champions in South Africa 2013.

Nigeria will host their North African counterparts at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on October 13 before traveling to Sfax for the reverse fixture which will hold on October 16.

The Eagles are in third position behind Libya’s Mediterranean Knights and South Africa who are both on four points while Seychelles rocks the bottom of Group E without a point from two games.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/2019-afcon-qualifiers-eagles-will.html

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, has rejected the endorsement of Dele Cole as the Rivers State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), arguing that he only joined the party as an aspirant.

He has consequently vowed to appeal the decision of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on the issue.

Abe, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Friday, while reacting to the APC’s NWC decision, said he is already preparing a petition to present to the appeal panel set up by the party.

Senator Abe said: “I am sure you are all aware of the current situation in our party and decision of the National Working Committee to accept the report that nominated Architect Tonye Dele Cole as the candidate of party; arising from the indirect primaries that was conducted here in Port Harcourt.”

“As all of you are aware, this situation is what we have been warning the leadership about in the last two years now when the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, called a meeting of this party and started the pattern of threats and intimidation that has now snowballed into the current situation.

“We had warned, we had pleaded, we had talked for close to two years now to draw the attention of the party, to draw the attention of this country to the crisis that is being created and sustained in the party, for no other reason but to ensure that we do not have any opportunity to participate in the governorship primaries of our party.

“The truth of the matter is that I have nothing against Architect Tonye Dele Cole. He is a friend and he remains a friend. But as a politician, we are fighting the fight based on justice and based on our commitment to truth.

“There are certain things that cannot change except there is justice. The leadership of the party has set up an appeal committee to look into the complaints of some members who are aggrieved over the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“We are preparing our petition, which we will send to the appeal committee. Although we were told that the petition to the appeal committee is a mere formality. But we will still present our position to them.”

Abe, who is the Senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said he has nothing against Cole, but stated that he will continue to seek for justice.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on FERMA, restated his commitment and respect to the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari, especially in view of the latter’s promise of fairness and justice to all Nigerians.

“I have said severally that those who want peace should work to enthrone justice in the party. Without truth, there can be no justice and without justice, there can be no peace.

“We remain committed and we will be committed to the All Progressives Congress. We remain committed to President Muhammadu Buhari and his promise of fairness and justice to all Nigerians,” Abe stated.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/abe-rejects-apc-nwcs-endorsement-of.html

A former Lagos State Commission for Information and Director General, Kayode Fayem’s campaign Organisation, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele has emerged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekiti State for Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

He defeated the incumbent Senator, Fatimat Raji-Rasaki to win the ticket of the party.

The primary was conducted by the party in the district on Friday.

The Chairman of the National Working Committee on Senatorial primary in Ekiti, Ibrahim Sule, while declaring the result early on Saturday at the party’s Secretariat in Ado Ekiti pointed out that Bamidele polled a total of 61,823 votes to defeat his closest rival, who garnered 3,289.

In the election in Ekiti North, Senator Olu Adetumbi clinched the senatorial ticket with a total of 2,763 while Prince Dayo Adeyeye won in the South with a total vote of 51, 443.

Also a former Chief of Staff to the governor-elect, Mr Yemi Adaramodu, also won the House of Representatives ticket in Ekiti South Federal constituency 1.

Responding to his victory, Bamidele praised former Governor, Niyi Adebayo and the Governor-elect, Dr Kayode Fayemi for standing by him and preventing some powerful individuals from imposing Raji-Rasaki on the party.

The former Federal lawmaker, said the direct primary conducted in Ekiti had afforded every member the right of participation as entrenched in democratic ideals, saying act of imposition would only brew ill-feelings among party members.

“Let me assure Mrs Rasaki that I will continue to hold her in high esteem. We are in this party together and there was need for us to coalesce efforts and build a virile party of our choice.

“It was history that repeated itself, because I succeeded her in the House of Representatives and the same thing is about to happen; I give glory to God.

“I want her to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship by working for me in the coming election in the interest of Ekiti and our party, APC.

“I am of the conviction that my being voted as the Senatorial candidate was borne out of the need to have popular candidates that can enhance the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in Ekiti in the 2019 presidential election. Let me also say that I am indebted, so indebted to the people of Ekiti Central Senatorial district, because some can’t queue in the sun since morning and I will forget him when I get to the Senate, that would be a tantamount to a sin against God and humanity.

“They made spirited efforts to remove my name from the ballot, but for the fight, our leaders, Otunba Adebayo and Dr. Fayemi put up, the game was aborted. I will be grateful to these leaders eternally.

“These leaders have been on tremendous pressure to prevent me from contesting, but they stood their ground. They were convinced just like every other APC member that there was no agreement anywhere that someone will get automatic ticket in Ekiti central.

“But we have put that behind us with this victory. I will work harder to secure victory for APC in that election, particularly engaging the PDP candidate, Barrister Obafemi Adewale in constructive and issue-based campaign , since the mission of the two of us is to represent our people well and make their lives better.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/ekiti-apc-primary-bamidele-sacks.html

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Friday reacted to the action of policemen, who disrupted a peaceful protest by chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking with DAILY POST, an aide to Saraki, Olu Onemola, disclosed that the police personnel shot light weapons and tear-gassed the PDP leaders.

The Senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray-Bruce had alleged that police attacked leaders and members of PDP, who were protesting against the outcome of the Osun State Governorship election at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.

However, Onemola said, “They Senate President alongside the Chairman of PDP and other dignitaries embarked on a peaceful protest to INEC office where they expressed their views on the Osun governorship election. They were received at INEC’s office by two Commissioners of the Commission.

“When they finished from INEC’s office, they headed to the Force headquarters but were blocked by policemen who shot light weapons and tear gassed them.”

