₦airaland Forum

Popular Nigerian journalist has claimed that Chioma has broken up with her super star singer boyfriend, Davido.

She made this known in a post on Twitter where she said this month has been a bad one for Davido, She wrote;

#HNNGossip Sad month for Davido. Remembering his late friends especially the murdered DJ and his pal Chime, his uncle losing that crazy #OsunDecides, his NYSC camp so shitty and Chioma breaking up with him. Never put your lover in a music video. #Pray4Davido sha

#HNNGossip Sad month for Davido. Remembering his late friends especially the murdered DJ and his pal Chime, his uncle losing that crazy #OsunDecides, his NYSC camp so shitty and Chioma breaking up with him. Never put your lover in a music video. #Pray4Davido sha���

— #MadamKOO���� (@HNNAfrica) October 10, 2018

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/chioma-breaks-up-with-davido-kemi.html

Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Wednesday swore in two new Senators, Lawal Gumau (APC, Bauchi South) and Ahmed Babba-Kaita (APC, Katsina North),

Saraki administered the oath of office at the Senate on Wednesday.

Mr Babba-Kaita who was declared winner of the Katsina North senatorial election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with 224,607 votes, replaces late senator Mustapha Bukar, who died on April 4.

Also, Mr Gumau emerged winner of the Bauchi South senatorial election held on August 11. He was declared winner by the returning officer of the election, Ahmed Fadam, who supervised the final collation of the results.

Gumau replaces late senator Ali Wakili, who died on March 17.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/saraki-swears-in-two-new-senators.html

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has lambasted the All Progressives Congress (APC) for mocking him for emerging the second runner-up at the Presidential Election Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, won the primary held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

On Tuesday, APC said the outcome was a befitting end to the ambition of a greedy, untrustworthy and double-dealing politician.

APC National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, in a statement noted that with 317 votes, behind Aminu Tambuwal’s 693 votes and Atiku Abubakar’s 1532 votes, the PDP delegates have given clear indication that they are fed up with Saraki’s political style.

He said: “When a leader cannot be trusted, cannot be relied upon, and cannot keep agreements, the people take due cognizance and records of these actions and respond with their votes at the appropriate time.

“How will someone who emerged Senate President through conspiracy with members of the opposition Party and against the wishes and interests of his own party be trusted to be elected as the presidential candidate of a party? Even on his being elected to the position, did Saraki acquit himself creditably?

“Throughout Saraki’s tenure as Senate President, it has been one confrontation between the National Assembly leadership with the Executive or another.

“Confirmation of Executive nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation has been delayed unnecessarily, annual national budgets delayed. For instance, the supplementary budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 General Elections is continually delayed due to Saraki’s selfish political machinations.

“A selfish Saraki will rather than perform his constitutional legislative functions by ensuring timely consideration and passage of Executive bills, will rather sabotage the efforts of the Executive in furtherance of his treacherous politics.

“Having sabotaged the President Muhammadu Buhari government while in the APC, he later showed his true colours by formally joining the opposition PDP. The APC bade him goodbye as he returned to the looters club where he belongs”.
Reacting, Saraki declared that the ruling party was obsessed with him.

His spokesman, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said: “We have noted the irresponsible statement issued by the APC spokesman, Yekini Nabena.

“We know that he and the leadership of the APC are always incensed and disturbed at the mere hearing of the name, Saraki.

“It is also notable that Nabena and the APC are always concerned about the developments in the opposition party, the PDP.

“However, we believe that with the ‘civil war’ that Adams Oshiomhole and Yekinni Nabena have ignited in the APC and the very low level that they have dragged the party, in such manner that the ruling party is wallowing in confusion and disorganization, they have too much to pre-occupy them than to be poking their noses in what happens to Saraki or the PDP.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/saraki-reacts-to-apcs-statement-on-his.html

Scores of protesters of the governing All Progressives Congress, (APC) from Niger, Nasarawa, Enugu and Kano, yesterday besieged the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja to protest against emergence of the various candidates they felt emerged through questionable means.

The protesters who came at various times between 10am and 7pm, came in various groups chanting “Oshiomohle must go”, “APC is a fraud” among others, completely shut down the secretariat.

One of the groups led by Muhammad Awwal Kofa alleged that the exercise that produced Senator representing Kano South Senatorial district, Kabiru Gaya was marred by a lot of irregularities, ranging from election malpractices, rigging, compilation and announcement of fake result by Kano APC.

Gaya, who will end his third term in June 2019 as a Senator, has again been declared winner of the primary election conducted across sixteen local governments, 171 wards in Kano South Senatorial district.

After the protest, a petition, submitted to the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole which was obtained by journalists in Abuja demanded that the alternative election be cancelled and d Sulaiman Abdulrahaman Kawu declared the winner having complied with the guidelines of the party during first exercise.

The petition partly read: “The primary election in Kano State were not conducted by the electoral panel sent by the National headquarters and the result was not announced by appropriate official legally. “Therefore, we unambiguously demand that alternatively the election was rigged, giving false results.

This election process was entirely a contravention of our party’s election guideline and constitution as there was no true and sincere internal democracy.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/protests-rock-apc-over-primaries.html

An investigative television journalist has been raped and murdered in Bulgaria's northern town of Ruse, according to officials.

The body of 30-year-old Viktoria Marinova, whom authorities identified only by her initials, was found on Saturday in a park, Ruse regional prosecutor Georgy Georgiev said on Sunday.

"Her mobile phone, car keys, glasses and part of her clothes were missing," he said.

She was killed by blows on the head and suffocation, Georgiev said, adding that prosecutors were probing all leads - both personal and linked to Marinova's job.

Interior Minister Mladen Marinov later confirmed to journalists that the victim had also been raped.

Prime Minister Boyko Borisov expressed hope that the investigation would succeed because of the "work that has been done".

"Thanks to the large amount of DNA material collected it is just a matter of time before the perpetrator will be found," he said.

Police sources told the AFP news agency that the crime did not immediately appear linked to her work.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/investigative-journalist-raped-and.html

“Men talk as if victory were something fortunate. Work is victory.” Ralph Waldo Emerson This may probably get me fired. May be that’s hyperbolic. But it will fetch me a serious reprimand. I am going against the boss’s “counsel”.

He pointedly asked us (personal aides) not to “gloat” for his ringing victory in the APC Bauchi state rancorous gubernatorial primary. Not all of us are that graceful in triumph. I have been dancing “Shaku Shaku” since he dusted the “landlords” and “owners” of the party.

With votes nearly twenty times higher to his closest challenger, it was “no contest” really. It wasn’t even “keen”. It was a total “rout”. A “panel beating” of the “wannabes”. It’s almost humanly impossible therefore, not to “gloat” especially when viewed against the background of the campaign of bile and vile mounted by the challengers.

The campaign preparatory to the election of Governor Mohammed A. Abubakar as flag bearer of the APC in the 2019 election ought to occupy front row in the hall of infamy. It was that despicable. Yet Ogadid not want us to “gloat” after that resounding success. Few leaders are this magnanimous in victory.

Fewer still are gracious enough to shrug off the filth of the malodourous campaign as “politics”. To walk his talk of “no gloating”, he immediately extended the olive branch to the elements he floored.

I recall an exact scenario in 2015. As candidate in the 2015 election, he went knocking on the doors of competitors of the ticket who lost in the delegates’ election. He was squarely rebuffed. He wasn’t deterred.

