₦airaland Forum

Aisha Yesufu, co-convener of BringBackOurGirls, BBOG, advocacy group, on Sunday lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari over killings in Zamfara state and other parts of the country.

The BBOG co-convener maintained that Buhari has failed following his alleged inability to protect the lives of Nigerians.

She made the remark while reacting to report that about 60 people were killed in two separate attacks in Anka local government area of Zamfara State between Tuesday and Wednesday last week.

Following the renewed attacks, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state had on Friday ordered security agents in the state to shoot and kill anyone caught carrying firearms in the state.

In a tweet, Yesufu suggested that Buhari was not “fit to be called Commander-In-Chief” because he had failed to cordinate the protection of Nigerians.

She tweeted, “A government that cannot protect the lives and properties of its citizens is not fit to be called a government. A Commander-In-Chief that cannot coordinate the protection of his citizens is not fit to be called Commander-In-Chief.President Muhammadu Buhari @MBuhari has failed.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/04/aisha-yesufu-calls-buhari-failed.html

A suspected homo$exual identified as Daniel has been apprehended just after he tried penetrating a boy from behind in Benin, Edo State.

According to reports, the suspected homo$exual was beaten mercilessly and stripped n@ked, after his victim’s elder sister caught him red handed and raised an alarm.

The alleged bus conductor in Benin who confessed that this wasn’t his first time of having homosexual $ex with a young boy, further disclosed that he had slept with three young boys in Warri, Delta state.

Recall that few months ago, the Delta State police command confirmed the arrest of two male teachers of a secondary school (names withheld) in Agbor, who were allegedly involved in homo$exuality.

It was gathered that the teachers allegedly ruined the lives of some students in the school, a popular male secondary school. According to the father of one of the students, (name withheld), the suspects had been in the act with male students for over four years before nemesis caught up with them with the arrest by the police.

They were allegedly caught in the act inside the school premises and upon interrogation, confessed to the crime. Investigation revealed that the victims were treated at the Agbor General Hospital for bruises in their anus.

The police image-maker in the state, Mr. Andrew Aniamaka, who spoke to journalists yesterday in his office, confirmed the arrest of the two teachers. He said the two suspects are in grade level 10 and 12 respectively, adding: “investigation is ongoing while the suspects are being detained.”

This followed up report of the Lagos State government, arraigning 28 adults and 12 minors before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court for allegedly engaging in homo$exuality, contrary to the laws of the land. They were all arrested by the police in Owode Onirin area of the state, after being caught in the act of homo$exuality at a popular hotel in the area simply known as Vintage Hotel.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/homoexual-caught-pants-down-while.html

Adesua Etomi who was recently a guest at the ongoing reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, where she spoke on how she is able to manage her way through it all both as a wife, career woman and all.

According to her, “I have a very small circle and they are very important to me that they tell me whenever I go wrong. I love God because he alone has been my guide. You can’t please everybody. There is nobody in this world that can stop me from acting and singing. My work comes first then my family but I pray a lot because it’s so easy to get lost and that will not be nice at all.”

On whether she will be doing a duet with her hubby Banky W, she said, “I have love music for a long time but what had stopped me for long was the fact that I felt I was not doing it right. I might be doing a duet with Banky W soon, whether or not with Banky but I am going to do something music-wise soon.”

She further stressed that one of the biggest achievement in her life is the fact that she was able to marry the love of her life.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/checkout-adesua-etomis-biggest-life.html

The Nigerian Navy says it has discovered six new illegal refineries with combined capacity to refine four million litres of crude oil daily in Alakiri, Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers.

Capt. Victor Choji, Executive Officer of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder Port Harcourt, disclosed this while destroying one of the illegal refineries on Thursday in Alakiri, Asari-Toru.

“The refinery (in Alakiri) has capacity to produce one million litres of refined petroleum products daily, while the five other refineries have production-capacity of three million litres daily,” he said.

Choji said the refineries were discovered through intensive intelligence gathering and undercover operations by naval troops.

He said the navy deployed Swam Buggy machines to crush the metallic storages and its pipelines to make it impossible for operators of the refineries to rehabilitate the facilities.

“This operation is focused on hitting the very heart of their infrastructure, so that the operators do not have capacity to regroup and resume their illicit activities.

“We realised that whenever we set ablase the refineries without the use of Swam Buggy machine, days after our troops leave the scene, the oil thieves return and revive the refineries.