Leaders of the opposition party, including Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; and the National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, led the protesters to INEC office after they had earlier converged at the national headquarters of the PDP in Abuja.

Also, among the protesters were Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; former Niger State Governor and presidential aspirant, Sule Lamido; and Senator Dino Melaye, among others.

The PDP wants the electoral umpire to declare its candidate, Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the Osun election.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/osun-election-saraki-condemn-police-for.html

Ahead of Saturday’s PDP presidential primary election, the spokesperson of the Atiku Campaign Organisstion, Mr Segun Showumi, spoke to BODE GBADEBO on the selling points of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Former vice president Atiku is throwing his hat in the ring for the fourth consecutive time.



After three unsuccessful outings, what is he doing differently now? Well, the way that question has come across gives the impression that you think that or could be assumed that having put himself forward for the presidency, that his inability to get the ticket of a big party like PDP or APC is down to some fault of Atiku. No! It is not. I need to put this straight on record that the tendencies that have kept Nigeria from achieving her potentials have been the same tendencies that have not allowed one of the best materials that Africa has to offer in terms of presidential aspiration.



What is he doing differently this time? I think one thing that marvels me about Atiku is that most people spend a lot of time feeling frustrated after an unfortunate or may be a non-result yielding exercise. Atiku, on the other hand, usually takes some time to rest and having gathered back his strength and stamina, what he normally does is interrogate the issues all over again to see whether there is any agenda he believes so passionate or there is any agenda not talked about that is now ripe to be discussed.



What we saw from 2007, 2011, 2015 and now 2019 is that Atiku has been very consistent on messages he has always believed, that this country must rework the governance structure in such a way that it gives every section of the country the opportunity to deliver more for its people and to contribute more to the general wellbeing of the nation, Nigeria and as such, he has always been consistent on restructuring. Atiku has always believed that for an African country with the population size of Nigeria, where the poor people are the majority with unemployment, lack of inclusion is the major reason for the despondency of the young people.



In between elections, he has in his own little ways, consistently increased the number of opportunities for getting people employed in his private work to the high point of it, which is about 50 to 60 thousand direct employment and 250 to 300 thousand indirect jobs. That means, in spite of not being in power, yet, he has put his money where his mouth is by creating jobs.



He understands that if you get them employed and they have something of value doing, they will contribute better and be better citizens. Africa has consistently felt that the bridge of cooperation and integration, which is a political philosophy that was first introduced to Atiku by Shehu Musa Yar’adua of blessed memory, where Yar’adua was of the opinion that having come from a regionised Nigeria with the mutual suspicion of the tribes, the political philosophy going forward should be building bridges across all the ethnic tribes.



And you will see that Atiku has always been mindful of the need to ensure that all Nigerians can be involved in whatever it is that he is doing. Some of these efforts have not been celebrated because people take them for granted and it is easy to have achieved the integration in politics that Atiku has done but these things have happened by deliberate ideas around listening to other guys’ point of view; accommodating cultural differences; respecting ideological and religious differences and sustaining the friendship around the commonality of purpose. I doubt if anybody in Nigeria living now can say he has lived his life that way.



Now to top it all, the 2019 run has compelled Atiku even more than before that the circumstances and the challenges in Nigeria today is such that his life, his precious experience, the level of exposure, vision and things he has observed over the years, including how he has ordered his own private life and how his family structure and the kind of work experiences he has, both in private and public sectors and as vice president have positioned him as it were as the messiah of the present set of circumstances that Nigeria is battling. So, whereas he has been presenting himself as candidate before, right now, Atiku’s life, vision, ideas, the energy that is bustling through place him and Nigeria as being on the threshold of greater life of developmental direction.



So, if Atiku is on the ballot in 2019, Nigerians can consider it to be a referendum. Can you be specific about the tendencies inhibiting Atiku and whether they have ceased to be or not? There are no specific tendencies. You see, to describe it or to try to simulate your imagination, I will just ask and say, have you ever bothered to wonder why is it that concerning all or most Nigerians, be it in the market, farm or beer parlour or anywhere, some things come true when you talk about Nigerians and their country. Leave out criticisms, you will almost be able to feel and taste the hope that Nigerians have and an idea that things are better in their country.



Now that hope has been dashed a few times, especially in 2015, the people were really hopeful but now beyond holding one individual responsible, you have to ask, why is it that leaders come and go but Nigeria is still not satisfied with the quality or service that their leaders are offering? If I am to give some specific examples around how candidates find themselves on the ballot, you would see that many times, for example in 2007, apart from the fact that these tendencies have been challenging the government of Nigeria, most nations in the world, who want to do sustainable development, could have transmitted power from the president to his vice president, who can continue the agenda and probably improve on it.



And if you are not sure it works, we saw in Lagos that it works or it can work. In the build-up to 2015, if not for those tendencies, it is difficult to explain why returning power to northern Nigeria along the table management of the diversity and the power sectors of this country, didn’t make sense to PDP in 2015 and as such, again, I put it down to the tendencies contending with Nigeria as its glory. Not a few Nigerians believe Atiku Abubakar ought not to vie for the presidency given his wealth and political connection as he is seen as a kingmaker…



I will use Biblical explanation to tell you how these things work. The leadership that will be meaningful in the affairs of a nation is always by an instrument from above. What that means is that, God, in his infinite mercies and nature prepares a leader, exposing him to experiences to get him ready for the assignment before nations and like it was in the time past, so it is now. Until you have crossed one leadership developmental mantle, you are not able to bequeath the land to the successful generations.



Where Nigeria is now is very divided, if you have a divided country, the first thing you have to know is that everybody that wants to unite it must have relationship that all the sections can key into, for it will no longer be easy for one person with an isolated relationship with one section to generate the level of trust in the other section, Atiku has that. My duty and the duty of all Nigerians, including the journalists, civil society is to expose this conversation in such a way that we can focus it on the right thing. Any nation has the right to decide that they want to see the road of growth or choose the road of stagnation.