He is still on the trail of making peace and forging ahead. The mudslinging started long before the blast of the whistle. The direct primary was an opportunity political foe of governor Abubakar wanted to use it to exact their pound of flesh.

They ran from pillar to post hollering that “direct primary” was the “only” panacea against defeat in the general polls. They argued that its products tended to have the seal of mass approval of party members and therefore, the electorates.

On face value, truly the “direct primary” option looks charming and more democratic. It dilutes the grip of delegates on the selection process. Over time, and in every selection process to determine a flag bearer, delegates became “hawkers” selling their votes to the highest “bidder”.

This may indeed, be true. On the other hand, direct primary is a logistic nightmare.

There must be a duly certified register of genuine members in every ward. Such members must have a genuine membership card issued by the party years ago. This was likely to cause a rift. The fall out therefore, rarely augurs well for the party.

In 2011, for instance, the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) went to the polls fractured and with multiple gubernatorial candidates in Bauchi state specifically. It had a golden opportunity to unseat the PDP controlled government but divisions within its ranks caused by fall out of “direct primary” Not even the star power of its presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari could save it from its self inflicted wounds.

The rest is history. The call for direct primary started as a whimper until it became cacophonous. Before then, stakeholders of the party in Bauchi state had chosen the delegates option. The APC constitution lists three options to pick a candidate. The third is the “consensus” option. But the vocal few mounted the campaign for direct primary. Eventually, they had their way.

Those who wanted to unseat him by all means possible misconstrued the seeming lack of enthusiasm of Governor Abubakar for as “fear” of defeat. Before Election Day, he was subjected to the crucible. He was daily roasted in local and national media by doomsday Sayers. Every conceivable sin was hurled in his direction. Strangely, all the “sins” were a rehash of the old ones.

Nothing fresh, nothing new. It was same old, same old. It was just politics. The result of the direct primary confirmed the popularity of Abubakar among party faithful and the disconnect among the three musketeers. Governor Abubakar’s victory wasn’t an accident. It was actually foretold. On account of his record of service delivery, he has earned the mandate. He was elected in the first place to serve the people and not a political cabal that has held the state hostage. His travails might have started when he decided it wasn’t going to be business as usual. This is paying off.

The recent result is a testimony. Today in Bauchi, everywhere you look at, you see some of the reforms of governor Abubakar. Some enduring legacy beckons.

A reconstructed road, a rehabilitated school, or a freshly constructed healthcare facility. With a combined road network of 400 kilometers spread across the state, his urban renewal drive manifested. A drive through the three urban centres of Bauchi, Misau and Azare will reveal the amazing transformation in urban renewal. All the major roads leading to Bauchi city have been expanded, dualised and adorned with streetlights. This is a record first. Approaching the town in the night is pleasing to the eyes. Everywhere is lit powered by generating plants.

This particular reform has earned him recognition. Last year the Abuja Housing show decorated him for outstanding performance Under Abubakar’s watch, agriculture, the main occupation of the people of the state has been boosted. Major farming inputs like fertilizer and improved seedlings were made available. The comatose state fertilizer blending plant was resuscitated to meet the fertilizer needs of farmers beyond the state. This year the government purchased a staggering 500 tractors in one fell swoop to fast track its dream of mechanized farming.

In fiscal discipline, Governor Abubakar is second to none in the state since the dawn of this Republic in 1999.His financial management skills have seen him achieve so much with so little. His style of running an all-inclusive government has seen former foes becoming allies.

On top of all these, is an unusual ability to connect with ordinary folks who see in him a performer and a reformer The outcome of the election has put to rest as to who really owns the “houses” between self appointed “landlords” and the voters, the masses who are direct beneficiaries of the reformist government of MA Abubakar faithfully implementing the APC manifesto. So in the words ofRalphWaldo Emerson “Men talk as if victory were something fortunate. Work is victory.” The members have spoken!

–Ali is an aide to MA Abubakar

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/ma-abubakar-victory-foretold.html

Tension has gripped the 13 presidential aspirants as vote sorting and counting begins on Sunday at the 2018 elective national convention of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Some of the candidates who are currently at Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, the venue of the convention, included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal.

The party accredited 3,274 delegates who voted to pick a presidential candidate.

The delegates come from the 36 states and federal capital territory (FCT).

The vote count is being closely monitored by the 13 aspirants and their agents.

The PDP chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, had earlier enumerated the party’s ‘success stories’ since 2015, and declared that it has graduated from being an opposition into a ‘ruling party in-waiting’.

Secondus, who expressed pleasure in welcoming members from all over Nigeria to Port Harcourt, said that the subject of this year’s national convention was: “Nigerians Take Back Your Country’’.

The party boss also boasted that “today PDP is now in control of the leadership of the National Assembly, adding that “the convention is a crucial stage in PDP’s “ unstoppable march to regain power’’.

He said that the selection of aspirants for the convention was done through Indirect Primaries, adding that the convention would be orderly, fair and transparent.

He said the party was determined to organise a convention that would remain a reference point for other parties

He also recalled that the party gathered in Jos, Plateau, about 20 years ago for a similar convention to herald a new democracy in Nigeria.

Secondus said the party started the Contributory Pension Scheme and reformed the Electoral Process, among others.

Secondus, who said the party members had “Indeed learnt our lessons’’, added that the PDP had “graduated from an opposition party in 2015 to a ruling party in waiting’’ in 2018.

He also assured that the party would ensure Nigeria’s unity, secure Nigerians, educate our youths, reduce poverty, return Nigeria to the path of economic growth and run an inclusive government if it wins the presidential poll in 2019.

“The choice you make today will go a long way to rescue our nation from the APC governance,’’ he said. (NAN)

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/tension-at-pdp-convention-as-voting-for.html

Security is airtight in and around the Eagle Square, Abuja, as the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gets underway.

At least 7,000 delegates from all over the country are expected to gather at the venue to adopt President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s flagbearer for next year’s presidential election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all roads leading to the venue have been shut to vehicular traffic by combined teams of heavily armed security personnel.

The agencies involved include the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army.
Safety and emergency services such as the Federal Road Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the FCT Vehicle inspection Office (VIO) and the Federal and FCT and Fire Service are also taking part.

Traffic is being diverted at major intersections several metres away from the venue on both sides of the Ahmedu Bello and Shehu Shagari ways, and adjoining routes leading to the Eagle Square.

As at the time of filing this report at 2:30 p.m., which is 30 minutes after the rescheduled kick-off time of 2 p.m., the event had yet to start.

But the stage is set inside the Eagle Square where organisers are putting finishing touches to decorations on canopies and empty chairs prepared for delegates.

Meanwhile, hawkers and other traders have taken over the Federal Secretariat car park behind the square and roadsides outside the security perimeter around the venue. (NAN)

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/security-airtight-at-eagle-square-for.html

Hoodlums Friday attacked policemen at the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, primary election in Delta State and set their patrol van ablaze.

DAILY POST reports that the hoodlums stormed the Ethiope-East Local Government Council, venue of Ethiope-East Constituency election during accreditation.

They blocked the gate while shooting sporadically and beating up the electoral officer who was to conduct the PDP primary election.

A serious fight, however, ensued between the hoodlums and some youths leading to an attack on the policemen and their van. A rifle was snatched from a policeman in the process.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Mustafa confirmed the report in a chat with DAILY POST.