“So, the Navy came up with this strategy to ensure that the pipeline network and metallic storages at the illegal facility are completely crushed.

The executive officer said the swam buggy approach was also adopted to address health concern raised by residents over carbon emissions (black soot) in the atmosphere in the state and environs.

He said that the strategy had led to significant reduction of soot in the atmosphere while also improving aquatic life in the maritime environment.

“We started siphoning petroleum products first before destroying the illegal refineries as part of measures to eliminate soot in the atmosphere.

“After siphoning the product, it is then taken out of the area and handed over to authorities for testing and analysis,” he said.

Choji said it would take troops about seven days to move the petroleum products and destroy the six illegal refineries.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/nigerian-govt-uncovers-illegal.html

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta State Governor, has finally reacted to a trending story which alleged that the contract for the construction of the multi-billion naira state Secretariat Building was awarded to himself through a clandestine agreement with the Chinese firm handling the project.

Okowa who was confronted with the question on the true state of the ownership of the contract during the first session of the quarterly media interaction with journalists in the state held on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, denied being the awardee of the contract and owner of the Chinese construction firm handling the project.

He said, “In the first instance, I don’t know how many of us that have been to that new secretariat that is being built? I am sure you are proud of what that is going on there. If Dr. Okowa had the competence to own a company to build that kind of house that is being built, I would have been very proud of myself.

“The company is not hidden, it is a Chinese Company, and those who went with us there, saw the Chinese who were there. But one thing I must thank them for is that out of the over 160 people who are working in that project, only 11 of them were brought from China, the other 150 were Nigerians working on that site and the level of work and organisation, the quality of the work is something we are proud of.”

Okowa said, “If you get there and you find out that I have that kind of company; probably I am part of the Chinese government, but actually it is a Chinese owned firm, possibly I am part of the Chinese hierarchy now, that means I must be a very big man and Deltans should be proud of me.

“If I have that level of connection in China, then I am sure that I would have been able to do much more for Deltans. I wish I could but I am not.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/okowa-denies-getting-multi-billion.html

The governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari on his pronouncement on tenure elongation for national officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okorocha said the president has scored “another beautiful goal” for Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement released shortly after the National Executive Committee meeting of the APC, Okorocha said President Buhari is interested in the need for the protection of Nigeria’s citizens and respect to the national constitution.

Also stating that the president has shown astute leadership, Okorocha said, President Buhari succeeded in assuring APC members that the party’s victory should be seen as another bold step towards deepening democratic ethos or practices in our dear nation.

The governor also commended the national chairman of the APC, John Oyegun for leading the party to its present level. He said the political history of Nigeria will be fair to Oyegun and his team when it will be written.

Okorocha also said that the APC must continue to show good examples to other political parties by demonstrating due regard to the provisions of the Nigeria’s constitution and that of the party.

It was earlier reported that the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, had also commended the president for kicking against the elongation of tenure for the party executives.

Tinubu while speaking after the APC’s NEC meeting saved President Buhari has saved the party from legal breakdown.

He said the party has also being steered to the correct path by President Buhari.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/buhari-has-scored-beautiful-goal-for.html

President saved party from legal turmoil – Tinubu

NEC’s decision on Oyegun-led NWC subsists – Spokesman

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will in the coming days announce a date for its national convention to elect new leaders, sources told Daily Trust yesterday.

This became necessary after President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday declared as illegal the extension of the tenure of current party leaders led by Oyegun by one year.

The president’s position was upheld at a closed meeting of the NEC, our sources said.

The tenure of the party executives will end on June 30 which means the party has less than 90 days from now to complete its ward, local government and state congresses as well as the national convention where new leaders will be elected.

On January 9 this year, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) issued the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019 General Elections, fixing the conduct of party primaries including the resolution of disputes arising from primaries for August 18, 2018 to October 7, 2018 for national and state elections; while that of the FCT Area Council is slated for between September 4 and October 27, 2018.

With this in view, the APC will need a new set of elected leaders to organise primaries for the national and state assemblies, governorship and presidential elections.

The shock at NEC meeting

Daily Trust gathered that there was shock and apprehension among APC leaders yesterday after the president made his remarks.

“President Buhari has succeeded in resolving what would have been a big legal issue. He would still have to have a strong machinery to resolve emerging political issues ahead of the convention. Some leaders are already feeling that they have defeated others in the tussle,” a source said.