If it is done in a credible manner, it is their right to choose but it is my duty as one that has been toiling on the Nigerian project for more than 20 years to sound the bell and tell them what is behind. The duty before me is to say this is what he represents, this is what he has done in the past, this is what he promises to do in the future and this is where he is going. He had, at various times, condemned the policies of the present government regarding the economy, security and job creation. He was a vice president for eight years. Specifically, what did he do about these issues when he was in power? You see, the worst thing that can happen to those of you who are supposed to do investigative journalism is to run into the generalisation of the mob you are meant to educate.



The safest periods in recent history that Nigeria enjoyed were years when Atiku was vice president. Although, they confronted a lot of issues at that time, among them were the sharia uprising, here and there and the early stages of criminal political thugs that metamorphosed into Boko Haram terrorism. In a private procedure and position, Adamawa has a well-tutored security and religious committee managing security. He also brought American University to Adamawa, a programme that brings the IDPs from terrorism into a sustainable re-integration back to the society crusade that runs on the theme, ‘The World From My Eyes.’



He brings them and educates them, speaks to them, mentors them and gives them opportunity to tell how they see the world plus direct submission of his money to IDPs via his foundation. Atiku understands the maxim of nature that, not everything you do for the benefit of humanity must be brought to public space to achieve popularity. Are you aware that Atiku has a micro finance bank that has operating principles to give his credit to 90 per cent women and is still running and has been running for years, only targeted at putting small money in the hands of women and getting them to improve their lives.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/why-restructuring-is-necessary-showumi.html

Minister of Interior, retired Lt.- Gen.Abdulrahman Dambazau has directed the Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to urgently put an end to the resurgence of violent crisis in Plateau.

Dambazau gave the directive in a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Mr Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister also urged the security agencies to map out strategies to maintain adequate security visibility in the rural communities to re-assure residents of their safety, and deter criminally minded persons.

The minister noted, “the unquantifiable efforts of the Plateau State Government and security agencies at finding lasting solution to the worrisome crisis in the state.”

He said there was need for security operatives to redouble their intelligence gathering mechanism by working closely with their host communities to ensure steady flow of actionable intelligence needed to nip such crisis in the bud.

Dambazau commiserated with the government and people of Plateau over the highly reprehensible incident.

He assured the people of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration determination to put an end to violent crisis in Plateau and other parts of the country.

The minister, therefore, urged the people of Plateau to refrain from reprisal attacks, as the perpetrators of the dastardly acts would not go unpunished.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/jos-dambazau-speaks-on-renewed-crisis.html

A former Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bolaji Abdullahi and seven other aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have withdrawn from the gubernatorial primary of the party in Kwara State.

The aspirants announced their withdrawal from the race at the ongoing primary election holding at Banquet Hall, Ilorin.Tribune reports.

Other aspirants who have withdrawn from the race were Dr Ali Ahmad, Alh Saka Isau, SAN, Alh Ladi Hassan, Ibrahim Ajia, Hon. Zakari Mohammed and Hon. Ahman Pategi.

The contest is now between House of Representatives member, Barr. Razak Atunwa from Kwara Central and Senator Sha’aba Lafiagi from Kwara north.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed who was at the event, explained that the 8 aspirants withdrew from the race because of the party’s interest.

He thanked them for their act of magnanimity.

The governor also thanked the state’s political leader, Dr Bukola Saraki for his wise counselling and purposeful leadership, which have kept members of the PDP united in the state.

Recall that PDP cancelled its guber primary on Sunday following a confrontation between supporters of two leading aspirants.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/bolaji-abdullahi-7-other-aspirants.html

The Governor Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stole President Muhammadu Buhari’s votes in 2015 and made it look like the South-East did not support him.

Okorocha said this while insisting that Buhari remains the best option for the South-East region.

The governor spoke Friday night after the announcement of the result of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Primary, at the Nick Banquet Hall Owerri.

Okorocha stated that President Buhari will win in the entire South – East in 2019.

“In the 2011 election, the PDP people were able to rig and write fictitious figures to misrepresent the facts on ground.

“But in the 2015 election, the PDP also manipulated the results of the South – East states to portend dislike and resentment for Muhammadu Buhari.

“But we fought them to a standstill to ensure that they did not perpetuate their heinous act of writing unrealistic results. Hence, the South – East votes ensured an even spread for the emergence of Mr. President.

“What we are doing today is the APC Presidential Primary for President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It is also very clear that the president is contesting the 2019 presidential election on the platform of APC as the sole candidate of the party.

“But like the constitution approves, whether it’s one person or more than one candidate, the electorate must exercise their franchise.

“So, we have come to show our love towards him by queuing to vote for him massively.

“We’re doing this to know the number of the Party members from each ward that are approving his candidature for 2019 presidential election.

“So, I’m here with my people to assure President Muhammadu Buhari that Imolites are with him come 2019.

“I am very happy for the large turnout as people had trooped out in their large numbers to ensure victory for our Party, APC and our presidential flag-bearer, President Muhammadu Buhari and also to assure him that APC is the Party on ground in Imo State.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/2019-how-pdp-robbed-buhari-in-south.html

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its governorship primary election across the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, Abuja.

The exercise was earlier slated to hold on Saturday.

APC spokesman, Yekini Nabena, announced the new date Thursday night on Twitter.

He wrote, “National Working Committee (NWC) has rescheduled the Governorship Primary Election to 30th September, 2018.

“Subsequent elections are unchanged and are as follows: 2nd October, 2018 – Senate Primary Elections:

“3rd October, 2018 – House of Representatives Primary Elections;

“4th October, 2018 – State House of Assembly Primary Elections;

“6th October, 2018 – National Convention (Presidential)”.