CP Mustafa said, “There was a problem actually. It was the PDP House of Assembly election which held at Isiokolo. Though, we have recovered the rifle. The situation has calmed down. One person was injured but it’s not that serious.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pdp-primary-election-hoodlums-attack.html

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential aspirant, Senator David Mark, Friday declared in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to the delegates at the venue of the party’s national convention that he was the candidate to beat and, that other candidates would step down for him to emerge as the consensus candidate.

He also cautioned the delegates that it would be unfair for the fair weather friends to inherit the product of their struggle in PDP.

“We know those who are good Party men and women. We know those who absconded when we had challenges. We have rebuilt and re-branded the party. They are welcome back but it will be unjustified for them to inherit the product of our struggle”.

He urged party faithful to be guided by good reasons in their choice of the PDP presidential candidate, pointing out that those who were fair weather friends yesterday would not be different tomorrow.

Mark said this while welcoming delegates to the convention and maintained that “I’m well equipped and prepared for this assignment. My blueprint is designed to address grey areas and imbalances in our national life”.

In his words, “I’m the aspirant to beat. Other aspirants will step down for me.

The presidential hopeful also said, “My credentials and wealth of experience puts me in a very good stead to win. I know other aspirants would step down and vote for me. I’m the aspirant to beat.

“Our program would give every citizen a sense of belonging. No one should be oppressed or marginalized in our country”.

Further, he said gainful employment through industrialization and agriculture, functional Education, improved health care system among others he would be his priority if elected.

He affirmed that has traversed the length and breadth of Nigeria and have come to the inevitable conclusion that “all we need is good governance anchored on equity and justice for all”

However, he urged the delegates to vote for him as the candidate of choice that would usher in peace, unity and prosperity to the nation as peace and unity would be an offspring of justice and equity.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pdp-national-convention-david-mark.html

In this report, TOPE FAYEHUN x-rays the chances of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in the presidential primaries of the main opposition party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the party holds its national convention in Port Harcourt this Saturday. The stage is set for the much anticipated National Convention of the main opposition party in the country, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).



The presidential aspirants of the party who are upbeat about clinching the party’s ticket, would slug it out tomorrow in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, in an exercise that is poised to define how far the party would go in the forthcoming 2019 presidential election. Hence, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; governors of Sokoto and Gombe states, Aminu Tambuwal and Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo; Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, former Senate President, David Mark; former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido; Alhaji Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi; Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, and Jonah David Jang, would “clash”.



The delegates, drawn from across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), both elected and statutory, will determine the candidate of the party among the motley crowd of aspirants, who are seeking to be elected as the party’s candidate. Pundits observe that the forthcoming presidential election might be the most competitive since the return from military dictatorship to representative democracy in 1999, because of the ‘actors’ involved. LEADERSHIP Friday learnt that attempts by some party leaders to pick a consensus candidate among the aspirants were unsuccessful.



All the aspirants preferred to go into contest, believing they could secure victory in a credible exercise. None of the aspirants can be considered a political neophyte because most of them if not all are veterans, who had at one time or the other participated in politics or wielded political power. In fact, they possessed different intimidating profiles. Whatever happens, one person among the numerous aspirants must emerge victorious in the pursuit of the prestigious ticket, as whoever emerges the party’s candidate would eventually challenge President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 2019 presidential poll.



However, Saraki is the only one being seen, according to observers, to be taking the game a notch higher as he is neck-deep in talks with both the statutory and elected delegates that are expected to vote at the convention. Saraki, it was further gathered, had won the support of no less than nine out of the 14 governors on the party’s platform. He is one of the aspirants to watch, being the leader of Nigeria’s Senate, and third in the political hierarchy behind President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Analysts observe that Saraki has long been seen as having his eyes on the top job and has been linked to a string of recent political manoeuvrings that appear to be aimed at weakening the structures of the ruling party.



They are of the opinion that it is most likely he wins the PDP presidential ticket based on his political spread and influence both in North Central geo-political zone and other parts of the country. With the way politics is played in this clime, they are of the view that it will be too dismissive to say a two-time former governor of Kwara state and current Senate President is a political midget. Saraki, in his own right, is a force to reckon with politically and a reliable politicians among his equal across the country.



As governor of Kwara State, his administration focused, among others, on power generation and electricity, primary health care, agriculture and farming, as well as massive infrastructure development. “With this, coupled with the desire of power-brokers in a political party to field a politician whose ears they have, regardless of his political clout, he might be the one to get the ticket of the party”, they noted. A flashback at how he got the position he currently occupies in the senate shows that he is really in the race.



Even when he was in the APC, Saraki lobbied some of his colleagues in the APC and struck a deal with his colleagues in the PDP to emerge as Senate President. In what most APC leaders consider “an original sin,” part of Saraki’s deal with the PDP led to the emergence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President, the act that shows him as a smart politician. It would be recalled that on the day he became the Senate President, the Kwara born politician drove his car into the National Assembly complex parking lot and put off the engine. No one noticed him because he wasn’t supposed to be in there.



But there he was, calculating, plotting and scheming. He was also there a little too early for anyone’s liking. It was gathered that when the senate doors were eventually flung open for the day’s business, Saraki jumped out of his car and hurtled in with one mission, to become the Senate President. However, as he was up in his game, some senators elected on the platform of the APC were putting finishing touches to their plot to install Yobe born Ahmed Lawan as Senate President a few kilometers away, with the backing of bigwigs in the party .



At the end of the day, Saraki, who had always maintained that leadership of the the senate should be elected and determined in the Senate chamber, became the Senate President with the backing of 41 PDP senators and and some APC senators who had broken ranks with their party’s National Working Committee (NWC). Meanwhile, the APC senators who had their party’s blessings to choose a senate president, were still locked in their plot when Saraki was announced president of the 8th senate. But, a good team player that he is, immediate after his emergence, he extended the olive branch to senators opposed to his emergence and the leadership of his then APC.



That was how he incurred the wrath of his the then APC leadership and he was subsequently hounded by the nation’s anti-graft agencies and the nation’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for alleged false declaration of assets and money laundering. How he escaped all the traps was still a mystery because his name also popped up in the Panama Papers for alleged corruption and was linked to the Offa bank robbery of April which led to the deaths of over 30 persons. Currently, apart from seeking the presidential ticket of the PDP, Saraki re-enacted his 2015 stunt in July this year over a plot to impeach him as senate president because he dumped APC for PDP. Political watchers have come to see Saraki as man who is always on top of game.



After the plot to get his back through the court over the asset declaration saga failed, the police later went after him for the Offa robbery incident. As the police surrounded his residence and convoy in the Lake Chad area of Maitama, Abuja, in the early hours of Tuesday, July 24, 2018, the senate president arrived the national assembly in a rickety cab; all in a bid to scupper his planned impeachment. In other words, he wasn’t even home when the police came knocking. He wasn’t a part of the convoy either. Minutes later, Saraki was reading out the names of 15 APC senators who were defecting to the PDP. While declaring his presidential ambition in August, Saraki itemized some of the reasons for his ambition, noting that Nigeria has no reason to be among the poor nations on earth, promising to turn the fortune of the country around for the better if given the opportunity to run the affairs of the nation from next year.



The Senate President said the choice we face in the forthcoming election is either to keep things as they are, or make a radical departure from the old ways. To find a better way of doing things or keep repeating the mistakes of the past. To fix the problems or keep compounding them. He promised to see the youth play major roles at all levels, not only in government but also in the private sector and indeed in every area of Nigerian life.