Another source said some governors and ministers who allegedly “contrived” the tenure extension for Oyegun and others were also disappointed with the new development.

“You all know the governors that wanted Oyegun and other NWC members and officials at all levels to stay. They are the governors that have issues with the party leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Other governors and ministers have issues with some serving members of the National Assembly and they are all looking towards the APC primary to deal with them by edging them out.

“The argument before was that there was no time to do primaries because of pending crisis in states; that current leaders should lead through the 2019 elections.

“So, a big problem has been resolved but many others would crop up. For now, Tinubu who felt betrayed has been emboldened; he is very happy with President Buhari and you would notice improved activity by his committee.

“Besides the legal issues, Buhari cannot afford to lose the South West and Tinubu is a factor; Tinubu also needs Buhari because the election is around the corner. “

The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, who had earlier yesterday said that the NEC meeting would only discuss the reports of the party committees on Constitution Review and True Federalism, was visibly stunned when Buhari said plans for the convention to elect new leaders should continue.

‘Caretaker c’ttee would not remedy the situation’

President Buhari, who spoke in Abuja at the party’s national secretariat, said the outcome of his consultations with legal advisers showed that the tenure elongation contravened not only the APC’s constitution but the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well.

Buhari said: “What is expected of the party is to conduct fresh elections, once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end”, adding that a caretaker committee would not remedy the situation and could not “validly act in place of elected officers.”

He said, “As we all know, a motion was moved at the last NEC meeting of February 27, 2018, to the effect that when the tenure of the current executives expire in June this year, they should be allowed to continue for one year.

“This motion was duly carried by a majority of members present at the last NEC Meeting, even though some of our party members have since spoken up very vehemently against it. Others have even taken the matter to court.

“On my own part, I have taken some time to review and seek advice on the resolution. And what I found is that it contravenes both our party Constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While the APC Constitution, in Article 17(1) and 13.2(B), limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), in section 223, also prescribes periodic elections for party executives at regular intervals, which must not exceed four years.

“Furthermore, Article 31 of our Party Constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to re-contest or contest for another post, must resign from his current post at least one month before the election,” he said.

President Buhari, who warned that the fortunes of the party might be endangered if they deviated from the constitutional provisions, stated that “if the tenure of our party executives can be legally faulted, then it means that any nominations and primary elections that they may conduct can also be faulted.

“This is not to talk of divisions that would arise, and is already arising within the party, when some of our members feel that they are being denied the right to aspire to executive positions, or that internal democracy is not at play within the party.

“I am therefore of the firm view that it is better to follow strictly the dictates of our party and national constitutions, rather than put APC and its activities at grave risk.”

He also cautioned against any action that would make the party susceptible to the opposition’s plots.

Buhari said, “They (the opposition) can delay or divide us further within the party when they quote appropriate portions of the party constitution and of the country.”

What APC leaders said

Fielding questions from journalists after the NEC meeting, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, said a technical committee has been constituted to advise the party on the matter.

Abdullahi added that the decision of NEC still subsists pending the outcome of the task of the committee even though the membership could not be ascertained last night.

He said, “The president was gracious enough to say well, this is my thinking. But I still want to subject it to debate by NEC. So, members of NEC thanked the president for still throwing the issue to them for a debate.

“So, the NEC decided to set up a small committee to advise the party on this matter. At the moment, there is no decision taken. When that committee submits its report, it means NEC will still meet to either consider it or reaffirm its earlier position,” he said.

Yesterday’s NEC meeting was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, governors of Kogi, Jigawa, Ogun, Edo, Katsina, Nasarawa, Imo, Kano, Ondo, Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Kaduna, and Bauchi States, including deputy governors of Zamfara, Oyo, Borno, and Osun States.

Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alh. Muhammad Musa Bello, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, Sen. Babafemi Ojudu, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, and the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa.

Buhari has saved APC – Tinubu

In his response, Tinubu yesterday hailed President Buhari for declaring the tenure elongation granted Oyegun and others as an illegality.

Tinubu observed that Buhari had, “in clear, straightforward manner, “affirmed our party remains faithful to the principles of internal democracy and the rule of law.”

In a statement he personally signed, Tinubu enthused that Buhari’s action “saves the party from serious legal turmoil.”

According to the APC National Leader, it would also strengthen the party “by allowing party members, including present incumbents, to seek to contribute to the party by vying for executive offices as they see fit.”

He said, “If the elongations were deemed illegal then all subsequent party actions, including the nomination of all of our candidates for elective offices, might also be of questionable legality.