Meanwhile, the APC has released a list of governorship aspirants that have been cleared to contest for primaries in 26 states.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers, Aisha Alhassan aka Mama Taraba and Adebayo Shittu were not cleared.

However, names of those cleared in other states are expected to be announced in the offing.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/2019-apc-postpones-governorship-primary.html

The Police Command in Bayelsa says it has restored normalcy to Brass Island, after violence erupted in the area, from a clash between two cult groups earlier in the day.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP. Asinim Butswat, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa.

“The report we have from Brass Island is that of a clash between rival cult groups and we deployed personnel to restore peace to the area.

“The PDP secretariat in Brass was not attacked, we have restored peace in the area,” Butswat said.

Earlier, Mr Victor Isaiah, Caretaker Chairman, Brass Local Government Area, had told journalists that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in the area was attacked by some thugs.

Isaiah alleged that the thugs were loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the violence in the island and bring the perpetrators to book.

Isaiah, in company of Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce (PDP-Bayelsa East), said that PDP supporters in Brass were in dire need of protection, following the proposed visit of APC chieftain, Timipre Sylva at the weekend.

Murray-Bruce said that he would raise the matter on the floor of the Senate when the National Assembly reconvened.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/police-react-as-rival-cult-groups-clash.html

Candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the governorship election in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, yesterday said his party would support the All Progressives Congress (APC) for today’s supplementary poll. Omisore who spoke to journalists in his Ile-Ife country home said after the election, SDP and APC would form a coalition government. He noted that the ruling party accepted manifestoes of his party, which he said are people oriented.

The former federal lawmaker said SDP’s decision to form a coalition government is based on the party that is ready to work with SDP to adopt and implement the core values of the party, which is social justice and good governance. He said, “Our core values and philosophy as indicated in our SDP manifestoes (“Restoration Agenda”), have all been presented to the APC and the PDP representatives, who have approached us for support and formation of a coalition government.

“For the Restoration Agenda to be effectively implemented, Social Democratic Party (Osun state) would ensure that her core values are considered and incorporated into the development agenda of the party of choice for a meaningful coalition. “In this regard, we have forwarded our proposals for coalition government to the PDP representatives headed by the Senate President (Sen. Bukola Saraki) and the APC high powered delegation by Dr. Kayode Fayemi the newly elected governor of Ekiti state.

“The APC had since come back to accept all the conditions proposed to them by us to form a coalition government while the PDP is yet to respond. We have therefore as a party accepted to support the APC for victory in the rerun election tomorrow and thereafter form a coalition government.” A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) delegation led by Senate President Bukola Saraki had on Monday solicited Omisore’s support for the supplementary election. Omisore had said shortly after the meeting that he would work with any political party that is ready to adopt his manifesto.

Omisore’s Decision Shameful – Fani-Kayode But former minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday described as shameful, Omisore’s decision to form an alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of today’s supplementary governorship election in Osun State. Fani-Kayode who also hails from the state said that by that decision, Omisore has denied Ile-Ife the position of deputy governor because of money. Omisore emerged the beautiful bride of both the APC and PDP after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the September 22 governorship election inconclusive.

The former minister added that the SDP candidate had assured him and Ayo Adebanjo separately that he would stand firm with the PDP. Fani-Kayode said, “Iyiola Omisore’s decision to support the APC in tomorrow’s rerun is shameful. It is sad that he would seek to deny Ile-Ife the position of Deputy Governor simply for money. “He told me he would stand firm two days ago and he told our leader and father Baba Ayo Adebanjo the same thing last night”. Osun People Will Speak Again Today – Saraki Meanwhile, Senate President Bukola Saraki said yesterday that he is convinced that the candidate of the PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke, will emerge governor-elect in today’s supplementary election in Osun State. Saraki spoke while fielding questions from journalists in Katsina shortly after addressing PDP stakeholders at the Katsina State secretariat of the party ahead of next month’s presidential primary election of the party.

The PDP presidential hopeful hinged his argument on the premise that the party had the highest number of votes in last Saturday’s inconclusive gubernatorial poll in Osun. Saraki said, “We won the last one but we will go back to the field. We are very confident that we will win again. As you know, the total number of PVCs collected is only 2500 out of over 3000. We all know that not more than half of the people will vote anyway. “So, the maximum votes we are talking about are probably 12,000. And of the seven polling units, we are strong in at least four. So, by all indications, we are all going to be at alert.

The people have spoken once already; they will speak again on Thursday. We should respect the wishes of the people. ‘I am sure by tomorrow (today) we will have a PDP governor-elect in Ademola Adeleke. My own appeal to INEC and security agencies is that everybody is watching Nigeria now. Let’s do the right thing and let’s ensure free and fair elections.” On the PDP presidential primary, Saraki expressed confidence that Katsina State delegates would give him their maximum support based on his close friendship with the leaders and people of the state over the years. “The people of Katsina appreciate that I am somebody they can work with and I am somebody that will always protect their interest and somebody that has shown over the years that I am a close friend of Katsina,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/osun-guber-omisore-declares-support-for.html

Rebecca Sharibu, the mother of Leah Sharibu, the only kidnapped Dapchi schoolgirl still in the captivity of Boko Haram, has filed a suit of N500 million against the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, over what she described as negligence of their statutory duties in securing her daughter’s release.

In the suit, the plaintiff sought N500 million as compensation for the indignities and human deprivations which she said her daughter had sufferer since her abduction in February 2018.

A copy of the suit, dated September 19, 2018 with no FCH/L/cs/1528/18, filed at the Federal High Court of Nigeria Lagos, was made available to newsmen in Jos yesterday.