He stated that: “My Plan for Nigeria has inclusion in all aspects of the country’s affairs as a central pillar. Every citizen has the inalienable right to feel a sense of belonging, no matter their background or creed, or what part of the country they come from. No matter who you voted for or what your convictions are, government must work for you. “Your generation does not deserve to live in the poverty capital of the world. It is no longer an issue of how we got here, but how do we get out of this situation? I promise you that I will lead the fight and employ every God-given resource available to us in turning things around. “I am determined to grow Nigeria out of poverty.



We will stimulate the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as one of the ways of energising the economy and to create wealth for our people, especially the youth”. However, Saraki has been holding series of consultation and nocturnal meetings with who is who in PDP because he loves a good fight. He came face to face with his late dad, Olusola Saraki, politically and won. He’s sparred with members of his family politically and won. For Saraki, the end often justifies the means. With the game plan already on ground come tomorrow, analysts raised a germane question that with all the attributes that Saraki possess, can he again pull any surprises in the convention? Time will provide the answer.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/pdp-convention-can-saraki-pull-another.html

No fewer than 23 cows have been killed by thunder in Ekiti State.

NAN reports that the incident, which occurred at Okeowa Eluju, a farmstead in Iloro-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state, has caused apprehension among local residents.

While confirming the incident, a Fulani herder and owner of the dead cows, Abdulkadri Kadiri, said he was devastated by the development.

“I went to farm after about six hours heavy downpour on Monday morning, only to discover that 23 of my cows had died.

”After careful observation, I found that there was no trace of bodily injuries on the dead cows. I want to believe it is an act of God since I did not offend or quarrel with anyone,” he said.

Kadiri, however, said he had not experienced such incident in his 35 years of of business.

The Regent of the community, High Chief Joseph Alofe, who also confirmed the incident, described the victim as a gentle and peace loving herder.

The community leader, who also described the incident as strange to the village, called on government and well meaning individuals to assist the herder, to revive his business.No fewer than 23 cows have been killed by thunder in Ekiti State.

NAN reports that the incident, which occurred at Okeowa Eluju, a farmstead in Iloro-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area of the state, has caused apprehension among local residents.

While confirming the incident, a Fulani herder and owner of the dead cows, Abdulkadri Kadiri, said he was devastated by the development.

“I went to farm after about six hours heavy downpour on Monday morning, only to discover that 23 of my cows had died.

”After careful observation, I found that there was no trace of bodily injuries on the dead cows. I want to believe it is an act of God since I did not offend or quarrel with anyone,” he said.

Kadiri, however, said he had not experienced such incident in his 35 years of of business.

The Regent of the community, High Chief Joseph Alofe, who also confirmed the incident, described the victim as a gentle and peace loving herder.

The community leader, who also described the incident as strange to the village, called on government and well meaning individuals to assist the herder, to revive his business.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/thunder-kills-23-cows-in-ekiti.html

Great Ovedje Ogboru on Monday in Asaba emerged winner of the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) conducted at the premises of the federal College of Education.

According to results announced by the returning officer, Lawrence Onoja, Great Ogboru scored 3,292 to emerge the governorship candidate of the party.

Though the faction of the party led by Cyril Ogodo had on Sunday announced Prof Pat Utomi as winner of the Delta APC governorship primaries, Onoja said the election conducted by the faction was entirely a ruse as Ogodo and his group were expelled from the party, and as a result cannot conduct any election.

Jubilations, however, greeted the winning and victory of Great Ogboru as his supporters rolled out the drums for celebration amidst protest by some group of people believed to be supporters of Victor Ochei and Cairo Ojuogbo.

The results announced by Lawrence Onoja are as follows: Victor Ochei 160, Cairo Ojuogbo 12, and Great Ogboru 3,292 votes.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/apc-primaries-great-ogboru-emerges.html

Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State has granted unconditional pardon to four prison inmates on death row and two others convicted and held in prison as part of Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary.

He also commuted the death sentence of 20 inmates to various terms of imprisonment, discharged 40 others and ordered payment of fines for 221 convicts held in various prisons across the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by Malam Jibrin Ndace, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor in Minna on Monday.

He quoted Bello as saying that “the gesture was in the spirit of the season”.

He directed the Attorney General of the state and the state Council on Prerogative of Mercy to effect immediate implementation of the pardon.

The statement read: “We are committed to making our state better than yesterday so that tomorrow will be more comfortable for ourselves and the next generation.

“I called on our people to resist any overt or covert attempts by individuals and or groups to cause disharmony in the state as we enter into the next phase of state and national political activities.”

Bello also called on politicians and political parties to avoid acts capable of infringing on the rights of people.

He said that although democracy allows protests, rallies and demonstrations, such activities should be carried out in a responsible and peaceful manner.

https://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/10/nigeria-at-58-how-gov-bello-pardoned.html

A former governor of Oyo State and gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, Saturday insisted that he will not be part of the tomorrow’s governorship primary election in the state.

Alao-Akala in a statement obtained by DAILY POST, said that the reason he would shun the primary election was because the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, had perfected plans to impose one of the aspirants, Mr. Olasunkanmi Tegbe on the delegates and members of the party.

The aspirant in the statement issued by Head, New Media and Public Affairs, Alao-Akala Campaign Organisation, Jeremiah Akande also called on the National leadership of the party, President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders to come to the aid of the Oyo State chapter of the APC.

The former governor pointedly declared that “Oyo APC is about to collapse due to the high-handedness and imposition of candidate on delegates who will vote at the Primary Election of the party taking place tomorrow by Governor Abiola Ajimobi”.

“Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala wishes to state categorically and put the leadership of the party and the general public on notice that Governor Abiola Ajimobi has perfected plans to impose one Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe on delegates as he has sent his foot soldiers around to coerce and intimidate delegates to vote for the said Tegbe tomorrow at the party primaries against their free will.

“His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, a true party man and committed loyalist to any cause he believes in wishes to state categorically that he is not a push over in the game of Politics and as a well grounded and groomed politician who has occupied the number one seat of a Politically conscious state as Oyo state will not be part of any move or attempt to subvert the true will and wish of the people by the selfish interest of an Individual.

“The general public should also note that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi has clandestinely offered Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala the ministerial slot of Oyo state in an attempt to pitch him against Barr. Adebayo Shittu, an offer he has rejected in its entirety as he is not one to be tailored or shown the way round in the game of Politics.

“His Excellency, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala has therefore decided to “STAY AWAY” from tomorrow’s macabre dance taking place at a yet to be disclosed venue due to the insensitivity and selfishness of Gov. Abiola Ajimobi who is hell bent on imposing his stooge as his successor.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/alao-akala-to-boycott-oyo-apc-guber.html

Disappointed by the alleged imposition of candidates ahead of the 2019 elections in the Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , over 300 members of the party on Friday defected to the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state.

The defectors, led by Hons Emmanuel Ogunlayi and Stephen Mosele, said they were also fascinated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s impressive performances at the centre, saying this necessitated their change of political platform to APC.

Part of what the defectors cited as being responsible for their actions was the alleged dictatorial tendencies of the leadership of the party, whom they accused of imposing candidates and oppressing those perceived as opposition in a party that belongs to all of them.