“Such a predicament would constitute an unnecessary and mortal blow to the party and its role in promoting progressive governance to Nigeria.

“Moreover, President Buhari has affirmed for all to see that our party is one based on the rule of law coupled with a firm adherence to internal democracy. While it would have been easy to allow the ill-conceived motion of 27 February to stand, President Buhari showed principle and courage by steering the party back to its original and correct path.

“The President has spoken. Today is a good day for those who cherish democracy and legality.

“His action will go far in advancing the process of internal reconciliation that is now underway. It is a time for the party to move forward and begin to plan and organize the needed congresses according to the existing timetables,” he said.

Background on proposal for APC congresses and convention

The February 26, 2018 caucus ought to have ratified a comprehensive programme with dates for Ward Congresses, Local Government Area Congresses, State Congresses and National Convention which was brought to the attention of the National Caucus at the October 31, 2017 meeting.

The APC secretariat had told the caucus last year that the tenure of all officers elected into the Ward, Local Government, State and National organs of the party would be expiring in the second quarter of 2018 in line with the provisions of Article 17 (1) of the party’s constitution.

In a memo, the party secretariat told the caucus that it had begun preparations for the conduct of Congresses and National Convention in line with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

The APC national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had said on January 6 this year that the meetings of National Caucus and NEC would hold to endorse the timetable for congresses and national convention.

The APC national chairman added that the congresses and convention would hold between January and June this year.

Instead of approving and announcing the time-table for the congresses and convention, the proposal for tenure elongation was adopted at the February 27 NEC meeting.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/general-apc-to-hold-convention-as.html

The Ministry of Defence has said that it had received reports from Nigerians on the misconduct of soldiers as regards the farmers and herdsmen’s clashes.

It said it has also put such soldiers through “disciplinary procedures.”

Former Defence chief, General TY Danjuma had on Saturday at the maiden convocation ceremony of Taraba state University in Jalingo, Taraba state capital, urged Nigerians to defend themselves against the incessant killing by Fulani herdsmen.

He also accused the the Nigerian army of inappropriate conducts in handling the clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

The ministry told Punch that it has, however, not received any of such reports from Taraba State, adding that people were free to bring their complaints on the activities of the troops.

Spokesperson for the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Col. Tukur Gusau, spoke with Punch on Monday.

He said the government could not work with “general comments or allegations, if no specific report was made to the military authorities.”

Gusau said, “We have the Human Rights violation desk in all the formations of the Nigerian Army and a similar channel in the other arms of the military.

“Nigerians can also come directly to the Ministry of Defence.

“They can go to the Nigerian Army headquarters. Our doors are always open.

“If a soldier on duty has done something you feel is inappropriate, you have a duty to report that soldier. The office of the defence minister is open to everyone.

“The era where civilians are afraid of military actions is gone. Yes, we have been having such reports about the misconduct of soldiers in the theatre of operation.

“Nigerians have been coming to report incidents and we have been taking care of them. There have been disciplinary procedures.

“Soldiers have been put through disciplinary procedures.

“We have not received anything yet from Taraba State. We need to work on specific things.

“To my knowledge, we didn’t receive anything in respect of our operations in Taraba State.”

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/danjumas-comment-we-have-received.html

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) says it has registered 1.5 million students to write its 2018 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

The Council’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr Damianus Ojijeogu, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

He said the council had concluded arrangements for the conduct of the examination for school candidates, popularly refers to as May/June WASSCE.

“We have concluded all arrangements and deployed logistics in every part of the country for the conduct of a hitch-free examination.

“We have also taken cognisance of the upsurge of insecurity in some parts of the country.

“We are working in collaboration with the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure safe and conducive environments for the conduct of the examination.

“On our part, we will deploy professional examiners and supervisors that will protect the integrity of the examination,’’

According to him, the examinations will begin with the regular subjects on March 28.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/waec-registers-n15m-candidates-for-2018.html

The Northern States Governors’ Forum at the weekend held a meeting with the national leadership and state chapters of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

This was part of efforts to find lasting solutions to the continued clashes between herders and farmers across the federation.

The meeting, which held in Sokoto, had in attendance NSGF chairman and Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima, host Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and their counterparts from Kano (Abdullahi Ganduje), and Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai.

Though no formal communique was issued at the end of the meeting, the gathering discussed genesis of the crisis, efforts to contain it and how to entrench permanent solution.