The suit also requested for an order “compelling the defendants to employ every means in securing the plaintiff from the custody of her captors; an order compelling the defendants to pay the plaintiff the sum of ₦500 million being compensation for the indignities and human deprivations suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the defendants’ dereliction of statutory duties in securing her release from her captors since the month of February, 2018 till date of this action”.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/leah-sharibus-mother-sues-fg-and.html

Fatima Muhammed, who was arrested for kidnapping the 4-year-old son of Bukar Dalori, the Borno APC Chairman, on September 21, 2018, in Maiduguri, has said she has no regrets.

Fatima was pregnant when she abducted the boy from a school and demanded N20m ransom. She gave birth to a baby boy in Guess Inn while keeping the victim.

According to her:

“I committed the crime because I am in love with money. I have no regrets over the crime I committed and even if it is my own child I will kidnap him for money.

I know he is the son of the APC chairman; I took him because I want money to go and enjoy myself somewhere. Why should I regret anything?”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/no-regretsi-can-kidnap-my-own-child-for.html

The FCT High Court, Abuja, yesterday adjourned until October 23, the N5bn defamation suit, instituted by Chief Raymond Dokpesi against the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

According to Justice Adegboyega Adeniyi, the adjournment was to make room for Dokpesi to react to the preliminary objection raised by the two ministers on the Court’s jurisdiction over the matter.

Dokpesi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and chairman emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, filed the suit on April 30.

He alleged that Mohammed and Malami defamed his character by the inclusion of his name on the treasury looters’ list.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, the plaintiff’s counsel, Ennaemeka Adasu, holding brief for Mike Ozekhome (SAN), informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing and all the five plaintiff’s witnesses were in court.

He, however, told the court that the defendants’ counsel only this morning in court, served the plaintiff with a notice of preliminary objection on the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit.

Adasu, who argued that the service on his client in court this morning was done in bad faith and in the circumstance, requested for an adjournment to enable him respond to the objection.

Justice Adegboyega Adeniyi upheld the plaintiff counsel’s submission and adjourned the case until October 23 for hearing of the preliminary objection.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/looters-list-court-adjourns-dokpesis.html

The Nigeria Police say a “Plan B” security has been activated following the inconclusive Osun State governorship election and ahead of the re-run.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Thursday, September 27 as the new date for the rescheduled exercise.

According to the commission, the rerun will be conducted in some of the units in which votes were cancelled for alleged irregularities.

The affected units are in the following local governments: Orolu, Osogbo, Ife South and Ife North.

INEC had on Sunday announced the final results of the governorship election with the candidate of PDP leading with a total votes of 254, 698, while APC polled 254,345 to come second in the exercise.

Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on the next line on action, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations and Security Coordinator for the Osun election, Joshak Habila assured of a hitch-free exercise.

He said: “We have already activated plan B. I told you earlier that we had contingency arrangement for the election. That is how we do our planning. We make provisions for any eventuality.

“There is no cause for alarm, but politicians must play by the rules of the game. They should improve on their conduct.

“There were two attempts to snatch ballot boxes but security averted them. Political thugs and all those who have no business at the affected polling units should steer clear.

“This is a warning to those who think they can cause trouble in the state. We will ensure they face the wrath of the law. The electorate should not be afraid because we are very much on ground.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/osun-decides-what-well-do-before-during.html

The immediate past National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Presidential aspirant, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has reacted to announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declaring the just-concluded governorship election in Osun State inconclusive.

Makarfi in a statement signed by his spokesman, Muktar Sirajo, urged the people of Osun State to be a little patient as their seven years sufferings will soon be over despite delay.

Makarfi also congratulated the people of Osun State for the orderly and peaceful manner they conducted themselves during the inconclusive gubernatorial election.

He appealed to the members and supporters of PDP in Osun State, especially in those areas where elections are to be repeated, to remain resolute and steadfast by coming out in larger numbers to inflict maximum damage on APC

According to him “the long-suffering people of Osun State, who have had to endure a harrowing more than seven years in the hands of the current APC administration, more than three of which were spent with either half salary or no salary by the workforce, will soon end.

“Until the recent deceitful election-period bailout, have grown wiser and will rally round to ensure that such horrible experience is consigned to the dustbin of history by successfully completing the task they started yesterday.

“With the kind of commitment and enthusiasm shown, Senator Makarfi believes that victory is eventually assured for the PDP in this and all subsequent elections.

“Even though there is a lot more improvement needed, Senator Makarfi commends the security agencies for being, for the large part, professional in their handling of the Osun election.

“This is not to say, that they were perfect; but at least the level of impunity and brazen partiality was relatively less than experienced in previous exercises.

“The Senator urges the security agencies as well as the INEC to up the ante in this regard to inspire greater confidence in the voters, as well as the larger national and international communities,” the statement added.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/osun-2018-makarfi-reacts-as-inec.html

Nigerian writer, speaker, and activist, Chimamanda Adichie, has suggested that the idea of bride price in should be gotten ridden of. According to the writer and public speaker, bride price ruins things because nobody is being sold.

Adichie had an evening with some young people in Lagos yesterday, and someone asked a question about the traditional practice.

According to her, her dad didn’t receive any bride price during her wedding, he just collected 10kobo to make it symbolic.

She also revealed she is not a fan of bride price because it ruins things. She said;

“I am not a fan of bride price. I think we should get rid of the whole idea of money in marriage, it ruins things. We are not selling anybody”.

Her comment on bride price does not portray what the scripture says and what God expects from us. So don’t be carried away by someone else’ opinion.

Chimamanda Adichie, who is currently in Nigeria, has revealed that her best selling book ‘Americanah’ will be adapted into a series, not a movie.
According to the renowned author, Danai Gurira is writing the script for the series which will also feature Lupita Nyong’o as part of its cast. Some major highlight of the evening was Ms. Adichie’s talk on bride price and why she finds its commercialism disgusting.