The former PDP members defected at Ire Ekiti Wards I and II in Oye Local Government area of Ekiti State through the instrumentality of the former Federal Lawmaker and aspirant to the House of Representatives, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, who hails from the town.

Speaking at the rally where the defectors were formally received to the party, Daramola and the State APC Chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso, said the decampees will enjoy the same privileges as the old members.

Daramola said the defection will boost his chances of clinching the ticket to re-contest for the National Assembly seat during the party’s primary slated for October 3.

“You can see that good things are happening in Ekiti APC and this was as a result of my ambition for the House of Representatives. I am recontesting based on my records and reputation in APC and it is on these bases that I want to be judged.

“They knew what I did in my first term. I built a 32-bed hospital in this town among other things I did for my constituents. APC knew the value of having a ranking lawmaker in Abuja. They knew the value of having a qualitative legislator who can complement Dr Kayode Fayemi here, because the expectations of our people are daunting.

“My contesting is not to acquire power and wealth, but to consolidate democratic gains for my people. Within six months Fayemi is sworn-in, the euphoria of inauguration will be over and people will expect gains from government and this makes it necessary for us to have those who can complement his efforts and that I know I am qualified of
achieving if given the chance”, he said.

Daramola assured that he would protect the defectors and ensure that they are not sidelined in the scheme of things in APC.

The APC State Chairman, Omotoso , who was accompanied by members of the State Working Committee said: “This is a good omen ahead of 2019. We thank God for delivering us from Governor Ayodele Fayose in the July 14 governorship poll, that accounted for the benefit we are enjoying today.

“In APC, there are no new and old members, we are all one. No discrimination. Whatever that is due for those that have been here before will be due to you. We operate like one indivisible family”.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Stephen Mosele promised that they would add value to APC by ensuring that President Buhari and other contestants win during the 2019 election.

“PDP has disappointed us, it is been controlled by one man. The voices of members are no longer recognized. Their contributions mean nothing to the power that be and such party is bound to collapse as we are witnessing”, he added.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/over-300-ekiti-pdp-members-defect-to.html

A woman has some words of advice for spinsters above 35 years.

Sylvia Ekpedeme Umoh shared her advice on a Facebook group in which she said it is a shame for a single woman above 35 to celebrate her birthday and post photoshopped images on Facebook with funny styles.

Read her post below;

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/if-you-are-single-at-35-and-still.html

Hajiya Hadiza Kabir, National Women Leader, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, (SSANU) on Thursday, called for immediate removal of the Labour Minister, Mr Chris Ngige from office.

Kabir, made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna State.

She said the call became imperative in view of the fact that Nigerian workers no longer had confidence in the minister and his style of leadership.

“We are not sure as labour organisations whether the minister briefs President Muhammadu Buhari on the outcome of the meetings between government representatives and union leaders.

“Therefore, we are appealing to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari to remove the labour minister, Mr Chris Ngige, with immediate effect.

“We no longer have confidence in him as the minister at all; it seems he doesn’t know his job. I also want to use this medium to appeal to government to give priority to workers’ welfare for the good of the nation,” she said.

On compliance of SSANU members to the nationwide strike, Hadiza, who is also a senior staff at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, said their members had complied 100 per cent.

“In essence, the strike had recorded 100 per cent success.”

While commending the members for their total compliance, she encouraged them to stay at home until government heeded to the demands of labour.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/new-minimum-wage-why-buhari-should-fire.html

Despite pressure from the federal government, the organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC), yesterday insisted on commencing a nationwide strike to demand a quick implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the country. There is palpable fear in the land that baring any last minute change of plan, the industrial action may ground government and other business activities across the country.

As at last night, motorists and other consumers of petroleum products across the country involved themselves in panic buying of the products for fear of the strike action by organised labour. Fueling the apprehension, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, told journalists at a press briefing yesterday that public offices, schools, banks and other places of work are expected to comply with the strike action, which is bound to shutdown the economy.

According to Wabba, it became obvious that the government did not intend to keep its promise of implementing a new minimum wage for workers. He pointed out that the industrial action became the last resort following federal government’s refusal to reconvene the meeting of the tripartite national minimum wage committee to enable it conclude its work. He said, ” The action is in compliance with the decision of the various organs of the organised labour which endorsed the 14-day ultimatum served on the federal government by members of the Organised Labour who are members of the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage. “The Labour organs further mandated their leadership to take all necessary steps, including a warning strike in the first instance to compel the government to reconvene the meeting of the Committee in order to bring it to a logical conclusion.

In compliance with this mandate, all workers in the public and private sectors at all levels across the country have been directed to comply”. Noting that economic activities, both in the private and public sectors, will be grounded today, Wabba said, “Industrial unions, state councils, all worker organistions and our civil society allies have been directed to step up mobilization of their members. “All public and private institutions, offices, banks, schools, public and private business premises including filling stations are to remain shut till further notice. “All those who mean well for this country are to see to the success of this action.

Further more, this action is to remain in force until further directives are given”. LEADERSHIP recalls that the national minimum wage committee, which was inaugurated in November 2017, had commenced work in March 2018 with timelines to deliver on its mandate of arriving at a new national minimum wage between August and September 2018. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, had in February this year during the 40th anniversary celebration of the NLC, assured workers that they would have a new minimum wage in September.

The NLC president said the claims by state governors that they cannot pay salary is due to high level of corruption, excessive cost of governance, indulgence in obscene lifestyle, white elephant projects and not lack of funds. He said, “Indeed, government ought to have commended workers and their unions for waiting patiently for two years before commencing negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage. We advise that our disposition should not be taken for granted. Meanwhile, the federal government yesterday said the tripartite committee on the new national minimum wage will reconvene its meeting on October 4 to conclude its negotiation process.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige said this while addressing journalists after a closed meeting with the leadership of organised labour. The minister earlier met with organised labour leaders who were also part of the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage to update them on government decision. “One of the ways that we going to show it is by implementing the new national minimum wage and this we need to fix a base for the lowest paid worker in Nigeria. We are resuming next week, precisely on Thursday, October 4, and the meeting may spillover to October 5, as we normally use two days for the meeting. So, we are reconvening the meeting on the October 4, and all the process have being put in place”, he said. The minister noted that the Labour leaders have been informed about it and are expected to communicate to their members that there is no need to embark on the strike action.

He assured organised labour that before the meeting on the October 4, the necessary demands by organised labour would have being factored in. The minister said, “Part of our consultation means that the Economic Management Team, which is managing the entire economy of the country, would have something to work on. “Already, they are working on it together with the National Salaries and Wages Commission and it is expected that before that meeting on October 4, they would have been through with the work. Everything is subject to negotiation. So, on Thursday October 4, we are going back to the negotiating table”. Ngige added that the 14-day ultimatum issued the federal government did not get to him otherwise he would have addressed it scientifically the way it should be done. He also said that federal government was optimistic that the committee would wrap up in October and all other processes pertaining the new national minimum wage for workers in the country.

NNPC Cautions Against Panic Buying Of Fuel Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday appealed to motorists and other consumers of petroleum products across the country not to engage in panic buying of the products for fear of the planned industrial action by organised labour. The group managing director of the Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, said the federal government is seriously engaging the NLC and other labour unions on the issues raised. In a statement he issued in Abuja yesterday, NNPC group general manager, group public affairs division, Ndu Ughamadu, quoted the NNPC GMD as affirming that the nation has 37-day self-sufficiency in petroleum premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol.