In his opening remarks, Governor Shettima said the 19 northern states were worried by the rising cases of insecurity involving herder and farmers, and expressed optimism that their intervention will help in finding lasting solution to the conflicts.

He said they were intervening in order to complement efforts of the federal government, and said they hope to adopt local-conflict resolution mechanism to bring back trust and understanding among all the people of the region.

“We have seen enough crisis in the North East with Boko Haram. We cannot afford to let any other conflict linger without a solution

“We hope to hear from all sides and finally come up with a workable plan that will restore confidence and entrench lasting peace in our region,” he added.

Revealing the position of MACBAN, a source at the meeting said: “The leadership of Miyetti Allah, led by the National President, Muhammed Kirowa, told the meeting that the approach to conflict resolution adopted by political leaders in some states is not helpful in finding lasting peace.

“In his views, political leaders, especially Governors, should approach issues of peace in neutral perspective, not as biased party.”

“He said their members have lived in many of these conflict-prone communities for centuries without conflict, but wondered why is the situation getting out of hand now,” the source added.

A new round of discussion is expected to take place in Abuja, Jos, Makurdi and Kaduna in the coming weeks.

http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/herdsmen-vs-farmers-what-miyetti-allah.html

Former BBNaija housemate, Khloe has caused a stir on social media after she was spotted on Saturday in South Africa ahead of the Sunday Live show.

Big Brother Naija show host, Ebuka had announced that two of the evicted 11 housemates, including Anto, would be returning to the show today.

However, a viral video of Khloe at South Africa Airport has raised reactions online.

Some Nigerians says since Khloe was disqualified and not evicted, she should not be among those to be returned.

However, others are excited, with some noting that she will tame controversial housemate, Cee-c.

DAILY POST recalls that K-brule and Khloe were disqualified after receiving three strikes for provocation.

Here are some reactions on Twitter:

@Dunhill “The news trending that Khloe was spotted at the airport going to SA tbh d organizers of BBN ruined the ethics of d show. How can someone who was disqualified be among the evicted HMs..at this point I’m tired of this game, we aren’t illiterate. #fraud

@Henrykanu201 “BBnaija show has been hijacked. Shabi una go come next season, let me know who go dey vote nah? Khloe wey dem disqualify. You are taking her back to the house, nonsense show @BBNaija. Scripted show. Una downfall don begin nah

@Atemisjasper “Everybody acting like they have authentic info when it’s just based on Khloe being spotted.

@Cole “Next year, I’m not watching. They know what they are doing.

@Coraline_Pisces “Or did they purposely disqualify khloe early in the game, just to bring her back few weeks to the finale so she can win?

@Funmiwills “So information just got to me that Cee-c, Lolu and Tobi’s strikes will be cancelled cos Khloe is going back into the house… so is that supposed to be a compensation

@Ponmile “If na Khloe dey go that house, Abeg help me to deal with Cee- Cee.

@Henry “I heard Khloe and Ifu are the ex BBN people going back to the house today. Both of them was spotted at airport this evening.If Khloe is among selected housemate. How can biggie select disqualified person back? How can others housemate take their strike serious #BBNaija

@Couldntbbothered “This is how I want Khloe to enter back into that house and go straight to beating Cee-c’s ass

@Nobledoo “Cee c, I congratulate you on your new hustle, more to come because Khloe is almost here – more headaches in advance

@47vibezmedia “Khloe spotted at South Africa airport… Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

@sazzygirl “Least I forget, we welcome khloe back with open arms. If she’s here to put CEE-C in her place, last I remembered, she didn’t like Alex too! But one thing is guaranteed we no dey share our votes with anoda HM! Worry about your own.

@Pisces “I thought khloe was disqualified.. how come she’s going back to the house tomorrow.. biggie should better remove everybody’s strike then.. this #bbnaija is a scam

@Oyebisi “If a Disqualified Khloe is coming back, I think the strike Tobi, Lolu and Cee-c have should be nullified.

@Usmanashafe “Kemen got disqualified and did not even have the “evicted housemates party” organized for him. Khloe got disqualified, but she’s now going back because they only needed to get rid of K-Brule alone in the 1st place. You all should think with your brain.

@Factsonly “Khloe was seen at the airport today, we know what that means and so funny you people don’t know what disqualification means.

VIDEO: http://www.mcebisco.com.ng/2018/03/bbnaija-2018-nigerians-react-as-video.html