Chimamanda Adichie also told those present that it is wrong to use feminism as an excuse to insult a man.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/why-idea-of-bride-price-should-be.html

The political space in the nation has lately been energised by calls for restructuring of the polity with political and non-political actors speaking in dissonance on the issue. TUNDE OGUNTOLA writes on the renewed calls as political heavyweights bicker on the issue.

The renewed call for restructuring has become one of the most discussed subjects in public discourse. While some prominent voices in the nation uphold that Nigeria can perform better when it is restructured, others have described such call as a tool for blackmail to gain political relevance ahead of the 2019 general elections.
As this call gathers momentum, there is a corollary; the gnawing fear that equates restructuring with the breakup of Nigeria. The truth is technically, Nigeria has been restructured several times. Hence, true federalism should be pivotal as the present demand is to make the Nigerian entity and its integral parts, more efficient, more acceptable, more productive, more functional and above all, more equitable.

Nigeria arrived at the present juncture, first, because of entrenched distrust of the political leadership and second, because Nigerian leaders pathologically loathe political and academic analysis pointing them to vexatious national questions.
While the call has remained strident, nearly all of the trumpeters and traducers of restructuring have failed to give specifics on their intentions hidden on the call for restructuring. Indeed, a clear understanding of the term has remained wholly in the imaginations, a development that has further fuelled agitations.
Basically, restructuring is just a euphemism. Some people had earlier called it fiscal federalism; some people call it the federal system of government. However, this analysis is going to look at it from the angle of the federal system of government. We have borrowed the presidential system from a country that runs a federal system of government, United States of America.
As a nation, there is nothing we want to do that other people have not done before. So all we need to do is to do a comparative analysis and appreciate what other people have done and see to the extent we can deviate from that based on our culture and peculiar circumstances.
Hitherto, the advent of the military in politics made gobbledygook of the nation’s federalism since 1966 through the Unification Decree by the late Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi-led government. Based on its hierarchical command structure, the central military government became so powerful while the states are relegated and subordinated, like the Soviet Federalism of old to mere administrative units of the central government. The federal system of government is the direct opposite, the coming together of different entities for the good of all but not the loss of their respective independence.

Let us not get it mixed up, “restructuring” and “federalism” have become the most misrepresented words even by those who should understand and work for their actualisation of the system in the interest of peace and progress of Nigeria. Mischief makers have chosen to see the call for restructuring to gain political relevance and as a weapon to break up the country to garner support ahead of the next presidential elections and also so that others would not have access to the oil and gas resources.
First, according to Merriam-Webster, one of my favourite dictionaries, “restructure” means “to change the makeup, organisation, or pattern” of something to make it work better. One of the example sentences given by the dictionary is very instructive: “You should restructure this sentence to make its meaning clearer”. There is nothing more to restructuring a nation than rearrangement, usually for greater efficiency. Those who read something else into it, such as the disintegration of the country, are either being misled or are simply mischievous.
Second, it should be stressed that the call for restructuring is not merely a Nigerian craze; rather, it is central to the global expression of nativist, nationalist, or self-determination craving we have come to know as the New Nationalism. Although expressed differently in different countries and for different reasons, restructuring or its variant has been the central theme of the New Nationalism spreading across the globe, including those countries associated with robotics engineering and nanotechnology.
If properly harnessed true federalism will help curb corruption at all level of government. For instance, with greatly reduced income at the national level profligacy is bound to fall. At the state and local levels also once everyone realise that the resources are gotten from their local capitals, which are accessible, rather than just the national level.

This is even as the actual call for restructuring of the Nigerian polity became widespread in the wake of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, believed to have been won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. The general belief then was that the military was able to perpetrate the injustice against Abiola because of the skewed nature of the Nigerian polity.
Ever since it took off with that campaign, the South-West has maintained a focused view of the idea, whether it was called restructuring, Sovereign National Conference or fiscal federalism.
In further terms, talks about devolution of powers, interplay of power systems, fiscal federalism, questions of resource control and relationships between the government structure and religion as well as the mode of occupying public office at the federal and state levels, these are some of the issues packed into the restructuring debate at every instance.
Hence, pundits are of the view that without restructuring the polity as it currently stands and without a true peoples’ constitution the nation is merely postponing the evil day.
Interestingly, the 2014 national conference, already seen as a veritable kickstart of the restructuring debate by the Senate, addressed a number of the components of the practical restructuring listed above. Its final report submitted to government contained recommendations on the need for political, economic and the social re-engineering of the polity.
Consequently, as a tool for aspirants to sell themselves to Nigerians, restructuring is now perceived as a major issue that will dominate the 2019 presidential election, just as it was recently pitched by two political heavyweights against each other as Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo responded to comments credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding his argument on restructuring which he said is vague, ambiguous, unclear and mixed up with good governance and diversification of the economy.
Osinbajo who took on his predecessor in a letter he personally authored and sent to Premium Times, noted that Atiku was leveraging on the spur of the moment to score cheap political points by introducing the concept of restructuring even though he is not fully conversant with the subject matter.
Picking holes on Atiku’s position, Osinbajo insisted he does not believe that geographical restructuring was an answer to Nigeria’s socio economic circumstances. That would only result in greater administrative costs. Recalling events at a town hall meeting in Minnesota US, he said that the problem of Nigeria was not geographical restructuring but prudent management of national resources and providing for the people properly.