According to the statement, Baru assured that all the NNPC depots across the country, including the private ones engaged by the corporation on throughput basis, have an abundance of petroleum products to meet the needs of Nigerians. He said all NNPC depot managers have been instructed to intensify products loading and other activities in their depots to avert any fallout of developments in respect of the NLC’s proposed strike. Baru explained that the NNPC would continue to meet the products consumption needs of all Nigerians wherever they may be within the shores of the country.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/minimum-wage-labour-adamant-begins.html

Nollywod actress, Ronke Oshodi Oke took to her Instagram page to share her opinion on the issue of sex trading in Nigeria most especially around work environment.

According to her, ‘most girls are now scared to even be friends with their bosses, so as to avoid the unknown!! Sex is now the new application letter’.

See her full post below…

We were all born with different dreams!! We all had plans!! We all pictured our lives in perfection!! We were ready to take over the world!!

But no one told us the sacrifices we had to pay!! No one told us of the exchange involved!! No one told is that being a girl child came with its own torture and ungodly sacrifices!! No one told us that most times we had to give more than just our brains to get that dream job!!

Back then it was all by merit but right now the story is twisted!! It is now a thing of knowing someone at the top or using what you have to get what you want!! The society is sick!!
Most girls are now scared to even be friends with their bosses, so as to avoid the unknown. Sex is now the new application letter!!

Even guys are not left out!! Female/male bosses use most of these guys as a tool of satisfaction all in the name giving them their dream job. To everyone out there going through this sickening situation the country has put us all in, please my darling take a step backwards and ask yourself for how long? To what end?

Restructure your life! Rediscover yourself! Pursue your dreams!! Be a noisemaker if you have to Dare to become more and hustle legitimately!! Iyanu ma shele!! Don’t sell your body for money or any JOB!

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/sex-is-now-new-application-letter.html

Three family members have reportedly died in their sleep in Bayelsa State after having a dinner suspected to have been poisoned.

The incident occurred in Azikoro, a suburb of Yenagoa, the state capital, on Friday.

The deceased, who hailed from Ozallah community, in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, were identified as Orji Igwenta (husband), Nkem Igwenta (wife) and Obinna Ogbani, Orji’s brother.

While Orji was 35, his wife, Nkem, who was said to be pregnant, was 34. Ogbani was 10 years old.

As an indication that the family of three might have died from poison, it was learnt that a rat was found dead beside the corpses.

PUNCH Metro gathered that neighbours, who suspected that all was not well with the family because they had yet to be seen outside on Saturday afternoon, forced the door open.

The neighbours reportedly found their corpses on the floor.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity on Monday, said neighbours reported the incident at the Azikoro Police Division.

He said, “They slept on Friday and did not wake up. The man used to drive a commercial tricycle and he woke up daily before 5am. So, we were surprised that his tricycle was still parked outside in the afternoon.

“We knocked on their door and got no feedback. So, we forced the door open and had to rush to the police station to report what we saw. The police took the landlord for questioning and they have been investigating the incident.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/man-pregnant-wife-brother-die-after.html

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, has assured Nigerians that the judiciary will handle disputes arising from the 2019 general elections with fairness.

Justice Onnoghen made this declaration on Monday at the inauguration of 30 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) at the Supreme Court Complex in Abuja.

“As we prepare for the 2019 general elections, I reiterate that the judiciary will in determining electoral disputes, continue to play the role of Independent and dispassionate arbiter without fear or favour; affection or ill-will.

“However, the court must partner with key stakeholders to play a critical role in the sensitization and voter education to ensure that eligible members of the public are properly enlightened,” he said.

Onnoghen disclosed that the Supreme Court treated 1, 439 cases including motions, 438 appeals and 192 criminal matters in the previous year.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro (SAN), charged the new SANs to be humble in their relations with other lawyers, explaining that the privilege bestowed by the new rank could be withdrawn at any time on grounds of misconduct.

Thirty one individuals were shortlisted out of the 164 lawyers who applied for the rank. However, the CJN said Ikhide Ehighelua was dropped by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) over misconduct.

Among the inductees was the first female professor to become a SAN, Oluyemisi Adefunke Bamgbose.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/2019-what-nigerians-should-expect-from.html

The deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Justice Olamide Oloyede (retd) has claimed that he was told that the Saturday’s governorship election in Osun would be cancelled in exactly the way the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, nullified it.

According to her, it was strange that what he was told came to fruition, adding that the action was orchestrated.

She said this while flaying INEC for declaring the election inconclusive, adding that the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ademola Adeleke, ought to have been declared the winner of the election.

Oloyede, who spoke with Punch in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Monday, said the cancellation of votes in those polling units were orchestrated before the election and it was unfortunate that the INEC allowed itself to be used to rob the people of the state.

She said, “The people have spoken and that is the beauty of democracy. What the people said should be allowed to stand and whatever we do today will become history in the future.

“There have been antecedents, Kogi State is one, Oshiomhole’s case is another one. The cancelled votes were not deducted from the voters and they did not affect the winners of the elections in any way.

“That is why I am a bit worried now. I am worried and I said to myself, why are they making Osun State an exemption in this case? Once you cancelled votes, they no longer form parts of the valid votes. So why will you now be deducting cancelled votes in this case? What kind of mathematics is INEC now involved in?

“It is rather an orchestrated thing. I was told by somebody before the election that votes from these areas would be cancelled but I did not believe the person. I was shocked when what he said came to pass. What he said was very accurate and I began to wonder because this is strange.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/osun-decides-i-was-told-before-election.html

The Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial district, Shehu Sani, has described the outcome of the Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State as a ‘lesson and a warning.’

Sani made the statement on his Twitter page while reacting to the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declaring the governorship election in Osun State inconclusive.

INEC said Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, polled about 254,698 ahead of Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who garnered 254,345 votes.

This decision followed cancellation of votes in Orolu Local Government, Ife South LG, Ife North LG and Osogbo LG.

Sani wrote, “Osun election means four things; a lesson, a message, a warning and an opportunity to reset the meters and clock of our confidence and complacency.

“Osun election is a laboratory report of our sugar level and blood pressure.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/osun-decides-shehu-sani-reveals-what.html

NOSA ERESOYEN, writes on the frictions rocking both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State ahead of 2019 general elections.