Osinbajo also said prudent management of the nation’s resources and the provision of essential needs of the people were better ways of addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
According to him, “Problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographical restructuring.”
He maintained that Nigeria needs good governance, honest management of public resources, deeper fiscal Federalism, a clear vision for development and not geographical restructuring as postulated by Atiku. The VP said “Kindly permit me a response to a piece in your publication, titled “Osinbajo got it wrong on Restructuring,” written, we are told, by my illustrious predecessor in office, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
“First, let me say that I really would have expected Alhaji Abubakar to at least get the full text of my comments before his public refutal of my views. But I understand; we are in that season where everything is seen as fair game!
“He quoted me as saying that “the problem with our country is not a matter of restructuring and we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the argument that our problems stem from some geographic re-structuring.”
“Yes, I said so. As the quote shows, I rejected the notion that geographical restructuring was a solution to our national problems. Geographical restructuring is either taking us back to regional governments or increasing the number of States that make up the Nigerian federation. As we all may recall, the 2014 National Conference actually recommended the creation of 18 more States. And I argued that, with several States struggling or unable to pay salaries, any further tinkering with our geographical structure would not benefit us. We should rather ask ourselves why the States are underperforming, revenue and development wise.
“I gave the example of the Western Region (comprising even more than what is now known as the South West Zone), where, without oil money, and using capitation tax and revenues from agriculture and mining, the government funded free education for over 800,000 pupils in 1955, built several roads, farm settlements, industrial estates, the first TV station in Africa, and the tallest building in Nigeria, while still giving up fifty percent of its earnings from mining and minerals for allocation to the Federal Government and other regions.
“I then argued that what we required now was not geographical restructuring but good governance, honest management of public resources, deeper fiscal Federalism, and a clear vision for development.

“On the issue of deeper fiscal Federalism or restructuring, I explained how the then Lagos State Government, led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, decided to fight for greater autonomy of States. As Attorney-General at the time, it was my duty and privilege to lead the legal team against the then Federal government, in our arguments at the Supreme Court.
Osinbajo in his response also disagreed with President Muhammadu Buhari on the creation of state police. While the president had rejected it saying creation of state police will inflict more financial burdens on the states who are still struggling to pay workers salaries, the Vice- President argued in favour of it.
He said “I have argued in favour of State Police, for the simple reason that policing is a local function. You simply cannot effectively police Nigeria from Abuja”.
“Only recently, in my speech at the anniversary of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I made the point that stronger, more autonomous States would more efficiently eradicate poverty. So I do not believe that geographical restructuring is an answer to Nigeria’s socio economic circumstances. That would only result in greater administrative costs.
“But there can be no doubt that we need deeper fiscal Federalism and good governance. Alhaji Atiku’s concept of restructuring is understandably vague, because he seeks to cover every aspect of human existence in that definition. He says it means a “cultural revolution”. Of course, he does not bother to unravel this concept. He says we need a structure that gives everyone an opportunity to work, a private sector driven economy. Yes, I agree. These are critical pillars of our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), including our Ease of Doing Business Programme.
“If, however, this is what he describes as restructuring, then it is clear that he has mixed up all the issues of good governance and diversification of the economy with the argument on restructuring. Good governance involves, inter alia, transparency and prudence in public finance. It involves social justice, investing in the poor, and jobs for young people; which explains our School Feeding Programme, providing a meal a day to over 9 million public school children in 25 States as of today.
Few hours after Osinbajo’s response, Atiku fired back describing as unfortunate, Osinbajo’s claim that his position on restructuring was vague “because he seeks to cover every aspect of human existence in that definition.”
Atiku in a statement titled: ‘Restructuring Is a Necessity, Not an Option’ Atiku said he had been at the forefront of the discourse on restructuring Nigeria since the 1995 Abacha Constitutional Conference, noting that to the best of his knowledge, there has not been any term like ‘geographic restructuring.’
Countering Osinbajo’s claim, Atiku said he was yet to see “how these clear and specific ideas can be described as ‘vague’.
“One would have thought that if anything is vague, it would be the idea of ‘geographic restructuring’ whose meaning is hanging in the air,” he added.
Atiku noted that Osinbajo in his letter, jumped from the topic restructuring to dovetail into the area of the economy, but stated the vice president failed to explain certain facts “such as the fact that the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics reported in December 2017 that Nigeria lost 7.9 million jobs in the 21 month period under review.”
He added that if the vice president could not see that losing 7.9 million jobs in 21 months while creating 500,000 jobs is a deficit, “then I do not know what to say to the honourable professor.”
He noted that Osinbajo harped on the administration’s prudence in public finance, but he failed to show the wisdom in sharing $322 million of Abacha funds to the poor only to take a loan of $328 million from the Chinese the very next month.
“Many Nigerians, myself included, see this as imprudence,” Atiku said.

He also disagreed with Osinbajo that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government, in four years (between 2010 and 2014) earned $381. 9 billion, the highest oil revenues in Nigeria’s history, to $121 billion by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari from May 2015 to June 2018.
He also advised Osinbajo to choose whether he is for restructuring or against it and not stand in the middle on the issue.
“My response to Vice President Osinbajo is that while I was Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2006, Nigeria’s Economic Management Team, of which I was a prominent member, paid off Nigeria’s entire foreign debt of $30 billion, at a time when we were earning one third of what the Buhari administration is currently earning from oil. So such arguments are puerile at best.
“My advice to the Vice President is that he should choose whether he is for restructuring or whether he is against it and stick to his choice.
“This continuous prevarication, this approbation and reprobation, helps no one, least of all true progressives who know that Nigeria needs to be restructured and restructured soon,” Atiku concluded.
Conversely, as the nation moves towards the 2019 general election, the new almighty formula for solving all the problems of Nigeria, according to some perennial noise makers, is what they call “restructuring.” The current noise makers about restructuring are insisting that the report of the 2014 national conference organised by the Jonathan administration is the basis of the current “restructuring” agenda. Apart from the fact that it was unrepresentative and inequitable it was composed of hand-picked delegates who were not elected by anyone. President Jonathan himself refused to do anything with the report, even the administrative aspects that he could implement without any legislative input, he did nothing. The current National Assembly is therefore very disingenuous to ask the Buhari administration to give them the 2014 report when it is not recognised by the government. It can only be the basis of confusion and not any solution.
Meanwhile, the heavy responsibility of ensuring prudent management of the nation’s resources and ensuring that the nation practices true federalism by providing for the need of the people, ensuring productivity, more functional and above all, more equitable Nigeria via practice of true federalism rests squarely on the shoulders of President Muhammadu Buhari. He should take the bull by the horn.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/issues-as-restructuring-debate-gets.html

A Presidential aspirant and former National Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has distanced himself from the rumours going round that he has anointed some aspirants for some offices, including the governorship ticket of the party in Kaduna State.

He said that his only preference was for the party to win all available positions in the forthcoming elections.

A statement from his spokesman, Mukhtar Sirajo said, “The attention of Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi has been drawn to rumours going round to the effect that he has anointed some aspirants for some offices, including the governorship ticket of the PDP in Kaduna State.

“We wish to make it very clear that the distinguished has not anointed anybody. Senator Makarfi’s only preference is for the party to win all available positions in the forthcoming elections.

“This is the more reason why he still encourages the coming together of all the aspirants with a view to forging a common understanding that will pave way for a smooth and successful campaign for whoever eventually emerges as the party’s candidate.

‘It will be a big boost if they are able to come to an agreement among themselves so that they can save energy and resources to channel towards the general elections.

“Where however they fail to come to an agreement, the Senator believes that the democratic rights of all of them must be respected by the party providing a level playing field for all to participate in a free and fair primaries at which party members will freely take a decision.

“Senator Makarfi wishes all aspirants the best and urges delegates to freely exercise their rights.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/i-have-no-anointed-governorship.html

Senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Marafa, has vowed that the indirect primary election will mark the beginning of the end of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The lawmaker said this while insisting that he was not aware of the leeway given to the APC governors to adopt indirect primary mode by the leadership of the party.

After a meeting with governors elected on the APC platform on Wednesday, the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, had bowed to the pressure by states to conduct indirect primaries.

Marafa told Punch that Oshiomhole might have been under pressure to back down on direct primaries.

According to the lawmaker, “One, I am not aware of it. Two, I don’t want to believe that the party under Oshiomhole would concede to that because, like I have always said, he is a man of integrity.

“My little interaction with him shows that he is committed to building a stronger party. I don’t know how he is going to build a stronger party by shying away from the electorate. Anybody who is afraid of facing the electorate has no business in politics.

“Being a human being – that is Oshiomhole, and knowing what the governors are, and the combination of the National Working Committee as it is today, he can be overpowered because politics is a game of number.

“If the majority of the NWC are for something, he cannot dictate otherwise. But one thing I can assure you is that if that is what the party has now conceded, mark my words, it will be the beginning of the end.”

Asked if he was talking about the end of the APC, Marafa said, “I think (it is) for the party because, like I have said, the pronouncement by the party that the presidential primary would be by direct was a vote of no confidence in the congresses supervised by the governors.

“That means those congresses cannot stand legal scrutiny. Therefore, whatever you build on a faulty foundation cannot stand. Candidates will be fielded but their candidature will not see the light of the day.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/2019-senator-marafa-reveals-what-will.html

The ex-big brother naija reality show star recently released some romantic pictures on her instagram page to promote a particular hair company.

See photos;

HOT PHOTOS HERE

HOT PHOTOS HERE

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/exclusive-cee-c-caught-in-bed-live-with.html

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West appear to be heading towards a separation, and many are expecting an announcement at any moment.

This week Kanye announced that he’s moving back to Chicago – to be close with his roots. At the time, people suspected that wife Kim Kardashian would be moving with him.

Well Kim spoke to People magazine – and she said that she plans on living APART from Kanye.

“Kim plans on spending more time in Chicago, but she isn’t moving there full-time,” a source told People mahgazine. “She thinks it’s best for the kids to continue their schedule in LA. North is in school and everything is working great. Kim doesn’t think a permanent move to Chicago benefits the kids.”

The insider further added that the beauty mogul “wants to be around her family as much as possible too,” and a move to another state would hinder that.

Regardless of what happens, Kim is reportedly “doing her best to support her husband.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/i-am-not-moving-to-chicago-with-kanye.html

Former National President, National Association of Nigeria Students, NANS, Daniel Onjeh, has advised Nigerian youths to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid to secure their future.

Onjeh, who is eyeing the Benue South Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, told his supporters at a crowded rally in Agatu Local Government Council on Wednesday that their support would enable Buhari win the 2019 presidential election.

He also addressed supporters at Apa Local Government Council to woo delegates ahead of the party’s primary.

The aspirant, who doubles as the Chairman, Governing Board, Project Development Agency (PRODA), said the desperation by some older politicians, whom, according to him, had failed, was partly responsible for the campaign of calumny against the president in some parts of the country.

Onjeh reminded them of the signing into law the “Not too Young to Run bill” by the president to encourage young people to participate in politics.

He said the three years of the president in power had witnessed massive growth in the economy and given the fight against corruption a boost.

Onjeh, who is vying for the senatorial seat for the third time, said his determination had not waned because of the deplorable state of infrastructure in the zone.

He said he was pained to see poverty, underdevelopment virtually everywhere within the areas covered by the senatorial zone.

According to him, if elected, he will change the state of social infrastructure and improve livelihood of both the rural and urban folks in the zone.

“Please wake up from your deep slumber and give daybreak a chance,” he said.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/2019-your-future-in-buharis-hand-apc.html