Speculation that former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, and the immediate past Deputy Governor, Prof Amos Aigbe Utuama, would defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) manifested recently.
Their absence at the Delta Central PDP mega rally held at the Ughelli Township Stadium, fueled rumours that they were finalising their plans to toe the path of ex-Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) recently.
Some other prominent PDP members from Delta Central who were absent, at the rally include; the former speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Monday Igbuya who recently dumped the party for APC, Delta State University Teaching Hospital Oghara, Dr. Chris Ogenechovwen fueling the speculations that they might move with Uduaghan into APC.
Igbuya, who described PDP as a party for cabals with selfish interests, said he dumped the party for good, alleging that the performances of Okowa were on the surface and on pages of Newspapers.
Interestingly, Uduaghan who had recently defected to APC, had in a statement, described himself as the “John the Baptist”, heralding the defection of other PDP chieftains who would be defecting to the party.
It is alleged that the former SSG, Chief Ovuozerie Maculay and Ibori are working to dump the party, and had been meeting consistently to perfect all their plans.
Sources close to the former SSG alleged that part of his conditions to stay in the party PDP was his first son to be accepted at the Assembly to represent Isoko North, a condition that was reportedly turned down by the governor who bluntly said, it will not work.
The governor’s decision to reject the condition from the former SSG was alleged to have been hinged on the fact that Maculay’s son knew nothing about politics, and that he cannot handle political activities for him in the area.
Top party leaders have in the recent times said Ibori’s soul may have left their party, and as such he does not participate in any activities of the party.
Ibori however, has on several occasions, denied plans of moving to APC as contained in numerous press releases signed by his media aide, Tony Eleumunor. He described claims of Ibori going to APC as mere speculations and figment of imagination. Still, the former governor of the state has been absent from party activities, a situation which continues to fuel such speculations.
However, at the PDP event which was attended by the state Governor, witnessed the defection of about 5,000 members of the APC, and other political parties to PDP.
Okowa, in his remarks at the event, mocked the governorship aspirants on the platform of the APC, and other political parties in the state, adding that he would not be intimidated. He said he would rather focus on the discharge of his duties as Governor of the state than join issues with them.
But few days after Okowa’s criticism against the APC governorship aspirants and other APC members, indications emerged that PDP lawmakers at the State Assembly may have concluded plans to dump the party for APC for what they alleged as “super imposition” to edge them out in the scheme of things.
One of the lawmakers in Isoko region, and Oshimili South and North Constituencies who spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity said, “The party leaders have resolved we cannot go back, and that fresh persons would be given the tickets.”
The lawmaker added that they will move to APC where they could find relevance.
An aide to another lawmaker representing Aniocha South Constituency at the Assembly who spoke to our correspondent said; “Madam has concluded plans to dump the PDP for APC, the party leaders agreed they will give the ticket to Mr. Chikezie Austine, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources.”
But the crisis in the Delta APC is yet to be resolved. As two chieftains of the party still lay claim to the party leadership in the state.
The party national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, had inaugurated the Prophet Jones Erue-led executive.
But the executive led by Chief Cyril Ogodo sworn in by former national chairman, John Odige-Oyegun, continues to lay claim to the party leadership. Like most states the debate over which mode of primaries to use (direct or indirect primaries) in producing its candidate has exacerbated the crisis in the state party.
Meanwhile, governorship aspirants apart from Chief Great Ogboru rooting for direct primaries in the state, include, Prof. Pat Utomi, Barr Victor Ochei, Dr. Caro Ojougboh, Chief Osiobe Okolie and Prof. Leroy Edozien all of whom affirmed that if the party must win Delta, it must get it’s primaries right.
A letter which was made available to our correspondent, reads in part, “Delta Elders, Leaders, and Stakeholders of the APC have adopted the direct primaries option for the nomination of all candidates in Delta State.
“In reaching this decision, the Elders, Leaders, and Stakeholders considered the fact that direct primaries are more democratic and suit the peculiarities of the party in Delta State at the present moment. “Delta State APC is currently embroiled in crisis which the National leadership, as personified by Your Excellency, is working hard to resolve.
Even at that, cases are still pending in various courts to determine the authentic and legal Executives of the party at different levels, from the Wards, to Local Government Areas and the state Executives.
“In that situation, the Elders, Leaders, and Stakeholders resolved that it be safest to adopt the direct primaries option to nominate all the candidates from Delta State in the forthcoming general elections.
This will prevent a situation whereby the authenticity and legality of our candidates will be mired in protracted litigation in courts thereby detracting from our focus on our major opponent, the PDP, in the general election.
“It is also the opinion of the Delta State Elders, Leaders, and Stakeholders that the direct primary option will provide the aspirants for various elective offices the opportunity to test their true popularity, strength, and acceptability among party members in their various constituencies.
“Furthermore, Delta State APC Elders, Leaders, and Stakeholders also considered that direct primaries will give a sense of ownership of the primaries process to all registered party members and make them committed to working hard to deliver these candidates in the general election.”
Speaking further, they said: “As the national leadership of the party is aware, many high profile individuals have joined our great party in Delta State post the last Congresses and National Convention. Some of these new entrants have indicated interest in vying for various elective positions under the banner of our great party.
The Delta APC Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders are of the opinion that the direct primary option will give a sense of inclusion and provide a level playing field to these new entrants and effectively incorporate them into the membership of the party.
“We are aware that certain persons who think that indirect primaries serve their interests have tried to hoodwink the party leadership by espousing the argument that the security situation in Delta State does not warrant the conduct of direct primaries.
However, this argument is non sequitur and self-defeating. Under our party’s constitution, indirect primaries are preceded by ward congresses to elect delegates to the local government and state congresses that in turn elect the candidates for governorship and other positions. This is equivalent to direct primaries.
“We therefore believe that adopting direct primaries is even an easier and less cumbersome process. If the state is safe enough to conduct statewide delegate elections, it will also be safe enough to conduct direct primaries.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/delta-dissecting-intrigues-in-pdp-apc.html

The standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in the ongoing Osun election, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has boasted that he would win the contest in landslide if the process is free and fair.

Adeleke who voted at exactly 8:05am at Sagba Abogunde, ward 2, unit 9, in Ede North Local Government said the process has been orderly without hitches.

Speaking with newsmen after exercising his civic responsibility, he stressed that election in Osun should not have gone otherwise because of the deep interest of international community in the process.

“This election must remain a reference point for any election in Nigeria, the position of international community is that the process must be free, fair and credible.

“Although there are pockets of skirmish before today, we are resolute in our mission to rescue the state from looters; we can not be intimidated in any way,” he said.

Adeleke, however, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of trying to manipulate the process electronically though compromised devices.

Speaking on the impact of his family pedigree as leverage in the contest, Adeleke said his family history of integrity and humanitarian service would work for him.

He described his late brother, Isiaka as a master in the game of politics, whom he claimed he learnt a lot from in terms of governance and leadership.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/osun-decides-why-i-will-win-in.html

The media aide to the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, Sola Fasure, has accused the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party of inducing voters with cash.

Fasure, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the State, was reacting to the claim by the PDP that cash has been flown into the state to induce voters in favour of the APC.

He, however, asked the PDP to provide evidence to prove its allegations.

Fasure told Punch on Friday that the PDP raised the allegation as a way of diverting attention from the alleged electoral fraud the party had perfected.

“The PDP and its candidate have been sending messages out to obtain account numbers of the people whose vote they want to buy. They are using this allegation to cover their own heinous and sinister practice of trying to induce voters,” he said.

“They are making allegations without evidence but we have evidence of them trying to induce voters.

“They are the ones actually sending messages and trying to induce these voters with cash.

“They have been obtaining bank accounts and it is all over the state. Everybody knows but they are using the press conference as a means to divert attention from them so that they can perpetuate that criminal activity of subverting the election and inducing voters.

“We are not giving out money to anybody; anyone who claims to have collected money from us should come out to the public and say it.

“We have the strategy of winning elections by going out to canvass for votes and they have the strategy of taking shortcut by paying to induce voters and to circumvent the electoral process. They have started inducing voters already but they will fail woefully.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/osun-decides-what-pdp-candidate-is.html

The issue of Nigerian singer, Davido and his mandatory National Youth Service Corps programme, NYSC has made headlines following the controversy the singer created for himself by not abiding to the NYSC laws.

In respect to his personalty and show biz, the singer might be forced to make some sacrifices to conform to the law however, it appears that Davido wouldn’t be moved despite the likely repercussion of his moves

Davido at the moment may be extended by 3 months without him getting paid.

According to NYSC Bye Laws which strongly advised her members not to take part in any political campaigns whatsoever, however, photo and video evidence of him campaigning and showing support publicly for his uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke for the upcoming Osun State Governorship elections, have gone viral

One of the NYSC Bye laws of 1993 which is the code of conduct guiding every corps member in the country states that:

“Any member who takes part in partisan politics is liable to extension of service for a period not less than three (3) months without pay.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/davido-in-big-trouble-as-his-nysc.html

A four year old girl was on Tuesday mauled to death by three dogs. The girl identified as Thanyaluk Salitakun was out playing innocently on her bicycle when attacked by three dogs that got out of a neighbor’s yard in Thailand.

When Ban Khawao, Chaiyaphum, police arrived in the soi behind some houses they found a lot of blood on the walkway and in the grass. Little Thanyaluk pink bicycle was on its side. The four year old died on the way to hospital from her injuries and massive blood loss.

Next door neighbor Noppapon Kunthanawat, 57, said he was watching TV in his house about 5pm on Tuesday when he heard the girl’s screams. He rushed out and saw the dogs savaging the girls neck and head. He managed to beat the dogs off and they ran into nearby houses. By this time Thanyaluk was bleeding profusely and lying still in the grass. She was rushed to hospital but it was too late.

Noppapon said that the dogs responsible for the attack were kept in pens in a neighbor’s house. They were a pregnant Thai dog breed, a male Thai dog breed and a poodle. They were aged about 2-3 years each.

The girl’s grandmother said that she was looking after her two grandchildren and was preparing food at the time. Their mum, a teacher, had not come back from work yet.

Thanyaluk had gone out to play on her bike in the soi as she always did.

She said that the owner of the dogs was a good neighbor but he is yet to take responsibility for what happened. She wanted the incident to be a warning to dog owners to always keep their pets inside the house.

The dog’s owner – 27 year old Piyanat Daengsoi – has initially been charged with an offence related to allowing fierce animals out in the street where they could do harm.

For this he would face a maximum of one month in jail or a 10,000 baht fine. If negligence could be proven he could be in more serious trouble, said Pol Lt-Col Thongsuk Ratseewor.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/so-sad-three-dogs-attack-4-year-old.html

The Federal Government is set to resume its legal battle to extradite serving senator, Prince Buruji Kashamu to the United States of America to face trial for an alleged drug trafficking.

The government will on September 24 at the Supreme Court resume the final legal action seeking the lawmaker’s extradition.

The Supreme Court will on the set date determine the veracity of the two judgments delivered in favour of the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, by the Lagos division of Court of Appeal on May 4 this year.

Kashamu had in his notice of appeal to the Supreme Court, complained that the Court of Appeal erred in law by voiding and setting aside the two judgments of the Federal High Court which barred Federal Government from going ahead with his extradition.

Kashamu is asking the apex Court to set aside the decisions of the Court of Appeal as they affected him.

The AGF, acting on behalf of the Federal Government, filed a counter prayer that the Apex Court should uphold the judgments of the Court of Appeal which cleared the coast for Kashamu’s extradition.

The AGF claimed that the Appeal Court was right in setting aside the judgments of the High Court because they were based on hearsay evidence of Kashamu before the court.

The AGF is urging the Supreme Court to allow the judgments of the Court of Appeal to enable the Federal government extradite the Senator to USA to prove his innocence or otherwise in the hard drug criminal charge filed against him by the American government since 2015 when he was alleged to have escaped to Nigeria.

One of the senior lawyers in the Senator’s legal team, Olusegun Odubela SAN, confirmed to journalists in Abuja that the senator and the Federal Government have shifted their legal battle on the extradition to the Supreme Court, adding that Kashamu is challenging the validity of the two judgments of the Court of Appeal.

Legal luminary, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, is leading the legal team of the Senator at the Supreme Court while Chief Emeka Ngige SAN is leading the Federal Government legal team.

However, in spite of his appeal to the Supreme Court, Senator Kashamu has again filed a fresh fundamental human rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja where he is praying the court to bar the federal government from extraditing him or giving effect to judgments of Appeal Court.

But Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed had in a ruling on ex-parte motion of Kashamu refused to grant order of interim injunction against the federal government.

The judge in the ruling delivered on May 30 refused to stop the execution of the two judgments secured by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice against the senator representing Ogun East Senatorial district in the senate.

The court held that granting the request by Kashamu to stay the appellate court decisions against him in an ex-parte application will be against the rule of law and natural justice.

In the ruling on the ex-parte application filed against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Justice Mohammed rather asked the embattled senator to put the AGF and NDLEA on notice in respect of his fresh suit.

Justice Mohammed had noted that since what the senator sought in his originating summon was to prevent his extradition, it will be unfair against the AGF and NDLEA to put the extradition on hold without going into the merit of the whole issue as contained in the originating summon.

The Judge, therefore, declined to stop the implementation of the appeal verdict delivered on May 4 this year.

Kashamu through his counsel Dr. Alex Izinyun SAN had in the ex-parte motion, argued that he was afraid and apprehensive that the federal government may likely pick him and extradite him to USA on the strength of the Court of Appeal Judgments.

He told Justice Mohammed that if the extradition is executed via the judgments of the appellate court, his fundamental right to freedom of liberty will be jeopardized.

The senior lawyer argued that if senator Kashamu is picked by the federal government through the NDLEA; no court in Nigeria will have jurisdiction to safe him because he (Kashamu) would have been flown to a foreign country.

Izinyon SAN, insisted that there is likelihood now of his client being picked by the Federal Government and the NDLEA adding that his fundamental human rights will be breached in the process.

But Justice Mohammed stood his ground that his court was not persuaded to stop the appellate court judgment but will rather wish that Kashamu puts both AGF and NDLEA on notice to show cause on why the two Judgments against the senator should not be stayed from execution.

The Court of Appeal had on May 4 cleared the coast for the federal government to extradite the senator, who had engaged government in a long drawn legal battle since 2014

The appellate court in a landmark judgment voided and set aside all orders made by a Federal High Court between 2014 and 2017 restraining the government from proceeding with the extradition.

In a judgment in an appeal filed by the AGF Justice Joseph Ikyeghi held that the orders granted Kashamu by Justice Okon Abang were invalid, nonsensical and unacceptable to laws because they were based on hearsays and speculations by Senator Kashamu.

The unanimous judgment was prepared by Justice Ikyeghi and was delivered by Justice Yargata Nimpar.

The court held that the hearsay that a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was instigating the extradition was not established under any law.

The appeal court said that an affidavit deposed to by the senator on the issue was worthless and not in compliance with Evidence Act because the senator himself claimed that he was told by several persons who were not called to testify in court.

Justice Ikyeghi held that Justice Abang in his two judgments on the issue erred in law by playing undue reliance on affidavit that offended Evidence Act to give judgment against the Federal government.

Consequently, the order of injunction stopping the extraction process was voided and set aside.

Justice Ikyeghi had agreed with counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Emeka Ngige SAN, that a statutory body like the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) can only be prohibited from performing its statutory functions based on facts and not hearsays and speculations as in the instant case.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/09/fg-vs-kashamu-supreme-court-to-decide.html